There are other groups in existence structured around horizontal democracy, to lesser and greater extents. The problems one may find come from both external issues and internal dissent. How does a group survive such?
Alcoholics Anonymous have to a lesser and greater degree survived their birth and growth over a period of several decades. Of course, theirs is a life-and-death matter, although we certainly may consider ours (OWS) to be as well. What have they accomplished which might benefit OWS?
From http://silkworth.net/aa/12traditions.html :
During its first decade, A.A.
as a fellowship accumulated substantial experience which
indicated that certain group attitudes and principles
were particularly valuable in assuring survival of the
informal structure of the Fellowship. In 1946, in the
Fellowship’s international journal, the A.A. Grapevine,
these principles were reduced to writing by the founders
and early members as the Twelve Traditions of Alcoholics
Anonymous. They were accepted and endorsed by the membership
as a whole at the International Convention of A.A., at
Cleveland, Ohio, in 1950.
1. Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon A.A. unity.
2. For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority — a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern.
3. The only requirement for A.A. membership is a desire to stop drinking.
4. Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or A.A. as a whole.
5. Each group has but one primary purpose—to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers.
6. An A.A. group ought never endorse, finance or lend the A.A. name to any related facility or outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property and prestige divert us from our primary purpose.
7. Every A.A. group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.
8. Alcoholics Anonymous should remain forever nonprofessional, but our service centers may employ special workers.
9. A.A., as such, ought never be organized; but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve.
10. Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the A.A. name ought never be drawn into public controversy.
11. Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio and films.
12. Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.
While the Twelve Traditions are not specifically binding on any group or groups, an overwhelming majority of members have adopted them as the basis for A.A.’s expanding “internal” and public relationships.
These are the basics of the 12 Traditions; the book "12 Steps and 12 Traditions" significantly expands upon the above in excellent detail.
You may note in reading the above, that some of it has been pulled into OWS straight out of the collective subconscious. There would be reason for it!
My thoughts, if they interest any, and please pardon my incredible pretension, but I believe this discussion should get started in some, in any form:
1. Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon A.A. unity.
Our common purpose should come first; success depends upon OWS unity.
2. For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority — a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern.
For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authoriy - consensus through the General Assembly process. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern.
3. The only requirement for A.A. membership is a desire to stop drinking.
The only requiredment for OWS membership is a desire to create positive change.
4. Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or A.A. as a whole.
Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or OWS as a whole.
5. Each group has but one primary purpose—to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers.
Each group has but one primary purpose--to create positive change through unity and action.
6. An A.A. group ought never endorse, finance or lend the A.A. name to any related facility or outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property and prestige divert us from our primary purpose.
An OWS group ought never endorse, finance or lend the OWS name to any related facility or outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property and prestige divert us from our primary purpose.
7. Every A.A. group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.
Obviously, OWS is the 99% and contributions are to and from all of us.
10. Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the A.A. name ought never be drawn into public controversy.
OWS has no opinion on politicians and election; hence the OWS name ought never be drawn into politics.
12. Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.
This could speak to unity of purpose in OWS, but especially, of placing OWS principles before personalities, should any personalities arise.
Presented as suggestions for consideration, not as solutions are laws in and of themselves, of course.
The old adage being if you don't like the specifics of a group or meeting, is that all you need to start your own is a resentment and a coffee maker...
Alcoholics Anonymous have to a lesser and greater degree survived their birth and growth over a period of several decades. Of course, theirs is a life-and-death matter, although we certainly may consider ours (OWS) to be as well. What have they accomplished which might benefit OWS?
From http://silkworth.net/aa/12traditions.html :
The
Twelve Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous
Copyright
© Alcoholics
Anonymous World Services, Inc.
1. Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon A.A. unity.
2. For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority — a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern.
3. The only requirement for A.A. membership is a desire to stop drinking.
4. Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or A.A. as a whole.
5. Each group has but one primary purpose—to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers.
6. An A.A. group ought never endorse, finance or lend the A.A. name to any related facility or outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property and prestige divert us from our primary purpose.
7. Every A.A. group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.
8. Alcoholics Anonymous should remain forever nonprofessional, but our service centers may employ special workers.
9. A.A., as such, ought never be organized; but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve.
10. Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the A.A. name ought never be drawn into public controversy.
11. Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio and films.
12. Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.
While the Twelve Traditions are not specifically binding on any group or groups, an overwhelming majority of members have adopted them as the basis for A.A.’s expanding “internal” and public relationships.
Copyright
© Alcoholics
Anonymous World Services, Inc.
In
practicing our Traditions, Alcoholics Anonymous World
Services, Inc. has neither endorsed nor are they affiliated
with Silkworth.net. Alcoholics Anonymous®, AA®,
and the Big Book® are registered trademarks of Alcoholics
Anonymous World Services, Inc.These are the basics of the 12 Traditions; the book "12 Steps and 12 Traditions" significantly expands upon the above in excellent detail.
You may note in reading the above, that some of it has been pulled into OWS straight out of the collective subconscious. There would be reason for it!
My thoughts, if they interest any, and please pardon my incredible pretension, but I believe this discussion should get started in some, in any form:
1. Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon A.A. unity.
Our common purpose should come first; success depends upon OWS unity.
2. For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority — a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern.
For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authoriy - consensus through the General Assembly process. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern.
3. The only requirement for A.A. membership is a desire to stop drinking.
The only requiredment for OWS membership is a desire to create positive change.
4. Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or A.A. as a whole.
Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or OWS as a whole.
5. Each group has but one primary purpose—to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers.
Each group has but one primary purpose--to create positive change through unity and action.
6. An A.A. group ought never endorse, finance or lend the A.A. name to any related facility or outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property and prestige divert us from our primary purpose.
An OWS group ought never endorse, finance or lend the OWS name to any related facility or outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property and prestige divert us from our primary purpose.
7. Every A.A. group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.
Obviously, OWS is the 99% and contributions are to and from all of us.
10. Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the A.A. name ought never be drawn into public controversy.
OWS has no opinion on politicians and election; hence the OWS name ought never be drawn into politics.
12. Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.
This could speak to unity of purpose in OWS, but especially, of placing OWS principles before personalities, should any personalities arise.
Presented as suggestions for consideration, not as solutions are laws in and of themselves, of course.
The old adage being if you don't like the specifics of a group or meeting, is that all you need to start your own is a resentment and a coffee maker...
