Proposal1-The Promises Submitted by WEB0505

Issue:We propose changing the ACA literature so that The Promises would be printed and presented in the present tense and no longer be presented in the future tense.

Background:Members of our group have had the experience of reading The Promises in the present tense at other meetings and brought it to our group. We find them to be more meaningful as we are currently experiencing the fulfillment of these Promises. The Promises below show the current language in Bold and the proposed language in parentheses.

1. We will discover(are discovering) our real identities by loving and accepting ourselves.
2. Our self-esteem will increase(is increasing) as we give ourselves approval on a daily basis.
3. Fear of authority figures and the need to “people-please” willleave(are leaving) us.
4. Our ability to share intimacy willgrow(is growing) inside us.
5. As we face our abandonment issues, we willbeattracted(are attracted) by strengths and become (are becoming) more tolerant of weaknesses.
6. We willenjoy(are enjoying) feeling stable, peaceful, and financially secure.
7. We willlearn(are learning) how to play and have fun in my life.
8. We willchoose(are choosing) to love people who can love and be responsible for themselves.
9. Healthy boundaries and limits willbecome(are becoming) easier for us to set.
10. Fears of failure and success willleave(are leaving) us, as we intuitively make healthier choices.
11. With help from our ACA support group, we willslowlyrelease(are slowly releasing) our dysfunctional behaviors.
12. Gradually, with our Higher Power’s help, we willlearn(are learning) to expect the best and get it.

Resources/Implementation:We understand that there may be special guidelines for how a change like this would happen, if the ABC approves this.

WSO Analysis:

Response:

ACA groups can already modify The Promises in the manner this Proposal suggests, for use within their group with group conscience.

Officially changing the way The ACA Promises are written in ACA literature would require every document/publication where it is referenced to be re-printed. Almost all Conference-approved literature contains a copy of the Promises as presently written.

Factors to consider:

• Changing this piece of literature would require broad fellowship input and approval, e.g., surveys, town halls, etc.
• Any changes to our publications should be very well thought out and considered. The costs for changing this text in all our documentation and publications would be very expensive and take time and resources away from other means of carrying the message.

Resources(for more background information) https://acawso.org/bpc/