Anonymity defined:
refers to a person, and often means that the personal identity or personally identifiable information of that person is not known.
The 11th tradition is "Our" PUBLIC RELATIONS POLICY
I have not found too many "policies" listed in our literature. Always a flash point for discussion, this policy was developed with help from folks outside of AA, as well as inside.
The 12+12 mentions a group of 100 AAs who felt that personal anonymity was for "the horse and buggy days", and not relevant to our society as we grew and times changed. The press however saw it differently. They actually helped "police" our PUBLIC RELATIONS POLICY by not showing photos and names in some of their articles.
After reading the tradition in the 12+12 as well as the Long Form from the Big Book I think it's pretty clear why this tradition exists and is very important. "Personal ambition has no place in AA", I agree; "each member becomes an active guardian of our fellowship", hmmm; this leads me to the word responsibility. A word I hated and ran from for many years before being blessed and lead to a new life through the steps and traditions.
The Long Form goes on to state, "there is no need to praise ourselves" motives, motives, motives. What do I stand to gain by becoming the poster boy for AA? Money, power, prestige? I think these words are mentioned a few time in our literature as well... Another line says, "we feel it better to let our friends recommend us". Nothing better than a personal recommendation, is there?
I love AA with all my heart. Before I came to AA I wanted to check out, in more than one way. Since being nursed through the steps the first time; I learned to walk on my own. I now feel a deep sense of responsibility to carry on the traditions that have allowed me and my family to prosper and continue to grow.
It is my turn to give back. My experiences in AA have taught me how to deal with everything. To be committed to an awesome women. To have a incredible son who teaches me how to be a man, to see the sparkle in someones eye when they first "get" the GOD thing. It is very much worth being part of a society instead of a "movement" or a foundation.
AA is a unique spiritual community that continues to heal so many people. Why would I want to change something that I feel is the result years of trials and tribulations? I don't see people trying to change the Bible or the Koran. We are all free to interpret.
Anonymous
The purpose of Willing To Be Anonymous is to be a resource of information for those trying to be anonymous as it relates to Tradition 11 (at the level of press) in the cyber Twelve Step community. If you are Willing to be Anonymous (W2BA) by not posting pictures of yourself and/or keeping your last name private at the public level, please add the W2BA badge to your blog.
Have you already broken your anonymity on a public blog? It is OK. This is about what we are doing as we move forward. We are not saints, just willing to grow along spiritual lines.
This blog does not speak for any Twelve Step group. It is simply inspired by discussions about Tradition 11 and is meant to encourage people to explore the writings of those who have come before us. "search and research, again and again, always with the open mind." page 27 Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions.
