ox 4-5-9 HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 19 TH NORTH AMERICAN GENERAL SERVICE CONFERENCE OF A.A.

Vol. 14 No.3

Conference issue 1969

Group Conscience Guides A.A. A.A. is in excellent shape as seen from the vantage point of the Board of Trustees and as reflected in its actions during the past year, Dr. John L. Norris, chairman, told delegates to the 19th General Service Conference. Citing a number of policies established and problems solved during the past yea r, Dr. J ack said that the one major concern still facing the Board and the Fello wship as a whole was the fact that group contributions are still substantiall y below the cost of g roup services. Noting tha t it is unity which ” a ssures our future,” Dr. Jack said that it sometimes seems that we concentrate too much on the ” now,” thinking too often of A.A. as “ours” when perhaps we should remember more frequently that it is “theirs” too. ” For ‘ they’ are the legions of alcoholics yet to come.” “We must all remember that A. A. is ours to give away-to pass on-and that unless we do, we lose it. Other generations will need A. A. as we need it now. Other people, other kinds of people whom we are not reaching, need it now. So with the help of God, we must pass our Fell owship along, unimpaired and indivisible. A. A. unit y today becomes, in a very real sense, our sober pledge to the futur e,” he said. P ointing out that delegates to the Conferen c e represented the group consci ence of A.A. in North America, Dr. No rris said that as long as our real concern was for all of A. A. rather than for personal or purely local desires, our decisions will be right and A. A.’s future bright.” In the final talk of the Conference, Be rn a rd B. Smith, a nonalcoholic trustee, spoke on the theme of the Group Consci e nce. “It was very early in the history of the se Conferences that we be c ame pro(contin ued on p. 8 )

Deleg tes Discuss New Policies New York, April 26- Delegates representing the group conscience of A. A. members throughout the United States and Canada acted to provide new and improved services to members in virtually all areas of A. A. activit y during the 19th General Service Conference which concluded here today. Working through a five and one-half day series of almost continuous meetings at the Roosevelt Hot el, De legates sought better ways of c arrying the A. A. message to alcoholics who still suffe r throughout the world. GRAPEVINE -Recommended that A.A. World Services and the A. A. Grapevine Ninety delegates, elected by groups extend to each other the fullest cooperafrom every state and province, together tion in making the Fellowship aware of with alcoholi c and nonalcoholic General A.A. tools, Service Board trustees, G.S.O. and Grapevine directors and staff members form the 128-member Conference. They act on be1970 CONVENTION – Approved progress half of the Fellowship to provide guidbeing ma de on 35th Anniversary Convenance to the Board, G. S. 0. a nd Grapevine. tion, Miami Beach, Jul y 3-5, 1970. Some Conference highlights:

PUBLIC INFORMATION- Reviewed new c olor TV public servi c e announcement being made available to groups. AL-ANON- Recognized special relationship with Al-Anon Family Groups and acknowledged debt of gratitude for assistance to families of alcoholics.

VIORLD SERVICE CONFERENCE-Elected Warren S., Southern Co a stal, Calif., and Charles D., Central Mich., as North American delegates to first A. A. World Service Conference in October.

G.S. BOARD – Elected Bill C., Northeastern, and John R., Western Canada, as regional trustee nominees,

NEW A.A. SIZE Spring 1969

United States . .. Lone Members . Canada . .. .. . Lone Members In Hospitals . . In Prisons . . … Internationalists.

Groups

Members

8,595

148,424 150 21,629

1,556

47 648 891

11,690 Overseas*. . . . . 3,057 Totals. 14,747

18,548 33,775 344 222,917 60,412 283,329

* Estima ted onl y, until Part II o f the World Directory is publi s he d in Augu s t 1969. (Including non-reported me mbers, actual membership is e s timated at more than 425,000 worldwide .)

INSTITUTIONS- Recommended that A.A. membership be restricted to admitted alcoholics, but that groups in institutions welcome narcotics addicts and others to inside open meetings, provided that they do not speak or otherwise participate. LITERATURE – Approved final draft of the A. A. Service Manual and recommended thatinstitutions Directories be distributed every two years with yearly supplements,

POLICY – Approved resolution to avoid participation on radio or TV programs unless give n adequate time for preparation, or unless it serves an A.A. objective, or the prim a ry discussion is appropriate to A. A. , and anonymity is guaranteed.

G.S.O. REPORTS

The Conference secretary is in touch with delegates, committee members and G.S.R.’s during the year on all matters pettaining to the Conference. As soon as G.S.O. is notified of the election of a General Service Conference Committee officer or committee member, he or she is placed on the mailing list and a Conference Kit is sent.

haring by G.S.O. Staff Each staff member has specific responsibilities. However, she does not work alone but through the “group conscience” of the entire staff.

The Conference secretary prepares the Quarterly Report which gives the highlights of the General Service Board and Committee meetings held during the year and mails it to delegates and committee members.

