Tom B.’s comment motivated the gray matter…
He said;
“I once read somewhere that a group conscience meeting can be called at any time, especially during a regular AA meeting as to keep the “Others” at the monthly home group business meetings “In check” with the group as a whole. I’ve studied the pamphlet on The A.A. Group…Where It All Begins and may have missed or overlooked something there.”
Then he asked a few good questions. I have some thoughts on the first and invite your comments – please.
“How and when can a group conscience meeting can be conducted and how to bring …read more

I don’t like the way he does “business” but that is not what it’s about. It’s about the message! And he’s right more often than he’s wrong. This time he’s more than right – he’s doing whatever he can to help save lives and that supercedes everything, imho.
I hear the same kind of things he’s referring to at meetings. People share and then end with a statement like this;
“I want to thank the South Side Group for being here for me tonight.”
Dude/Dudette – you’re just simply not that damned important! You don’t really think we made it a point to …read more

Bill W. had some comments relating to our Fifth Tradition in 1955. This particular one reminds me that pride ought to be something for which I maintain constant vigilance!
Fifth Tradition: Each group has but one primary purpose – to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers.
To which Bill commented in 1955 (among other things he said);
“Our Society, therefore, will prudently cleave to its single purpose: the carrying of the message to the alcoholic who still suffers. Let us resist the proud assumption that since God has enabled us to do well in one area we are destined to …read more

I may stick with this theme for a short while. Looking back, I’d be completely willing to say that were it not for the Blue Point Traditions Group I might not be sober today. Why? For the simple reason that they were there and functioning with a meeting when it was time for me to stroll on in. Had their doors been locked or had it been a choir practice that night rather than a meeting, who knows?
The same can be said of your group! And of my current group – The SouthSide Group here in Savannah.
I have also had …read more

What is an Informed A.A. Group Conscience?
Another General Services brochure “The AA Group… Where it all begins” tells us;
“The group conscience is the collective conscience of the group membership and thus represents substantial unanimity on an issue before definitive action is taken. This is achieved by the group members through the sharing of full information, individual points of view, and the practice of A.A. principles. To be fully informed requires a willingness to listen to minority opinions with an open mind.