Many AAs are accustomed to creating, copying, and distributing paper flyers to “spread the word” about notable events or changes of interest to other nearby AAs.
In a digital world, the words we spread travel much faster, and more widely, than our founders could’ve imagined.
History
The audience for these flyers was relatively limited, as they were typically handed out only within AA meetings/spaces. Copying costs and physical distribution challenges naturally limited the geographic reach of these flyers. The number of eyes scrutinizing each flyer for adherence to the 12 Traditions was relatively small, and the consequences of a Tradition breach would usually stay within that “small pond” world.
In today’s digital age, our Event and Bulletin postings are public; many more eyes see them now. Some of those eyes belong to (often self-appointed) guardians of the 12 Traditions, quick to pounce on their keyboard at the slightest hint of impropriety. Their concerns are often quite valid, but not always; they are vigilant because they realize that with the Internet’s larger audience, a breach of Tradition can poison a much larger pond.
Autonomy and Interpretation
Our 4th tradition states that “Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or A.A. as a whole.” As such, every AA, and every AA group, is able to come to their own understanding of our Steps and Traditions, and act accordingly.
In our experience, conflict arises when another website viewer requests that a particular posting be removed because they believe it breaches a particular Step or Tradition. In essence, the website viewer’s interpretation of the 12 Traditions is at odds with how the (autonomous) group sponsoring that Event or Bulletin interprets those same 12 Traditions.
Avoiding Controversy
We, the Area Web Committee, wish to avoid being drawn into controversy when these differences of opinion arise. We are not the ultimate arbiters of Tradition-adherence; we leave that role to our higher power.
We reserve the right to reject or remove a posting if it causes, or is likely to cause, public controversy.
This may be due to a real (or perceived) disregard for AA’s 12 Steps, 12 Traditions, 12 Concepts for World Service, and/or General Service Office-published guidelines.