Our primary service is correspondence. Thus we receive experience from groups, central offices, individual members, Loners, and others. This experience is, in turn, shared with others.

She is responsible for preparation of the annual meeting each year, subject to approval of the vice chairman of the General Service Conference. She works closely with the Agenda/ Admissions Committee where the actual planning starts. The committee meets during the Conference, and ideas and thoughts are shared throughout the year. Members reviewed all 1969 Conference agenda subjects and explored the current admissions procedures, —Beth K. Conference Secretary

Each staff member is responsible for correspondence in the geographic areas to which she is assigned. In addition, each has a specific service assignment, such as, Institutions, Internationalists, Overseas. and Public Information, among others. There are also a few standard responsibilities each staff member must assume, no matter what her assignment. Correspondence, for instance, is circularized for all to read. Thus staff members are kept up to date on what is happening in and around A. A. There is also constant evaluation of the many newsletters, publications, reports, and other materials received from central service offices, local P.I.C.’s, prisons, and other agencies in the field of alcoholism which communicate with G. S. 0.

1

Institutions Groups

In addition, each staff member serves as secretary of a Trustees’ committee and a Conference committee, assuming responsibility for notices, agendas, and minutes of meetings.

In 1969 we have 648 registered hospital groups with an approximate membership of 16,000 and 891 prison groups with 35,000 members. There are some 350 institutional sponsors registered and 102 Institutions Committees,

Staff members meet weekly to share experience and to give each other guidance on unusual problems, report on trips to areas, discuss new trends in A. A., and to receive progress reports on current projects. –Waneta N. Staff Coordinator

Services to institutional groups include yearly distribution of A. A. institutional directories, which enables groups to correspond with each other and exchange experiences. Complimentary literature is also distributed to new groups as well as to those which are unable to meet their own needs. In addition, these groups receive the World Directory, Box 4-5-9, and the Institutions Bulletin. Personal correspondence shares our A. A. experiences with groups, individual members, administrators, sponsors, and others who want to know more about the A. A. help available for inmates and patients,

More Committee Members

A tabulation of the 1968 questionnaire sent to all institutional groups indicates that groups on the “inside” are as a whole able to operate within the framework of the Traditions in much the same way as groups on the outside,

The past year has revealed a continuous flow of A.A. activity on the part of members in all Conference areas. One indication of this is the fact that there are some 1,400 committee members on the G.S.O. mailing list, an increase of 200 from 1968.

Problems faced by institutional groups include the fact that many hospital and prison administrators tend to lump alcoholism with other illnesses, Thus the mentally disturbed and the narcotic addict are often referred to A. A. because it seems to be the only available source of help. Another problem is in supplying literature to these groups, although there is less difficulty where there is an active institutions committee. There is also an increasing need for visual aids which are descriptive of the A.A. program, –Ann M. 1 Institutions

When the first Conference met in 1951, there were 37 delegates. At the 1969 Conference there are 90 whose continuing action helps to insure A. A.’s survival. In accordance with a recent Conference recommendation that G.S.R.’s receive the group mailing from G.S.O., about 75% of the groups in the U.S. and Canada comply.

2

G.S.O. REPORTS

Tools Available

were up 4.9% from 1967. After paying its own share of overhead, the publishing operation contributed $65,000 in support of other services.

The primary responsibility of all employees at G.S.O. is to “share” the thousands of miracles of recovery, unity, and service available here, so that the A.A. message will reach still-suffering alcoholics and enrich the lives of those in A. A. today.

ACCOUNTING: Underthedirection of Charles Columbia, the department processed 14,650 orders and 17,920 con·tribution remittances during 1968. Payrolls were also prepared, bills processed and paid, books kept, statistics maintained and analyses made of literature costs and payroll com pari sons.

Some 1,650 new groups were added to G.S.O. ‘s mailing list last year. Each received complimentary literature and other material.

CLERICAL/STENO: Supervised by Klein a ] ones and Madeline Whitlock, the department employs 14 girls, six of whom are secretaries and handle transcription of all correspondence and minutes. Three others work in a file unit, There is also a Spanish translator, a receptionist, a switchboard operator and a senior clerk.

Box 4-5-9. a bulletin sharing A.A. news around the world, is compiled and mailed every other month to the G.S.O. mailing list. Through Box 4-5-9, A.A.’s are kept informed of new services, new literature, new trends in A. A., the growth and development of A. A. around the world, conferences and conventions and roundups, new and old A. A. problems and the overall thinking and experience concerning them, current G.S.O. activities, and as many of the shared experiences from letters as space allows. A G.S.R. column is included each issue and response has been gratifying. There are also special announcements which may be read to the group. Box 4-5-9 is also distributed in French and Spanish,

SHIPPING: The year 1968 was another of greatly increased activity for Shipping. Al Cryan supervises seven full-time and six part-time employees. This year the department handled nearly 300,000 pieces of incoming and outgoing mail, including inquiries, group letters, contributions, and orders for books and pamphlets. ARCHIVES: Nell Wing supervises the filing and indexing of all our books, pamphlets, tapes, reports and other items, She also serves as Bill’s secretary, and production editor of the 3 editions of Box 4-5-9.

