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The Unity of Alcoholics Anonymous is the most cherished quality our Society has ... We stay whole, or A.A. dies.

*Reprinted from Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, p. 129

with permission of A.A. World Services Inc.


New at the   6:00 PM - New Freedom Group # 749    

                         Mixed - Closed - 20 east Fifth Street, Washington

                         St. Peter's United Church of  Christ

Big Book Study


POTOSI CORRECTIONS


 

A.A. Birthday's for May District 16
 
Tim Y Sr. 5-28-73  Pam S.  5-31-85 Mike K.  5-11-98 Tom K.  5-16-01 Jim Ma.  5-21-01
LeEtta K.  5-03-05 Jodi C.  2-01-08 Sharon S.  2-03-08 Matt  2-11-08 Lisa L. 2-16-08
Tracy B.  90 days        

A.A. Birthday's for June District 16                       

Jenny H.  6-6-87 Dale C.  6-6-87 Joe F.  6-1-89 Tim B.  6-7-90 Fran B.  6-1-92
Paul  6-2 92 Traci  6-1-94 Jennie C.  6-14-00 Sandy S.  6-10-00 John H.  6-21-00
John K.  6-6-06 Mike K.  6-5-07 Pete G. 30days Tim Mc C. 30days  
                                                                                              

 CONCEPT 4
THE RIGHT OF PARTICIPATION

 Bill Wilson explains that the fourth concept has to do with our “spiritual needs.” Specifically, Bill referred to each of us having a deep desire to belong thus never relegating any member of A.A. to be regarded as second class. Bill goes on to say that “Just as there are no second-class A.A.’s neither should there be any second-class world service workers, either.” This is a hard learned lesson and Bill in the Fourth Concept illuminates some of the growing pains and mistakes made early on in AA.

Originally, when the Alcoholic Foundation (later to become the General Service Board) was formed, all authority was given to the trustees of the board while all responsibility was placed on the shoulders of the founders and office managers. The relationship that developed as a result of this type of structure was defined by Bill as “a kind of schizophrenia” and he explains There was much frustration throughout the organization and that it caused a lot of trouble. one rather humorous incident was described in which paychecks were torn up by a trustee-treasurer who was out of sorts. Bill stated that “Right then and there we began to wonder how much absolute authority over money and people any one of us drunks could handle. Also, how much of this type of coercion we alkies on the receiving end could sit and take.”

All of this helped in the creation of the current A.A. service structure with fundamental balances of authority and an appropriate sharing of responsibility. Thus, the General Service Conference, by its charter is “the guardian of world services and of the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous.” The voting membership of the General Service Conference is made up of Area Delegates, Alcoholic and Non-Alcoholic Trustees from the General Service Board, directors of A.A. World Services, directors of A.A. Grapevine, and staff members of the Grapevine and General Service Office. Each has a vote and all votes are equal in worth. There are however some logical exceptions to who can vote in the General Service Conference when it comes to “situations that involve past performance, job qualifications, money compensation, or in case of a sweeping reorganization of the General Service Board itself, occasioned by the misfunction of the Board.” So, although this concept has primarily to do with the General Service Conference in New York and its voting representation, there are valuable lessons learned and principles that apply to other levels of A.A. Service. With in the last several years, I witnessed the application of the Fourth Concept at the Area level by giving paid staff members of the Area voting representation at Area Assemblies. Given their unique knowledge of their areas of responsibility and their commitment to the A.A. service structure, it seemed completely consistent with Concept Four to make them voting members. By giving such voting representation in reasonable proportion to their responsibility we further define yet another component of the “trust” we endow in our “Trusted Servants.”

The complete text of the “Twelve Concepts for World Service” can be found in The AA Service Manual, which can be purchased at the 
St. Louis Central Service Office for $4.00

Carl B.


Thoughts on Our 7th Tradition

Every AA group ought to be fully self-supporting

Over past several  years, contribution to the St. Louis Central Service Office have been declining.

This year has been particularly worrisome. Together with your Alano Board, I would ask       more


 

Addresses for Contributions:
District 16
, P. O. Box 1513, Washington, MO  63090

Missouri Eastern Area 38
, 2683 South Big Bend, Rm. 18, Maplewood, MO  63143.
Central Services, 2683 South Big Bend, Rm. 4, Maplewood, MO  63143.
Box 459
, Grand Central Station, New York, NY  10163.


 

 

 

 

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