A CHECK OF TRADITIONS

From AA Magazine Grapevine

These questions were originally published in the Grapevine as part of a series of articles on
the Twelve and Traditions that appeared from November 1969 to September 1971. When
translated for The Community, Although the questions were intended for individual use,
many AA groups have since used them for their inventories and as a topic of discussion.

Practice these principles…

FIRST TRADITION :
Our common well-being must take precedence; Personal recovery
depends on AA unity:
1. In my group, am I someone who helps heal, solve problems and integrate the group
or do I seek to divide? Am I gossiping and taking inventory of other members?

2. Am I a conciliator? Or, using seemingly innocuous phrases like “just to clarify

something…”, do I start debates?

3. Am I kind to those who irritate me, or am I unpleasant?

4. Do I make comments that incite competition, such as comparing one group to

another, or highlighting differences in AA from one site to another?

5. Do I look down on certain AA activities, considering myself superior for not

participating in this or that aspect of AA?

6. Do I stay informed about AA as a whole? Do I support AA as a whole in every way I

can, or only the parts I understand and approve of?

7. Am I as considerate to AA members as I want them to be to me?

8. Do I spout rants about love while secretly indulging in and justifying behavior that
borders on hostile? ity?

9. Do I go to enough AA meetings or read enough literature to truly stay on top of

things?

10. Do I share with other AAs everything I am, the good and the bad, accepting the help
of the community and providing it?

A CHECK OF TRADITIONS
From AA Magazine Grapevine

TUXPAN GROUP HOURS FROM 09:00 TO 10:30 IN THE MORNING EVERY DAY Page 1
These questions were originally published in Grapevine as part of a series of articles on the
Twelve and Traditions that appeared from November 1969 to September 1971. When
translated for The Community, Although the questions were intended for individual use,
many AA groups have since used them for their inventories and as a topic of discussion.

Practice these principles…

SECOND TRADITION:
For our group purpose there is only one fundamental authority: a loving God as
expressed in our group conscience. Our servants are nothing more than trusted
servants: they do not govern.

1. Do I criticize or trust my group servers, committees, and AA office employees,

supporting them?
2. Am I a person who can be completely trusted, even when a secret must be kept, in
twelve-step situations or other AA responsibilities.
3. Do I seek recognition for the work I do in AA? Do I seek praise for the ideas I bring to
AA?
4. When I participate in a group discussion and things don't go the way I want, do I try to
look good, or am I able to let the group conscience take over in a good way, and
willingly collaborate with its decisions?
5. Even though I have been sober for several years, am I still willing to contribute to the
work of AA when appropriate?
6. In group discussions, do I speak baselessly about matters in which I have no
experience or about which I know very little?

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 A CHECK OF TRADITIONS
From AA Magazine Grapevine

These questions were originally published in Grapevine as part of a series of articles on the
Twelve and Traditions that appeared from November 1969 to September 1971. When
translated for The Community, Although the questions were intended for individual use,
many AA groups have since used them for their inventories and as a topic of discussion.

Practice these principles…

THIRD TRADITION.
The only requirement to be a member of AA is to want to stop drinking.

1. Do I mentally judge certain newcomers to AA as failures?

2. Is there some type of alcoholic whom I secretly don't want to have in my AA
group?
3. Do I judge whether a beginner is sincere or false?
4. Do I allow language, religion (or lack thereof), race, education, age, or other
such differences to interfere with my ability to carry the message to other
alcoholics?
5. Am I overly impressed by a famous person? By a doctor, a clergyman or an
ex-convict? Or can I simply treat this new member simply and naturally as
another sick being, just like us?
6. When someone shows up at an AA meeting needing information or help
(even if they can't ask for it out loud), do I really care what this person does
for a living? How and with whom do you live? If you have previously applied
to AA? What could be your other problems?

A CHECK OF TRADITIONS
From AA Magazine Grapevine

These questions were originally published in Grapevine as part of a series of articles on the
Twelve and Traditions that appeared from November 1969 to September 1971. When
TUXPAN GROUP HOURS FROM 09:00 TO 10:30 IN THE MORNING EVERY DAY Page 3
translated for The Community, Although the questions were intended for individual use,
many AA groups have since used them for their inventories and as a topic of discussion.

Practice these principles…

FOURTH TRADITION :
Each group must be autonomous, except in matters affecting other
groups or Alcoholics Anonymous, considered as a whole.

1. Do I insist that there are only a few right ways to do things in AA?

2. Does my group always take into account the well-being of the rest of
AA? That of the nearby groups? That of the loners in Alaska? That of
the internationalists on the high seas? That of a group in the Guaviare
or in the Amazon?

3. When other members' behavior is different from mine, do I criticize

them, or do I learn from them?

4. Do I always keep in mind that to people outside of AA who know I'm

in the community, I may represent the entire community?

