Read Bill's 1948 Grapevine article on Tradition Three:

Tradition Three

                     The Third Tradition is a sweeping statement indeed; it takes 

                  in a lot of territory. Some people might think it too 

                  idealistic to be practical. It tells every alcoholic in the 

                  world that he may become, and remain, a member of Alcoholics 

                  Anonymous so long as he says so. In short, Alcoholics 

                  Anonymous has no membership rule.

                     Why is this so? Our answer is simple and practical. Even in 

                  self-protection, we do not wish to erect the slightest barrier 

                  between ourselves and the fellow alcoholic who still suffers. 

                  We know that society has been demanding that he conform to its 

                  laws and conventions. But the essence of his alcoholic malady 

                  is the fact that he has been unable or unwilling to conform 

                  either to the laws of man or God. If he is anything, the sick 

                  alcoholic is a rebellious nonconformist. How well we 

                  understand that; every member of Alcoholics Anonymous was once 

                  a rebel himself. Hence we cannot offer to meet him at any 

                  halfway mark. We must enter the dark cave where he is and show 

                  him that we understand. We realize that he is altogether too 

                  weak and confused to jump hurdles. If we raise obstacles, he 

                  might stay away and perish. He might be denied his priceless 

                  opportunity.

                     So when he asks, "Are there any conditions?" we joyfully 

                  reply, "No, not a one." When skeptically he comes back saying, 

                  "But certainly there must be things that I have to do and 

                  believe," we quickly answer, "In Alcoholics Anonymous there 

                  are no musts." Cynically, perhaps, he then inquires, "What is 

                  this all going to cost me?" We are able to laugh and say, 

                  "Nothing at all, there are no fees and dues." Thus, in a brief 

                  hour, is our friend disarmed of his suspicion and rebellion. 

                  His eyes begin to open on a new world of friendship and 

                  understanding. Bankrupt idealist that he has been, his ideal 

                  is no longer a dream. After years of lonely search it now 

                  stands revealed. The reality of Alcoholics Anonymous bursts 

                  upon him. For Alcoholics Anonymous is saying, "We have 

                  something priceless to give, if only you will receive." That 

                  is all. But to our new friend, it is everything. Without more 

                  ado, he becomes one of us.

                     Our membership Tradition does contain, however, one vitally 

                  important qualification. That qualification relates to the use 

                  of our name, Alcoholics Anonymous. We believe that any two or 

                  three alcoholics gathered together for sobriety may call 

                  themselves an AA group provided that, as a group, they have no 

                  other affiliation. Here our purpose is clear and unequivocal. 

                  For obvious reasons we wish the name Alcoholics Anonymous to 

                  be used only in connection with straight AA activities. One 

                  can think of no AA member who would like, for example, to see 

                  the formation of "dry" AA groups, "wet" AA groups, communist 

                  AA groups. Few, if any, would wish our groups to be designated 

                  by religious denominations. We cannot lend the AA name, even 

                  indirectly, to other activities, however worthy. If we do so 

                  we shall become hopelessly compromised and divided. We think 

                  that AA should offer its experience to the whole world for 

                  whatever use can be made of it. But not its name. Nothing 

                  could be more certain.

                     Let us of AA therefore resolve that we shall always be 

                  inclusive and never exclusive, offering all we have to all, 

                  save our title. May all barriers be thus leveled, may our 

                  unity thus be preserved. And may God grant us a long life -- 

                  and a useful one!

                  Copyright © The A.A. Grapevine, Inc., February 1948