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TOPIC FORM - GENERAL SERVICE CONFERENCE 2009

THEME:  IS YOUR GROUP IN THE LOOP?

CLOSING DATE FOR SUBMISSION OF TOPICS IS FRIDAY 26^th JUNE 2009

 That a banner be produced that lists the promises listed on pages 83 & 84 of the Big Book.

 WHAT IS THE BACKGROUND OR REASON FOR THE TOPIC?:

The Promises are what sets us apart and what the authors of the 12 Steps promised you would achieve if you lived a way of life that embodied those Steps. We witness, miraculously, that the Promises are true.

Meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous are meant to demonstrate the wonderfully hope filled and redemptive journey told by our stories of what it was like, what happened and what it is like now. The banners we display are meant to aid understanding of how that journey is undertaken – from the First Step – encapsulated in the Serenity Prayer. I think that a good case can be made for the proposition that such depiction is fundamentally incomplete without the Promises.

Put simply – if you do the Steps you attain the Promises. Both banners are needed to tell the story – and to offer by banner the full measure of hope that we can to the hopeless newcomer.

Most important of all though, is the final reality engaging overreaching promise made in a separate paragraph on page 84 of the BB that “Are theses extravagant promises? We think not. They are being fulfilled among us – sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly. They will always materialise if we work for them.”

That is what we witness at our meetings and by our very existence. No matter what the content of any story or the quality of any meeting that a member of AA may experience from time to time, if a person who still suffers can receive just that message then all will be well.

We are not the only game in town these days when it comes to recovery programmes but the Promises of our programme are what sets our programme apart from any other programme so I think it is essential that new members are shown straight away what our programme not only offers but promises.

This can best be achieved by a new banner showing our Promises. At the same time it will help emphasize from the start the spiritual nature of our programme.

 HOW WILL THE FELLOWSHIP OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS BENEFIT FROM THIS SUGGESTION?  

This Topic has come up a lot of times over the years so it is obvious that a lot of the fellowship wants a set of promises banners so giving them what they want will help promote unity within the fellowship,

 WHAT ARE THE ESTIMATED COSTS OF IMPLEMENTING THIS SUGGESTION?

 Zero because the fellowship will buy them thus making the cost zero once brought.

HAVE YOU ASKED YOUR GROUP, DISTRICT OR AREA TO MAKE A DECISION ABOUT THIS TOPIC AND, IF SO, WHAT WAS THE OUTCOME? (Note: A full consultative process is recommended, but any Member or unstructured Group has the right to submit direct to National Office.)