What's in a logo? Quite a lot apparently! (“Wessex Intergroup”)

It would seem (or so we have heard) that the newly formed “Wessex Intergroup” has jumped the gun somewhat so eager was this fledgling enterprise (or “cuckoo in the nest”) to establish its credibility as part of the AA service structure. In their efforts to give some semblance of authenticity to this “bastard” creation (note the use of the term “bastard” in this context does not imply invective, but merely an established reference to progeny who may not be entirely “legitimate”) the members in question purloined the AA logo, subsequently employing it as a letterhead on at least one of their “official” communications (see here). Apparently their use of the AA logo on this particular piece of correspondence aroused indignation in some quarters viz.

“A number of people have questioned the use of the AA logo and letterhead by an outside enterprise.”

The application of the terms “outside enterprise” so incensed the newly elected (?) chairman (?) of this “bastard” invention - “Wessex Intergroup” - that he was inspired to protest in a characteristically bombastic style (in our view he would definitely qualify as a “Mr Outraged from Tunbridge Wells”), and even managed to drag us into his objections. In another communication addressed to some unfortunate (in this case “sans logo”) he argues:

“Dear......

I think it should be remembered that the Wessex Intergroup is not an outside enterprise. All the constituent members are members of the Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous, this does rather sound like typical Cult Watch indoctrination twisting Guidelines and Traditions to suit their own questionable aims.

I have asked the Board to tell us on what authority they can deny the existence of an Intergroup which may make the use the logo quite legitimate. However, in the meantime we are not using the AA logo on our letter head as a matter of courtesy. Unfortunately the document that went out was written earlier and it was an oversight in my not changing the logo.

With love in Fellowship,

Paul P

On behalf of the Wessex Intergroup”

Well there you have it! Obviously it's all our fault! We really should know better by now! Remember: We (the cult) are ALWAYS right and you (the rest of the world) are ALWAYS wrong! Phew! That's a relief! For one horrible moment there the whole fabric of the cosmos seemed rent asunder! But now that the proper order of things has been fully restored we can continue with our little history. Unfortunately for Mr Outraged it would appear that it isn't in fact our fault at all! Who would have believed it! Nope.... Despite the new “Chairman's” protestations (and his fall back position “a matter of courtesy” …... Oh purrrrlllease!) it would seem that the General Service Board seem to hold to the same opinion ie.:

“ A number of people have questioned the use of the AA logo and letterhead by an outside enterprise.

The enclosed communication from ….... ( our board member ) clarifies the current situation :-

In response to …......'s request I can inform all parties, that the General Secretary of AA has sent a letter to all those who have an interest in "whether this Intergroup would be of benefit to the Fellowship".

A copy of that letter has also gone to Paul P along with a request NOT to use the logo until such times as the Fellowship accept the new Intergroup.

When all the replies are back from the Fellowship the Board will inform those concerned of their decision.

…....”

(our edits)

So it would seem that the novice “Chairman” of this new “Intergroup” has actually got it all WRONG! (sounds of the universe disintegrating all about us – we cower in terror!). Still this shouldn't be a problem because you MUST recall at this point that the cult operates on the basis of a completely different set of guidelines and principles to Alcoholics Anonymous – most notably their version of Tradition Four: “Each group should be completely autonomous, free to do absolutely anything it likes, and without any regard to any possible consequences for any other group or member or even AA as a whole”. (We think we got that right – feel free to correct us of course Mr “Chairman”!). But then if that particular sleight of hand doesn't do the trick they can always fall back on the “minority view” defence together with a bit of “punitive action” thrown in, and maybe even play the “martyr” role etc – but then what do we know? Who are we to question our betters? (Is it here that our sponsor is supposed to come to the rescue perhaps?)

Cheerio

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

PS We do hear that the “bastards” (see above on invective) are still actively involved in cult service activity in PI work, hospitals etc. Would the real AA like to stand up?

PPS We would request that if we are to be maligned by cult members (something, by the way,we enjoy greatly!) we would appreciate it if at least they got the name of our organisation right! It's aacultwatch

More 'bleating' from “Wessex (cult) Intergroup”!

'Fraid so. They're at it again! And back in full 'victim' mode - and with a lecture thrown in for good measure! Here's the latest offering from our little friends – the 'pointed headed' ones – in a communication addressed to anyone who can be bothered to listen. Well someone has to …...dammit!

