BOX 4005łi9 NEWS AND NOTES FROM THE GENERAL SERVICE OFFICE OF A.A. April-May 1977

Vol. 22, No. 2

Workshop Topics Set for Conference Throughout the U.S. and Canada, certain members who take A .A. responsibilities seriously can be found studying several topics to be explored at the 1977 meeting of the General Service Conference, April 17-23, in New York. They are among the 91 elected area delegates who at the Confer ence meet with members of the General Service, A.A.W.S., and Grapevine boards and the G.S.O. and Grapevine staffs. The workshop topics to be explored are: the A.A. group, the importance of rotation throughout A.A., and the Conference Charter and Warranties. Please send your suggestions for discussion especially on group problems. In addition to workshops, the Conference agenda includes Area Service Highlight reports from Panel 27 delegates, and presentations/discussions on the significance of rotation, the role of alter(continued on p. 5)

Archives Help the Fellowship Keep to Our Primary Purpose Any alcoholic who does not look hard at his or her own past is probably doomed to repeat it, as A.A.’s know. The past of our Fellowship is equally important. We have to be familiar with the mistakes and the successes of A.A.’s early days. If we weren’t, we could overlook things that do work and keep repeating past errors until we undermined our own Fellowship. Fortunately, that risk is not necessary. Our founders recorded (in the Big Book and “Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions”) the steps they took and the traditions, or customs, they developed that led to recovery and a healthy pattern of life focused on the Fellowship’s primary purpose.

Now, another rich source of knowledge about the original A.A. experiences is the A.A. archives, supervised by Nell Wing, a nonalcoholic walking encyclopedia of A.A. lore and a treasure for all of us. The archives contain all the precious, irreplaceable records of A.A.’s early years all that were saved, that is. Manuscripts, letters, photographs, clippings, and many other priceless mementos tell the Fellowship’s early story. March 4 marked the start of Nell’s 31st year at G.S.O. She began as a typist in 1947, when “life among the anonymi” (Bill’s phrase) was quite different. Our estimated membership then (continued on p. 6)

KNOW ANY PAST DELEGATES? We try to keep an accurate list of former delegates to the General Service Conference, but as time passes it goes out of date. So if you are a past delegate, or know any past delegates, please help us by making sure we have correct addresses. We want them to receive information on regional forums, International Conventions, etc., and we’d just like to hear from them anyway.

Significant photos deck the archives suite, as Nell indicates.

Box 4-5-9 is published bimonthly by the General Service Office ofAlcoholics A nonyinous, 468 Park Avenue South, New York, N.Y. 10016.

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Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc., 1977.

Mail address: P.O. Box 459, Grand Central Station, New York, N. Y. 10017. Subscriptions: Individual, $1.50 per year; group, $3.50 for each unit of 10 per yr. Check made payable to A.A. W.S., Inc. – should accompany order.

CLEARING LOCAL CONVENTION DATES G.S.O. is not informed about all the various A.A. conventions, banquets, and other affairs going on all the time. But we’ve been asked whether we can “clear” convention dates. Not really, since a master calendar of such events is beyond our capability. However, if you or someone you know is scheduling such a gathering, you might call us and ask whether we know of any other big affairs going on at the same time. We’ll tell you all we know which is, mostly, what you see in the A.A. calendars in Box 4-5-9 and the Grapevine. There are too many group anniversaries for us to mention any, of course. But if yours is a regional, state, provincial, or area event, we’ll happily list it if we get notice at least three months in advance, and if you give a mail address where A.A.’s can write for information. (This address may include the appropriate committee or officer or both, for example: “Convention Committee” or “Chairman, Registration Committee,” or “Secretary.” Naturally, we cannot print the name of any A.A. member.) For your advance information now, here are this year’s dates when trustees meet in New York Conference delegates, too, of course, for the April meeting: Apr. 17-23 (Conference) July 31-Aug. 1 Oct. 30-31

