BOX 4005#9

NEWS AND NOTES FROM THE GENERAL SERVICE OFFICE OF A.A. February-March 1980

Vol. 25, No. 1

New Challenges Seen In C.P.C. Work A.A. today is reaping the rewardsbut also the problemsof success. That is the conclusion reached by a member whose A.A. service work involves cooperation with the professional community (C.P.C.). “At one tinie,” this A.A. points out, “we were begging people to send us drunks. Now that this is happening, we cry havoc. And it frequently is havoc, but what an opportunity to roll with the punches! Are we ready? We have the tools, but have we the willingness and understanding?” A.A. first began to grow when co-founders Bill W. and Dr. Bob realized that in order to stay sober, they had to work with other drunks, The question was: Where to find them? (continued on p. 3)

A. A. Literature Prices Cut Again as Contributions Climb Prices of all A.A. literature distributed by our General Service Office (G.S.O.) are being slashed again for A.A. customers. On all orders of $25 or more, a 6% discount will be given to A.A. groups, according to the directors of A.A. World Services, Inc. (A.A.W.S.). The new discounts take effect Feb. 1, and will be indicated on new G.S.O. order lists mailed to groups. Local A.A. central offices (CO.’s) and intergroup associations are also entitled to the reduction, and it is hoped that they will pass the savings on to the A.A. groups that are their customers. Here’s an example of the way your group can save money on literature more easily after Feb. 1. Make out your group’s order on the

1980 CONFERENCE AGENDA TAKES SHAPE The agenda for the 30th annual (1980) meeting of the General Service Conference of A.A. (U.S. and Canada), which convenes at New York’s Hotel Roosevelt Apr. 2026, is being carefully constructed under the supervision of the Conference’s own Agenda Committee and the trustees’ Committee on the Conference. The committees have agreed on the theme “Participation: The Key to Recovery.” Topics to be discussed include: (1) the right of decision; (2) par ticipationequal voice, equal responsibility; (3) participationser –

vice and recovery; and (4) reaching the alcoholic by working with nonalcoholics. Election of two A.A. regional trustees for four-year terms is also scheduled. The Western Canada (Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Northwest Territories, Saskatchewan, Yukon) member of the General Service Board will replace Cecil C., Prince Albert, Sask. The new West Central U.S. (Iowa, Montana, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming) trustee will fill the position vacated by Don N., Moorhead, Minn. (continued on p. 4)

usual form (available free from (G .S.0.), ordering discount packages if you like, and using the low “Price to A.A. Groups” column for books and booklets. Then, if the total is $25 or more, simply deduct 6% from the total of your remittance. The trustees’ Finance Committee recommended in July 1979 that A.A.W.S. study the feasibility of cutting literature prices, as (continued on p. 6)

FRESH APPROACHES IN PRINT AND VOICE A new look and a new sound make two familiar A.A. resources more useful than ever. And a brandnew pamphlet reaches out to a “neglected” group of alcoholics. Travelers will find it much easier to use the latest International A.A. Directory. A change of format, to pamphlet size, means it’s handy for toting in purse or pocket. Supplements will be published at intervals, and of course, the entire directory is updated periodically. The price is the same: 75. The “basic” text of the Big

(continued on p. 6)

Box 4-5-9 is published bimonthly by the General Service Office ofAlcohlicsAnonymous, 468 Park Aveni4e South, New York, N. Y.

‘

Alcoholics Anonymous World Services,

Inc., 1980 Mail address: P.O. Box 459, Grand Central Station, New York, NY 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.

CONVENTION TEMPO IS SPEEDING UP We may not all be saints, but thousands of A.A. ’s plan to go ’’marchin’ in” to New Orleans in July of this year by plane, train, bus, or car, or even on foot. Saints and sinners, newcomers and oldtimers, A.A.’s, Al-Anons, and just good friends are making arrangements to attend the 45th Anniversary International Convention in New Orleans, July 3-6. As 1980 arrived, more than 10,000 registrations had been received. For your convenience, three registration forms are enclosed with this issue, along with an AlAnon flyer. (This mailing of registration forms does not go to central offices in bulk; but, of course, more are available on request.) Truly international The Convention’s international flavor will be stronger than ever this year. We know of chartered planes coming from England, Africa, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and Germany, and registrations have come in from A.A.’s in Iceland, Norway, Finland, Mexico, and Central American countries. Workshops and alkathons in four languages will be held: English, Spanish, French, and German. Help with taping needed The G.S.O. Planning Committee is calling for volunteers to work with A.V.W., Inc. of Dallas, Tex., the firm that will record Convention sessions. The first draft of the program shows plans for 125 meetings.

