THE TWELVE TRADITIONS
One--Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon A.A. unity. Two--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. Three--The only requirement for A.A. membership is a desire to stop drinking. Four--Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups, or A.A. as a whole. Five--Each group has but one primary purpose--to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers. Six--An A.A. group ought never endorse, finance or lend the A.A. name to any related facility or outside enterprise; lest problems of money, property and prestige divert us from our primary purpose. Seven--Every A.A. group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions. Eight--Alcoholics Anonymous should remain forever nonprofessional, but our service centers may employ special workers. Nine--A.A., as such, ought never be organized; but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve. Ten--Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the A.A. name ought never be drawn into public controversy. Eleven--Our public relations policy is based upon attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio and films. Twelve--Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our Traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities. |