Warranty 04

that it reach all important decisions by discussion, vote, and whenever possible, substantial unanimity;

1. Primary principle(s): unity, substantial unanimity, democracy, patience
2. Other principles: consideration, good nature, humility, open-mindedness, self-sacrifice, surrender, spirituality, trust, tolerance, understanding, willingness

Readings:

• Twelve Concepts for World Service - pp. 68-69
• “What’s a Group Conscience?” - March 1987, AA Grapevine

An interesting question is “what is the difference between AA and a true democracy”?  Probably nothing if the intention of creating the strongest possible union is considered.  Probebly everything if you want to change the direction or policy of your organization with a slim majority in your favor.

In our area, we’ve recently adopted a tradition (yeah, it sort of happened that way) of requiring a 2/3 majority vote for many things we do.  It’s been interesting to stand in the back of the room and notice that, when business is transacted with a slim 2/3 vote, the feeling is much the same as it used to be when business was done by a slim majority - a feeling of a reluctant yielding of a position.  Yet, I think the feeling is that it is more palatable when there is a 2/3 vote than when there is a slim majority.

As I wrote in an article on the Group Conscience a former service sponsor of mine used to state that the “group conscience ends when the vote is taken…”.  Where we seem to get in the most trouble in AA business is when we don’t talk long enough or responsibly enough about what is on the table.