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.
Conscience and anonymity are the principles that shape Tradition 2 and our way of life within 12-Step recovery service. Having a group conscience gives voice to all members and gives trust and dignity to our decisions. These decisions are made by voting and carried by simple majority, with all members of a group having an equal vote. We can rely on the God of our understanding as we believe in the process of group consciousness. Tradition 2 encourages all to feel free to participate in the decisions of the group. When I follow Tradition 2, I can feel safe to act in the spirit of unity and speak my conscience with an attitude of love. I can hear the voice of my Higher Power through the collective voice of the group and the decisions that the group makes. If decisions go against my opinions, I can practice acceptance for the will of the majority in the group. If unable to accept decisions, rather than hold on to anger, I can either let my resentments go or find a new group. I feel included when I am asked to be of service and feel respected when allowed to share my views. Welcoming newcomers might be the most important thing we can do in service and including them in decisions helps them feel like they belong. The collective conscience of all outlined in Tradition 2 is important no matter if we are long-time members or new to the group.