The 12 traditions
The Twelve Traditions apply to the life of the association itself. They indicate the means by which the Movement maintains its unity and communicates with the world, how it functions and develops.
There is also a growing interest in the Twelve Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous. People who study human relationships are beginning to wonder how AA works as a fellowship and why.
They wonder why no member of AA can exercise authority over another, why there is no resemblance to a central government? How is it possible that a set of traditional principles with no legal force can ensure unity and effectiveness within the fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous?
Excerpts from: The Twelve Steps and the Twelve Traditions, pp. 15-16 (french version)
Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon A.A. unity.
For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority — a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern.
The only requirement for A.A. membership is a desire to stop drinking.
Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or A.A. as a whole.
Each group has but one primary purpose — to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers.
An A.A. group ought never endorse, finance, or lend the A.A. name to any related facility or outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property, and prestige divert us from our primary purpose.
Every A.A. group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.
Alcoholics Anonymous should remain forever non-professional, but our service centers may employ special workers.
A.A., as such, ought never be organized; but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve.
Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the A.A. name ought never be drawn into public controversy.
Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio, and films.
Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.
Excerpts from: The AA Service Handbook, 2021-2023 Edition, page 101(french version)