The World Directory is in two parts this year, Part I covers the United States and Canada, while Part II lists A. A. groups in all other areas.

RECORDS: Under the direction of Rose Failla, the department set up records for 1,625 new groups and recorded some 9,150 changes of addresses in 1968. The compilation of four directories involved the accurate listing of more than 14,000 groups. –Bob H,,Chairman A.A. World Services, Inc,

Guidelines contain suggestions and shared experience in specific A. A. service areas where problems can be avoided if the Traditions and previous experience are reviewed.

Also available from G.S.O. are filmstrips, films and tapes, which are listed on literature order blanks. –Hazel R, Service Coordinator

A.A.’s 35th at Miami Beach A.A.’s 35th Anniversary year will be celebrated with an International A. A. Convention at Miami Beach, Florida, ] uly 3rd, 4th and 5th, 1970. Plans are progressing and it promises to be a memorable get-together for A. A.’s and their families throughout the world.

Publishing Activities Up A. A. W. S. is a membership corporation and is responsible for the employment of G.S.O. personnel, for preparing and controlling the operating budget, and for publishing and distributing all Conference-approved books and pamphlets.

The big meetings, in which Bill and Lois will participate, are to be held in the spectacular Convention Hall. The Fontainbleau Hotel will serve as A. A. headquarters. Large, daytime panel meetings, alkathons, and Vvurkshops will be held there, The Eden Roc Hotel will be headquarters for Al-Anon,

G.S.O.’s administrative group is made up of the chairman of General Services, the controller, staff members, and the other supervisors of departments. There are 43 full-time employees and eight part time, (This is exclusive of the Grapevine’s personnel.)

The convention theme is “Unity.” The first registra .. tion and housing forms will be mailed from G.S.O. on October 15, 1969. Registration fee is $6, with tickets for the opening dance and show, $4. Housing will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis, –Bob 11, Convention Chairman

PUBLISHING: Sales of A. A. literature continued to increase and so reflect the growth of A. A. In 1968 sales

3

G.S.O. REPORTS

1500 Spanish~Speaking Groups

Great Britain has an annual General Service Conference. There has been increased activity in public information, with several TV programs being shown, as well as radio programs and public meetings.

There are some 1,500 A.A. groups throughout the Spanish- speaking world registered with G. S. 0. However, there may be many more, We recently heard, for instance, that there are fourteen groups in Buenos Aires, although we only have two listed in the World Directory.

Germany, Belgium, and Switzerland have also found public meetings an effective way to carry the message. Such meetings are well attended by doctors, nurses, social workers, clergy, and other professionals. –Midge M. International (except Spanish)

We are sure, however, that there is tremendous growth of A.A. in Spanish-speaking countries, especially in the Central American region. For example, in El Salvador, a country of three million people, there are 20,000 A.A. members. Furthermore, they travel from country to country by bus. Recently 60 of them went to Panama to carry the message. As the local group was not very active at the time, six decided to stay and work with them.

World Service Meeting Set

There are 25 central offices in the Latin countries, They service groups with literature, directories and twelfth-step work. There are also four Literature Distribution Centers in Latin America and one General Service Office in Colombia, which services all of South America. They print the Big Book in Spanish, along with 15 pamphlets, including “What Happened to ] oe.” -·-Mary h’ !len U, Spanish-speaking arc’as

Problems Overseas the

The 18th General Service Conference approved the proposal for a World Service Meeting to be held in New York in the fall of 1969, Eleven countries and one zone have been invited to elect delegates to attend this meeting. The World Service Planning Committee has been meeting regularly since last year to discuss plans and agenda for the meeting. As it stands, the agenda for the sessions will be separated into four categories for presentation and discussion: (1) Structure, (2) Finance, (3) Publishing. and (4) Services. These sessions will be divided into three parts: (1) Presentation of G.S.O. experience, (2) Small roundtable discussions, and (3) Delegates’ report on their experience. Theme of the meeting will be “Our Common Welfare Should Come First.” –Bob II. Chairman

me

The problems of A. A. groups and members outside the U.S. and Canada are basically the same as they are here. This was clearly revealed from a questionnaire sent to 16 countries. Their most important problems: lack of unity; difficulty in financing General Service and central offices; apathy toward service by A. A.’s, and slow growth of A. A. due to little or no public information and literature distribution.

Grapevine Circulation 52,000 Grapevine circulation climbed to 52,000 in 1968 from 49,000 at the end of 1967. This was for subscriptions only. Single sal2s of each issue generally run between 1,500 and 2,000 extra.

Still, A. A. is doing very well and growing at a slow but steady pace around the world. South Africa now has the Big Book on tape and is also working on a tape library.

