by Dan M.
By the mid-1940s, the General Service Office had been inundated with so much correspondence regarding group problems that common themes had emerged. Naturally, in answering all of this mail, guidelines that might avoid these problems had emerged as well. In this sense, it was the groups themselves who were responsible for the Traditions that evolved. As Bill W. said, “AA Traditions were beaten out on the anvil of group experience.”1
Bill knew that such a list of suggestions shouldn’t be called “rules” or “bylaws” because alcoholics would bristle at that. At first he called them “12 points to assure our future.” He first used the word “traditions” in the Grapevine in April of 1946, writing, “Can we now declare general principles which could grow into vital Traditions — Traditions sustained in the heart of each AA by his own deep conviction and by the common consent of his fellows?”2
In the essay, he goes on to list what would become, with few changes, the long version of the Twelve Traditions. In subsequent Grapevine articles he wrote broadly about the issues that could affect groups, such as the handling of money, acceptance of gifts, membership requirements, ties to outside organizations, and anonymity outside of AA. In December of 1947, the Grapevine carried a notice that an important new 48-page pamphlet titled AA Traditions was sent to each group and that enough copies were available for each member to have one, free of charge. Then, from December of 1947 to November of 1948, Bill expanded on one Tradition each month.
In 1949, AA was planning its first international convention for July of 1950, which would also celebrate AA’s 15th anniversary. It was held in Cleveland because of its proximity to Akron, a well-established AA hub. This also meant that Dr. Bob, terminally ill at this point, might be able to attend. During the planning, Earl T., founder of the Chicago group and frequent correspondent of Bill, suggested that the existing Traditions would benefit from revision and shortening. Bill agreed, and with Earl’s help, the short form of the Twelve Traditions became a reality.
In November 1949, the short form of the Twelve Traditions was first printed in the AA Grapevine. The entire issue was dedicated to the Traditions in preparation for the forthcoming Cleveland Convention. Dr. Bob did indeed attend the convention that July and made his farewell speech. The Twelve Traditions were adopted unanimously.
At first, there was a mixed reception. Some groups had much stricter rules of their own and didn’t welcome interference from New York. Others thought the Traditions were unnecessary, “a needless expression of the hopes and fears of general headquarters for AA’s future.”3 Over time, however, the Traditions have become as important to groups as the Steps are to individuals. They are a foundational part of the AA program.
1 Reprinted from Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age, p. 2, used with permission of AA World Services.
2 Reprinted from Language of the Heart, p. 21, used with permission of The AA Grapevine, Inc.
3 Reprinted from Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age, p. 204, used with permission of AA World Services.
Step12.com was also a source in this post
Dan M.’s home group is Fremont Men’s Stag, which meets on Monday nights at 7 at Irvington Presbyterian Church and online: 187 927 449 pc: 774746