THE STRENGTH TO GET STARTED Italy “Carrie M., Bill M., and I send our warmest regards,” writes Will R. “The Unity Group is alive and living in La Maddalena, Sardinia, Italy. “The three of us each arrived with a little concern about our two-year tour when we found no active, sober A.A.’s and only the remnants of a defunct group. It appeared to be such a difficult task mustering up the strength to get the group going again, until we started discovering one another,” Will says. “Now, a year and a half later, we have seen periods with other members, but here we are – still us three. The answer must be in getting started. Then, whatever strength is required will just seem to come as a gift.” he adds. “The Loners-Internationalists Meeting bulletin and their letters have been so very helpful. Thank you. In July, I head for Maryland, where I know I already have friends!” Turkey “The port we are now in (Izmir, Turkey) isn’t mentioned in the International A .A. Directory, but with the help of the American consul I found two A.A. members, and we now enjoy regular meetings,” writes Joe P. “A member in Montreal suggested contacting the consul. It all helps!” says Loner Joe. Does anyone need reminding that all A.A. once had only three members? Kenya “Here in Kenya I started right away a group with one woman, on Nov. 4, 1975,” writes Father L. At the 1976 first-anniversary meeting, 30 members were present. And the 25 African bishops of Tanzania have invited Father L. to talk to them about A.A. He sent special thanks for A.A. 2

literature in Swahili, and to Bill K., who drove him to meetings all over the United States when he was herein 1974. “I wish you God’s care,” he writes. The wish is fully mutual.

LET LITERATURE CARRY THE MESSAGE, TOO The latest Literature Order Form and the Spring 1977 catalog are enclosed with this issue. Here’s word about two newsworthy items listed there – and about a useful small-size folder not included in either the form or the catalog. “44 Questions” (44 questions and answers about the A.A. program of recovery) has been updated and has a new cover. This pamphlet is for anyone who wants to know about A.A. (20I each) Guide for Leading Beginners Meetings includes a revised eight-page service pamphlet of suggestions for the leader or those interested in holding meetings for newcomers. This kit now includes ten pamphlets, rather than five. ($1.50 each) Problems Other Than Alcohol (excerpts): These excerpts from a Grapevine article, Feb. 1958, by Bill W., represent a summary of Bill’s thoughts on drug problems and their relationship to A.A. (No charge, not on order form) ANONYMITY IN SIGNS? One intergroup wonders how much A.A. identity it should display. It has a window sign saying only “Intergroup,” a similar sign on the door, and a listing in the building directory as “Intergroup.” But many local A.A.’s feel they may have effectively kept their existence and purpose a secret from the general public and many stillsuffering alcoholics by not using “A.A.” or “Alcoholics Anonymous” in any of those places. What do you think?

Delegate Corner

Trustee Corner

’ALL THAT MAIL!’ DELEGATES EXCLAIM

’I DON’T UNDERSTAND A.A.!’

One frigid night a few weeks ago, the phones rang in the homes of three Panel 27 delegates. Box 4-5-9 asked them what they were doing in preparation for the G.S. Conference. Almost as if rehearsed, each began, “Reading! All that mail we get from G.S.O.!” Jessie P. (S.E. Mich.) has been active in the Third Legacy 18 years. She was rereading “The A.A. Service Manual” and “Twelve and Twelve.” Area committee members had just checked all their groups’ listings in the Eastern U.S. A.A. Directory, and would discuss Conference topics at their next meeting. Paul J. (E. Mass.) said, “It’s the most exciting, awesome experience of my life.” Paul was rereading “A.A. Comes of Age” and wondered why more A.A.’s don’t read it. He would like to see more audiovisual material on A.A., “since people don’t read any more.” April will be his first sober trip to New York. Tom S. (B.C./Yukon) became a G.S.R. eight years ago, recently reread “The A.A. Service Manual” and “Twelve Concepts for World Service” and was reading the summary of past Ask-It Basket questions and answers. Two meetings on the Third Legacy he conducted recently raised questions Tom planned to bring to the Conference. His area committee and all G.S.R.’s were exploring Conference agenda items, so he would know the group conscience of his area.