In October, a special issue about alcohol, alcoholism, and A. A., was quickly exhausted, and for the first time in its history the Grapevine went back to press with an order of 5,000. These copies were widely distributed among members of the medical profession.

Australia is celebrating its 21st Anniversary this year. South Vietnam, Thailand, and ] a pan report new and reactivated groups of service personnel.

In June the Grapevine will celebrate its 25th Anniversary. We are planning a special issue, emphasizing A.A. history as reflected through Grapevine articles. The October issue will salute the World Meeting to be held then in New York. We are also working on a possible “Best Cartoons from the Grapevine.” –jack M. Editor Paula C. Managing Editor

India and Ceylon report very active groups in Bombay, Calcutta, and Colombo. Italy reports a new group in Milan, but overall growth in that country is painfully slow. Iceland has translated but not yet printed the Big Book.

4

G.S.O. REPORTS

P. L Activities Increase

“Young People and A.A.” with new stories has been completed and will be distributed shortly, while the pamphlet, “A.A. in the Armed Services,” is in the works.

During the past year the Public Information Committee worked in a variety of ways to help carry the A.A. message of recovery and to extend the hand of A. A. by providing information to the public.

In addition, the illustrated “Traditions” pamphlet is being prepared. Work is also going forward to add up-to·date materials to “A. A. and the Alcoholic Employee” and “A. A. and the Medical Profession,”

The survey of A. A. membership in the United States and Canada was conducted and results were released at a press conference in Washington during the International Congress on Alcohol and Alcoholism. As a result, we received wide coverage in the press, radio, and television.

At the same time the committee is sending questionnaires to a selected number of groups and intergroups to determine literature needs, and work is going forward on the possibility of improving on the questions in “Is A.A. For You::>” Other matters under consideration by the committee during the past year concerned preparation of mat~rial for oldtimers and material on danger signs that could lead to drinking. –Austin Mace ormick, Cba irman TrusteE’s’ Literature CommittPe

During the past year a number of national publications have carried important articles on alcoholism in which A.A. was mentioned favorably. Among them: U.S. News & World Report; Look; flortune; Dun’s Review; Christian Herald; Real Story; Business Week, and Business Management. Information was furnished to the Bell Telephone Com-· pany for a film on alcoholism, to the Industrial Conference Board for a bulletin, and to the publication, Jobs Overseas. among others. A press release was sent out on the new comic pamphlet, “It Happened to Alice,”

G.S.O. Sales, Income Increases

In addition, P.I. members prepared an outline for stimulating activities aimed at hard-to-reach alcoholics and guidelines for A.A. cooperation during Alcoholism Information Month. A color TV public service announcement was also completed and will be ready for distribution in the early summer.

On the whole, the financial picture for 1968 was satisfactory. Net sales income for 1968 increased $17,523 over 1967. Income from the sale of old products increased by $39,045 (11. 5%), while the income from the sale of new products(“The A.A. Way of Life” and “What Happened to Joe”) showed an anticipated decrease that totaled $21,522. Group contributions were in excess of 1967 by $19,784. This is actually $1,215 more than forecast. Total G.S.O. expenses for the year were up, but within 1.4% of the budgeted amount.

There are many projects now in the works involving news stories, articles and pamphlets. Among the most important are the plans now taking shape for public information activities at the 35th Anniversary International Con vent ion in !VIi ami Beach in 1970.

The committee reviewed the 1969 G.S.O. budget, Sales are expected to increase 3.4%, a normal average increase, The expenses of the publishing operation were budgeted 7.3% higher than 1968 actual. The increase in contribution receipts is forecast to be $20,085 or 5.5% in excess of last year. Total office expenses are budgeted at 4.1% over 1968 and General Fund expenses 5.2% lower than 1968, The General Fund expenses were budgeted lower because of non-recurring expenses, such as the membership survey and the 28th International Congress on Alcoholism meeting. Also, a new filmstrip is not planned for 1969. Total net income is estimated to be $12,600 (not taking into account a possible dividend from the Grapevine for 1969).

Another project in the planning stage is a proposal for a survey on “What the Public Thinks of A. A..•” which would find the most common misconceptions about A. A. on the part of the general public. We are also looking for bet-· ter ways to reach industry as well as ways to carry the A.A. message to the college campus, –Bayard l’. Jr., Chairman Trustees’ Public Information Committee

New literature Projects

Traditions say that only A. A. members can make contributions which enable G.S.O. to carry on its worldwide services. Therefore A. A. is charged with the responsibility of supporting itself entirely on a real, every-member level. With this realization, I am sure that each group will help G.S.O. provide every needed service to an expanding Fellowship and solve the problem of a budget that doesn’t quite catch up with growth. –Robert W.P. Morse, Chairman Trustees’ Finance Committee

The Trustees’ Literature Committee, with the help and cooperation of the Conference Literature Committee, completed or continued work on a number of projects in the past year, Among these was an entirely new version of ”A. A. for the Woman.” “It Happened to Alice,” the comic-style pamphlet for women, has also been completed.

5

Money at G. 0.

Growth

1969 G.S.

udget

How efficient has been G.S.O. ‘s growth? In terms of personnel in 1945 there was one employee for each 98 groups. Today, one employee serves each 314 groups.

The budget for 1969 Operations of G.S.O. activities- Exclusive of the A.A. Grapevine- is as follows:

During the past twenty three years, the G. S. 0. budget has increased from $20,000 to $420,300 for services charged to the group contribution account. During that same period, cost of living increased 97%. Adjusting for this change in dollar value, we find that the cost of services per group actually showed a decrease from $20.60 to $14.46.

BUDGET A.A. WORLD SERVICES, INC.-PUBLISHING INCOME Sales

Groups

Employees

Groups per Employee

$ Cost per

Living Cost

Group

$445,600*

Less: Cost of Products Grass Profit from Sales

1945 1950 1955 1960 1968

983 4,052 6,249 8,615 14,747

10 20 27 31 47

$20.60 22.06 22.81 28.25 27.37

98 202 230 278 314

100 139 148 165 197

TOTAL EXPENSES Excess of Income (Expense

173,800 271,800 184,600 $ 87,200

14,747

*Based upon the sale of: GROWTH OF A.A. DURING INFLATIONAHY YEARS

44,000 Books-” Alcoholics Anonymous” 15,500 Books”12 Steps & 12 Traditions” (Reg.) 5,600 Books-“12 Steps & 12 Traditions” (Pocket) 5,100 Books-“A.A. Comes of Age” 13,000 Books-“The A.A. Way of Life” Pamphlets & Miscellaneous Items

OFFICE EXPENSES- GROUP SERVICES INCOME Contributions ’45

’50

’55

’60

’65

TOTAL EXPENSES

’68

Excess of Income (Expense)

1. (Above) There are more than 15 times as many groups today as in 1945. The number of services has increased greatly, too, in the same period. Today, however, there are 314 groups for each G.S.O. employee, compared with only 98 iu 1945.

$386,300 420,300** $ (34, 000)

**Includes cost of General Service Conference-$37,700.

GENERAL FUND- TRUSTEES’ EXPENSES

14,747 GROWTH OF A.A. & GROWTH OF G.S.O. PERSONNEL

INCOME

$ -0-

TOTAL EXPENSES Excess of Income (Expense)

40,600*** $ (40,600)

***Board Meetings, P.l.C. Expense, Special Projects, Etc. 3Q.O_ _

314

The Publishing activity will contribute $74,600 to the budgeted deficits.

1969 Grapevine Budget

98 983

Estimated income from subscription and other sales …… $221,000 ’50

’55

’60

’65

’68

2. (Above) During the years 1945 through 1968, the cost of living increased 97 percent. Constant striving for increased efficiency succeeded in keeping G.S. 0. service cost per group to $27.37 in 1968 compared with $20.60 in 1945, an increase of only 33 percent.

