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CHANGE BULLETIN NOTES FROM THE GENERAL SERVICE OFFICE OF A. A.

Vol. 8 .. No. 6

SeptemberOctober 1963

305 East 45th Street, New York 17 @ Mail address. Box 459, Grand Central Station, New York 17

PUBLIC INFORMATION ATTRACTION OR PROMOTION? .

Carrying the message through a “third person” has become an accepted practice inA.A, From our former fears A

“promotion” we have come to realize that it is part of

ARCHIBALD B. ROOSEVELT

our responsibility for the continued growth of our beloved Fellowship to see to it that accurate information about A.A. is made available to the nonalcoholic public, so that these “third persons” can help us in making A.A. known to the alcoholic who hasn’t yet heard about A.A. A recent report from Cliff M., Chairman of Ontario’s Public Information Committee (there are now 94 such com-

Most of you know, by now, that Archie Roosevelt has served as a nonalcoholic Trustee of the General Service Board since 1953. To say that we are grateful for his help lies in the department of understatement. In his present capacity as Treasurer of the Board, Archie has written a letter to your group.

mittees functioning throughout A. A.), informed us of a well-thought out and executed series of public meetings held in 14 Ontario localities simultaneously. Forty percent of those attending were members of the general public, it was estimated. A peek over the shoulders of the enthusiastic and hard-working Committees revealed that each one of them provided an efficient and workable plan for the meetings – that the press, radio and television all cooperated to the fullest in providing time for announcements and for adequate coverage of each meeting, POLICY OF A.A,’S PUBLIC RELATIONS

The policy ofA,A,’s public relations is well expressed

LETTER FROM

Yes, it’s that time again, when we try to express our appreciation and gratitude for what A.A. means to us by contributing to the services that are continuing to carry A. A,’s message of recovery worldwide. In part, the letter reads: “General Services are an extension of your group’s own activities. They need to be self-supporting in the some way that your group is self-supporting. Yet in the first six months of this year contributions met only one-third of the year’s budget. The remaining two-thirds must be met this fall.” Enough said! –

in this statement of the P. I. Committee of the General Service Board. In part, it reads:

task performed by a self-appointed or even delegated individual member,

“The emergence of public information committees within A.A. at local, area and statewide levels is a com-

“It was to fill a need, expressed by Bill, for a broad-

paratively recent development. It has been accompanied

er sharing of responsibility in sustaining A. A,’s sound

by a substantial expansion of public information work at

movement-wide public relations that the Public Informa-

G.S.O. Some of our good members have been asking whether

tion Committee of the General Service Board was created

these activities do not represent a threat to A,A.’s tradi-

in January, 1956, Prior to that time, these relations had

tional public relations policy based on attraction rather

been handled by Bill, personally. The 1956 General Serv-

than promotion, Some are asking why we need such corn-

ice Conference approved the following statement ofA,A,’s

niittees.

movement-wide Public Information Policy:

“There is precedent for the concept of public informa-

’In all public relationships, A.A.’s sole objec-

tion committees within A. A, All A. A. life is based on

tive is to help the still-suffering alcoholic. Always

sharing. The press, broadcasters and other groups which

mindful of the importance of personal anonymity,

influence public opinion are showing ever-increasing in-

we believe this can be done by making known

terest in the Fellowship. It seems better to have commit-

him and to those who may be interested in his prob-

tees sharing the responsibility for providing accurate information about A. A. to these friends than to have that

Fellowship in learning to live without alcohol. We

to

/em, our own experience as individuals and as a

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ABOUT OUR NEW NON-AA. TRUSTEES

HOWARD B – A TRIBUTE It is saddening to report that Howard B, our new

We thought you’d be interested in knowing more about

tC’ Trustee from Ohio died of a heart attack an August 17 a

our two new non-A.A. Trustees. We are extremely grateful

few days after his return home from his first Board meet n

’’-

–

The Cleveland Central Bulletin said of Howard

that these two distinguished men have consented to serve on A,A,’s General Service Board:

’’Isn’t it wonderful to be sober?’ will no longer ring loud and clear throughout meeting rooms and conference

t halls from the now sealed lips of this stalwart member of

JUDGE MURTAGH was Chief Justice of the Court of Special Sessions from 1960 to 1962. He was named to the

it’s truth and vibrance will echo as will the example set

new post of Administrative Judge of Criminal Court, which replaced the city’s system of Magistrate Courts and Court

by the man himself. ” Then the Bulletin reprinted a letter

of Special Sessions,

A A Yet to all who have heard this happy statement

of Howard’s that he had written on the eve of his death after his return from the meeting in

New York It’s too

lengthy to reprint in its entirety, but we thought you might like to know what Howard thought of the Board The Board of Trustees are not only guardians of our Three Legacies but they are charged with the responsibil ities of operating G S 0 within the framework of true A.A.

