"Ask-It
Basket sessions during annual meetings of the General Service
Conference are opportunities for sharing. The answers here do not
constitute Conference action, but give a kind of perspective of A.A.
opinion over the years. It will be noted that similar questions are
asked year after year but the answers may differ from one Conference
to another."
Below is a
selection (the originals may be downloaded here (1951-1978) and here
(1979-1985)) covering (among other things) “hand holding”, drug
addicts, bible study and whether the Big Book itself has ever been
conference approved? (Yes it has. In 1951. That puts that one to
bed!). Some of the answers are more revealing than they were
intended to be!
Q:
The practice of hand-holding is now widespread and is affecting
A.A. as a whole. Does this help us to carry the message better? Is
the practice coercive?
A:
No one in A.A. is coerced into doing anything, and we should accept
it as members' personal choices if they do not wish to hold hands.
(It was noted that the group conscience of one group felt the
practice did not help to carry the message, so it was discontinued.)
Q:
Can we have some sharing on the practice of some members who sell
merchandise such as T-shirts and religious music tapes and advertise
films other than those distributed by G.S.O. At roundups and state
conventions? Are these functions A.A.? Or, like treatment facilities,
are they not bound by our Traditions?
A:
It was the sense of the meeting that this practice is against the
Traditions and that we should not "peddle"anything but the
A.A. message. However, it was also pointed out that we have no
control over what an individual can do from his hotel room or outside
of the meeting facility.
Q:
Should a Bible study group of A.A. members be listed as an A.A. group
or meeting?
A:
No.
Q:
We have a Sunday-morning A.A. Bible Study Group. Other than pointing
out the Traditions and what constitutes an A.A. meeting, should we
pursue it?
A:
It was suggested that even though we are a spiritual program, it
would not be a good thing to call this group an A.A. group.
Q:
Is it true that Bill W. was not a voting member of the Conference but
was always present, and that nobody had the courage to tell him he
was not a voting member?
A:
Bill didn't have to vote--he only had to get up and speak!
Q:
Is there some tradition that dictates that we always have the General
Service Conference at the Roosevelt Hotel? Wouldn't a suburban hotel,
such as the Westchester Marriott in Tarrytown, be cheaper and more
comfortable? Also, how about eliminating the meals in the hotel that
are not essential to the agenda of the moment?
A:
Several years ago, the suggestion was made to hold the Conference
in a suburban hotel or convention center, but the Conference was
overwhelmingly negative on this idea. Many members who come to the
Conference look forward to coming to New York City, and, as a result,
the matter was dropped. However, if there is a strong movement in
that direction, the Conference can do whatever it wishes.
Q:
Edwin [sic] Kurtz was given permission to use the archives in writing
a history of A.A. for his doctoral thesis in history. This turned out
to be a book entitled "Not God," published by Hatelden
[sic]. Was it known at the time permission was granted that a book
would be written and published? If not, would that have affected
granting his use of the archives?
A:
At the time he came to G.S.O. and expressed his interest, we did not
know his work was going to be published. If he had said he wanted to
write a book, he would have been given permission, because that is
the purpose of the archives. Kurtz was the first person to use the
archives for research purposes. Our Archives Department is open to
anyone.
Q:
What relationship does the International Advisory Council of Young
People in A.A. have to the service structure of A.A. or to G.S.O.?
A:
This council has no relation to the service structure, as such. It is
an A.A. entity, however, in the sense that it is made up of A.A.
members who share A.A. experience, is self-supporting, and has no
outside affiliation.
Q:
We have a few groups that hang up pictures of our co-founders in the
meeting rooms, and one member asked if that was contrary to the
Tradition of "principles before personalities." I would
like to know if there are other such experiences. What if they also
hang up pictures of members who are still alive?
A:
It has long been a custom to hang pictures of our co-founders.
However, the group conscience should prevail with regard to hanging
any portraits.
Q:
In the past when you went to an A.A. meeting. Vulgar language was not
allowed. Now, when people come from treatment, vulgar language seems
the common thing. Is this the “new way”, and how should it be
corrected?
A:
Experience seems to indicate that this problem eventually solves
itself as new members grow in the program. It was pointed out that
alcoholics should be allowed to say anything necessary to express
themselves.
Q:
What is the opinion of the delegates regarding an A.A. Member's
having membership and/or voting rights in more than one group?
A:
While some delegates felt it okay to belong to more than one group,
most felt that members should vote in their home group only, in
keeping with the concept of one voice-one vote.
Q:
How do you deal with people addicted to drugs other than alcohol who
use up meeting time?
A:Traditionally,
we discuss our problems with alcohol at our meetings. If some wish to
share about other problems, it is suggested that they share with
their sponsors, or with others after the meeting.
Q:
Many long time A.A. members are made uncomfortable by, or are even
totally opposed to, the rapidly growing custom of hand-holding during
the recitation of the Lord's Prayer at the conclusion of meetings. As
so many of those popularizing this custom are "A.A. members at
large," individual group conscience docs not seem to be the
course to take in resolving this developing problem. Any suggestions?
A:
Those who would like to hold hands do,and those who don't, just
don't. It is kind of ritualistic.
Q:
Has any Conference ever approved the Big Book?
A:
Yes, it was approved in 1951.
Q:
Would it be wrong for a golf league, a bowling team, or a band to
identify themselves as A. A. members, using the A.A. symbol?
A:
A majority of those present indicated by a show of hands that this
practice would-be wrong and in violation of Tradition Eleven.
Cheers
The Fellas
(Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)
PS Our
thanks to the member who sent in these sources
