One__Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon A.A. unity.
Two__For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority-a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern.
Three__The only requirement for A.A membership is a desire to stop drinking.
Four__Each A.A. group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or A.A. as a whole.
Five__Each A.A. group has but one primary purpose-to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers.
Six__An A.A. group ought never endorse, finance or lend the A.A. name to any related facility or outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property and prestige divert us from our primary purpose.
Eight__Alcoholics Anonymous should remain forever nonprofessional, but our service centers may employ special workers.
Nine__A.A. as such, ought never be organized; but we may create service boards directly responsible to those they serve.
Ten__Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the A.A. name ought never be drawn into public controversy.
Eleven__Our public relation policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio and films.
Twelve__Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our Traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.