Another alternative “”Alcoholics Anonymous”(?) gathering

This one is coming up in the near future in the East Lancashire area and apparently under the auspices of the relevant Intergroup. Interestingly the website advertising the event (with its own music backing track!) indicates that this second incarnation is being launched “this time with the support of Inter-Group”, which would suggest that its first appearance on the world scene did not quite have that sanction. The occasion is paraded before us with the sort of marketing language you would expect from your average estate agent: ”Due to the success of the first event and huge enthusiastic demand from members we are excited to annouce [sic] the date for the second Open AA gathering ..” blah blah blah. Barely unable to contain our excitement already we are roused to what can only be described as a frenzy by the remainder of the sales pitch: “We have a guest speaker from Houston, Texas, a 12 step workshop, a Sponsorship workshop, a shared platform meeting with AA and ALANON members as well as a sobriety countdown with a special Big Book presentation. It promises to be a great day!” We have to say that the ticket price is quite modest - “only £6 each with a buffet meal included” but unfortunately you will be paying for your “drinks, tea, coffee” (and given the typical consumption of these by your average AA member this should be a nice little earner!). Additionally for those unfortunates amongst you who can't scrape up the requisites - never fear - a “limited number of service opportunities” have been made available so that you can work your passage! We do hope that the “trusted servants” are suitably attired for their duties – smocks and jerkins perhaps!

From our point of view the most significant item of course is the “guest speaker from Houston” (ie. Primary Purpose – see here for further information on this branch of the cult) (The website does point out that: ““No speakers will be paid fees or overseas travel expenses” and “a set of certified accounts will be made available” (although the statement does not exclude reference to all expenses, nor to whom these certified accounts will be made available)). Apparently during the day there will be two workshops - one on sponsorship and another on 12 Step work with both presented by a “guest speaker”. Since only one of these is mentioned in the advertising blurb we have to assume that this is the same person in both instances. The schedule for the day indicates that the “gathering” will last for some nine hours in total with no less than four hours being devoted to these two workshops; the remainder of the schedule is relatively uncontentious.

We contacted both the organiser of this event and the intergroup. The latter did not reply so we have to assume it's either deceased or gone into early hibernation. The former did come up with a polite but anodyne holding response but since then nothing. We made the usual points with regard to breaches of the Traditions etc etc but really expected nothing more than what we got – a blank silence!

By the way the site suggests: “Why not bring a newcomer!” We can think of a hundred reasons why not!

Cheers

The Fellas