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AA EXCHANGE BULLETIN NEWS AND NOTES FROM THE GENERAL SERVICE OFFICE OF A. A.

Vol. 11 No.5

October-November 1966

• 305 East 45th Street, New York 10017 • Mail address: Box 459, Grand Central Station, New York 10017 •

WHO IS A MEMBER OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS?

Traditions Steer A.A. ‘s Course Since 1946

ANONYMITY DANGERS IN LINKING A.A. TO OTHER PROJECTS WHY ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS IS ANONYMOUS

Who Are ·rrustees· An A. A. newcomer heard some other member talking about the G. S. Trustees and asked, “Who are the Trustees, anyway, and what do we trust ’em with?” As “trustees” they are trusted to see that A.A.’s world center of communication, G. S. 0., really serves the Groups and other alcoholics. They are custodians of funds received, of the Twelve Steps and Traditions, and are the “legal guardians” of the name Alcoholics Anonymous. They have no power over any A. A. member or Group. They endeavor to keep the A.A. name from being drawn into public controversy, and to protect the anonymity of A.A. members everywhere. Our dedicated non-A. A. Trustees now consist of: Dr. Travis Dancey, Montreal, Que.; Dr. Vincent Dole, New York City; John M. Murtagh, New York City; Austin MacCormick, New York City; Robert W.P. Morse, Brooklyn, N.Y., Dr. John L. Norris, Rochester, N. Y.; Archibald Roosevelt, New York City; Bernard B. Smith, New York City; Professor Harrison Trice, Ithaca, N.Y. A.A. members fill two kinds of 4-year trusteeships on the G.S. Board: (1) “Regional” trusteeships, filled by six U.S.A. and two Canadian regions set up geograpnically. Current “Regional” Trustees are Tom B., Winnipeg, Man.; R. Fay B., Bismarck, N.D.; D. Bruce M., Akron, 0.; Jim M.,

Thousands upon thousands have written G.S.O. about Group problems-and in 95 per cent of the cases of A.A.’s 12 Traditions. Since the Traditions were first proposed by Bill W. 20 years ago, and accepted formally by the movement (as the Second Legacy-Unity)-

Carmichael, Calif.; and Frank R., Lowell, Mass. (2) “General Service” trusteeships, occupied by active A.A.’s with specific business or professional skills (such as finance, publishing, law, etc.), most of wb.om live within the New York City commuting area so they can spend the necessary long hours doing their volunteer chores for the Fellowship.

Bob H. Newly Elected Newly elected in this capacity is Bob H., of Rockville Centre, N.Y. Sober over 20 years, Eo b is m the advertising business. He has served G.S.O. on its Nominating Committee, and is !lOW oa its Public Information and Literature Committees. He has been a Director of A.A.W.S., Inc., since July, 1964. He is a former chairman of the New

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G.S.O.

CORDIALLY

invites all out-of-town• A. A.’s who are attending Bill’s 32nd Anniversary Dinner to aRECEPTION– 3 to5p.m. on October 29th –at the Americana Hotel in New York City. *Limited space: sorry New York A.A.’s!

in Cleveland in 1950, they have been woven into the rich fabric of A. A. life so well that nowadays they are as useful as the 12 Steps(the First Legacy-Recovery), many members agree, and it would take a major A. A. revolution to change any of them.

Could A.A. Die? If wholesale violation of any of them ever occurred, according to one A. A. historian, A.A. would perish forever-just as the Washillgtonian and Catch-A-Pal movements did before A. A.’s time. A quick survey of the most common questions we are asked shows these are among the least understood of the Traditions: No, 7 (each Group self-supporting). We are frequently asked a bout a Group’s soliciting or accepting funds from industry, or the public.

No. 5 (primary purpose is to carry the message), and No. 6 (no endorsement, fi nancing, or lending of A. A. name to outside enterprises), Many book publishers want our “endorsement,” and many institutions would like to claim they are “endorsed by A.A.” There are no such thillgs as “A.A. hospitals, farms, clubhouses, or retreats”-although of course many A.A. members cooperate in such worthy enterprises. No. 10 (staying out of public co>ztroversy and legal disputes). MaBy lawmakers want A. A. on their side in political debates. Some professional alcoholism

