Purpose Of H&I

The purpose of the Hospital and Institution Committee of Alcoholics Anonymous is to carry the message of Alcoholics Anonymous to the alcoholic who is confined. The activities of this committee are based on, and governed by, the Twelve Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous.

It is the express desire of this Committee that all persons selected for specific assignments have the length of sobriety and experience levels that are listed under the qualifications suggested for that position.

Remember always that these suggestions are based on “that which experience has taught us.” It is the intention of your Committee, through these suggestions, to simplify and unify the procedure for those who are interested and participating in this type of 12th-step work.

Of necessity, our committee is organized in an endeavor to avoid confusion and duplication of effort. This is a service committee, and our responsibility has many facets, the most important of which are:

To the patient or inmate group within a facility.
To the facility, courteous acceptance and compliance with its wishes.
To the Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous, namely, conducting ourselves in a manner above reproach to ensure that we will not say or do anything that will reflect unfavorably upon the Committee or A.A. as a whole.

Since our public relations policy is one of attraction rather than promotion, we serve in these facilities at the administration’s invitation, ever conscious of the admonition, “COOPERATION, NOT AFFILIATION.”

As members of this committee, we cannot, and do not, speak for A.A.; however, each of us who participates is automatically representative of A.A. We maintain our sobriety through adherence to a program embodied in our Twelve Suggested Steps of Recovery and try to practice these principles in all our affairs. Given this, we will:

Refrain from using profanity, unrelated and off-color jokes, monologues, drunk stories, and other types of self-indulgence.
Respect the full anonymity of inside members at all times.
Respect all rules and regulations as outlined by the administration.
Not intercede on behalf of any individual or group of individuals affected by the decisions of the official family.
Not engage in any controversy over management, treatment, or personnel; being ever mindful of the single purpose of this Committee.