5. Am I willing to help a newcomer do whatever it takes (him or her, not

me) to stay sober?

6. Do I share my knowledge of AA instruments (“tools”) with other

members who may not know them?

A CHECK OF TRADITIONS
From AA Magazine Grapevine

These questions were originally published in Grapevine as part of a series of articles on the
Twelve and Traditions that appeared from November 1969 to September 1971. When
translated for The Community, although the questions were intended for individual use,
many AA groups have since used them for their inventories and as a topic for discussion.

TUXPAN GROUP HOURS FROM 09:00 TO 10:30 IN THE MORNING EVERY DAY Page 4
 Practice these principles…

FIFTH TRADITION
Each group has only one primary goal: to carry the message to the
alcoholic who is still suffering.

1. Do I ever use the excuse that “I am not a group, therefore this or that
Tradition does not apply to me?”
2. Am I willing to firmly explain to a beginner the limits of AA's help, even if
he gets angry because I won't lend him money?
3. Have I taken advantage of being a member of Alcoholics Anonymous to
ask a colleague for a special favor?
4. Am I willing to practice the Twelfth Step with the next newcomer who
appears regardless of who he is or what benefit I can get?
5. Do I help my Group in any way possible to fulfill our primary purpose?
6. Do I remember that AA veterans can also be alcoholics who still suffer?
Do I try to help them and learn from them at the same time?

A CHECK OF TRADITIONS
From AA Magazine Grapevine

These questions were originally published in the Grapevine as part of a series of articles on
the Twelve and Traditions that appeared from November 1969 to September 1971. When
translated for The Community, Although the questions were intended for individual use,
many AA groups have since used them for their inventories and as a topic of discussion.

Practice these principles…

SIXTH TRADITION
An AA Group should never endorse, finance or lend the AA name to any
related entity or outside company, to prevent problems of money,
property and prestige from diverting us from our primary objective.
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 1. Should my Group members and I raise funds to donate several beds
to our local hospital in the name of AA?

2. Is it advisable for a Group to rent a small building?

3. Are all officers and members of our local AA group familiar with the
“Group Manuals” (which can be obtained from GSO)?

4. Should our group secretary take a position on the government's

alcoholism advisory committee?

5. Some alcoholics will only stay in AA if we offer them a room with a TV

and a table to play cards. If this is what it takes to get the message to
them, should we have these things?

A CHECK OF TRADITIONS
From AA Magazine Grapevine

These questions were originally published in the Grapevine as part of a series of articles on
the Twelve and Traditions that appeared from November 1969 to September 1971. When
translated for The Community, Although the questions were intended for individual use,
many AA groups have since used them for their inventories and as a topic of discussion.

Practice these principles…

SEVENTH TRADITION
Each AA Group must be completely self-supporting, refusing to receive
outside contributions.

1. Honestly, am I doing everything I can to help AA (my group, my

headquarters, my GSO) support itself? Could I put a little more money in
the basket on behalf of the person who is still not there? in a position to
contribute? How generous were you when you were in bars?

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 2. Should PLENITUD Magazine sell advertising space to publishers and
pharmaceutical companies, in order to make a profit and become a
larger, full-color, lower-priced magazine?

3. If GSO were short of funds one year, wouldn't it be right for the
government to subsidize AA groups in hospitals and prisons?

4. Is it more important to get strong contributions from a few people or a

smaller contribution involving more members?

5. Is a group treasurer's report a matter of little importance to AA? What

does the treasurer think about it?

6. How important in my recovery is it to feel respect for myself, rather than

feeling obligated to have received help?

A CHECK OF TRADITIONS
From AA Magazine Grapevine

These questions were originally published in the Grapevine as part of a series of articles on
the Twelve and Traditions that appeared from November 1969 to September 1971. When
translated for The Community, Although the questions were intended for individual use,
many AA groups have since used them for their inventories and as a topic of discussion.

Practice these principles…

EIGHTH TRADITION
Alcoholics Anonymous will never be professional, but our service
centers may employ special workers.

1. Is my own behavior fully described in the Traditions? If not, what

should I change?

2. When I am irritated by a particular Tradition, do I consider how it

affects others?

3. Do I sometimes try to get a reward, even if it is not money, for my

personal efforts in AA?

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 4. Do I try to present myself to AA as an expert on alcoholism? In
recovery? In medicine? In psychology? In AA itself? In sociology? In
spiritual matters? Or God forbid, even in the matter of humility?

5. Do I make any effort to understand what AA employees do? What do

people who work in other alcoholism-related organizations do? Can I
clearly distinguish between them?

6. In my own life in AA, have I had any experiences that illustrate the
wisdom of this tradition?

7. Have I paid enough attention to the book Twelve Steps and Twelve
Traditions? To the pamphlet “The Tradition of AA-How It Developed”?