Estimated expenses

207′ 300

Net income from operations

13′ 700

Interest from savings accounts

6,000

Net income ……………………………………………………………………….. $ 19,700

6

1968 G Co ns
 # Gps. % t1 % of Contrib's. t1 Gps. % # %of Contrib'sq
 re- ft Gps. of Gps. Gps. Gps. Amount of Member- per re- t1 Gps. of Gps. Gps. Gps. Amount of Member- per
U.S. ported Contrib. Contrib. R.CP. on R.C.P. Contrib. ship Capita CANADA ported Contrib. Conuib. R.C.P. on R.C.P. Contrib. .~Capita
Alabama 68 47 69.2% 12 25.5% $ 2,949.44 1,187 $ 2.48 Alberta 145 77 53.1% 9 11. 7% $ 4, 134.02 1,344 $ 3.08
Alaska 34 19 55.9 6 31.6 1,008.50 334 3.02 Atlantic Prov.
Arizona 118 68 57.6 15 22.1 3,441.24 1,435 2.40 New Brunswick 53 22 41.5 3 13.6 677.33 581 1.17
Arkansas 74 51 68.9 17 33.3 2,259.05 898 2.52 Newfoundland 19 9 47.4 1 11.1 398.74 146 2.73
California 1,258 757 60.2 234 30.9 46,605.69 27,767 1. 68 Nova Scotia 60 35 58.3 7 20.0 1,293.08 676 1. 91
 Prince Ed. Is. 23 12 52.2 1 8.3 587.00 319 1. 84
Colorado 108 65 60.2 18 27.8 3,960.62 1,690 2,17
Connecticut 177 109 61.6 21 19.3 7,427.95 2,983 2.49 British Columbia 205 103 50.2 12 11.7 4, 947.56 2,476 1.88
Delaware 32 27 84.4 7 25.9 1,092.00 495 2. 21 Manitoba 76 38 50.0 3 7.9 2,688.13 1, 514 1. 78
Dist. of Columbia 46 40 86.6 18 45.0 3,436. 71 999 3.44 N. W. Territories 2 1 50.0 0 0.0 25.00 10 2.50
Florida 282 185 65.6 63 34.1 14,880.86 4,873 3.05 Ontario 448 266 59.4 49 18.4 17,162.08 6,250 2. 75
 Quebec 375 174 46.4 29 16. 7 4,574.41 6,644 .69
Georgia 146 100 68.5 23 23.0 4,486.88 2,033 2.21
Hawaii 35 22 62.9 4 18.2 742.25 524 1.42 Saskatchewan 149 79 53.0 3 3.8 3,357.42 1,649 2.04
Idaho 36 23 63.9 3 13.1 785.90 372 2.11 Yukon Terr. 1 1 100.0 0 0.0 55.10 20 2.76
Illinois 550 486 88.3 36 7.4 11,090.37 11,755 .94 TOTAL for
Indiana 198 123 62.1 22 17.9 7,116.94 2,560 2.78 CANADA 1, 556 816 52. 4'/'o 117 14.3% $ 39,899.87 21,629 $ 1.84
Iowa 107 67 62.6 12 17.9 5,668.60 2,109 2.69 TOTAL for
Kansas 107 63 58.9 8 12.7 3,310.05 1, 923 1. 72 U.S. and
Kentucky 108 74 68.5 4 5.4 5,599.29 1,380 3.06 CANADA 10,151 6,440 63.5% 1,367 21.2'/'o $362,180.65 170,053 $ 2.13
Louisiana 94 52 55.3 13 25.0 3,192.99 1,644 1.94
Maine 57 42 73.7 6 14.3 1,590.50 632 2.52
 FOREIGN
Maryland 142 92 64.8 15 16.3 4,804.80 2,006 2.40
Massachusetts 281 147 52.3 28 19.1 8,473.09 5,418 1. 56 Foreign $ 2,351.87
Michigan 381 214 56.2 46 21.5 17,646.53 6,406 2. 76 World Hello 95.70
Minnesota 246 219 89.0 12 5.5 9,182.04 5,403 1. 70 International
Mississippi 48 25 52.1 5 20.0 1,237.50 654 1.89 Doctors 125.00
 Hospital Gps. 1,380. 73
Missouri 160 101 63.1 15 15.0 5,714.60 2,143 2.67 Prison Gps. 239. so
Montana 55 40 72.8 5 8.0 1,208.09 573 2.11
 In tern a tiona lists 686.79
Nebraska 75 53 70.7 8 15.1 2,388.45 786 3.04
Nevada 51 27 52.9 7 25.9 1,519.75 756 2. 01
New Hampshire 36 22 61.1 8 36.4 1,435.10 503 2. 85 GRAND
 TOTAL $367,060.24
New Jersey 267 182 68.2 46 25.3 11,542.30 4,332 2.67
New Mexico 63 31 49.2 3 10.0 1,890. 78 1,091 1. 73
New York 583 379 65.0 120 31.7 30,484.60 10,120 3.01
North Carolina 159 123 77.4 29 23.6 7,830.53 2,527 3.10 GROUP CONTRIBUTION COMPARISON - - 1968 - 1967
North Dakota 46 28 60.9 3 10.7 934.90 454 2.06
Ohio 456 265 58.1 39 14.7 13,479.75 8,946 1. 51
Oklahoma 109 85 78.0 46 54.1 5,479.48 1,613 3.40 ft Gps. % ft %of Contrib's.
Oregon 106 87 82.1 21 24.2 3,576.40 1,113 3.21 re- tt Gps. of Gps. Gps. Gps. Amount of Member- per
Pennsylvania 297 209 70.4 52 24.9 13,083.20 4,464 2.93 ported Contrib. Conuib. R.C.P. on R.C.P. Contrib. ship Capita
Rhode Island 30 24 80.0 10 41.8 1,600.85 379 4.22
 U.S.A. 1968 8, 595 5,624 65.4% 1,250 22.2% $322,280.78148,424 $ 2.17
South Carolina 80 53 66.3 10 18.9 3,038.40 1, 279 2.38 U.S.A. 1967 8,484 5,386 63.5 1,234 22.9 303,822.06 142,566 2.13
South Dakota 48 26 54.2 4 15.4 1,199.00 841 1. 43
Tennessee 84 54 64.3 8 14.8 2,500.00 1,422 1. 76 Increase
Texas 399 235 58.9 63 26.8 15,613.51 7, 713 2.03 (Decrease) 111 238 1.9% 16 (.7)%$ 18,458.73 5,858 $ .04
Utah 51 33 64.7 11 33.4 1,094.63 725 1. 51
Vermont 31 24 77.4 3 12.5 1,756.45 411 4.27 Canada 1968 1,556 816 52.4% 117 14.3% $ 39,899.87 21,629 $ 1.84
Virginia 145 97 66.9 28 28.9 6,670.05 2,318 2.88 Canada 1967 1,411 782 55.5 171 21.9 36,984.70 19,695 1.88
Washington 193 118 61.1 34 28.8 6,425. 56 2,388 2.69 ----------
West Virginia 51 33 64.7 7 21.2 1,684. so 575 2.93 Increase
Wisconsin 213 136 63.9 16 11.7 6,144.11 2,546 2.41 (Decrease) 145 34 (3.1)% (54) (7.6)%$ 2,915.17 1,934 $ (.04)

