BOX 4ł.5.i9 NEWS AND NOTES FROM THE GENERAL SERVICE OFFICE OF A.A. August-September 1977

Vol. 22, No. 4

Big Book Study Guides? A.A.W.S. Arrives at a Position

FOURTH A.A. SURVEY CONDUCTED BY DELEGATES Did you fill out a questionnaire (anonymously, of course) at a meeting in June? If so, you join the 17,000-plus other A.A. members who, beginning in 1968, have helped G.S.O. prove to the world that A.A. really works. You took part in one of our Fellowship’s most massive jobs of carrying the message. At the 1977 Conference, delegates unanimously agreed to help our General Service Board conduct its fourth “sobriety census” (the others were in ’68, ’71, and ’74). So members in every state and province – in groups chosen at random – were given the opportunity this summer to complete a 13-item questionnaire drawn up in lengthy consultations between the trustees’ Committees on Public Information and on Cooperation with the Professional Community, plus some research experts who are in A.A. The results, when compiled by (continued on p. 6)

Increasing numbers of requests come to A.A. World Services for permission to reprint the Twelve Steps and other parts of the Big Book in “study guides” and other interpretive material. Some come from treatment centers that try to give instruction in the A.A. program to their patients. Other requests originate within A.A. After several months of study by a committee appointed for the purpose, a policy was adopted. The members of the committee unanimously recommended that permission should not be granted to reprint portions of basic A.A.

recovery literature in study guides or interpretive material, and that if such guides are necessary, A.A. should publish them itself. Here is what some A.A.W.S. directors said. One trustee-director wrote: “The individual A.A. member does not need another person or institution to think for him or her in fact, this could be a very bad thing. Part of the beauty and magic of A.A. is that persons from all walks of life, with varied backgrounds, may benefit from the Big Book, the Steps, the Traditions, (continued on p. 6)

EXCESS FUNDS A MIXED BLESSING?

TAKING MINI-MEETINGS TO SHUT-INS

“Our group has a balance of about $500,” writes Don P., Sioux City, Iowa, “more than we need to operate with. “As the Sixth Tradition warns, problems over money arise. I suggested we send this excess to G.S.O. (we are presently sending 20%), but members on the steering committee object. They say they don’t know what G.S.O. is doing with our money now,” he adds. The new illustrated pamphlet “Your A.A. General Service Of fice” can be helpful, many groups find (see “G.S.R. Corner,” p. 3). A “prudent reserve” for groups was discussed at this year’s General Service Conferencesee Advisory Action 19, on p. 44 in the 1977 Conference Report.

Here’s a wonderful idea shared with us by Elaine S., Overland Park, Kans., a Loner Sponsor. She and an A.A. friend talked about shutins, the chronically ill, and other A.A.’s who cannot get to meetings. Why not set up a mobile group, they speculated, to take mini-meetings to folks such as one legless member (“he has a beautiful heart and mind and many years of sobriety”)? The Kansas City Intergroup backed them fully. Flyers were made and distributed to all groups, and now 25 people are signed up to take small meetings where they are needed, even including hospital rooms. Surely such a beautiful practice will spread rapidly in A.A., right?

Box 4-5-9 is published bimonthly by the General Service Office ofAlcoholics Anonymous, 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.WS., Inc. – should accompany order.

QUITE A JUMP! Twenty-three years ago, G.S.O. mailed out only 5,521 copies of Box 4-5-9 (then called the Exchange Bulletin) every two months. Today, circulation is over 40,000, almost eight times as many. We’re indebted for these facts to Al Cryan, nonalcoholic Shipping Department supervisor. (Upon his retirement in June, Al expressed strong belief in A.A. principles – a belief that was translated into action during his 25 years at G.S.O. As fervently as any A.A., he would explain to each new employee in his department that the outgoing mail might save lives. We are truly grateful to Al for his long service in helping to carry the message.) Who gets Box 4-5-9? Largely, the same categories now as in 1954. Groups in the U.S. and Canada get the largest share, with district com mittee members next. Overseas English-speaking groups also are a large part. (In 1968, French and Spanish editions were started.) Also included are individual subscribers, P.I. committees, institutions groups and committees, delegates and past delegates, central offices, Internationalists, Loners, clubs, and, of course, trustees, A.A.W.S. and Grapevine directors, G.S.O. and GV staffs, board committee members, and a few miscellaneous categories. It is hard in our Fellowship to keep communication flowing efficiently, but the piece of paper you’re holding is one way of trying. Please share it with your group.

