A.A.’s Responsibility Statement
I Am Responsible
The statement was introduced at A.A.’s 1965 International Convention in Toronto. Its focus is direct: when someone reaches toward A.A. for help, A.A. should remain reachable.
The actual statement
Read the official Responsibility Placard
The full statement appears here in A.A.’s official M-9 placard. Open the whole placard to continue to A.A.’s current service page.
Official A.A. statement · M-9Responsibility PlacardRead the full statement above, then open A.A.’s current service context.Continue on AA.org
Documented A.A. history
From the 1965 Convention to a continuing service commitment
Introduced in Toronto
A.A.’s official timeline records that the Responsibility Declaration was first presented at the 1965 International Convention in Toronto.
Led by Bill and Lois
The same official history records Bill W. and Lois W. leading convention attendees in the new declaration.
Reaffirmed by the Conference
A.A.’s Advisory Actions record later reaffirmed both the spirit and the wording of the declaration.
Placed within participation and service
A.A.’s current participation page presents the statement with service in the group and service that helps A.A. function as a whole.
Current A.A. service context
Availability is built through concrete service
A.A.’s official participation guidance connects responsibility with the ordinary work that keeps meetings and the Fellowship reachable.
Groups arrange and maintain meeting places for alcoholics who attend.
Group and service activity helps people find a responsive point of contact.
A.A. describes Twelfth Step work as its basic service.
Service beyond one meeting helps information and support remain available.
Keep the statement in focus
A shared commitment does not make one person responsible for everything
The statement calls attention to A.A.’s availability. It does not assign every request to one member, replace a group conscience, create a service office, or turn one person into an emergency responder.
In practice, responsible service can include answering, welcoming, carrying accurate information, or connecting a request with the group, office, meeting, or service body able to respond.
Continue the subject
Five focused guides
Established site controls
Continue through A.A. participation, meetings, and core principles
Official A.A. sources
Statement, history, and service context
Official sources reviewed August 14, 2026: Participating in A.A.; A Declaration of Unity and I Am Responsible; and the A.A. Timeline.