The Washingtonians’ Power Struggle Inspired the Writing of the Twelve Traditions – Clancy

About This Speaker Tape

Clancy I. traces the lineage of AA's guiding principles, starting with the early struggle and the breakthrough article in the Saturday E. Post.

He recounts the founding of the Washingtonians in Baltimore, a group that proved the concept of sober fellowship. The narrative pivots to Bill Wilson's realization that the Washingtonians' eventual downfall—due to chasing publicity and power—mirrored AA's own pitfalls. This led him to write the Twelve T., a necessary structure to save the movement.

The talk emphasizes that AA's unique power lies in the shared experience of 'identification' between drunkards, a bond that cannot be replicated by outside advice, and that maintaining anonymity is key to keeping the focus on the alcoholic struggle.

Topics

Timestamps

• 0:00 Introduction by Clancy Iveslund, noting his Norwegian background and the purpose of his talk.
• 0:48 Discussion of the Saturday Evening Post article in 1941, which brought early, crucial knowledge to alcoholics.
• 2:17 The account of the Washingtonians in Baltimore, who formed a group to help each other stay sober.
• 4:40 The Washingtonians' decline, showing how chasing publicity and power led to the movement's extinction.
• 6:30 Bill Wilson's realization of the pattern, leading him to write the Twelve Traditions to save AA.
• 10:30 The meeting in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1950, where Dr. Bob spoke, emphasizing keeping the program simple: love and service.
• 13:00 Discussion of the Third Tradition, noting the difference between a 'desire to stop drinking' and the actual need to help alcoholics of our type.
• 17:30 The importance of anonymity, citing the example of John Barrymore's daughter, and explaining that breaking it is self-destructive.