TALKING TO KIDS? LOOK OUT! “I was asked to speak to a group of sixth-graders. Didn’t want to,” writes Hal S., Anoka, Minn., “because 1 had no such experience, but I went. “Decided to start by letting them ask questions. One kid directly in front of me had piled before him more A.A. literature than I own!” Hal continues. “’How come!’ I asked. ’He said his dad belonged to a group, so I said, ’I’ll let you ask the first question.’ “He said, ’Are you an alky?’ I said yes. ’Do you go to A.A.?’ he asked. 1 said yes. ’All right,’ he said. ’Recite the Twelve Steps!’” NEW SERIES STARTS ON CONFERENCE CHARTER New members inevitably wonder when they hear talk of G.S.O. or the General Service Conference: What do those mean to any individual’s sobriety? Readers of “A.A. Comes of Age” can see the whole picture of A.A. worldwide, but few of us ponder such items as the Conference Char ter and Warranties until we mature into acceptance of A.A.’s Third Legacy. Following a suggestion of the 1977 Conference, here begins a Box 4-5-9 series on the charter. As prelude, we start with “Meaning of the Conference Charter.” (If it raises questions in your mind, that’s a good beginning! See whether they get answered as the series unfolds.) “The General Service Conference Charter, adopted in 1955, is a body of principles and relationships through which A.A. can function as a whole. It provides, for example, that a majority vote of the Conference shall be considered a suggestion to the board of trustees and G.S.O., but that a twothirds vote shall be absolutely 2

binding upon the board, regardless of legal considerations. “The Conference itself, however, is unincorporated, and its charter is not a legal instrument in the strictest sense. It is truly an informal agreement between the Fellow ship as a whole and its trustees, setting forth the means by which A.A. can give worldwide service. “Such is the practical balance of duties, responsibilities, and powers as they stand today. Though these arrangements can be changed by Conference action, experience indicates that they are thoroughly practical and are likely to survive all future strain.” IS INFLATION HURTING YOUR GROUP? “When I joined A.A. about 20 years ago, I always put a dollar bill in the collection basket at my group,” a member told us recently. “And I’ve just realized,” she continued, “I still put only $1 into the hat – yet I know full well group expenses have doubled or tripled, like everything else, because of inflation!” She pointed out that coffee and other refreshments are much higher-priced now, that it costs three times as much to heat, light, and maintain her group’s meeting place as it used to. So landlords are being forced to ask A.A. groups to increase their “voluntary” rent donations. “Have any other members been as laggard in recognizing this as I have?” she asked. If so, how can we help our groups keep financially afloat these expensive days? ORDER GY CALENDARS NOW With this issue, you get order forms for (1) the A.A. Grapevine and (2) the GV’s 1978 pictorial calendar, “One Day at a Time.” Now’s the time to think of ordering these for holiday gifts.

