The AA Grapevine Statement of Purpose...
The AA Grapevine Statement of Purpose...
The AA grapevine is the international journal of Alcoholics Anonymous. Written, edited, and illustrated and read by AA members and others, intrested in the AA program of recovery from alcoholism, the AA Grapevine is a lifeline linking one alcoholic to another. Widely known as AA's 'meeting in print' the AA Grapevine communicates the experience, strength and hope of it's contributors and reflects a broad geographic spectrum of current AA experience with recovery, service, and unity. Founded in 1944, The Grapevine does not receive contributions, but is supported entirely through magazine subscriptions and additional income derived through the sale of Grapevine items.
The awareness that every AA member has an individual has a way of working a program permeates the AA Grapevine, and throughout it's history the Grapevine has been aforum for the varied and often divergent opinions of AAs around the world. Articles are not intended to be statement of AA policy, nor does publication of any article implies endorsement by either AA or the Grapevine.
As Bill W. expressed in 1946, " the Grapevine shall be the voice of the Alcoholics Anonymous movement. It's editors and sraff shall be primarily accountable to the AA movement a a whole...Within the bounds of friendliness and good taste, The Grapevine shall enjoy perfect freedom of speech on all matters pertaining to Alcoholics Anonymous...Like the Alcoholics Anonymous movement it is to mirror, there will be one central purpose: The AA Grapevine will carry the AA message to alcoholics and practice these principals in all our affairs ".
The Importance of Anonymity
Traditionally, A.A. members have always taken care to preserve their anonymity at the "public" level: press, radio, television, and films.
In the early days of A.A., when more stigma was attached to the term "alcoholic" than is the case today, this reluctance to be identified - and publicized - was easy to understand. As the Fellowship of A.A. grew, the positive values of anonymity soon became apparent.
First, we know from experience that many problem drinkers might hesitate to turn to A.A. for help if they thought their problem might be discussed publicly, even inadvertently, by others. Newcomers should be able to seek help with complete assurance that their identities will not be disclosed to anyone outside the Fellowship.
Then, too, we believe that the concept of personal anonymity has a spiritual significance for us - that it discourages the drives for personal recognition, power, prestige, or profit that have caused difficulties in some societies. Much of our relative effectiveness in working with alcoholics might be impaired if we sought or accepted public recognition.
While each member of A.A. is free to make his or her own interpretations of A.A. tradition, no individual is ever recognized as a spokesperson for the Fellowship locally, nationally, or internationally. Each member speaks only for himself or herself.
A.A. is indebted to all media for their assistance in strengthening the Tradition of anonymity over the years. From time to time, the General Service Office contacts all major media in the United States and Canada, describing the Tradition and asking for cooperation in its observance.
An A.A. member may, for various reasons, "break anonymity" deliberately at the public level. Since this is a matter of individual choice and conscience, the Fellowship as a whole obviously has no control over such deviations from tradition. It is clear, however, that such individuals do not have the approval of the overwhelming majority of members.
Reprinted from The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous,
with the permission of A.A. World Services, Inc.
AA Grapevine Statement of Declaration...
" I am responsible. When anyone, anywhere reaches out for help, I want the hand of AA to be there. And for that; I am responsible".
Grapevine meetings held every Saturday at Gratitude West, located at 225 Derby, Sunland Park., NM. (575) 589-1058 for more information! Additional Grapevine meetings held around town, call Central Office at 915-562-4081 for times and locations...or visit our homepage, and click on the meeting schedule link!
AA Qoute of The Week:
Once an Alcoholic, always an Alcoholic...
" Today I am an alcoholic. Tomorrow will be no different. My alcoholism lives within me now and forever. I must never forget what I am. Alcohol will surely kill me if I fail to recognize and acknowledge my disease on a daily basis. I am not playing a game in which a loss is a temporary setback. I am dealing with my disease, for which there is no cure, only daily acceptance and vigilance".
-Anonymous-
As Bill Sees It
