The 12 Traditions of L.A.B.
The 12 Traditions of L.A.B. guide the community’s structure and ethos, ensuring it remains inclusive, empowering, and sustainable. Tradition 12 has been updated to explicitly emphasize unconditional acceptance, non-judgment, and the importance of confidentiality, making L.A.B. a safe and welcoming space for all.
1. Our common purpose is to build connection, play, and self-acceptance.
Each member’s unique journey enriches the group, and our shared goal is to support one another in transforming loneliness, awkwardness, and boredom into opportunities for growth and joy.
2. For our group purpose, there is but one ultimate authority: a Higher Power as each member understands it, expressed through the collective voice of the group.
We trust that the group’s decisions and actions are guided by a power greater than ourselves, interpreted individually by each member.
3. The only requirement for membership is a desire to grow beyond loneliness, awkwardness, or boredom.
L.A.B. welcomes anyone seeking connection and self-acceptance, regardless of background, political beliefs, religious beliefs, gender, race or experiences.
4. Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or the larger L.A.B. community.
Every L.A.B. group is free to shape its practices and culture while honoring the overarching mission of L.A.B.
5. Each group has but one primary purpose: to foster a space for connection, play, and personal acceptance.
The focus remains on creating a supportive, non-judgmental environment for personal growth and shared experiences.
6. L.A.B. groups ought never to endorse, finance, or lend the L.A.B. name to any outside entity.
This ensures L.A.B. remains independent and focused on its mission.
7. Every L.A.B. group ought to be fully self-supporting.
Members contribute time, skills, or resources to sustain the group, fostering shared responsibility and independence.
8. L.A.B. should remain a non-professional, peer-led community.
While members may bring valuable expertise, the group exists as a space for mutual support and shared experience, not as a replacement for professional services.
9. L.A.B. groups should remain informal, relying on shared responsibility and mutual respect.
There is no hierarchy or formal leadership structure; every member’s voice and contribution are valued equally.
10. L.A.B. has no opinion on outside issues and remains focused on its purpose.
By avoiding alignment with external causes or controversies, L.A.B. stays welcoming and inclusive.
11. L.A.B. public relations rest on attraction rather than promotion.
The group grows through the authentic experiences of its members, who share their journey with others as they feel inspired.
12. Unconditional acceptance, non-judgment, and anonymity are the foundation of all our traditions.
L.A.B. is a strictly judgment-free zone where members are accepted as they are. What is shared in the group remains confidential, creating a safe and supportive space for everyone to grow and connect.
Core Values of the Traditions
The traditions emphasize empowerment, inclusion, and safety by:
- Prioritizing unconditional acceptance and respect.
- Valuing personal agency and individuality.
- Ensuring confidentiality and fostering trust.
- Encouraging collective decision-making and autonomy.
Together, these principles ensure that L.A.B. remains a nurturing space where members can feel safe, supported, and free to be themselves.
Understanding Our 12 Traditions
The 12 Traditions of LAB: Explained
The 12 Traditions of LAB serve as guiding principles for maintaining the integrity, inclusivity, and purpose of the community. While the 12 Steps focus on individual growth, the Traditions focus on how LAB functions as a collective—ensuring that it remains welcoming, accessible, and free from outside influences.
Unlike traditional 12-step programs, LAB’s Traditions are not centered around addiction recovery but rather around fostering a strong, judgment-free space where people can engage in meaningful connections. These Traditions protect LAB from becoming exclusive, hierarchical, or profit-driven and reinforce its grassroots nature.
Key Highlights from the 12 Traditions of LAB
- LAB is a Safe, Judgment-Free Community – Everyone is welcome, regardless of background or beliefs. Anonymity and confidentiality create a space where people can be their true selves without fear of judgment.
- LAB is Peer-Driven & Decentralized – There are no leaders, only facilitators. Every group operates independently while following the core principles of inclusivity, connection, and support.
- LAB is Free & Independent – No fees, no affiliations, no outside agendas. It exists solely to provide a space for meaningful connection, play, and personal growth.
- LAB is Built on Giving, Not Profit – It’s a self-sustaining community where members support each other, share experiences, and encourage personal and collective growth.
