ASTATEMENTOFPRINCIPLESGOVERNINGTHEPOLI- CIESANDACTIVITIESOFTHEBOARDOFTRUSTEESOF THEALCOHOLICFOUNDATION. (Adopted by Board of Trustees July meeting 1948) During thepastmonths theTrusteesof theAlcoholicFoundationhavemade a critical review of problems arisingfrom the phenomenal growth of the A.A. Movement and from the swelling routine activities of the Foundation. In connectionwith thatreview theTrusteesreachedcertainconclusionswhich areset forthbelow. BasicallytheTrusteesregard themselves asservants ofA.A.,first,inperform ing these secondary taskswhich are necessary tosupport theprincipal objectives of the individual members of A.A.,and secondly,in preserving the stability and integrityof theA.A.Movement.Theyaffirmtheaimof theFoundationtolimit its organization and activities to the bare essentialsrequired toperform itsimportant but limited duties.The Trustees were also guided by their desire that the Foundation grow as little as possible while the Movement expands boundlessly in its healing mission to all who seek recovery from the ravages of alcohol. The unanimous conclusion reached by theTrustees is that they can discharge their duties and avoid confusion as to the lines of responsibility affecting the Trusteefunctionand theadministrativefunctioninmattersofpolicy andexecutionby continuing toperformtheirservices astheyhaveheretofore done. Thediscussionsreferred towerelikewisefruitfulinthattheyinvolvedareexamination of first principles, an emergence of a common understanding concerningthem andaresolutiontoadheretothem. These discussions alsoindicated that the rapid growth of the A.A.Movement withits attendant problems makeshighly desirable a periodic evaluation of ideals and examination of practices lest its spiritual birthright be impaired.The Trustees,therefore,believeitwouldbeofvaluetooldermembers,andinformative to newer members,to setforth at this time the principles which they have and torestatethefunctionoftheAlcoholicFoundationinitsrelationtotheA.A. Movementanditsmembers. Attheoutsetwemust distinguishbetween theA.A.Movementwhichisnot an organized body and the activities of theFoundation which is anincorporated body dedicated to serving the members of A.A.individually and collectively throughitssubsidiaryfacilities. TheMovementis exclusively a spiritual endeavorwhose onlyaim is toattain personal recovery and tocarry the message of theway to recovery to others.The Movement is the all-important thing.It is in no sense governed by theFoundation which, in truth, is entirely guided by the Movement. 250

TheMovementisa spiritualentity,comprisingin substance theindividual members ofA.A.and the Groups,inthelocal activities of which most,but not all,membersparticipatThepreceptsofA.A.grewout ofexperience,thexp rienceofindividualsandtheexperienceofGroups.ofar,thebasicprinciplesof A.A.arereflected,astopersonalrehabilitation,intheTwelveStps toRecov ery;astoitsrelations,inthe TwelvePointstoSecure OurFuture,sometimes called the TwelvePoints of Tradition. The Movement represents a spiritual ideal in process of growth.It can be imperiledby secularproblemsofmoney,property andauthority.These prob lems areinvolvedwithorganization.Development of organizational structure is intimidate toA.A.as aMovement.Organization,therefore,has been and should zation diminishes.Most of theproblems of relationsare coming tobe handled bylocalandregionalgroups andcommittees,functioningautonomously,which is as it should be. TheTwelvePointsofTradition developed outof concernforthe commonwelfare ofA.A.heyare applicableat alllevels:individual,roup,regional and central.Among other things the TwelvePoints reaffirm out of experience that God aloneis ourultimateauthority;thatwe have but oneprimary purposeto carry the message to the alcoholic who still suffers; that the principle of Anonymityhas primarily a spiritual significance—to practice a truly humblemodesty; that A.A.should remain forever non-professional and that only special servicesinextraordinary circumstances should bepaidfor;that theleast possible organization is required;that all contributions are to bepurely voluntary and the accumulationofexcessfunds discouraged;andthatmatters ofbusiness,policy, moneyandproperty should beseparatedfrom the spiritual concerns of A.A.to the extent of delegatingsuchaffairstoappropriateinstrumentality. TheAlcoholicFoundationis such an instrumentality at the nationallevel.The Trustees(Directors)comprise fivenon-alcoholics and four alcoholics.The Trustees are subordinate to the Movement;they donotinitiate activities nor administerthemor,inthfirststanceealwithqustinsfmdumravityh dohave jurisdiction overmatters oflarge contract and important policy andin all matters they constitute a tribunal of final decision. TheTrustees are primarily custodians of money,policy and tradition.More concretely,theyhave custodyof thefunds contributed by Groups and derived from thesale of thebookAlcoholicsAnonymous and themonthly publication TheA.A.Grapevine,although thelatteris notyet self-supporting;they maintain ageneral headquarters officetodealwithinquiriesfromindividualsandGroups; they conduct certain necessary business and legal affairs;they endeavor toprotect theMovementfrom objectionablepublicitywheretheproblem cannotfeasiblybehandled at a locallevel;ingeneral,they strive tosafeguard the established tradition and policiesderived fromthethoughts andexperiences of memberseverywhere. Again,more concretely,theTrusteesfeel that theywill best safeguard the established tradition of A.A.by seeing to theapplication of theTwelvePoints of Tradition to A.A.activities at their central point,insofar as practicable,in the following respects; compliance in spirit and letter withthe principle of Anonymity; rotation in office or position; observance of appropriate standards in com- 251

pensation of paid workers; limitation of volume and scope of activities at the generalheadquarters office;and inaugurationof aprogram ofgradual decentralization of headquarters activities to the end that the responsibility of”carryingthemessage”maybegraduallyassumedbylocalgroupsandcommittees. Finally,the Trusteesfeel that in orderfully to carry on the duties with which they arecharged the independence of theFoundationmustbe observed in respect of its constituency and its proceedings. It is the considered judgement ofyour Trustees thatif theA.A.Movement remains unshackled by thefetters of organization and iskeptfreefrom thecorroding effect of political procedures which stem from over-organization, it will growin vast numbers and beneficent influence among thosewho are open to its message. (This Statement of Principles was transcribed from a copy that was sent to Clarence by Royal S. who was a member of the”Orthodox Movement”) Appendix H-Who wrote what in the Big Book Hank Parkhurst (Outline for draft manuscript, The Unbeliever) -NYC/NJ Dr.Silkworth(TheDoctor’s Opinion) Bill Wilson (Chapter 1 Bill’s Story, Chapter 8 To Wives) – NYC Team work (Chapters 2 – 7, 9 and 11) -NYC, Akron, Cleveland Robert H.Smith(Dr.Bob’s Nightmare)-Akron HankParkhurst(TheUnbeliever)-NYC/NJ Fitz M.(Our Southern Friend) -Washington, DC/Maryland ClarenceSnyder(HomeBrewmeister)-Cleveland Ernie G.(The Seven Month Slip)-Akron CharlieS.(RidingTheRods)-Akron Bob O.(TheSalesman)-Akron Arch T. (The Fearful One)- Deroit/Grosse Point Dick S.(The Car Smasher)-Akron JoeD.(TheEuropeanDrinker)-Akron Florence R. (A Feminine Victory) -NYC Bill R.(A Business Man’s Recovery)-NYC Harry B. (A Different Slant) – probably NYC JimS.(Traveler,Editor,Scholar)-Akron WalterB.(TheBack-Slider)-Akron Tom andMaybellL.(MyWifeand I)-Akron BillVanH.(AWardoftheProbateCourt)-Akron Wally G.(FiredAgain)-Akron PaulS.(TruthFreedMe!)-Akron Harold S.(SmileWithMe,At Me)-NYC