Concept 07

(short) The Charter and Bylaws of the General Service Board are legal instruments, empowering the trustees to manage and conduct world service affairs. The Conference Charter is not a legal document; it relies upon tradition and the A.A. purse for final effectiveness.
(long) The Conference recognizes that the Charter and the Bylaws of the General Service Board are legal instruments: that the Trustees are thereby fully empowered to manage and conduct all of the world service affairs of Alcoholics Anonymous. It is further understood that the Conference Charter itself is not a legal document: that it relies instead upon the force of tradition and the power of the A.A. purse for its final effectiveness.

1. Primary principle(s): unity, democracy, spiritual growth, humility
2. Other principles: consideration, faith, generosity, good nature, helpfulness, honesty, hope, kindness, love, open-mindedness, patience, understanding, trust, tolerance, simplicity

Readings:

• Twelve Concepts for World Service - pp. 29-32
  
• Twelve Concepts Illustrated -
• Final Report: Twelfth General Service Conference (1962) - pp. 5, 6, 8
• “The Incredible Tapestry” - February 1993 AA Grapevine

This is one of those Concepts which I usually have skipped over because it “only has to do with the politics in New York”.  Yet, it points to a fascinating balance of principles between who we are as a business and who we are as a spiritual fellowship.

Our final effectiveness is based on the “purse” (do we send money to support the General Service Board and their programs?) and our traditions (based on our spiritual principles, how we do what we do is at least as important as what we do).

This balance is important to me because it points to exactly where my priorities and my focus is in what I do in my life and how I do it.  I am bound by the laws and social constraints of the country and the society in which I live.  I must meet those obligations.  That is a part of my spiritual walk.

As well, I am bound by the spirit that has been revealed as a consequence of the AA program and has afforded me this opportunity to contribute in a life that is guided by spiritual principles.  I have a different standard of behavior and a different final authority than my neighbor or co-worker might have.  My standard is progress toward perfection of living in accordance with these principles.

The 12 Concepts Checklist (a service piece from the General Service Office), asks these questions about Concept 7:

• Do we act responsibly regarding the “power of the purse?”
  • Principles: prudence, honesty, responsibility, generosity
• Do we realize that the practical and spiritual power of the Conference will nearly always be superior to the legal power of the G.S.B.?
  • Principles: restraint, responsibility, understanding, tolerance, humility