WHAT I LEARNED: 1. Continuing on with my historical jaunt through the pamphlets… 1961 was a major year for Al-Anon.  After being around for 10 years, they finally had their first trial Conference that year & the concept of having Conference Approved material was adopted — yet, at that time, groups were still allowed to publish their own material so long as it was only used locally – see page 99 from “Many Voices, One Journey” (item # B-31).  Every group was given 1 free copy of this pamphlet when the ’61 Conference Summary was sent out.  Per that Summary, this pamphlet was “compiled & revised from ‘The Forum’.”

2. I’ve always been told that the Traditions aren’t rules, but suggested guidelines… however I think I like them described better using the phrase in this pamphlet: as precautionary principles.  Examples are told of what has happened when the Traditions were not followed & that is what gives them their importance.

3. I also now have a new appreciation for Tradition Eight after reading the section regarding giving gifts to Sponsors.  That, in this program, gratitude reaches forward, not backward.