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NEWS AND NOTES FROM THE GENERAL SERVICE OFFICE OF A.A. April-May 1981

Vol. 26, No. 2

31st Conference to Choose 1985 Convention Site It’s not long since 22,500 gathered in New Orleans, but already plans are under way for the 50th Anniversary International Convention. Meeting at the Hotel Roosevelt in New York City, April 26May 2, the 135 members of the 31st General Service Conference will recommend the site to be selected for the 1985 Convention. Actually, preparations began last September, when all the 91 area delegates were asked whether they were interested in submitting bids from their areas. Five completed and returned their bid questionnaires, which were reviewed in January by the trustees’ site committee. At the Conference, bids from Chicago, Montreal, Minneapolis, New York, and San Diego will be presented to the ad hoc site committee (composed of eight delegates, along with members of the trustees’ International Convention Committee). Delegates from the five areas will give 15-minute presentations, to be followed by questions and discussion. The ad hoc site committee is an “extra” committee formed for a special purpose. This year, as always, the main business of the Conference will take place in meetings of the 11 standing Conference committees: Agenda, Cooperation With the Professional Community, Correctional Facilities, Finance, Grapevine, Literature, Policy/Admissions, Public Information, Report and Charter, Treatment Facilities, and Trustees. The eight delegate members of each committee (chosen by lot) discuss concerns and questions suggested since the (continued on p. 5)

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Fit% Early Conference Themes Still Current

’Conference Approved’ What Does It Mean?

It’s often said that “the more things change, the more they stay the same,” and nowhere is that more true than in our Fellowship. As the 31st Conference rolls around, it’s interesting to take a look at the reports of the first two Conferences, in 1951 and 1952, when A.A. was still very young and the General Service Conference was in the experimental stage (the first five only were considered experimental). At the First Annual Conference in 1951, principles were set forth that guide the Fellowship today. A sense of the meeting quoting a (continued on p. 5)

The familiar circle and triangle symbol carries a wealth of meaning for most A.A.’s. But letters to the General Service Office over the past few months reflect some problems, questions, and perhaps a little confusion over what that symbol really denotes on a piece of Conference-approved literature. Members are dismayed, for example, when they walk into an A.A. meeting and see spiritual or other literature produced by a nonA.A. entity displayed along with Conference-approved literature on the literature rack. Others tell us they are disturbed because a local (continued on p. 6)

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

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Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc., 1981

of this flyer is that it can be distributed free, and therefore in greater numbers, to teenagers. A.A.’s who give P.I. talks in schools may find it especially useful.

Mail address: P.O. Box 459, Grand Central

Station, New York, NY 10163. 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.

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New Radio Spots, Features, and ’A Message to Teenagers . . A lot of activity is going on in the sphere of public information. Since the last Box 4-5-9, when we reported responses to the new TV spots and the film “A.A.An Inside View,” more materials have become available for P.I. committees and others who work with the public. Six new radio public service messages include spots prepared by A.A. members of both sexes, various ages and ethnic backgrounds, and Spanish- and French-speaking members. These are priced at $5 each. Eight new feature stories, prepared by the trustees’ Public Information Committee, are available for use in local newspapers. Background on the Big Book, an explanation of the Twelve Traditions (in addition to a separate article on self-support), and the story of how the Fellowship began when “Two Drunks Kept Each Other Dry” tell the public some basic facts about us. Broadening out a bit, other features describe A.A.’s cooperation with the professional community, including the medical profession, tell something about how it works behind prison walls, and provide updated information on A.A. around the world and the rising proportion of young members. In addition, a new flyer, “A Message to Teenagers . . .”adapted from the pamphlet “Too Young?” is available in quantity to P.I. committees. The advantage

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“A Message to Teenagers ….. above is opened out to show series of cartoon depictions of teenage alcoholics.

