This Was Bill's Message to AA Groups About Adopting the 12 Traditions

Bill Wilson The Story of Alcoholics Anonymous Memphis 1947: This was Bill W's Message to AA Groups About Adopting the 12 Traditions

by Cathy Wong

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1804 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	56 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

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Bill W., the co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous, wrote a letter to AA groups in 1950 outlining his thoughts on the importance of adopting the 12 Traditions. In this letter, Bill emphasized the need for unity, humility, and service, and he warned against the dangers of power and prestige.

Bill's letter begins by stating that the 12 Traditions are "the best guide we have for group survival." He goes on to say that the Traditions are "not a set of rules, but rather a way of life that we have found to be successful in helping alcoholics recover."

1. Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon AA unity.
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.
3. The only requirement for AA membership is a desire to stop drinking.
4. Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or AA as a whole.
5. Each group has but one primary purpose—to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers.
6. An AA group ought never endorse, finance, or lend the AA name to any related facility or outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property, and prestige divert us from our primary purpose.
7. Every AA group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.
8. Alcoholics Anonymous should remain forever nonprofessional, but our service centers may employ special workers.
9. AA, as such, ought never be organized; but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve.
10. Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the AA name ought never be drawn into public controversy.
11. Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio, and films.
12. Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our Traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.

Bill concludes his letter by saying that the 12 Traditions are "a way of life that we have found to be successful in helping alcoholics recover." He urges AA groups to adopt the Traditions and to live by them, as they are "the best guide we have for group survival."

The 12 Traditions have been a guiding force for Alcoholics Anonymous for over 70 years. They have helped AA to maintain its unity, humility, and service orientation, and they have helped to protect the organization from the dangers of power and prestige. The 12 Traditions are a vital part of Alcoholics Anonymous, and they continue to guide the organization today.

Bill Wilson The Story of Alcoholics Anonymous Memphis 1947: This was Bill W's Message to AA Groups About Adopting the 12 Traditions

by Cathy Wong

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1804 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	56 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE