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This fellowship is an avocation. The only persons I know in this fellowship who Do not work are retired or chiselers. Why should Wilson be out of a job for 9 years, & have a 270001 home & Cadillac car? When AA is a avocation? Why weren’t we told about contribs before then Others have accomplished much without any thot2 of financial reward
Professionalizing a organization or mercenary3 motives will kill the fellowship or impair its effectiveness EG4:
But he was receiving money
1 $27,000.00 land and home in Stepping Stones, Bedford Hills NY 2 thot thought 3 mercenary A person who works merely for money or other material reward. 4 EG: this is an example
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Many new People: They are in ignorance of fine principles of unselfishness, displayed in earlier times by founders.
Why ?
Really ? Then what are We talking about ?
By whom?
We have failed in this as a Labor of Love, due to selling our birthright for mass of pottage5. A usual ending of many fine enterprises.
This was a promise.
This is fast figuring but no basis for fact. Any amount could be raised for the office even tho6 we didn’t have a book.
Very legal Perhaps, but definitely a breach of trust.
As always, it seems monetary matters are bound to conflict with principles. How often I heard the recipients state that no one could ever cast in on this Labor of Love without disastrous results. I believed them, and they wer7 right, time will prove them so, unfortunately for the fellowship as a whole.
5 Genesis 25: 33f And Jacob said, swear to me this day; and he swore to him: and he sold his birthright to Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright. 6 tho though
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I saw this in 1941 At the time of our Statler Dinner8
1941
No
1941
What will be circumstances in 1946 ? If promis9 mean nothing
Group contribs10 OK, but no accounting of Foundation money
I have not seen Wilson in 3 yrs11.
I was in the Army then in y all of 42
7 wer were 8 the “Dr. Bob” appreciation dinner was held October 5, 1941 in Hotel Statler, Cleveland, about 850 AA members attended 9 promis promises 10 contribs contributions 11 yrs years
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Very few persons are now available who have knowledge of the fundamentals & original structure & aims & promises of O.G.12 People are uninformed in the hinterlands, & the natural tendency of hero worship is most dangerous in such a fellowship as ours.
I know nothing about this. I was not asked for suggestions.
A far cry from the commitment previously made.
Refer to Wilsons 1941 letter.
Such a hub bub following a simple request for info that any member is entitled to. It tells a story of what is now established and further in the making monies of course the details
My efforts have always been conscientious & honest and on numerous occasions, they have put the chill on me, I presume for reasons that other types of persons are more easily dealt with. Cleveland has done its share of promoting a fine fellowship on true principles. We are thankful for many members who have a keen sense of obligation to our fellow sufferers & on God, and an attitude of willingness to be helpful with no thot of financial reward. They recognize the transformation that takes place when individuals lose sight of the true meaning & intent of our group.
12 O.G. Oxford Group
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