Warranty 05

that its actions never be personally punitive nor an incitement to public controversy

1. Primary principle(s): peace, understanding, trust, generosity, humility
2. Other principles: acceptance, forgiveness, generosity, kindness, open-mindedness, patience, tolerance, unity, communication, honesty, non-defensiveness, restraint

Readings:

• Twelve Concepts for World Service - pp. 69-74
• “A Patron Saint of AA” - September ‘90 AA Grapevine
• “Around AA: Whatever Happened to the Circle and Triangle?” - December ‘93 AA Grapevine
• “Our Critics Can Be Our Benefactors” - April 1963 AA Grapevine
• “The Incredible Tapestry” - February 1993 AA Grapevine

One of the people I most respect in our fellowship who has made a study of our principles in the light of her service experience has a home group where they study our principles.  By her report, almost every week someone raises Warranty 5 as an issue in the discussion or a response to a perceived problem. At her annual retreat, significant time and attention is attached to principles supported by Warranty 5.

It is her understanding and application of this principle that we are never to approach an issue from a position of “superiority”.  For example, if I have “the answer” and presume I am in a position of teaching you”the answer”, I’ve just taken a stand which could be in violation of Warranty 5.

Ever since our founding, we have been known for accusing each other of “not doing it right” and the accusations and counter-accusations have been legendary.  We’ve sued each other and outside entities over symbols, literature, organization, employment, liable - probably more than anyone inside the fellowship would ever care to know.

Yet, some of the boards in the past (General Service Board, AA World Services Board, Grapevine Board, Intergroups, AA clubs, etc.) who have taken instigated these suits have done so with the best of intentions: “…we are charged with protecting the assets with which we’ve been charged - we have to do this or be liable…”

From Warranty V in the Twelve Concepts for World Service:

“In the long run, though, we shall have to rely mainly upon the pressures of A.A. opinion and public opinion. And to this end we shall need to maintain a continuous education of public communications channels of all kinds concerning the nature and purpose of our Traditions. Whenever and however we can, we shall need to inform the general public also; especially upon misuses of the name Alcoholics Anonymous. This combination of counter forces can be very discouraging to violators or would-be violators. Under these conditions they soon find their deviations to be unprofitable and unwise. Our experience has shown that continuous and general education respecting our Traditions will be a reliable preventive and protection in the years to come.”

Has it worked this way in practice?

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

• Do we insure the spiritual liberties of all A.A. members by not placing any member in the position of absolute authority over others?
  • Principles:
• As guardians of A.A.’s traditions, are we ever justified in being personally punitive?
  • Principles: unity, acceptance, tolerance
• Are we careful to avoid public controversy?
  • Principles: anonymity, humility, communication
• Do we always try to treat each other with mutual respect and love?
  • Principles: