Carrying the Message to the Public – Maureen T.

 How did I hear about Alcoholics Anonymous? When I was first told I needed to stop drinking, I was sent to a treatment center. The center used the Twelve Steps as a formula for successful sobriety and we attended A.A. Meetings. It never occurred to me how the treatment center knew about A.A., but it made sense to me. My second time hearing about A.A. was during an evaluation after my DUI arrest. Attending meetings was a required. Even though I didn’t know how they found out about A.A, I realized the natural connection. Now that I’ve been sober for a few years and have actively been learning about our Traditions, I understand how these organizations knew how and why to get me connected to A.A. But what if they hadn’t known about A.A.? What if there was no effort to educate the public on our amazing program and how it saves lives? I would surely be bouncing around hospitals, jails, and institutions, if not dead. Our fellowship is empowered to educate the public and professionals as to what A.A. does, and doesn’t do. The General Service Office has pamphlets available to help us carry the message of Alcoholics Anonymous to everyone who inquires. This area of service is critical to growing our membership and for saving lives. Our Twelfth Step tells us “…we tried to carry this message to alcoholics…” and our Fifth Tradition tells us again – “Each group has but one primary purpose – to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers.” Tradition 11 explains that “Public relations are important to A.A. Good public relations save lives.” Professionals, such as lawyers, judges, police, employers, doctors, nurses, mental health professionals, clergy and educators may not be the “alcoholic who still suffers,” but they are in direct contact with them regularly. The professional community has been cooperative with Alcoholics Anonymous since our inception. We should always be ready to help them understand the principles of our fellowship and to clarify any misconceptions. The Public Information and CPC Committees are offering training to prepare you to carry the A.A. message to the non-alcoholic, while maintaining your anonymity. Please contact the Intergroup Office for more information, or come to our next committee meeting on Tuesday, March 7, 2017.