The
purpose of all A.A.
groups, as stated in our Preamble, is for members to "share their
experience, strength and hope with each other, that they may solve
their common
problem and help others to recover from alcoholism." Most A.A. meetings are
considered voting
groups when they follow the long form of our Third Tradition.
Why is a meeting not a Group?
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Perhaps
the most important
distinction between groups and meetings is singleness of purpose: to
stay sober and help others recover from alcoholism. Unlike most
meetings, A.A.
groups generally continue to exist outside prescribed meeting hours,
always
ready to provide Twelfth Step help when needed. A Group has a vote in
the
decision making process of A.A. as a whole.
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The Home Group - One Group, One Vote
Although A.A. members
attend the meetings of many groups, and feel comfortable in these
meetings, the
Home Group remains the strongest bond between the individual A.A.
member and
the Fellowship.
With membership comes the right to vote
upon issues that might affect the Group and might also affect A.A. as a
whole -
a process that forms the very cornerstone of A.A.'s service structure. As
with all Group conscience matters, each A.A. member has one vote; and
this,
ideally, is voiced through the Home Group.
The
Spirit of Rotation
Traditionally,
rotation of service positions
keeps A.A. members from becoming frozen in office. It also ensures that
group
tasks, like nearly everything else in A.A., are passed around for all
to share.
Rotation insures that fresh ideas are brought to the task, and
helps to bring
us spiritual rewards more enduring than fame. And, in the spirit of
Tradition
Twelve, it ever reminds us "to place principles before
personalities." Terms are usually two years, but can be any length the
Group designates. Before you rotate out of any A.A. office, be sure to
help
train your replacement and get them registered.
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What is
an informed group conscience?
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 points of view with an open mind.
On sensitive
issues, the group works
slowly - discouraging formal motions until a clear sense of its
collective view
emerges. Placing principles before personalities, the membership is
wary of
dominant opinions. Its voice is heard when a well informed group
arrives at a
decision. The results rests on more than a yes or no
count—precisely because it is the spiritual expression of the group
conscience.
The term informed group
conscience implies that
pertinent information
has been studied and views are heard before the group votes.
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AA
Group Inventory
Many groups periodically hold a group
inventory meeting to evaluate
how well they are fulfilling their primary
purpose: to carry the message to the alcoholic who still suffers. Some
groups
take an inventory by examining our Twelve Traditions, one at a time, to
determine
how well they are living up to these principles. Some helpful questions
may be
found in the A.A.W.S. publication The A.A. Group pamphlet. Groups will probably wish to
pose questions of their
own as well.
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Intergroups &
Central Offices in NE Ohio
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Akron Intergroup
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(330) 253-8181
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Ashtabula Area Intergroup
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(440) 992-8383
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(800) 630-6974
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Canton Area Intergroup
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(330) 491-1989
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Cleveland District Office
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(216) 241-7387
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Lorain Intergrouip Office
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(440) 246-1800
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Mansfield Area Intergroup
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(419) 522-4800
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North Central Ohio
Area Intergroup
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(419) 625-5995
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(888) 693-9768
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Youngstown Area A.A. Intergroup
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(330) 270-3000
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