Volunteers are being asked to work with A.V.W. in order to achieve the best possible results at the lowest cost. They must be familiar with cassette recording equipment and have some recording experience. They will be asked to attend an instruction and briefing course on Thursday afternoon, July 3, to be conducted by A.V.W. At that time, further details of this joint effort will be explained. We hope to hear from those interested in this kind of volunteer work as soon as possible. Come a-running For some enthusiastic Conventioneers, marchin’ in will be only a start. An innovation this year is a “Fun Run” for the joggers among us. They will meet Sun. July 6 at 6:30 am. in City Park. So whether it’s running, talking, listening, learning, dining out in fabulous New Orleans, or just a weekend overflowing with A.A. joy, join us in New Orleans over the Fourth!

work for a major national trade association just before he came to G.S.O. He had also worked for a union and as a teacher in an elementary school system on Long Island in New York. A native of Newark, N.J., Curtis attended the University of Miami in Florida and the New York University School of Education in Manhattan, where he did graduate work in guidance and personnel. He joined New York’s Templeton Group in January 1974 and hasn’t had a drink since. He soon became active, as general service representative (G .5. R.) and group representative to New York Intergroup, for which he served as chairperson of the Bill W. anniversary dinner in 1978. Now, he is fascinated with the A.A. correspondence for the area of his G.S.O. assignment, West Central U.S., and with his work for the Correctional Facilities Cornmitt ee 5.

BIG STEP FORWARD FOR LATIN AMERICAN A.A. G.S.O. WELCOMES FIRST MALE STAFF MEMBER When Curtis M. became the first male G.S.O. staff member in July 1979, he slammed into two sur prises that continue to amaze him. First, “G.S.O. has more procedures than you’d believe! ” he said with wry amusement. “I guess I expected a sort of free-and-easy, unbusinesslike, amateur-do-gooder place,” he explained. “With more than 30,000 groups and 1,000,000 members to serve around the world, G.S.O. naturally has to try to be a highly efficient business operation.” Curtis’s second surprise was less of a shock. It was the almost incredible amount of job-sharing among staff members. “Of course, sharing in A.A. is not news to me, but I didn’t know I could ever find such helpfulness among any group of fellow workers,” he said. Curtis’s job career included sales 2

A.A. in Latin America took an gran paso hacia dc/ante when the first Latin American Service Meeting convened in Bogota, Colombia, Nov. 15-17, with delegations from ten countries. As a result, Hispanic nations (even where A.A. has barely gotten started) may soon receive – from Latin American counterparts of our own G.S.O. – services like those furnished for groups in the U.S. and Canada. The session resulted from a suggestion at the 1978 World Service Meeting (W.S.M.) that such gatherings be held in the alternate years between biennial W. S .M. ’s, especially for the benefit of A.A. in those countries where the Fellow ship has not yet grown large enough to be able to afford the expense of W.S.M. representation. In Bogota, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico, Peru, Venezue-

la, and Paraguay were represented the last by nonalcoholic Sister Regina Dian, a great booster of A.A. (as Sister Mary Ignatia was in Akron, Ohio, in A.A.’s early days). Also present at invitation of the Hispanic organizers of the meeting were Beth K., G.S.O. staff member currently on the overseas assignment, and Mary Ellen W., consultant to G.S.O. on Latin American matters, a native of Colombia, and a former G. S.0. staffer. Authorized observers also attended from Venezuela and Colombia. There were many interesting presentations, such as “The Future of the W.S.M.” and “The Relationship of G.S.O.U.S./Canada to Latin America.” A major action at the Latin American meeting was formation of an International Committee by the G.S.O.’s of Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, and El Salvador. One of this committee’s main functions is to maintain close contact between its members and the countries they “sponsor.” In effect, the five offices will try to furnish services to A.A.’s in 15 nations where A.A. is not old enough at present to have its own service structure. Argentina offers to serve groups in Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay; Brazil, to serve those in Portugal. Colombia will accept as its global service segment groups in the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela; El Salvador, those in Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Panama. In addition, El Salvador offers to serve groups in Costa Rica and Honduras, and Mexico will serve those in Spain if A.A.’s in the three countries agree that such service would be useful to them. In Bogota, delegates also formed a commission on Spanish translations of A.A. literature, with representation from Argentina, Colombia, the Central American Literature Committee, El Salvador, and Mexico. Thus, G.S.O. can deal with only one body (the commission) on

translations into Spanish of A.A. literature published by A.A. World Services, Inc., instead of the many autonomous committees and boards formerly involved.

H Li’

2

I

[4

j rt

G.S.O.’S OPEN HOUSE GOES BILINGUAL G.S.0.’s doors opened at 8:30 am., Sat., Nov. 10, 1979, to welcome the first of nearly 400 A.A.’s from all over the Northeast to the annual open house. In the course of the day, crowds jammed the halls to look at the offices, visit with staff and non-A.A. personnel, and find out about the many ways G.S.O. serves the Fellowship. This year, more Spanish-speaking A.A. ’s than ever joined the throng, to be greeted with warm bieiivenic/os and tours led by Spanishspeaking guides. Highlights of the day included a showing of our new film, “Alcoholics Anonymous – An Inside View,” and a visit to the archives for a trip through A.A. history with archivist Nell Wing (nonalcoholic). And of course, gallons of coffee!

CHALLENGES IN C.P.C. (continued from p. 1) Our founders went out and looked for them, usually by going to doctors, members of the clergy, or others who worked with alcoholics. These professionals made it possible for alcoholics to find us or for A.A. to find them. 3

As A.A. groups sought ways to help the drunk, some came to grief by trying to cover the whole alcoholism field. Tradition Six was hammered out of hard experience, after the gfoups realized that all we have to give is a program of recovery – not medical treatment, housing, financial aid, or other kinds of help. Today, the picture has changed radically. Far from our having to go out and find drunks, they’re coming to us – in droves. Some members are worried about the influx of new people entering A.A. under “pressure” from outside agencies and programs. Some groups are overwhelmed when large numbers arrive, perhaps reluctantly, from a treatment facility or a court program. Others have trouble handling newcomers’ hostility or lack of interest. To deal with questions and problems like this, the General Service Board in 1970 set up its Committee on Cooperation with the Professional Community (C.P.C.), a spin-off from the Public Information (P.1.) Committee. In 1971, the Conference followed suit with the formation of its C.P.C. Committee. (Each was first called Committee on Professional Relations.) In many areas, some of the jobs formerly done by P.I. and institutions committees are now seen as logical functions of C.P.C. Of course, the different committees sometimes overlap, and local circumstances usually determine who does what. The 1976 Conference took an action, confirmed in 1979, recommending that “we encourage Ak members to become active on C.P.C. committees. Where there are existing P.I. and institutions committees, encourage cooperation among members of all committees, keeping always in mind that our primary purpose is to carry the message to the alcoholic who still suffers.” Apparently, this approach is effective. The 1977 membership sur(continued on p. 5)

Trustee Corner

G.S.R. Corner VIRGINIA SPOTLIGHTS G.S.R.’S

MEET YOUR NEWEST ALCOHOLIC TRUSTEES

Some original and clever material worked up by two Virginia district committee members (Ernest A. and Forest M.) has been sent to us by Charles (“Chuck”) R., Gainesville, area delegate. Focusing attention on G.S.R.’s, the package was sent to groups last year as a reminder to elect new G.S.R.’s. An attractive poster lists vital jobs the G.S.R. does, and uses Bill W.’s long-ago quote “G.S.R. may be the most important job in A.A.” A note from Forest tells of six recent A.A. accomplishments in the state, for which G.S.R.’s are given much credit. Significant parts of “The A.A. Service Manual” and other Third Legacy materials are also included. The entire packet easily inspires enthusiasm about the G.S.R.’s job, with a nice twist at the end. The letter to groups closes with a reminder that when G.S.R.’s need five minutes to make a report, the report is the job the group asked them to do. And the report is one way G.S.R.’s have of demonstrating love for A.A. and for their group. So, the letter concludes, “Let them love you!”

The last few issues have introduced new nonalcoholic members of the General Service Board. Now, it’s time to get acquainted with the three alcoholic (Class B) trustees elected at the April 1979 Conference. Stan C., Canadian trustee-at-large, lives in Saskatoon, Sask.; LaVelle C., Southwest regional trustee, in El Paso, Tex.; and Dick D., Northeast regional trustee, in Springfield, Mass. The geography may be different, but A.A. service offers equal opportunity wherever we may be. These trustees “grew up” in the service structure, all starting as G.S.R.’s (and filling other group offices), then getting into more area and regional activities, and serving as delegates (Stan on Panel 26, LaVelle and Dick on Panel 22). What better training for bringing sound regional knowledge to the job of “custodian” of A.A.’s future? Did you know that regional representation was added to the board in 1962, when A.A.’s growth made it clear that a New York-based board could not adequately serve A.A. as a whole? Now, there are eight regional trustees and two trustees-at-large (one U.S. and one Canada).

CONFERENCE AGENDA (continued from p.]) MORE NEWS IS GOOD NEWS

Others rotating off the board in 1980 are nonalcoholic John D. Bealer, M.D., Bethlehem, Pa., and general service (“in-town”) trustee Edward S. of New York City. New on the agenda this year will be the Sundayafternoon (Apr. 20) informal gathering to clarify the composition of the Conference. Each kind of Conference member (trustee, delegate, Grapevine director, A.A.W.S. director, and staff person) will be represented among the speakers, who will be allotted no more than five minutes each. “How well is the Conference structure working?” is the topic for one evening sharing session. Three questions included in that examination are: (a) the role of “in-town” trustees and how they are elected; (b) extending delegates’ terms from two to three years; and (c) should 75% of the Conference vote be in the hands of area delegates? These ideas have often been studied by past Conferences, of course. But it is generally agreed that if A.A. is to grow along with the world around it, the Fellowship can profit from continually taking its own inventory.

From the Big Book in 1939 to the letter being mailed right now from one Loner to another, A.A.’s have always communicated through the written word. An increasingly popular trend these days (though it’s been around a long time) is the newsletter, and many are put out by central offices and intergroups. CO.’s find them helpful in keeping A.A.’s abreast of local news, not only from the office, but from the groups. The newsletter has proved so valuable in many places that a number of central offices are exchanging publications among themselves, both for information and for new ideas. Letters to G.S.O. request guidelines for starting a newsletter or improving an existing one. With so much being done, suggestions are easy to come by, and the experiences of a variety of local newsletters has been incorporated into “The A.A. Service Manual” (p. 87) and the Guidelines on Central or Intergroup Offices. And at the 1980 Convention in New Orleans, interested A.A.’s will have a chance to trade ideas and expertise at a special workshop.

Central Office Corner

Delegate Corner ri

CHALLENGES IN C.P.0 (continued from p. 3) vey indicated that 24% of us got here through counseling or therapy, and about 10 17o through physicians’ advice. The C.P.C. worker quoted at the beginning of this article asks, “Who is the alcoholic? Where does he come from? And do we care? The important thing is to remember our primary purpose. We have something to give and nothing to lose, because we have the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions to keep us together as individuals and as a fellowship.” Do we care where people come from? The vast majority of A.A.’s answer no. We’re grateful newcomers are here, and we’re looking for ways to meet them where they are. This means welcoming “too many” newcomers to meetings, and being glad to see the reluctant referrals from court or A.S.A.P. programs. Many of us, now sober, remember 110w we glowered and grumbled through our first few meetings, but sat it out because an angry spouse or boss or family doctor had told us to go to A.A. – or else! C.P.C. committees are finding that new kinds of understanding are called for. Members who come to us after 28 days or more in a treatment facility often don’t seem like newcomers. Here we see another consequence of success: A.A. ’s have informed professionals about our program, and they in turn are equipping their patients with a good knowledge of A.A. before release and attendance at the first regular meeting. Some of us, geared to the sick and shaky beginner, are confused by this development. We wonder whether outside agencies are trying to do our job, and we may even be tempted to turn away from the “know-it-all” newcomer. At this point, C.P.C. workers can step in with insight. We have what no professional can offer: our personal experience and our power of example. We’ve learned that sharing

