GROUP INVENTORY FORMAT
Past inventories have shown us not to use this time to make motions and vote on
new issues, when we did, this process took weeks rather than a few hours. This
process is useful for arriving at an informed group conscience. We will
individually as well as assign someone from the group to take notes of what
comes up and bring those issues of importance to our regular business meetings.
So no motions for changes of our meeting will be presented during this inventory
process. The point will be continually stressed that this is not about business,
it's about discussion. Questions will be allowed to anyone, from anyone
through-out the inventory.
"The following questions, compiled from A.A. shared experience, may be useful in arriving at an informed group conscience. Groups will probably wish to add questions of their own:"
I will read each question out load for the groups
consideration. Notes will be taken of suggestions given by the group for
considerations to bring up in the business meeting (group conscious).
1. What is the basic purpose of the group?
2. What more can the group do to carry the message?
3. Is the group attracting alcoholics from different backgrounds? Are we seeing
a good cross-section of our community?
4. Do new members stick with us, or does the turnover seem excessive? If so,
why? What can we as a group do?
5. Do we emphasize the importance of sponsorship? How effectively? How can we do
better?
6. Are we careful to preserve the anonymity of our group members and other A.A.s
outside the meeting rooms? Do we also leave the confidences they share at
meetings behind?
7. Do we take the time to explain to all members the value to the group of
keeping up with the kitchen/housekeeping chores and other essential services
that are part-and-parcel of our Twelfth Step efforts?
8. Are all members given the opportunity to speak at meetings and to participate
in other group activities?
9. Mindful that holding office is a great responsibility not to be viewed as the
outcome of a popularity contest, are we choosing our officers with care?
10. Are we doing all we can to provide an attractive meeting place?
11. Does the group do its fair share toward participating in the purpose of A.A.
— as it relates to our Three Legacies of Recovery, Unity, and Service?
12. What has the group done lately to bring the A.A. message to the attention of
professionals in the community—the physicians, clergy, court officials,
educators, and others who are often the first to see alcoholics in need of help?
13. How is the group fulfilling its responsibility to the Seventh Tradition?
Does anyone have any questions of your own to add for consideration?
Is Our Group Aligned With The Twelve Traditions?
From the pamphlet "The AA Group."
"Some groups take inventory by examining our Twelve Traditions,
one at a time, to determine how well they are living up to these
principles."
The following questions were taken from the core of what is said in the Big
Book page 564 568 and the Twelve and Twelve. I will read the corresponding
Tradition out of the Big Book then the consideration. If you can answer yes to
any of these it is against the Twelve Traditions
One: Does our group put the interests of any individual above the
welfare of the group or of AA as a whole?
Two: Does our group do anything that misrepresents the conscience of
the majority of the group?
Three: Does our group exclude anyone with a drinking problem from
attending the group?
Four: Does our group do anything that does not conform to AA principles
and affect other groups or AA as a whole?
Five: Does our group do anything that conflicts with our carrying the
AA message to alcoholics who want a way out from their drinking problem?
Six: Does anything we do affiliate, endorse or bind the group, actual
or implied, to any related facility or outside enterprise?
Seven: Are donations received from anyone other than an AA member?
Eight: Are there any fees besides meeting expenses being charged for
Twelve Step work,
ie: fellowship, sponsoring, step work, counseling?
Nine: Is there a governing individual or exclusive group authority that
dictates organization?
Ten: Does our group do anything that publicly states an opinion or
takes sides on any issues or controversy outside of AA?
Eleven: At the general public level of press, radio, film, and
television, does the group publicize any individual AA member's name or
picture as a self-appointed representative of AA?
Twelve: Does our group give personal distinction to any AA member
either among fellow alcoholics or the general public that puts their opinions
above the conscience of the group or AA?
In closing the inventory:
Is there any Secretaries announcements?...
Thank you all for your participating in the group inventory.
Let's close with the Seventh Step Prayer..."My Creator, I am now
willing ..."