Delegate Corner

Trustee Corner

’THE ONLY CIRCUS IN TOWN’

WHY A NONALCOHOLIC WENT TO MEETINGS

Delegates to this year’s Conference are still talking about Jim S. (Ariz.), delegate chairman, who said at the closing brunch, “I am tickled to death this morning to observe that the only circus in town this year was across the street!” The Ringling Bros-Barnum & Bailey circus was playing at Madison Square Garden in April, across the street from the Conference hotel. G.S.O.’s general manager received a note after the Conference, from Shirley Grant, nonalcoholic supervisor of the Stenographic Department. She wrote, “Thank you for one of the most memorable experiences of my life. Spending a week with people who love and respect each other is a recharge for me personally, and makes everything (mountains of paper and folders, millions of words, hours of meetings!) worthwhile.” This reminded us of the recording expert (nonalcoholic) supplied by the hotel to tape Conference proceedings. After the brunch, he confessed he had dreaded being with “all those alcoholics,” but found the Conference a peak experience in his life.

In 1949, one of the first doctoral dissertations ever written on A.A. was accepted by a graduate faculty at the University of Texas, and its author, a young native of Illinois, / was awarded his Ph.D. As he once explained in his quiet voice, “Someone I knew, a hopeless alcoholic, had recovered in A.A. I started going to meetings in the Chicago area to see this wonderful Fellowship at first hand.” He is Milton H. Maxwell, a nonalcoholic General Service Board member since 1971. That dissertation contrasted the A.A. program with earlier movements, such as the Washingtonians. He joined the faculty of Washington State University, later became a senior research fellow at the (then Yale) Center of Alcohol Studies, and continued on (continued on next page)

VALUABLE TIPS FOR C.O. WORKERS

THREE GOOD EXPERIENCES SHARED

Expert advice based on experience is often shared in the good A.A. central office newsletters we see. For example, the San Francisco office recently listed tips for twelfth-steppers. They include: (1) Take time to find out what the caller wants – listen; (2) remember what A.A. cannot provide, such as medical or other professional counseling and transportation to treatment facilities; (3) when returning a call, don’t identify yourself as “from A.A.” until the correct party is on the line; (4) always make Twelfth Step calls in a team (not alone), with men calling on men, women on women. At this year’s General Service Conference, the following statement was unanimously approved: “In the spirit of cooperation, we respond to all calls for help with information about A.A. whether the call comes from the alcoholic or the professional calling for a patient or client. As members, it is our responsibility to try to carry our message wherever we can.” The statement came from the work of the Conference Committee on Cooperation with the Professional Community.

From Montreal, Que., Louis F. reports one way to perk up meetings. A member talks on an A.A. slogan (different one each week) to open the session. “It adds insurance for an oldtimer or a young pigeon getting strong wings,” he says. (Louis also finds the new “Your A.A. G.S.O.” pamphlet a “godsend” in his district. Have all your group members seen it?) All trusted servants in his group get copies of Box 4-5-9, Het R., Kindersley, Sask., writes. The letter glows with appreciation of the area assembly, D.C.M.’s, and this newsletter. Thanks for the kind words, Het. When James N., Nacogdoches, Tex., was elected G.S.R., he instantly wrote Oma G., Kleberg, Tex., area committee secretary, telling how his group is “making progress in the drunk business,” and asking for help as a new G.S.R. Such enthusiasm coupled with humility prompted Oma to reply, “I get the message you are going to be a good G.S.R.!” (Oh yes, she also sent him the “G.S.R.” pamphlet and a copy of “The A.A. Service Manual.”)

Central Office Corner

G.S.R. Corner 3

TRUSTEE CORNER (continued) its Summer School faculty when it moved to Rutgers, became its executive director 1965-73, and was professor of sociology at the center through 1975. Milton has done research and written extensively on the Washingtonians, drinking practices, problem drinkers in business, skid row, and relations between professionals and A.A. In 1976, he returned to Washington, where he is completing a book on A.A. groups. He and Mrs. Maxwell have two Sons. WANETA N. RETIRES AFTER 13 G.S.O. YEARS “Which service assignment at G.S.O. has been your favorite?” a visitor asked Waneta shortly before she retired March 31, 1977. “Oh, this one,” she said quickly. “Being service coordinator involves such variety.” “How about the World Service Meeting and the 1975 Denver Convention?” queried the visitor. “Those were marvelous jobs,” she said, and paused a minute. “Every assignment has had its own joys. I loved institutions, Loners, Internationalists, the Conference, and P.1., too,” Waneta went on, then laughed in her musical way. “I can’t pick one favorite. I loved them all!” Staff members who rotated into Waneta’s jobs agree she brought the same dedication and thoroughness to each assignment. She was a highly meticulous, painstaking worker, so that moving into the slot she had vacated was always easy, because she left every detail of her service duties so well organized for her successor. She was fiercely devoted to her principles, too. With seven years’ sobriety, Waneta (it’s an Indian name) joined G.S.O. Jan. 1, 1964, after being secretary of an A.A. central office

