BOX 4-5-0

General Service Conference Issue

Theme: UnityThrough Love and Service Vol. 20 No. 3

NEWS AND NOTES FROM THE GENERAL SERVICE OFFICE OF A. A.

June-July 1975

25 Years’ Experience With Traditions and the Third Legacy Highlighted at Silver Anniversary Conference Literature, D.C.M.’s, Sponsorship Discussed Is sponsorship slipping, or only changing? Is too much A.A. literature going around? Why do A.A. groups not contribute (for support of G.S.O.) enough money to pay the cost of services which all groups get free from G.S.O. 2 In other words, why are some groups freeloaders? What is the role of the D.C.M.? These topics, of wide concern in many areas, were aired in formal and informal discussion at the 1975 Conference. Moderated by trustee Jim G., the panel sponsorship teamed Joe M. (Tenn.) and nonalcoholic trustee Milton A. Maxwell, Ph.D. Chuck S. (NW. Ohio/SE. Mich.) and Genevieve L. (Mid-S. Calif.) spoke on literature. Since most delegates have been district committee members (D.C.M.’s), discussion of their former role was well received. Delegates are to return by May 20 a questionnaire about D.C.M.’s in each area. Main speakers on this topic were Clyde J. (Kans.) and Reeta H. (Man.). (continued p. 8)

Lois W. Will Lead Over 16,000 to Denver

1950-1975 New Trustees Named; Concepts Explored As A.A. goes into its 41st year, we need more emphasis than ever before on our Traditions and on sponsorship, according to the 25th General Service Conference. That was the sense of the meeting, voiced in many ways by 91 delegates (sent by U.S. and Canadian A.A. groups) and 42 other Conference members (27 General Service Board trustees and corporate directors of A.A. World Services and the Grapevine, plus 15 G.S.O. and Grapevine staff members). The historic silver anniversary session of the annual representative gathering was held April 21-26 at New York’s Hotel Roosevelt. In a moving keynote talk by Ann M., retiring G.S.O. staff member, who has attended 24 G.S. Conferences, those present were reminded that the A.A. membership received from our founders three Legacies: First, Twelve Steps Recovery; Second, Twelve Traditions – Unity; Third, Twelve Concepts – Service, which ranges from serving a shaky newcomer some coffee to serving a term on the General Service Board. In workshops, presentations, committee Groups and Members

An expected 16,000-plus A.A.’s, their families, and friends will be led to Denver, Cob., July 4-6, for A.A.’s 40th Anniversary International Convention, by Lois W., widow of A.A. co-founder Bill. Known as the “First Lady” of Al-Anon Family Groups because of her pioneering efforts to help the nonalcoholic relatives of alcoholics, Lois is active every week at Al-Anon headquarters in New York, and will nd both A.A. and Al-Anon sessions in –aver. Along with Al-Anon headquarters staff personnel, she attended the opening-night (continued p. 8)

Spring 1975 Groups

Members

United States Canada Overseas Hospitals Prisons Lone Members Internationalists

14,448 2,427 6,088 1,046 1,021

287,699 42,922 107,127 28,057 35,962 450 516

Totals

25,030

502,733

(Including nonreported members, actual membership is estimated at more than 800,000 worldwide, in 92 countries.)

New trustee Gordon Patrick (nonalcoholic)

meetings, regional lunches and other sessions up to 15 hours per day! – conferees responded all week to Ann M.’s reminder that “silver is the symbol of feeling and love.” Both were abundantly displayed at the 1975 sessions. In 1950, Bill W. and Dr. Bob used the Grapevine to call for a General Service Conference as an experiment to see whether the Fellowship would accept the responsibility for our world services, previously carried (continued p. 8)

Traditions Seen as Sobriety Tools “Understanding and Living the A.A. Traditions” was the subject of one of the most rewarding sessions of the silver jubilee Conference a presentation-discussion followed by workshops Monday afternoon. Keynoter Ann M., G.S.O. staff, had recalled that the Traditions were “officially” accepted as A.A.’s Second Legacy from its founders at the First International Convention, in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1950. Delegates then shared their experience (continued p. 8)

Massive A.A. Growth Shown in

Box 4-5-9 is published bimonthly by the General Service Office of Alcoholics Anonymous, 468ParkA venue South, New York, N.Y. 10016. ‘Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc., 1975. Mail address: P.O. Box 459, Grand Central Station, New York, N. Y. 10017 Subscriptions: Individual, $1.50 per yr.; group, $3.50 for each unit of 10 per yr. Check-payable to A.A. WS., Inc must accompany order. .

General Service Board

Membership, literature sales, and expenses all going up Trustees’ report: I am happy to report the continued growth and increasing vitality of our Fellowship. All available data – reports from regional and general service trustees at our quarterly meetings, committee activities, book and pamphlet sales, group contributions, Grapevine subscriptions, and correspondence indicate our Fellowship is still continuing to expand rapidly. However, there are causes for concern. Group contributions still do not begin to meet the cost of services furnished by your General Service Office. Furthermore, although total contributions are up, the gap is widening. Increases in literature sales have been more than offset by increased printing and operating costs and ever-mounting inflationary pressures. During the past 12 months, we (1) approved price increase and new discount structure for A.A. Conference-approved literature; (2) approved an increase in the A.A. World Services, Inc., Board of Directors from seven to nine, with the additional members being Class B (alcoholic) out-of-town trustees; (3) voted to participate in the 1976 World Service Meeting on the same basis as previously – meaning we will assume approximately 60% of the expense; (4) approved a new general manager for A,A.W.S.; and (5) approved more space and needed improvements for A.A.W.S. because of increased volume of activity.

John L. Norris, MD., chairman A.A.W.S.