“Two hard-nosed money men I know, Archibald Roosevelt and Bob Morse (both nonalcoholics), kept telling me what a wonder ful outfit A.A. is, and they aroused my curiosity,” Arthur J. Miles, nonalcoholic treasurer of the General Service Board, told Box 4-5-9 when asked how he got hooked up with A.A. In 1970, Art succeeded Bob Morse, who had replaced Archie as treasurer. “As a banker, I still have difficulty relating to an organization that won’t take all the money it can get,” he said, chuckling. “I don’t understand how A.A. works, at all! But it is surely a worthwhile experience, from which I get far more (continued on next page) than I put in.”

CONSCIENTIOUS G.S.R. SCANS THE JOB Richard T., Massena, N.Y., has recently completed his term as G.S.R. and shares his thoughts on the job. “I am glad my group asked me to serve them. I think this contributed a lot to my being sober today. I’ve learned how important the G.S.R. is. This job should not be taken lightly. “Group membership is a very important part of my A.A. program, especially activity in one particular group. This means attending its meetings regularly, helping set up meetings, being willing to serve (watching out for the old ego drive) – and being humble, stepping aside, listening, and listening some more, with respect for the other fellow’s view. “Election of the G.S.R. should be done very carefully. The G.S.R. needs to understand clearly the responsibility required and be honest with himself or herself, asking, ’Am I ready for that?’

G.S.R. Corner

SAN ANTONIO INTERGROUP SHARES Night Cap is the monthly six-page bulletin put out by the San Antonio (Tex.) Central Service Office. It’s an excellent communication tool for all members around, telling of new meetings, the office financial status, social functions, P.I. activities, etc. From a recent issue comes this answer to the question “What Is Intergroup?” “Intergroup is to A.A. what a filling station is to a car. It keeps things in good running order. It provides service. It is best described as the hub of the wheel that coordinates A.A. groups. There are between 1 5 and 20 calls a day made to intergroup for help. If a Twelfth Step call is indicated, the caller is usually contacted within the hour. “Intergroup is a large information center. Referral to places of recovery is often necessary, because the caller is in need of detoxification. Intergroup keeps updated lists on detox centers, hospitals that have A.A. programs, and halfway houses. “Information on meetings and changes in meetings and their location are available through intergroup. A directory of city-area meetings is published by intergroup and made available to groups and members.”

Central Office Corner

’I DON’T UNDERSTAND A.A.!’ (continued) Today’s A.A. of a million-plus members in some 30,000 groups is now a mammoth operation, Art pointed out. “It cannot be run on a shoestring, but needs instead a highly efficient, growing service system – and that is expensive,” he declared. Now executive vice-president and treasurer of the Dime Savings Bank, Art began there as a clerk in 1938. He first attained officer rank when appointed assistant vicepresident in 1959. Art holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Pace College, did graduate work at the Graduate School of Business Administration of New York University, and is a graduate of the management development program of Dartmouth College. He is on the board of trustees of the American Institute of Banking, the Cultural Institutions Retirement System, the Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences and our G.S. Board. He belongs to the New York Society of Security Analysts, the Financial Analysts Federation, the National Association of Business Economists, and the National Economists Club of Washington, D.C. Many A.A.’s do not fully appreciate the real caliber of our talented, dedicated nonalcoholic trustees. This is an attempt to remedy that, and express to Art our profound gratitude for his many A.A. labors. DO WE REJECT ’SLIPPERS’? “The member with several years’ sobriety who picks up a drink seems to be regarded by the Fellowship in a very different and peculiar way,” writes Jim S., Phoenix, Ariz. “I’ve talked with several such individuals and am surprised to find they sense a feeling of rejection from other members.” Jim