Now a Colonel in the Air Force Reserve, Judge Murtagh served in the Army Air Corps from 1942 to 1945. He is a graduate of City College and Harvard Law School. He is the author of two books: “Cast the First Stone,” which is about prostitution, and ’’Who Live in Shadow,” about narcotics addiction. He and his wife, Mary, have four children,

principles and to be prudent in the affairs of money. In

We will all miss Howard Bill has said of him Among

DR. CRUICKSHANK, who began his career as a physician, was Assistant Vice President Personnel and Direct or of Public Relations, for Canadian Bell Telephone from 1955 to 1957, when he was named to his current post. He

us he leaves a great host of friends all of them deeply

was Medical Director of Bell atMontreal from 1945 to 1955.

t mvervfaretof onerotion there is solendid evidence of qood stewardship.”

affected and inspired by his immense dedication to every

Dr. Cruickshank, who is currently Chairman of the City of Toronto Redevelopment Advisory Council, is a native of Bognor, Ontario, He graduated from the University of Toronto in 1936 and after interning at Toronto’s Western Hospital, joined the Ontario Department of Health.

thing that is A A

PUBLIC INFORMATION (continued)

believe that our experience should be made avail able freely to all who express sincere interest. We

He was a member of the Canadian Army Medical Corps

believe further that all our efforts in this field

and was demobilized with the rank of Major in 1945. He was Mayor of the Montreal suburban community of Baie

should reflect our gratitude for the gift of sobriety and our awareness that many outside A. A.

are

equally concerned with the serious problem of alcoholism.’

d’Urfe before being transferred to Toronto. He is now President of the Canadian Club of Toronto and a member of the Council of the Metropolitan Toronto Board of Trade. He and his wife, Mimi, have three children.

1963 WORLD DIRECTORY CORRECTIONS

G.S.O. RECEPTION FOR OUT-OF-TOWNERS

Of the $145.00 credited to Los Angeles, California (Page 30) the WESTWOOD WOMEN’S STAG GROUP, $100.00 should be credited to the WESTWOOD GROUP, Los Angeles, Calif. Contributions for the OAKLAND COUNTY COMBINED GROUPS (Page 121) should be $48.37 instead of $157.39. OAKLAND COUNTY ALANO CENTER, INC. – $119.02. The $45.00 contributed to the ASBURY PARK GROUP (Page 141), Asbury Park, New Jersey should be credited to the SYLVAN GROUP, Asbury Park, New Jersey. 1962 Contribution of $30.00 received from: ASHLAND AVENUE GROUP (Page 185), Toledo, Ohio, incorrectly credited to: ASHLAND THURSDAY NIGHT GROUP, Ashland, Ohio.

The annual celebration of our much-loved Bill’s Birthday, will be taking place, as usual, in New York City on Saturday, October 5, at the Hotel Commodore. The tickets are priced at nine dollars. The time is 7 p.m. Tickets are available through the New York Intergroup Association, 133 East 39th Street, New York 16, New York, On the same day between 3 and 5 p.m., the Staff at G.S.O. and Lois and Bill will be looking forward to welcoming you at a reception to be given for out-of-town visitors only (space restrictions). The Commodore, 3 to 5

A contribution of $42.00 credited to the MISSION CITY GROUP (Page 255), Mission City, B.C., Canada, should be listed under JAMES AVENUE GROUP, Mission City, B.C., Canada,

p.m.

Contribution for CENTRAL OFFICE (Page 96) in Louisville, Ky, should be $440.00. CENTRAL GROUP – $81.00.

will be open for visitors between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Come

The G. S. Office at 305 East 45th Street, 18th floor, and see us!

