News and Notes from the General Service Office of A.A.® www.aa.org Vol. 67, No. 2 / Summer 2021

■ La Viña Celebrates 25 Years of Service to A.A.’s Spanish-speaking Community La Viña, A.A.’s Spanish-language meeting in print, turns 25 this year, and its ability to connect Spanish-speaking members in the U.S. and Canada to each other and to the A.A. service structure has grown since its very first issue appeared in June of 1996. “La Viña is about community,” says Karina C., the magazine’s associate editor. “We reached out to members recently to see if they wanted to share their thoughts with us about what the magazine has meant to them for our June/July anniversary issue and we received over 100 messages. The community has realized how important it is to have this opportunity to share experiences with each other and to connect with people halfway around the world.” “La Viña has become an important tool for Hispanic members to come together and share their stories,” says Irene D., the magazine’s former editor and a current G.S.O. staffer. “If you imagine the early days of A.A., when alcoholics were first forming groups and discovering others like themselves, that’s the service that La Viña facilitates.” The idea of a Spanish-language publication modeled after Grapevine began in the late 1980s as a direct response to the fact that the Spanish-speaking Fellowship in the U.S. and Canada had grown exponentially in the previous few decades. For some time, Spanish-speaking members of A.A. in North America had wanted to be able to read and submit articles to Grapevine as original stories in their own language. And, while local bulletins and magazines — such as AKRON 1935, in Spain; Compartimiento, in Guatemala; and The inaugural issue contained a mixture of stories translated from Plenitud, in Mexico, just to name a few — have appeared Grapevine, along with a few Spanish-language originals. Today in Spanish-speaking countries over the years, these have it is comprised of all original stories submitted in Spanish. generally been geared to their national service structures. In 1991, the General Service Conference issued a Spanish. Along with the pilot issue, we passed out a form recommendation that Grapevine begin publishing at asking, ‘Is this something you would be interested in?’ least one article in Spanish every month. In 1995, the And we received back a considerable number of names Conference gave its approval to a five-year trial run and addresses of potential subscribers — both Englishof a Spanish-language edition of Grapevine. Ames S., and Spanish-speaking.” currently G.S.O. executive editor, was managing editor At this point, Ames says, “It was time to give the magof Grapevine at the time, and he remembers how it all azine a name.” Wanting to echo the Grapevine theme, began. “We did a pilot issue completely in Spanish and they came up with La Viña — “the Vineyard.” Jaime M., brought it to the International Convention in San Diego a Colombian writer, teacher and translator, was hired as that year. At this point the proposed magazine had no the magazine’s first editor. In June of 1996, 7,000 copies name and consisted of Grapevine stories translated into of the initial issue came off press. La Viña was published

became a vibrant and welcoming place for members to read stories and gather information online. Grapevine Box 4-5-9 is published quarterly by the General Service Office of Alcoholics Anonymous, 475 Riverside Drive, and La Viña web coordinator Niurka Melendez-Vasquez New York, NY 10115, copyright © 2021 by Alcoholics (nonalcoholic), a native of Venezuela, remembers that Anonymous World Services, Inc. when she arrived at Grapevine/La Viña in May 2017, the Mail address: P.O. Box 459, Grand Central Station La Viña website itself was black and white. “Because the New York, NY 10163 magazine’s pages were black and white, the vendor was G.S.O.’s A.A. Website: www.aa.org just loading them that way — a two-color website! Even so, my connection with La Viña was immediate. I was so Subscriptions: Individual, $3.50 per year; group, $6.00 for each unit of 10 per year. Check—made payable to A.A.W.S., excited to find everything in Spanish, and the recognition Inc.—should accompany order. To have issues delivered of that language on the website made me feel good. It’s directly to your inbox, register your email on the A.A. good to know that people are taking care to deliver the Digital Subscription Service on G.S.O.’s Website. message in our own language.” Note on anonymity: From time to time in this publication Karina C. speaks of the hope she sees for La Viña’s full names and/or pictures of G.S.O. employees, Class A future. There has been some fear during the Covid-19 trustees and other nonalcoholics are used. The anonymity pandemic that La Viña members — who often meet of A.A. members is maintained, as they are identified at La Viña writing workshops at Regional Forums and throughout by first name and last initial only. other service events to craft La Viña stories (many of them submitted as handwritten documents) — might on a bimonthly basis, as it is today, and at first contained stop sending in their stories. But, says Karina, “Reader a mixture of stories translated from Grapevine, along submissions are up. Last month, sales went up 84 perwith a few Spanish-language originals. cent on the website store. We have meetings and an In 2001, the General Service Conference recom- anniversary event happening in July and the National mended that La Viña continue to be published by AA Convention in September. And our new book Mujeres Grapevine, Inc., and to be supported by the General en AA is out.” All but two of the stories in the new book Service Board as a service to the Fellowship. As the were written expressly for La Viña by Spanish-speaking result of this action, reaffirmed by the Conference in women A.A. members. “Ten years ago, Spanish- 2011, La Viña is unique in its hybrid status as it seeks speaking women weren’t being included in A.A. meetto be self-supporting through the sale of subscriptions ings. We started a special section for women in A.A. and and content-related items, with any difference in reve- always included two or three stories in every issue. We nue and expenses provided by the General Fund of the look through the issues and see women from all over the General Service Board. world sharing this same experience.” Hernán M., the magazine’s editor from 2001 to 2007, Janet Bryan (nonalcoholic), director of operations at recalls how the magazine grew. “Hispanics were and Grapevine, has always been a La Viña fan. She doesn’t are very attached to La Viña. They had really high sub- read Spanish, but she finds the magazine “attractive and scription rates compared to the size of their population. colorful.” As a sort of informal focus group, she takes When we asked them for support, they responded.” one of her free copies of the magazine and puts it out There were challenges, of course, he notes. “Migrant on a giveaway table in the laundry room of her apartworkers didn’t stay in one place, so it was hard for their ment building. “It disappears right away. I also put out subscriptions to reach them, and overseas postal services Mujeres en AA and the same thing happened.” At the don’t always work as well as we would like.” same time, despite the popularity of La Viña, she recog- At the same time, Hernán began to see that La Viña nizes the need for more La Viña reps in groups to shore was a catalyst for the Spanish-speaking A.A. commu- up subscriptions and for more delegates to share news of nity in the U.S. and Canada — often separate from the La Viña in their areas. main A.A. service structure and community — to come Chris C., interim Grapevine publisher, understands together. “When I started to attend A.A. events hosted by the importance of La Viña not just to Spanish-speakers, the Hispanic Fellowship, I realized the value of face-to- but to A.A. as a whole. “We want our Spanish-speaking face communication in terms of carrying the message for members to feel part of greater A.A. There is a growing Alcoholics Anonymous.” population of Spanish-speaking people in the U.S. and The 2010 General Service Conference’s request for Canada, and if they are like any population that size, spiritual parity between Grapevine and La Viña and the maybe 10 percent of them need help from Alcoholics expansion of the magazine to 64 pages with a black- Anonymous. If we find the right way to engage with and-white interior and four-color cover marked a turn- groups and members, they’ll benefit from the magazine ing point in the magazine’s history, and in the decade and the books, and they’ll see La Viña as a real resource since, it has made enormous strides. Its website, rede- and Twelfth Step tool. Twenty-five years is a good start, signed in early 2020 (along with that of Grapevine), but we still have a lot of ground we want to cover.”

