The 12 concepts - in a nutshell
I The collective conscience of our fellowship is our ultimate authority
II Conference is our active voice: it is our parliament. To change something in AA, write a question for conference
III We all have the right of decision and autonomy, within reason, in our service roles. We try not to micromanage each other.
IV We all have the right to participate in AA. We all belong here - and we are all equal.
V We all have the right of appeal. We listen carefully to minority views.
VI Conference, with the assistance of the Board, is responsible for our service structure.
VII The Board obeys its Charter and Bylaws. We have the power of the purse.
VIII The Board is our planner, administrator and manager of our finances.
IX Good service leaders, at all levels, are indispensable for our future.
X Responsibility in our service roles should always be matched equally by authority.
XI We deserve the best possible committees, executives, staffs and consultants.
XII Conference should always observe the spirit of AA tradition:
we neither accumulate money nor power
we never govern
we are always financially prudent
we never boss anybody about
we never punish our members
we always avoid public controversy
we are always democratic in thought and action
we discuss important matters fully, listening to all sides, before we vote
we aim for substantial unanimity wherever possible
This extract aims to capture the essence of the concepts