BULLETIN WS AND NOTES ON ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WORLDWIDE

Volume 5

Published by General Service Office

of AA., P. 0. Box 459 Grand Central Station, New York 17

Number

September, 1960 AA WEEK – JUNE 27 THROUGH JULY 3 – RESULTS??? It is impossible to estimate results because so much was done to spread the message of A.A. by the Advertising Council, some 3,500 Radio Stations, 600 Television Stations, Newspapers and hundreds of AA Members, Groups and Areas, during this week. A few samples of the mail: 1.

Buffalo’s Mayor proclaimed AA Week on Television.

2.

Arizona’s Governor proclaimed June 24 as AA Day in gratitude for the 25th Anniversary.

3.

WCAU Radio Station contacted the Philadelphia Intergroup and through their cooperation prepared a moving and informative program called “One Deadly Drink”. It was so well received that WCBS Network did a re-broadcast of the program.

4.

Seattle reports through 37 Television and 71 Radio Announcements an estimated 2,713,036 people were reached. How many alcoholics? Who knows?

5.

An Eastern Iowa Television Station wrote – “We were happy to assist AA in this manner.” (About 100 such fine letters were received from Radio and Television Stations.)

6.

A grateful letter from a California listener says “My friend is now in AA could I say more?”

7.

WNEW, New York City Radio Station used AA Members for Spot Announcements, A phone call from a very sick alcoholic woman said “This is the first time I knew they let women in AA, please help me.”

8, The Networks (Television) requested additional telops and slides so they could more effectively carry the message of AA’s 25th Anniversary. We wish there were space to share more of the heart warming letters with you.

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Thanks to you all. We feel sure that we and you will meet and share experiences in the future with many who ’Came to Know” through this project. CALLING ALL PUBLIC INFORMATION COMMITTEES The Public Information Activity in connection with the 25th Anniversary Year has made GSO aware of many actively functioning public information committees some of which are connected with Central Offices and others with areas and groups. We would like to share experiences with you and place you on our mailing list so we will appreciate receiving your mailing addresses. As these are received – we will immediately be in touch with you to obtain information concerning your activities. Just send this information to GSO, P. 0. Box 459, Grand Central Station, New York 17, New York. AA’S APPROXIMATE MEMBERSHIP NOW 300, 000 This figure was obtained through a ratio which was worked out as a result of your most cooperative response to the 1958 Census of Group Membership. Over 8, 000 Groups in 80 countries are the other frequently quoted figures. 25TH ANNIVERSARY AREA AND GROUP MEETINGS Approximately 507o of AA’s Areas and Groups have held special meetings in connection with AA’s 25th Anniversary Year with excellent results. The suggestions for such meetings and the 25th Anniversary Year pamphlets are still available through GSO for similar meetings which are scheduled for the Fall. Just let us know when you want th em. THANKS TO JOSEPH KESSEL – THE AA MESSAGE IS BEING CARRIED IN FRANCE Joseph Kessel, who visited us last year, has written a wonderful series of articles concerning AA which are currently running in France Soir, a Paris daily newspaper. As a result the Paris Group is handling the inquiries – and their daily letters have indicated that there have been approximately 150 inquiries received to date. These are being handled by two members there. But, most exciting is the latest news that there seem to be a nucleus of some 20 French members so that a French Group is on its way in Paris, at last. /GROUP INFORMATION AND CENSUS MAILING ’ This Fall we will again undertake a Census survey, in order to obtain a better picture of the actual membership of Alcoholics Anonymous. The earlier Census in 1958 was so successful, that the Conference requested it be repeated. The figures asked for will cover our inactive membership, since the Directory only lists active members. This can give us a better picture of the number of people who have been helped by AA over the years, and a total membership figure which should be more accurate. Since the Conference also recommended that we obtain up-to-date mailing addresses for all groups in the Fall, (in advance of the Directory Mailing) a group information card will be enclosed with the Census mailing. This will make it possible for you to give us your current address so that when the Directory mailing goes out it will reach

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the proper person. This should help to make our records more accurate, and will provide a better Directory. NEWS FROM THE GRAPEVINE OCTOBER – the annual International Issue is going to press with 21 lively articles from all over the world. A few titles: “Across Africa Alone,” “When Elephants Held Up Trains in Northern Rhodesia,” ’Walla Walla’ s Pigeon is a Prison Group in Holland.” NOVEMBER – another annual event – the Grapevine’s Traditions Issue – will also carry this year a special Convention Section featuring outstanding talks from AA’s 25th ’Anniversary Meeting in Long Beach in July. Highlights: a digest of Bill W. ’s “Inventory” talk on Saturday night and – in full – the Reverend Sam Shoemaker’s talk. ROTATION TIME Following our customary procedure, the rotation of staff assignments took place September 1. Here’s what we are doing as of now: CO-ORDINATOR (Lyb 5) Group Relations Exchange Bulletin Director, AA World Services Secretary, GSB Policy Committee and GSC Study Committee on Clubs Group Correspondence — Southern U.S.

1961 GENERAL SERVICE CONFERENCE (Anita R) Secretary, AA World Services Secretary, Conference Agenda Committee, Report and Charter Committee and Admissions Committee Secretary, Nominating Committee of GSB and Trustee Committee of GSC Group Correspondence — North Central U.S. 1961 WORLD DIRECTORY AND GROUP RECORDS (Beth K) Secretary, GSC Study Committee on Outside Agencies Group Correspondence — Western U.S. (including Alaska & Hawaii) and Western Canada 1960 Census PUBLIC INFORMATION SERVICE (Hazel R) Secretary, Public Information Committee Group Correspondence – New England and Eastern Canada OVERSEAS SERVICES (Ann M) Secretary, 9SB and GSC Budget and Finance Committees Internationalists Group Correspondence — Overseas

-4INSTITUTIONAL SERVICES (Eve M) Hospital and Prison Services Loners and Loner Bulletin Secretary, Literature Committees of GSB and GSC Group Correspondence – Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsion

NOVEMBER CELEBRATION As is customary, Bill W. ’s Anniversary will be celebrated by AA members and their families meeting together in New York City in November. Workshops are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, and activity culminates in a Dinner on Monday, November 14th. This is sponsored by the New York AA Intergroup and tickets may be obtained by writing them at 133 East 39th Street, New York 16, N. Y. A reception for out-of-town members will be held just before the Dinner, on Monday, the 14th, from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Hotel Astor. Bill and Lois, Trustees and GSO and Grapevine Staff Members will be there and looking forward to meeting many out-of-town friends. SPECIAL AND IN MEMORIAM CONTRIBUTIONS California – Hi Desert Round up Ontario, Toronto – “Eglinton Avenue Sunday A.M. Men’s Meeting’ Oregon – District 7 New Jersey, South Orange – North Jersey Panel Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh – In Memory of Stan E. California, Riverside – In Affectionate Memory of Nick S.

7/29/60

$

9.05

7/8/60 8/1/60 8/2/60 8/17/60

33.00 25.00 300.00 15.00

8/16/60

1.00

NEW GROUPS USA and CANADA New groups New clubs New intergroups New lone members Inactivated groups New Prison groups New Hospital groups New Internationalists

47 0 1 5 32

OVERSEAS 13 0 0 5 9

4 4 4

Overseas Groups and contacts are located in: Natal, South Africa Belgium French West Africa Japan England New South Wales Queensland, Australia Puerto Rico New Zealand Tasmania, Australia All of the Staff send warmest greetings to you all. May our paths cross soon. Let us hear from you.