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READERS RESPOND Reflections on La Viña’s 25th Anniversary “Congratulations to La Viña on its 25th anniversary. My name is Joaquín and I came to Alcoholics Anonymous on February 3, 1995. I discovered the existence of La Viña. I am grateful that the stories from La Viña were made available for free in those first difficult months of the pandemic. I assure you that it nourished me and a fellow member of the group, that it made us feel good and helped us. My friend is blind, but I was able to read the experiences to him. We appreciate this gift.” “Thank you for doing the enormous and important work of editing and sharing the pages of La Viña with us. After reading the issues that have been sent to me, I have shared them with other alcoholic women who have been in hospitals, or simply in their homes recovering after having been drinking in secret from their families. I have been able to help them identify with some of the stories. Thank you for helping me and a world of women who, like me, were being destroyed by this great disease of the soul.” “I do A.A. service work in Corrections and have seen how powerful and useful a few copies of La Viña can be. Oftentimes, our members in custody do not know English and may not be able to read the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous. But once we put the chairs in a circle and the meeting begins, maybe a couple of men will come, so we say to them, ‘Take one of the La Viña magazines, read a few lines and join us.’” “During this pandemic, which has forced us to be distanced from the A.A. community, we have not been able to hold face-to-face meetings. Being a subscriber to La Viña filled that void. So today I am sober one day at a time.” “La Viña has become my identification for emotional, spiritual and physical sobriety. Along with my experience, I use La Viña for my Twelfth Step work, in the hope that others will also discover that they are not alone in facing the truth about themselves, and that they can also find a solution to their alcohol problems.”

■ General Service Board Selects Linda Chezem as New Chairperson Linda Chezem, a past designed to keep A.A. members out of the public eye. Class A (nonalcoholic) Born, raised and still living on a southern Indiana trustee, has been selected farm that has been in her family since the 19th century, as the new chairperson of Linda is professor emerita of Youth Development and the General Service Board Agriculture Education at Purdue University. Trained as following the 71st General a lawyer, she spent 22 years serving as a judge, beginning Service Conference in as the first female Circuit Court judge in Indiana, fol- April, replacing outgo- lowed by a decade on the Indiana Court of Appeals. ing Class A chairperson Linda became acquainted with Alcoholics Michele Grinberg. Anonymous as a newly minted jurist in 1975. As she tells Of the 21 members the story, “I had these people who kept coming back to on A.A.s General Service court because they couldn’t afford their fines for getting Board, seven are designat- drunk and in trouble. It was the same problem, over Linda Chezem ed as Class A (nonalco- and over again. To a large extent I didn’t know what to holic) trustees, friends of do with them. One day, my bailiff came to me and said, the Fellowship specifically selected for their professional ‘There are three gentlemen who want to see you.’ They expertise and the unique skills they bring to the board’s came in wearing coats and ties, and introduced themwork of carrying the message of Alcoholics Anonymous. selves as A.A. members from the local community. They Additionally, and importantly, A.A.’s seven Class A (non- said, ‘We know you don’t know what to do with these alcoholic) trustees can do certain things that the 14 Class alcoholics, but we’re alcoholics and we can help.’ They B (alcoholic) trustees cannot do, such as showing their said they had a seven o’clock meeting Tuesday nights faces on camera or using their last names without violat- around the corner from the courthouse.” ing the Traditions and principles of anonymity that are “After that,” Linda says, “when someone came in

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with a drinking problem, I’d suggest they go to that meeting. I didn’t think a whole lot about it. It worked for ■ The General Service some people. Sad to say, it didn’t work for everyone, but Board Welcomes Two New I did see a lot of people for whom it did work.” One thing Linda’s experience as a judge taught her is Class A Trustees that “a person who has issues with alcohol doesn’t just Following the General Service Conference, the General have to show up on the criminal docket to need the hand Service Board also selected two new Class A (nonalof A.A. to be there. Bankruptcy, divorces, child custody coholic) trustees who will serve the Fellowship over cases, business failures — I bet if you took a look at 100 the next six years: Kevin Prior, of St. Louis, Missouri; cases, you could find any number where alcohol had Senior Director of Finance for the Catholic Health been part of the problem.” Association of the United States; and Molly Anderson, While still a circuit court judge, Linda spearheaded of Williamsville, New York; Executive Director for the the first certified court alcohol and drug program in Center of Leadership and Organizational Effectiveness at Indiana, serving on a state substance abuse adviso- the University of Buffalo. They will replace rotating Class ry council along with state legislators and A.A. mem- A trustees Leslie Backus and Peter Luongo, who have bers. In the mid-1990s, she served on the board of an served the Fellowship since 2014. Indianapolis treatment center where the chief executive Born in New York City, Kevin Prior moved to was also in A.A. One day in 1995, two A.A.s, Art C. and Champaign, Illinois, for high school and college, and Don W., invited her to breakfast. They suggested she finally to St. Louis — where he now lives with his wife might like to serve as a Class A trustee on the General and two children — to Service Board. Initially, she demurred. “I had no idea start a career in public that G.S.O. even existed at that time, nor even that there accounting. “I am among was a service structure.” But then Don pulled out a book the strange minority of “that looked like its binding and wrapper were leftover people for whom alcogrocery store material.” The book turned out to be The hol does nothing. I bare- A.A. Service Manual/Twelve Concepts for World Service. ly drink,” he says. “Yet She read it and was hooked. alcohol was the most “Bill W. wrote in the most marvelous, byzantine powerful force in my life language in the world,” she says. “It is very evocative as I was growing up.” of writers like Robert Greenleaf and E.B. White. I liked This was because of the language — I liked the way Bill would find three or his experience with the alcoholism of a close four ways to say things — so I filled out the form that family member. Kevin Don gave me.” Kevin Prior remembers being four Linda served the Fellowship as a Class A trustee years old and going to from 1997 to 2003. Following her tenure on the board, a detox center to visit his relative. Asked to write his she was a special assistant at the National Institute of “autobiography” in fourth grade, he began, “My family Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) from 2003 to was torn apart by alcoholism.” 2007. While Linda will bring a great deal of experience The family member eventually got sober through A.A. with alcoholism and treatment to her role as chair of the “I firmly believe alcoholism is a family disease and I feel General Service Board, she believes her most important a debt to A.A.” contribution will be her ability to listen, honed by years Kevin is Senior Director of Finance for the Catholic on the bench. “You can’t be a good judge if you don’t Health Association of the United States, a nonprofit very listen,” she says. “I was born with hearing loss and have similar in size and scope to Alcoholics Anonymous; like had to work hard to listen, even with hearing aids, so A.A., it is funded by its own members, with what Kevin you learn to listen to what people are saying in between describes as a “parallel financial structure.” Thus, when the words and in between the sentences.” Class A (nonalcoholic) trustee Sister Judith Ann Karam Linda understands that in a world redefined by called the organization seeking someone who might be Covid-19, “A.A., like the rest of society, is trying to work interested in serving as a Class A, Kevin fit the bill. things out” as it moves forward into the future. “I think Assuming his role as trustee, Kevin is naturally Bill intended to say things in as many ways as he could aware that there has been what he calls “a tidal wave so as many people as possible could understand that of change” because of Covid-19. “I happen to believe A.A. is not just an organization or a fellowship or a that in-person meetings are still the best way to receive movement. He taught that to have A.A., all you need the program. But virtual meetings offer a new chanis two alcoholics talking to each other — two people nel that we can’t ignore. The main point is that the sharing with each other and finding ways to help each Traditions have steered the Fellowship for 86 years, and other stay sober.” you have to find a way to keep these tenets secure even

