| The Traditions that follow
bind us together in unity. They guide the
groups in their relations with other groups,
with A.A., and the outside world. They
recommend group attitudes toward leadership,
membership, money, property, public
relations, and anonymity.
The Traditions evolved from the
experience of A.A. groups in trying to
solve their problems of living and working
together. Al-Anon adopted these group
guidelines and over the years has found
them sound and wise. Although they are
only suggestions, Al-Anon's unity and
perhaps even its survival are dependent on
adherence to these principles.
|
| 1. |
|
Our common welfare should come first;
personal progress for the greatest number
depends upon unity.
|
| 2. |
For our group purpose there is but one
authority — a loving God as He may express
Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders
are but trusted servants — they do not
govern. |
| 3. |
The relatives of alcoholics, when gathered
together for mutual aid, may call themselves
an Al-Anon Family Group, provided that, as a
group, they have no other affiliation. The
only requirement for membership is that
there be a problem of alcoholism in a
relative or friend.
|
| 4. |
Each group should be autonomous, except in
matters affecting another group or Al-Anon
or AA as a whole.
|
| 5. |
Each Al-Anon Family Group has but one
purpose: to help families of alcoholics. We
do this by practicing the Twelve Steps of AA
ourselves, by encouraging and
understanding our alcoholic relatives, and
by welcoming and giving comfort to families
of alcoholics.
|
| 6. |
Our Family Groups ought never endorse,
finance or lend our name to any outside
enterprise, lest problems of money, property
and prestige divert us from our primary
spiritual aim. Although a separate entity,
we should always co-operate with Alcoholics
Anonymous.
|
| 7. |
Every group ought to be fully
self-supporting, declining outside
contributions.
|
| 8. |
Al-Anon Twelfth Step work should remain
forever non-professional, but our service
centers may employ special workers.
|
| 9. |
Our groups, as such, ought never be
organized; but we may create service boards
or committees directly responsible to those
they serve.
|
| 10. |
The Al-Anon Family Groups have no opinion
on outside issues; hence our name ought
never be drawn into public controversy.
|
| 11. |
Our public relations policy is based on
attraction rather than promotion; we need
always maintain personal anonymity at the
level of press, radio, films, and TV. We
need guard with special care the anonymity
of all AA members.
|
| 12. |
Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of
all our Traditions, ever reminding us to
place principles above personalities. |