also found Twelfth Step calls for such “slippers” generally handled in a significantly different way. Are members who relapse regarded, not as having a disease, but at fault because of a moral failing or a lack of willpower? This topic was the subject of a panel at the Arizona Convention last fall. A study group in Camduff, Sask., is planning to hold a session on continual slippers, R. J. G. writes us. In Winnipeg, there is the Golden Slippers Group. Maybe some readers have helpful suggestions. Please let us know. GROUPS RAISE QUESTIONS Two subjects raised often in our mail from groups are illustrated by these letters. “According to A.A. Traditions, are Al-Anon members allowed to participate in an A.A. open meeting?” asks Larry B., Lake Elsinore, Calif. Long (and sometimes painful) A.A. experience has suggested the answers in the Guidelines on the Relationship Between A.A. and AlAnon, and on pages 19-21 of the pamphlet “The A.A. Group.” In addition, the General Service Conference has affirmed several times that “only those with a desire to stop drinking may be members of A.A. groups,” but “nonalcoholics are welcome at open meetings.” The Conference has also suggested that when A.A.’s and their nonalcoholic mates meet regularly, they call such gatherings “meetings,” not groups, so neither AlAnon nor A.A. has to wrestle with the meaning of the term “family group.” A group’s response to pill addicts at a meeting prompted this letter from a concerned A.A. member: “Two years ago, a gal entered A.A. here after cold-turkeying from prescribed tranquilizers. Absolute miracle. Beautiful growth. Wonderful acceptance by all. Has

since realized she drank, and has called herself an alcoholic drug addict. “Later, another gal entered the picture. Another miracle, beautiful growth, and acceptance by all. Then began stirrings about closed vs. open meetings. Bill W.’s pamphlet ’Problems Other Than Alcohol’ was circulated, and great oratory began. The second gal has never called herself an alcoholic, but has confided to me that when the pills didn’t do the job, some wine did. “Last week, the first gal brought a newcomer who didn’t know what kind of problem she had. Scared, she said she drank and took pills. “Suddenly, someone took the floor and told the three they had to leave, that the meeting was closed, for alcoholics only. After a vote, 11 members walked out to hold their own ’closed’ meeting down the hall, leaving nine of us, including the three. “I, too, prefer closed meetings, without Al-Anon members, the visiting professor, the schoolboy writing a term paper, and so on. I’m in that mythical ’pure alcoholic’ category. A.A. came to me before I came to pills.” How does your group handle such problems? ISLANDERS AND VOYAGERS CELEBRATE TOGETHER On the Bahamas, as on any other islands, individual A.A. visitors gave local members their only direct contact with the outside A.A. world. Most had never seen more than 50 A.A.’s in one place. Suddenly, the Bahamians were exposed to mass enthusiasm and open joy in sobriety when 750 A.A. visitors arrived from Miami on a “cruise without booze.” Paul Y., Nassau, Bahamas, writes, “None of my cohorts had ever spoken before a microphone. As Ennis, with his stentorian voice, opened the meeting, my qualms (continued on p. 5)

ISLANDERS AND VOYAGERS (co ntinued from p. 4) almost took over. However, whe n the sea of faces came to life with a riotous ‘Hi,’ I was never happier in my life to be an alcoholic. “Our speakers were all dressed up for the occasion. George B. almost brought down the house with his story about a brief slip during his recent marriage. “Mac D. had a typical Bahamian story with a bit about his homelife , and Ida R. spoke of her experience before a magistrate who put her in the local loony bin. A quick change to the alcoholic hospital unit brought her into contact with A.A. and several years of happy sobriety. “Noel, our senior A.A. – no bleeding deacon, but a deeply spiritual and dignified individual gave us a very fine message . “While looking at the familiar faces before me, such as AI S. and AI K., who helped organize the popular ‘cruise without booze ,’ I asked all to stand up and help me close the meeting in the usual fashion. “The microphone before me suddenly grinned at me, and all I could think about was the Serenity Prayer. What seemed like several hours later, I repeated, ‘Please join . . . ‘ The microphone now jeered at me , and all I could think of was ‘God grant me … ‘The world stopped, and I was about to get off when the words came: ‘Our Father .. . ‘ ” Few Bahamians – especially not Paul – will ever forget that sunny Sunday morning.

