Group registration – rights ....... or not!

Extracts from the aacultwatch forum (old): 

“It can be understood that a trusted servant’s “right of decision” not to register a group of alcoholics as an A.A. group, cannot accurately be called punitive, governance or expulsion from A.A. membership. This is because if a group has another purpose or affiliation, according to Tradition and the provision in Warranty 6, it has expelled itself from any right to “insist it be called an A.A. group, nor should it use the A.A. name in its title”, as stated by Bill W, and in warranty six: “Finally, any two or three alcoholics gathered together for sobriety may call themselves an A.A. group provided that, as a group, they have no other purpose or affiliation”. (Concept 12, warranty 6). 

  The trusted servant’s “right of decision” not to register a group, does not expel any individual alcoholics within the group from A.A. membership since A.A. registration is only applicable to alcoholics gathered together as a group. It can be understood in Tradition Three, that as individuals, alcoholics are unconditionally entitled to be members of any A.A. group and, as well, indulge in any ex-curricula group activities they wish to. – Ice hockey, football, religious sects and denominations, atheist societies, arts and crafts, whale watching, the study of coercive techniques, flower arranging, leatherback turtle conservation, the study of the psychology of bullies, paint ball, hang gliding, knitting, cult psychology, ballet dancing, member’s social clubs, horse riding, alcohol free dances, social events, rock climbing, - the list is endless. However, if an A.A. group with such dual purpose were to hit the headlines with news of A.A. newcomers being trampled by horses or swallowed by whales; or if other A.A. groups in the area were disturbed by having to give first aid to newcomers showing up at their meetings traumatised by hoof shaped head injuries; then it can be seen in A.A. Tradition, since each group is part of the whole, the principles of Traditions One and Two take precedence over the dual purpose group’s autonomy.  The “trusted servants” and “elder statesmen” within the intergroup are therefore responsible to apply the “specific application” of Tradition Four.

The “trusted servants “right of decision” not to register a group cannot accurately be called an act of government or punishment because the group and its individual A.A. members are not, in any way whatsoever, being coerced or commanded to stop any other purpose or affiliation, nor are punitive sanctions being applied. Instead, the “trusted servants,” being “happy joyous and free” under Tradition One, are glad to extend a “cheerful invitation” to “those who wish to secede from A.A.” as stated in warranty five:  “If individual A.A.s wish to gather together for retreats, Communion breakfasts, or indeed any undertaking at all, we still say “Fine. Only we hope you won’t designate your efforts as an A.A. group or enterprise”…..” To all who wish to secede from A.A. we extend a cheerful invitation to do just that. If they can do better by other means, we are glad.” (Concept 12, warranty five)

If on the other hand a dual purpose group’s dictators do not wish to secede, it can be understood that a trusted servant’s “right of decision” not to register them as an A.A. group, relates purely to a protective action against misuse of the A.A. name. It has nothing to do with individual’s membership, or restricting A.A. member’s liberty as individuals or as a group, - It can be seen in Warranty five, their liberty is not restricted in any way, whatsoever: “If individual A.A.s wish to gather together for retreats, Communion breakfasts, or indeed any undertaking at all, we still say “Fine. Only we hope you won’t designate your efforts as an A.A. group or enterprise” (Concept 12, warranty five). They may wish continue to misuse the A.A. name by calling themselves an A.A. group, but they may not insist others call them an A.A. group. Nor may they insist that an intergroup does not apply the “specific application” of Tradition Four and warranties 5 and 6: “Finally, any two or three alcoholics gathered together for sobriety may call themselves an A.A. group provided that, as a group, they have no other purpose or affiliation”. (Concept 12, warranty 6) “Whenever and however we can, we shall need to inform the general public also; especially upon misuses of the name Alcoholics Anonymous." (Concept 12, warranty five). Nor may they compel “trusted servants” not use their “right of decision.” "No AA can compel another to do anything." (Tradition One, Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions page 133)”

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

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