1.
Would the Fellowship share experience and then make recommendations
whether to recognise online groups?
Background
•
The
General Service Office does not register online groups, and for
example, online meetings are not included on the AA
Meetings section
of the alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk website
•
Over
the last years, or maybe decades already, there is mounting and
convincing evidence that groups that only meet online effectively
serve our primary purpose, just as regular face-to-face
groups
•
The
Continental European Region (CER) recognises online meetings
(http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.eu/country_map.php?Where=AA+On+Line+Meetings).
An online Intergroup is currently being considered
•
Some
of the online groups that are associated with Continental European
Region have existed for multiple years now. Not only are regular
group meetings held online, but so are business meetings. Experience
shows that a loving God does not recoil from expressing Himself in
our group conscience through an Internet connection. Also the online
collection of the Seventh Tradition has been worked out satisfactory
•
For
a growing number of AA members, online meetings are their only
realistic option for attending a meeting. Some examples: People that
are
housebound; parents with small children; people who cannot afford
public transport to the nearest town with a meeting; people who
desperately need a meeting at a time when there isn't a
face-to-face-meeting at hand
•
Probably
more so than face-to-face groups, online groups depend on their
groups and meetings being included on websites like
alcoholics-anonymous.co.uk, pressing the need for recognition by GSO
•
Article
in the July 2012-issue of Share
about
the First164YP Group (associated with Continental European Region).
Comment:
With reference to the second point above we'd be interested in
examining the “mounting and convincing evidence” which claims to
support the assertion. Simply stating this to be the case does not in itself constitute “evidence”. Alcoholics Anonymous doesn't
produce any direct statistics relating to the efficacy of its
message. These may be inferred from various surveys (internal and
external – the latter most usefully in AA Recovery Rates).
With
reference to the third point ie. that Continental European Region
recognises online groups is again not in itself conclusive to the
argument. It may be that this region is out of step with other
regions and has failed to properly consult them (see Tradition Four)
The
fourth point refers to the longevity of some online groups. Again
simply because something has existed for a while doesn't necessarily
legitimise it. The cult groups have certainly been operating for some
time in Great Britain and the States but this does not make their
influence any less pernicious.
The
fifth point ie. “a growing number of AA members” leaves open the
question: how many? Where are the data to support this contention?
Again AA does not record membership numbers in terms of the
categories cited. Certainly people who are housebound may well be
served by online access. As for the others many have managed to
arrange their lives and finances in such a fashion to ensure they are
able to attend meetings face-to-face. Friends, relatives, even other
AA members have always been willing to help out with childcare.
“Shank's pony” (walking) has similarly always been a good and reliable
substitute where public transport is rare, unavailable or somewhat
costly. AA members have even been known to give each other lifts
from time to time (even for free would you believe!). Some of the
best 'recovery' conversations take place whilst driving along
together in a member's 'charabanc'. As for needing a meeting
desperately! Maybe then would be a good time to read some literature,
ring up a friend, say a prayer or two and get in contact with your
Higher Power, meditate, or even stay with the emotions and learn how
to deal with adversity... there are all sorts of alternatives
available! Maybe not getting what we think we need from time to time
is no bad thing!
We
reckon there's nothing wrong in principle with online meetings but
purely as an adjunct to face-to-face, and not as any kind of
substitute! Living, breathing human beings with all their faults are
unbeatable when it comes to carrying the AA message.... even if some
of them are just a teensy-weensy bit crazy! Not us of course!
Cheers
The
Fellas (Friends
of Alcoholics Anonymous)
PS
For AA Minority Report 2013 click here
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