Concept 01

Readings:

• Twelve Concepts for World Service - Introduction pp. 3-5
• Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age - pp. 212-217
• Dr. Bob and the Good Oldtimers - pp. 336-339
• 12 Concepts Illustrated
• ADVISORY ACTIONS OF THE GENERAL SERVICE CONFERENCE OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS - pp. 4-5

(short) Final responsibility and ultimate authority for A.A. world services should always reside in the collective conscience of our whole Fellowship.
(long) The final responsibility and ultimate authority for A.A. world services should always reside in the collective conscience of our whole fellowship.

1. Primary principle(s): Group conscience, unity, trust
2. Other principles: responsibility, acceptance, constructiveness, courage, discovery, faith, generosity, good nature, helpfulness, honesty, humility, integrity, kindness, modesty, open-mindedness, patience, perseverance, selflessness, self-sacrifice, simplicity, surrender, understanding, willingness

In another article, the whole concept/principle of the Group Conscience is discussed.

As we evaluate our history and place ourselves in Bill and Bob’s shoes, we can see their concerns:

1. Very few (if any!!!) of the membership appreciated what the folks in New York along with the Foundation or Board were trying to accomplish.
2. The “services” offered were in great debate (what should they be?  should they be done at all?  who decides how the money is allocated?  etc.) but it as always Bill and/or Bob who were held the final say for the members.
3. There were divisions inside the fellowship that wanted to take the fellowship in radically different directions.
4. Even Bill had great trouble wrestling with the Trustees in terms of setting priorities and getting necessary work done.

So, the grand concept was to have a conference whereby the over-all fellowship could have real ownership of what AA did and did not do collectively.

This was the idea for the General Service Conference - a “delegate based assembly” where the whole of the membership would have a relationship with the board of trustees (how the General Service Board) and the businesses that they oversee.

Some questions come to mind:

1. In our “inverted pyramid” structure, the groups, not the members, are at the top.  What, if any, is the significance of that?
2. Out of necessity (to accomplish the required work in a reasonable time) a committee system was established.  If I have an opinion about some matter where I have no “direct” representation, how important is it that my opinion is heard and dealt with?
3. Is this sort of committee system still the best possible organization in this day and age?
4. Does any one committee truly represent the collective conscience of AA as a whole on a particular item on the agenda?  Should they?

The 12 Concepts Checklist (a service piece from the General Service Office), asks these questions about Concept 1:

• Does our group have a general service representative (G.S.R.)? Do we feel that our home group is part of A.A. as a whole and do our group’s decisions and actions reflect that?
  • Principles:
• Do we hold regular group conscience meetings encouraging everyone to participate? Do we pass that conscience on to the district, area, or the local intergroup meetings?
  • Principles:
• Is the “collective conscience” of Alcoholics Anonymous at work in my home group? In my area?
  • Principles:
• Where do we fit in the upside-down triangle of A.A.?
  • Principles:
• Are we willing to do what it takes to insure that our democracy of world service will work under all conditions?
  • Principles: