aa Spoken Here Community Group
Fellowship Where you can share your thoughts, feelings, stories and get support to gain and continue sobriety.
Hello All,
Concerns have been raised regarding the group name "Alcoholics Anonymous" as we are not an AA group or meeting nor affiliated to the fellowship of AA. It has therefore been decided that the name of the group will be changed to something which reflects that we are an AA and 12 step friendly group without contravening the spiritual principles of any of the traditions or guidelines of AA.
This thread is for people to post their suggestions for a new group name.
The thread will run for 1 week and after that time the four most popular group names will be shortlisted. We will then post another thread asking everyone to rate the shortlisted names from 1 to 4. The one with the highest rating points will become the new group name.
These are a few points that you may wish to consider when thinking of a group name:
The group was set up to be a place for people who are in AA/12 step recovery and those who are interested in finding out more about it. It was set up to avoid conflict on the main board which relates to alcoholism and recovery in general rather than specifically through the 12 step fellowships. Therefore, though we need to choose a name which does not imply we are officially an AA group or incorrectly use AA's trade and service marks, we do need something that reflects that we are AA and 12 step recovery friendly.
The following link to AA guidelines may provide some guidance as to factors to consider when choosing a name - http://www.aa.org/lang/en/results.cfm?results=internet
In particular the following paragraphs from AA guidelines may help:-
"SELECTING A DOMAIN NAME
The choice of a domain name should, as other critical elements, be determined by an informed group conscience. To preserve Alcoholics Anonymousâ?? trademarks and service marks, Web site committees are asked to avoid using the marks â??A.A.,â?? â??Alcoholics Anonymous,â?? and/or â??The Big Bookâ?? in their domain names. It has been our experience that many service entities have integrated lower case â??aaâ?? into their domain names along with other identifying information (e.g., ww.aacentraloffi ce.org or www.area999aa.org). This has proved to be a positive resolution in support of A.A.â??s trademarks and service marks."
Once the name has been agreed we will approach DS admin to get the name changed.
Thank you in advance for your suggestions. I hope agreement on a name can be reached in as amicable way as possible.
Nicky
Concerns have been raised regarding the group name "Alcoholics Anonymous" as we are not an AA group or meeting nor affiliated to the fellowship of AA. It has therefore been decided that the name of the group will be changed to something which reflects that we are an AA and 12 step friendly group without contravening the spiritual principles of any of the traditions or guidelines of AA.
This thread is for people to post their suggestions for a new group name.
The thread will run for 1 week and after that time the four most popular group names will be shortlisted. We will then post another thread asking everyone to rate the shortlisted names from 1 to 4. The one with the highest rating points will become the new group name.
These are a few points that you may wish to consider when thinking of a group name:
The group was set up to be a place for people who are in AA/12 step recovery and those who are interested in finding out more about it. It was set up to avoid conflict on the main board which relates to alcoholism and recovery in general rather than specifically through the 12 step fellowships. Therefore, though we need to choose a name which does not imply we are officially an AA group or incorrectly use AA's trade and service marks, we do need something that reflects that we are AA and 12 step recovery friendly.
The following link to AA guidelines may provide some guidance as to factors to consider when choosing a name - http://www.aa.org/lang/en/results.cfm?results=internet
In particular the following paragraphs from AA guidelines may help:-
"SELECTING A DOMAIN NAME
The choice of a domain name should, as other critical elements, be determined by an informed group conscience. To preserve Alcoholics Anonymousâ?? trademarks and service marks, Web site committees are asked to avoid using the marks â??A.A.,â?? â??Alcoholics Anonymous,â?? and/or â??The Big Bookâ?? in their domain names. It has been our experience that many service entities have integrated lower case â??aaâ?? into their domain names along with other identifying information (e.g., ww.aacentraloffi ce.org or www.area999aa.org). This has proved to be a positive resolution in support of A.A.â??s trademarks and service marks."
Once the name has been agreed we will approach DS admin to get the name changed.
Thank you in advance for your suggestions. I hope agreement on a name can be reached in as amicable way as possible.
Nicky
or
Alcoholism and 12 step recovery
Alcoholics in Recovery
Friends of AA
AA Fellowship
Heartbeat of AA
Friends of Bill W
The ones with AA in them would have to have the AA changed to lower case aa to avoid trademark issues.
Perhaps someone could let us know on that one? I'd hate to have to go through all this palaver again.
you know,,, the guy who is always on the cruise ships too !
The title of the Guidelines that Nicky posted is:
AA Website - Guidelines for setting up a local website.
Some of our current members did not know anything about AA except the name when they first joined us and then they went on, with encouragement, to their first meeting.
Furthermore, others joining DS will not know the significance of "Bill W" - as I did not initially. I would imagine a lot of people will recognise that 12 Steps relates to AA but then again, a lot of people will not.
When I first went to AA as a newcomer I did not know anything about it or that there was any programme attached to it. I just vaguely knew there was "Alcoholics Anonymous."
Nothing personal at all but if we want this site to be available to drunks looking for aa recovery & discussion online, it might be helpful to have the 2 letters somewhere in the title.
Some people may get annoyed with that but it is one arena where we get the chance to explain a little further about our group if people want to read it. Individual members of this group could also mention our group - if they wish to and where appropriate - with people who are in trouble but don't know where to turn and are asking for help.
Instead of just saying "try AA" we could also mention this group and that it is made up of mainly AA members who would be happy to help with their concerns about attending AA. Perhaps paste the live link to the group into your reply?
A lot of messing about, I know, but it is one idea to try and explain who we are and our focus.
Just some thoughts anyway.
I like 'friends in aa'
Or 'DS friends in aa'