Autonomy

4.With respect to its own affairs, each A.A. group should be responsible to no other authority than its own conscience. But when its plans concern the welfare of neighboring groups also, those groups ought to be consulted. And no group, regional committee, or individual should ever take any action that might greatly affect A.A. as a whole without conferring with the trustees of the General Service Board. On such issues our common welfare is paramount.

This was our topic tonight and we got a pretty good meeting out of it.  We talked about how the individual is a very unique person, as is any given group.  A group ought to have a solid group conscience built up on what the group needs... as well it ought to stand for something and really aim to get somewhere.  Our aim is an improved life and doing well, aka having a life worth living and keeping ourselves from getting blocked from the Power of God in our lives.

We, unlike some who consider A.A. to be anarchy, consider A.A. to be an autocracy where that ruling Power is a loving God expressed in our group conscience.

We do things different than any other group in the world... as we should.  We are vaguely similar to a big group from Denver of which some of us once attended.  A group that splintered off from us is like us in some ways... much better than us at many things... but different.  We 12-step differently.  We do steps differently.  in numbers, fellowship, etc., they are far superior to us.  But when it comes to simplicity and focusing on the steps and personal growth, I like our little group.  We even refer new people to "their" group.  I don't think they reciprocate.  But, that's ok.  We ain't a popularity contest.  I think both groups do good things. 

There are many groups in our town that I absolutely disagree with... but I still like the people and wish them well.

My current definition of "autonomy" as it was expressed in our meeting topic tonight/last night is this; self governing without coercion.