As you can see it's the usual mix of self-justification, selective recall, tradition and concept 'mangling' and with the blame fully allocated to everyone else of course. Remember the key cult axiom! We (the cult) are always right and you (AA) are always wrong! Got it! Good! Now we can continue..... Here various traditions (and Concepts) are mentioned although strangely enough Tradition 4 is omitted from this catalogue of misquotes and misrepresentations. The cult are not at all keen on Tradition 4. It is very very very inconvenient (especially that annoying second bit!). To remind you:

4. Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or A.A. as a whole.

(our emphasis)

But Tradition 2 does get a look in. Again:

2. For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority—a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern.

Presumably their ire here is directed towards the failure of “our leaders” to behave like their (the cult's) “trusted servants”. It must be really irritating dealing with people who simply will not do the “right thing” and follow cult orders. Remember you must always do “exactly what your sponsor says”! Tut tut tut! Naughty AA members! Slaps on the wrist all round we say! Or then again is it the sheer temerity of the intergroups concerned daring to “...... follow their group conscience alone”! But isn't that after all what the Tradition says? ie. “there is but one ultimate authority—a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience”. The cult's argument here seems very confused if not contradictory! But then again they are rather prone that way! “Tired and emotional” we think the expression is! Anyway, and to adopt a more serious tone, various objections are raised by the cult on procedural matters. The fact that the two intergroups mentioned have repeatedly said no to the Bournemouth Road to Recovery (cult) group - and repeatedly told them why - does not seem to have quite sunk in. Essentially they have been designated “too controversial” (which includes minor stuff like abusive sponsorship, outside affiliations, breaching guidelines and traditions, interfering with medical diagnosis and so on and so forth). Of course they deny all this but then as a friend of ours from the area expresses it: “Q: How can you tell when a cult member is lying? A: When you see their lips moving”. Now we come to Tradition 3 which is:

3. The only requirement for A.A. membership is a desire to stop drinking.

Now it would seem that in this instance the cult is confusing participation within the service structure with membership of AA. As far as we can tell there is nothing indicated in the two intergroups' conduct which suggest that they have the least intention of denying any member (including cult members) the right to attend AA meetings. They have simply declined the cult group's request to join their intergroups. This is quite a different matter and absolutely nothing to do with Tradition 3. So this objection may really be termed “a fish of quite another hue” or otherwise: A RED HERRING!

At this point the concepts are dragged into the equation specifically THE RIGHT OF PARTICIPATION. Again for your edification:

IV At all responsible levels, we ought to maintain a traditional "Right of Participation," allowing a voting representation in reasonable proportion to the responsibility that each must discharge. (short form)

You will note from this that the right refers specifically to “voting representation” etc and moreover as it is applied within the “Conference structure”. It does not refer to the supposed “right” of a cult group to join a local intergroup. This may not be called a “red herring” so much as a complete non sequitur – or just a lot of hooey in plain English - or American if you like! (See here for Concept IV in full detail). We're getting slightly bored here (as doubtless you are as well) but we'll Carry On Regardless – oooh I saaay!! So now we come to “punitive action”. This expression derives from Concept XII, Warranty 5. Again:

Warranty Five: “That no Conference action ever be personally punitive or an incitement to public controversy.”

Apart from the specific application of this guideline the general principle indicated hardly applies to the situation in south-west Region. These intergroups are clearly not acting on the basis of punishing anyone but rather in the interests of preserving the integrity, well-being and effectiveness of both Alcoholics Anonymous and its membership (and with especial emphasis on the safety of those who come to us for help). It is as ridiculous to suggest that these service structures are acting from malign intent as it is to propose that a surgeon bears a grudge against a tumour he/she is excising from a patient's body; the well-being of the “whole” person can only be secured by such an intervention. (but see aacultwatch forum: “Cult Failure Rates” - for a more detailed analysis of the problem together with the (properly) cited “Conceptual” underpinning). The paragraph concludes with a reference to “vested interest” and includes a rather transparent attempt to seek to “divide and rule” the two intergroups. The only “vested interest” that we can detect is the one we have outlined above ie. the well-being etc of AA; but then this has never been high on the cult's agenda! The letter meanders on for a while longer, a mixture of “trumpet blowing” and a nod in the direction of AA unity with offers of co-operation intertwined with more accusations directed towards the two existing (and legitimate AA intergroups) ie. “discriminatory bias and egocentric bigotry”. How to win friends and influence people? Probably not - and hardly redolent of “With love in Fellowship” with which this particularly confused missive rather unconvincingly concludes.

