AA Group Manual - Fort Wayne AA

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and, when appropriate, arrange for group volunteers to join together in carrying the A.A. message at professional meetings, seminars, and more. (In some groups, the functions of the C.P.C. and Public Information representatives are combined.) The C.P.C. Workbook and the pamphlets "If You Are a Professional, Alcoholics Anonymous Wants to Work with You," "Members of the Clergy Ask About A.A.," and other pertinent literature can be of assistance to C.P.C. representatives in reaching out to professionals. Special Needs Committee Liaison The special needs representative may coordinate any needed assistance to those with special needs within their home group. Many special needs representatives find it beneficial to communicate with their intergroup (central office) when trying to reach those with special needs. Some areas or districts have special needs committees. While there are no special A.A. members, many members have special needs. A.A.s who are blind or visually impaired may need help with transportation to a meeting. A deaf or hearing-impaired member may need a sign language interpreter, or special listening device, in order to hear what is being shared. A.A.s with special needs may also include those who are homebound, those who require a meeting with wheelchair access, or those who are unable to read. Conference-approved literature and other service material is available in various formats to accommodate those with special needs, such as Braille, large print, American Sign Language, or the spoken word on audiotape or compact disk. The service piece, "Serving Alcoholics with Special Needs" and the A.A. guidelines "Carry the A.A. Message to the Deaf Alcoholic" can provide direction and guidance for those interested in working with A.A.s with special needs. 25
26 Principles Before Personalities Tradition 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. The Principle of Rotation Traditionally, rotation ensures that group tasks, like nearly everything else in A.A., are passed around for all to share. Many groups have alternates to each trusted servant who can step into the service positions if needed. To step out of an A.A. office you love can be hard. If you have been doing a good job, if you honestly don’t see anyone else around willing, qualified, or with the time to do it, and if your friends agree, it’s especially tough. But it can be a real step forward in growth—a step into the humility that is, for some people, the spiritual essence of anonymity. Among other things, anonymity in the Fellowship means that we forgo personal prestige for any A.A. work we do to help alcoholics. And, in the spirit of Tradition Twelve, it ever reminds us "to place principles before personalities." Many outgoing service position holders find it rewarding to take time to share their experience with the incoming person. Rotation helps to bring us spiritual rewards far more enduring than any fame. With no A.A. "status" at stake, we needn’t compete for titles or praise—we have complete freedom to serve as we are needed. What is an Informed A.A. <strong>Group</strong> Conscience The group conscience is the collective conscience of the group membership and thus represents substantial unanimity on an issue before definitive action is taken. This is achieved by the group members through the sharing of full information, individual points of view, and the practice of A.A. principles. To be fully informed requires a willingness to listen to minority opinions with an open mind. On sensitive issues, the group works slowly— discouraging formal motions until a clear sense of its collective view emerges. Placing principles before personalities, the membership is wary of dominant opinions. Its voice is heard when a well-informed
Page 1 and 2: How a group functions. How to get s
Page 3 and 4: The A.A. Group Contents How to Use
Page 5 and 6: How To Use This Pamphlet This pamph
Page 7 and 8: The Importance of Anonymity Traditi
Page 9 and 10: Introduction As it says in Concept
Page 11 and 12: The Group… Where A.A.’s Service
Page 13 and 14: It, Daily Reflections, and from the
Page 15 and 16: continuing support system, friends
Page 17 and 18: itself something quite different. T
Page 19 and 20: Some groups have positions that do
Page 21 and 22: some members send one dollar for ea
Page 23 and 24: How Can Newcomers be Reached and He
Page 25: Treatment Facilities Committee Liai
Page 29 and 30: educators, and others who are often
Page 31 and 32: How the A.A. Group Relates To A.A.
Page 33 and 34: How Decisions Affecting A.A. Are Ma
Page 35 and 36: eporting news of the greater Fellow
Page 37 and 38: or central office responsibility is
Page 39 and 40: or psychiatric treatment, education
Page 41 and 42: THE TWELVE STEPS OF ALCOHOLICS ANON
Page 43 and 44: THE TWELVE TRADITIONS THE LONG FORM
Page 45 and 46: oppose no one. Concerning such matt
Page 47 and 48: A.A. purse for its final effectiven

AA Group Manual - Fort Wayne AA

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