Description
Pamphlet P-16, “The A.A. Group… Where It All Begins,” is an official Alcoholics Anonymous resource. It serves as an informal guide detailing how local A.A. groups operate most effectively, how new groups are formed, and how individual meetings connect to the wider A.A. fellowship.
The pamphlet covers several core operational and structural aspects of A.A.:
- The Home Group Concept: Highlights the importance of belonging to one specific group, which acts as a foundation for friendships and service responsibilities.
- Open and Closed Meetings: Outlines the difference between meetings for A.A. members only (closed) and those available to anyone interested in the program (open).
- Group Conscience: Explains how groups function independently on democratic principles, relying on the collective conscience of members to guide decisions.
- Safety & Unity: Addresses how adherence to the Twelve Traditions ensures group unity, fosters safe environments for recovery, and supports the primary purpose of carrying the message to the alcoholic
