Richmond Bridge/Surbiton Sunday …. ad nauseam!

The latest:

We have been assured by a representative of the Surbiton group that they have taken all necessary steps to deal with the questionable activities of one of the group's 'servants'. He is no longer with them having fallen on his sword (or perhaps he just tripped over his ego?) It turns out moreover that the cups and mugs were his in the first place so he was simply repossessing his own property!! Which begs the question of course ….... Anyway the group is back to normal functioning. As far as we can ascertain it has now reverted to being a bog standard AA group with absolutely no interference from our little pointed headed friends (ie. the cult). We have to assume however that David will continue his one man show at the Monday Richmond Bridge group until such time that they too finally wake up to the liability that he is - and ditch him – or risk ending up in the same parlous state as the Surbiton group.

One thing that has emerged from the various communications we have received concerning this débâcle is the assumption (one which we have come across many times before) that the information we are sent must come from newcomers who have an axe to grind. We really are at a loss to know why it is assumed only these people should fall prey to resentments. The evidence simply does not support this. Perhaps it's just easier blaming it on the new guy and represents yet another way of diverting attention away from the real issue. If someone's been the object of abuse we think it only human they might feel somewhat aggrieved. And if they should then voice that grievance why should the automatic response be that they're lying or in some way at fault. Taking one's inventory does not exclude recognising the fact that sometimes OTHER people really are at fault. For example are we seriously to believe that an adult who was abused as a child should take all the blame! Or even any of it! We think not. And yet we've read of instances where AA members have been in precisely that situation and then been told by their 'sponsors' they should look for the part they played in it! Seriously! It beggars belief!

Finally the moral of the story – yeah we're going to tell you …. you asked for it! Service positions are not a right nor are they an obligation. An individual may offer their services – or not. The group then decides yay or nay. If they're not up to the job the group decides whether they continue or otherwise. The job description is outlined in the group handbook. Every group should have one of these. If not they can be read online. A group secretary should (minimally) be well acquainted with the traditions. It takes about ten minutes to read them and a life time to understand even some of their implications. But at least make a start! One of the best ways to get to grip with the traditions is not to go to yet another bloody workshop where you can listen to someone spout off about them. Just get acquainted with the basic ideas and then observe the groups where they are not being followed or, as is frequently the case with the cult groups, being twisted virtually beyond all recognition. There's no shortage of opportunities believe us! In fact we'd go so far as to say we've yet to come across a single AA group that actually does abide by the traditions in full. But check it out for yourself. Don't take our word for it! Absolutely not!

Cheerio

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

PS Thanks to our various correspondents – newcomers and otherwise!

Richmond Bridge Monday – soon to be released as an epic blockbuster!

Yep! The missives are flying in thick and fast - and from every direction. Never have we seen so much animation generated in the fellowship since …. well never! But gradually the fog begins to clear and we discover that ….

…... the fight reported to have taken place at the above meeting was no more than an exchange of cliches! The instigator – a fellow who goes by the name of Bernie – as in Bernie the Bore or the Richmond Camel “ - "was lecturing everyone …. saying [that the] "Bridge to normal living" isn't in the Big Book (like, so what?) and someone shared afterwards to say that they found him offensive and then someone else shouted "that is because you are not on the program" This created a tense atmosphere in the meeting. Bernie is increasingly a pain in the proverbial ass. He lectures and thumps the big book like a baptist preacher only ten times more nuts and boring.”

Now that's not what we'd call a fight or at least not in the traditional AA sense ie. fisticuffs with a few tables flying!

As for David (see previous entries) he claims that the missing Surbiton group funds were despatched to GSO (York) but without the group's permission. (Incidentally GSO currently holds funds well in excess of the stated prudent reserve. Next time you hear a treasurer bleating on about how hard up AA is check the yearly accounts). This seems rather unlikely since money sent to York usually consists of an excess over the 'prudent reserve', something which the Surbiton group can rarely manage to accumulate. Still the matter should be relatively easy to resolve. York can easily be contacted, the transfer confirmed, and the return of the funds requested. If it turns out that they have not received the funds then that leaves two possible alternatives: the treasurer needs to repay the money or, failing this, the police should be contacted forthwith (such a disposition of funds is referred to as “fraudulent conversion” or “theft” - a criminal offence). The cash book (which we take to mean the group accounts) has also disappeared with the errant treasurer. Now the group has no record of any transactions (including literature purchases where there also seems to have been some irregularities!). Finally, and as if to add insult to injury, David (it is said) has also taken off with the groups's coffee cups and mugs! Now that really is below the belt!

Now the moral of the story is …...pretty bloody obvious!

Cheerio

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

PS Thanks to our various correspondents

PPS Now this really is traditional AA! David has threatened to set up his own rival group on Sundays! Like they say – all you need to start a meeting is a resentment and a tea pot! Now who should be the secretary or the treasurer of this new group? Hmmmm ….... We do hope that David is aware of Tradition Four … probably not!