Senior Citizens Groups Help Old Newcomers The Golden Years Group. Seniors for Sobriety. The Young at Heart Group. . . – More and more, A.A. meeting directories include listings of groups formed specifically for senior citizen alcoholics (though like other “special” groups, they are open to anyone with a desire to stop drinking). One enthusiastic group-starter is Teet C. from North Hollywood, Calif., who tells us all about the doings of seniors in his area: “There are now four-plus A.A. groups aimed at seniors. The first group ever organized to meet the needs of older alcoholics is the Golden Years Group in North Hollywood. We had our first meeting on March 1, 1978, so we’re now three years old. Have met constantly since this time, and in an ever-changing attendance, we average about 15. Several A.A.’s who are nurses have come with patients of mature age, and all have participated. 2

“The second group to start was Seniors for Sobriety in Pasadena, which began in May 1978 as a result of a group of seniors visiting the Golden Years meeting. These Pasadena A.A.’s had been serving on a senior citizen committee of their local alcoholism council without ever thinking of starting an A.A. group. When they did, it took off. Attendance was never less than 25 from the beginning, and now they average 50 or more. It gets referrals from a Pasadena hospital, and each week a carload of seniors from the hospital are brought to the meeting. “Two other groups are located in Santa Monica. The first to be organized, the Santa Monica Discussion Group, has been going about a year. It began when the St. John’s Hospital in Santa Monica, which was getting a good number of older patients, urged a local A.A. to start a meeting. He came to our group, got our thinking, and last year got going. “The other group was started by an A.A. member who is coordinator of senior citizen activities at the Clare Foundation in Santa Monica. When she realized that Clare had treated about 50 senior alcoholics over the course of a year, she decided to start an A.A. group, which now meets weekly at the center. “There is also a meeting now going on at Leisure World at Laguna Beach. It was a big breakthrough to get a meeting started in this ’city’ of 25,000 where alcoholism is a taboo word. (This group was not organized specifically to meet senior needs, but no one can live in the city unless he or she is at least 52 years of age.) “Yet another group may start soon, in the popular retirement area of Hemet, Calif. Hemet A.A. members frequent a club in San Jacinto, three miles away, and Harry L. has aroused interest among them in starting a senior citizen group. “That’s what’s happening. Now, (continued on p. 4)

Delegate Corner

Trustee Corner ’WORKING’ WEEKENDS

A DELEGATE ’TURNS IT OVER’

To a few A.A.’s, the A.A. General Service Board appears rather remote: “Those people, up there.” Well, it’s not so. The board really consists of 21 trustees (14 A.A.’s and seven nonalcoholics) who have discoveredalong with anyone involved in service that an A.A. office doesn’t bring kudos or renown. It brings a chance for some hard work. A typical quarterly board weekend is a good illustration. From Saturday morning through Monday morning on the last weekend of July, October, and January (the quarterly periods that fall between annual Conferences), trustees, A.A.W.S. and Grapevine directors and staff, and non trustee/ nondirector members of the 11 board committees meet to discuss every facet of A.A. life. There is also a sharing session with all participating, and an informal trustees’ session. Rulemakers? No. Just a bunch of A.A.’s and nonalcoholics, dedicated and willing to work.

No one is more excited about the upcoming 31st General Service Conference than the 45 new Panel 31 delegates. Typical of letters to the Conference secretary is one from Don P. of Colorado: “First, let me thank you for all the effort you put in to make those of us who are new comfortable with the awesome chore we have stepped into. “As I receive each piece of mail I gain new information and am more able to do my part. Also, with each new piece of information, I feel less competent. For this I thank God, because each time I feel powerless I submit to His power instead of mine, and it all works out well. “I am excited about what we are going to do this year, and about meeting all the new people at the Conference (I only know two). And I am excited because of my increasing awareness of the scope of the Fellowship. To be an active part and a sober member of A.A. is truly a blessing.”

L.A. PRODUCES ARRAY OF LITERATURE

THIS G.S.R. SPONSORED HER DOCTOR

Most central offices/intergroups produce their own literature on A.A. in the community. A Texas member who visited Los Angeles recently was so impressed with the variety and quality of materials put out by the Los Angeles central office that she sent us copies (see photograph). Pamphlets and flyers range from a meeting directory, through attractively presented pamphlets on services of the central office and suggestions for phone volunteers, to flyers seeking all-night volunteers and new group information forms. One flyer introduces members to the central office’s newsletter, and there is a card listing some typical misconceptions about A.A. Quite a selection! And while a large city’s A.A. population may require more printed material than A.A. groups in smaller communities, many central offices offer just as helpful a selection.