experience rather than knowledge works. Whether or not a person “gets the program” according to our lights, we stay sober because he or she is there. And in time, we’ve found, A.A.’s who reach us through treatment or court programs often become our most enthusiastic and willing members. When there are difficulties with outside agencies, C.P.C. committees have found that a face-to-face approach works best. A massive influx of people at any one meeting may happen simply because the professionals know A.A. works, and they want to get the most people to us, as fast and as easily as they can. When a group can’t handle so many, it’s up to us to approach the agency personnel and talk about it. In 1950, the phrase “honest desire” in the Preamble was changed. Today, that best-known description of A.A. reflects the wording of Tradition Three: “The only requirement for A.A. membership a desire to stop drinking.” Through C.P.C. work, many A.A.’s have come to realize in a new way that our “desire to stop drinking” can in reality be the merest germ of an idea. If it is there at all, whether it began with a person’s contact with a professional or with just plain old hitting bottom, we can be here to help it grow.

GREETINGS AND GOOD NEWS KEEP G.S.O.’S MAILBAG FULL Throughout the holiday season, the mailbag was crammed with greetings from our friends all over the world. We wish we could answer each one individually, but the only way we can really thank you is by continuing our efforts to serve you to the best of our ability. And with your love and support, that is a greater pleasure each day. 5

Fire . Lucille J. of Winnipeg, Man., writes: “We had a fire that completely gutted the interior of our meeting room, and we really experienced the unity of our group at that time. We learned to put principles before personalities as we tried to stay together now that our ’home’ was gone. We held emergency meetings to find new premises to hold our meetings. Other groups came to our assistance, offering their rooms for alternate meetings. “The week following the fire, we were settled in a church hall, holding all but two of our meetings there. Then, we received good news from our landlord, who decided to rebuild our meeting room from the inside out. In four months, we were back ’home,’ and had solved our expansion problem as well 15 of our members stayed in the church hall to form a new group. They are succeeding, have held elections, and are enjoying the same good A.A. meetings. “My group is growing, and I’m growing as an individual. I’m grateful to have learned a great lesson: God always provides the solution to any problem we are faced with.” . And Iceland A letter from Tomas T., secretary of the National Service Office in Iceland, catches us up on the A.A. explosion in the Far North: “We opened our National Service Office in Reykjavik on Sept. 1. The office is open 1:00-5:00 p.m. five days a week, and handles distribution of A.A. literature and contact with the 54 A.A. groups in Iceland, as well as with the intergroups established to date. We give general information over the phone on how to contact the groups and when and where they have their meetings, and a bank errand service is provided for the Reykjavik groups, for their group funds. “Regional intergroups are being established around the country. (continued on p. 6)

G.S.O.’S MAILBAG (continued from p. 5) The first – already superactive was for south and southwest Iceland, where there are 15 groups. Their first task was to organize and manage the now-traditional yearly A.A. family camping weekend. This year, nearly 2,000 people gathered. “The second intergroup to get organized was in east Iceland, with four groups, and the third was the Reykjavik intergroup, with 23 groups.

“We are in the process of taking the necessary legal steps to incorporate the publishing of A.A. literature into the National Service Office structure. “We expect to have a large representation at New Orleans, and we are working on charter flights and travel plans for interested A.A.’s. “The enthusiasm within the Fellowship here cannot be reported; it has to be felt. For us, it has been rewarding to be part of the growth that has taken place in Iceland A.A. within the past few years. Really ’The Joy of Living’!”

Time to Start Living

/

AA

mt Centers

[\ /\

’OUR BELOVED HENRIETTA’ DIES, AGED 91

Sio,im 01 lone who s.,m, 5’ AAifl then L,lr t’a,s

I-Io.eandu’hyAA. embecs carry the message into treatment centers

FRESH APPROACHES (continued from p. 1) Book(first 11 chapters) is now available from G.S.O. in an album of seven cassettes; the first two stories (Dr. Bob and A.A. Number Three) are included, too. The album cover is not so new it’s the Big Book’s familiar blue cover, but with a difference: a Braille tab on the outside, and one on each cassette. The album may be purchased for $25. “Time to Start Living” is for the older alcoholic. In this new pamphlet, five men and four women who joined A.A. after reaching the age of 60 tell their stories. Some of them had never drunk much until well along in life, and all show their great joy at finding our Fellowship. The pamphlet is priced at 25.

contributions. It was believed this would help A.A. become more nearly self-supporting – less dependent on profits derived from the sales of books and pamphlets. For many years, our world services would have been in the red if funds made on A.A. publications could not have been tapped to cover the deficit. When the 1976 price and discount benefits were announced, it was explained that they could not continue if group contributions did not increase. It was also said then, however, that prices might be even further cut if group contributions grew enough. That hope has now become reality. After all, the purpose of A.A. is to carry the message, not to amass profits. Wouldn’t it be great if contributions from A.A. members and groups made it possible to give all A.A. literature away free? Someday.