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as you adapt.” Ultimately, Kevin says, “I want to make sure I listen and learn from the wisdom of those who ■ Five New Class B came before me and then use my professional experi- Trustees Arrive at A.A.’s ence, perspective and gifts to help the Fellowship in any way I can.” General Service Board Molly Anderson has worked with people and orga- Following their election in April at the 71st General nizations around the world in the areas of leadership Service Conference, the General Service Board of A.A. development and organizational effectiveness. Since welcomed five new Class B (alcoholic) trustees: Cathi C., 2016, she has been of Indianapolis, Indiana, East Central regional trustee; Executive Director of the Tom H. of Marietta, Georgia, Southeast regional trustee; Center for Leadership Marita R. of Mesquite, Nevada, trustee-at-large, U.S.; and Organizational Paz P. of Tucson, Arizona, general service trustee on the Effectiveness at the AA Grapevine board; and Deb K., general service trustee University of Buffalo. She on the A.A.W.S. board. [Editor’s note: Due to space confinds A.A.’s model of gov- siderations in this issue, we look forward to publishing erning its organization Deb K.’s profile in the Fall 2021 edition.] While all trustwith a focus on service ees represent the Fellowship as a whole and no trustee “fascinating.” She notes, can be said to “represent” a geographical section, these “I loved learning about newly elected A.A. members bring extensive service expethe history of service lead- rience and invaluable regional and professional points of ership. The author Robert view to the board’s deliberations. Greenleaf [who wrote Cathi C. calls herself a “perpetual student,” having Molly Anderson extensively about leading gone to four different colleges (while actively drinking) through service] was a and finally graduating in sobriety. “I began drinking friend of Bill W.’s and contributed some of his writing to young and I started college young, and I was just not Grapevine. The foundation of A.A. is to listen to others. prepared,” she says. Changing colleges became a kind To me, leadership is all about listening and humility, of “geographic cure” for her that didn’t cure anything at and you can use those same words to describe Alcoholics all; eventually, she quit school, got a job in a music store Anonymous.” in her hometown of Indianapolis, worked her way up to Molly’s fiancé James has 26 years of sobriety in A.A., a managerial position, and “absolutely loved” what she and it has been through him that she has had what she was doing. But then her drinking caught up with her: “I calls a “front-row seat” to what is happening in A.A., just couldn’t hold it together. I had panic attacks, anxiety especially “the 24/7 A.A. meetings on digital platforms attacks.” She went into treatment and got sober in A.A. and the tremendous impact these meetings are having.” in 1998. She was introduced to service as a newcomer For James’s 25th A.A. anniversary, the couple traveled to because there were a lot of people in her home group Hawaii, where they were able to attend in-person outdoor who were active in local and area service. “I could hear meetings, and where, as a nonalcoholic, Molly felt the something in their voices — they sounded so sure of “warmth, compassion and love of the Fellowship of A.A.” themselves, so happy and serene, and I just knew I want- Over the course of her work, she has traveled widely and ed what they had. They all became mentors to me.” had the same experience in Singapore, Haiti and Russia, Cathi held numerous service positions — including getting to know a culture “through the lens of A.A.” group secretary, alternate intergroup rep, Grapevine/ When James told her that there were opportunities La Viña rep, G.S.R. and alternate G.S.R., and D.C.M. and in A.A. for Class A trustees, Molly was interested and alternate D.C.M. — before becoming Area 23, Panel 64 decided to apply. “I knew it was maybe a one-in-a- delegate (2014-2015). “Being a delegate was transformillion chance, but I felt compelled to put my name mational for me,” she says. “I remember being at the out there and go where I could do the most good.” Conference and breaking down in tears because I was Her experience and perspective are well suited to serv- so moved by the sense of connection I felt with A.A.s ing on the General Service Board. “I have served on a around the world.” number of boards and have spent a good deal of time Cathi’s sense of connection extends to remote comlearning about their challenges. I’ve worked with diver- munities, where people have difficulty attending meetsity, equity and inclusion issues, and how these impact ings because of geography or culture or lack of access. organizations. I’ve learned it’s wise for boards, every Prior to the 2015 General Service Conference, she few years, to look at their purpose and mission. I want co-chaired a meeting on remote communities. “I was to underscore the history and Traditions of A.A. People just fascinated with the lengths to which A.A. will go describe me as someone who builds and creates things, to bring meetings to this community,” she says. She has and that’s what I hope to help accomplish as I serve spent time working with homeless populations, which Alcoholics Anonymous.” can include alcoholic veterans isolated and suffering

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from PTSD. “I think all of us can feel we are in a ‘remote and outside of General Service. “When he talks about community’ at one point or another.” responsibility, it says a lot about what I hope to be and As a trustee, Cathi says that her focus will be on do as a Class B trustee.” “how A.A. stays relevant and keeps its Traditions and Like Tom H., Marita R. started drinking at 13 and Concepts in a world where communications are chang- finished at 23 — “just enough time,” she says, “to miss ing so rapidly.” She adds, “Bill W. said, ‘Let us never fear out on some important life lessons.” Marita, of Mesquite, needed change.’ I like that quote a lot.” Nevada, was born outside of Philadelphia, but moved Born and raised in Miami, Florida, but now a long- around a great deal while young. (She’s lived in eight time resident of Marietta, Georgia, Tom H. has spent states and four foreign countries). It was while workhis adult life helping people: he is a retired firefighter ing for the Illinois Secretary of State’s office that she got and paramedic. Tom began drinking at the age of 13 and got arrested while still in middle school; “ It’s really important for people by the time he was 18, he had been court-ordered into a locked psychiatric facility, after which his to have a safe place to stay that is father threw him out of the house. Tom recalls, “He said to me, ‘I love you, but I can’t take it anyalso a non-drinking place. ” more. But if you ever need help, I’m here.’” Tom made his way down to South Florida, where he began sober. The reason? “Sheer embarrassment,” she says. drinking even more heavily. Desperate, he finally reached “I handled drunk drivers — those who’d lost their drivout to his family for help. Arriving back at the airport in er’s licenses through DUIs and were trying to get them Georgia, he was met by his mother, the woman who had back. I used to hand out the ‘20 Questions’ list for people once described him as “the best little boy you could ever to see if they were alcoholics. Finally, one of my clients want.” Now, he says, “I was so underweight, with this and their sponsor invited me to a meeting. ‘You might attractive grey color, that she didn’t even recognize me.” want to check this out.’ I had so totally compartmental- It took a long stay in rehab, a relapse, and then anoth- ized my work from my drinking that I didn’t even realize er, even longer stay before Tom got sober for good in I needed A.A.” 1988. He was 23 years old and began studying to be a This was the beginning of almost 40 years of sobriety firefighter. “I did some work. I began to like the new Tom for Marita, who stopped drinking on August 1, 1981. She and to realize that he was worthy of self-esteem.” He got sober in Chicago, with a home group that was very was introduced to service on the group level and became active in service. “They didn’t believe in newcomers waitactive in the International Conference of Young People in ing a year to do different types of service. They dragged A.A. (ICYPAA). “There was a bid committee for ICYPAA, me hither and yon, and I was grateful for it.” Marita has and I jumped on board and traveled around the coun- done general service work in eight different Areas — 19, try. I really loved the enthusiasm I saw in people.” When 38, 10, 5, 93, 9, 42 and 49 — possibly some kind of gener- Atlanta received the bid for the 37th Annual ICYPAA al service record. She served as Panel 49 delegate (1999convention in 1994, Tom became Outreach Chair. 2000) and created and chaired the first Native American Attending the International Convention in Minnea- intertribal/G.S.O. meeting in Southern California. polis in 2000, Tom encountered Greg M., G.S.O.’s recent All the while, Marita was pursuing three distinct past general manager, who had a suggestion for him: careers. First, she traveled throughout Southeast Asia “A.A. has invested a long time in you. Maybe it’s time to while working with the Association of Southeast Asian give back in general service,” which Tom did, ultimately Nations, managing staff as they made economic develbecoming Georgia (Area 16) Panel 62 delegate (2012- opment presentations to member nations. Back home in 2013). He hasn’t neglected other types of service, either, the States, she became a K-3 elementary schoolteacher allowing men who are recovering from alcoholism to for children with special needs. After that, she finished stay in his home. “It’s really important for people to have her professional career in the financial services industry, a safe place to stay that is also a non-drinking place.” with a specialty in helping recently widowed women Upon hearing he had become a trustee, Tom says, “I manage their finances. really was in disbelief. God has fitted me for so many “The fact that I’ve been chosen a trustee-at-large realthings in my life. It’s almost surreal, to some degree, for ly matches my life experience,” Marita says. “I’ve visited a blue-collar guy who has worked as a firefighter and a over 60 countries and talked to A.A. members all over paramedic.” He feels inspired and guided by the example the world; I’m comfortable with many different cultures. of Albin Z., newly retired Grapevine publisher, who vis- I am excited about the sharing aspect of being a trustee, ited Tom’s area in Georgia and impressed Tom with his of being ready for the people who need me, including caring and concern for everyone he met. He also believes the person who hasn’t gotten here yet. I think the place Bill W.’s 1965 General Service Conference talk, “What of the board is to think about our future and to be ready Happened to Those Who Left,” collected in Our Great to have a conversation about what the groups are going Responsibility, is an important read for anyone, inside to do and what they’ll need. I feel incredibly grateful to

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Alcoholics Anonymous. It allowed me to be the best that ing that they believe something may no longer be working I can be, and now I am being the best I can be for A.A.” in A.A. or that they don’t understand something — how Paz P.’s decision point when it came to stopping do you ask about that without the right language? I want drinking was unforgettable. A native of Mexico, she was to be the conduit for that kind of communication.” working in Mexico City at the time. As she tells the story, “Before A.A., I was unable to hold a job for longer than a year; it might have been just three months. One time, I was working in an office where I was the only employee. I ■ Résumés for Trustee was in this room where the walls were covered with mirrors. I was drinking so much my skin was green and yel- Elections Due January 1, 2022 low, and I’d had my hair cut really short because that way Two new Class B (alcoholic) regional trustees, one when I threw up I didn’t smell bad. I heard an A.A. guy each from the Pacific and Eastern Canada regions, will on the radio doing an interview with the host of the show be elected at the General Service Conference in April — talking about how bad his drinking had been and how 2022. Résumés must be received at G.S.O. no later than alcoholism was a disease. I expected the host to say, ‘Oh, January 1, 2022, and must be submitted by U.S./Canada drinking isn’t so bad.’ But instead he agreed with the guy. area delegates only. In seeking applications for vacancies “It stuck with me, too, to hear that alcoholism was a in Alcoholics Anonymous, the Fellowship is committed to disease — that it wasn’t the alcoholic’s fault. So, when creating a large file of qualified applicants that reflects the show was over, I called the radio station to ask the inclusiveness and diversity of A.A. itself. Please email where I could find A.A. There I was, sitting in this room submissions to the secretary, trustees’ Nominating covered with mirrors, with my skin green, and I dis- Committee, G.S.O., at nominating@aa.org, or post in the guised my voice! There are 20 million people in Mexico mail: Attn. Secretary, Trustees’ Nominating Committee, City, but I thought I needed to.” c/o The General Service Office, 475 Riverside Drive, New Paz got the address of a meeting and found the courage York, NY 10115. to go to it that very day. “I had gotten to the point where The new Pacific regional trustee will fill the position it was physically painful for me to keep drinking, and yet currently held by Kathi F. The next trustee from the I did. With my family, I was like a stray dog barking. I Eastern Canada region will follow Jan L. couldn’t retain money or a job. I desperately needed A.A.” A sound A.A. background is a basic qualification Paz got sober in 1997 and moved to Tucson, Arizona, for Class B trustees. Ten years of continuous sobriety in 2000. She was surprised to find only three sober is desirable but not mandatory. Candidates should be women in the entire Spanish-speaking A.A. community, active in both local and area A.A. affairs, and because at the time comprised of about 50 members. “And they trustees serve the entire Fellowship, they must have the had all received the A.A. message in another country,” background and the willingness to make decisions on as Paz herself had. “It was a challenge to be the only matters of broad policy that affect A.A. as a whole. woman present the first time I attended a meeting in the Since much is asked of the trustees with respect U.S.,” even though, she says, the men were supportive. to their time, it is important that trustee candidates Although things have gotten better in the years since, understand the time commitment involved. Trustees Paz feels that there is a continuing need for engage- are expected to attend quarterly Board Weekends, with ment and communication with women in the Spanish- three such meetings running from Saturday morning speaking community. Her service work includes being through Monday noon, while the April quarterly meeting Area 3 newsletter editor and Grapevine coordinator; is combined with the General Service Conference (seven she has also spent time on La Viña’s Editorial Advisory days); trustees also attend any special meetings of the Board. From 2014 to 2018, she was a nontrustee director board. In addition, regional trustees serve in rotation on the AA Grapevine Board: “It was an amazing adven- for attendance at Regional Forums other than in their ture, and I feel like I have come full circle,” she says. own regions. Regional trustees are usually asked to serve Professionally, Paz works in the nonprofit world as a two years on either the A.A.W.S. or Grapevine Corporate human resources assistant for an organization that provides Boards, which meet more frequently than the General legal aid and social services to adults and children detained Service Board. along the border. With this experience and her work in A.A., Trustees serve on committees of the General Service she understands the need for empathy and inclusion. Board and may also serve on trustees’ subcommittees “When you learn another language,” she says, “all or corporate board subcommittees whose work often your feelings stay with your first language. It took me involves conference calls. They are often invited to paralmost 10 years to feel in another language, so to speak.” ticipate in regional or area activities, such as service con- As a trustee, Paz wants to connect the Spanish-speaking ferences and area assemblies. The term of trusteeship is community with A.A. as a whole. “I think my main goal four years. Applicants are encouraged to discuss the time is to let groups know what is happening outside their commitment with their family and employer. Trustees own groups. Some people lack the right language for say- are reimbursed for travel, hotel and meal expenses.

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■ U.S./CANs: Another A.A. Solution In 1975, A.A.s had major milestones to celebrate. First, present the content of the forum virtually in a way that Living Sober was published, and proved to be an instant would fully engage the Fellowship. It was necessary, classic. Then, in the fall, the A.A. Archives opened at the Sandra notes, to “reimagine certain aspects,” such as General Service Office (G.S.O.) in New York, with Nell using panel discussions to replace some of the work- Wing as archivist. shops and presentations. According to Sandra, in one The year 1975 is also significant because it is the year very popular panel discussion — called “‘A’ Class Act” Dr. Jack Norris, (nonalcoholic) chair of the General — Class A (nonalcoholic) trustees told their stories. Service Board of Alcoholics Anonymous, suggested that “In A.A., we are our stories, but we don’t often get a A.A. host weekend sharing and informational sessions designed to help the General Service Board, A.A. World Services, Inc., the Grapevine corporate board and the staffs of Grapevine and G.S.O. stay in touch with A.A. members, trusted servants and newcomers to service throughout the A.A. service structure. Dr. Jack’s idea would take shape that year with the launch of A.A.’s first Regional Forums. For the next 45 years, A.A. Regional Forums did not change a great deal. General Service Office staff, trustees, delegates and A.A. members traveled to one of the eight regions in the U.S. and Canada. (Forums are held in four regions each year, on a rotating two-year schedule). Members and G.S.O. staff discussed concerns, events and developments within the Fellowship so that the chance to hear the stories from our Class A’s. People message of A.A. could be better carried to alcoholics loved it.” who still suffer. Sandra also remarked on the liveliness of the dis- However, with 2020 came Covid-19 and the wide- cussion in the popular intergroup/central office panel: spread closures associated with it. Not to be deterred, “People across regions and areas had a chance to talk Sandra W., G.S.O.’s director of staff services, reports, about how they were pivoting from the ‘old’ way and “We knew that we would like to hold some kind of figuring out how to carry the message virtually to others regional meeting by the end of 2020.” With the support — especially to newcomers looking for help right now. of then general manager Greg T., the issue was brought Everyone shared their solutions.” before the General Service Board. “Obviously, holding Each U.S./CAN had over 2,000 attendees, and a comin-person A.A. Regional Forums was out of the question. bined 1,500 questions were asked and answered. As The question we asked the board was, ‘How can we Sandra says, “We want to let the Fellowship know that gather as a Fellowship, given the parameters that are we are here and that we hear. We want to know how right in front of us?’ The answer came in the form of the we can better serve you as you carry the message to the U.S./CAN virtual forums.” alcoholic who still suffers.” Utilizing dual-platform video and web-conferenc- While many A.A.s (including staff and trustees) ing software, these two meetings would take place are eagerly awaiting the day they return in person to two weeks apart, with each lasting one day, rather their home groups, meeting places and events, Sandra than a full weekend. In addition, the regions would be acknowledged the truth in a colleague’s observation: condensed, with eight regions divided into two new “A.A. is not a place, but a set of 36 principles that live in groupings: U.S./CAN East would be comprised of the our hearts.” She continued, “For all that has happened, Northeast, Eastern Canada, East Central and Southeast look at how this situation has opened up new ways of Regions, while U.S./CAN West would consist of the reaching our fellows.” It is in the combination of these West Central, Western Canada, Pacific and Southwest “new ways” and the old that A.A. will grow and contin- Regions. The theme of the U.S./CANs was, appropriate- ue to be of maximum service to our fellows. ly, “Experience, Strength and Hope — What it was like, Regional Forums will return to their regular weekwhat happened, and what it is like now.” end format in 2021. However, attendance at them will With the organization of the regions settled and remain virtual until 2022. For more information about a theme agreed upon, a challenge remained: how to A.A. Regional Forums, please visit aa.org.