In the Western Pennsylvania G.S.R. Newsletter Fran B. wrote: “For years I was an emotional yo-yo. Then I discovered alcohol, and what relief it broughtand ultimately, what morbid consequences. When I was referred to a psychiatrist, I went with great hope. I told him I drank too much, but he didn’t seem to think drinking was the cause of my difficulties. “The doctor treated me for several years at a very small fee, because he thought I was a ’tough nut to crack.’ Then I began attending A.A. meetings, in earnest. I began talking to my doctor about the A.A. program, and he would say: ’I’m for whatever helps.’ “One day, I asked him how many other alcoholics he was treating, and he replied: ’I don’t call anyone an alcoholic. I think it’s dehumanizing.’ “That was my chance. I reminded him that at the beginning of my therapy he had told me identifying the problem was half the solution. As time went on and I was progressing in A.A., he became more interested. When I started to lead at meetings, he asked whether ’telling it all’ to an open group didn’t leave one open to criticism and negative opinions. The opposite is true, as we all know. (continued on p. 4)

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Central Office Corner

G.S.R. Corner C]

G.S.R. CORNER (continued from p. 3) “One day, I went for a therapy session with a Big Book, the ’Twelve and Twelve,’ and several pamphlets. And later on, my doctor told me he had gone with another doctor who is known for his work with alcoholics to look over a local rehabilitation center. “I like to think I have sponsored a doctor, and in that way helped others along the way to recovery.”

SENIOR CITIZENS GROUPS (continued from p. 2) how did it all come about? Before the Golden Years group was started, another A.A. and I did a lot of spade work. Together, Sam G. and I went to a lot of places where there were recovering alcoholics in their later years. We attended, and spoke at, sometimes instigated, panels. Most of the elderly alcoholics we met were in hospital units or follow-up units that hospitals kept going in their own facilities. We talked with experts attending such patients, and all expressed a hope that their senior patients could find comfortable situations in A.A. “We learned valuable lessons about older drinkers, and it would be well for any interested A.A. to learn something about the particular traits of the older alcoholic other than the myths that the disease kills off alcoholics before they get old, or ’it can’t benot grandma!’ or the idea that the aged boozer hurts only himself or herself. – “Elderly practicing alcoholics have a massive denial syndrome. Why not? Have they not beaten other major foes over a long lifetime? – “They feel more guilt than youths, and are more susceptible to stigma. They matured in an era when abstinence was widespread. They hate their addiction, and get much abuse from their peers, who

also feel that drunkenness is a moral weakness. – “The older drinker is suspicious of young people who ’stick their noses’ into older people’s business. They reject the advice of experts, who they feel have axes to grind. But they do relate to their peers, who, with sobriety to talk about, can help them see the nature of their addiction. – “Elderly beginners, all the experts told us, are frightened by meetings of 100-300 people. We were told: ’Keep your meetings small!’ Your old newcomers will soon begin to feel they belong, and join in the discussions. “A special advantage of small meetings for senior citizens is the opportunityeven the necessity for involvement. Retirees often get in trouble with booze because few are prepared for leisure living. They are in danger of becoming bored, lonely, of feeling unneeded. In a small group, they must carry their own weight, and so end up doing group chores they might not be asked to do in a larger group. “It has also been heartening to see a good number of elderlyA.A.’s, once they have some sobriety, devote chunks of leisure time to volunteer service at the local central office. Many spend long hours answering phones. And whenever our C.O. secretary gets a request for an A.A. table at a senior citizen health fair, she turns this (and other public information tasks) over to our group. “Just a couple of notes in closing: When the first two senior groups were started here, we had no literature strictly on A.A. and older people. Now, we have a fine pamphlet’Time to Start Living’ and use it widely. (And we received a great deal of help from the local A.A. newsletters.) “And we do make it a point to give birthday cakes! Some oldsters feel shy about accepting a firstbirthday cake in a roomful of younger A.A.’s. But it seems a big thing with recovering alcoholics of their own ages.”

That’s the experience of one area. What’s yours? We’d like to know!

VARIED RESPONSES TO )NTRIBUTIONS APPEAL FROM G.S.O

For this issue, we’re devoting the Mailbag section to sampling the responses to a letter our nonalcoholic assistant controller, Ed Gordon, sent to all G.S.R’s. Ed pointed out that while G.S.O. had budgeted for increased contributions in 1980 to offset lower liter ature prices for the Fellowship, what happened was that contributions went down. And of course, inflation and the cost of providing necessary A.A. services continue to rise. Ed closed by saying: “This is a problem that needs a solution. The A.A. staff members tell me that all we have to do is let you know the needs, and the support should be forthcoming. I hope they’re right!” Probably the shortest and sweetest answer accompanied a contribution from the Welcome Group of Baltimore, Md.: “Dear Ed: They’re right! Best regards, Gene A.” And from the Star of the Sea Group, Narragansett, R.I.: “Although our group consists of only ten members, we appreciate your worldwide services and needs. Therefore, enclosing $10 to supplement the $20 previously contributed in 1980.” Other answers, though, pointed up the strain inflation and sometimes internal problems are putting on many A.A. groups. From Sayre, Pa.: “We have some problems here in the valley we would like your opinion on. How do you ask members to contribute more at the

