Thoughts on Tradition Five from the Shropshire (UK) Intergroup (more at the link below):

Short form

Each group has but one primary purpose — to carry the message to the alcoholic who still suffers.

Long form

Each Alcoholics Anonymous group ought to be a spiritual entity having but one primary purpose— that of carrying its message to the alcoholic who still suffers.

Tradition Five Discussion Questions

1. Am I willing to explain firmly to a newcomer the limitations of AA help, even if he gets mad at me for not giving him a loan?
2. Am I willing to twelfth-step the next newcomer without regard to who or what is in it for me?
3. Does our group carry the message effectively? Could we do anything to make it clearer?
4. Do I know exactly what the message is?
5. Do I help my group in every way I can to fulfil our primary purpose?
6. Do I remember that AA old-timers, too, can be alcoholics who still suffer? Do I try both to help them and to learn from them?
7. Do I understand how a group is defined?

Thoughts on Tradition Five

Firstly, perhaps it is worth spending some time considering what an AA group actually is. Groups are more fluid and less clearly defined that they are in our literature. In the UK, most groups hold only one meeting. In some places in the UK and across the world groups hold several meetings, sometimes in one place, often in many. These multi-meeting groups help to reduce the need for so many service positions and help to build unity in one place. What is the difference between a meeting and a group then? Meetings are one activity that a group undertake. A true group operates not only within their meeting(s) but outside of the meeting time(s) also. They may undertake workshops, social events and organise twelfth step work. So a group as defined in our literature is more than just a meeting.

Committing to a home group in most groups in the UK is therefore more restricting that it might be in a town in the United States, but it is still an important choice. Experience shows that there are significant benefits and responsibilities to committing to one group as a home group. The home group is where service begins. It is where we can commit to attend and where newer members are nurtured and supported. Service in the home group does not require a title and having a group of people committed to one group means that service bed hoppers (where members hop from group to group finding service and are not really committing to a group) are not needed. Having a regular core of members allows for properly considered group conscience meetings to take place where members can have their say with a sound knowledge of the group and its' history. A home group is also the place where we cast our vote and view our opinions on matters affecting AA as a whole. After all, voting on a matter such as conference questions in multiple groups would not be democratic. One person, one vote is the foundation of democracy.

Much discussion has been had over the years regarding the difference between 'the message' and 'its' message'. The fact that these words seem interchangeable between the long and short version of the tradition doesn't help. Whichever we prefer, it's clear that carrying the message of AA ought to be the fundamental purpose of the group. But this implies that other purposes may be considered. Tradition Six gives us the guidance on this.

So what is the message of AA? It's not something that is commonly summarised. Consider the suggestion below. You may be able to summarise it better yourself.

• 'We believe that we suffer from an abnormal physical reaction to alcohol which means that we cannot drink normally and a mental obsession that means we cannot keep from drinking. The only long term solution we have found for sobriety is the spiritual programme as laid out in the Twelve Steps.'

As the primary purpose of a group is to carry the message, perhaps it's worth considering whether or not our sharing reflects that enough. As time has passed and an increasing number of us come to AA via recovery services sharing has become more akin to group therapy. While there is certainly a lot of similarities, there is a key difference. Group therapy is focussed on sharing for the benefit of the sharer while sharing of the message puts the focus on those listening. While it would be entirely wrong to require members to carry the message (or parts thereof) every time they share, we can each take responsibility for our own sharing and lead by example. As the old AA axiom goes; "carry the mess to your sponsor and the message to the meeting." Guidance I have found useful to to ask myself where the 'but' is. I can share my difficulties in a meeting but I can add how the programme is helping me and by doing so carry the message.

This tradition also makes clear who we can help. As alcoholics with experience of alcoholism we are uniquely equipped to help other alcoholics. In modern times there is a trend in the recovery services to lump all addictions together. While it is clear that there are similarities, it is our direct experience that sets us apart.

So how do people find us so that we can carry the message. While anonymity is a subject that we will cover later on in the traditions, it is worth mentioning here. If we are entirely anonymous we lose the chances that might arise if we are known to friends and family as recovered alcoholics. Tradition Eleven makes clear the exact level we ought to be anonymous at — the public level. This, however, is a personal choice, but Dr. Bob was quite emphatic about this.

• Warren recalled, “He (Dr. Bob) said there were two ways to break the anonymity Tradition: (1) by giving your name at the public level of press or radio; (2) by being so anonymous that you can’t be reached by other drunks.” Dr. Bob and the Good Oldtimers, p. 264
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