AA MINORITY REPORT 2017 (revised)

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Sunday, 17 May 2015

Conference questions not quite up to par! (contd)



18.
Since reading page 13 in SHARE June 2012, I have found that ‘Pineapple Peter’s’ statement leads me to ask the following question:

Why have Intergroups stopped reminding AA groups to include Guideline 17 in quarterly group conscience meetings?

All the guidelines are essential for those in service posts but Guideline 17 reminds all AA members that there is a duty to stamp out any sign of a return to the sick agenda that was curtailed by AA’s national review in 2002; to protect newcomers from abuse, that caused some of them to seek help from outside authorities who demanded AAs should do something about it and so we should continue to do, for our own sobriety and AA unity.

Terms of Reference No. 6 Insufficient background information

19.
Can the Fellowship share experience and make recommendations that provide some specific guidance that both protects members, especially Newcomers from predatory sexual behaviour and existing members from mistaken allegations of the same thing.

Reason for submission:

There have been recent allegations of sexually inappropriate behaviour to newcomers from experienced AA members. These allegations bring the name of Alcoholics Anonymous into disrepute, whether accurate or not. The fact that they are made at all indicate that a Newcomer has felt vulnerable in a fellowship where they should feel safe. The members accused are powerless to defend themselves against a perception of inappropriate behaviour. Many newcomers have come from situations where they may have been abused and may easily misinterpret the innate friendship in AA as inappropriate behaviour.

Our current guidance in the Structure Handbook (pp 82‐86) skirts around the issue of personal conduct, and does not specifically address sexual predation (alleged or otherwise), or how we should respond to this at Group, Intergroup and Regional level.

Background Information:

The AA Structure Handbook The Group, Section 5 (pp82‐86).
Traditions: 1, 2, 4, 5, and 12. (Twelve Steps & Twelve Traditions ‘Contents’)
The Language of the Heart Tradition One, Tradition Two, Tradition Four, Tradition Five and Tradition Twelve

Terms of Reference No. 7 There have been several submissions covering this topic and a question has been selected that encompasses all areas of the subject matter with appropriate background material.

Comment: See previous entry on subject. It's ACTION not words that are needed!

Cheers

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

PS For AA Minority Report 2013 click here

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