Tempe Bloopers
Group Inventory
Sunday, October 8th
11:30am - 4:00pm
11:30am - 4:00pm
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Wait... Didn’t we do this already?
Well this is awkward. In August we did try to conduct a Group Inventory, But didn’t get much support, so we’re trying again.
It seems like we didn’t do a good enough job at explaining the importance or purpose of the Group Inventory, OR we didn’t do enough to promote it, OR we confused people with the pre-survey questionnaire (which is NOT an official part of the Group Inventory and was never meant to replace conducting a proper inventory). Whatever happened, hopefully we can make it right and get more support this next time around.
It seems like we didn’t do a good enough job at explaining the importance or purpose of the Group Inventory, OR we didn’t do enough to promote it, OR we confused people with the pre-survey questionnaire (which is NOT an official part of the Group Inventory and was never meant to replace conducting a proper inventory). Whatever happened, hopefully we can make it right and get more support this next time around.
What is a Group Inventory and why are we doing it?
The Group Inventory is similar to Step Four, but for the group. It was first suggested and described in August 1956, not long after AA’s 12 Traditions were published by Bill W. (one of AA’s co-founders). Since that time, AA’s General Service Office has provided more information and a standard set of questions to help AA groups facilitate the process, and has suggested it be done at regular intervals–just like Step Four and Step Ten for us.
An excerpt (from AA-approved literature) regarding the Group Inventory has been made available for those who are interested.
If you have any more questions or concerns, contact Bailey at six-one-five, five-nine-six, five three two eight
An excerpt (from AA-approved literature) regarding the Group Inventory has been made available for those who are interested.
If you have any more questions or concerns, contact Bailey at six-one-five, five-nine-six, five three two eight
Why Conduct a Group Inventory?
Many groups periodically hold a “group inventory meeting” to evaluate how well they are fulfilling their primary purpose: to help alcoholics recover through A.A.’s suggested Twelve Steps of recovery. Some groups take inventory by examining our Twelve Traditions, one at a time, to determine how well they are living up to these principles....
Group problems are often evidence of a healthy, desirable diversity of opinion among the group members. They give us a chance, in the words of Step Twelve, to “practice these principles in all our affairs.”
Group problems may include such common A.A. questions as: What should the group do about “slippers?” How can we boost flagging attendance at meetings? How can we get more people to help with group chores? What can we do about one member’s anonymity break? Another’s romantic emphasis on “thirteenth stepping”? How can we get out from under the “bleeding deacons,” those oldtimers who insist they know what’s best for the group? And how can we get more of the oldtimers to share their experience in resolving group dilemmas?
Almost every group problem has a resolution, which usually can be reached through the mechanism of an informed group conscience. Importantly, a good sense of humor, cooling-off periods, patience, courtesy, willingness to listen and to wait–plus a sense of fairness and trust in a “Power greater than ourselves”–have been found far more effective than legalistic arguments or personal accusations.
Excerpt from The AA Group, p. 29-31 (Click to see this book)
Group problems are often evidence of a healthy, desirable diversity of opinion among the group members. They give us a chance, in the words of Step Twelve, to “practice these principles in all our affairs.”
Group problems may include such common A.A. questions as: What should the group do about “slippers?” How can we boost flagging attendance at meetings? How can we get more people to help with group chores? What can we do about one member’s anonymity break? Another’s romantic emphasis on “thirteenth stepping”? How can we get out from under the “bleeding deacons,” those oldtimers who insist they know what’s best for the group? And how can we get more of the oldtimers to share their experience in resolving group dilemmas?
Almost every group problem has a resolution, which usually can be reached through the mechanism of an informed group conscience. Importantly, a good sense of humor, cooling-off periods, patience, courtesy, willingness to listen and to wait–plus a sense of fairness and trust in a “Power greater than ourselves”–have been found far more effective than legalistic arguments or personal accusations.
Excerpt from The AA Group, p. 29-31 (Click to see this book)
Above copyright by A.A. World Services, Inc. Reprinted with permission