Tradition 11 · November 27

A Society Composed Largely of Promoters

Daily Traditions · November 27

Before the Tradition

A.A. arrived at its public relations policy by first admitting, in print, what kind of people were writing it (A.A. Comes of Age). "By temperament many of us had been irresponsible promoters, and the prospect of a society composed largely of promoters was frightening." Frightening — about themselves. And Bill did not pretend the alternative was self-evidently wrong; he set the two side by side without any contempt for the other one. "A worthy charity wants to raise money, and so its letterhead shows the names of every distinguished person whose support can be obtained. Much of the political, economic, and religious life of the world is dependent upon publicized leadership. People who symbolize causes and ideas fill a deep human need. We of A.A. do not question that." Do not question it. It works, for other people, and he says so. "But we do have to face the fact that being in the public eye is hazardous, especially for us." So they took the other road — not because it was nobler, but because of who they were. "So we resorted to the idea that it would be far better to let our friends do this for us. And they have done it to an amazing extent."

Sit with

They wrote the policy by first admitting in print that they were, by temperament, promoters — and that a society of promoters frightened them. What do I know about my own temperament that I have never said out loud?

Grounded in: A.A. Comes of Age (the attraction-and-promotion passage).

Tradition 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."

Read the Long Form (pp. 563–566). The short form on pp. 561–562 is the one everybody quotes — but the Long Form is where the Traditions actually say what they mean. Tradition 3's "no other affiliation" clause, for instance, exists only in the Long Form. That single clause is why no treatment centre can own an A.A. group. Most of what circulates online skips it.

And a distinction worth keeping straight: the Traditions are governance, not theology. They bind A.A. groups and the Fellowship — not individuals, and not outside businesses. They were adopted in 1950 to keep A.A. from being owned or co-opted. They are not a rulebook for your personal life.

What the Traditions actually say → The Long Form, p. 563 → Search the Big Book → Every day this month →

Ask Recovery Einstein about Tradition 11 → Get the app →

← November 26May Have Signed Tradition 11All of November November 28 →Somebody Has to Sit With Them

Daily Traditions is an independent educational resource from Recovery Starts — not official A.A. literature, not affiliated with Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, and not medical advice. The Twelve Traditions are the property of A.A. Page references are to Alcoholics Anonymous (the Big Book), 4th Edition: short form 561–562, long form 563–566. If you're in crisis, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline).