Joint Committee on Safety
Working Mission Statement
The ADHOC Joint Committee on Safety was founded to provide support and resources to groups concerned with issues relating to the physical, emotional, and spiritual safety of their members. It is the purpose of this committee to research, collect, and present information from the G.S.O. or other bodies on member safety to any groups that are in need of support.
The Joint Committee on Safety Business Meeting is held every 4th Thursday, EXCEPT for the months of November and December, when we meet on the 3rd Thursday, at 6:00 PM on Zoom. Use Meeting ID: 892 3730 0658 Passcode: 857738. Contact safety@aasantacruz.org for in-person meeting location.
Why the Safety Committee Began
The issue of safety can be puzzling and nuanced. This committee arose out of the needs expressed by the AA community as a whole; to honor the traditions set forth by our predecessors to address the evolving needs of AA members and groups on issues of physical, emotional, and environmental safety within the AA community.
Purpose/Intention
“It is hoped that our common suffering as alcoholics and our common solution in A.A. will transcend most issues and curtail negative behaviors that could jeopardize the safety of anyone attending an A.A. meeting. Nevertheless, Alcoholics Anonymous is a microcosm of the larger society we exist in. As such, problems found in the outside world can also make their way into the rooms of A.A. For this reason, groups and members discuss the topic of safety — to raise awareness in the Fellowship and to seek through sponsorship, workshops and meetings, to create as safe an environment as possible to carry A.A.’s message of hope and recovery to the still-suffering alcoholic” (Safety Card from G.S.O.)
2026 Safety Workshop
This Workshop was held in January 2026 in conjunction with the California Northern Coastal Area 06 (CNCA) Area Accessibilities Committee, Santa Cruz Intergroup, and Santa Cruz District 3 General Service. The topic was the “AA Guidelines on Safety and AA Groups” literature by GSO.
Audio: Safety Committee Workshop – January 2026
Note: Before the recording began, all participants consented to being recorded. In accordance with AA traditions, including anonymity, participants were reminded that they did not have to give their name when speaking. Those who provided their first name did so with the full understanding of and consent to being recorded. Last names have been muted from the recording.
Resources on Safety in A.A.:
Safety Card – An optional statement to be read at meetings, this card asks members to refrain from any behavior that may compromise another’s safety and encourages all members to take any necessary precautions to ensure their own personal safety.
Safety and A.A.: Our Common Welfare – Sharing on various topics to help A.A. groups and members develop workable solutions and help keep our meetings safe.
Traditions Illustrated – An illustrated version of the Twelve Traditions
For more info please contact safety@aasantacruz.org