The AA Tradition 8 Checklist is a crucial tool for Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) groups and service centers. It helps maintain the organization’s integrity and adherence to its founding principles. Here are eight essential questions to consider when evaluating your adherence to AA Tradition 8:
Ensuring that our service centers remain non-professional means that they do not seek financial profit or gain. It's essential to maintain a volunteer-driven, selfless approach to service within AA.
Special workers should be limited to roles within the service centers, such as administrative or managerial positions, and should not hold leadership roles within AA groups.
Service in AA should be driven by a desire to help others in their recovery, without any expectation of personal gain or recognition.
AA should never be used as a platform for profit, and its principles should never be sold or commercialized.
Special workers should be given the chance to serve AA and contribute to its mission without receiving significant financial compensation.
The primary purpose of AA service centers should be to support individuals recovering from alcoholism, without any secondary motives.
AA must remain a fellowship of individuals united by their desire to stop drinking and help others do the same, rather than a business opportunity.
Transparency is essential in ensuring that financial matters within AA are handled ethically and that the fellowship's funds are used for their intended purpose.
Yes, AA groups can accept contributions to cover meeting expenses and support their primary purpose of helping alcoholics recover. However, they should avoid becoming dependent on substantial donations or commercial sponsorship.
Special workers can receive reasonable reimbursement for their expenses related to service, but they should not be financially compensated beyond covering their out-of-pocket costs.
A service center is an administrative entity that provides support and resources to AA groups but does not hold regular meetings. An AA group is a gathering of members who meet regularly to share their experience, strength, and hope with the goal of staying sober and helping others do the same.
AA Tradition 8 allows for the employment of special workers in service centers to perform administrative and organizational tasks necessary to support the fellowship's activities. However, these workers should not become leaders or decision-makers within the fellowship.
While it is acceptable to sell AA literature and books to cover costs or raise funds for service centers, this should be done without profiting from the sale of AA materials. The primary purpose should always be to carry the message of recovery to alcoholics, not to generate revenue.
AA Tradition 8 serves as a critical guideline for Alcoholics Anonymous, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a non-professional approach to service. By asking these questions and adhering to the principles outlined in Tradition 8, AA can stay true to its mission of helping alcoholics recover and avoid the pitfalls of commercialization or profit-seeking within the fellowship. Embracing these principles ensures that the focus remains on the core mission of offering hope and support to those in need of recovery.
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