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Friday 6 February 2015

AA Conference questions (2015) ….as threatened!



1. Would the Fellowship share experience and then make recommendations whether to recognise online groups?

Background

The General Service Office does not register online groups, and for example, online meetings are not included on the AA Meetings section of the alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk website
Over the last years, or maybe decades already, there is mounting and convincing evidence that groups that only meet online effectively serve our primary purpose, just as regular face-to-face groups
The Continental European Region (CER) recognises online meetings (http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.eu/country_map.php?Where=AA+On+Line+Meetings). An online Intergroup is currently being considered
Some of the online groups that are associated with Continental European Region have existed for multiple years now. Not only are regular group meetings held online, but so are business meetings. Experience shows that a loving God does not recoil from expressing Himself in our group conscience through an Internet connection. Also the online collection of the Seventh Tradition has been worked out satisfactory
For a growing number of AA members, online meetings are their only realistic option for attending a meeting. Some examples: People that
are housebound; parents with small children; people who cannot afford public transport to the nearest town with a meeting; people who desperately need a meeting at a time when there isn't a face-to-face-meeting at hand
Probably more so than face-to-face groups, online groups depend on their groups and meetings being included on websites like alcoholics-anonymous.co.uk, pressing the need for recognition by GSO
Article in the July 2012-issue of Share about the First164YP Group (associated with Continental European Region).


Comment: With reference to the second point above we'd be interested in examining the “mounting and convincing evidence” which claims to support the assertion. Simply stating this to be the case does not in itself constitute “evidence”. Alcoholics Anonymous doesn't produce any direct statistics relating to the efficacy of its message. These may be inferred from various surveys (internal and external – the latter most usefully in AA Recovery Rates).

With reference to the third point ie. that Continental European Region recognises online groups is again not in itself conclusive to the argument. It may be that this region is out of step with other regions and has failed to properly consult them (see Tradition Four)

The fourth point refers to the longevity of some online groups. Again simply because something has existed for a while doesn't necessarily legitimise it. The cult groups have certainly been operating for some time in Great Britain and the States but this does not make their influence any less pernicious.

The fifth point ie. “a growing number of AA members” leaves open the question: how many? Where are the data to support this contention? Again AA does not record membership numbers in terms of the categories cited. Certainly people who are housebound may well be served by online access. As for the others many have managed to arrange their lives and finances in such a fashion to ensure they are able to attend meetings face-to-face. Friends, relatives, even other AA members have always been willing to help out with childcare. “Shank's pony” (walking) has similarly always been a good and reliable substitute where public transport is rare, unavailable or somewhat costly. AA members have even been known to give each other lifts from time to time (even for free would you believe!). Some of the best 'recovery' conversations take place whilst driving along together in a member's 'charabanc'. As for needing a meeting desperately! Maybe then would be a good time to read some literature, ring up a friend, say a prayer or two and get in contact with your Higher Power, meditate, or even stay with the emotions and learn how to deal with adversity... there are all sorts of alternatives available! Maybe not getting what we think we need from time to time is no bad thing!

We reckon there's nothing wrong in principle with online meetings but purely as an adjunct to face-to-face, and not as any kind of substitute! Living, breathing human beings with all their faults are unbeatable when it comes to carrying the AA message.... even if some of them are just a teensy-weensy bit crazy! Not us of course!

Cheers

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

PS For AA Minority Report 2013 click here

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