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IT’S YOUR TURN! G.S.O. is always sending bulletins C. 0 R N E R and letters to you, trying to ~elp you keep abreast of what goes on in A. A. This time will you tell us what is going on in your G.S.R. world? 1. What is your chief G.S.R. activity’ 2. Have you, or your Delegate, told your membe rs about the happenings of the 1966 G.S. Conferenc e ‘ 3. Do you recommend the Final Conferettce R e port to memb e rs ? 4. What wo uld you like to s ee most in your work’ 5. Has your Group s ee n the G. S. 0.

filmstrips’ The movie of ‘Bill’s Own Story'” 6. The newe st A.A. literature? 7. Has your Group any suggestions for subjects the 1967 Confe re nce should consider for the good of all of us in th e whole F e ll ow s hip? (\V e’ d love to hear dir e ctly from you. But we’re sure your local are a G. S. Committee me mbe r and· Dele gat e would also 1 ike to know your thoughts on these things. (\Vhy 110t write right now while it’s otz your mind.? Your it1ves tme nt of a few mi•zutes this 24 hours might help 11za11y of your fellow alcoholics in the years to come.)

A. A. AT HARVARD 01 RECTORY

CORRECTIONS

MARYLAND: Bo w ie: Belair- Bowie Gr .. … .. $ 15.00 NEW YORK : Troy: Sa turday Nite Gr.. -0Troy Group …. . . . . . . . . . . . 40.00 OHIO: London: Op e n Group .. . .. . . . . 5.00 Loudonvill e: Loudonvill e Group 36.00 PUERTO RICO Ponce: Grupa Ponce . . 47.00 CANADA: Edmond o n, Alberta: South Side Group …….. .. 310.00 Southside HS Gr o up. . . . . . . . -0Portage L a Prairie, Man .: Portage La Prairie Gr. . . . . . 30.00 Porta ge Family Group . …. . 59.50

TRADITIONS ( from page n scientists w a nt A . A. appr oval of the ir theories and therapies. Ev e n when many think the se a re all good thin g s, A.A. has found it p a y s not to g e t on one side or the other in s uch matters , but just stick to carrying A.A.’s messa g e . No. 2 (Group conscieflc e is our onl y authority), and No. 12 (“principles before perso11alitie s” ). Most Group disputes and arguments yi e ld to the wisdom of these Traditions. A. A. harmony (No. 1) seems to be too important for us to let it die. The biggest miracle of all, is that BY FAR MOST A. A. MEMBERS ALWAYS OBSERVE THE TRADITIONS SCRUPULOUSLY, EVEN WITHOUT KNOWING IT’ Look at each one, and decide for yourself-during November, Traditions Monthwhere A. A. -and you-would be if there were no Traditions.

When m e mbe rs of th e ’41 class of Harvard University held th e ir 25th re union, a s p ec ial Coffee Reception wa s held for A.A.’s. 1t wa s a nnounced in all ad vance p ublicit y , and thre e A.A.’s and their wi ves s ho wed up and bec ame fa s t friends. One said he wo uld not have dared the o ld college reunion without as surance A.A. would b e the re. Another found th a t a c lassmate h e h a d been 12thstepping finally became willing to tr y A.A. “I am grat e ful to God that I could be

A.A. ON TV The new one-minute filmed public service announcemettt about A.A. ha s (}raven so popular with lo cal TV stations in the U.S. A. and Canada that the Publi c Information Committee here at G. S. 0. which produced the film now charges a reduced rat e for prints ordered by local Central Offi c es, P.I.C.’s, or Groups. One print costs $20; the second, $15, and additiona l copies only $10. A recording of the sound portion only-for radiois $5. Incid e nta lly, television and radio stations are ve ry glad to giv e local Groups time for th e announcem e nt, free. Th e y get credit for it (from th e F e deral Communicati on s Commission) as a publi c service. So don’t hesitat e to approach them and a sk if they would like a print. The bla c k -and-whit e film shows four A . A. membe r s (faces hidden), each saying , “My name is , and I a m an alcoho lic.” Then Dr. John L. Norri s , nonalcoholic chairman of th e G. S. Board, invites any one intereste d in he!(} with a drinking pro blem to cont ac t A. A. locally, but says A.A. will not go out and try t o make folk s s top drinking .

gay and h a ppy and free of any desire to drink,” write s A.L., who made the A.A. arrangements . He says it will now be continued at each reunion. And oh yes . . . he had ano th e r new pros pect, as a result!

G.S.O.