Wyoming 27 20 74.1 1 5.0 827.00 265 3.12 u.s. &
Commonwealth Canada 1968 10,151 6,440 63.5% 1,367 21.2% $362,180.65 170,053 $ 2.13
 of P.R. 44 18 40.9 4 21.2 819.00 612 1.34 u.s. &
Canal Zone 2 1 50.0 1 100.0 275.00 28 9.82 Canada 1967 9,895 6,168 62.3 1,405 22.8 340,806.76 162,261 2.10
Bahama Islands 1 1 100.0 0 0.0 10.00 21 .48
Virgin Islands Increase
 of U.S. 2 2 100.0 0 0.0 65.00 12 5.42 (Decrease) 256 272 1.2% (38) (1.6)'/'o$ 21,373.89 7,792 $ .03
 Total for U.S. 8,595 5,624 65.4'/'o 1,250 22.2% $322,280.78 148,424 $ 2.17

19TH A.A. CONFERENCE (/mm p. I)

The A.A. Calender MAY 23-25 – Ft. Williams, Ont., Ca. Write: Publicity Chm., Box 73, Ft. Williams 23-25- Lake Whitney, Tx., Young People’s Con£. Write: Con f. Secy., Apt. 215, 2611 Throckmorton, Dallas. 23-25- Cook Forest, Pa., Cook Forest Conf. Write: Cook Forest Conf. 600 N. Chestnut St., Scottdale. 23-25 –Anaconda, Mt., A.A. & Alanon Spring Conf. Write: Anaconda Gp., Box 1192, Anaconda. 31 -Toronto, Ont., Ca., 1st Annu, Roundup of Young People in A. A. Write: Publicity Chm., Box 715, Postal Sta. F, Toronto. 29- June 1 – Daytona Beach, Fla., 13th Annu. Fla. State Conv. Write: Conv. Comm. Box 198, Holly Hill, Fla. 30-]une 1- Albuquerque, N.M. N.M. State Conf. Write: Conf. Chm., Box 1457, Albuq. 31-]une 1- Parksville, Vancouver, B.C., 9th Annu. Central & Upper Vancouver Island Rally. Write: [~ally Secy., Box 151, N anaimo, B. C.

JUNE 6- 8 – Palm Springs, Ca., Desert Round up. Write: Comm. Chm., Box 539, Palm Springs. 6- 8 -Oklahoma City, 0., 28th Anniv. State Conf. Write: Conf. Chm., Box 53511, Oklahoma City. 6- 8 – Fremont, Nb., 1Oth Annu. State Con v. Write: Chm., Box 481, Fremont. 6- 8 – The Pas, Manitoba, Canada, Northern Manitoba Round Up. Write: Secy., Box 188, The Pas. 7- 8 -Des Moines, Iowa, West Central Regional Area State Conf. Write: Conv. Chm., 2004-53 St., Des Moines. 7- 8 – Winchester, Virginia, 4-State & D.C. Get-Together. Write: Chm., 1222 Franklin St., Alexandria, Va. 13-15- Jackson, Ms., 23rd Annu. State Conv. Write: Conv. Chm., Box 4773, Jackson. 20-22 – Craig, Co., Summer Regional Conf. Write: Conf. Secy., Rt. 2, Box 109-H, Berthoud. 20-22- Maryville, Tn., 11th Area Annv. Write: A. A. Box 269, Maryville. 20-22 – Rye Beach, N.H., 4th N.H. Conv. Write: Conv. Chm., Box 182, Portsmouth, N.H. 20-22 – St. Simons Island, Ga., 5th Annu. Golden Isles Weekend. Write: Chm., P.O. Box 508, Statesboro. 20-22 – Peterborough, Ont., Ca., 8th Annu. Cent. E. Area Conf. Write: Conf. Chm., Box 701, Peterborough. 21-22 — Akron, Ohio, Annu. Founders Day Celebration. Write: Intergroup Office, 41 S. High St., Akron. 27-29 -Jefferson City, Mo., Missouri Roundup Con£. Write: Mo. State Con f., Box 5243, Kansas City. 27-29 – Wawa, Ont., Can., Regional Con f. Write: Conf. Chm., Box 1117, 13 Arnott St., Wawa. 28-29 – Sacramento, Ca., Annu. Summer Con f. of Northern Calif. Coun. Write: Conf. Chm., 1140-35th Ave., Sacramento.