N MEMORY OF ICKY

INII1I I1[e A joint meeting of the Finance Committees of the

As the Bulletin was going to press we were sad-

General Service Conference and the General Service

dened to have the news of the passing of Icky S. of

Board has been called for November 1 2. This is the

Dallas, Texas, Icky has served A.A. in so many ways

first combined meeting held between Conferences,

over many years; as Conference Delegate, as Trustee

Object: To find ways and means of making General

of the General Service Board, as an active group member and as a speaker who was always much in demand.

Services self-supporting.

We would like to take this opportunity of extending to Lela Belle, his wife, our sincerest sympathy.

At the regular meeting of the Board of Trustees, held on July 29 in New York, our three new A.A. Trustees were present for the first time: Jim M. of Sacramento, Roy S. of Tulsa, and Howard B. of Cleveland, Other A.A. Trustees were David B. of Montreal, Mary B., Gene K. and Allan B. of New York and Torn S. of Florida, The “non’s” present were Mr. Leonard Harrison, Mr. Austin MacCormick, the Hon. John Murtagh, Mr. Archibald Roosevelt, Prof. Harrison Trice and Dr. John Norris, Board Chairman. And Bill W. (you all know him!) Some of the Board discussions involved a review of suggestions for discussion subjects for the 1964 General Service Conference in April of 1964. Suggestions will continue to be studied and passed along to Delegates and Committee Members well before Conference time, The Board also approved the establishment of a new A. A.

International

Committee,

Allan

B.

will

serve

as

Chairman, The objectives of the Committee will be to:

This nice blonde is one of the first people you will meet when you come to visit us at 305 East 45th Street, She is our “Tour”

girl. Yes,

she conducts visitors on a

tour of the office and sees to it that they meet all Look at the overseas picture and studyA.A.’s growth. cExamine G.S.O.

Staff and visit all departments,

practice and policy with respect to

overseas.

the

including The Grapevine.

She says of herself: That before coming to A.A. she worked for an oil company ; That she does volunteer work in the children’s ward at Bellevue Hospital on weekends;

Recommend policy for the future.

That she loves to ice skate and enjoys being in New York where

\

she can visit art museums and attend the ballet

regularly.

’

\

Yhapene fefIs us

We are fortunate in having Pat

Her pleasant disposi-

tion and winning ways make her a real joy to have aro’und.

b

talk hemst’ ’Oeii

ABOUT SIAFF ROTATION

. ’

47)

As an insert in this

issue you will see what the Staff

assignments are for the next year. All six Staffers will be undertaking new services and new areas of group correspondence. These are outlined under each Staff Member’s \

Wh

do some

<

–

kfrnd t hd fdatntt £man

name are

Included under the description of each assignment the states and provinces with which each Staffer

corresponds.

(Dr But $ot Sober’1 p.14) 4

Wltdt!S really

(’i’Ftaf Lo u4MoiM*fl*L

We had such a time crowding all this information onto “

one sheet that wedidn’t have room to tell you that

Herb

is continuing in his job as Manager of General Services not an easy assignment but one he seems to thrive on,

M

A,A, CALENDAR September

6-8 – 4th Annual Colorado State Convention

The Grange,

Denver, Cola.

Write: Dick B., Convention Chairman, 1311 York Street Denver 6, Cob. September

Western Iowa Conference October 12-13 The Downtowner, 918Y2 Locust Street, Des Moines, Iowa

October 18-20 – Winnipeg Roundup, Marlborough Hotel, Smith Street, Winnipeg, Man, October 19-20 – Downstate Illinois, Southern Assembly Jacksonville, Ill.

14-15 – Northeastern Manitoba Roundup, Manitoba

Lodge, Pine Falls, Manitoba, Canada

September 20-22 – Kansas State Assembly Broadview Hotel, Wichita, Kansas

Write: P.O. Box 132, Jacksonville, III. 62657 October 25-27 – Georgia Tenth State A.A. Convention Biltmore Hotel, Atlanta, Georgia Write: Box 12112, Atlanta 5, Ga.

North Carolina A.A. State Convention September 20-22 Carolina Hotel, Pinehurst, North Carolina Write: Joe Pinkston, P.O. Box 63, Aberdeen, N.C.

October 25-27 – Southwest Texas Area A.A. Conference

September 21-22 – South Dakota State Fall Conference

October 26-27 – Missouri Eastern Conference – A.A. Convention and St. Louis 23rd Annual Banquet

National Guard Armory, Watertown, S.D. Write: Watertown A.A. Group, Box

398, Watertown, S.D.