~

‘——————————————————The Mo rri s town, N.j., Gr o up has bee n THE ‘GYP’ GROUP meeting in th e Church of tlte Redeem e r (Episcopal) for 23 years, Bill R. tells u s . It was the fir s t church in N.J. to open it s doors to A . A. Can any oth e r Group in th e Wvr!d beat t hi s re co rd ‘

A.A. IN VIETNAM Frank writ e ~ : “For y e ctrs I prayed for sobriety, but now I pray I he S ere•zit y PrayPT and give thauks for ll •hat A.A. a11d all you l ove l y people ha ve gi v er1 me, an other life. So you see, Charli e Vietcon g might have takoz my life , but he could 11everhave tak en the 4)6 y ears of sobriety from me. God bless you.” P.S. Frank is back. Wa s at South Eastem Cmzfe rc nce.

INDUSTRY GROUP “The Brass Group wa s formed at this company in 1964 … now have four meetings a week in the plant. A. A. members persuaded the union and management to start the meetings. Thank you for the pamphlet, ‘The Alcoholic Employee.”’Harold]., Buffalo, N.Y.

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From tb e R.C.A.F. Statiou, Gypsumv ille, Mam’t o ba: “1’/>e ‘ Gyp’ Group was originate d b y t wo v ery tl ew me mbers, 011 e a 11ew arriv al and mze ju s t fresh from a hospital in Winnipeg. We ‘re 10 111011ths old and hav e had four memb e rs . We’re tryiug advertisi11g through the lo cal civiliau and and bas e 11 ew spapers. , .. ”-Jim B.

TRUSTEES (from pag e I) York Int e rgr o up Association. Other current A.A. tru s t ees are: Eugene S.K., He mp s tead, N.Y . ; Charles Ed L . , Scarsdale , N.Y.; and Murra y W., Norwalk , Conn. A Canadian and a U.S. “General Service” Truste e will eventually be added to the Board, bringing its total to 14 alco holics and 7 nonalcoholics in accordanc e with the new Board alignm e nt recommended by the 1966 CoAference and accept e d by the Board.

FROM THE GRAPEVINE

Will Your Group Be listed Correctly In The ’87 Directory?

Beautifully hand-lettered in 3 colors on quality paper suita~le for framir-tg are five A.A. slogans ($1.00 per set) and the Serenity Prayer (10¢ each) … which make beautiful, appropriate decorations on any meeting room. Order all from Grapevine P. 0. Box 1980, Grand Central Station, New York, N.Y. 10017.

GROUP INFORMATION WHERE 1

SPECIAL Gl FTS TO G.S.O.

lt’s still a few 24 hours away, but A.A.’s can begin planni•1g right now to joitJ in the Fellowship’s great 35th Anniversary Year International Convention in Miami, Fla., U.S.A. in 1970. Delegates at the 1966 G.S. CotJference utJanimously favored the famous resort city, and the Conve•1tion Committee bas made it official. Details 011 reservations will come in ple11ty of time – but we’ve tracked dow” this much for you: average high temp e rature at co•werrtion time will be 86°, with average low at 77°. Nobody who was it! Cleveland i•1 ’50, St. Louis in ’55. Lo11g Beach in ’60, or Toronto in ’65 needs to be told about the place of International Conve•ltions in A.A. life.

~ROUP

2

STATE

OR

SHOULD UE

f

LIST£0

IN

OIRECTOR’I’.

3

It’s Miami in ’70

CITY OR TOWN

june, july & Att[!,US! ALASKA: G.S.R.’s Anchorage ……… $ 100.00 CALIFORNIA: District 5-6-12 Workshop Costa Mesa……. … … . 5.50 Desert Round Up Palm Springs …. . . … .. . 1,000.00 DELAWARE: 6th Annual Delaware Assembly Rehobath . . ………….. 172.55 MAINE: District 1, Portland.. ……. 16.00 MINN .: Lake Region Area Group Fergus Falls . . . . . . . . . . . 96.49 MISSOURI: Missouri State Roundup Jefferson City . . . . . . . . . . . 66.75 OREGON: District 2, Portland. . . . . . . . . 20. 00 PENNSYLVANIA: Cook Forest Conference Cook Forest. . . . . …….. 700.00 WASHINGTON: In Memoriam – Washington State Assembly. ……… 50.00 CANADA: Provincial Committee Edmonton, Alberta .. ….. . 15.00 Night Light Breakfast Regina ….. ………… . 73.00

CARD

(PLEASE F’RINT OR T”r’PEI

4.

