(1) Seek to encourage unity. Personal attack or criticism,
or other attempts to divide, should be quietly and swiftly stopped.
(2) Allow the principles, the facts, and the experience to
come to the fore but let the group's decision be by its conscience. Do not
permit railroading by individuals (excessively lengthy or forceful argument,
repetition). There is a point at which further discussion simply deepens
divisions and inflames tempers without introducing any new material. That is
the point at which a vote is wise.
(3) AA membership does not require conformity. Oddball or
eccentric contributions, if on-topic, may be aired and quietly listened to
without being mocked or shut down. Sometimes the greatest wisdom comes from
unusual sources.
(4) The group is autonomous, subject to the usual proviso.
It may therefore vary or go back on previous decisions or "rules",
and be imaginative or creative in its solutions, or at least flexible. The
worst that can happen is that the group makes a terrible decision: if so, it
can promptly admit it and change course. (Cf. Tradition 9).
(5) Remember what the overall purpose of service is. Remember
on each topic, too, what the purpose of the discussion is. New topics that are
generated should preferably be deferred to a future agenda, and group
conscience matters, to a group conscience. Stick to the topic, and do not
permit lengthy digressions. When a view has been expressed, it does not need to
be repeated by the person or by anyone else. Ask always for fresh ideas, views,
or experience, not rehashings of ones already aired.
(6) Outside purposes have no place. Personal battles,
personal ambitions, "wanting to be right", "wanting to be
heard" (when it is not relevant to the topic), retaliation, humiliation,
posturing, grandstanding, axe-grinding, "having the last word",
personal criticism, and other purposes should be spotted, and the debate should
be returned to the matter at hand.
(7) Visitors may contribute at the discretion of the chair,
only if there is available time.
(8) We have experience but we are not experts. It is well to
remember that all of us may be wrong. Experience, however, must always be lent
more weight than opinion. Encourage the sharing of the former.
(9) Be organised but not over-organised and inflexible.
(10) This is linked to Tradition 6: beware outside purposes,
and keep the meeting's nose out of other groups', Intergroups', fellowships',
and outside agencies' affairs.
(11) Let ideas attract by their own merits: the
"rightness" of an idea need not be forced down others' throats.
(12) Never make things personal or allow others to. Stick to
general principles, especially when it comes to qualification for a particular
role.