meetings? We do not have many rich members.” Mike F. of the Top of the World Group in Belleville, N.W.T., wrote about his group, on a military base: “We are fortunate in having three members here, but this is a sixmonth tour of duty, and personnel changes all the time. We all support G.S.O. from our groups down south. I hope you understand.” The staff member who replied to Mike graphically stated the fundamental reason for group contributions: “As far as this office is concerned, we truly are not concerned about the amount a group contributes here. However, we are very interested in all A.A.’s participating and sharing in the responsibilities of our Fellowship. To put it simply, if I attend a horse race, I am much more inter ested in the outcome if I have money on a horse. We believe the same principle applies to the Fellowship. Believe me, we are as happy to receive $2 from a group as we are when we receive $200.” One group in Saskatchewan was stimulated to reexamine its own procedures, Minnie B. told us: “I can certainly sympathize with you. It is no easy task to collect money for any reason. But a good deal of the problem in my group is the failure of me and my predecessors to communicate with G.S.O. “The contribution which we felt was for a year, you are considering quarterly. We should have let you know, and hope this letter clears up the problem.” And a more negative response, but one that can give us all pause, came from Coldwater, Mich.: “So many people are not working that I imagine baskets across the country feel the crunch reflected by your letter. We are a very small group, and we have been able to triple our contributions. We are very proud of this. “Maybe we should reevaluate our direction. Somehow I don’t believe your shortage is in your pocketbook. Check under ’spiritual bankruptcy.’”

EARLY CONFERENCES (continued from p. 1) “thoughtful spiritual leader,” begins the report: ” ’Genuine faith is more than insight. It is always the beginning of action. It is propulsive. It fortifies the will. It begins as an experiment and ends as an experience.’ “The first General Service Conference of Alcoholics Anonymous fulfilled each particular of that definition. It was an unbounded expression of faith in the future of A.A.” And the experience of every Conference since has validated that definition. At the Second Conference, in 1952, where for the first time two full panels of delegates participated, more guiding principles were articulated. Bernard Smith, nonalcoholic chairperson of the board of trustees, said: “We here must dedicate ourselves to insure that there is never any government in the hearts of Alcoholics Anonymous. And so what we do here is designed for the purpose of insuring that there be no government, no power, no money, nothing save an assurance that somewhere rests sufficient authority to see that these principles are maintained.” That Conference took some landmark actions. It was proposed, for example, to incorporate the name of A.A. by an act of Congress so that other groups could not use it. One delegate asked: “Can we incorporate a way of life? Can we incorporate a philosophy? Can we incorporate principles that were first presented to us nearly 2,000 years ago?” It was voted to table the motion for a report in 1953. In response to a controversial suggestion that there was no further need for nonalcoholics on the board of trustees, delegate after delegate rose to speak in favor of nonalcoholics on the board. As one put it: “We want the nonalcoholic trustees, as they perform a service that no money could buy.” 5

The report of a panel discussion on “local group problems” reads like the report of any Conference, or area or district meeting, today. Four main subjects were covered: the problem of the “Easy Does It” person who loafs around meetings, stays sober, but makes no effort to support himself or herself; the problem of getting an accurate count of membership; the problem of non-A.A.’s who dominate A.A. groups; and the problem of joint administration of A.A. and club facilities. Page after page, early Conference reports foreshadow reports of the most recent Conferences. The same problems come up again and again, and are resolved by reference to the spiritual principles enunciated by early A.A.’s and nonalcoholic friends. As one member put it not long ago: “The General Service Conference is a continuing process of rediscovery.”

