Tradition Two tells us that "for our group purpose there is but one authority--a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants--they do not govern." But what is a group conscience? How can it be achieved?
The booklet Al-Anon and Alateen Groups at Work (P-24) explains on page 51 that "the group conscience is the will of the group" and is based on members' use of the Twelve Traditions and Twelve Concepts of Service as guides, maintaining "principles above personalities," and sharing information as equals. A group conscience determines in advance who votes and if decisions will be reached by a simple majority, two-thirds of the votes, or three-quarters of the votes. An informed group conscience is obtained when everybody has access to all the information before discussion. If someone disagrees with the decision, Concept Five reminds us that members have the right of appeal and can express their opinion, which members will consider before deciding whether to re-vote or proceed. Everybody supports the final decision.
There was a question about Tradition 2 and since I had the time, I did some research and thought I would post it for the membership.
My thoughts about this group and whether the group conscience should be in question are that ... MIP, I found, from the moment I became a member, has had a very strong and intact group conscience, per Al Anon doctrine.
We all have had respect for one another's experiences and knowledge. We all know that each of us possesses our own unique life's experience that we share in order to serve and and no one person is above or below another.
DavidG said
Jan 20, 2020
Debbs... I had a chat with Hotrod last year- and I think there is a difference- between a business meeting, and a conscience meeting.
They seem to be called different things, in different parts of the world. with different expectations of members. And the formats, perhaps are fairly different. There seems to be a boundary there [somewhere!]. And so while we are all learning about boundaries- this could be discussed, along the
line, somewhere... ???
Gr8 topic, Debbs, and gr8 initiative.
Debb said
Jan 20, 2020
Thank you David.
I thought that, because Al Anon references the "group conscience" as it relates to the individual groups that meet under the Al Anon umbrella, that the doctrine would appropriately fit our group, because basically we meet everyday as a group discussing topics and issues.
Your thoughts.
DavidG said
Jan 20, 2020
You would remember- that this was the message board- and the conduit, really, to the chatrooms...
Over time it seems to have evolved into a~meeting~in~itself... I certainly regard this group as my home group...
© Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc
Group Conscience: What Is It?
Tradition Two tells us that "for our group purpose there is but one authority--a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants--they do not govern." But what is a group conscience? How can it be achieved?
The booklet Al-Anon and Alateen Groups at Work (P-24) explains on page 51 that "the group conscience is the will of the group" and is based on members' use of the Twelve Traditions and Twelve Concepts of Service as guides, maintaining "principles above personalities," and sharing information as equals. A group conscience determines in advance who votes and if decisions will be reached by a simple majority, two-thirds of the votes, or three-quarters of the votes. An informed group conscience is obtained when everybody has access to all the information before discussion. If someone disagrees with the decision, Concept Five reminds us that members have the right of appeal and can express their opinion, which members will consider before deciding whether to re-vote or proceed. Everybody supports the final decision.
There was a question about Tradition 2 and since I had the time, I did some research and thought I would post it for the membership.
My thoughts about this group and whether the group conscience should be in question are that ... MIP, I found, from the moment I became a member, has had a very strong and intact group conscience, per Al Anon doctrine.
We all have had respect for one another's experiences and knowledge. We all know that each of us possesses our own unique life's experience that we share in order to serve and and no one person is above or below another.
They seem to be called different things, in different parts of the world. with different expectations of members. And the formats, perhaps are fairly different. There seems to be a boundary there [somewhere!]. And so while we are all learning about boundaries- this could be discussed, along the
line, somewhere... ???
Gr8 topic, Debbs, and gr8 initiative.
I thought that, because Al Anon references the "group conscience" as it relates to the individual groups that meet under the Al Anon umbrella, that the doctrine would appropriately fit our group, because basically we meet everyday as a group discussing topics and issues.
Your thoughts.
Over time it seems to have evolved into a~meeting~in~itself... I certainly regard this group as my home group...
...in the making- as most meetings are...
...