CONFERENCE TOPICS (continued from p. 1) nates, the Grapevine, cooperation and communication among all levels of service, and the role of the regional trustee. Trustees to be elected are the regionals from East Central and Southeast U.S., one general service

– U.S., two G.S. trustees (New York), and one Class A (nonalcoholic). A sharing session will be held on how the group conscience operates, and reports will cover a study on the feasibility of relocating G.S.O . (an outside consulting firm did the research), the Fourth World Service Meeting, the A.A. directories, and the estimated cost of facsimiles of the first edition of the Big Book. Discussion topics include Box 4-5-9 and selling non-A .A. literature at group meetings. Appropriate Conference committees have on their agenda such items as the following: (1) What constitutes a “prudent” reserve fund? (2) Should groups that meet in hospitals or treatment facilities accept free rent, coffee, etc.? (3) Should the Conference Institutions Commit-

tee subdivide (as the trustees’ committee has) into correctional and treatment sections? ( 4) What about “classes on A.A.” held in rehabs? (5) When professionals call A.A. and ask that someone talk to their clients, what should be the A.A. response? (6) What are area reactions to the new pamphlet “Do You Think You’re Different?” Many co nscientious Conference members and other A.A.’s have asked how they can inform themselves about past Conference actions. You can get from G.S.O . a summary of the Advisory Actions of all past Conferences, or a summary of the Ask-It Basket questions and answers from previous Conference sessions. Often, the very question or problem troubling a group today has already been solved by other groups, so the summaries are valuable collections of shared A.A. experience.

Il I

YOUR RESPONSES TO BOX 4-5-9 Alberta started something Four A.A.’s wrote us how glad they were to read of the Aftercare Temporary Sponsor program (Oct.-Nov. ’76 issue) run by the Alberta Assembly. All four wanted more information, so they could improve local services to alcoholics released from correctional facilities. We are grateful to Rudy K. (St. Croix Group, Stillwater,

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Minn.) , Carl J. (Colorado Hospital and Institutions Committee, Fort Morgan, Colo.), Stephen L. (Atlanta, Ga.), and Donald E. (Hillside Group, Fredericton, N.B.) for writing. Fads – pro and con You also shared with us your thoughts about bumper stickers, jewelry, etc . (Oct.-Nov. ’76) . Bill C. told of two cases in which an “Easy Does It” sticker on a dis(continued on p. 6)

YOUR RESPONSES (continued from p. 5) abled car caused a passing member to stop and help. R. T. had another angle. He said such symbols – which say, in effect, “Look at me! I’m an A.A.!” – could be interpreted as boasting, and may mean some egotism is creeping in. He asked whether visible signals of A.A. membership are attraction or promotion. On the other hand, Sherry L., San Francisco, told of her A.A. dad’s long, lonely cross-country drive and the “E.D.I.” stickers on cars that quite often passed him with a cheery honk and a wave, dispelling his loneliness and negative thinking. Gloria H., Valinda, Calif., wrote, “Who am I to say how the language of the heart should be spoken? Nothing brightens my day as much as a honk and wave from a passer by who saw my bumper sticker. “Tradition Three guarantees that all kinds of people be allowed in the door to recover. It even specifies,” she continued, “crackpots, and I am one of the outgoing, friendly crackpots who can’t get in touch with a grim, narrow sobriety. Personally, I think the ’fad’ items are great. I’ll give and take A.A. love in any way I can.” Discussion meeting topics C. B. C., Merrimac, Wis., suggested these topics for discussion at A.A. meetings: (1) importance of working A.A. one day atatime; (2) what we mean when we say A.A. has become a way of life; and (3) the joys and rewards to be had from long-distance A.A. Thanks much, Blake. Every issue of 4-5-9 (at right) and every Grapevine suggest subjects, too.

