LETTER from PAT CRONIN of Minneapolis AN.,
Pat is an AA Area Trustee and Chairman of the Policy Committee
Dear Jack:
After all the discussion on the concepts and recommendations at out recent meeting, I do not intend to go into detail regarding my feelings.
Here is a brief summary, one man's summary, about the points we discussed.
Recommendation I
I am unalterably opposed to any ratio change at this time. As long as Bill is alive and available for consultation, I am definitely in favor of the present alignment. Bill made his first trip out our way in 1942. It was then I learned that we AA members were outnumbered on the Board. And Bill's explanation for that ratio applies just as forcibly today as it did then.
Recommendation 11
Our General Service Delegates have been coming to the New York Meeting for quite a while. In time their number will be considerable. These people have their fingers on the pulse of their respective areas and states and provinces. Why not make more use of their views? Increasing the Trustee membership from the present 15 to 22 will entail considerable expense. I have never heard the matter of expense discussed. If we are to add three more Area Trustees, at the same time adding three Class A Trustees, how are we going to account to the membership for the expense? Why is it needed?
Recommendation III
Bernard Smith has given a good answer to this. Dedication to our cause should and must be the qualifying factor in nominating and electing Trustees. Just because some man has inherited a banking interest from his forbears does not make him a genius. We can hire talent when we need it. I am definitely not in favor of ever having Trustees-at-large. This is in direct opposition to our basic principles.
Recommendation IV
The way I read this it is already presumed that the Chairman should be an AA Trustee. Why? All of our Class A Trustees who have served as Chairmen were and are competent men. I am not in favor of blowing up the Vice-Chairman responsibilities. It seems that this Recommendation could lead to serious friction because of some of the "Power" element which could creep in.
Recommendation V
The present system seems to be adequate. Every nomination is presently discussed openly. I have never heard of a clique going into a meeting primed or opposed to discussions.
Recommendation VI
I do not understand the nature of this recommendation. We saw what happened last April when a
"bomb" was dropped in their midst. If any changes seem indicated, they should be discussed and made over a considerable period of time. I saw quite a bit of immaturity develop at our last conference. All of us AA Delegates and Trustees can be depended on to act rationally until someone drops an emotional bomb. A long-range study committee, if needed, could take this over.
Recommendation VII
After Bill's passing, no Spiritual leader should be appointed nor should any man seek such a designation. The common sense which has always prevailed at our Board and General Service meetings will indicate the man or men who should be entrusted with leadership of our various Boards. A rereading of Tradition Two might be indicated here. Mary Baker Eddy's leadership and that of Brigham Young descended to a Board of Elders or Deacons who among themselves, elect their temporary leader.
I know I sound like an old fuddy-duddy but have had twenty one years circulating amid recovered alcoholics and those who are "testing" our program. I have seen the effect of rumors and changes circulate among alcoholic groups. They start out mildly but are always grossly distorted and the weak get drunk over it.
Our present structure is working passably well. Pray God that He give us the wisdom to discuss these proposed changes without prejudice or rancor.
These Recommendations are only mine, Jack, I will accept whatever the group conscience decides.
Kindest personal regards,
Sincerely,
Pat Cronin
February 5, 1962