Tradition 02

(short) 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.
(long) For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority—a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience.

1. Primary principle(s): Group conscience, democracy, substantial unanimity
2. Other principles: Abandonment,  acceptance, surrender, courage, open mindedness, hope, selflessness, unity, willingness, responsibility, leadership

Readings:

• Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age pp. 98-102
• 12 Steps & 12 Traditions pp. 132-138
• The Twelve Traditions Illustrated
• “My Ego and Tradition Two” - November ‘88 AA Grapevine
• “Tradition Two: When They Kept It Simple Serenity was Restored” - February ‘06 AA Grapevine
• “Voting for God’s Will?” - September ‘00 AA Grapevine
• “The Incredible Tapestry” - February 1998 AA Grapevine

It’s fascinating to me that the short form of this tradition is longer than the long form.  Clearly, Bill thought the verbiage needed some additional elaboration in the time since he originally developed the tradition.  The addition of the phrase “Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern” seemed to provide important additional clarification that had become evident in the mean time.

I was at an AA related service meeting last night.  It was a relatively typical meeting with person after person sharing about what was going on with their various committees.  Lots of excuses.  Lots of re-hashing of topics we’d been over in previous meetings.  A “typical” conscience.

And then, “the issue” was brought up…

It is still amazing to me to watch AA’s at work in a comittee.  People express their opinion.  They defend their opinion.  They defend their opinion louder.  And then, occasionally, the miracle happens - they hear someone else.  It’s something you can see in their eyes and sense in the room - something has shifted and the calm of the spirit of the universe is clearly in charge.

That didn’t happen last night.

By 9pm, I was ready to quit AA.  I know that my life depends on this deal and this path but I was ready for it to be done.  Sometimes, the group conscience happens through the difficult discussions and efforts of those who are willing, those who are selfless enough to become willing to move forward in our purpose.

Grapevine questions:

1. Do I criticize or do I trust and support my group officers, AA committees, and office workers? Newcomers? Old-timers?
   • Principles: trust, willingness, generosity, selflessness, patience, respect
2. Am I absolutely trustworthy, even in secret, with AA Twelfth Step jobs or other AA responsibility?
   • Principles: humility, honesty, integrity, responsibility
3. Do I look for credit in my AA jobs? Praise for my AA ideas?
   • Principles:  modesty, peace, humility
4. Do I have to save face in group discussion, or can I yield in good spirit to the group conscience and work cheerfully along with it?
   • Principles: humility, tolerance
5. Although I have been sober a few years, am I still willing to serve my turn at AA chores?
   • Principles: humility, selflessness
6. In group discussions, do I sound off about matters on which I have no experience and little knowledge?
   • Principles: responsibility, humility