II. A.A.'S TWELVE TRADITIONS

This Tradition says that the well-being of the entire Fellowship is our priority. Each person's recovery depends on unity within the A.A. Fellowship.

We agree that in our group, a loving God is the true authority. God's will is expressed through our group's decisions. A.A.'s leaders are trusted servants, but they do not make or enforce rules.

This Tradition tells us that the only requirement for someone to join A.A. is a desire to stop drinking.

The Fourth Tradition says that each group will be independent except for things that affect other groups or A.A. as a whole.

This one explains that each group has just one primary purpose—to carry its message to alcoholics who are still suffering.

The Tradition explains that an A.A. group should never put the A.A. name on any project or place that is not fully a part of A.A. This way we avoid problems related to money, property, and reputation that might get in the way of our purpose.

The Seventh Tradition says that every A.A. group should support itself financially. Groups cannot accept contributions from non-members.

This Tradition says we agree that Alcoholics Anonymous is a Fellowship of recovering alcoholics who carry the A.A. message for free. However, our offices may hire and pay workers.

This one explains that A.A. should not be organized like a company with levels of leadership. However, we may create boards and committees that answer to the Fellowship.

The Tenth Tradition states that Alcoholics Anonymous does not have opinions on issues unrelated to alcoholism. This is to make sure the A.A. name does not get dragged into public controversy.

This Tradition explains that we do not “promote” A.A. Instead, we attract members by the way we act and speak about our own experience. This is also how we show the public that A.A. works. All members remain anonymous in media.

This Tradition says that being anonymous is the spiritual foundation of all our Traditions. It reminds us that A.A.'s principles should guide us, not what individual members' say, do, think, or believe.

This Tradition says that each member of Alcoholics Anonymous is a small part of a larger whole. A.A. must continue to live or most of us will eventually die. This is why the well-being of the entire Fellowship is our top priority. But individual well-being is our next most important priority.

We agree that in our group, a loving God is the true authority and may express God's will through our group decisions.

This Tradition tells us that our membership is open to anyone who suffers from alcoholism. We will never turn away anyone who wishes to recover. A.A. membership will never depend on money or following specific rules. Any two or three alcoholics who meet with each other to stay sober may call themselves an A.A. group—as long as they are meeting as recovering alcoholics and not in connection with any other group.

This Tradition says that each A.A. group is fully independent. It does not need to answer to any authority or power besides its own principles. But when one group's plans affect nearby groups, people from all groups should communicate. And no group, regional committee, or individual should do anything that might greatly affect A.A. as a whole without first talking with the trustees of the General Service Board. When it comes to issues that affect all of A.A., our shared well-being is our priority.

This one explains that each Alcoholics Anonymous group is a spiritual group with one primary purpose: to carry its message to alcoholics who are still suffering.

This Tradition tells us that problems related to money, property, and authority can distract us from our most important spiritual goal. Because of this, we believe that any building or property that could be truly useful to A.A. must be managed by someone other than A.A. This helps us keep the spiritual and the material separate. This also means that A.A. groups should never go into business. Organizations like clubs or hospitals that may support A.A. groups need to be managed separately from A.A. itself and cannot use the A.A. name. This allows groups to start and end relationships with these organizations more easily. For clubs or buildings created for A.A. purposes, A.A. managers are usually preferred. But hospitals and other medical buildings need to be supervised by medical professionals, not A.A. members. An A.A. group may work with anyone, but working together cannot be confused with an alliance or business relationship. An A.A. group cannot permanently attach itself to any other organization.

This Tradition explains that all A.A. groups must be funded by voluntary contributions from their own members. We think that asking for funds from the public using the name of A.A. is very dangerous, whether it's done by groups, clubs, hospitals, or other outside agencies. We believe that accepting large gifts of money from anyone is risky. It is important that A.A. not owe debts or obligations to donors or other organizations. Groups should avoid building up large amounts of money in their treasuries if they don't have specific plans to spend it. Our experiences have taught us that arguments over property, money, and authority can destroy the spiritual program we have inherited.

This Tradition tells us that Alcoholics Anonymous will always be a nonprofessional organization. We define “professional” as helping or advising alcoholics for money, fees, or as a paid job. We may hire alcoholics for jobs that might otherwise go to nonalcoholics. These special services will be paid. But our usual A.A. “Twelve Step” work is never to be paid for.

This one explains that each A.A. group should be organized loosely. Regularly electing new leaders to fill leadership roles works best; this is called rotating leadership. The small group may elect its secretary, and the large group may elect its rotating committee members. Groups in a large city may elect their central or intergroup committee, which often employs a full-time secretary. The trustees of the General Service Board will work as our A.A. General Service Committee. They are the group that protects our A.A. Tradition and receives voluntary A.A. contributions that we use to maintain our A.A. General Service Office in New York. These trustees have permission from the groups to handle our overall public relations. They also guarantee the quality and accuracy of our main publication, the AA Grapevine. All elected representatives are guided by the spirit of service, since true leaders in A.A. act as trusted and experienced servants of the entire Fellowship. They don't gain authority from their job titles; they do not govern or enforce rules. Gaining respect from all A.A. members is what makes them useful to the Fellowship.

This Tradition states that no A.A. group or member should ever express opinions on behalf of A.A. This includes opinions on risky or controversial issues like politics, policies about the sale or use of alcohol, or religion. Alcoholics Anonymous has no argument with anyone. And because of this, groups should not express views on difficult subjects.

We agree that when we speak with or interact with the general public, we always maintain personal anonymity. We think A.A. should avoid dramatic or shocking advertising. Our names and pictures as A.A. members should not be broadcast, filmed, or publicly printed. Our public relations should be guided by the principle of attraction rather than promotion. (Meaning we will say what we do and allow people to decide for themselves if they want to join us.) We never need to praise ourselves. We feel it is better to let our friends recommend us.

And finally, the last Tradition says that we of Alcoholics Anonymous believe that anonymity is an idea that has huge and important spiritual significance. It reminds us that our principles are more important than our personalities. It helps us remember that we must remain truly humble at all times. Staying humble helps us never take for granted our great blessings. It means we will always be able to live in thankful contemplation of the Higher Power who watches over us all.