ARCHIVES HELP (continued from p. 1) was only 40,000 in 1,200 groups in 18 countries. G.S.O. was staffed by 13 people.

(Today, it is believed we add 100,000 new members a year to our 1,000,000-plus membership count in nearly 30,000 groups in over 90 countries, and G.S.O. employs about 80 people.) Our Traditions were not yet spelled out in 1947, only beginning to emerge as lessons the members would have to learn. Nell soon became secretary to co-founder Bill W., a position she held until his death in 197 1, giving her a unique, intimate familiarity with A.A. matters worldwide. Often, Bill eked out her meager salary with handouts from his own pocket, since G.S.O. then did not fully grasp the necessity of paying its employees in full. With the lesson of self-support not yet completely learned, there was a tendency to expect people to labor for A.A. at special low rates. Talking recently about her job, Nell pointed out that Loners and Internationalists were only vaguely on the horizon when she began. The General Service Conference did not exist, and the General Service Board was unsure of its role: Was it to exert active leadership of A.A. or just remain passively protective of the Fellowship? Within the 1945-55 decade, Nell said, perhaps the most dramatic growth and development in A.A. history occurred. Nell recalled that Bill used the Grapevine to propose the Traditions, and after lengthy discussion they were accepted at the First International Convention, in Cleveland in 1950. Solid overseas growth really began, and great waves of publicity about A.A. occurred in that period, such as a “We the People” radio show, a “March of Time” movie, and aReader’s Digest article that pulled 3,000 inquiries in one month. In 195 1, the Conference held its first meeting, very unsure of itself. But by 1955 it was seen as a great step into maturity, and at a moving ceremony in St. Louis in 1955, Bill climaxed our Second Interna-

tional Convention by turning over the guidance of A.A.’s world affairs to the Conference, representing all A.A. as source of the true group conscience of the Fellowship. Inspired by Bill, Nell quickly saw the importance of A.A.’s earliest records, and began squirreling them away. It wasn’t always easy. A.A.’s are not on the whole very interested in old records, and over the years “lots of that old paper” was discarded in all innocence, unless Nell found out and spirited it away. Finally, in 1973, the board’s Archives Committee was established, and ever since, strenuous efforts have been made to round up early tapes (plus taped interviews with A.A.’s first members about the pioneering days) and other significant sources of infor mation. Nell’s role in this isn’t easily discerned by the casual A.A. visitor. (She’s such a friendly, outgoing soul that folks often whisper, “Are you sure she’s not an A.A.?”) But at the opening of the new archives suite in 1975, it was well summed up by the chairman of the board’s Archives Committee: “With Nell, A.A. matters really are a labor of love.” That’s why Nell has earned, and gets, the love of all of us.

CLOSED MEETING TOPICS FROM THE GRAPEVINE

April: To spark a group inventory, read seven articles with the same theme as the 1977 Conference, “The A.A. Group”; turn to “Above the World’s Battles” for ideas in a discussion of Tradition Ten; use the article “The Serenity Prayer” for that topic. May: After reading “You and I Need Each other,” share views on sponsorship; let “Humility for Today” and “The Power of the Good” help in Step meetings (especially on Seven and Two); read “Attraction vs. Promotion” and discuss the meaning of anonymity.

THE BULLETIN BOARD April-May 1977 ITEMS ON AREA A.A. GATHERINGS – VIA G.S.O.

