November 20, 2008
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Dear Members; As a trusted servant in the capacity of Alternate General Service Representative for the MUF Meditation Meeting, my attention has focused on an internal matter regarding our MUF Member List. To resolve the matter I referenced the A.A. Service Manual for guidance. Here I am reminded that The General Service Conference ”...as we know, is the “Guardian” of the A.A. Traditions” 1. The Conference is not a body of enforcement but rather a body offering solutions through it’s common experience. It reminds us that we do not wish to turn away the new-comer or any other members. Rather than punish the offender, the Conference offer solutions which I would like to present for your considerations in taking appropriate action so as to ensure the integrity of our Group and the personal and confidential information listed on the Group Member list is not violated going forward. Like a puzzle, once the pieces are connected, I think you will agree with me and other members that the solution put forth as offered by the Conference is best for all. I will present the History, Problem, Notice to Cease and Desist, the Solution, and Alternative Remedies as follows: I. History: On November 17, 2008 at 9:56 am MUF members listed on our MUF Member list have been solicitation from a woman named Sylvia Badenhausen to provide financial support as well as to complete a detailed survey for the NJ Department of Human Services, Division of Addictive Services. The email was electronically signed by Sue Nobleman one of our MUF members. I verified the MUF Membership list and found that there is no one listed as a “Sylvia” or a “Sylvia B” or “Badenhausen”. Although we have a woman named Sylvia that attends our meetings, I am not sure of her last name and she has not signed up as a MUF Member and is not entitled to have the MUF Member list. Therefore, it is fair to presume that Ms. Badenhausen should not have access to said list. I would conclude from such action that our anonymity and other personal and confidential information has been compromised. The only reason for Sue Nobleman to provide our MUF Member list to Ms. Badenhausen was for her personal gain and the benefit of The Willow Tree, Inc. As complaints surfaced, members sent me their copies of the emails which they received by Ms. Badenhausen and two from Sue Nobleman on November 17, 2008 and November 20, 2008 as 2nd and 3rd request to comply to a survey for the NJ Department of Human Services, Division of Addictive Services. Since Sue Nobleman had breached our Traditions for her personal gain regarding her non-profit organization, this matter must be addressed. Therefore, with the support of concerned MUF Members, including myself, this letter serves as notice that I have received the complaints from other members regarding this blatant violation of our 10th and 12th Tradition. Keep in mind that the purpose of Sue’s email is two fold. First, to help her raise monies that will aid in getting a government grant for her organization and for the email respondent to answer a questionnaire that is to be used by a state agency. Further, The Willow Tree, Inc., organization is not affiliated in any manner with Alcoholics Anonymous or the MUF Group. Therefore, this is an action solely undertaken by Sue Nobleman that clearly violates the 10th Tradition “Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the A.A. name ought never be drawn into public controversy”2. Such actions violate the 12th Tradition of Alcoholics Anonymous which is in conflict with the spiritual concept of “Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our tradition, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.” 3 While Warranty Five of Article 12 of our Twelve Concepts reaffirms this. “Some deviators have suffered rather severe personal criticism from individual A.A. members, and this is to be deplored. However, this is no reason for us to stop reminding all concerned of the undesirability of breaking A.A.’s Traditions before the entire public. It can be said in all fairness that the difficulties of those who contravene the Traditions are chiefly troubles of their own making.” 4. II. Problem: The MUF Member List contains personal and confidential information to be used by and for the MUF members to announce MUF functions or the functions for another MUF member(s) only. There is no exception to this. To use the list for any other purpose violates the 10th and 12th Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous. Sue Nobleman (her last name is used in the program materials at her wish) sent several email solicitations that benefit an outside agency via our MUF Member list which contains our email information and other personal and confidential information for MUF members only. The purpose of Sue’s email is to assist in raising funds and/or to answer questionnaires, etc., so that the Willow Tree may be helped to obtain a government grant. The email requested us to complete an online questionnaire using our membership to help Willow Tree obtain a government grant. This is a violation of the A.A. 10th Tradition, “Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the A.A. name ought never be drawn into public controversy”. 5 III. Notice to Cease and Desist: It is further understood by all MUF Members that to copy and disseminate the personal and confidential MUF Member list by hand, electronic mail, U.S. First Class Mail, or any other form of transmittal to non-MUF members, other A.A. friends, non A.A. friends and/or associates, business associates, relatives, newspapers, TV stations, Radio stations and/or any private or public newsletter, flyer, electronic mail, publications of any kind, whether it be government agencies and/or organizations, private and/or public organizations, non-government agencies and/or organizations, for profit and/or non-profit agencies, is a violation of our 10th and 12th Traditions. It is requested that any person(s) engaging in such activities cease and desist such activities immediately. IV. Solution: All persons engaging in this type of activity in general and in particular Susan Nobleman is asked to cease and desist such activity immediately with regard to Item II and III. V. Alternative Remedies: Should the matter persist “…we can inform the Tradition-violators that they are out of order.” 6 “Whenever and however we can, we shall need to inform the general public also; especially upon misuses of the Name of Alcoholics Anonymous. This combination of counter forces can be very discouraging to violators or would –be-violators. Under these conditions they soon find their deviations to be unprofitable and unwise. Our experience has shown that continuous and general education respecting our Traditions will be a reliable preventative and protection in the years to come ” 7 Thank you for your time and considerations with this matter. Please feel free to contact me concerning this matter.
Very truly yours, Fred B.- Alternate General Service Representative
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