Spencer and Maria are joined by special guest Ruth to discuss Tradition 1, which says "Our common welfare should come first; personal progress for the greatest number depends upon unity.” We are guided by these questions:

What does “common welfare” mean to you?

What does “unity” mean to / for you?

How do you think that this tradition supports personal progress.?

What are some ways you observe this tradition in your group(s)?

How does this tradition inform or affect the “rules” your group(s) use in meetings?

How does a group or meeting suffer when one person shares to long or otherwise dominates the meeting?

Have you been affected by that behavior? Have you done that?

How can and do you use this tradition outside the program, in your personal life?

The reading in Pathways suggests that “a loving, spiritual community” provides the best chance for personal recovery. How does Tradition 1 help to build and maintain such a community?

Do you share your experience, strength, and hope in your group meetings?

Do you give others the opportunity to share equally? Do you listen when they share?

How do sharing and listening attentively help to unite the group?

How does taking control destroy unity?

Does this tradition mean that everyone in the group must be happy or satisfied with a decision? Why or why not?

How can you use what you have learned about this tradition to bring balance into your relationships?

Ruth is in Germany, so we asked her to read Tradition 1 in German, which is “Unser gemeinsames Wohlergehen sollte an erster Stelle stehen; persönlicher Fortschritt für möglichst viele hängt vom Einigsein ab.” (http://www.al-anon.de/grund/programm/12traditionen.htm)