Post by SunnyGirl on Oct 15, 2009 13:46:24 GMT -5
AA's Tradition # 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.
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.
This topic has come up several times through the years and
yet there is still some disagreement with what exactly is meant
by this tradition....
I am in 100% agreement with anonymity for members of all
12-step recovery groups. However, it would seem to me that
admitting in public that I am a member of Al-Anon or AA would
be a personal choice. I would never dream of outing another
member of the group.....
As for “attraction rather than promotion”
attract:
- To arouse or compel the interest, admiration, or attention of
promote:
- to forward; to further; to encourage; to advance; to excite;
as, to promote learning;
The definition's of attraction and promotion are very similar...
Sending emails to friends, putting a poster in a f2f meeting
room, putting a message on your facebook site all are wonderful
ways of promoting or attacting people to come to Essence of
Recovery. Asking and inviting others to join us on the boards and
in the new online meetings is a good thing! IMHO They have
the right to ignore me, or they can choose to accept my hand
in friendship and join us. Ultimately the decision is theirs alone....
Suggesting AA or any of the 12-step recovery groups to those
in need, is not especially what I consider promotion. Many
men and women living with addictions were encourage to try
a meeting... I know my son would greatly benefit from AA
and I have suggested it. I leave the ball in his court now...
I understand that until he is ready it will be of no use for him.
I have shared the recovery tools with family members who are
dealing with alcoholics/addicts in their daily lives. I have shared
the sayings "Let Go and Let God" "ODAT" "Live and Let Live"
these sayings have helped them overcome some of the hardships
they are facing. I am not trying to sell them on Al-Anon I am
trying to share the tools that help me so much in my life.
I've read several different opinions on this topic online....
The link below had some very good points!
www.blisstree.com/articles/attraction-rather-than-promotion-16/
But in old time AA, it certainly never meant that you could not
put up notices, posters, ads, and so on. They even held public
meetings (which were advertised in their local newspapers)
where speakers (including clergy and judges and other people
who were neither alcoholics themselves nor AA members) would
talk about the AA program and how it could save people’s lives.’
But in old time AA, it certainly never meant that you could not
put up notices, posters, ads, and so on. They even held public
meetings (which were advertised in their local newspapers)
where speakers (including clergy and judges and other people
who were neither alcoholics themselves nor AA members) would
talk about the AA program and how it could save people’s lives.’
What are your thoughts on, "Attraction Rather Than Promotion"?
Please share.....
Peace on the journey, SunnyGirl
. I will be back looking for Lin and others.