Board of A.A. World Services works the year round Directors’ report: A.A. World Services, Inc. (A.A.W.S.), is a membership corporation controlled by the trustees, who are the members. Its directors are elected by the members at their annual meeting in April. Thus, it is, in effect, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the G.S. Board. At monthly meetings, reports are given on

various G.S.O. activities, and literature prices are set. The directors also approve or disapprove requests for permission to reprint our copyrighted literature. G.S.O. and Grapevine staff members, the general manager, the controller, and the departmental coordinator also attend the meetings. Last September, Bob P. joined G.S.O. as general manager, thus enabling Bob H. to devote more time to board activities and other out-of-office matters. Distribution of A.A. literature notably increased in 1974. Sales were $1,244,700, compared with $1,152,900 in 1973. (To help defray costs of other services – which contributions could not meet – A.A.W.S. donated $100,000 to the General Fund.) Distribution of books, pamphlets, etc. totaled 5,145,228 individual units. Free literature sent amounted to 310,500 pieces – inventory value, $11,078. Five departments, made up of nonalcoholics, back up our G.S.O. staff. They are: Accounting, Files, Records, Shipping, Stenographic.

expertise increases, and as knowledge abe A.A. increases. If there is a decline in sponsorship, can anything be done about it? Suggestions offered include special sponsorship meetings, emphasis in all A.A. publications on the value of sponsorship to continuing sobriety, and formation of Big Book study groups to provide new members with basic group sponsorship. Increase in the number of regional meetings of past and present delegates and trustees. The consensus was that these meetings are helpful, using experience to increase unity. The showing of the film “Bill Discusses the Twelve Traditions” at A.A. orientation sessions in institutions. It was felt this would not be suitable. Preparation of audiovisual material about the A.A. program. This was recommended. Money from A.A. registration at Al-Anon conventions. It was decided we cannot accept these contributions.

Don A., chairman

Walter M, chairman Nominating Policy

Guests and discussions help the board make decisions Trustees’ committee: This is a forum for discussion and review of policy matters that might affect A.A. as a whole. Voting members are: eight regional trustees, two general service trustees from outside the New York area, two G.S.O. staff members, the president and a director of the Grapevine, the president and a director of A.A.W.S., and two additional trustees designated by the chairman of the G.S. Board. Some items discussed at meetings since the 1974 Conference are: Some national developments which might affect A.A., reported by Willard 0. Foster, special assistant to the deputy director, U.S. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Washington, D.C. Mr. Foster suggested that A.A. needs: (a) to be alert to meet the needs of the ever-increasing number of alcoholic referrals; (b) to concentrate on sponsorship and Twelfth Step work, A.A.’s primary purpose, resisting the urge to do things that A.A. is not designed to do; and (c) to do more to let professionals know what A.A. can and cannot do. Use of the A.A. program in a hospital, clinic, or rehabilitation center. The consensus was that we should do more to carry the message to such facilities and provide information about the program to professionals. Does the increasing number of two-hatters affect A.A.? It was felt that problems affecting two-hatters will diminish as their job

Way to reduce number of trustee candidates proposed Trustees’ committee: This body makes recommendations on all trustee candidates for the General Service Board, and on directors of A.A. World Services, Inc., and A.A. Grapevine, Inc. Its members help elect trustees. Since the last Conference, we have recommended to the board: that Gordon M. Patrick, Toronto, an official of the Ontario Ministry of Health, be elected to the G.S. Board as a nonalcoholic trustee in April: that Edward S., New York, N.Y., and Polly M., Greenwich, Conn., be elected directors on the Grapevine Corporate Board; that a new procedure for election of nonalcoholic general service trustees – U.S./Canada, be adopted by the Conference (beginning in 1976), to reduce the number of candidates presented to the Conference; that the Conference approve designated slates of members and officers of the General Service and Grapevine Boards, and A.A.W.S. directors.

Junior A., chairman Literature

New stories being considered to update the Big Book Trustees’ committee: In cooperation with the Conference committee, the following actions were taken:

Reports of Trustees, Directors, Staff, Committees Stories for updating the Big Book were sen for review by trustees’ and Conference committees. The new booklet “Living Sober” was completed, and is at the printers. The idea of a pamphlet of Dr. Bob’s and Bill’s last talks was approved. A writer was assigned to prepare “So You Think You Are Special,” with a first draft April 1. A committee to review all A.A. literature to see where pamphlets can be combined or dropped, was appointed. Its recommendations adopted include dropping the older version of “Is A.A. for You?,” “Why Alcoholics Anonymous Is Anonymous,” “Our Critics Can Be Our Benefactors,” and “A.A. as a Community Service”; and combining and updating “The Alcoholic Husband” and “The Alcoholic Wife.” The view of a past delegate that the “program of recovery” is “suggested,” not the Steps, was noted with appreciation. George G., chairman

Conference Members’ suggestions lead to improvements in 1975 meeting Moo ’iff report: In the book “As Bill Sees It,” Bill says, “The unity of A.A. is the most cherished quality our Society has. . . . Problems have been our stimulants. How well, though, shall we be able to meet the problems of success?” Twenty-five Conferences have played a major share in maintaining A.A. unity and in dealing with both crisis and success. Suggestions for the Conference agenda, after being presented to the trustees’ Committee on the Conference and the Confer ence Agenda Committee for approval, are shared in the Quarterly Report and Box 4-59. Preliminary agendas were mailed early this year to be available for January assemblies. Many delegates worked out excellent questionnaires based on the agenda topics. Some interesting responsibilities of the Conference secretary are: (1) regular correspondence with all past and present delegates; (2) preparation of the Quarterly Report following meetings of the General Service Board and its standing committees; (3) coordination of all activities pertaining to the annual Conference meeting; (4) scheduling and routing all reports and other material for Conference Manuals, Early Bird edition of Box 4-5-9, and the Final Conference port, and working with the editor on these rlications; (5) summaries of Ask-It Basket questions and answers and Conference Advisory Actions. Core Louise B. . ve

Trustees’ committee: We reviewed suggestions from the 1974 Conference evaluation questionnaires and recommended use of many for instance: an orientation session conducted by regional trustees with the new delegates; a time limitation on use of the microphone during floor discussions; a new format for the Ask-It Basket one session of one and a half hours; opening each Conference day with the Serenity Prayer, ending with the Lord’s Prayer. In February, the chairman drew the names of Panel 25 delegates for Conference committee assignments. We recommended preparation of the chart illustrating Conference membership (delegates, trustees, directors, staff), with functions of each, emphasizing that all should participate and all should vote. To improve workshop mechanics, an orientation session for moderators was scheduled. The 1974 evaluation questionnaire was reviewed, and its use in 1975 was recommended. Margaret C., chairman

