A collection of resources for assisting your group in conducting a group inventory.
What is a Group Inventory?
Many groups periodically hold a “group inventory meeting” to evaluate how well they are fulfilling their primary purpose: to help alcoholics recover through A.A.’s suggested Twelve Steps of recovery. Some groups take inventory by examining our Twelve Traditions, one at a time, to determine how well they are living up to these principles.
-p. 29 The A.A. Group…where it all begins (P-16)
Questions for a Group Inventory from the A.A. Group Pamphlet
The following questions, compiled from A.A. shared experience, may be useful in arriving at an informed group conscience. Groups will probably wish to add questions of their own:
- What is the basic purpose of the group?
- What more can the group do to carry the message?
- Is the group attracting alcoholics from different backgrounds? Are we seeing a good cross-section of our community?
- Do new members stick with us, or does turnover seem excessive? If so, why? What can we, as a group, do?
- Do we emphasize the importance of sponsorship? How effectively? How can we do better?
- Are we careful to preserve the anonymity of our group members and other A.A.’s outside the meeting rooms? Do we also leave the confidences they share at meetings behind?
- Do we take the time to explain to all members the value to the group of keeping up with the kitchen/housekeeping chores and other essential services that are part-and-parcel of our Twelfth-Step efforts?
- Are all members given the opportunity to speak at meetings and to participate in other group activities?
- Mindful that holding office is a great responsibility not to be viewed as the outcome of a popularity contest, are we choosing our officers with care?
- Are we doing all we can to provide an attractive meeting place?
- Does the group do its fair share toward participating in the purpose of A.A.—as it relate to our Three Legacies of Recovery, Unity, and Service?
- What has the group done lately to bring the A.A. message to the attention of professional in the community—the physicians, clergy, court officials, educators and others who are often the first to see alcoholics in need of help?
- How is the group fulfilling its responsibilities to the Seventh Tradition?
-p. 29-30 The A.A. Group…where it all begins (P-16)