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■ Name That Theme: 2025 International Convention Believe it or not, it’s time to start thinking about a theme for the 2025 International Convention celebration of A.A.’s 90th Anniversary in Vancouver, B.C., July 3-6, 2025. We invite you to send in suggestions for a theme, which will be selected by the trustees’ International Conventions/ Regional Forums Committee. The deadline is coming up fast: please let us hear from you by October 15, 2021. To spark your thinking, the themes of past A.A. International Conventions have been: 1965 “I Am Responsible”; 1970 “Unity”; 1975 “Let It Begin With Me”; 1980 “The Joy of Living”; 1985 “Fifty Years With able for some time, so please refrain from writing or Gratitude”; 1990 “Fifty-Five Years — One Day At a Time”; calling G.S.O. with such requests at this time. 1995 “A.A. Everywhere — Anywhere”; 2000 “Pass It On Registration forms will be sent to all A.A. groups on – Into the 21st Century”; 2005 “I Am Responsible”; 2010 our mailing list in the fall of 2024. Local intergroup/cen- “A Vision for You”; 2015 “80 Years — Happy, Joyous and tral offices will also receive copies of these forms at the Free”; and 2020 “Love and Tolerance is Our Code.” same time. Most of the hotels in and around Vancouver Send your ideas to International Conventions are already committed to our Convention, and the rates Assignment, P.O. Box 459, Grand Central Station, for each will be described in the housing information. New York, NY 10163, or email 2025ictheme@aa.org. Other than the fall 2024 mailing date, the procedures Deadline 10/15/21. for registration and housing are still in the planning stages. Please rest assured that notification of these procedures will appear in Box 4-5-9 so that anyone who is ■ International Convention: interested will have timely and accurate information. As we do not maintain a separate mailing list of A.A. mem- Registration and Housing for 2025 bers who have requested information, please be sure your A.A. members are looking forward to the 2025 home group receives Box 4-5-9 so that you and all mem- International Convention, and many members are begin- bers of your group will have access to this information as ning to contact G.S.O. requesting information on reg- we get nearer to Convention time. (For information on istration and housing accommodations for A.A.’s 90th ordering Box 4-5-9, go to “G.S.O. Newsletters” on aa.org). birthday celebration in Vancouver, B.C. While we appre- Also keep an eye on aa.org for International ciate the enthusiasm, this information will not be avail- Convention updates and information.

■ The 71st General Service Conference Convenes In Alcoholics Anonymous, change is a word that inspires 71st General Service Conference both supported and a wide range of responses: excitement, dread, resistance, expanded the Fellowship’s responsiveness to the realities anticipation, hope. It can be seen as a challenge or an hinted at in the 2021 Conference theme, “A.A. in a Time opportunity for growth. And one thing is for sure: the 71st of Change.” General Service Conference, held virtually for the second As noted by Newton, P., rotating trustee-at-large/ time in its 71-year existence, proved that the Fellowship U.S., in his keynote address, “Perhaps more than in the itself is smack in the middle of tremendous change. previous 60 years combined, the global pandemic has While A.A.’s foundational principles remain fixed changed the A.A. world of how we come together and — as reflected in our Twelve Steps, Twelve Traditions carry our lifesaving message to the alcoholic who still and Twelve Concepts — the “when, where and how” suffers.” In closing, he noted, “We, the members of this of Alcoholics Anonymous has taken on new expres- General Service Conference, are the successors to our sion. Spurred by the global pandemic, the Fellowship co-founders. It is our annual collective spiritual exercise has successfully pivoted over the past year toward new to lower the bonds of fear and rigidity and closed-mindand effective approaches to A.A.’s Three Legacies of edness, to allow the fundamental idea of a loving God to Recovery, Unity and Service, making clear that the mes- be expressed through our group conscience, to trust the sage of A.A. and the lifesaving experience of our mem- process and each other.” bership need not be limited by time, space or custom. Addressing a broad range of issues, the 71st Drawing together 132 Conference members across mul- Conference (made up of 93 delegates, 26 trustees and tiple time zones from Hawaii to Newfoundland, the corporate directors from A.A.W.S. and Grapevine, along

