“6. Would Conference
discuss whether Intergroups have the authority to refuse groups
recognised by GSO the right to participate in the Service Structure
of the Fellowship with specific regard to Traditions One and Three?
Would they also give
recommendations as to how Groups who are persistently refused their
right of participation (Concept 4) can actively practice Tradition
Five, and what support the General Service Board and General Service
Office should give to Groups who are actively discriminated against
at local level?
Background
Over the past 7 years one
group, registered with GSO, have been refused their request to
participate in their local Intergroup and after several years of this
discrimination two other local surrounding Intergroups also refused
them entry without any regard to the Guidelines, Traditions or
Concepts.
In an attempt to give
their members the right to active service they have tried to involve
the support of the GSB and GSO but have been told that this is a
local problem and should be resolved at local level but unfortunately
the discrimination continues.
Terms
of Reference No. 6/7 Under Tradition 4 Conference cannot intervene in
a matter of autonomy for an Intergroup, any more than it could for a
group.”
Comment:
The above refers, of course, to the long standing battle between the
Bournemouth Road to Recovery cult group and the adjoining AA intergroups.
Fortunately the latter have had the gumption to refuse the various
blandishments, emotional manipulation (playing the victim – a
tactic much favoured in cult circles) and even threats of this rogue
group (part of the Road to Recovery franchise) and have instead
chosen to stick by AA principles (an example which we would suggest
other intergroups throughout the country might do well to follow). We
have to say it's rather amusing to observe the outrage expressed by
this group (and this questioner) at the notion that intergroups (and
other AA groups) should place rather more emphasis on their right to
autonomy than upon the concept of collective responsibility, a
strategy which has been deployed to great effect by this particular
cult group as well as others of its type in order to further their
warped agenda. But then it cuts both ways doesn't it chaps! It's not
so great being on the receiving end for a change!
Cheerio
The
Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)
PS
Our thanks to the member who drew our attention to these.
PPS
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