Daily
Reflections reading February 28th
What? No
President?
When
told that our Society has no president having authority to govern it, no
treasurer who can compel the payment of any dues. . . . our friends gasp and exclaim,
“This simply can’t be . . .” TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 132
When
I finally made my way to A.A., I could not believe that there was no treasurer
to “compel the payment of dues.” I could not imagine an organization that
didn’t require monetary contributions in return for a service. It was my first
and, thus far, only experience with getting “something for nothing.” Because I
did not feel used or conned by those in A.A., I was able to approach the
program free from bias and with an open mind. They wanted nothing from me. What
could I lose? I thank God for the wisdom of the early founders who knew so well
the alcoholic’s disdain for being manipulated.
© Alcoholics Anonymous World Services
My
thoughts on February 28th Reading
In AA there sure is no need for a president, no such thing
as individual authority no one member directs or controls the actions of the
other members of the group, 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;
group decisions are just those decisions by all members after a discussion of
all aspects of a given situation, including the minority opinion
The group as a whole votes on the issue and an agreement is
reached with the majority vote
This vote is called the group conscience, each group is a
fellowship of equals, no member has authority over the group, in this way the
fellowship reaches out to all who would seek its comfort and provides the
atmosphere of a sense of belonging to all members
There are leaders it clearly states that each group does
have its leaders, they just have no authority over the rest of the group, they
have been entrusted with the responsibility to serve the group, not make decisions
for the group
Groups clearly have other leaders, there are those who share
their wisdom in the meetings, who are quietly recognized spiritual leaders,
there are those members who are founded in the principles and traditions of the
program the group turns to when questions arise
Involving possible violations of those principles and
traditions, some times we see long timers dealing with righteous Indignation
over what is going on, they feel the group is doomed because it took a path not
to their liking, but every AA group has a conscience
It is the collective conscience of its own membership,
following the guidelines of AA as a whole that keeps it going, not the long
timers who want to run the group, the groups receive right direction by tending
to there own affairs trial and error produces group experience
Out of corrected experiences comes tradition, the greater
power is working through a clear group conscience, our growing AA Traditions
will prove to be the will of God for us all, A found it has little need for
man-made rules or regulations
Despite the fact
that we do veer off at times with respect to its own affairs, the collective
conscience of the group will almost surely demonstrate its dependability, the
group conscience will in the end prove a far more infallible guide for group
affairs
Than the decision of any individual member, however good or
wise he may be, our active leadership is of service thru our trusted servants,
thru rotation of duties, we enjoy a kind of democracy in the respect that we
may unique in society
Therefore we have no need of a President of Alcoholics
Anonymous, we are certain that there is but one ultimate authority a loving God
as he may express himself in our group conscience, thank God for all our
trusted servants who guide is in our sobriety
God bless you Al M
Please feel free to mail
suggestions or comments