31st ANNUAL CONFERENCE (continued from p. 1) 30th Conference by A.A.’s all over the United States and Canada. Recommendations formulated after extensive committee discussion are brought to the full Conference body and, if passed, become Conference Advisory Actionswhich function as suggestions and guidelines for the Fellowship in the U.S. and Canada. This year’s theme, “A.A. Takes Its Inventory,” provides wide scope for the topics of workshops and presentations, the other major components of Conference week. One workshop will review the committee system, asking how well Conference committees as a whole are meeting the Fellowship’s needs, and how they can do it better. A second workshop, “Communications Within the Service Structure,” will take a look at general service at the group, district, area, and Conference levels. A feature of this workshop will probably be concentration on the importance of the

function of the district committee member. Presentation titles, too, reflect the overall theme. In addition to “Let’s Review Our Committee System,” there will be presentations on two Traditions (“Our Leaders Are But Trusted Servants; They Do Not Govern” and “Principles Before Personalities”), “Should Clubs Receive the A.A. Literature Discount?,” and “Regional ForumsHow Well Are They Working?” A Grapevine presentation will bring delegates up to date on what’s new with the Fellowship’s magazine, and the presentation by A.A. World Services will include a look at the forthcoming reconstruction and refurbishing of the General Service Office quarters.

’CONFERENCE APPROVED’ (continued from p. 1) central office sells non-Conferenceapproved material. Here’s a sampling of recent letters. Pat 0. writes: “I am writing because literature for other Twelve Step organizations is appearing on our local literature tables. The title of one of these led me to believe it was A.A. literature, and I bought it. The fact that it came through our local central office led me to believe I was getting A.A. approved literature. Needless to say, I was disappointed when I found it had nothing to do with alcoholism or A.A., except that the Steps and Traditions were paraphrased. “When I called the downtown central office, I was told that people asked for this book and they have the right to spend their money on, and read, whatever they want. While this is true, I do not believe it is the function of A.A. to be a bookstore. “Tradition Five states that we are to carry the message of A.A. to alcoholics, not the message of one of the other ’anonymous’ fellowships.” Bob H. writes a similar letter:

“Central office, at the direction of the intergroup it serves, endorses (by affiliation) with the A.A. name non-Conference-approved books and literature produced by outside publishers and other fellowships. “This outside literature is all bought with A.A. intergroup funds and is sold at a profit, with the proceeds returned by the intergroup. In other words, central office not only accepts outside contributions by profiting from the literature, they encourage it! “I am concerned!” And from Bob A., a district committee member, we received a copy of the group conscience letter his district sent to the local central office: “Recently, at our G.S.R. district meeting, it was brought to our attention that the central office published a list of all literature which is being stocked for resale to groups and individuals. The cover states ’A.A. Literature Price List,’ but included in this pamphlet is much other literature. Judging from the title, it would be assumed that listings would be A.A.-approved literature, not merely alcoholism literature. Such is not the case. “In our opinion, the central office is affiliating itself with and endorsing outside concerns. It is our recommendation that the central office cease and desist from circulating this price list.” These three letters, from three different parts of the U.S., reflect the honest and open disagreement that is so much a part of A.A. And they raise two major questions: What does Conference approval really mean? And what can individual members or groups do about a practice they do not approve of? Essentially, the Conference-approved seal assures us that a piece of literature represents the widest possible spectrum of A.A. experience. Any Conference-approved book or paihphlet goes through a lengthy and painstaking process of review, and re-review, by committees of the General Service Confer-

ence; which means that a variety of A.A.’s from all over the United States and Canada have read and expressed opinions on every piece of literature at every stage of production. To look at the flip side for a moment, Conference approval of one piece of literature never implies disapproval of any other. For instance, many intergroups and central offices produce material as a service to local A.A.’s. These publications, with no circle and triangle seal, are “A.A. literature” in the true sense, for they provide a necessary service to members and reflect the experience of all A.A.’s in the local community. The Conference itself has several times provided guidance for dealing with problems. The most recent Conference recommendation was made in 1972 (and reaffirmed in 1975), when delegates voted: “It be suggested that when a local A.A. facility (central office intergroup) sells non-Conference-approved literature, it be clearly designated as such.” In other words, one option is to separate Conferenceapproved publications from other literature, so that there is no confusion about what is what.

ENCLOSURE A little leaflet, carrying excerpts from the pamphlet “Problems Other Than Alcohol,” briefly outlines cofounder Bill W. ’s views regarding A.A.’s relationship to nonalcoholic drug addicts and alcoholics who are also addicted to drugs. Reaffirmed by a number of subsequent A.A. General Service Conferences, these observations were originally published in 1958. A copy of the free leaflet is enclosed with this issue. It is available to interested groups or members.