A CHECK OF TRADITIONS
From AA Magazine Grapevine

These questions were originally published in the Grapevine as part of a series of articles on
the Twelve and Traditions that appeared from November 1969 to September 1971. When
translated for The Community, Although the questions were intended for individual use,
many AA groups have since used them for their inventories and as a topic of discussion.

Practice these principles…

NINTH TRADITION
Alcoholics Anonymous as such should never be organized; but we can
create service boards or committees that are directly accountable to
those they serve.

1. Am I still trying to boss everyone around in AA?

2. Do I resist certain formal aspects of AA because I fear they are

authoritarian?

3. Am I mature enough to understand and use all elements of the AA

program, even if no one forces me to do so, with a sense of personal
responsibility?

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 4. Am I patient and humble in all the work I do in AA?

5. Am I aware of all those to whom I am responsible when I do work in

AA?

6. Why don't all AA groups require their own constitution and bylaws?

7. Have I learned to willingly give up a position in AA, and benefit from

it, when the time comes?

8. What does rotation have to do with anonymity? And with humility?

A CHECK OF TRADITIONS
From AA Magazine Grapevine

These questions were originally published in the Grapevine as part of a series of articles
on the Twelve and Traditions that appeared from November 1969 to September 1971.
When translated for The Community, Although the questions were intended for individual
use, many AA groups have since used them for their inventories and as a topic of
discussion.

Practice these principles…

TENTH TRADITION
Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on matters outside its activities;
Therefore his name should never be mixed in public controversies.

1. Do I ever give the impression that there truly is an “AA opinion” about
Antabuse, tranquilizers, doctors, psychiatrists, churches, hospitals,
prisons, alcohol? Government? The legalization of marijuana? The
vitamins? Al-Anon? Alateen?

2. Can I honestly share my personal experience on any of these issues

without giving the impression that I am expressing “AA's opinion”?

3. In the history of AA, what gave rise to our Tenth Tradition?

4. Have I had any similar experiences in my own life in AA?

5. What would AA be without this tradition? Where would I find myself?

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 6. Am I violating this tradition or any other Tradition related to it in a subtle
and perhaps unconscious way?

7. How can I manifest the spirit of this tradition in my personal life outside
of AA? And within AA?

A CHECK OF TRADITIONS
From AA Magazine Grapevine

These questions were originally published in the Grapevine as part of a series of articles
on the Twelve and Traditions that appeared from November 1969 to September 1971.
When translated for The Community, Although the questions were intended for individual
use, many AA groups have since used them for their inventories and as a topic of
discussion.

Practice these principles…

ELEVENTH TRADITION
Our public relations policy is based more on attraction than promotion;
We need to always maintain our personal anonymity in the press, radio
and cinema.

1. Do I sometimes promote AA so fanatically that I make it seem

unappealing?

2. Am I always careful to keep confidential the confidences that are given to

me as a member of AA?

3. Am I careful not to reveal names of people in AA, even within the

community?

4. Am I ashamed of being a recovering alcoholic?

5. What would AA be like if it were not guided by the ideas of the Eleventh
Tradition? Where would I be?

6. Is my sobriety in AA attractive enough to make a sick drunk want to have

the quality of life I have?

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 A CHECK OF TRADITIONS
From AA Magazine Grapevine
These questions were originally published in the Grapevine as part of a series of articles
on the Twelve and Traditions that appeared from November 1969 to September 1971.
When translated for The Community, Although the questions were intended for individual
use, many AA groups have since used them for their inventories and as a topic of
discussion.
Practice these principles…

TWELFTH TRADITION
Anonymity is the spiritual basis of all our Traditions, always reminding
us to put principles before personalities.

1. Why is it a good idea to put the common well-being of all AA members

before the well-being of the individual? What would happen to me if AA
disappeared?
2. When I don't trust AA's current servants, who do I wish had the authority
to correct them?
3. In my opinions and comments about other AA members, am I implying
that there are requirements for AA membership other than the desire to
quit drinking?
4. Do I ever try to get an AA group to agree to my criteria, rather than their
own?
5. Am I personally responsible for helping an AA group fulfill its primary
purpose? What are my responsibilities?
6. Does my personal behavior reflect or refute what the Sixth Tradition
affirms?
7. Do I do everything I can to support AA financially? When was the last
time I contributed a subscription to the Magazine or the Bulletin
anonymously?
8. Do I complain about the behavior of certain AA members, especially if
they receive a salary for working in AA? Who made me so smart?

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 9. Do I fulfill all my responsibilities to AA in a way that pleases even my own
conscience? Really?
10. Do the things I say always reflect the Tenth Tradition, or do I give
ammunition to people who criticize AA?
11. Should I keep my membership in AA a secret, or reveal it in private
conversations when it might help another alcoholic (and therefore me)?
Is MY AA way of living so attractive that other drunks find it desirable?
12. What is my true importance among the several million AAs?

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