“Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or MA as a whole.” Tradition Four
MA World Service does not wish to interfere with the way that any group or meeting has been going about obtaining its group conscience, if the way it is doing so functions for the group/meeting. Tradition Four states that “every group has the right of self-government undertaken without outside control. . . [and] may adopt any format it likes.” (Life with Hope 3rd edt. pg 71-72)
This means that “MA has the courage and faith to allow each group to make its own decisions” and this faith translates into having trust in MA meetings to uphold its Traditions and not make decisions which would be detrimental to other MA groups or MA as a whole. (Life with Hope 3rd edt. pg 71-72).
So rather than providing specific requirements or rules for voting or obtaining a group conscience, the information in these FAQ is offered as a resource and to provide examples of how we have heard that other groups/meetings obtain a group conscience for groups/meetings that are seeking suggestions. However, listing all of the many ways we have heard of groups/meetings obtaining a group conscience would be impossible. Just because the way your group/meeting obtains its group conscience isn’t mentioned here doesn’t mean that the way your group/meeting does it is “incorrect.” Your group or meeting is encouraged to continue obtaining its group conscience, voting and otherwise operating the way it has been if it is functioning for your group/meeting because it is this diversity in how meetings/groups choose to operate and decision to run groups/meetings in different ways that helps our fellowship grow and learn.
“Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or MA as a whole.”
Tradition Four is a specific application of the general principles outlined in Traditions One and Two. Tradition Four states that every group has the right of self- government undertaken without outside control. Every group can manage itself exactly as it pleases, except where MA as a whole is affected. This means that MA has the courage and faith to allow each group to make its own decisions. In essence, each group is its own individual entity, relying on the group conscience as guided by a loving God to direct its actions.
Groups have a right to make their own mistakes. There are only two boundaries that any group must not cross: 1) A group must not do anything that would affect other groups or MA as a whole; and 2) A group cannot affiliate itself with anything or anybody else. In all other respects the groups have complete autonomy.
The group may make any decisions or adopt any format it likes. No district service committee should challenge this privilege even though a group may act in complete opposition to the district’s desires. In other words, every group has the right to set its own course.
Healthy trial and error, guided by spiritual principles, often results in a newer and better way to do things. In many cases, allowing groups liberty and freedom helps keep MA from being stuck in the rut of practices and customs that have become obsolete.
A group should consult with other groups, the district service committee, or World Services if there is any question that their actions may affect another group or MA as a whole. Each group should take special care that its actions fall within the bounds of our traditions, and that they do not dictate or force anything upon other groups. The purpose of autonomy is to give each group the freedom to establish an atmosphere of recovery that will best serve its members, and to fulfill the primary purpose stated in Tradition Five.