[align=center]Tradition Eleven
"Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio, and films."


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O have to continually remember that the only copy of the Big Book that a person in the regular world may see is me. Consequently I have to be attractive in my program so they might be willing to give it a try.

Kasia

1- Do I sometimes promote AA so fanatically that I make it seem unattractive?
2- Am I always careful to keep the confidences reposed in me as an AA member?
3- Am I careful about throwing AA names around - even within the Fellowship?
4- Am I ashamed of being a recovered, or recovering, alcoholic?
5- What would AA be like if we were not guided by the ideas in Tradition Eleven? Where would I be?
6- Is my AA sobriety attractive enough that a sick drunk would want such a quality for himself?


Copyright © The AA Grapevine

Millions of offenders such as drunk drivers and domestic abusers are given a
choice between jail time and forced participation in AA. Most, naturally, are
afraid of jail and choose AA.

Once in AA they either accept it's method of "achieving sobriety" or go with
the flow long enough to stay out of trouble. So if you think forcing people into
attending A.A.meetings works for the long term good of the individual and
of A.A. then that's the way you see it.

While "court ordered" doesn't fall under the heading of promotion it's isn't even
in the same rain forest as attraction....The word coercion comes to mind. But
when you agreed it is okay to force people into A.A. meetings that action entirely
demolishes the 11th tradtion principle as it affects and pertains to A.A...The
addiction treatment industry, recommends AA as the only solution to one's inability
to stay off the sauce.(after spending at least 28 days in, and thousands of idollars
on their Treatment).

Newbies are sent into the open arms of AA. I defy anyone to explain how this
is not "promotion" Any treatment center patient who doubts that AA is for
him/her is quickly reminded by the counselor/Twelve Step Graduate, that few
who do not embrace AA as a whole have little chance of staying sober So
much for "attraction."

Is this what Bill Wilson meant by attraction? As for the part about press,radio, and
film, well, I guess Bill in all his wisdom could not foresee T.V. or the internet. AA
is promoted, directly or indirectly, by famous people (pick your favorite celebrity
junkie) ad nauseum.

nba5150

Good stuff here.

I'd like to speak to the court ordered.

Some meets here embrace papers (court ordered) and do well. However some find themselves with disproportionate numbers of newcomers to old timers. Some of these offenders want what we have. It gets worse when old timers avoid those meets because of the daunting task that lays there.

Some meets could care either way and yes, that disproportionate thing can happen there too.

And some meets don't tolerate them and will not sign them or just tell you to get someone next to you to sign it.

My current stance is that something cannot be viewed as attractive unless it can first be viewed. And that it is outside of our realm that offenders are being coerced (forced) to look at it. We wont deny access and all we are doing is indicating to the court that an offender has looked at AA. Now I came into AA at a time and place where papers are the norm, but I could see my stance change should the number of papers increase where I go to meetings.

I have seen some real success in this mode of attraction and in their retention. Don't know any stats but having taken meets into jail where the environmentally induced "attraction" is probably less effective.

I see no reason to change how we approach them in my locale at this time. Our doors are open and when you step in, you get a big stamp on your forehead that sez "Not Guilty".

First of all, Thanks to all for these posts. As you know I am always looking for things to learn about in the program. I just think that 1 sucess,weather it be ordered or not is a true blessing.Thanks for letting me put my two sense into something that is very new to me. Bless you all and in case I have not said it enough, I am so grateful to have you all in my life.Love You All, Nan

I am posting the post that brought the clarification of why it is not breaking Tradition 11 and the clarification after the post. I know its past but hopesome of our members attended.

Kasia

Tradition 11. Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio and films.?

It's intentions seem to be well-meaning, but I figured it was worth bringing to the attention of some of my online groups for further discussion.. .
My initial reaction was "WHAT THE HECK!?" .. but then I paused and thought about it .. I am proud to be a member of AA and grateful to see our Fellowship being recognized in a positive light... What do YOU think?

A.A. invites public to free daylong event
Monday, July 06, 2009
ADVANCE STAFF WRITER
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Staten Island General Services of Alcoholics Anonymous has scheduled the 26th annual Staten Island Share-A-Day for Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in New Dorp High School.
It is open to the public, and there is no cost to attend. Breakfast and lunch will be served, and child care will be provided. Spanish-speaking A.A. members and representatives from AL-ANON will also be on hand.
This year's theme will be Gratitude In Action, and there will be workshops throughout the day. All sessions will be open to the public, allowing individuals to get a better understand of Alcoholics Anonymous and its program of recovery.
The welcome breakfast will be in the cafeteria, followed by an orientation general session, including an address by a designated opening speaker in the auditorium at 9 a.m.
Workshops throughout the day will cover such topics as Meditation With Spirituality, Attitude Of Gratitude, Principles Before Personalities, Resign Your Resentments, Al-Anon, Spanish A.A., A.A. films, Try Laughter, No Action-No Gratitude, Living Sober, Beginners Meetings, and more.
Before lunch, a Long Term Sobriety Panel of men and woman who have more than 25 years' continuous sobriety will convene in the auditorium.
A play, "The Legacies Of Service," is also planned for later in the day, along with the programs. A closing general session will conclude with a "Sobriety Countdown" followed by a keynote speaker.
In keeping with its procedures, A.A. preserves program speakers' anonymity.
An underlying premise of the program is that an alcoholic who no longer drinks has a faculty for reaching and helping an uncontrolled drinker. In simplest form, A.A. operates when a recovered alcoholic passes along the story of his or her own problem drinking, describes the sobriety he or she has found in A.A., and invites the newcomer to join the informal fellowship.
A.A. encourages attendance by anybody who may think there's a problem with alcohol.
For additional information, call 212-647-1680, visit www.statenislandaa. org," or email to publicinfo@statenis landaa.org. A.A. meetings take place seven days a week at various locations across the borough. The Web site will help in finding a meeting place.



I will expand what I have been taught about tradition 11.

first off read it, it says, persoanl anonymity, it does not say aa as a whole. or an event, etc.

That means if there are no recognizable faces, no names in full, things like this announcement about what sounds like a very fun, uplifting, educational time can be permitted.

anonymity was one of dr bob's major pet peeves. while we did this at the level of papers, radio, tv, bill boards, etc. sometimes we get so engrossed in being anonymous that we hide from the still suffering folks.

if someone doesn't know your name, doesn't know a phone number, when and if the desire to drink overcomes them, how are they suppose to contact you. so there is a time and place for anonymity and it isn't with our fellows in meetings.

Now alot of folks say, everyone knows about aa and has for years. I recently dealt with 2 clients whom had never heard of it, and were so excited to find out about some possible help i felt like an angel delivering a package.

it is okay for a group to advertize their meetings in the paper, on cable tv even, the pi committee has glimps we can order and have placed on the non profit stations offering help.

so no, there was absolutely nothing wrong with this being in the paper and informing a large amount of folks it was happening..

as to the question recovered, or recovering or daily reprieve. an old timer once corrected me and i now understand exactly what he meant.

MY NAME IS RUTH, AND I AM AN ALCOHOLIC dry or wet, i am an alcoholic, there is no gray area, today i have a daily reprieve based on my direct spiritual connection with my hp.