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THE BULLETIN BOARD I-May 1981

ITEMS AND IDEAS ON AREA GATHERINGS FOR A.A.’S VIA G.S.O.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

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APRIL 2-5 – Longview, Texas. 12th Annual East Texas Roundup. Write: Secy., P.O. Box 2082, Longview, TX 75606 2-5 – Sumter, South Carolina. 34th Area Cony. Exhibition Center. Write: Ch., P.O. Box 545 Sumter, SC 29150 3-5 – Lake Charles, Louisiana. 28th Annual Lake Charles Group Cony. Write: Ch., P.O. Box 1293, Lake Charles, LA 70602 3-5 – Abbotsford, BC, Canada. Third Annual Matsqui-Sumas-Abbotsford Rally. Write: Ch., 33926 Marshall Rd., Abbotsford, B.C. V2S 1L7 3.5 Moline, Illinois. N. Ill. Area Spring Conf. Write: Ch., P.O. Box 122, Aledo, IL 61231 3-5 – Newport, Rhode Island. State Cony. Write: Ch., P.O. Box 9342, Providence, RI 02940 3-5 Sligo, Ireland. 24th All-Ireland Cony. Write: Ch., “Waverley,” Cornageeha, Sligo, Ireland 3-5 – Marquette, Michigan. 40th Annual Spring Area Conf. Write: Ch., P.O. Box 198, Palmer, MI 49871 3-5 – Waterloo, Iowa. Metropolitan Anniv. Write: Ch., 102 California St., Waterloo, IA 50703 4-5 Rosetown, Saskatchewan, Canada. Canadian Roundup. Write: Ch., P.O. Box 95, Rosetown, Sask., SOL 2V0 10-12 – Miami, Florida. Second General Service Quarterly Conf. & Assembly. Write: Ch., 1403 N. 16 Ave., Hollywood, FL 33020 10-12 – Superior, lvi. 36th Annual Roundup. Write: Ch., 3801 East 3rd St., Superior, WI 54880 10-12 – Cedar City, Utah. Utah Spring Rally. Write: Ch., 418 South 300 West, Cedar City, UT 84720 10-12 – Erie, Pennsylvania. Sixth Annual Erie Area Spring Conf. Write: Ch., P.O. Box 148, Erie, PA 16512 10-12 – Clarksburg, West Virginia. Jackson’s Mill Roundup. Write: Ch., P.O. Box 825, Clarksburg, WV 26301 10-12 Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada. Southern Alberta Roundup. Write: Ch., Box 212, Lethbridge, Alta. T1J 3YS 10-12 – Lloydminster, Alberta, Canada. Seventh Annual Roundup. Write: Ch., P.O. Box 1026, Lloydminster, Alta., S9V 1E9 11 – Peoria, Illinois. Fifth Annual Spring Dinner-Dance. Write: Peoria Area Intergroup, 2819 N.E. Adams, Peoria, IL 61603 11-18 – 19th A.A. Convention Costa Rica. ParticipantsMexico, Panama & Caribbean. Write: G.S.O., Apartado Postal 5553, San Jose, Costa Rica, C.A. 16-19 – Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Fifth Annual Springtime in the Ozarks Cony. Write: Ch., P.O. Box 993, Rogers, AR 72756

16-19 – Memphis, Tennessee. First National Agape Weekend. Write: Coord., 3609-A Las Colinas, Austin, TX 78731 17-19 – San Diego, California. Fourth Annual Spring Roundup. Write: Ch., P.O. Box A2529, San Diego, CA 92112 17-19 – Banff, Alberta, Canada. Eighth Annual Banff Roundup. Write: Ch., P.O. Box 6744, Station D, Calvary, Alta T2P 1H7 17-19 – Benoni, South Africa. South African National Convention. Write: Cony. Ch., P.O. Box 538, Benoni, Transvaal, South Africa 1500 17-19 – Tokyo, Japan. Spring Roundup. Write: Ch., PSO 626, APO San Francisco, CA 96328 17-20 – Adelaide, South Australia. 21st National Cony, of A.A. Write: Cony. Comm., P.O. Box 232, Unley, South Australia 5061 19-26 – Cartagena, Colombia. Encuentro Internacional (Spanish & English). Write: Ch., 4628 W. Waveland, Chicago, IL 60641 24-25 – Vancouver, B.C., Canada. Gay Celebrate Sobriety Roundup. Write: Ch., P.O. Box 718, Station A, Vancouver, B.C. 24-26 – Grand Centre, Alberta, Canada. Northeastern Alberta Annual Roundup. Write: Ch., P.O. Box 871, Grand Centre, Alta. TOA iTO 24-26 – East Elmhurst, New York. 21st Area Convention. Write: Ch., GPO Box 1850, New York, NY 10001 24-26 – North Battleford, Saskatchewan, Canada. The Battleford’s 20th Annual Roundup. Write: Ch., 1122 – 109th St., North Battleford, Sask. 30-May 2 – Dortmund, W. Germany. Annual meeting in the German language. Write: Comm. AA 81 Westfalenhalle, 4600 Dortmund, W. Germany

