The SAA Big Book Study Intergroup is a specialized Intergroup formed to support the work of SAA Groups who by their own group conscience have adopted the following attitudes and principles for studying and using the AA Big Book to carry the SAA message of recovery from sex addiction.
1. The SAA Big Book Study Intergroup is a specialized Intergroup formed to support the work of SAA Groups who by their own group conscience have adopted the following attitudes and principles for studying and using the AA Big Book to carry the SAA message of recovery from sex addiction.
2. Our member groups seek faithfully to follow the Twelve Traditions of SAA, which are adapted from the “Short Form” of the Twelve Traditions of AA. To better understand the SAA Traditions, we study AA’s “Long Form” of the Twelve Traditions, upon which the AA “Short Form” was based.
3. The published meetings of our member groups are one of 5 types: Big Book study, Foundation, Step presentation/study, Tradition presentation/study and Speaker Meetings. Foundation Meetings are aimed at orienting newcomers to our groups’ use of the Big Book for working the Twelve Steps. Speaker meetings involve sober members who have worked the Steps with a sponsor telling their story of using the Big Book to recover from sex addiction. Speaker stories focus on enough of what we were like (experience) that newcomers might identify, enough of what happened (strength) to demonstrate the program, and make special emphasis on what we are like now (hope) to demonstrate that happy, contented sobriety is possible as a result of working all of the Twelve Steps.
4. Our member groups keep outside issues outside of our meetings. During the meetings, we focus on the principles of the program and the instructions found in the text of the Big Book of AA for working the Twelve Steps. All other discussions are held outside of meetings or during fellowship; some matters should be discussed with a sponsor who can provide guidance and accountability. Examples of outside issues include “getting current,” discussions of religion, politics, personal problems, medical or other approaches to recovery, other recovery literature, etc.. “Check-ins”, “getting current”, and discussion of personal problems may be appropriate in the period of fellowship after a meeting. However, experience suggests that the better option in some cases is to share these matters privately with someone who has worked the steps and can provide sound guidance based on the principles of the program.
5. The trusted servants of our member groups are responsible for serving the group conscience, rather than any individuals in the meeting. Study Leaders may gently but firmly interrupt a member – experienced or new – if they begin to speak on outside issues or in a manner contrary to the meeting format established by group conscience. Study Leaders should assure such individuals that they are welcome and may encourage them to bring their comments to fellowship at the end of the meeting when other issues may be discussed. Other members of the group may help in such circumstances, and may ask the individual to speak outside of the meeting to support the meeting continuing without interruption. The trusted servants of our Intergroup support the work of our member groups; they do not govern. The Intergroup itself is not a governing body for member groups.