Public Information

1974 totals: 3,882 mentions in the press, 8,589 inquiries Staff report: This assignment helps carry the A.A. message to the alcoholic and potential alcoholic through the media (newspapers, magazines, radio/TV). We also seek to reach others in a position to help, such as the spouse or employer. During 1974, we answered 8,589 inquiries, reviewed 3,882 press clippings, distributed 198 color-TV spots and 230 radio spots, and sent 41 One-Way Displays for use at local county and state meetings. We have almost 200 local P.I. committees and 532 P.I. contacts. We provide them with the P.I. Kit (including background editorial and radio-TV material and the A.A. Fact File), the bimonthly P.1. Bulletin, radio-TV spots, and Guidelines for P.I. Committees. The annual anonymity letter was mailed in November to approximately 500 dailies. Material was supplied to 21 writers. We helped with coverage of A.A. on seven major radio and TV programs; and Bob P. recorded for NBC radio two announcements for the holiday season. Information was made available to eight educational and community service organizations. Phyllis M

Trustees’ committee: During the past year, we worked to provide information about the Fellowship to the public at large. The 1974 membership survey was extremely successful. Questionnaires were sent to 450 groups (3% of the total U.S. and

Canadian groups listed). Over 13,000 returns were received, only four out of 91 areas not heard from. All states and provinces were represented. Results were announced at the North American Congress on Alcohol and Drug Problems in San Francisco in December, with a press conference. Over 300 press clippings have been received, and the survey was mentioned during CBS news with Walter Cronkite and on NBC’s Today show. Releases were sent to P.I. committees for local use. In conjunction with the C.P.C. Committee, a display and other material based on the 1974 survey are being prepared. We recommend that individual letters to the press on anonymity breaks be discontinued – but not the annual anonymity letter to the press. We cannot expect the press to preserve and protect our Traditions for us; this is our job. However, when requested by the delegate, we will continue to send the anonymity letter, along with the anonymity pamphlet and wallet card, to identifiable members whose anonymity has been broken. The P.I. Committee is working with the Host Committee in Denver in planning publicity for the International Convention. Walter M, chairman

Staff coordinator G.S.O. staff greeted 1,100 visitors during 1974 Staff report: The ten G.S.O. staff members have these specific assignments: staff coordinator, U.S.-Canadian Conference, cooperation with the professional community, public information, overseas, the World Service Meeting, the 1975 Convention, institutions, Internationalists, and Lone Members. Staff members are also secretaries of board and Conference committees. The work of first importance to the staff is answering correspondence, as it was in 1941 when the first letters began to come into the office at 30 Vesey Street as a result of the Jack Alexander Saturday Evening Post article. Approximately 20,000 letters a year are answered individually by the staff. Another rewarding aspect of our work. is the invitations received from the ever-increasing number of A.A. get-togethers. During these trips, we are able to learn of local activities, and that helps us to be a better service office. In 1974, about 1,100 visitors from all over the world came to see G.S.O. Visitors spend time with the staffer corresponding with their area, or with the staff member who is concerned with their particular A.A. interest. Ann M

Service coordinator

Materials useful to groups and members are kept moving Staff report: New groups – Complimentary literature and a Group Handbook are sent to each, and it is added to the G.S.O. mailing list to receive Box 4-5-9, the appropriate directory, and other communications. Directories – These are once again being published. Guidelines There are now 13. Films – Two 16 mm. color films, “Bill’s Own Story” and “Bill Discusses the Twelve Traditions,” are distributed free to groups in institutions, and rented to other A.A. groups at $35.00 per week. The G.S.O. filmstrip sells for $6.00. Tapes and cassettes – Eight tapes on reels are $3.00 each, and a cassette of a talk by Bill on A.A.’s Three Legacies is $3.50. Service material – Also available are such miscellaneous items as listings of Loners, Internationalists, armed forces groups, members who like to exchange tapes, etc. Box 4-5-9 – Published every other month in English, Spanish, and French, it shares A.A. experience worldwide, gives news about A.A. and discusses problems. Subscriptions are $1.50; in bulk, 10 for $3.50. Some 20 overseas offices now receive bulk supplies so they can mail to their own groups. Traffic Production of all bulletins, service material, pamphlets, and books is scheduled and controlled by the service coordinator. A.A. ’s copyright – All Conference-approved literature is copyrighted. Permission for any of it to be reprinted or quoted must be granted by A.A. World Services, Inc.

Beth K Institutions

A.A. reaches more alcoholics in hospitals and prisons Staff report: The 1970 records show 925 prison groups; 1974, 1,021. In 1970, we listed 767 hospital groups; in 1974, 1,046. The significant increase in the latter reflects activity of alcoholism agencies and treatment centers. Regardless of the initial treatment, A.A. is usually recommended. Correspondence shows the need for greater acceptance and followup by A.A. of the newcomer who sobered up in a hospital and received or is receiving professional treatment. A.A. groups in prisons need more outside sponsors, speakers, correspondence with outside A.A.’s, and literature. The institutions staff member informs the Fellowship of these needs through G.S.O. publications and correspondence. In addition, we correspond with those in institutions, and encourage other members to. We send Group Handbooks and complimentary

literature to new groups, provide updated prison and hospital directories every two years, and send the A.A. directories for the U.S. and Canada to hospital and prison groups. Each institutions group receives Box 4-5-9, plus the Institutions Bulletin three times yearly. Discount packages of A.A. literature are available to inside groups and to institutions committees. The Institutions Correspondence Service has about 100 outside A.A.’s sharing with those on the inside. However, more correspondents are needed.

June R. Trustees’ committee: This body encourages A.A, members to carry the message to alcoholics in institutions and reviews all aspects of service to institutions A.A. groups and committees. On a 1974 Conference recommendation, a questionnaire was sent to all delegates to find out about the institutions committee in each area. A summary report of the survey was compiled, but there was inadequate information. Fewer than half of the delegates responded. A study made by Rutgers of older problem drinkers in nursing homes, rehab centers, and other facilities was brought to our attention. We want to cooperate with A.A. efforts directed to elder citizens in institutions. A letter requesting information about A.A. in adult correctional institutions has been sent to wardens and superintendents in the New England and North Atlantic states, and will be sent to other areas later.

avoid conflict with the July 4-6 celebration in Denver, Cob. Regional and general service trustees will chair alkathons and name their speal Regional alkathons are scheduled accoranig to A.A. regional population and anticipated attendance.