PLANNING A JUNE OR JULY EVENT? Please be sure to send your information on June or July events for A.A.’s in time to reach G.S.O. by April 15. This is the calendar deadline for the June-July issue of Box 4-5-9 (to be mailed May 15). Naturally, G.S.O. cannot check on all the information submitted. We must rely on local A.A.’s to describe the events accurately.

MAY 1-3 – San Diego, California. First Annual Southern Calif. A.A. Motorcycle Roundup. Write: Ch., 4678 Jutland Drive, San Diego, CA 92117 1.3 – Scottsbluff, Nebraska. Annual Nebraska Panhandle Jamboree. Write: Ch., Box 265, Scottsbluff, NB 69361 1-3 – Grants Pass, Oregon. Sixth Annual Rogue Roundup. Write: Ch., 2790 Foothill Blvd., Grants Pass, OR 97526 2-3 – St. Tite, Quebec. Mini-Forum. Write: Ch., 481 St. Philippe, St. Tite, Quebec, GOX 3H0 2 – Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada. Annual One-Day Roundup. Write: Ch., P.O. Box 702, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario P6A 5N2 2-3 – Turtleford, Saskatchewan, Canada. Turtleford River A.A. Group Second Annual Roundup. Write: Ch., P.O. Box 383, Turtleford, Sask., SOM 2Y0 2-3 – Vancouver, B. C., Saskatchewan, Canada. 18th & 19th Transient A.A. Group Anniv. Write: Comm. Secy., 2138 W. l3th Ave., Vancouver, B.C. V6J 2H7 (continued)

CLOSED MEETING TOPICS FROM THE GRAPEVINE April: Five articles on spiritual awareness could stimulate discussion of changing values in sobriety and the effects of the Steps on one’s spiritual condition; “Is A.A.’s Future Guaranteed?” can prompt sharing on the application of Traditions at both the group and individual levels. May: Use “Made a Decision to What?” for a “how-to-do-Step Three” session; the topic of expecting rewards for being sober explored in “Promises, Promises” and “From the Ground Up” can be used to start a discussion on attitudes, those that help and those that don’t; “Cooperation” and “Bridging the Gap” may inspire consideration of bringing meetings to treatment facilities and, in general, being more aware of sponsorship needs of alcoholics newly released from hospitals.

Flip up this end of page – more events listed on reverse side

MAY (continued) 8-10 – Yankton, South Dakota. So. Dakota State Conf. Write: Ch., Box 346, Yankton, SD 57078 8-10 Peterborough, Ontario, Canada. Trent Mini-Conf. Write: Ch., P.O. Box 1545 Peterborough, Ontario K9J 7H7 8-10 – Worland, Wyoming. Wyoming State Spring Conf. Write: Ch., P.O. Box 1223, Worland, WY 82401 8-10 – Atlantic City, New Jersey. 14th Annual Phila. Intergroup Roundup. Write: Ch., 112 S. 16th SL, Rm. 1201, Philadelphia, PA 19102 8-10 Fresno, California. Ninth Annual Statewide Meeting of the Hospital & Institution Conf. Write: Ch., P.O. Box 161984, Sacramento, CA 95816 8-10 – Newbury, Ohio. 28th Punderson Park Conf. Write: Ch., P.O. Box 4000, Newbury, OH 44065 8-10 – Grand Rapids, Minnesota. 11th Annual Iron Range Get-Together. Write: Ch., P.O. Box 469, Grand Rapids, MN 55744 8-10 – Reedsburg, Wisconsin. Southern Wis. consin Spring Conf. Write: Ch., 102-11 St., Baraboo, WI 53913 8-10 – Niagara Falls, Ontario. 17th Annual Blossom Time Cony. Write: Ch., P.O. Box 33, Niagara Falls, Ontario L2G 5S3 8-10 – Pembroke, Ontario, Canada. Second Annual Pembroke Dist. Conf. Write: Ch., 403 Trafalgar Rd., Apt. 5, Pembroke, Ontario K8A 5B3 15-17 Fait-lee, Vermont. 14th Annual Vermont State A.A. Cony. Write: Vermont Cony. Comm., 290 Hinesburg Rd., South Burlington, VT 05401 15-17 Clearwater Beach, Florida. Ninth Annual Suncoast Conv. Write: Registration Ch., 1370 Great Oak Dr., Clearwater, FL 33316