in Detroit. A.A.’s in many countries who heard Waneta’s story know she was a trained singer, booked to make her operatic debut in “La BohØme” in Italy when World War II interfered. During the following years of professional singing in movies and on the stage, alcoholism caught up with her. That was, we think now, our great fortune, because it prepared her for years of quietly energetic A.A. service. It is the good fortune of West Virginia to be her residence now. But her home, of course, will always be in our hearts and the hearts of all A.A.’s who know her. LONDON PRISON GROUP “A public meeting was held in [London’s] Parkhurst Prison, very well attended by both prison staff and outside interested parties,” according to Box 514, England’s equivalent of Box 4-5-9. It was entirely organized by the prisoners themselves, with the cooperation of the chief officer. He attended, along with three wardens, a psychiatrist, a magistrate, three probation officers, a voluntary probation officer, and social workers. Main speakers were all prisoners. Questions were raised by them and the prison sponsors. It had taken many months of work to get permission, but by dint of perseverance, or stubbornness, the prison group won through. Judging by remarks heard after ward, it was certainly worth doing. BIG DISCOUNTS ON P.I. PAMPHLETS Public information workers can now get $8.13 worth of pamphlets for only $6 from G.S.O. Thirtyeight publications are included. There are also packages including up to 500 copies of some pamphlets (total of 1,720 pieces) for $60, or 420 pieces (six pamphlets)

for only $15. Or just write us if you want to make up your own assortment. If you have an A.A. booth at a state health fair, for instance, and need leaflets by the thousands, let G.S.O. know. Sometimes, we can help at almost no cost. INSTITUTIONS PAMPHLETS AT BIG DISCOUNTS Although not shown on the Literature Order Form (or in the G.S.O. catalog of A.A. publications), discount packages of pamphlets for hospitals and correctional facilities are available from G.S.O. at very low prices. Packages now include material on sponsorship and the new pamphlet “Do You Think You’re Different?” The selection in each package was compiled from suggestions of institutions committees. The four packets are for hospitals, for jails, for men in prisons, and for women in prisons. Write us for details. GLEANED FROM G.S.O. MAILBAGS Starting intergroup services Nassau County, N.Y., has 132 groups and for years had a telephone answering service in addition to the services of the nearest central office. But, writes Frank T., Port Washington, in reply to a Box 4-5-9 article, they now have their own office including a callforwarding service. Supported by group donations and manned entirely by volunteers, the new office handles requests for literature, speakers for non-A.A. meetings, and issuance of meeting lists. The office is used for “roving meetings of answering services” in the area, he says. Helping inmate groups Who is responsible, Box 4-5-9 asked not long ago, for seeing that (continued on p. 5)

G.S.O. MAILBAGS (continued from p. 4) groups in correctional institutions have all the A.A. literature they need? Several good answers arrived. Ralph G., Raiford, Fla., points out that inmates themselves can often come up with needed funds (not all prisoners are broke!). Florida G.S.R.’s try to get each group in the state to give $3 a month for a literature fund for inside members. In addition, Ralph urges all institutions groups to swap newsletters. James B., Wilmington, Del., volunteer secretary of the local intergroup, asks groups he visits to donate funds earmarked for literature for the correctional center. From Aqua Dulce, Calif., Lee F. writes that hospital groups with no expenses (for rent, coffee, etc.) take up collections (patients do not contribute, just outside members) and give them to the institutions committee for buying literature. “Kitty cans” are used in many places. From the Chicago Area Service Office, James E. writes they now purchase such literature out of the office’s general fund, not from a separate budget, so that all who contribute at their regular meetings are in some way helping those locked up. A banquet in Topeka, Kans., used to be relied upon to generate such funds, Gene F. writes; but now groups have been asked to make up a fund, through G.S.R.’s. Groups also send old Grapevines, he said.