MARCH 25-27 St. Paul, Minnesota. 21st Annual St. Paul & Suburban Area Intergroup Banq. Write: Tkt. Chna., 130 N. Griggs, Midway Bldg., 1812 University Ave., St. Paul, MN 55104 25-27 – New Orleans, Louisiana. 34th Anniv. New Orleans A.A. & Big Deep South Tenth Annual Cony. Write: Spec. Activ. Comm., 535 Gravier Bldg., Rm. 707, New Orleans, LA 70130 25-27 – Atlantic City, New Jersey. 13th Annual S. N.J. Gen. Assembly Cony. Write: 13th Annual S. Jersey Cony., Box 172, Oaklyn, NJ 08107 27 Hyannis, Massachusetts. Second Annual Roundup. Write: Cape Cod Roundup, P.O. Box 533, South Yarmouth, MA 02644 31-April 3 – Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. 30th Annual S.C. Cony. Write: Cony. Chm., P.O. Box 2396, Myrtle Beach, SC 29579 APRIL 1-3 – Cartagena, Colombia, S.A. Ninth Annual Inter-American Conf. Write: Twelve Step Travelers, 5 N. Wabash, Suite 404, Chicago, IL 60602 1-3 – Fort St. John, British Columbia, Canada. Sourdough Roundup. Write: Chm., P.O. Box 6164, Fort St. John, B.C., Canada 1-3 – Galway, Ireland. 20th All-Ireland Cony. Write: Cony. Secty., Tourist Off., Arus Pailte, Galway, Ireland Jackson’s Mill, West Virginia. Fifth 1-3 W.Va. Spring Roundup. Write: Chm., P.O. Box 825, Clarksburg, WV 26301 1-3 – Joliet, Illinois. N. Ill. Area Spring Conf. Write: Conf. Chm., P.O. Box 4, Joliet, IL 60431 1-3 – Longview, Texas. Eighth Annual E. Tex. Roundup. Write: Secty., P.O. Box 2082, Longview, TX 75601 Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Sixth 2-3 Edmonton Spring Roundup. Write: Chm., P.O. Box 5397, Stn. E, Edmonton, Alta., Canada 8-10 – Wichita, Kansas. Second Annual Wichita Area Easter Roundup. Write: Roundup Chm., P.O. Box 18093, Wichita, KS 67218 8-10 – Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Fifth Annual Young People’s Roundup. Write: Roundup Chm., P.O. Box 1086, Stn. A, Vancouver, B.C., Canada 15-17 – Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada. S. Alta. Roundup. Write: Clam., Box 212, Lethbridge, Alta., Canada 15-17 – Eureka Springs, Arkansas. First Springtime in the Ozarks District #1 Cony. Write: Cony. Clam., P.O. Box 1358, Rogers, AR 72756 15-17 – Lloydminster, Saskatchewan, Canada. Annual Roundup. Write: Roundup Comm., P.O. Box 195, Lloydminster,Sask., Canada

A.A. CALENDAR OF EVENTS BanJf Springs, Alberta, Canada. 15-17 Fourth Annual Banff Springs Roundup. Write: Clam., Reg. Comm., Box 6744, Stn. D, Calgary, Alta., Canada T2P 1H7 15-17 Seminole, Florida. Sixth Annual Suncoast Cony. Write: Secty., Cent. Off., 8050 Seminole Mall, Suite 321, Seminole Off. Ctr., Seminole, FL 33542 Rosetown, Saskatchewan, Canada. 16-17 First Annual Roundup. Write: Chm., P.O. Box 1630, Rosetown, Sask., Canada SOL 2V0 22-24 – Lake Charles, Louisiana. 24th Annual Cony. Write: Cony. Clam., 3237 B Kirkman St., Lake Charles, LA 70601 22-24 – New York, New York. 18th Annual S.E. N.Y. Cony. Write: Clam., Box 1850, G.P.O., New York, NY 10001 22-24 Camp Tama, Japan. Spring Far East Roundup. Write: Chm., 29-8 3-Chome, Ebisu, Shibuya-Ku, Tokyo, Japan 150 23-24 Portage La Prairie, Manitoba, Canada. Annual Spring Roundup. Write: Roundup Chm., P.O. Box 182, Portage La Prairie, Man., Canada R1N 3B5 29-May 1 – Erie, Pennsylvania. Second Annual Erie Area Conf. Write: Chm., P.O. Box 148, Erie, PA 16512 29-May I – Surrey, British Columbia, Canada. Annual Fraser Valley Ralley. Write: Tkt. Chm., 10937 129th St., Surrey, B.C., Canada V3T 3J1 29-May 1 – Revelstoke, British Columbia, Canada. Annual Roundup. Write: Roundup Chm., Box 1177, Revelstoke, B.C., Canada VOE 2S0 29-May 1 – Bradford, Pennsylvania. W. N.Y. Gen. Sery. Cony. Write: Chm., P.O. Box 156, Port Allegany, PA 16743 29-May 1 Cody, Wyoming. State Conf. Write: Chm., P.O. Box 1092, Cody, WY 82414 30-May 1 – Scottsbluff, Nebraska. Annual Jamboree. Write: Clam., Jamboree Comm., P.O. Box 256, Scottsbluff, NE 69361 30-May 1 – Enfield, Connecticut. Eighth Annual W. Mass. Roundup. Write: Chm., 42 West Shore Dr., Enfield, CT 06082 MAY 6-8 – Fresno, California. Fifth Annual H & I Conf. of Calif. Write: H & I Conf., P.O. Box 4154, Fremont, CA 94538 6-8 Pembroke, Ontario, Canada. 15th Annual Upper Ottawa Valley Dist. Cony. Write: Cony. Clam, P.O. Box 1, Pembroke, Ont., Canada K8A 6X1 6-8 Atlantic City, New Jersey. Philadelphia’s Tenth Intergroup Roundup. Write: Roundup Secty., 2202 St. James St., Philadelphia, PA 19103

