I never put much stock in the Traditions until I became the chairperson of a group and became responsible for the functioning of that group. At that time it had no GSR. It happened early on that one particular member of the group challenged a decision that was made by another member, and then the same member challenged me. This caused chaos in the group as one member tried using control to get accomplished what she thought was right in her own opinion. I learned then about the process called "group conscience", which will come up later, I think, under 'group inventory'.  When two members feel strongly about an issue having to do with the group, rather than being divisive, the policy is for the group to meet as a whole to discuss the issue and make a group decision on it. There should be no punishment for honest dissent, nor should dissenters be expelled. Dissenting opinions should be heard and considered with respect, and decision made by the group as to how to resolve the issue, instead of one member gaining domination by squelching dissenting opinions. This keeps the group honest and in unity. To get rid of members with minority opinions is not really unity in the spirit of this AA Tradition.

 I have since paid more attention to the Traditions, as being chairperson brought me higher than the previous level I was at in just being at the meetings for my own personal benefit up to making a commitment to the group as a whole, and being in contact with the National Headquarters in New York and coming to care about AA internationally also, beyond my own home group.  The headquarters in New York sent a representative to my group while we did an inventory, and we then got a General Service Representative and got hooked up to the district.  AA unity, alanon, ACoA unity means more than just my little clicque,,, it means the association as a whole, all over the world.

amanda