The Twelve Traditions are vital principles that ensure the unity of AlcoholicsAnonymous.
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In 1945, the volume of correspondence received at the A.A. headquarters was enormous. Much of this correspondence contained questions and concerns from groups about how to address their operational and relational issues. The idea emerged to create a series of principles that would address all the potential problems groups might face. With these principles, the office and the Trustees could better respond to the groups' inquiries, and the groups themselves would be equipped with a set of suggested operating guidelines to prevent issues from arising in the first place.
Bill W. set to work and, in April 1946, published the Traditions in an article in the Grapevine entitled “Twelve Points Suggested for the A.A. Tradition.” He then published a series of articles aimed at explaining the Traditions (compiled in the pamphlet “AA Tradition”). Between December 1947 and November 1948, the Grapevine published the Traditions individually. Finally, in 1950, they were approved by the community at the First International Convention in Cleveland.
The A.A. groups have adhered to the practice of the Traditions as their guiding principles and the spirit of unity experienced in Alcoholics Anonymous attests to their effectiveness.