From a
very confused newcomer – and who can blame them!
“Hi,
Sorry
to bother you. I’ve had a bad experience with a non-AA Group step'n
ahead/thelastmile posing as an AA meeting.
The
Sunday Leederville WA meeting I attended (AA events) taught from the
step'n ahead/thelastmile
book and workbook.
No
lessons were from the Big Book or any other AA Literature.
What
is AA’s position on Non-AA groups using AA meetings to recruit?
What
is AA’s position on Non-AA courses being advertised as AA meetings?
In
my last 5.5 weeks I have heard new members are the lifeblood of AA.
I
went to 3 meetings yesterday …..... The non-AA Group step'n
ahead/thelastmile was recruiting at RPH (Royal Perth
Hospital).
I
went to Subiaco where I’ve previously seen The non-AA Group step'n
ahead/thelastmile was recruiting. I asked the chair/leader
what their position was. He said they were part of AA.
I
left and went to Claremont. The chair/leader of Claremont/Nedlands
said I only have myself to blame. Even though I was recruited in
Nedlands with him chairing and the Serenity Magazine was used as
authority for attending.
I
find it alarming the group chair at Subiaco & Claremont/Nedlands
are aware of this group (and allow them to prey on new members)
When I voiced my concerns
at the state office I was told we all do it differently.
My
problem:
If I trust AA with my recovery I need to know they will
respect my trust.
If I choose another group
that would be my decision (but I choice [sic] AA instead).
If
I’m deceived at a vulnerable time – that’s a violation.
The
group advertised in Serenity as The Book Speakers Group are
step'n ahead/thelastmile.
(Tuesday
Northbridge & Sunday Leederville.)”
Our
response:
“Dear
…...
Thanks
for the email - no bother! We've had some dealings with the Last Mile
bunch but we're interested to hear they are actively recruiting in AA
meetings. Of course AA as such will express no views on this activity
but the groups can and should point out to those involved that this
is not what AA meetings are for. Any AA group which affiliates itself
with an outside organisation according to our traditions may no
longer call itself an AA group. Clearly the people you have been
talking to are unaware of this fact or prefer not to face up to it.
In the short term your best bet is to go to those AA meetings that
are abiding by the traditions and perhaps raise the issue with them
and perhaps at your local regional body. It's always a good idea to
familiarise yourself with the relevant guidelines before entering
into a debate. An alcoholic 'properly armed with the facts' so to
speak is in a much better position to communicate their point of
view. But as always what must take top priority is your own recovery.
We'll
raise some of the points you raise on our website (if that's OK with
you) and see if we get any kind of response. At the very least we can
make people aware that these groups are breaking AA traditions...
something which they would probably not want too widely known
The
Fellas”
(our
edits)
Comment:
This new member raises some pretty valid questions. Can we honestly
say that newcomers who place their trust in us are not being let
down? Only a few years ago we would have advised anyone approaching
AA who believed they had some kind of serious alcohol problem to
visit a meeting – any meeting – and see what they thought. We
can't say the same today. Instead in all honesty we would feel
obliged to advise them that they might like to consider AA as a
possible solution but that they should approach the fellowship with
some caution for the above reasons (as well as others eg. sexual
predation, cult predators etc etc. Do we really want this list to go
on …... ad infinitum!)
Cheers
The
Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)