INOICATE

NIGHT OF

MEETINGS

NAME OF GROUPt

Ever notice the list of A.A. World Directory corrections carried in each Exchange Bulletin? Probably not, unless you were looking for a correction about your Group. When the World Directory is inaccurate, chances are it’s because Groups have not sent in proper information in time. Deadline Dec. 15th. So, in a few weeks now, when your “Group Information Card” (pictured above) arrives, PLEASE be sure that all information is double checked(Zip Codes are now required by the Post Office, too) and sent to us PROMPTLY. It’s a shame when any travelling A.A. can’t find a meeting because the Birectory data is incorrect. DELEGATES, COMMITTEE MEMBERS, AND G.S . R.’s, it has been sug-

gested by the Conference, should take particular responsibility for this communication tool. These letters illustrate: From Norwalk, Coml,: “Would you encourage Groups that send notices of meetings and special events to consult the World Directory for correct addresses’ Our Group has had the same P.O. Box for years, but mail still goes to individuals, or to the church. Yours for faster deliveries.”-Bill R, From Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico: “The A. A. Intergroup Association here did not communicate with G.S.O. to give correct information as to Box No. and Tel. No. in time to be included in 1966 Directory. The telephone number published does not exist! Please all travelling A . A . ‘s the correct ~Jumber is 782-9312. warm regards Charlie C.

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About ·stale’ MeetingsThere’s space to share only a glimpse or two: Faribault, Minn.: “For our week 1 y closed meeting we break up into small Groups of 10-12 so all get to talk. On Saturday night, speakers from outside Groups. Once a month, pin night. After Saturday meeting, a social-cards, home talent, picnic, Christmas tree, etc.”-

Martin B. Cartersville, Ga.:” F e w years ago A. A. was nearly dead here, but 3 or 4 men got together and we started having Area Meetings once a month for all Groups in the area, on Sunday night. It has been a big help here.” -Stoney. Tacoma, Wash.: “In 2y, years we have gone from one meeting a week to four . Best meeting is Sunday morning, informal, restricted to alcoholics and their immediate family . . . two to three hours. People come and go free to talk on any subject, have peaceful background music. Closed meetings discuss Steps and Traditions from “12 & 12.”-Dan R.

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Glasgow, Scotland: “Each week a visiting chairman and speaker tell us how the program works for them. Best part is when the chairman throws open the meeting so anyone can say a few words. I never fail to take away something to digest. Thank you for the best export to come from U.S.A . to Great Britain.”-Harvey L. Prom Victoria, B.C.: … we also have a ‘phoner.’ The night of the mee ting he calls everyone early to remind them of th e meeting. These calls are a great morale booster.”-Willard S,

• A. A. IN ENCYCLOPEDIA The new edition of ENCYCLOPEDIA AMERICANA will contain a new 225-word artic l e on A.A. prepared by Dr. John L. Norris, Rochester, N.Y., chairman of the General Service Board, with the assistance of the Trustees’ Public Information Committee.

OCTOBER CALENDAR

A.A. CALENDAR October- November OCTOBER 1-2

– 20th AAniversary & 3rd Roundup, Windsor, Vt. Write: Chm., Box 148, Windsor, Vt. 1-2 -Wyoming State Fall Conference, Evanston, Wyo. Write: Conf. Director, Box 483, Evans ton, Wyo. 7-9 -Alberta Provincial Conf., McDon,ald Hotel, Edmonton, Alta . , Can. Write: Secy., 11243- 58th St., Edmo!lton, Alta., Can. 7-9 -6th No. N. W. Regional Conf., Empire Hotel, No. Bay, Ont., Can. Write: Secy., Box 893, No. Bay. Ont., Canada. 7-9 – 15th Annual Eastern Ontario Con f., Chateau, Laurier Hotel, Ottawa, Can. 7-9 -Montana Falls Conf., Livin g ston, Mont. 8-9 – 17th Saskatchewan Roundup, Hotel Saskatchewan, Regina, Sask., Can. Write: Round-up Secy., 3011610 College Avenue, Regina, Sask., Can. 14-16- Provincial BilingualConf., Qu e en Elizabeth Hotel, Dorchester St., Montreal, Que., Can. Write: Chm., P.O. Box 1777, Station B. Montreal 2, Que., Can. 14-16- 16th Southern Calif., Conv., Miramar Hotel, Santa Monica, C a lif. Write: So. Calif., Conv . , 6131 7 / 8 Piedmont St., L.A . , Calif. 14-16 – Top 0′ Texas Round up , 19th Annual, Amarillo, Tex. Write: Roundup Committee, Box 1963, Amarillo, Tex. 14-16- 16th Area Conf., Moun.t Anthony Country Club, Bennington, Vt. 14-16- 11th Annual A.A. Conv. of Eng. & Wales, Holiday Camp, Clactonon-Sea, Essex. Write: Conv. Sec., Gen. Serv. Office, 11 Redcliffe Gardens, London, S. W. 10, Eng. 15 -15th So. \Vise. Fall Conf., Bethel Lutheran Church. Write: Chm. Box 2, Merrimac, Wis. 15-16- State A.A. Roundup, Jamestown, N.D. Write: Program Comm., Box 1175, Jamestown, N.D. 15-17- London Conv., London, England. Write: Secy., 11 Redcliffe Gardens, London, S. W. 10, Eng. 16 -Banquet So. Jersey Inte rgroup, Cinnaminson, N. J. Write: Chm., Box 145, Camden, N. J . 16 -20th Annual Banquet, Mosque Terrace Ballroom, 1020 Broad St., Newark, N.J. Write: Banqu e t Chm., P.O. Box 575, Newark, N.J . 21-23- So. Area Fall Conf., Belle ville, Ill. 21-23 – 3rd N. E. Texas Fall Con f., A dol-

