The Alcoholics Anonymous Concepts of World service

In this issue we present Concepts 4, 5 and 6

The Twelve Concepts for World Service were written by A.A.’s co-founder Bill W., and were adopted by the General Service Conference of Alcoholics Anonymous in 1962. The Concepts are an interpretation of A.A.’s world service structure as it emerged through A.A.’s early history and experience. The short form of the Concepts read:

4. At all responsible levels, we ought to maintain a traditional “Right of Participation,” allowing a voting representation in reasonable proportion to the responsibility that each much discharge.

5. Throughout our structure, a traditional “Right of Appeal” ought to prevail, so that minority opinion will be heard and personal grievances receive careful consideration.

6. The Conference recognizes that the chief initiative and active responsibility in most world service matters should be exercised by the trustee members of the Conference acting at the General Service Board.

Numbers 3, 4 and 5 of the concepts of the Twelve Concepts is reprinted with permission of A.A. World Services, Inc. “We should always realize that change does not necessarily spell progress. We are sure that each new group of workers in world service will be tempted to try all sorts of innovations that may often produce little more than a painful repetition of earlier mistakes … And if mistaken departures are nevertheless made, these Concepts may then provide a ready means of safe return to an operating balance that might otherwise take years of floundering to rediscover.”

AA Co-Founder, Bill W., September 1990, from: “The Twelve Concepts” AA Grapevine Copyright c. 1944-2012. AA Grapevine, Inc. All Rights Reserved. ___________________________________________________________________ “Our minds are like parachutes – they only work when they’re open.” Anonymous