9. OA, as such, ought never be organized; but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve. ~ OA Tradition 9

We laughed at this last week,
the never organized thing.
We had the leader’s book for the wrong day,
couldn’t find literature we needed,
were running late and giggling
but it all turned up and the meeting
met needs, refreshed us, played its role.
When I began to do service
beyond group level I used to chuckle
(well, internally) every time I heard it.
It seems to so accurately describe
the normal business meetings.

So why have this as a tradition?
Because emphasis on organization leads straight into,
“That’s the way we’ve always done it,”
“You can’t change that!,”
“Be quiet, listen, we’ll tell you how.”
When the procedure, the process,
has more importance than the people,
meaningfulness dissolves, and
the primary purpose of carrying the message
is lost in the mire. No, we’re not organized.
We may choose to use things that seem formulaic
but the real focus is on the group relying on the group
to do what our Higher Power wants done,
and to restore us all to health in body, mind, and spirit.