phus Hotel, Dallas, Tex. Write: Chm., P.O. Box 20563, Dallas, Tex. 22 – 12th Annual Banquet, Chicago & Suburban Intergroups, Grand Ballroom, Conrad Hilton Hotel, Chicago, Ill. Write: Banquet Comm., 4720 W. Montana St., Chicago, Ill. 28-30 – 22nd Manitoba Roundup, Winnipeg, Man. Write: Chm., Box 363, Winnipeg, Man . , Can. 28-30 – 13th W. Ontario Conf., London, Ont., Can. Write: Chm., Box 725, London, Ont., Can. 28-30- Georgia 13th A.A. Conv., Augusta Town House, Augusta, Ga . Write: General Chm., P.O. Box 3454, Augusta, Ga. 28-30- 8th Easte rn Penn. A.A. Conf., Pocono Manor Inn, Pocono, Manor, Pa. Write: Conf. Chm., Box 418, Robesonia, Pa. 29 -1st N . H . State Conv., Eastern Slopes Inn, No. Conway, N. H.

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(continued) \Vri te: Conv. Secy., P. 0. Box 488, Wolfboro, N.H. -Annual A.A. Dinner Meeting and Dance, Hotel Americana, N. Y. Write: Dinner Comm., Intergroup Association, 337 East 33rd St., N.Y., N.Y. – Group One 17th Anniversary, 314 Delaware St., Leavenworth Kans. Write: Secy., Box 127, Leavenworth, Kans.

NOVEMBER 11-13- Tri-State Conv., Gabe’s Tower Hotel, Owensboro, Ky. Write: TriState Conv., Box 1402, Owensboro, Ky. 18-20 – 5th Hawaii State Conv., cntton Hawaiian Village, Honolulu, Hawaii. Write: A.A. State Conv., Box 2384, Honolulu, Hawaii. 19 -A . A. 21st Birthday Dinner, Wellington, New Zealand, Write: Secy . , P.O. Box 6458, Wellington, N.Z.

. .. EVE M. HAZEL Staff Coordinator, Correspondence, N.E. Region, U.S.A. (1640 Groups). Asst. Secy., General Service Board; Director, A.A. W.S.; Secy., Policy Committee.

R.

Service Coordinator. Exchange Bulletin and other communication material; all service literature. Secretary, A.A. W.S.

Ml DGE M. Conference Secretary, Correspondence, E:ast Central Region, U.S.A . (1531 Groups). Secy., Nominating Committee.

WANETA N.

CORA LOUISE B. Institutions. Internationalists, Round Robin. Correspondence, Pacific Region,

Public Information, Loners Meeting. Correspondence, S. E. Region, U. S. A. (1281 Groups) and Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario (690 Groups).

U.S.A. (1686 Groups). British Columbia, Yukon (181 Groups). Secy., Literature Committee.

ANN M.

BETH K.

Overseas (English-Speaking). Correspondence, West Central Region, U.S.A. (961 Groups), Quebec (255 Groups). Secy., International Committee.

Overseas (Non-English-Speaking). Correspondence, Southwest Region, U.S.A. (815 Groups), Atlantic Provinces ( 113 Groups). Secy., Finance Committee.

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