Like us on Facebook www.councilsepa.org Follow us on TwitterPlease scroll down to see AA's letter on Anonymity"OUR STORIES HAVE POWER" A free training for people in recovery from addiction, family membersand supporters of recovery, designed to reduce stigmaby learning the language of recovery Join thousands of advocateswho have taken this training across the country! Wednesday, December 11, 20136:00 pm - 8:30 pm (light refreshments included) PRO-ACT/The Council of Southeast PABailiwick Office Campus Unit 12252 West Swamp Road, Doylestown, PA 18901, 215-345-6644 Registration RequiredTo register for this free training, please callFred Martin at 215-923-1661or email him by clicking here Letter from AA on "Anonymity" The following is excerpted from a letter from the General Service Office of Alcoholics Anonymous in New York to General Services Conference Delegates. The subject is "Anonymity and A.A." "We have received inquiries from A.A. members regarding a documentary on anonymity being screened in many communities. In keeping with our Tenth Tradition, Alcoholics Anonymous expresses no opinion on books, films, television shows or other media generated or distributed by other organizations. We find it best to simply provide clear and consistent information about our organization and our principles, in order to help the general public and our friends in the media best understand what A.A. is and is not. Below are a few questions we have received, along with our shared experiences that is available in our literature on these topics. We hope this information from your General Service Office is helpful to any local discussions on this topic. Q. Why is anonymity important in A.A.?A. In Alcoholics Anonymous, our Traditions urge members to maintain anonymity regarding their membership in A.A. for three reasons, as described in our wallet card "What Does Anonymity Mean to A.A.?" 1. We have learned from our own experience that the active alcoholic will shun any source of help which might reveal his or her identity. 2. Past events indicate that those alcoholics who seek public recognition as A.A. members may drink again. 3. Public attention and publicity for individual A.A. members would invite self-serving competition and conflict over differing personal views. Q. Is it an anonymity break to tell people I am a sober alcoholic?A. On page 11 of our pamphlet "Understanding Anonymity" the following suggestion can be found: "A.A. members may disclose their identity and speak as recovered alcoholics, giving radio, TV and Internet interviews, without violating the Traditions -- so long as their A.A. membership is not revealed." Q. Is it okay for A.A. members to be involved in lobbying for new legislation?A. As an organization,Alcoholics Anonymous would not be involved in such efforts. . . . Q. Is it okay for an A.A. member as an individual citizen to be involved in such efforts?A. As stated above, so long as membership in A.A. is not disclosed, recovering alcoholics may speak of their recovery and sobriety without breaking their anonymity. . . ." Click here to view the entire letter.
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