AL-ANON'S 12 TRADITIONS



The Traditions that follow bind us together in unity. They guide the groups 
    in their relations with other groups, with AA and the outside world. They 
    recommend group attitudes toward leadership, membership, money, property, 
    public relations and anonymity. 
    The Traditions evolved from the experience of AA groups in trying to solve 
    their problems of living and working together. Al-Anon adopted these group 
    guidelines, and over the years has found them sound and wise. Although they 
    are only suggestions, Al-Anon's unity and perhaps even its survival are 
    dependent on adherence to these principles.
    Our common welfare should come first; personal progress for the greatest 
        number depends upon unity. 
        For our group purpose there is but one authority - a loving God as He 
        may express Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted 
        servants; they do not govern.
        The relatives of alcoholics, when gathered together for mutual aid, may 
        call themselves an Al-Anon Family Group, provided that, as a group, they 
        have no other affiliation. The only requirement for membership is that 
        there be a problem of alcoholism in a relative or friend.
        Each group should be autonomous, except in matters affecting another 
        group or Al-Anon or AA as a whole. 
        Each Al-Anon Family Group has but one purpose: to help families of 
        alcoholics. We do this by practicing the Twelve Steps of AA ourselves, 
        by encouraging and understanding our alcoholic relatives, and by 
        welcoming and giving comfort to families of alcoholics.
        Our Al-Anon Family Groups ought never endorse, finance or lend our name 
        to any outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property and prestige 
        divert us from our primary spiritual aim. Although a separate entity, we 
        should always cooperate with Alcoholics Anonymous.
        Every Group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside 
        contributions.
        Al-Anon Twelfth-Step work should remain forever nonprofessional, but our 
        service centers may employ special workers.
        Our Groups, as such, ought never be organized; but we may create service 
        boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve.
        The Al-Anon Family Groups have no opinion on outside issues; hence our 
        name ought never be drawn into public controversy.
        Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than 
        promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of 
        press, radio, TV and films. We need guard with special care the 
        anonymity of all AA members.
        Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our Traditions, ever 
        reminding us to place principles above personalities.
        

Copyright © Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc. Reprinted with permission.