Mission Statement

Facts, Aims, and Purposes

Alcoholism recognizes no barriers, age included. The first Young People’s Groups (YPGs) in Alcoholics Anonymous appeared in 1945 Los Angeles, California, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 1957, a meeting of young AA’s from across the U.S. and Canada started what is now known as the International Conference of Young People in Alcoholics Anonymous (ICYPAA). At the 1960 Convention, Bill W. noted that the age of new members was much lower than when he and Dr. Bob founded AA 25 years earlier. A 1975 ICYPAA pamphlet described the people in YPGs as in their twenties and thirties, with some teenagers. The trend has continued. A 1989 AA survey reported that 3% were under 21 years of age. The number of young people suffering from alcoholism who turn to AA for help is growing daily and the purpose of YPGs, just as it has been for many years, is to carry AA’s message of recovery to alcoholics no matter what their age. YPGs provide young newcomers with a meeting where they can see and share in the experience of sobriety with other young people.

YPGs try to help the newcomer understand that 20-plus years of drinking coupled with loss of family, friends, and finances are not necessary for one to be ready for sobriety. YPGs bring the newcomer into the mainstream of AA; Recovery, Service, and Unity though the 12 Steps, and 12 Traditions, and the 12 Concepts for World Service, and carrying AA’s message to the suffering alcoholic. (YPGs can assist with the process of familiarizing the newcomer with mainstream AA…) YPGs are involved in and committed to Twelfth Step work, Hospital and Institution work, Public Information, General Service, and every other facet of AA service. Newcomers can be shown that using AA principles in their daily lives and getting involved in AA service can lead to a lasting and comfortable sobriety. Our hopes are that through YPGs newcomers will have a better opportunity to identify in the commonality among them verses being overwhelmed by distinguishing differences that one so new can sometimes focus on.

Through the ICYPAA experience MGYPAA has been created. Its main purpose is to build and strengthen unity in AA among all ages, throughout the State of Maryland. Any city within the State of Maryland is eligible to host a MGYPAA.

Preamble

We the members of the Maryland Gathering Council of Young People in Alcoholics Anonymous, set forth this day to establish and preserve, by the following principles, the experience of our predecessors. In 1998, the Maryland Gathering of Young People in Alcoholics Anonymous (MGYPAA) was founded for the purpose of furthering the principles of AA among young people in the State of Maryland. The first MGYPAA committee set out and defined the mission of the gathering, “To unite AA members in the State of Maryland, and to help young people stay sober and have fun.” In 1999, after the first gathering at Deep Creek Lake, MD, a permanent committee was established for the preservation of the experience and material. We do think it beneficial to establish a custodian to preserve the efforts and experience, lest they be lost. Being aware that not all young people find our gathering, events or committee meetings necessary, we do not propose to be a universal answer or governing body for young people. We believe it beneficial to share our experience with all who have requested our help, for it is through our sharing that we have learned to function within the framework of the AA traditions.

Purpose

The Advisory Council of the Maryland Gathering of Young People in Alcoholics Anonymous is formed for the express purpose of furthering the principles of Alcoholics Anonymous through its annual gather, year round activities and meeting, its post office box, electronic mail address, and its internet website. The Council is the custodian of the gathering experience. It shall offer, to anyone who requests it, information regarding young people and young people groups as pertaining to recovery on the AA program. It shall make its knowledge and experience available to both Maryland Area 13 and 29 General Service Assembly and AA General Service Office on a regular basis for us through AA.

The Council also decides each year, through its group conscience; where the next MGYPAA will be held after hearing formal bids presented by cities or regions to host the gathering.

If you are a young person in AA where there are few other young people, or groups that are not as active as they could be, it is hoped that you will find encouragement in MGYPAA. There are others like you in the State of Maryland, who are staying sober in AA and are trying to carry the message to new young people.

 If you have any questions or experience to share, please contact: admin@mgypaa.org