Donald A., chairman Cooperation with the Professional Community

A.A.’s role in the alcoholism field is steadily reexamined Staff report: In Vermont and Massachusetts, meetings for A.A.’s working in the alcoholism field were attended by the C.P.C. chairman and secretary. The latter spoke on the woman alcoholic at the Delaware Summer Institute on Alcoholism in Wilmington. In 1974, for the first time, a G.S.O. staff member attended the full course of the Summer School for Alcohol Studies at Rutgers University. We participated in gatherings of the National Council on Alcoholism, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, and an interstate regional conference on alcoholism, in New York. Cornell medical students and those of the Alcoholism Personnel Training Program, Rutgers, visit’d G.S.O. Our Professional Exhibit was shown ill nine cities at annual national meetings of 11 organizations. As a result, we received 2,232 requests for literature.

Austin MacCormick, chairman

Mary Ellen U

40th Anniversary International Convention

Trustees’ committee: During the past year, trustees and G.S.O. staff have participated in several national meetings. Highlight was the North American Congress on Alcohol and Drug Problems in San Francisco in December. Dr. John L. Norris reported on the 1974 membership survey. At the 1974 meeting of the National Council on Alcoholism in Denver, A.A. had a two-hatters’ workshop. One member chaired a panel on cooperation with the professional community at the Northern New Jersey Area conference, and another attended the annual conference of the Association of Halfway House Alcoholism Programs in Middlebury, Conn. Dr. Norris delivered a paper on A.A. at a scientific conference on alcoholism research in Washington, D.C. The committee decided not to prepare, at this time, A.A. study material for alcoholism rehabilitation centers, but feels audiovisual material about A.A. is overdue. Guidelines for A.A. Members Emplo’ in the Alcoholism Field, and Coopera with Court, A.S.A.P., and Similar Programs were updated. The pamphlet “Cooperation but Not Affiliation” was rewritten, under

Events planned for Denver include regional alkathoits Staff report: Over 10,000 registrations for Denver have come in, as of April 1. Shaping up, the Convention looks like one big A.A. meeting after another. About 30 alkathons will run from 8:00 am. until 2:00 a.m. Five daily workshops start at 9:00 a.m. Two-hour panel sessions, at which non-A.A. friends will speak, are scheduled mornings and afternoons. Three committees are at work on this year’s International Convention – G.S.O. Planning, trustees’, and Conference, plus the ones in Colorado, of course.

Wan eta N Trustees’ committee: Established in 1973, this committee has overseen all aspects of the 40th Anniversary International Convention, especially changes from previous Conventions. Some local conventions usually held between May and early July changed dates to

the title “How A.A. Members Cooperate.” The third edition of our newsletter About A.A. was mailed in December.

’ert M, chairman

It was found that Finland and Germany had made some progress in carrying the message to Russia and other East European countries.

Waneta N.

Overseas

Membership outside U.S. and Canada up 10,000 in a year Staff report: Membership overseas 107,127; groups 6,088. The increase in membership since April 1974 is approximately lO,000;in groups, 313. In 1969, Bill said it was hoped other countries would form their own service centers. It was never thought that New York would be the “government” of A.A.; it was expected to become the center with the oldest experience, to be shared with other offices. At G.S.O., we work to help establish overseas boards and centers to serve groups in their own countries. More than 20 literature distribution centers provide their new groups with complimentary literature in Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Finland, France, Germany, Guatemala, Holland, Ireland, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, South and Southwest Africa, Sweden, and Switzerland. We continue to work with A.A. members in other countries to insure that A.A. is available to the still-suffering alcoholic. We’ve ’Mob growth in Italy, Guyana, and the West iirdies. We continue to provide services where no board or office exists, and to help in the development of boards and offices when requested to do so.

Betty L. World Service Meeting

World sharing expands A.A. knowledge and responsibility Staff report: For the first time, a World Service Meeting was held outside the United States the third, in Great Britain last October. Represented were: Australia, Belgium, Central America (Northern and Southern Zones), Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, Argentina, Colombia, Sweden, United Kingdom, and the United States/Canada. The theme was “Sharing.” Committee meetings (Agenda, Finance, Literature/Publishing, and Policy) took on a new aspect at the world level. Workshops were held on communications between countries, internal communications (bulletins, magazines, services to groups, conferences, and conventions), and external communicatjps (working with professionals, public vermatbon, and A.A. in industry). The next meeting will be held in New York in 1976. Suggested theme is “Working With Others.”

1

carries the message over the airwaves around the world.

June R. Loners

Internationalists

450 Lone Members share by mail in four languages

487 members on ships carry the message around the world

Staff report: We added over 40 Loners to our list this year. Estimated at 450, it includes 43 who speak Spanish; 41, French; three, German. Yolanda L. helps correspond with the Spanish-speaking. Loners are A.A.’s who “go it alone” because no A.A. meeting is nearby or because they are housebound or disabled. There is a unique quality about the isolated A.A. who does not have the A.A. meeting or social contact we have. The Loner reads literature, writes letters, works on Steps, and turns to a Higher Power. The isolated member knows a lot about the spiritual side of the program. This year in Loners Meeting, a meeting by mail, we discuss two Steps in each bimonthly issue. Loner Sponsors, now over 500, correspond with Loners. Lone Members have started new groups in Newfoundland, Alaska, and Northern Ireland. A.A. works by mail!

