Tradition 11

(short) 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.
(long) Our relations with the general public should be characterized by personal anonymity. We think A.A. ought to avoid sensational advertising. Our names and pictures as A.A. members ought not be broadcast, filmed, or publicly printed. Our public relations should be guided by the principle of attraction rather than promotion. There is never need to praise ourselves. We feel it better to let our friends recommend us.

1. Primary principle(s): anonymity, attraction, humility, surrender, self-sacrifice, responsibility
2. Other principles: acceptance, consideration, constructiveness, generosity, high-mindedness, recovery, self-control, self-sacrifice, selflessness, spirituality, surrender, unity, modesty

Readings:

• Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions pp. 180-3
• AA Comes of Age pp. 128-31
• Dr. Bob and the Good Oldtimers pp. 264-265
• As Bill Sees It pp. 43, 160, 241, 255, 316
• The Language of the Heart pp. 205-218
• “Dr. Bob on Tradition Eleven”, February, 1969 AA Grapevine
• “AA in the 21st century”, April, 1995 AA Grapevine

At most recent conventions and forums I’ve been to recently, either in the PI statement read before the beginning of each public session or in the program, this tradition has been updated to include “television and new media technologies such as the internet” as part of where we protect our anonymity.  I think this perspective (that we just tack on a few extra words years after it’s relevant) might be indicative of a fundamental problem in our fellowship.  It seems to me, as a fellowship, we are never responding to our opportunities and threats in a timely manner.

In my opinion, people often confuse this tradition on “public relations” with our 12th tradition which is about Anonymity.  One of the things I believe we must do better in this generation of AA is distinguish between promotion, participation and invisibility.

Many would have us be invisible in the complicated and fast-changing world of the internet.  Others would have us sell out not only our anonymity but our privacy and decency in the name of helping people in the new age.

It seems likely that there is support for long and healthy discussion and debate about all these matters.

Grapevine traditions checklist:

1. Do I sometimes promote AA so fanatically that I make it seem unattractive?
   • Principles: Humility, honesty, responsibility
2. Am I always careful to keep the confidences reposed in me as an AA member?
   • Principles: integrity. anonymity, trust, respect, responsibility, intimacy. accountability, generosity, discretion
3. Am I careful about throwing AA names around—even within the Fellowship?
   • Principles: anonymity, humility, egalitarianism, respect
4. Am I ashamed of being a recovered, or recovering, alcoholic?
   • Principles: balance, humility, discernment, self-respect, acceptance
5. What would AA be like if we were not guided by the ideas in Tradition Eleven? Where would I be?
   • Principles: principles instead of money or personality, poor in spirit, humility, grace
6. Is my AA sobriety attractive enough that a sick drunk would want such a quality for himself?
   • Principles: humility, attraction, self-inventory, sober deportment