Conference Questions (2013) forum discussion (contd)

Committee No. 2 

Question 2: 

Would the Fellowship discuss, share experience and make recommendations on the question of:

What can AA do to better carry the message to young alcoholics both inside and outside of the Fellowship?

More specifically, would Conference consider, discuss and make recommendations on the following:

a. What can be done to make AA more of an attractive place to young people inside of AA?
b. What can be done to make AA more of an attractive place to young people outside of AA?
c. Consider updating the “Too Young?” poster with input from younger members?
d. Could young people be represented in the AA structure?

Background

In Continental Europe Region there is a position of Young People contact who has a Liaison Officer role with full voting rights.

Ref:

Too young poster AAGB
Too young poster AA US
Too Young pamphlet


[See also: The Traditions, Preamble and Concepts]

Extracts:

“With reference to the extracts from box-4-5-9 below, I think young newcomers ought to be warned about sexual predators in A.A. To be wary of those A.A. members who fancy themselves as ‘oldtimers’ who think they ‘needed a way to play in A.A.’, who wander around with a ‘tongue-in-cheek’ and who like the idea of weekend get-togethers of ‘unbridled spirituality’ with slim 22 year old blonds. There’s a difference between a ‘good oldtimer’ and an ‘oldtimer,’ a difference between spirituality and unbridled emotionalism. Young alcoholics are no more ‘special’ or 'different' from old alcoholics. Old alcoholics were once young alcoholics in their youth. It appears to me some 'oldtimers' may stay dry but do little in the way of growing up. Tradition Nine tells me that AA is most attractive and inclusive to all alcoholics when it operates with least possible organisation and without special purpose groups.

Extract from Box 4-5-9 FEBRUARY/MARCH 1986: “Young People Define Their Role as the Future of A.A.”:

"As members of A.A.’s young people’s groups, we’re different from other special interest groups," Larry Y. told a sharing session of the General Service Board. "Women tend to remain women, doctors to remain doctors, and so on. But young people have a peculiar habit: they grow up and become regular A.A.s, even oldtirners."……. ....“Dara, a slim, blond 22-yearold, told the General Service Board sharing session: "I began to drink and drug in my small midwestern hometown when I was 12, and took a geographic to Nevada at 13. I sobered up in Madison, Wisconsin, when I was 15, even though the oldtimers kept saying, ’You’re too young - go to Alateen.’ I just made sure I stayed right there." Dara related that her YPG represents "the first time in my sobriety that I’ve been part of a peer group. I keep hearing my own story; it helps me to stay sober and remember that alcoholism is not an age - it’s a disease." Larry says that weekend get-togethers of young A.A.s numbering 20 or so, are held every few weeks in the U.S. and Canada. "We have meetings, a speaker/dance Saturday night, a spiritual meeting on Sunday. . . similar to any A.A. conference weekend." These were started, he explains, "because as young people, we wanted to stay sober but we also needed a way to play in A.A." Jim said it another way. He referred tongue-in-cheek to the exuberance of some YPG’s as "unbridled spirituality."


Cheerio

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

See also AA Minority Report 2013