Staff report: We have 487 seagoing A.A.’s who carry the A.A. message around the world. Four meetings aboard ship are listed with G.S.O. These members keep in touch with A.A. through correspondence with each other and G.S.O. We provide each Internationalist with names and addresses of others, and with the A.A. International Directory and the U.S. and Canadian directories. These are their meeting lists. Several inactive Internationalists serve as port contacts in various parts of the world. Six times a year, the Round Robin newsletter is sent to Internationalists. It shares excerpts of their letters. On alternate months, Box 4-5-9 is sent. In 1948, a seagoing A.A. left the Big Book in three Far East ports. Many A.A. groups were started by Internationalists, and one started a ham radio group, which Final Conference Report: The special, silvercovered 1975 issue, giving unusually full coverage of all the proceedings, will be mailed to

Grapevine

Circulation at a peak in spite of the price rise Editors’ report: Circulation at the close of 1974 was 80,300, an increase of 6% over 75,681 at the close of 1973. In the past year, the Grapevine has published 18 articles on the Steps, ten of medical and A.A. opinion by doctors, three on A.A. and the military, and five on prisons and institutional work. We have covered anonymity, financial responsibility to G.S.O., sponsorship, Twelfth Step work, cliques, sex, women’s lib, and X-rated A.A. talks. We have published 16 articles on two-hatters and A.A.’s relations with non-A.A. alcoholism agencies. If there is controversy, our aim has been to build understanding. We have also published 75 articles on living A.A. at the personal level.

Paula C., Jack M. Corporate Board: Grapevine circulation has gone to over 81,000 in 1975, with a resulting deluge of mail and good manuscripts; calendars sold out at 25,000 orders. Magazines are generally a natural for a computer – but not the Grapevine, with its

Susan C. Conference members in early summer. Additional copies may be purchased then, for $2.50 each.

one-to-one communication from A.A.’s. This was a new experience, even for expert programmers. They tried to do it their way instead of our way, and you know what happened. Today, it is a fairly smooth operation. The post office says a magazine name mpst appear on a sealed envelope. So we always mailed in a plain, open-end wrapper, put on by hand. This labor became too expensive and too slow. So we put Box 1980 on the cover and on the envelope. Now we can mail in a machine-stuffed, sealed envelope at a great saving. In 1974, we budgeted to keep the Grapevine at 35, but by July, with skyrocketing costs, we knew we’d have to move fast or lose our hard-won status as a selfsupporting operation. So in November, for the first time in 17 years, the Grapevine reluctantly increased its price, to 50 or $5.00 a year. There was hearty approval from the subscribers, as circulation shows. In the past four years, we have been able to contribute $55,000 to the General Fund, the very fund that once subsidized us for some years as we struggled into the black.

Ralph A., chairman At the Conference, the foregoing reports were included in a Grapevine presentation.

Growth & Money at G.S.O.

1975 G.S.O. Budget

How efficient has G.S.O. ’s growth been? In terms of personnel – in 1960, there was one employee for 278 groups. Today, one employee serves 330 groups.

The budget for 1975 operations of G.S.O. activities is as follows:

During the past 14 years, the G.S.O. budget has increased from $243,400 to $834,200 for group services. During that same period, cost of living increased 80%. Adjusting for this change in dollar value, we find that the cost of services per group actually showed a decrease from $28.25 to $18.65.

BUDGET

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

1960 1965 1970 1972 1974

Groups

Employees

8,615 12,444 16,459 20,829 25,048

31 42 50 64 76

Groups per $ Cost per Living Group Employee Cost 278 296 329 325 330

$28.25

25.65 29.86 29.75 32.40

100 107 135 151 180

Less: Cost of Products

$1,485,300* 627,300

Gross Profit from Sales

858,000

TOTAL EXPENSES

522,600 335,400

Excess of Income (Expense)

*Base d upon the sale of: 140,000 Books – “Alcoholics Anonymous” 68,000 Books – “12 Steps & 12 Traditions” (Reg.) 22,6 00 Books – “12 Steps & 12 Traditions” (Pocket) 15,500 Books – “A.A. Comes of Age” 20,500 Books – “As Bill Sees It”

and Pamphlets & Miscellaneous Items

*Sales Income budgeted to include price increases effective 511175

GENERAL FUND – GROUP SERVICES INCOME Contributions 1. (Above) [here are almost three times as many groups today as in 1960. The number of services has increased greatly, too, in the same period. Today, however, there are 330 groups for each G.S.O. employee, compared with only 278 in 1960.

$ 787,600 989,600**

TOTAL EXPENSES Excess of Income (Expense)

(202,000)

**In cludes cost of General Service Conference – $50,600

GENERAL FUND – OTHER EXPENSES

Interest

8,000

$

74,500***

TOTAL EXPENSE Excess of Income (Expense)

(66,500)

***Board Meetings, P.l.C. Expense, CF. C. Expense, Legal and Auditing Fees, and Special Projects The Publishing activity will contribute $268,500 to offset the budgeted deficits.

1975 Grapevine Budget Estimated income from subscription and other sales………..400,000 r Estimated Expense……………………………………………………..397,500 .. 2. (Above) During the years 1960 through 1974, even though the cost of living increased 80%, constant striving for increased efficiency succeeded in keeping G.S.O. service cost per group to $32.40 in 1974, compared with $28.25 in 1960 an increase of only 15%.

Net income from operations ………………………………………..2,500 Interest from investments ……………………………………………14,100 Net Income……………………………………………….16,600

1974 Group ontributions
 # r # %
 # Gps. % of Gps. of Gps. Contrib. # Gps. % of Gps. of Gps. Contrib.
 re- # Gps. of Gps. on on Amount of Member- per re - # Gps. of Gps. on on Amount of Member- per
U. S. ported Contrib.Contrib. R.C.P. R.C.P. Contrib. ship Capita CANADA ported Contrib.Contrib. R.C.P. R.C.P. Contrib. ship Capita