Rejecting “slippers” Walt also confesses that he sometimes feels his group doesn’t want him any more, so he wonders whether such seeming indifference contributes to some older members’ slipping. A member asked in Box 4-5-9 whether groups reject “slippers.” Walt believes not, reminding himself never to drift away from meetings. He recommends “tough, loving concern” for “slippers.” J. L. N., Mont St. Hilaire, Que., writes of his great admiration for “slippers” who keep coming back. “Some make it after many years,” he points out.

Non-A.A.’s at open meetings “If my wife (nonalcoholic) hadn’t gone to meetings to see I got there at first, I wouldn’t have gone,” writes Walt T., Kettle Falls, Wash. Al-Anons are now invited once a month to speak at open A.A. meetings. Groups also welcome school students once a year, and “It pays off – seeing some of those kids in trouble change,” he maintains.

MAKING IT EASIER TO FIND A.A.

A.A. bank “I made a bank out of a peanut can covered with plastic,” writes Polly S., Manson, Wash., about an idea another group shared in 4-5-9. “And a sign of paper, tape, toothpicks, and red ink, saying ’A Penny a Day for Sobriety.’ “Adding Birthday Plan gifts to the pennies, the group sent G.S.O. $31.18. Thanks so much. Your loving concern is more valuable than money could ever be! Bad for our humility! M. 0. B., in California, isanurse in an alcoholic rehab unit and a “grateful recovering alcoholic.” About the Jan.-Feb. Box 4-5-9, she writes, “I’ve just had the privilege of reading it and so much appreciate getting to share the many writers’ experiences.” We thank you, M.O., for sharing yours

A mental health center asked for a list of A.A. meetings in Wyoming, and the area service conference discussed the request, past delegate Turk L. has written us. One A.A. said that we can be so anonymous, we cannot be found; another, that we cannot carry the message unless alcoholics know 5

where we can be reached. Another member recalled having to retrieve an A.A. directory from a penitentiary, at the request of his group; then the group reversed itself. Finally, Wyoming A.A.’s voted to provide the center with a list of A.A. group meeting times, places, and telephone contact numbers, but no names. Sounds like a good idea, doesn’t it?

CARRYING THE MESSAGE TO M.D.’S The trustees’ Public Information Committee is discussing a plan involving the use of taped messages designed to inform doctors about A.A. We’ll keep you posted. John L. (Dr. Jack) Norris, M.D., and John Bealer, M.D., board members, are helping. Meanwhile, we’ve heard that a physician affiliated with Georgetown University, Washington, D.C., in cooperation with John W., N.E. U.S. regional trustee, has set up a program for educating medical students about A.A. Students have A.A. “sponsors” who take them to local meetings. Any other such projects afoot you can share with us?

CONFERENCE REPORT NOW READY “The A.A. Group – Where It Begins” is the theme of the 1977 Final Conference Report. Generously illustrated, this 60-page confidential booklet is now available to all members at $2 per copy. It reports all actions of the 27th annual meeting of our General Service Conference in April, and summarizes all committee and staff reports. It contains digests of all presentations made at the Conference, area service highlights, and workshop reports. It gives details of the G.S.O. and Grapevine budgets, plus listing all the anonymous Ask-It Basket questions and answers.