Cheerio

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

(our usual thanks for our reporter's contribution)

Wessex (cult) intergroup – update!

Consultation letter from GSO (York) to South West Region and local intergroups. See below.

This should be interesting!

Cheerio

(usual thanks extended to our contributor)

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

Wessex – the first brand new “all cult” intergroup!

It's finally happened..... THE INEVITABLE! Well it always does doesn't it? Have you noticed that! It was only a matter of time after all! Now it's widely known that the cult have been setting up their own groups in Alcoholics Anonymous for years (or taken over – or tried to take over - legitimate AA meetings) but they've gone for the BIG one finally and started their very own 'pure Aryan' intergroup! They, of course, have been infiltrating their members into AA intergroups for some time now (notable examples being of course Plymouth and West Kent amongst others) but this is indeed a new departure for the “pointy headed ones”. There were rumblings of such ambitions some little time ago when Wayne P - in a fit of pique - flounced off with the R2R (Road to Recovery) cult group in Plymouth and threatened to start up his own little empire. That flopped like a limp ….....omelette as so many cult projects do (after all - and when it comes down to it - they're “all mouth and trousers” …...or in Wayne's case perhaps we can dispense with the trousers....). However this time it's really, really, really serious. Official notification of the earth-shattering event has been despatched to the four quarters (well to GSO, region etc – see letter below) and the dread deed has been done! For those of you who are not “in the know” the history behind the unfolding of this little drama started with the continued rebuffs suffered by the Bournemouth R2R cult group (see our Cult: Where to Find) in its various attempts to join the local AA intergroups of Poole and Bournemouth. Neither of these was particularly interested in welcoming a bunch of nutters into their ranks (which is quite something when you think about it!). The group itself is a 'franchise' operated by Rik V (a sponsee, of course, of Little Wayne) though the group denies all knowledge of the connection. Let's see.... Road to Recovery Plymouth..... Road to Recovery Bournemouth .. always look for the similarities is what we say! Now Rik himself has something of an interesting pedigree. Apparently known as Rik the Vet locally (pedigree! Geddit! Oh for God's sake we're trying really hard here!) Rik is something of a floating voter when it comes to his many addictions. He was responsible – or so we are told – for starting up an NA group in Poole (Monday evenings) some moons ago. This was in conjunction with a fellow called (now don't laugh!) Matt the MESSAGE. The group operated under the 'spiritual direction” of dear Little Wayne (we told you …. DON'T LAUGH! THIS IS VERY VERY SERIOUS! Well alright. It's not THAT serious!). Apparently Rik and Matt tried to take over the local Narcotics Anonymous intergroup but were told to 'bog off' in no uncertain terms. Having failed to make the grade in Narcotics Anonymous they then went for the 'white powder up yer nose' option and metamorphosed the NA group into a CA group (Cocaine Anonymous) which apparently still operates today. Their members then went on to start the Bournemouth R2R ('AA'?!!?) cult group with Rik as their GSR. So there you have it! Rik is obviously a man of many and varied talents, and possessed moreover by an apparently inexhaustible predilection for not only ingesting, snorting, 'banging up' and even drinking various substances but also for starting - and transmogrifying (what a word! Wonder what it means?) - meetings of all hues and persuasions! Anyway.,,,,,despite their many efforts all was to be of no avail! But their pleas did not fall entirely on deaf ears. No! They found a sympathiser finally in the person none other than the now erstwhile chairman of the Poole intergroup, a 'dupe' … oops sorry.... a chap rather who goes by the name of Paul. It would seem that this fine fellow (albeit somewhat “soft in the head” as he has been described) decided to take the part of the R2R cult group and act as their advocate within Poole Intergroup. Despite the customary invocations (to the concepts, guidelines etc), and moreover a series of extensive lectures directed on his part towards to the 'ignorant heathen' of the local groups, these same 'ignorant heathen' decided to follow their own collective conscience (rather than the chairman's) and declined entry (repeatedly) of this cult group into their numbers. Shortly thereafter the chairman fell prey to some mysterious ailment and resigned his position on “health grounds” only to undergo a remarkable 'recovery” and rise 'Lazarus-like' as the inaugural chairman of the 'spankingly' brand new cult intergroup – Wessex. Somewhat interestingly (and perhaps unfortunately for them) he contrived along the way to drag his own home group into the ordure as well, this latter constituting the other 'half' of Wessex Intergroup!