7-8 – Estevan, Saskatchewan, Canada. 11th Annual Conf. Write: Secty., 810 Eva St., Estevan, Sask., Canada 54A 1P3 13 – Orlando, Florida. Second Annual Anniy. Banq. Cent. Fla. Intergroup. Write: Chm., 205 Jackson St., Suite 7, Orlando, FL 32801 13-15 – Burley, Idaho. Idaho Area Spring Assembly. Write: Chm., P.O. Box 281, Burley, ID 83318 13-15 – New Bern, North Carolina. 12th TrArea Roundup. Write: Secty., P.O. Box 304, New Bern, NC 28560 13-15 – Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada.l3tla Annual Niagara Blossom Time Cony. Write: Cony. Chm., P.O. Box 294, St. Catharines, Ont., Canada 13-15 – Burlington, Vermont. Tenth Annual Vt. Cony. Write: Cony. Chm., Box 77, Wallingford, VT 05773 20-22 – Little Current, Ontario, Canada. Sixth Annual Manitoulin Rainbow Roundup. Write: Chm., P.O. Box 641, Little Current, Ont., Canada 20-22 – Timmins, Ontario, Canada. Temiskaming-Coclarane Dist. l8tla Annual Conf. Write: Clam., P.O. Box 112, Timmins, Ont., Canada 20-22 – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 36th Anniv. State Coiaf. Write: Conf. Clam., P.O. Box 75493, Oklahoma City, OK 73107 20-22 – Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. 1 itla Annual N.W. Ont. Conf. Write: Reg. Chm., Box 73, Stn. F, Thunder Bay, Ont., Canada 20-22 – Bakersfield, California. Fourth Annual Golden Empire Roundup. Write: Clam., P.O. Box 3489, Bakersfield, CA 93305 21 – Washington, District of Columbia. 35th Annual Banq. Write: Banq. Clam., Wash. Area Intergroup Assoc., 4530 Connecticut Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20008 2 7-29 – Rosemont, Illinois. E. Cent. Regional Forum. Write: Regional Forum, Box 459, Grand Central Station, New York, NY 10017 27-29 – Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Canada. Prince Albert Gateway Roundup. Write: Secty., 12 – 12th Street E., Prince Albert, Sask., Canada S6V 1132

HOW CAN WE THANK YOU? The past holiday season, G.S.O. received from A.A.’s around the world over 650 greeting cards. We cannot respond to each, but every one is cherished, and we are very grateful for your thoughtfulness.