BIG BOOK STUDY GUIDES? (continued from p. 1) and the Concepts, from their own points of view. Placing guidelines on paper seems to say, ’This is the way – the only way.’ “The authors of this priceless material knew what they were doing. Their words require study, not interpretation.” Another trustee-director enlarged on this line of thinking as follows: “As it is now, to the extent A.A. takes positions, it is in our literature, etc. and if it isn’t there, A.A. does not have a position. This is clear and simple, and we should keep it this way. “I am of the opinion we should not prepare interpretive or study guides ourselves. Since we feel that alcoholism is a self-diagnosed disease, it follows that recovery is a program of self-action. Our literature, our program, the Steps, the groups, and the meetings all facilitate self-diagnosis and self-action within the A.A. environment.

“I see our literature, particularly the books, as being study guides. It’s all there. I see the meetings, particularly closed meetings, as the interpretive workshops. Often, comments at meetings have gotten me back to the source documents

for further study or have shed additional light on the printed word. I almost have the feeling that the words are living, changing, growing. “One of our slogans is ’Keep it simple.’ I believe our books are just simple enough to stand as they are and just complex enough to live and grow.” A third trustee-director said, “My knowledge of recovery has been received in the Fellowship through the experience of one drunk sharing with another, not on an instructive basis or in a classroom atmosphere. I believe we in A.A. communicate with each other in a language of the heart.” The board has adopted the following policy statement: “The A.A. World Services Board of Directors feels strongly that permission should not be granted to outside publishers or other parties to reprint A.A. literature for the purpose of study guides or interpretive or explanatory texts, etc. If such interpretive or study guides are to be prepared, they should be published by A.A. World Services, Inc. “The board recognizes, however, that A.A. is a program of self-diagnosis, self-motivation, and self-action and that the use of study guides, courses, classes, or interpretations is therefore not generally appropriate. The program is spiritual rather than academic. Hence, it is preferable that the individual member or prospect interpret the literature according to his own point of view. For these reasons, the board does not plan to publish study guides or interpretations of A.A. literature at this time.” The full position paper is available from G.S.O.

HOW IT WORKSBUT WHY? An Atlanta, Ga., group follows the custom of reading the first part of Chapter 5 of the Big Book and the Traditions at every meeting. During the Traditions, some people 6

used to tune out. Then the group hit on an idea. They began saying, “We’ll call on so-and-so to read ’How It Works.’” And then, “Now so-and-so will read why it works!” And with that, the Traditions are read – with all ears at attention!

NEW PAMPHLET, NEW FILMSTRIP NOW READY A flyer enclosed with this issue announces two items newly available from G.S.O. and also serves as an order blank. The long-awaited cartoon pamphlet for teenagers is titled “Too Young?” and is priced at 25. To order in bulk, see the discount chart attached to the regular Literature Order Form. (“Too Young?” will be added to the list next time the form is printed.) Also available is “Circles of Love and Service,” the filmstrip described in the June-July issue of Box 4-5-9. Each area delegate gets one free, but any group or member may order one at $6.50.

FOURTH A.A. SURVEY (continued from p. 1) computer, will reveal the profile of a fairly “typical” A.A. meeting in the summer of 1977. Compared with previous findings, they will show whether the proportion of young (or old, or female) members in A.A. is increasing or not; how long members stay sober; how many meetings they attend; how people get to A.A.; and the various occupational categories represented among the membership. Sponsorship, “controlled drinking,” non-A.A. (professional) help, other drug problems, and anonymity are other matters touched on. Each such survey in the past has been widely reported in news media as well as medical and other scientific publications throughout the world. When the results are in, we’ll summarize them for you in Box 4-5-9.

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) THE BULLETIN BOARD August-September 1977 ITEMS AND IDEAS ON AREA A.A. GATHERINGS – VIA G.S.O.