15-17 – (’harlottetown, Prince Edward Island. New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island and Border Groups Spring Roundup. Write: Ch., P.O. Box 1, Charlottetown, P.E.I. CIA 7K2 15-17 Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. 21st Delaware Area Cony. Write: Conf. Ch., Box 33, Seaford, DE 19973 15-17 – Germantown, Ohio. Third Annual Women’s Workshop. Write: Ch., 454 Livingston Ave., Dayton, OH 45410 15-17 – Richland, Washington. First Annual Inland Empire Roundup. Write: Ch., 105 S. Williams, Kennewick, WA 99336 15-17Little Current, Ontario, Canada. Tenth Annual Manitoulin Island Dist. Rainbow Roundup. Write: Ch., P.O. Box 641, Little Current, Ontario POP 1KO 15-17 – Kamloops, B. C, Canada. 34th Roundup. Write: Ch., 2570 Glenview, Kamloops, B.C. V213 6H5 15-17 Brandon, Manitoba, Canada. 33rd Annual A.A. Cony. Write: Ch., Box 1075, Brandon, Manitoba 21-24 – Chattanooga, Tennessee. Tenn. 30th State Cony. Write: Ch., P.O. Box 1505, Chattanooga, TN 37401 22-24 – Guntersville, Alabama. Mountain Top Roundup II. Write: Ch., 221 23rd Ave., NW, Birmingham, AL 35215 22-24 – Bloomington, Minnesota. Gopher State Roundup VIII. Write: Ch., P.O. Box 3295, St. Paul, MN 55165 22-24 – Seoul, South Korea. Second A.A. Intergroup Roundup. Write: Ch., Intergroup, ATF, 121stEvac. Hosp., APO SF 96301 22-24 – Helena, Montana. Annual Spring Roundup. Write: Ch., P.O. Box 747, Helena, MT 59624 22-25 – Boston, Massachusetts. Fifth Annual Boston Roundup of Gay People in A.A. Write: GPAA Roundup, Box 8683, Boston, Mass. 02114

23-24 – Lake Metigoshe, North Dakota. Turtle Mountain Roundup. Write: Ch., 121 Sinclair St., Bottineau, ND 58318 23-25 – Dancers, Massachusetts. N.E. Reg. Forum. Write: Secy., P.O. Box 459, Grand Central Sta., New York, NY 10 16 3 29-31 – (’astlegar, BC, Canada. Castlegar Intergroup’s Eighth Annual Roundup. Write: Ch., P.O. Box 3577, Castlegar, B.C. V1N 3W4 29-31 – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 40th Oklahoma State Conf. Write: Ch., P.O. Box 54944, Oklahoma City, OK 73154 29-31 – Ville de Local, Quebec, Canada. Third Dist. Comm. Meeting. Write: Ch., 475 Boulevard de l’Avenir, Ville de Laval, Quebec H7E 4P4 29-31 – Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Canada. Prince Albert Gateway Roundup. Write: Ch., 12 – 12th St., E., Prince Albert, Sask., S6V 1132 29-31 – Rome, New York. 15th Annual EastWest Conf. Write: Ch., P.O. Box 33, Rome, NY 13440 29-31 – Syracuse, New York. 17th Annual New York State Cony. Write: Ch., P.O. Box 6166, Teall Station, Syracuse, NY 13217 29-31 – Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. 15th Annual Northern Ontario Area Conf. Write: Roundup Comm., P.O. Box 73, Postal Station “F,” Thunder Bay, Ontario P7C 4V5 29-31 – Antigonish, Nova Scotia. Annual Nova Scotia Roundup. Write: Ch., P.O. Box 1671, Antigonisli, Nova Scotia B2G 2L’l 30-31 – Chicopee, Massachusetts. 12th Annual Western Roundup. Write: Ch., 401 Birnie Ave., W. Springfield, MA 01089