Alabama 119 67 56.3% 17 25.3% $ 3,770.36 1,756 $ 2.14 Alberta 195 107 54.8% 27 25.2% $ 6,025.17 2,314 $ 2.60
Alaska 44 24 54.5 12 50.0 2,051.40 732 2.80 Atlantic Provinces
Arizona 209 128 61.4 40 31.2 9,078.17 3,123 2.90 New Brunswick 66 35 53.0 9 25.7 1,703.30 816 2.09
Arkansas 101 62 61.3 24 38.7 3,797.68 1,275 2.97 Newfoundland 31 7 22.5 1 14.3 466.07 235 1.98
California 2,033 1,139 56.0 526 46.2 76,826.99 56,518 1.35 Nova Scotia 90 54 60.0 10 18.5 3,102.22 1,045 2.97
 3,417 3.24 Prince Ed. Island 28 15 53.6 1 6.7 868.18 410 2.12
Colorado 200 132 66.0 52 39.4 11,072.03
Connecticut 404 208 51.4 73 35.1 15,549.01 7,641 2.03 British Columbia 324 186 57.4 56 30.1 15,558.38 4,248 3.66
Delaware 60 39 65.0 15 38.5 2,611.65 830 3.14 Manitoba 97 52 53.6 11 21.2 5,457.91 2,099 2.60
Dist. of Columbia 92 57 61.9 35 61.4 6,334.40 2,482 2.55 N.W. Territories 9 4 44.4 -0- 0.0 100.00 50 2.00
Florida 540 353 65.3 173 49.0 38,052.22 9,890 3.84 Ontario 689 395 57.3 163 41.3 51,575.04 9,807 5.25
 2.42 Quebec 736 425 57.7 189 44.5 17,627.01 19,756 0.89
Georgia 243 158 65.0 67 42.4 9,896.41 4,083
Hawaii 60 53 88.3 24 45.3 5,536.84 1,078 5.14 Saskatchewan 160 96 60.0 21 21.9 8,393.09 2,114 3.97
Idaho 50 29 58.0 7 24.1 1,549.23 756 2.05 Yukon Terr. 2 1 50.0 -0- 0.0 80.80 28 2.88
Illinois 1,117 402 35.9 144 35.8 24,094.71 19,002 1.27 TOTAL for
Indiana 301 175 58.1 80 45.7 12,477.85 5,302 2.35 CANADA 2,427 1,377 56.7% 488 35.4% $110,957.17 42,922 $ 2.59
Iowa 167 105 62.8 32 30.5 8,578.33 2,917 2.94 TOTAL for
Kansas 157 110 70.0 42 38.2 7,666.16 3,061 2.50 U.S. and
Kentucky 178 111 62.3 53 47.7 13,060.11 2,393 5.46 CANADA 16,875 9,602 56.9% 4,028 42.0% $740,774.16 330,785 $ 2.24
Louisiana 155 76 49.0 24 31.6 3,696.92 2,703 1.37
Maine 84 56 66.6 15 26.8 2,673.35 1,063 2.51
Maryland 347 195 56.2 87 44.6 12,336.76 4,561 2.70 FOREIGN & OTHER
Massachusetts 475 228 48.0 98 43.0 16,949.29 10,740 1.58
Michigan 587 335 57.0 153 45.7 34,209.49 12,327 2.78 Foreign 3,541.06
Minnesota 422 249 59.0 104 41.8 24,959.42 16,112 1.55 World Hello 92.00
Mississippi 75 43 57.3 12 27.9 2,624.89 1,359 1.93 International Doctors 325.00
Missouri 287 164 57.1 58 35.4 10,256.95 4,352 2.36 Hospital Groups 4,247.91
Montana 101 50 49.5 19 38.0 3,764.49 1,017 3.70 Prison Groups 220.57
Nebraska 149 91 61.0 35 38.5 6,824.57 2,007 3.40 Internationalists 336.25
Nevada 73 42 57.5 24 57.1 2,456.30 1,554 1.58 GRAND TOTAL $749,536.95
New Hampshire 93 48 51.6 14 29.2 3,408.25 1,934 1.76
New Jersey 474 291 61.3 150 51.6 24,057.62 8,073 2.98
New Mexico 84 53 63.1 21 39.6 3,583.45 1,389 2.58
New York 958 548 57.2 275 50.2 47,952.81 18,431 2.60
North Carolina 227 178 78.4 63 35.4 12,628.62 3,955 3.19
North Dakota 85 56 65.8 11 19.6 2,490.09 997 2.49 CONTRIBUTION COMPARISON - 1974 - 1973
Ohio 667 335 50.2 109 32.5 22,23433 12,929 1.71 # %
Oklahoma 164 130 79.2 90 69.2 9,536.49 2,454 3.88 # Gps. % of Gps. of Gps. Contrib.
Oregon 155 92 59.3 42 45.7 4,795.87 1,755 2.73 re - # Gps. of Gps. on on Amount of Member- per
 Ported Contrib. Contrib. R.C.P. Contrib. ship Capita
Pennsylvania 511 335 65.5 148 44.2 28,031.85 9,115 3.07
Rhode Island 61 35 57.3 18 51.4 3,715.55 1,288 2.88
 U.S. 1974 14,448 8,225 56.9% 3,540 43.0% $629,816.99 287,863 $ 2.19
South Carolina 97 64 65.9 28 43.8 4,090.12 1,500 2.72 U.S. 1973 12,869 7,686 59.7 3,108 40.4 555,567.73 225,911 2.46
South Dakota 70 37 52.8 5 13.5 2,273.00 1,830 1.24
Tennessee 148 80 54.0 24 30.0 5,109.03 2,388 2.13 Increase
Texas 548 287 52.3 128 44.6 25,704.09 15,782 1.62 (Decrease) 1,579 539 2.8%) 432 2.6% 74,249.26 61,952 (0.27)
 (
Utah 77 40 51.9 17 42.5 1,682.86 1,421 1.18 _____ _____ _______ _____
Vermont 51 36 70.5 11 30.6 2,598.80 944 2.75 Canada 1974 2,427 1,377 56.7% 488 35.4% $110,957.17 42,922 $ 2.59
Virginia 258 189 73.2 87 46.0 15,681.55 3,592 4.36 Canada 1973 2,122 1,233 58.1 386 31.3 80,398.52 35,091 2.29
Washington 320 206 64.3 131 63.6 17,364.01 4,746 3.65
West Virginia 87 47 54.0 29 61.7 4,517.10 1,715 2.63 Increase
Wisconsin 375 204 54.4 76 37.3 12,009.95 5,969 2.01 (Decrease) 305 144 ( 1.4%) 102 4.1% $ 30,558.65 7,831 $ 0.30
Wyoming 35 14 40.0 4 28.6 647.05 406 1.59
Commonwealth U.S. &
 of P.R. 61 34 55.7 12 35.3 1,979.77 1,035 1.91 Canada 1974 16,875 9,602 56.9% 4,028 42.0% $740,774.16 330,785 $ 2.24
Canal Zone 1 1 100.0 1 100.0 463.00 66 7.02 U.S. &
Bahama Islands 7 2 28.5 -0- 0.0 325.75 78 4.17 Canada 1973 14,991 8,919 59.4 3,494 39.2 635,966.25 261,002 2.44
Virgin Islands
 of U.S. 4 2 50.0 1 50.0 180.00 20 9.00 Increase
 Total for U.S. 14,448 8,225 56.9 17, 3,540 43.0% $629,816.99 287,863 $ 2.19 (Decrease) 1,884 683 ( 2.5%) 534 2.8% $104,807.91 69,783 $(0.20)