JULY Windsor, Ontario, Canada. Second 29-31 Annual Essex Co. Conf. Write: Conf. Chm., P.O. Box 1502, Sta. A, Windsor, Ont., Canada N9A 6R5 29-30 – Dallas, Texas. Sixth Lone Star Roundup. Write: Reg. Chm., P.O. Box 1395, Richardson, TX 75080 29-31 – Odessa, Texas. Third Annual W. Tex. Roundup. Write: Conf. Chm, Box 1854, Odessa, TX 79760 29-31 – Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. B.C./Yukon Cony. Write: Cony. Comm., P.O. Box 2041, Vancouver, B.C., Canada V6B 3R6 Hagerstown, Maryland. Seventh An29-31 nual State Cony. Write: Cony. Comm., P.O. Box 7774, Baltimore, MD 21221 29-31 Campbell River, British Columbia, Canada. Third Annual Rally. Write: Rally Chm., 917 Island Hwy., Campbell River, B.C., Canada AUGUST Hot Springs, Arkansas. 37th Annual State Cony. Write: Cony. Comm., 2326 Louisiana St., Little Rock, AR 72206 4-7 – New York, New York. Annual Meeting of Intl. Doctors in A.A. Write: Information Secy., I.D.A.A., 1950 Volney Rd., Youngstown, OH 44511 5-7 – Bristol, Rhode Island. Newport Young People’s Conf. Write: Young People’s Conf., Box 612, Newport, RI 02840 5-7 – Camp Tama, Japan. Second S.E. Asia Step Seminar. Write: Chm., NRMC-ARU, Box 65-1895, FPO Seattle, WA 98765 7 – Fitchburg, Massachusetts. Annual Roundup. Write: Dist. 26, P.O. Box 306, Leominster, MA 01453 10-13 – Atlanta, Georgia. 33rd S.E. Regional Conf., 24th State Cony. Write: Chm., P.O. Box 668, Atlanta, GA 30301 12-14 – Moorhead, Minnesota. Fifth Annual Red River Valley Roundup. Write: Roundup Chin., Box 558, Moorhead, MN 56560 12-14 DeKaib, Illinois. Annual State Conf. Write: Conf. Chin., P.O. Box 921, DeKalb, IL 60115 12-14 – Santa Maria, California. Tenth Annual 22nd Dist. Cony. Write: Cony. Chm., 8495 El Dorado Rd., Atascadero, CA 93422 12-14 – Hawkesbury, Ontario, Canada. Fourth Annual (French) Outaouais Valley Cony. Write: Publicity Comm.,C.P. 31,Gatineau, Que., Canada 12-14 – Denver, Colorado. State Cony. Write: Cony. Fund, P.O. Box 6801, Cherry Creek Sta., Denver, CO 80206 19-21 – Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Second Annual Young People’s Roundup. Write: Roundup Chin., 10049 Jasper Avenue 626, Edmonton, Alta., Canada T5 1T7