Another new item. “A.A. in Treatment Centers” (20q’) replaces “A.A. in Hospitals.

LITERATURE PRICES CUT (continued from p. 1) group contributions for support of A.A.’s world services were increasing. After deliberating, A.A.W.S. adopted the new discount rate at its November meeting. This is the second time during these years of continuous high inflation that A.A.W.S. has taken the surprising step of lowering A.A. literature prices. In 1976, price cuts and discount increases resulted from a General Service Conference recommendation. The Conference had decided that lessening the profit A.A.W.S. was making on literature might encourage groups to increase their

The death of Henrietta Seiberling on December 5, 1979, at the age of 91, inspired in many A.A.’s grateful thoughts of the vital role she played in the founding of our Fellowship. A resident of Akron, Ohio, in 1935, Mrs. Seiberling was instrumental in bringing together two alcoholicsa sober visitor from New York and a drunken local physician, whom she had been trying to help. So Bill W. met Dr. Bob. (See “A.A. Comes of Age,” pp. 66-67.) As our co-founders sought out more alcoholics, Mrs. Seiberling offered encouragement to the still-nameless group. Later, she moved to New York City, where she was often an honored guest at the annual dinners celebrating Bill’s anniversary. Members recall his introducing “our beloved Henrietta” as one of the nonalcoholics to whom A.A. is everlastingly indebted.

s~~ CEEQ17

THE BULLETIN BOARD February-March 1980

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

TRANSLATORS NEEDED Any multilingual A.A. especially one who has considerable sobriety and real familiarity with A.A. literature can do a great Twelfth Step job by helping us check translations of A.A. material. At present, volunteer translators are needed who are fluent in Arabic, Persian, and Thai. But if you know any language other than English, please write Beth K. at G.S.O. –

–

HOW TO SEE OUR A.A. FILM AT ITS BEST Is your group or central office planning to obtain a print of our new film, “Alcoholics Anonymous An Inside View”? If so, you’ll certainly want to see and hear it to the best possible advantageand also help the next user get the print in prime condition, without too

CALENDAR OF EVENTS FEBRUARY Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Second Annual Halifax-Dartmouth Midwinter Roundup. Write: Ch., 28 Arveda Ave., Halifax, N.S. B3R 1K6 1-3 Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Eighth Annual North Shore Roundup. Write: Roundup, 103 W. 3rd St., North Vancouver, B.C. V7M 1E7 1-3 North Hollywood, california. Fifth Annual San Fernando Valley Cony. Write: Cony. Ch.,P.O. Box 716, Saugus, CA 91350 1-3 Auckland, New Zealand. Nat. Cony. Write: Cony. Secy., P.O. Box 65119, Mairangi Bay, Auckland 10, New Zealand 1-3 Las Vegas, Nevada. First Young People’s Roundup. Write: Nev. Young People’s Coin., 6157 Lanning La., Las Vegas, NV 89108 Fresno, California. Eighth Annual All8-10 Calif. Young People Roundup. Write: A.C.Y.P.R., P.O. Box 12042, Fresno, CA 93776

much waiting. Here are three suggestions to accomplish these aims: Be sure the projector used is in excellent working order, ready to give viewers the best picture and sound. This will also guard the print against damage. To run the film, find someone highly experienced at this job. This, too, is necessary to insure satisfactory watching and listening, and to protect the print. For example, if the sound is hard to understand, the film may have been threaded into the projector too loosely, and so need rethreading. When you are through with the print, please do not send it to G.S.O. This will slow down distribution and make it more costly. In the U.S., use labels enclosed with the film to return it to Bonded Services, 535 W. 46th St., New York, NY 10036. In Canada, use the labels to return the print to Association Films, 333 Adelaide St. W., Toronto, Ont., Canada M5V lR6. 8-10 New York, New York. 16th Annual Nat. Women’s Conf. Write: Conf., P.O. Box 451, Planetarium Sta., New York, NY 10024 –

1-3

–

–

–

–

PLANNING AN APRIL OR MAY EVENT? Please be sure to send your information on April or May events for A.A.’s in time to reach G.S.O. by February 15. This is the calendar deadline for the April-May issue of Box 4-5-9 (to be mailed March 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.

