Concepts Resources

Concepts Resources

Concepts Resources

Here are some additional resources to help make studying the 12 Concepts a little easier from and organizational standpoint.  I hope they help you as much as they helped me.

The Twelve Concepts for World Service were written by A.A.’s co-founder Bill W., and were adopted by the General Service Conference of Alcoholics Anonymous in 1962.

The Concepts are an interpretation of A.A.’s world service structure as it emerged through A.A.’s early history and experience. They reveal the evolution by which it has arrived in its present form, and they detail the experience and reasoning on which our operation stands today.

The Concepts therefore aim to record the “why” of our service structure in such a fashion that the highly valuable experience of the past, and the lessons we have drawn from that experience, can never be forgotten or lost.

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GS Structure_v2
GS Board of Trustees
Process of a Conference Agenda Item
Concept Six (6) Explanation

Robert's Rules of Order

ROBERTS’ RULES OF ORDER (BASIC)

Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised, commonly referred to as Robert’s Rules of Order (or simply Robert’s Rules), is the most widely used manual of parliamentary procedure in the United States. It governs the meetings of a diverse range of organizations—including church groups, county commissions, homeowners associations, nonprofit associations, professional societies, school boards, and trade unions—that have adopted it as their parliamentary authority.

The document below is one A.A. members understanding of how Robert’s Rules have been used in service positions to conduct business meetings (Group, District, & Area) they have participated in while serving Alcoholics Anonymous in various service leadership positions. It’s a cheat sheet of sorts and was very helpful to this member when leading the bodies they served.

Robert's Rules of Order rev012222

Third Legacy Procedure

THIRD LEGACY PROCEDURE

PURPOSE

AA’s Third Legacy Procedure is a special type of electoral procedure, used primarily for the election of Area Delegates, Regional and other Trustees and International Delegates, where more than one candidate is nominated.

It is considered to be unique to AA, and at first glance, appears to introduce a strong element of chance into a matter that should depend solely on the judgement of the majority. In practice, it has proved highly successful in eliminating the influence of factions or parties. A second-place candidate who may be extremely well qualified, but without early popular support is encouraged to stay in the balloting rather than withdraw.

IT MUST FIRST BE ESTABLISHED

That the candidates are eligible and willing to stand.
That the right to vote has been established.
If the election involves appointing an Alternate position, it should be decided in advance whether the runner-up will be that Alternate or whether this will be by a separate election.

PROCEDURE

(Note that there is an illustrated version of this below which you might find easier to follow.)

  • The Chairperson of the meeting will take charge of the proceedings.
  • Two scrutineers are appointed, preferably from among those not eligible to vote.
  • The names of candidates are written on a black/whiteboard or similar.
  • The vote will be written on the board against the names of candidates.
  • The first candidate to receive two-thirds of the total vote is elected.
  • All ballots are secret, so blank papers (and sometimes pencils) are distributed.
  • Written ballots are cast in the traditional way (one choice to a ballot), collected and given to the scrutineers to count; the tallies are then posted on the Board.
  • If no candidate receives the necessary two-thirds of the vote at the first ballot, a second ballot is held, duplicating the first.
  • If no candidate receives the necessary two-thirds of the vote at the second ballot, any candidate having less than one-fifth of the total vote is withdrawn automatically except that the two top candidates must remain. In the case of a tie for first place, only the tied first-place candidates remain. In the case of a single first place but a tied second place, all first-place and second-place candidates remain.
  • A third ballot is then held with the remaining candidates. If no candidate receives the necessary two-thirds of the vote at the third ballot, candidates with less than one-third of the total vote will be withdrawn automatically, except that the two top candidates must remain. In the case of a tie for first place, only the tied first-place candidates remain. In the case of a single first place but a tied second place, all first-place and second-place candidates remain.
  • A fourth ballot is then conducted as for the second and third above.
  • If no candidate receives the necessary two-thirds of the vote, the Chairperson establishes by formal motion (with seconder) on a majority show of hands, whether to hold a fifth ballot or go straight to the “hat” and be decided by lot. That is, candidates names are written on slips of paper and put into a receptacle. Whichever is drawn out by the Chairperson, is elected.
  • If no candidate receives the necessary two-thirds of the vote in the fifth ballot, or if the meeting has decided to drop the fifth ballot, the choice will be made by lot (by the “hat”).
  • In the final round, the names of the remaining candidates will be placed in a hat, box or other suitable container, and a person nominated by the Chairperson will draw one candidate’s name from the hat.
  • That candidate is then elected.
Third-Legacy-Voting-Procedure
Intergroup & General Service - How We Work Together