Preamble History and Recommendations
Northern California General Service Representatives
At the 2012 DA World Service Conference (WSC), Northern California GSRs first learned that DA did not
have permission to adapt AA’s Preamble. (* see below) As it turned out, copyright to the Preamble was
held by AA Grapevine, Inc. and not by AA World Service, Inc., from whom we had requested permission.
It is our view that continued use of the former DA Preamble as part of a meeting format is inconsistent
with the integrity and rigorous honesty we seek as recovering members of DA. Additionally, the
publication of the former DA Preamble in printed or electronic form is actually a violation of copyright
laws.
A related issue is that we NorCal GSRs learned at the 2013 WSC that AA has asked all 12-Step programs
to read AA literature as written, and not to substitute other programs’ terminology for AA terminology.
This is relevant to the Preamble issue because some groups have tried to adapt by acknowledging the
source of the Preamble as being from the fellowship of AA, and then substituting DA terminology when
reading it. We recommend that DA groups honor AA’s request, and when reading AA literature at
meetings, read it exactly as written.
Our Tradition 4 states that each group is autonomous, except in matters affecting other groups or DA as
a whole. Ultimately, it is up to each DA group to decide if they wish to stop using the former Preamble
and, if so, what to replace it with. The fellowship of Debtors Anonymous no longer uses the former DA
preamble on its website, at the World Service Conference or in its literature. In deciding what to use as
an introduction to your meeting, given the example set by the GSB and WSC, groups should consider if
their continued use of the Preamble may affect other groups or DA as a whole, as referenced in
Tradition 4.
Group autonomy allows groups to create their own meeting formats, and any introduction to the
meeting (such as the former DA Preamble) is a part of that format. Meetings may wish to write their
own introduction, excerpt from the debtorsanonymous.org website “About DA” page
(http://www.debtorsanonymous.org/about/about.htm), or use wording from DA’s “A Word to the
Newcomer”. These are suggested interim measures until DA has developed and approved a new
Introduction. For further information on this topic, see the letter sent from the General Service Board to
the fellowship. [link to pdf of GSB letter]
Other Literature Updates
We believe it is important to recognize the incredible gift that AA has given our fellowship by giving us
permission to adapt the 12 Steps and 12 Traditions to DA a long time ago. These approved adaptations
are now our Steps and Traditions and are essential to our recovery, unity and effectiveness.
It is also important to recognize DA’s coming of age in developing its own literature specific to the issues
of recovery in our program, and our willingness to clear up the wreckage of our past by addressing
copyright issues in our literature. To that end, new versions of the DA Promises and Tools were
approved at the 2013 WSC, and we encourage your meetings to start using them right away. (Can be
found at debtorsanonymous.org under “Literature” or
http://www.debtorsanonymous.org/literature/literature.htm)
Finally, DA is in the process of developing its own 12 and 12, and hopes to present Board-approved
drafts to the voting representatives (GSRs) at the August 2014 WSC.
* The AA PREAMBLE
This following is the AA Preamble. If your group is using this language, modifying it to reflect the DA
program and terminology, then you are not complying with AA’s request to read AA literature as
written.
Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each
other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.
The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees for A.A. membership;
we are self-supporting through our own contributions. A.A. is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics,
organization or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy; neither endorses nor opposes any causes.
Our primary purpose is to stay sober one and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety.
Copyright © The AA Grapevine, Inc.
Preprinted with Permission