Conference questions (2015) that made it – and those that didn't!

You'll all be delighted to hear that we will be reprising our analysis of conference questions (2015) shortly; those that made it, and those that didn't (usually much more entertaining!) together with our incredibly witty possible answers. Already some groups are in the process of considering these issues in order to give feedback. So don't be shy! Give our 'trusted servants' (otherwise known as 'delegates') something to chew on before they meet to deliberate on these weighty matters.

See here (questions that made it) and here (questions that didn't)

Cheers

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

Alcohol research – Recovery Spirituality

Recovery Spirituality, Kurtz E, White WL, Religions 2015, 6, 58-81

Ernie's last article before he died. A cracking read!

Cheers

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

See also Links and downloads

PS For AA Minority Report 2013 click here

Alcohol research - Specific gene tied to abuse of alcohol

Cheers

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

See also Links and downloads

PS For AA Minority Report 2013 click here

Alcohol research – When to Say When: Wine and Drunkenness in Roman Society

 

When to Say When: Wine and Drunkenness in Roman Society, Martin D, MA thesis, University of Missouri, May 2010

Cheers

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

See also Links and downloads

PS For AA Minority Report 2013 click here

West Kent Intergroup – and yet another misrepresentation of Tradition Four!

Wandering around the internet we came across the official AA website for West Kent Intergroup (mostly famous for its hosting of the cult groups based in the Medway area: Strood, Rochester, Gravesend etc. See here and here). At one time this intergroup was effectively taken over by the cult (and for all we know still is). Certainly if the above website is anything to go by then ignorance still reigns supreme in this AA backwater.


 

According to West Kent IG (with respect to Tradition Four – or in their case with absolutely NO respect for Tradition Four) in their aide-memoire (there's posh for you!) to GSRs our West Kent experts on the traditions remind these group representatives that: 

“We wish to emphasize that the Traditions clearly state that ‘Every AA group is autonomous’ and can do as their group conscience decides., so there is absolutely no pressure being put on to any group to do anything – these are purely suggestions.”

Now you'll note that West Kent goes to great lengths to ensure that the GSRs in question are in “absolutely” no doubt about what the Traditions (or rather Tradition) states. We'll repeat it just in case YOU'RE in “absolutely” no doubt yourselves (but this time with emphases just in case you miss the good bits):

“We wish to emphasize that the Traditions clearly state that ‘Every AA group is autonomous’ and can do as their group conscience decides., so there is absolutely no pressure being put on to any group to do anything – these are purely suggestions.”

Fantastic! Couldn't be clearer could it. And it comes from the intergroup so IT MUST BE RIGHT!!

Only one problem though...... they're “ABSOLUTELY” WRONG!! “ABSOLUTELY”. We hope you didn't miss this bit so we'll say it again in …

REALLY REALLY BIG LETTERS!

THEY'VE GOT IT “ABSOLUTELY” WRONG!

What Tradition Four ACTUALLY says is as follows:

“Four – Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or A.A. as a whole” (short form)

and

“4. - With respect to its own affairs, each A.A. group should be responsible to no other authority than its own conscience. But when its plans concern the welfare of neighbouring groups also, those groups ought to be consulted. And no group, regional committee, or individual should ever take any action that might greatly affect A.A. as a whole without conferring with the trustees of the General Service Board. On such issues our common welfare is paramount.” (long form)

(our emphases)

From these it is quite clear that each group is NOT autonomous in every respect. There is a significant qualification to their latitude of action. Perhaps West Kent IG might like to consult the basic text of Alcoholics Anonymous from time to time just to make sure they're quite up to speed on this one. Or maybe as a cult intergroup (?) it suits them to misrepresent this particular tradition?

Cheers

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous … and its ACTUAL traditions ….. “ABSOLUTELY”!)

Alcoholics Anonymous (Great Britain) and Diageo (Distillers) (contd)

(see here) 

Alcoholics Anonymous' investments with the distillery business (and tobacco companies) were apparently the result of a decision by Credit Suisse to put AA investment funds into an “interim collective fund” whilst the transfer was taking place between the previous brokers (Morgan Stanley) and themselves (we've been informed by another AA member that apparently this is not the first time that AA has become involved in the alcohol business although they could not be clear on the dates). This error came to light not because of any disclosures on the part of the General Service Office (York) but because a number of AA members (who are not particularly satisfied with AA's financial governance) took the time to investigate the matter and essentially obliged York to provide this information. Questions have also been raised about how our money is spent (and sometimes wasted) by York and how effective they have been in reducing costs at a time when everybody else in the country has had to tighten their belts (by all accounts not very!). Of course the aforementioned problem would never have arisen if we had not acquired such a substantial reserve in the first place (which is why our traditions (specifically Tradition 6) remind us of the dangers associated with the accumulation of “money” and “property”). As of now AA (Great Britain) possesses £1,879,181 in investments, cash on deposit and money held in a current account. The prudent reserve is set at £1,600,000 leaving £279,181 in working capital. Of course we wouldn't need this much money if we didn't lease offices in York, Glasgow and London or employ staff to man them. If we dispensed with these then the groups would be relieved of a considerable financial burden. Alternative measures could be adopted which require a much lesser investment without affecting the service we offer. The funds could then be more properly applied to carrying the AA message ie. the groups and meetings. Many of these are currently being subsidised by the generosity of their landlords (primarily religious organisations) and are paying less-than-market rates for the weekly rental of the premises in which they hold their meetings. According to our traditions we are not supposed to accept money from outside sources and yet effectively that is precisely what is happening. If we are to remain true to our principles we should be paying our own way. And as always the solution is simple!

Cheers

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

To be continued

Alcohol research – Alcohol and Drug Abuse Institute (Univ. of Washington)

adai.washington.edu

“The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Institute is a multidisciplinary research centre at the University of Washington. Its mission is to support and facilitate research and research dissemination in the field of alcohol and drug abuse”

Cheers

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

See also Links and downloads

PS For AA Minority Report 2013 click here