Twelve Concepts of Service of A.R.T.S. Anonymous
Concept One. The ultimate responsibility and authority for A.R.T.S. world service belongs to the collective conscience of the A.R.T.S. groups.
The groups delegate authority to the World service Conference (WSC) and to the Board of Trustees. The members of the Board of Trustees are entrusted with conducting the day-to-day administration necessary to carry the A.R.T.S. message to the artist who still struggles to express their creativity. Groups are autonomous and World service has responsibility only for matters that affect the entire fellowship or
groups affecting other groups.
Concept Two. The A.R.T.S. Anonymous World Service Conference is the voice and conscience of our global fellowship in its world affairs.
The WSC is the voice of the groups and has been entrusted with the authority to run the operations of A.R.T.S. world service.
Concept Three. The Right of Decision makes effective leadership possible.
Meeting officers are chosen to carry out the technicalities of running a meeting and are empowered to make decisions for that purpose. They do not govern and always carry out the group conscience. On the World service level, the groups have chosen delegates to represent them. The delegates have the responsibility and authority to make decisions that are required by their service positions. Likewise, members of WSC Committees and the Board of Trustees have the right to make decisions. All decisions must be consistent with the 12 Traditions of A.R.T.S. Anonymous. Whenever possible decisions should be based on the group conscience.
Concept Four. Participation is the key to harmony. Voting representation is in reasonable proportion to service responsibilities.
In A.R.T.S. leaders are but trusted servants. At the same time, groups choose members to represent their views and to oversee the day-to-day activities of the Fellowship. This seems like a contradiction. The principle of participation blends these two contradictions.
When members participate in decisions and know that their voice is heard, they feel included and valued. They feel like part of the group rather than outsiders. This creates harmony and encourages more members to participate in service.
Member participation with A.R.T.S. anonymous is inclusive and it is valued. Participation through service positions assist the growth and development of the trusted servant and A.R.T.S. anonymous as a whole.
When participation is lacking it affects the spirit of the group and it affects the balance of shared responsibility for the group to work effectively. What ensures harmonious relations will happen on the extent to which each service player understands and carries his or her proportion of the work. In A.R.T.S. leaders are but trusted servants.
Concept Five. Group conscience decision-making requests minority opinions and gives members the opportunity to express them.
“The only requirement for A.R.T.S. membership is a desire to function as a creative artist.” Tradition 3. All A.R.T.S. members value their freedom to work the program and participate in their own way within the guidance of the 12 Traditions. Every member can expect respect and consideration when voicing their opinion. Minority views are not “shut down” by the majority.
Concept Six. The Conference acknowledges the primary administrative responsibility of the Board of Trustees.
As it is not possible for the groups to run the everyday affairs of the World Service Office. They have delegated this responsibility to the WSC. In turn, because the WSC generally meets annually (or more often as needed), the WSC delegates the administrative responsibility to the trustees. At the same time, the WSC oversees the trustees to make sure that the Traditions are observed.
Concept Seven. The Board of Trustees has legal rights and obligations while the rights and obligations of the Conference are traditional.
The existence of the Board of Trustees is required by the laws of the State of New York, and the Board is recognized as legally responsible to maintain the A.R.T.S. policies and procedures according to those laws. The rights of the WSC are “traditional,” that is, based on the 12 Traditions. In the years in which twelve-step programs have been flourishing, the board steps back and allows the traditional democratic principles to guide the Fellowship.
Concept Eight. The Board of Trustees delegates full responsibility for the operations of the World Service Office to the executive committee.
The board elects an executive committee which takes on the management of the World Service Office in order to respond to day-to-day operations. In case of an emergency, the executive committee will promptly inform the entire board of trustees of any actions taken.
Concept Nine. Good leadership at all service levels is essential. In the field of world service, the Board of Trustees assumes the primary leadership.
The board of trustees acts as the leadership of the fellowship. In accordance with the Traditions, they do not impose decisions on the fellowship, but rather implement its decisions as expressed in the WSC. Board members are chosen, among other things, for their willingness to serve as collaborative leaders. Trustees are chosen by the World Service Conference.
Concept Ten. Service responsibility is balanced by clearly defined service authority. Those with responsibilities are accountable to only one service authority, avoiding conflict.
Each service position reports to only one service entity, so that there is not a conflict with competing demands.
Concept Eleven. The World Service Office is composed of standing committees, executives, and staff members.
The WSO includes standing committees of the board of trustees, the members of the executive committee, and staff members who are employed by the WSO.
Concept Twelve. A Loving Higher Power provides the spiritual guidance for A.R.T.S. World Services. This guidance is expressed in the General Warranties of the Conference, in Article 10 of the Charter.
a. No service entity ever becomes the seat of perilous wealth or power.
b. ARTS service entities maintain an ample prudent reserve sufficient for their operations. Any additional funds will be available to carry out the primary purpose of the fellowship, ‘to express our creative gifts and help others to achieve artistic freedom’.
c. No member has unchecked authority over any other member.
d. All group conscience decisions are reached by discussion, vote, and consensus when possible.
e. No service entity action shall ever be personally punitive or incite public controversy.
f. ARTS service entities will always remain democratic in thought and action.
Copyright 2022. World Service Conference-approved 2022. Revision Conference-approved 2023.
A.R.T.S. Anonymous. P.O. Box 230175, New York, New York 10023 USA