foundly aware of the underlying strength of the power of the principles that guide us to the right and away from the wrong,” he said,

JULY 4- 6 – Penticton,

B.C., Ca., 22nd Annu. Pacific N. W. Conf. Write: Pacific N. W. Con£., 1411 Ridgedale Ave., Penticton. 11-13 -Huntington, W. Va., 17th W. Va. Conf. Write: W. Va. Con f., P. 0. Box 23, Huntington. 17-20- Dallas, Tx., 24th Annu. Tx. State Conv. Write. Conv. Chm., Box 1691, Dallas. 18-20- Montrose, Co., Stateline Rally. Write: Conv. Chm., Box 488, Montrose. 18-20- Alexandria, La., 12th Annu. State Conv. Write: Conv. Chm., 3712 Carl Road, Alexandria. 18-20- Columbus, 0., Ohio State Conf. Write: Con£. Comm., Box 8775, State St. Sta., Columbus. 25-27 – Philadelphia, Pa., 12th Int. Con f. of Young People in A.A. Write: 12th Int. Conf., 2202 St. James St., Philadelphia. 31-Aug. 3 – Decatur, Al., 14th Al., N. W. Fla. Conv. Write: Conv. Chm., Decatur Inn, Box 2063, Decatur.

AUGUST 1- 3 – Little Rock, Ark., Ark. State Conv. Write: Conf. Chm., 304 E. lOth, Little I~ock.

5- 9 -Chattanooga, Tn., 1969 Southeastern Conv. Write: Conv. Chm., Room 623 Chattanooga Bank Bldg., Chattanooga, Tn. 8- 9- Morristown, N.J., Int. Doctors in A.A. Annu. Meeting. Write: Secy., IDAA, 1950 Volney Rd., Youngstown, Ohio. 15-17- Medellin, Colombia, S.A., lOth Annv. Conv. Write: Apartado Aereo 4887, Medellin. 22-24. – Denver, Co., Co. State Conv. Write: Conv. Chm., 1641 So. Glencoe, Denver. 29-30- Richmond, Va., Va. State Assem. Write: Va. State Assem., Box 12011, Seminary Sta., Alexandria. 30-31 -Portland, Ore., State Conf. Write: Con f. Chm., 232 N. Weidler St., Portland

“We learned in keeping with this definition of the group conscience that we must never seek compromise, but always certainty. We must never use the force of a majority. The strength of our Fellowship is such that it can always afford to delay changes until we know that such changes respond to the needs of all of A. A. and not to a simple majority.” Delivering the keynote talk at the Conference, Maurice R., regional trustee from the Southeast area, told delegates that their work may well be the contributing influence that will strengthen our Fellowship in the eyes and hearts of mankind, to provide a stabilizing influence toward living and strengthening factor in time of stress or danger. Tom G., Delegate chairman from Manitoba, suggested that if each member of the Conference gave only the best that was in him “we will be able to fulfill our responsibility to the Fellowship in finding new and better ways to carry the message, in clearing and broadening the lines of communication and in entering new halls of understanding of the needs of others and of new ways in which we may serve and be of service.”

This advance edition of the Box 4-5-9 is joT immediate use of the 1969 delegates and m·ea committee members. Same edition will be mailed to all groups May fifteenth,

JULY 1970 OctobeT 11, Bill’s 35th Annv. Dinner, Hilton Hotel, N.Y. Write: Intergroup, Dinner Comm., 337 E. 33rd St., N.Y., N.Y.

2,3,4- 35th A.A.

Anniversary and International Conv., Miami Beach, Florida.

ifts to ARKANSAS State Convention . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 280.00 CALIFORNIA Fullerton: Orange Co. Inst. Comm .. 15.00 Northern Ca. Coun. of A. A. …… . 900.00 10.00 Newport: Dists. 5,6 & 12 …….. . San Diego: Central Gratitude Mtg .. 56.52 Whittier: Whittier Workshop …… . 10.00 KENTUCKY Paducah: 8th Tri–State Conv ….. . 313.63 Lexington: 18th Annu. Ky. State Conv . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,049.42 MASSACHUSETTS New England Con£.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200.00 MICHIGAN Pontiac: Grps. of Oakland Co ….. 59.00

8

NORTH CAROLINA Area 4 of N.C ……………… . Durham: Tar Heel Mid-Winter Con£.. OREGON District #6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SOUTH CAROLINA Georgetown: Waccamaw Area Grp .. TEXAS Midland & Odessa Grps . . . . . . . . . . WASHINGTON Seattle: Seattle Grps. Xmas Party. CANADA Ontario: N. E. Area Con f. …….. . Ottawa, Ont., Area Alkathon ….. . N. W. Ont. Committee . . . . . . . . . . . . Quebec: 1968 Que. Provincial Bilingual Conf ……………. .

122.02 200.00 10.00 27.00 41.45 167.38 268.86 29.00 131.69 600.00