SILVER ANNIVERSARY CONFERENCE (continued from p. 1)

by only a few of the earliest A.A.’s and a handful of good nonalcoholic friends. Ann recalled that the first Conference, with 37 delegates, met in 1951. At the fifth, held in St. Louis, Mo., in 1955, in connection with our Second International Convention, the thousands of A.A.’s present agreed the experiment had been successful, and voted unanimously to accept the Third Legacy (Service) from A.A.’s founders. At this quarter-century Conference, the Twelve Concepts for world service – in a presentation-discussion followed by workshops – were shown to be useful ideas for A.A. service at many levels. Trustee Margaret C. presided, and principal speakers were delegates Nancy R. (Miss.), Bob T. (W. Mass.), Jo H. (Alaska), and Bill D. (Sask.). Deliberations of the 1975 Conference resulted in the following elections, Advisory Actions, recommendations, and decisions: Five new trustees named for the G.S. Board: Gordon M. Patrick (nonalcoholic), Toronto, Ont.; John W., Washington, D.C., N.E. U.S. regional (to succeed Junior A., Needham Heights, Mass.); J.V. (“Mike”) R., Cordell, Okla., S.W. U.S. regional (to succeed Don A., Chappell Hill, Tex.); N.M. (“Mac”) C., Winnipeg, Man., general service Canada (to succeed Tom G., Boniface, Man.); Charles (“Chuck”) H., Fairfield, Conn., general service “in town” (replacing Ralph A., Glen Head, N.Y.). Mr. Patrick, director of counseling services in the provincial Ministry of Health, Toronto, Ont., replaces Dr. Travis E. Dancey, Montreal, Que., who resigned last year. Mr. Patrick has A.A. friends from coast to coast in Canada, and credits A.A. with being “the most useful resource for recovery from alcoholism.” His interest in alcoholism began in 1958, when he founded and directed summer courses in the subject for the helping professions in Ontario. He has been employed by the Donwood Institute, as well as the Addiction Research Foundation of Ontario. His particular professional responsibility at present includes the alcoholism program for government employees. He is vice-chairman of the Occupational Section of the Alcohol and Drug Problems Association of North America (A.D.P.A.). Traditions – recommended A.A. groups and conventions examine the Traditions as tools for personal recovery, as well as for solving group problems, with delegates assuming special responsibility for encouraging this. Denver Convention approved preliminary program and other plans for A.A.’s 40th Anniversary International Convention, July 4-6. Region shifts – approved Missouri’s desire to change from West Central to Southwest, but tabled for one year Alaska’s request to shift from Pacific U.S. to Western Canada

Region, so all Alaskan groups can be polled. “Members employed in the alcoholism field” – recommended the term “two-hatter” be dropped from A.A. literature and replaced with the foregoing phrase. Full names – approved, to facilitate communications within the Fellowship, using members’ full names in the 1975 Final Conference Report, which, like the A.A. directories, is a confidential publication for A.A.’s only. Grapevine – approved termination Jan. 1, 1976, of Pay-as-You-Go plan for groups, since it costs groups extra high rates. Institutions – recommended better rapport among A.A. committees (intergroups, G.S. area, institutions, etc.) to insure more success in A.A. institutions activities. approved a suggested group-conFinance tributions formula of 60% to central office, 30% to G.S.O., 10% to G.S. area committee where applicable and practicable. Younger alcoholics – approved a P.I.C. and Literature suggestion that material be prepared for teen-age and preteen alcoholics. Petition and appeal recommended starting discussion of adding these rights (from the Concepts) to the Conference Charter (see pp. 28, 65 in “Twelve Concepts for World Service”). Trustee elections – approved a way to reduce the number of candidates’ names brought to the Conference floor for general service trustee elections. Delegates-only meeting approved the election of Byron B. (E. Mo.) as area delegates’ chairman. 1976 Conference agenda – recommended presentations and workshops on sponsorship be included, and the theme be built around sponsorship. TOPICS DISCUSSED (continued from p. 1)

For the discussion on finance (group contributions), the panel comprised: Paul S. (N. Wis./Upper Mich.), Carleton M. (Maine), Dennis Manders (controller, nonalcoholic), and Arthur Miles (chairman of the trustees’ Finance Committee, nonalcoholic). TRADITIONS (continued from p. 1)

with the Traditions, not only as answers to A.A. group and area problems, but also as invaluable aids in personal recovery. Dr. John Beater, nonalcoholic trustee from Bethlehem, Pa., led the discussion, and principal speakers were: Peggy B. (S.C.), Wes S. (Ariz.), Dorothy G. (R.I.), Jack B. (N. Interior Calif.). In Memoriam Sam Leckie (Wyo.), Panel 24

Digest of Agenda Monday, April 21 Welcome and keynote Area delegate chairman Conference committee chairmen G.S.O. and Grapevine staffs G.S.O. department heads General Service Board report Presentation, discussion, workshop: “Understanding and Living the A.A. Traditions” Opening dinner and A.A. meeting Tuesday, April 22 Reports of A.A.W.S. and trustees’ committees Joint trustees’ and Conference committee meetings Conference committee meetings Presentation and discussion: “Group Support for Group Services” Workshop: “Understanding the Role of the A.A. Member Who “Wears Two Hats” Wednesday, April 23 Presentation: A.A. Grapevine Conference committee meetings Trustee elections Requests for change of region Unstructured workshop Thursday, April 24 Presentation, discussion, workshop: “A.A.’s Twelve Concepts for World Service” Ask-It Basket Tour of G.S.O. and Grapevine offices Delegates-only meeting Friday, April 25 Report on delegates-only meeting Conference committee reports Report on International Convention Discussion topics Conference evaluation questionnaires Closing talk Saturday, April 26 Closing brunch and A.A. meeting Personal Service Highlights: Each day, Panel 25 delegates reported their own service experience.