POOLE ST ANN'S HOSPITAL, THURSDAY Meeting

19.30
St Ann's Hospital, Chaddesley Pines, 69 Haven Rd

It is not entirely clear whether the above group subscribes to the same dubious methods advocated by the cult (bullying, abuse, meddling and general thuggery etc). However if the members have voted to join the R2R group in this nascent intergroup one would find it difficult to draw any other conclusion. It was, after all, their free choice wasn't it! However one of the consequences (of which they might not be entirely aware) is that the group may no longer participate in South-west Region. Consequently the ex-chairman is also the ex-Region Employment Liaison officer and was “stood down” - or 'launched forth' - by the joint Bournemouth/Pole/West Dorset prison committee as their treasurer (in somewhat acrimonious circumstances so we understand). In the meantime Rik the Vet is keeping his head down while everyone else takes the flak! So nothing new there then!

And now to the letter itself:

Alcoholics Anonymous

Wessex Intergroup

[Address omitted]

Dear …..,

On 7^th June 2011 some members of the Fellowship from the Poole and Bournemouth area came together to form the Wessex Intergroup. This step was reluctantly taken as both Bournemouth and Poole Intergroups have for a number of years operated in a discriminatory manner against one group in particular, contrary to Tradition 3, denying them the opportunity to actively participate in the Service Structure of Alcoholics Anonymous. This was further exacerbated recently by the Poole Groups choosing to operate outside of the Guidelines and Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous in further denying them membership in a hostile and orchestrated manner and refusing to allow a full vote of the Intergroup.

This left the members who have formed this new Intergroup, if they wished to continue their primary purpose of Tradition 5 to carry the message to the alcoholic who still suffers, no option but to take this action. The new Intergroup will operate as an all inclusive body following the Guidelines, Traditions, Concepts and Warranties of the Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous. “When anyone anywhere, reaches out for help, I want the hand of AA always to be there. And for that; I am responsible.”

At our inaugural meeting we have appointed the following Intergroup Officers. Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, Telephone Liaison Officer, Prison Liaison Officer, Probation Liaison Officer, Health Liaison Officer and Employment Liaison Officer. All of these Officers will be active within the Poole, Bournemouth and surrounding areas and we will keep the Chairpersons of the local Intergroups informed of their progress in the interests of unity and to avoid duplication of any work being undertaken. We shall also be keeping the South West Region up to date with all of our actions as well as informing GSO of the contact details of all of our Officers.

We hope that we will be able to work in a spirit of openness and co-operation with all members of the Fellowship. “This we owe to AA’s future; to place our common welfare first; to keep our Fellowship united. For on AA unity depend our lives, and the lives of those to come.”

With love in Fellowship,

Paul P.

Chairman. Wessex Intergroup.

[Address omitted]

(our edits)

Comment: You will note the usual “victim mode” stance. This is a standard cult tactic when they don't get their own way (which we are happy to report is happening more and more frequently these days!). And of course it goes without saying that OUR interpretation of the traditions, guidelines etc is INEVITABLY WRONG whereas THE CULT'S interpretation is INEVITABLY RIGHT! We do love the language of 'harmony' portrayed in the communication though – but as usual it's all for effect! It represents no more than a series of standardised statements derived from a 'template' supplied by one of their 'gurus'. Remember..... Image not substance is what counts when it comes to your friendly neighbourhood cult!

Needless to say we shall be watching (and reporting) developments with great interest......and with especial attention to which groups choose to join the cult's alternative service structure.....In many respects this development is something of a 'win-win' outcome for Alcoholics Anonymous …... but we'll leave it to you to figure that one out!

Cheerio

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

PS. Our usual thanks to our local reporter.

