The Twelve Steps are how it works; the Twelve Traditions are why it works.

The Twelve Traditions are to the group what the Twelve Steps are to the individual.

• One -- Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon A.A. unity.
  
  
• Two -- For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority -- a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern.
  
  
• Three -- The only requirement for A.A. membership is a desire to stop drinking.
  
  
• Four -- Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or A.A. as a whole.
  
  
• Five -- Each group has but one primary purpose -- to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers.
  
  
• Six -- An A.A. group ought never endorse, finance or lend the A.A. name to any related facility or outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property and prestige divert us from our primary purpose.
  
  
• Seven -- Every A.A. group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.
  
  
• Eight -- Alcoholics Anonymous should remain forever nonprofessional, but our service centers may employ special workers.
  
  
• Nine -- A.A., as such, ought never be organized; but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve.
  
  
• Ten -- Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues, hence the A.A. name ought never be drawn into public controversy.
  
  
• Eleven -- Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio and films.
  
  
• Twelve -- Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our Traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.