The group conscience is the collective conscience of the group membership and this represents substantial unanimity on one issue before definitive action is taken. This is achieved by the group members through the sharing of full information, individual points of view, and the practice of MA’s principles. For a group conscience to be fully informed, group members should review all the pertinent information with a willing and open mind to listen to minority opinions, or why any members disagree. Placing principles before personalities, each member has an opportunity to share their individual viewpoints on the matter. The trusted servant(s) will then hold a vote to determine the majority opinion (also known as the group conscience) on the subject.
There is no one right way to obtain a group conscience, other than to be guided by MA’s 12 Traditions and Spiritual Step Principles. MA groups are autonomous, and so are free to develop their own ways of obtaining a group conscience. MA World Services does not govern, and merely exists as a resource. In their autonomy, MA’s meetings have developed a wide variety of unique ways of holding business meetings, voting, discussing proposed motions, and reaching a group conscience. On sensitive issues, the group works slowly, discouraging formal motions until a clear sense of its collective view emerges. Group members should come together in mutual trust to arrive at a group decision, not one individual’s personal triumph. In this way, members are open and have a willingness to maybe change their own opinions after obtaining information or hearing the viewpoints of others.