Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Free expression and freedom in Norco California AA James Clubs. A triumph over rigidity


I remember when we first started The James Club in Norco CA. We were harassed by central office and inter group .Meetings in the area changed their format as to not allow us to announce our meeting. We kept on and inter group reps would come to our meetings, they new we were breaking an AA tradition because we had a Bible on the table.It took a while for them and after a few special inter group meetings it was finally settled on at AA central office that we were violating the tradition which states no outside issues(The Bible is an outside issue I guess). I wish I could tell you some great story but truth is we told them to "shut up and go away" and they did we are still in the directory we still use a Bible at our meeting. The only thing that changed is we got so big we split into three groups and many members only go to James Club Meetings which is unfortunate I think it's important to be involved in all aspects of AA ;gives us a firm grounding, AA saved my life(I took a 30 year chip last week 5/23/83) It's where I met Jesus Christ. Been almost ten years sense we started the James Club and you know what I miss all the controversy, maybe I need to start something it's to quiet . John Sorrells James Club Norco

Sent from my iPad


On Jun 2, 2013, at 8:22 PM, "Dick B." <dickb@dickb.com> wrote:

Answering an email from Marcus about a tyrannical intergroup office. There is a solution!

 

Thank you, Marcus.

 

We have helped people all over the United States and Canada with problems like yours. There are plenty of answers. But I hope you will take the time to purchase our recent book, "Stick with the Winners!" which lays out a pattern you can follow and which cannot be repudiated by the A.A. cops. I urge you to get it, in fact to get several copies, read them, and then give me a ring as to procedure.

 

Recently, one group in Tucson followed to the letter and succeeded. Another huge group in Toronto worked with us and our recommended books and just triumphed. Two different groups in Orange County stood their ground and are still helping drunks.

 

You can buy  Stick with the Winners from my son Ken at 808 276 4945, or from Amazon.com. See http://mcaf.ee/s50mq for a description.

 

Your strongest tools are these if you learn how to use them and stand up to be counted. The "informed group conscience" is the first point. The second is "A loving God as He may express Himself" in that informed group conscience—a “Tradition” far more  ignored than honored, andan almost forgotten  key. Autonomy in that backdrop is the guide.. Taking democratically conducted group conscience votes after prayer, writing down the motion and the results, having your group secretary sign the minutes. Having the written, signed minutes at every meeting. And telling any intruders to read the minutes and see you after your meetings instead of disrupting sobriety in them. Follow the other points.

 

Remember ALL leaders are but trusted servants. They do not govern. Arrogance, rigidity, citing of non-existent rules and regulations go with the territory of an unruly alcoholic meeting or fellowship. Ego rules. God is ignored. So is autonomous voting. And if you follow the rules in our book, you can tell your "suits" from above, your GSR, your DCM, your delegate, your central office manager, your intergroup czars, your district, your "managers," and any other pretentious "governor" to go whistle.

 

Thank you so much for writing and asking. There is no such thing as conference "dis-approved" literature. There is no "index of forbidden books." in the A.A. lexicon. Nor is there credence given to insolent, erroneous pronouncements. There are no censors or rulers or kings in A.A. except egomania gone wild among people that ought to be turning their attention to reliance on God and helping the alcoholic who still suffers.

 

"Love and tolerance" is our stated code. "Love and service" is the essence of the Steps. The "rule of law" doesn't belong or exist within 100 miles of any A.A. group. Especially when intrusive “authorities” try to make up the law and enforce it against our brothers and sisters in the fellowship.

 

The more dictatorial pronouncements our members listen to and worry about, the more the tyrants think they are acting with authority and ruling, and replace fighting, fighting, fighting with obstructive behavior.

.

God bless,

Richard . . . , J.D., CDAAC

Author and A.A. historian, retired attorney, Bible student (pen name “Dick B.”)

46 published titles & over 1,450 articles on A.A. history and the Christian Recovery Movement; active recovered AA member with over  27 years of continuous sobriety

Exec. Dir., International Christian Recovery Coalition

Christian Recovery Resource Centers - Worldwide

Christian Recovery Radio



(808) 874-4876

PO Box 837, Kihei, HI 96753-0837

Ps 118:17 (NJB):

I shall not die, I shall live to recount the great deeds of Yahweh.

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-----Original Message-----

From: Marcus, , , , [last name deleted]

Sent: Sunday, June 02, 2013 4:04 PM


Subject: Intergroup tellng us we are not allowed

 

Hey Dick

 

Marcus. . . .  here in Santa Rosa ca. Our intergroup made false accusations to the groups telling the uniformed conscience that our group is using non aa approved literature ( Dallas PPG  study guides) and that we were affiliated with the primary purpose mtg in dallas( because we are listed on there site as a Big Book Study mtg in CA). That we have made no contributions to IG and that we are violating the traditions. I have brought in countless writings from GSO .aa comes of age, Dr Bob and old timers language of the heart etc and they still go after us about buying the study guides and that we give $$ for them. Any Ideas and help would be great.

 

Aloha

 

Marcus. . . .

<Answering an email from Marcus about a tyrannical intergroup office.docx>

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