What are these suggestions based on? As always in A.A.on experi-

ence. Unfortunately, some prints have come back so damaged as to be unusable, and some have mistakenly been sent to G.S.O.

CLOSED MEETING TOPICS FROM THE GRAPEVINE February: “Open and Honest” can start a searching discussion on Steps Eight and Nine; articles in an 11-page “Beginners” section can be a help to newcomers and a refresher for all members in talking about A.A. as a new way of life; “The Message Is Recovery” can be used in sharing what anonymity means to us personally. March: For a meeting on the ways that drinking and recovery have affected our family relationships, read “Love” and the four stories following it; let two articles on the Third Step enrich a meeting on that vital topic. 15-17 El Pa so, Texas. 18th Annual Jamboree. Write: Jamboree Secy., P.O. Box 1405, El Paso, TX 79948 15-17 Lake Whitney, Texas. 14th Quarterly Young People’s Conf. Write: Conf. Ch., 7212 Stonewall, Fort Worth, TX 76140 15-17 Greeley, Colorado. 29th Annual Stampede. Write: Ch., P.O. Box 205, Greeley, CO 80632 16-17 Courtenay, British Columbia, Canada. 29th Anniy. Rally. Write: Rally Ch., P.O. Box 3214, Courtenay, B.C. V9N 3Y2 Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. 22-24 Annual Intergroup Roundup.Write: Round220 3rd Ave. S., up Ch., Cent. Off., 311 Saskatoon, Sask. 22-24 Louisville, Kentucky. 29th Annual State Conf. Write: Corn. Ch., P.O. Box 6856, Louisville ; KY 40207 San German, Puerto Rico. 24th Area 23-24 Cony. (Spanish-speaking). Write: Conyenrin, P.O. Box 3582, Mayaguez, PR 00708 29-Mar. 2 Anaheim, California. 13th Annual Pacific Region Serv. Assy. Write: Ch., P.O. Box 105, Riverside, CA 92502 (continued) –

–

–

–

–

–

–

Flip up this end of pagemore events listed on reverse side

–

FEBRUARY (continued) 29-Mar. 2 – Grope, Oklahoma. Third Annual Four-State Roundup. Write: Roundup Ch., P.O. Box 33, Grove, OK 74344 29-Mar. 2 – St. Albert, Alberta, Canada. Third Annual Roundup. Write: Roundup Ch., St. Albert Inn, St. Albert, Alta. 29-Mar. 2 – Potosi, Missouri. Agape VIII. Write: Coord., P.O. Box 504, Fenton, MO 63026

MARCH 7-9 – Monterey, California. Annual Spring Conf. N. Calif. Council of A.A. Write: Ch., 166 Geary St., Rm. 804, San Francisco, CA 94108 7-9 – Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Ont. Reg. Conf. Write: Conf. Ch., 272 Eglinton Ave. W., Toronto, Ont. M4R 1132 12th 7-9 Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada. Annual Rally. Write: Rally Ch., P.O. Box 15, Nanaimo, B.C. V9R 5K4 8 – Brandon, Manitoba, Canada. Sharing and Caring Second Anniv. Write: Ch., 61 Argyle Ct., Brandon, Man. R7B 2C8 14-16 – French Lick, Indiana. 27th Annual State Cony. Write: Cony. Ch., P.O. Box 47, Celestine, IN 47521

14-16 Kiameshia Lake, New York. Seventh Annual Roundup. Write: Ch., P.O. Box 267, New City, NY 10957 21-23 – Akron, Ohio. N.E. Ohio Annual MiniConference. Write: Conf. Ch., 23747 Vincent Dr., North Olmsted, OH 44070 21-23 – Salmon Arm, British Columbia, Canada. 12th Annual Roundup. Write: Conf. Coin., Box 2512, Salmon Arm, B.C. VOE 2T0 28-30 – Bartonsville, Pennsylvania. Young People’s Weekend. Write: Res. Ch., 11 Honor Pk., Moosic, PA 18507 28-30 – Fort St. John, British Columbia, Canada. Tenth Annual Roundup. Write: Roundup Secy., P.O. Box 7087, Fort St. John, B.C. V1J 4K5