Eleven to Two

A group that votes on an outside issue now has an opinion on it, and a drinker on the losing side has just been shown the door. It happens at the end of a business meeting, after the coffee money. Someone brings a petition about a local liquor law. There is no argument; the room agrees. A show of hands, just so we know where we stand. Eleven up, two down, and the secretary writes it in the minutes. No newspaper, no statement. But the group has a recorded position, and the long form's line is crossed: "in such a way as to implicate A.A." (Big Book, p. 565). Bill W. described what groups that last do instead (A.A. pamphlet P-17, p. 38): "The groups are willing to avoid controversy over outside issues such as political reform or religion; they stick to their single purpose of helping alcoholics to recover." Single purpose. The two who kept their hands down may stay or may drift, and the drinker who hears about that vote from them may never come at all. Today the request usually comes from outside: a campaign asking groups to "sign on." Test it tonight: ask what your group's business meeting has ever voted on, and whether every item was A.A.'s own business.