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A.A. CALENDAR OF EVENTS Lake Whitney, Texas. Third Quar19-21 terly Tex. Young People’s Conf. Write: Conf. Chm., 200 Westheimer #21, Houston, TX 77006 19-21 – Guelph, Ontario, Canada. Eighth Annual Cent. W. Ont. Cony. Write: Cony. Chm., P.O. Box 58, Tiverton, Ont., Canada NOG 2T0 19-21 – Squarnish, British Columbia, Canada. Fourth Annual Roundup. Write: Chm., P.O. Box 835, Squamish, B.C., Canada VON 3G0 20-21 – St. Peter, Minnesota. 29th Annual S. Minn. Conf. Write: Banq. Chm., P.O. Box 215, St. Peter, MN 56082 26-28 – Chautauqua Lake, New York. 24th Annual Chautauqua Tri-State Assembly. Write: Chin., P.O. Box 96, Meadville, PA 16335 26-28 Warwick, New York. Second Annual Conf. of Young People. Write: Conf.Chm., P.O. Box 2 1, Warwick, NY 10990 SEPTEMBER 2-4 North Bend, Oregon. 27th Annual State Conf. Write: Conf. Chin., P.O. Box 802, North Bend, OR 97459 2-4 Houston, Texas. 20th Intl. Conf. of Young People in A.A. Write: Cony. Chin., P.O. Box 55788, Houston, TX 77055 2-4 – C’hetwynd, British Columbia, Canada. First Annual Little Giant Roundup. Write: Roundup Chin., Box 42, Chetwynd, B.C., Canada 2-4 – Penticton, British Columbia, Canada. 12th Annual S. Okanagan Labor Day Roundup. Write: Roundup Chin., Box 254, Penticton, B.C., Canada 2-4 – Beaver, Utah. Second Annual Western Labor Day Weekend. Write: Reg. Chin., 4801 Eldorado, Laverne, CA 91750 2-4 – Norman, Oklahoma. First Annual Norman Conf. Write: Conf. Secy., P.O. Box 137, Norman, OK 73069 2-4 – Reston, Virginia. 28th State Cony. Write: Cony. Chin., P.O. Box 156, Falls Church, VA 22046 3-5 – Powell River, British Columbia, Canada. 30th Annual Rally. Write: Rally Chin., Box 141, Powell River, B.C., Canada 3-5 – Hay River, Northwest Territories, Canada. Roundup. Write: Chin., Box 1894, Hay River, N.W.T., Canada XOE ORO 6-11 – Ocean City, Maryland. 20th Annual Session-by-the-Sea. Write: Session Chin., P.O. Box 23, Denton, MD 21629 9-10 — Dunnville, Ontario, Canada. 11th Annual Convention. Write: Cony. Chin., P.O. Box 163, Dunnville, Ont., Canada NIA 2V6

9-11 – Many, Louisiana. Tenth W. La. Area Conf. Write: Chm., Rte. 2, Box 59, DcRidder, LA 70634 9-11 – Anchorage, Alaska. 12th Annual State Conf. Write: Conf. Chin., Box 603, Anchorage, AK 99501 9-11 – Ottawa, Ontario. 26th Annual Ont. Conf. Write: Conf. Chin., P.O. Box 4342, Sta. F, Ottawa, Ont., Canada K1S 5B3 16-18 – Duluth, Minnesota. 32nd Annual Roundup. Write: Banq. Chin., P.O. Box 93, Duluth, MN 55801 16-18 – Detroit, Michigan. 25th State Conf. Write: Conf. Chin., P.O. Box 05256, Park Grove Sta., Detroit, MI 48205 23-25 – Lenox, Massachusetts. 14th State Cony. Write: Cony. Chin., Box 119,Feeding Hills, MA 01030 23-25 – Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Ninth Autumn Leaf Roundup. Write: Chin., P.O. Box 522, Hamilton, Ont., Canada 23-25 – Rawlins, Wyoming. State Conf. Write: Conf. Chin., P.O. Box 458, Rawlins, WY 82301 23-25 – Salt Lake City, Utah. Skyline Conf. Write: Co-Chin., 25 West Burton Ave., Salt Lake City, UT 84115 30-October 2 – Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. E. Canada Regional Forum. Write: Regional Forum, Box 459, Grand Central Station, New York, NY 10017 OCTOBER Waterford, Ontario, Canada. Tenth Annual One-Day Cony. Write: Cony. Chin., Box 967, Waterford, Ont., Canada 7-9 – Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. 13th Annual N.S./Nfld./Lab. Assembly. Write: Comm. Chin., P.O. Box 694, Dartmouth, N.S., Canada

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CLOSED MEETING TOPICS FROM THE GRAPEVINE August: Share A.A. ways of “Overcoming Depression”: read “Turning On the Power” and discuss problems of “keeping it simple” in our everyday lives; use “The Amends I Most Dreaded to Make” to start a Step Nine discussion. September: Read “A.A. and the Religion Turnoff” and exchange views on explaining a spiritual program to newcomers; let “Just a Slip” help in exploring ways to avoid it; follow “The Traditions Are for Me” and find their personal meaning.