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with 13 General Service Office, Grapevine and La Viña ■ 2021 Conference Advisory Actions staff members) worked its way through an agenda Conference Advisory Actions represent recommendafilled with items remaining from the 70th Conference, tions put forward by the standing committees of the along with many new items submitted by the Fellowship General Service Conference that have been discussed, over the past year. Through a deliberative process of voted on and approved by the Conference body as a discussion and debate that was not without controverwhole with substantial unanimity (defined as a majority sy or important questions of process and procedures of at least two-thirds). A sampling of Advisory Actions (guided often by references to Robert’s Rules of Order), from the 2021 General Service Conference appears below Conference members sought to acknowledge changing in abbreviated form. A complete list, along with the full times and to evaluate the needs of the Fellowship as it report of additional items considered by each Conference finds new and effective ways of communicating. committee, will be published in the Conference Final Delegate presentations examined the Three Legacies Report (available from G.S.O. in late summer). of Recovery, Service and Unity in a changing world. Cynthia T. of Maryland noted, “The reality is, the world Agenda — That the theme of the 2022 Conference be around us has been in a constant state of lightning-fast “A.A. Comes of Age 2.0: Unified in Love and Service.” change and growth for years. I am wondering if, possi- Cooperation with the Professional Community bly, our response to the pandemic has opened our eyes — That a dynamic A.A.W.S. LinkedIn page be impleto changes that may have been needed pre-pandemic.” mented by G.S.O., to provide current and relevant con- Added France F., of Quebec, “The emergence of the tent about A.A. to professionals in accordance with A.A. coronavirus changed our lives…. Without knowing it, we principles and Traditions; and that the updated draft entered an intense time of change, as expressed in the pamphlet “Members of the Clergy Ask About Alcoholics theme of the 71st Conference…. That theme imposed Anonymous” be approved with minor editorial changitself on our Conference.” And Carlos L. of Puerto Rico es and retitled “Faith Leaders Ask About Alcoholics shared, “For me, it’s not been easy adjusting to all the Anonymous.” changes the pandemic has brought, but after a lot of Corrections — That revisions be made to A.A.W.S. meditation and personal inventories, I have come to literature directed to members behind the walls and make amends with the changes and to understand that that the terms “inmate” and “offender” be replaced with change is never a comfortable proposition — it’s uncom- “person in custody.” fortable before it is comfortable again.” Grapevine — That the AA Grapevine Board imple- Emblematic of the 71st Conference’s appetite for ment an Instagram account. change were three floor actions related to new language Literature — That a fifth edition of the Big Book, for the Preamble that pushed discussion and debate Alcoholics Anonymous, be developed, including an late into the night on the final day of the Conference. update of stories to better reflect current membership; Committed to developing inclusive language, the that revisions be made in the essays on Steps Six and Conference considered and accepted two separate pro- Twelve in Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions and the posals, creating a dilemma necessitating yet a third long form of each Tradition be added at the end of proposal that sent a final version to the General Service each respective chapter; that the pamphlet “A.A. for the Board for acceptance. The third recommendation rec- Black and African-American Alcoholic” be updated ognized the ultimate preference of the Conference for and the draft pamphlet for Spanish-speaking women inclusivity, changing the words “men and women” in the in A.A. be approved; that a draft version of the book, phrase “Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men Alcoholics Anonymous (Fourth Edition), be translated and women…” to read “Alcoholics Anonymous is a fel- into plain and simple language and be developed in a lowship of people…” way that is accessible and relatable to as wide of an With that final piece of business accomplished, the audience as possible. 71st General Service Conference came to a close, with the Public Information — That podcasts to commuwords of Michele Grinberg in her General Service Board nicate on topics with similar sharing as can be found report reverberating with all Conference members: “It’s in Box 4-5-9, About AA, aa.org, and sharing from AA going to be a long week of staring at computer screens, Grapevine and La Viña be produced and distributed by but I know we will be guided by our principles and our G.S.O. in cooperation with the Grapevine office. love for each other and the Fellowship. Together we will Report and Charter — That the fully revised mancontinue to model good A.A. servant leadership, as Bill uscript for the 2021-2023 Edition of The A.A. Service describes it in his beautiful Leadership Essay. Good lead- Manual combined with Twelve Concepts for World ership, he writes, ‘originates plans, policies and ideas for Service be approved. the improvement of our Fellowship and its services.’” Floor Action — That the Preamble revision replacing Navigating through a time of unprecedented change, the words “men and women” with the word “people” be the 71st General Service Conference provided the presented to the General Service Board for approval as Fellowship with such leadership. the new revised A.A. Preamble.

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■ The North/South Connections Forum: Bringing Remote Communities Together Members of the Fellowship in the far south of Argentina have been attending these virtual meetings (or calling and Chile face many of the same challenges as are found into them on landlines) for 13 years, Lawrie pointed out. in remote areas of North America in terms of connecting Martin G., of Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, spoke of with other A.A. members and their areas as a whole. how expensive travel is and how great the distance is These challenges include a sparse population and A.A. between groups. “Virtuality,” he says, “has become a membership, individual members and groups separated solution.” In some ways, the widespread use of virtuby great distances and challenging geography, as well al platforms has become the silver lining of the panas unreliable internet connectivity — a connectivity demic for certain remote communities. Daniela U., of that the rest of A.A. has come to depend on during the Concepción, Región del Bío Bío, says that “Chile is a long Covid-19 pandemic. country [2,600 miles north to south] and teleconferenc- In conversations with A.A. members in Argentina, ing has helped us a lot to carry the message to alcoholics trustee-at-large/Canada Trish L. was struck by the real- who still suffer.” Yolibelle M., of Comodoro Rivadavia ization that the country’s remote Patagonia region faced — a remote Patagonian city on the Atlantic coast of issues strikingly similar to those of remote communities Argentina — spoke of surviving a childhood where there in the far north of Canada and the U.S. She suggested was “lots of violence, lots of alcohol,” becoming an alcothe idea of a virtual forum “to bring members of these holic herself, and recovering in A.A. Virtual meetings remote communities together for the sharing of their have taught her, she says, “that A.A. is so much larger experience, strength and hope,” and it was embraced than my little home group and I am interested in learnby four countries — Argentina, Canada, Chile (which ing more and more about everything.” shares the Patagonia region with Argentina) and the Whether you’re a sober alcoholic living in Yellowknife, United States. Thus the first North/South Connections Northwest Territory, Canada, or one who resides in Forum, held via virtual technology on May 15, was born. Punta Arenas, Chile, you share certain things, despite It was truly the group effort of a “transcontinental vil- the more than 8,000 miles that separate you. Bob of lage,” as Trish calls it, hosted by the General Service Ketchikan, Alaska – who got sober via taped telephone Board of Argentina with teleconference technology and meetings — spoke of his strong feeling of having been translation services (English, Spanish and French) pro- “born an alcoholic.” José María M.P., of Bariloche, a city vided by the U.S./Canada General Service Board. Staff in the foothills of Argentina’s Andes, also knows he was from the company that consults with G.S.O to set up an alcoholic “from birth. I was a problem child, the only virtual events worked closely with Argentina’s own one who drank in my family.” tech team to iron out issues surrounding connectivity in In six hours of seminars, people shared how they remote areas, including allowing speakers to dial in on found the miracle of recovery in A.A., whether by vidregular phones to virtual break-out rooms, which helped eoconferencing, the phone line, texting groups, the keep internet disruptions to a minimum. old-fashioned mail, even making 12-hour boat trips The nonalcoholic chairs of three General Service to remote Canadian communities once a year, as does Boards — Argentina’s Lic. Corina Carbajal, Chile’s Della G. of Alert Bay, British Columbia. It’s not easy Sandra Huenumán and U.S./Canada’s Linda Chezem — and it can be lonely. Irene D., the G.S.O. staffer on the led off with introductory and welcoming remarks and Accessibilities and Remote Communities desk, says: “I the day was then turned over to the members of the am from Chile and I know how much people drank remote communities themselves. There were three pan- in those remote towns in the south. I have seen people els (the topics were “How My Remote Group Started,” trying to get sober with no meetings.” But, she adds, “Challenges Met, Faced and (Maybe) Overcome” and “we are all united by A.A. principles and the A.A. way.” “Our Personal Stories”). Lawrie C., of Yukon, Canada, James H., the G.S.O. staffer on the regional forums desk, described living in an area with the land mass of agrees. “We have A.A. members in the far reaches of the California with only 14 communities. They had no phone planet, literally, and we know that our program is based service until 2004. “One town had continuity in terms on connecting one alcoholic to another. We share a comof regular meetings,” she related, “but others came mon goal and a common solution. What we are doing is and went.” But when Canada’s national health service discovering ways to share that common solution.” brought videoconferencing into the towns’ health cen- Perhaps the final word of the day came from ters in 2008, Lawrie and her fellow A.A.s used what she Antarctica, where Estefania Pérez (nonalcoholic) is stathinks of as a “combination of tech and collective wis- tioned at Esperanza Base, an Argentinian research stadom. We thought, why not use the service to broadcast a tion. Invited to attend as an observer, she called in to say: simultaneous A.A. meeting out into the community? The “I want to express my gratitude for your sharing. I feel a point was to have this reliable regular place where peo- lot of admiration for all of you and all of the speakers. ple had access to A.A. at a given time each day.” People You show what the meaning of true human strength is.”

