Tradition Eleven
Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio, films, and TV. We need guard with special care the anonymity of all AA members.
Please share your experience, strength, and hope as it relates to Tradition 11. The opinions expressed here are strictly those of the person who gave them. Take what you liked and leave the rest. Member sharing on the Member Blog may be used in future Al‑Anon publications.
In the Program meetings, I am free of social pressures because of anonymity. The Program members do not judge or criticize other members. When I accept and respect myself “as is”, I find it easy to be humble. I realize that now my dignity is derived from the hard work of self-control, poise and listening more and talking less. The 12 Step Program principles helped me understand that I deserve to give myself respect, recognition and reward and not to expect it from others. For years, I emotionally bashed myself with guilt and shame and I had to work on… Read more »
In the 11th Tradition, I realized that I had to maintain my anonymity and respect the anonymity of others, and that everyone had privacy for themselves. And I realized that with the right behavior, I can get others involved in the program, not just by talking, maintaining anonymity for myself and other members of Al-Anon and AA, making Al-Anon a safe and useful place for anyone in need.
Tradition Eleven, when I first looked at it, told me to first improve myself. I had to find who I was and what I could become. The time to look at others, tell them what to do and how they could do it had to be over. Attraction rather than promotion! Later this Tradition also taught me to be humble when talking about Al-Anon, pick and choose who I was talking to about it and know when to remain silent and anonymous. I came to realize that I had my hands full just looking after myself and improving my life.… Read more »