September 27-29 – Fall Round-up, Central N.Y. Area, Watson

Homestead, Coopers Plains, N.Y.

Write: “Round-up Committee”, c/o Area Artists, 174 South Avenue, Rochester 4, N.Y.

Eastern Slope Inn, North Conway, N.H. Write: P.O. Box 444, Kenmore Station, Boston 15, Mass. Michigan State Conference of A.A.

Hotel Pontlind, Grand Rapids, Mich. Write: Michigan State Conference Committee 1020 College Avenue, N.E., Grand Rapids 5, Mich, September 28-29

Northern Illinois Conference

Faust Hotel, Rockford, Ill. September 28-29

Inn Motel, Victoria, Texas

Coronado Hotel, Spring and Lindell, St. Louis, Mo. November 1-3 – Annual Convention of West Virginia Wilson Lodge, Oglesbay Park, W. Va. Write: Dr. A.B.G., P.O. Box 165, Wheeling, W. Va, November 2 – Twenty-third Anniversary

September 27-29 – First New England Conference

September 27-29

Continental

Write: Chairman, P.O. Box 2204, Victoria, Texas

Connecticut Annual Convention

Banquet

Imperial Ballroom, Stotler Hilton Hotel, Boston, Mass. Write: Central Service Banquet Committee, 25 Huntington Avenue, Room 227, Boston 16, Mass. November 8-10 – Skyline Conference

Salt Lake City, Utah November 8-10

Tri State Convention

Washington – Youree Hotel, Shreveport

9-10 – British Columbia-Yukon Assembly Gai Paree Supper Club, 6669 Kingsway, Burnaby, B.C.

November

Write: Conference Committee, P.O. Box 38, Station A. Vancouver, B.C.

Banner Lodge, Moodus, Conn,

October 4.6 – Eastern Pennsylvania A.A. Conference Echo Lake, Pa, Write: Conference Chairman, Box 418, Robeson a, Pa,

November 9-11 – Second Hawaii State Convention

October 4-6 – Thirteenth Annual Conference of the HudsonMohawk, Bershire Area, Eastover, Lenox, Mass.

November 15-17 -_ Tri State Fall Convention

Hilton Hawaiian Village, Waikiki, Oahu Write: Box 2384, Honolulu 2, Hawaii

Bloomington, Ind.

October 4-6 – Twelfth Annual Southern California Conference Long Beach, Calif. Write: Conference Committee, 1400 Fairfield Street Glendale, Calif.

Twelfth Eastern Ontario Conference October 4.6 Chateau Laurier, Ottawa, Ont. Write: Box 38, Postal Terminal “A”, Ottawa, Ont.

NEW

SIZE

F OR MEMO

Co

October 6 – First Annual Banquet, East Central Minn. Area Write: Banquet Chairman, 712Y2 Laurel Street, Brainerd, Minn

The pamphlet, “Memo for an Inmate Who May Be An October 11-13 – Fifth Bilingual Conference, Queen Elizabeth Hotel, Montreal, Que, Write: P.I. Committee, Bilingual Conference, Queen Elizabeth Hotel, Montreal, Que. October 11-13 – North & Northwest Ontario Regional Conference of A.A., The Windsor Hotel, Sault Ste. Marie, Ont, Write: P.O. Box 813, Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. October 12-13 – Montana State Fall

Conference, Lewistown,

Montana Sixteenth Atlantic Provinces Assembly, Grand October 12-13 Falls, Newfoundland

Write: P.O. Box 364, Grand Falls, Newfoundland October 12-13 – 10th Western Ontario Conference of A.A. Hotel London, London, Ont., Canada October 12-13 – Thirteenth Annual Arizona A.A.Conference Ramada Hotel, Phoenix, Ariz,

Alcoholic” ($0.15)

is being issued in a new size

–

31/2 by

6 inches.

This is considerably smaller than the original

pamphlet.

The new size

answers the request of inmate

members who wanted it pocket-size. “Memo” shares A.A. experience with the inmate member and prospective member, with stories received from exinmate A,A,’s who have been happily active in the Fellowship following their release.

The feelings of former in-

mates now in A.A. might be summed up by the following quote from the pamphlet:

“I have almost two-and-a-half

years of contented sobriety as a free man, plus the years sobriety in prison.

After so many wasted years,

I have

found peace of mind and a reason for living. We found inmates are back amongst the living when we come intoA,A,”