Big Book fetishism

Every now and then we get an email from a so-called “hard core” Big Book fan. It's usually someone from the Primary Purpose gang (which makes claim to being conversant with this tome) although there are rumours going around that one of the Visions mob (and we mean mob!) actually read almost a whole sentence from the book last year! But you know what it's like in AA – there are rumours and then there are …. more rumours! …...
 
….....It might be useful to indicate here that although we lump them all together there are some differences between these two extremist/fundamentalist camps (although the similarities are much greater and getting worse all the time!). The Primary Purpose 'axis' (derived from the US) is not quite as obsessive as the Visions (our very own home grown freaks!) when it comes to sponsorship (ie. “do exactly what your sponsor tells you” etc) but they do glory in 'fast-tracking' newcomers through the programme (regardless of their aptitude, state of mind, physical well-being and other quite minor details). Both lay claim to the authentic programme of AA (usually by indulging in a 'revisionist' analysis of AA back in the pre-tradition era) and glorying in the days when only “real” alcoholics were allowed into meetings (after they had been properly screened and authenticated by the appropriate authorities ….. self-appointed of course!) In those halcyon times you had none of your treatment centre riff-raff or troublesome “addicts”, or even those annoying “depressives” and such like cluttering up the fellowship. Even the agnostics and atheists did as they were told and got down on their knees and prayed like they believed! No sirree! Only pure blood, 'real deal' alkies were admitted into our select society! Ah good times indeed …. when men were men and women were women and sheep roamed the green pastures quite unafraid! But now – well it's anarchy! They'll let ANYBODY in! No vetting, no bleeding deacon to cast his/her expert eye over the new prospect. Nope! Anyone and his brother can just wander into a meeting (maybe there's nothing on TV), plonk their backsides on a seat, drink a cup of tea, nibble on a biscuit (well at one of those fancy meetings at least!) and waffle on about their precious washing machine breaking down – but then they didn't pick up a drink! Who'd have thought it? Our exclusive fellowship being taken over by these ne'er do wells! Well something should be done! This cannot be allowed to go on........someone should ring up …..... York! (frothing at the mouth and eyes bulging wildly.....)........

Wow! That was SOME digression... anyway.... to get back to our main theme. So every now and then we get an EXPERT mailing us and putting us straight on some points of OUR PROGRAMME. Seems we got it all wrong! Well of course we got it wrong. But then everyone has the RIGHT to be WRONG haven't they? Or maybe that only works if you're a cult group? So we goes and extricates our copy of the aforementioned work (it is of course mostly employed in its traditional capacity – as a door STOP), dusts it off and pulls open the musty and mildewed cover. Turning to the apposite sections we duly send our response back to the EXPERT. Oh dear oh dear! Now we're told we've got it all out of CONTEXT!! (even if we quote an entire page and then the relevant chapter). Nope it seems that we've still got it wrong... So we turns again to another section and quote that (and including context this time because now we've learnt our lesson good and proper!). Nope that still doesn't do the trick. It turns out that we're TWISTING the words to suit our own agenda!! Well who would have thought it?? How could that EVER happen? But now our EXPERT is getting very hot under the collar and resorts at last to profanity! We refer immediately to our very own - almost disintegrating - volume and look for the part of the AA message which includes the use of foul language. Nope! Can't find anything there. Maybe it's in the Just for Today card.. “Talk low”...mmmm! So we hold a conscience meeting to debate this vexing question: Is swearing QUIETLY OK then?? Well who can say!

Talking of profanity whatever happened to Wayne's latest address to the R2R (cult group) Plymouth brethren? Not a bleep out of him for almost NINE months and then an audio file appears out of the ether only to disappear almost immediately. Mind you we did give it a bit of a mauling! Still one shouldn't be afraid of unfavourable reviews? It's all part of the 'growing in sobriety' process – ain't it? Anyhoo … that's about it on the Big Book (and Wayne of course). For our part we quite like the text because if the cult (Primary Purpose/Back to Basics/Visions etc) ever managed to read (and inwardly digest!) a copy it would very rapidly put paid to their own brand of dogma. But then we think that's pretty unlikely … don't you?

Cheerio

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

PS Oh yeah! What IS going on in WESSEX? And where is it anyway?