The 12 Traditions of FA in Depth
TRADITION ONE --- UNITY
Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends on FA unity.
Each FA member is an integral part of FA. Our program of recovery must continue to exist or certainly many of us will die. Because of this, we must, at times relinquish our own wishes to those of the group. How do we decide what is best for the group? See tradition two.
TRADITION TWO --- GROUP CONSCIENCE and AUTHORITY
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.
Our higher power is expressed in the decisions made by group conscience. Whether at the meeting level or at the annual business convention, group conscience determines our direction.
TRADITION THREE --- MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENT
The only requirement for FA membership is a desire to stop eating addictively.
Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous is open to all who seek recovery from food addiction. At all times we strive to be considerate of the suffering food addict who is attending a meeting for the first time or for the hundredth time. All are welcome.
TRADITION FOUR --- MEETING AUTONOMY
Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or FA as a whole.
FA meeting groups are autonomous, but only to the degree that their decisions do not affect other FA groups or FA as a whole. If a meeting group’s decision may impact another FA group, the affected group or the trustees of the World Service Board should be consulted. Decisions that may affect FA as a whole are always made by the World Service Conference (the voting members at the annual FA World Service Business Convention).
TRADITION FIVE --- PRIMARY PURPOSE
Each group has but one primary purpose—to carry its message to the food addict who still suffers.
The purpose of each FA group is spiritual in nature – to carry the message that there is hope for recovery from food addiction. One day at a time, food addicts live happy, thriving lives in healthy-sized bodies. As we focus on our recovery, we develop the strength to carry the message of recovery to food addicts who are unaware that a solution exists.
TRADITION SIX --- AFFILIATION
An FA group ought never endorse, finance, or lend the FA name to any related facility or outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property, and prestige divert us from our primary purpose.
Because FA does not own real estate, all FA meetings are held at locations owned or managed by outside enterprises, whether in-person or virtual. We have an obligation to monetarily compensate these outside enterprises (see Tradition 7), but we must be careful not to endorse any facility or outside enterprise. An FA group may cooperate with such venues, but such cooperation ought never go so far as affiliation or endorsement, whether actual or implied. We must also be aware that all traditions are followed at any venue.
TRADITION SEVEN --- SELF-SUPPORTING
Every FA group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.
FA groups do not accept outside donations. This includes not accepting services such as free copies, free rent for meeting spaces, or other free services from entities outside of FA. We accept FA donations only from FA members. Even within FA, our bylaws limit the amount of donations any one member may make so that no FA member may claim grounds to exercise undue influence over FA. In addition, we have a practice of corporate poverty. No FA meeting should accumulate funds beyond a prudent reserve.
TRADITION EIGHT --- NONPROFESSIONAL
Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous should remain forever nonprofessional, but our service centers may employ special workers.
No FA member or group should ever accept payment for 12th-Step work. We may hire professionals, including FA members, for specific jobs such as professional editing or design, managing our website, and providing legal services to the trustees of FA.
TRADITION NINE --- SERVICE BOARDS
FA, as such, ought never be organized; but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve.
Rotation of leadership is a key spiritual principle of FA. Board members of FA are elected by the FA World Service Conference at the annual business convention. Terms of office are limited in the FA bylaws. Board members are the custodians of our Traditions and the receivers of voluntary FA contributions by which we maintain our FA office, website, and other FA-related functions. All elected representatives of FA are to be guided by the principle of service. They are not authorities. They are but trusted servants; they do not govern.
TRADITION TEN --- OUTSIDE ISSUES
Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues, hence the FA name ought never be drawn into public controversy.
An outside issue is any issue not aligned with the primary purpose of FA. Social, economic, political, religious – the list goes on and on. Of course, outside issues will impact our members; but our focus needs to remain on recovery from food addiction. Therefore, no FA group or member should express opinions on outside issues in such a way as to implicate FA. Recovery from food addiction must come first if we are to live happy, useful lives.
TRADITION ELEVEN --- ATTRACTION NOT PROMOTION
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.
We avoid any form of sensational advertising. Pictures, names, and faces of FA members ought never be taken into the public arena. We are guided by our principles of recovery; these are attractive. There is never a need for promotion.
TRADITION TWELVE --- PRINCIPLES BEFORE PERSONALITIES
Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our Traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.
Anonymity is a spiritual principle that embraces humility. When making decisions, the FA member focuses on the principles of recovery, not on the personalities of other FA members.
