Concept Five: Throughout our World Service structure, a traditional “Right of Appeal” ought to prevail, thus assuring us that minority opinion will be heard and that petitions for the redress of personal grievances will be carefully considered.
Suggested Reading:
CA NewsGram, Second Quarter 2004, Vol. 20 No. 2 “Minority Opinion”
This concept expresses the principle of the “Right of Appeal” that all minorities whether it is our staffs, committees, boards or trustees should always be encourage to file minority reports.
In addition, this concept allows for any person in our service structure, whether they are paid or not, to petition for the redress of personal grievance. This should be done without the prejudice or fear of reprisal.
Though this is a seldom-used right, its existence always tends to restrain those with authority from exercising their power unjustly.
Bill Wilson wrote in the Twelve Concepts for World Service, “Concerning both “Appeal” and “Petition,” I am glad to say that in A.A.’s world services these valuable practices and rights have always been put to good use.”
These rights of appeal and petition are aimed at the problem of protecting and making the best possible use of the minority opinion. We, as members should believe that we shall never be subjected to the tyranny of either the majority or the minority.
Questions for reflection and discussion:
Q: What does Concept Five express? A: The principle of the “Right of Appeal” that all minorities whether it is our staffs, committees, boards or trustees should always be encourage to file minority reports.
Q: What does Concept Five allow? A: For any person in our service structure, whether they are paid or not, to petition for the redress of personal grievance. This should be done without the prejudice or fear of reprisal.
Q: What does Concept Five restrain? A: Those with authority from exercising their power unjustly.
Q: Is Concept Five applicable at all levels of service? A: Yes it is.
Q: What are the benefits of appeal and petition? A: Protecting and making the best possible use of the minority opinion.
Q: What should our members never be subjected to? A: The tyranny of either the majority or the minority.
Discussion Questions:
- Should minority opinion always be heard at the Conference? Area assemblies? District committee meetings? Home group?
- If the majority of my group feels one way about something, but I feel another way, should I just keep quiet and accept it?
- What is “substantial unanimity”?
- What is meant by the “Right of Appeal”? Is it applicable at all levels of service?
- What is meant by the “tyranny of the majority”? What is C.A.’s chief protection against an uninformed, misinformed, hasty, angry majority?