The Barflies Group Conscience

Revised 5/30/07

Barflies highest regard is to uphold the spirit and traditions of AA based upon the best informed understanding of our members in all AA matters. We encourage all members to investigate the literature and inform the group as to any oversight which may affect the decision-making process. We hope wherever possible our group conscience is supported within the text of AA. This prerogative we hope will live with this meeting as long as it stands.

1. No chips will be offered;
2. No birthdays will be celebrated;
3. No calling on people to share;
4. Business meetings held at member's homes apart from the Saturday Night Meeting;
5. No non-AA approved literature will be allowed to be displayed - remove immediately and put in trash can;
6. Hat to be passed at the beginning of the meeting reiterating 7th tradition AND no obligation statement;
7. Lord's Prayer will not be said at the end;
8. Big Book and/or Twelve and Twelve to be handed discretely to person without one and asked in the spirit of AA's tradition to "pass it on" (to one day purchase a big book for someone else). Group to provide these books; moderator's responsibility but any home group member certainly can do this - just let moderator know;
9. Group will not sign court cards - will not offer advice on how to get them signed;
10. Long (30-second) moment of silence at beginning of meeting to pray for still suffering alcoholic;
11. To chair meeting, home group member must have attended a home group meeting;
12. With people we don't recognize or appear to be newcomers, offer coffee and an opportunity to either sit with "us" or we sit by them... or just reach out;
13. Two home group members will open meeting, one of those members responsible to moderate if no other home group members are capable or willing to do so... also, chairperson to be decided at least 15 minutes before meeting; Try to involve spirit of rotation of all members as chairpersons;
14. Written statement may be read by monitor when someone introduces themselves as an addict and when someone rambles and isn't talking about alcoholism.
15. Chairperson will inform late guests that the meeting is closed and try to describe the topic for them.
16. This Group Conscience and the Meeting Format will be reviewed for any joining member at the first homegroup meeting he/she attends.

Download PDF - Group Conscience
Download PDF - Dr. Bob's Last Talk