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Cut along dotted line, and post this page on your group’s bulletin board BULLETIN BOARD Items and Ideas on Area Gatherings for A.A.s —Via G.S.O. Summer 2021

NOTE: Due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, events may be canceled or moved to online formats. Please contact the event coordinators as listed before making your plans.

Calendar of Events August October Events listed here are presented solely as 5-8—Jacksonville, Florida. 64th Florida State 8-10— Online. Southwest Regional Forum. a service to readers, not as an endorse- Convention. Write: Box 57442, Jacksonville, Write: Forum Coord., Box 459, Grand ment by the General Service Office. FL 32241; Central Station, New York, NY 10163; Please note that we cannot attest to the www.64.floridastateconvention.com regionalforums@aa.org. accuracy, relevancy, timeliness, or com- Info: https://www.aa.org/pages/en_US/ pleteness of information provided by any 11—Online. Monthly Area 19 Service Sharing regional-and-local-forums linked site. For any additional infor- Sessions. Via Zoom. Second Wednesday, mation, please use the event contact June through December, 6pm CT. 13—Online. Monthly Area 19 Service Sharing information provided. Info: casa@chicagoaa.org. Sessions. Via Zoom. Second Wednesday, June through December, 6pm CT. 13-15—Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Area 57 Info: casa@chicagoaa.org State Conference. Write: Box 6601, Norman, June OK 73070; 21-24—Memphis, Tennessee. 47 th Annual http://aaoklahoma.org/2021-state-conference Memphis Bluff City Fellowship. 4-6—Online. Northeast Regional Forum. Info: http://www.memphis-aa.org/event/ Write: Forum Coord., Box 459, Grand 20-21—Online. 25th Annual Southeast 47th-annual-memphis-bluff-city-fellowship Central Station, New York, NY 10163; Woman to Woman Conference. Via Zoom. regionalforums@aa.org. Info: www.sewomantowoman.org 23-26—San Diego California. Seniors In Info: https://www.aa.org/pages/en_US/ Sobriety International Conference. Write: 20-22—Austin, Texas. SWTA 68 PI/CPC Conf. regional-and-local-forums P.O. Box 70084, San Diego, CA 92167; Write: ox 141434, Austin, TX 78714; 2021. https://seniorsinsobriety.com 9—Online. Monthly Area 19 Service Sharing picpc@gmail.com Sessions. Via Zoom. Second Wednesday, 27-29—Chattanooga, Tennessee. Serenity June through December, 6pm CT. in the Scenic City. Write: Box 22602, November Info: casa@chicagoaa.org. Chattanooga, TN 37422; 26-27—Online. Pacific Northwest Conference; serenityinthesceniccity.org 5-7—Talladega, Alabama. ALCYPAA X. Info: https://www.pnc1948.org Write: 606 Sterling St., Piedmont AL 36772; alcypaa2020@gmail.com September 10—Online. Monthly Area 19 Service Sharing July 2021 Sessions. V ia Zoom. Second Wednesday, 8—Online. Monthly Area 19 Service Sharing Sessions. Via Zoom. Second Wednesday, June through December, 6pm CT. 10—Online. Area 73 Convention. Via Zoom. Info: casa@chicagoaa.org Info: areachair@aawv.org June through December, 6pm CT. Info: casa@chicagoaa.org. 12-14—La Crosse, Wisconsin. Area 75 14—Online. Monthly Area 19 Service Sharing Conference. Write: Box 2123, La Crosse, WI Sessions. Via Zoom. Second Wednesday, 10-12— Online. West Central Regional Forum. Write: Forum Coord., Box 459, Grand 54602; June through December, 6pm CT. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2021-area- Info: casa@chicagoaa.org Central Station, New York, NY 10163; regionalforums@aa.org. 75-conference-tickets-132868598555 16-18—Bismarck, North Dakota. North Info: https://www.aa.org/pages/en_US/ 19-21—Tampa, Florida. Southern States Dakota Young People in Alcoholics regional-and-local-forums Service Assembly. Anonymous Write: 1400 East Interchange Info: SSAASA6outreach@gmail.com Avenue, Bismarck, ND 58501; 17-19—Key West, Florida. Keys for Serenity. www.ndypaa.com Info: www.keysforserenity.com 19-21—Online. East Central Regional Forum. 24-26—Wichita, Kansas. 64th Annual Kansas Write: Forum Coord., Box 459, Grand 16-18—Eugene, Oregon. Summerfest Write: Central Station, New York, NY 10163; Box 11824, Eugene OR 97449; Area 25 Conference. Info: ks-aa.org regionalforums@aa.org. www.aa-summerfest.org 25—Montréal, Québec, Canada. Journée Info: https://www.aa.org/pages/en_US/ 22-25—Pine, Idaho. 37th Annual District 10 des centres de détention — Région 87/ regional-and-local-forums (Area 18) Campout Write: 324 4th Avenue Correctional Facilities day Area 87. Info: E., Jerome, ID 83338 Comité des centres de détention 3920 Rachel, Montréal, Québec H1X 1Z3; 30-Aug 01—Jefferson City, Missouri. Missouri centresdedetention@aa87.org State Conference Write: Box 407, Columbia, MO 65205-0407; http://mistateconvention.org

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