I'm an alcoholic and my name is _________.

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Would you please join me in 2 minutes of silence to gather our thoughts followed by the Set-aside Prayer.

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We will start by reading a passage from page 63 and 64 of the Big Book...

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"Next we launched out on a course of vigorous action, the first step of which is a personal housecleaning, which many of us had never attempted. Though our decision was a vital and crucial step, it could have little permanent effect unless at once followed by a strenuous effort to face, and to be rid of, the things in ourselves that had been blocking us.

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I will now read a paragraph on "Group Inventory" from the pamphlet "The AA Group" We will be doing all of the things suggested.

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Many groups periodically hold a "group inventory meeting" to evaluate how well they are fulfilling their primary purpose: to help alcoholics recover through A.A.'s suggested Twelve Steps of recovery. Some groups take inventory by examining our Twelve Traditions, one at a time, to determine how well they are living up to these principles.

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"Groups interested in taking regular inventory will find a review of the Tenth Step helpful. Each person's individual influence in the group affects the group as a whole. All through today’s inventory please be mindful of our Tenth Step: “We continue to take personal inventory and when we are wrong promptly admit it.

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Past experience has shown that it's better to not use this time to make motions or vote on new issues. When we did, this process took weeks rather than hours. We will assign someone from the group to take notes of what comes up in the inventory and then bring those items of importance to the subsequent Informed Group Conscience. Again, no motions to vote for changes to our meetings will be presented during this inventory process. Questions will be allowed to anyone from anyone through-out the inventory.

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“The following questions are compiled from A.A. shared experience. Groups will probably wish to add questions of their own"; Which we have in the section about the 12 Tradtions. All of these measures have been effective in helping our group arrive at its informed group conscience

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Part A

 

I will read each question for the group one at a time for discussion. No motions are to be made, any concerns can be listed for later consideration.

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1. What is the basic purpose of the group?

2. What more can the group do to carry the message?

3. Is the group attracting alcoholics from different backgrounds? Are we seeing a good cross-section of our community?

4. Do new members stick with us, or does the turnover seem excessive? If so, why? What can we as a group do?

5. Do we emphasize the importance of sponsorship? How effectively? How can we do better?

6. Are we careful to preserve the anonymity of our group members and other A.A.s outside the meeting rooms? Do we also leave the confidences they share at meetings behind?

7. Do we take the time to explain to all members the value to the group of keeping up with the kitchen/housekeeping chores and other essential services that are part-and-parcel of our Twelfth Step efforts?

8. Are all members given the opportunity to speak at meetings and to participate in other group activities?

9. Mindful that holding office is a great responsibility not to be viewed as the outcome of a popularity contest, are we choosing our officers with care?

10. Are we doing all we can to provide an attractive meeting place?

11. Does the group do its fair share toward participating in the purpose of A.A. — as it relates to our Three Legacies of Recovery, Unity, and Service?

12. What has the group done lately to bring the A.A. message to the attention of professionals in the community—the physicians, clergy, court officials, educators, and others who are often the first to see alcoholics in need of help?

13. How is the group fulfilling its responsibility to the Seventh Tradition? Does anyone have any questions of their own to add for consideration?

 

Part B

 

Is Our Group Aligned With The Twelve Traditions?

 

From the pamphlet "The AA Group."

 

"Some groups take inventory by examining our Twelve Traditions, one at a time, to determine how well they are living up to these principles."

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The following questions were taken from the core of what is said in the Big Book page 562- 566 . We will read the corresponding short and long form Tradition out of the Big Book then the consideration. If we can answer yes to any of these it may be in violation of that Tradition.

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One: Does our group put the interests of any individual above the welfare of the group or of AA as a whole?

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Two: Does our group do anything that misrepresents the conscience of the majority of the group?

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Three: Does our group exclude anyone with a drinking problem from attending the meeting?

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Four: Does our group do anything that does not conform to AA principles and affect other groups or AA as a whole?

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Five: Does our group do anything that conflicts with our carrying the AA message to alcoholics who want a way out from their drinking problem?

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Six: Does anything we do affiliate, endorse or bind the group, actual or implied, to any related facility or outside enterprise?

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Seven: Does the group receive donations from anyone other than an AA member?

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Eight: Are there any fees besides meeting expenses being charged for Twelve Step work, i.e. fellowship, sponsoring, step work, counseling?

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Nine: Is there a governing individual or exclusive group authority that dictates organization to our group?

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Ten: Does our group do anything that publicly states an opinion or takes sides on any issues or controversy that are outside of AA?

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Eleven: At the general public level, does the group publicize any individual AA member's name or picture as a self-appointed representative of AA?

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Twelve: Does our group give personal distinction to any AA member either among fellow alcoholics or the general public that puts their opinions above the conscience of the group or AA?

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Is there anything else anybody would like to bring to the group to add to our list?

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Following a brief reference to each item on our list, by a count of hands we will find out what's most important to the group and make a list to bring to the supsequent Informed Group Conscience i.e. if 8 people raise their hand in favor of discussing an issue we will write an 8 next to that item, we will apply this to each item on the list. Items nobody raises their hands for will be crossed off. If the list is still long we look to trimming it by suggesting a re-vote on the items that got a small show of hands

 

Remember, no long discussions or motions for changes will be made until the Informed Group Conscience

 

The first item for consideration is ________________

 

(continue through the list counting hands and writing the number of hands next to each item)

 

The meeting is now closed.

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Please join me in AA’s pledge:

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We are responsible...

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