Workshop One 34th General Service Conference THE INFORMED GROU? CONSCIENCE 1. What is the group conscience? How does the group conscience differ from a group opinion or a majority vote? The group conscience strives for unanimity through enlightenment, spiri- To be Duality, and the practice of our principles in all our affairs. fully inforned requires a willingness to listen to minority opinions through full discussion. On sensitive issues, the group works slowiy discouraging formal motions until the group has a clear sense of its • views. Placing principles before personalities, the group is wary of dominant opinions. The group conscience is the aggregate experience a group develops after applying the Traditions and Concepts to a question. The difference between a group conscience and a majority vote or group opinion is that one or more of the elements described above are missing. How does “a loving God” express Himself through the group conscience? Groups find their way past ignorance, prejudice and self-will on an individual basis by practicing the Steps which enable us to practice humility, patience, tolerance, kindness, and love – emphasizing princi- ‘ ples before personalities. Through the Steps, we learn to overcome self-wil1 and open the way to group conscience. When tempers flare, an inforned chairperson postpones discussion until tempers cool, allowing time for prayer and meditation (one workshop mentioned the Serenity Prayer). A knowledge of A.A. history and willingness to listen to experience were also cited as important factors. We can listen for a quiet “minority” voice which may be the true expression of “a loving God” by allowing time for all to share and the minority to be heard. The importance of the minority view was stressed in most workshop sections. 3. How is discussion prior to a group conscience handled in your area? In most areas, members are informed in advance that a group conscience will be sought, and all agreed that advance notice should be given with two weeks suggested, if possible, to acquire necessary information. discussion; Most agreed that members are encouraged to participate in but several suggested more encouragement is needed, and this could be the G.S.R.!s responsibility. It was mentioned that a know-it-all in the group can be annoying, but the group gains strength by tolerating him or her. There was general agreement that, in most instances, not enough time is allowed for discussion in order to hear both sides of an issue.

– 2- Workshop One Most wrikshops indicated that lack of unanimity does not mean a lack conscience. of group conscience to Lack of unanimity is also a group do nothing. Sometiues, the group conscience 16 that we do not agree. If a group cannot find the vodce of conscience, a group inventory nay be needed. If a group conscience cannot be developed, the group eventually dies. 4. In what ways can we stimulate a better understanding and application of the Steps, Traditions, and Concepts? By personally applying and relating the Steps, Traditions, and Concepts to our own sobriety, we can stimulate an intérest by example. As trusted servants, we can include experience with the Steps, Traditions, and Concepts Sponsorship and a home in sharing our stories. group need emphasis, as a sponsor has the responsibility to encourage “Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions” and other Conference reading approved literature. Workshops and panel discussions on the Steps, Traditions, and Concepts stimulate discussion, and it was suggested that these be held at Regional Forums as well as area and district meetings. Groups especially need stinulation in this effort, and it 1s helpful to • cite examples of Traditions and Concepts pertinent to group experiences. It was also suggested that groups read the Steps at the beginning of to explain how it works, and also the Traditions, to their meetings, The Concepts can be used as a dictionary; find the share Why It works. one that fits the question. 5. How can we help groups understand that the Conference has the responsib11of acting as the collective group conscience for the Fellowship? One workshop suggested what takes place at the Conference does not become a group conscience until delegates take the experience back to the groups. Full reports relating what was accomplished to area needs are helpful. The membership feels part of the Conference through delegates’ sharing the activities. Charts are helpful especially the Structure of the Fellowship chart QUEEshowing the relationship between A.A. groups and the Conference. tionnaires regarding matters coming before the Conference give each group a sense of participation in the Conference. Regional Forums are helpful. Many areas now have service structure schools for G.S.R.’s, making it possible for G.S.R.’s to provide their roups with an understanding of the Conference. Workshops, seminars, and delegates’ and past delegates’ carrying the message are also good tools. The Conference experience involves trust, individual responsibility, and reporting the recommendations and experiences with love.