TO DENVER (continued from p. 1)

dinner of the ’75 A.A. Conference, and participated in the Al-Anon World Service Conference in New York the same week. “Bill W.,” the biography of our founder, by Robert Thomsen, will be avaable in Denver in advance of publication. (Staff and committee reports on the Convention appear on p. 4.).

BOX 4-5-9

THE BULLETIN BOARD June-July 1975

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

A.A. CALENDAR OF EVENTS MAY

22-25 – Columbia, South Carolina. 28th S.C. Conf. Write: Chm., P.O. Box 1254, Columbia, S.C. 29202 23-25 – Frederick, Maryland. Mini Maac Conf. Write: Mini Maac, P.O. Box 1531, Wheaton, Md. 20902 23-25 – Fremont, Nebraska. 16th Annual Nebr. State Reunion. Write: Reunion Chm., P.O. Box 1072, Fremont, Nebr. 68025 29- – San Fernando, Trinidad. 16th Annual Cony, Write: P.O. Box 133, San Fernando, Trinidad, W.I. 29-June 1 – Palm Springs, California. Annual Desert A.A. Roundup. Write: Desert A.A. Roundup, P.O. Box 1317, Palm Desert, Calif. 92260 30-June 1 – Binghamton, New York. 25th Annual Cent. N.Y. A.A. Cony. Write: 25th Cent. N.Y. ony., P.O. Box 163, Binghamton, N.Y. 13905 jo-June 1 – Lubbock, Texas. Annual Hub of the Plains Area Cony. Write: Cony. Chm., P.O. Box 6048, Lubbock, Tex. 79413 30-June 1 – Santa Fe, New Mexico. N.M. Annual Spring Conf. Write: Chm., P.O. Box 604, Santa Fe, N.M. 87501 30-June 1 – Ripley, West Virginia. First Annual Cedar Lakes Big Book Roundup. Write: Comm., P.O. Box 6142, Charleston, W.Va. 25302

30-June 1 – Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. 1975 Prince Albert Gateway Roundup. Write: Secty., 12 12th St. E., Prince Albert, Sask., Canada S6V 1132 30-June 1 – Bakersfield, California. Second Annual Golden Empire A.A. Roundup. Write: Golden Empire A.A Roundup, P.O. Box 3489, Sta. A, Bakersfield, Calif. 93305 JUNE

5-8 – Fort Worth, Texas. 30th Annual Tex. State A.A. Conf. Write: Conf. Chm., P.O. Box 1306, Arlington, Tex. 75010 6-8 – Wolfville, Nova Scotia. N.S. Provincial Roundup. Write: Chm., P.O. Box 36, Windsor, N.S. BON 2T0, Canada 6-8 – Fun Ron, Manitoba. Man. A.A. Roundup. Write: Man. Roundup Chm., Box 264, Creighton, Sask., Canada 7-8 – Sedona, Arizona, 21st Annual Oak Creek Canyon-Verde Valley Roundup. Write: Gen. Chm., P.O. Box 6, Sedona, Ariz. 86336 7-8 – Winchester, Virginia. Four-State & D.C. .A. Get-Together. Write: Chm., P.O. Box 651, Winchester, Va. 22601 12-15 – St. Simons Island, Georgia. 11th Golden Isles Family Weekend. Write: Chm., P.O. Box 508, Statesboro, Ga. 30458

Fifth Annual A.A.Al-Anon-Alateen Get-Together of Upper Minn. Write: Chm., Box 646, Hibbing, Minn, 55746 13-15 – Wheeling, West Virginia. 23rd Annual State Conf. Write: W.Va. Conf. Comm., P.O. Box 6191, Wheeling, W.Va. 26003 13-15 – Dawson Creek, British Columbia. Annual Roundup. Write: Chm., Box 111, Dawson Creek, B.C., Canada 13-15 – Sylvan Lake, Alberta. Fifth Cent. Alta. Roundup. Write: Roundup, Box 474, Innisfail, Alta., Canada 13-15 – Oakland, California. N. Calif. Council of A.A. Summer Conf. Write: Chm., 166 Geary St., San Francisco, Calif. 94108 20-22 – Alcoa, Tennessee. 17th Blount Anniy. Cony. Write: Cony. Chm., P.O. Box 296, Maryville, Tenn. 37801 20-22 – Peterborough, Ontario. 14th Annual Kawartha Dist. Conf. Write: Conf. Chm., Box 1204, Peterborough, Ont., Canada 20-22 – Weirs, New Hampshire. Tenth Annual A.A. N.H. Cony. Write: Chm., Function Comm., P.O. Box 500, Derry, N.H. 03038 20-22 – Akron, Ohio. Founders Day. Write: Chm., P.O. Box 12, Akron, Ohio 44309 21-22 – Fort Nelson. British Columbia. A.A. Roundup. Write: Chm., A.A. Cony., Box 422, Fort Nelson, B.C. VOC 1RO, Canada 21-22 – Humboldt, Saskatchewan. First Annual Cent. Sask. Roundup. Write: Secty., P.O. Box 149, Humboldt, Sask. SOK 2A0, Canada

13-15 – Hibbing, Minnesota.

CLOSED MEETING TOPICS FROM THE GRAPEVINE June: “The Coffee-Maker” (p. 2) suggests

questions for informal group inventory. Are we a happy group? Are tasks done with ease? Do we stand around and chat in a friendly manner? Are we, as individuals, giv ing of ourselves, for our own and for the group’s well-being? What does “Progressive Sobriety” (pp. 4-10) mean to us? Does the end of drinking end all problems? Are our attitudes changing? How can we keep progressing? Are we willing to grow? “Worthiness” (p. 22) and “Self-Acceptance” (p. 26) help us to see our value as human beings. Are we giving enough to make us worthy of the good our program offers? If we are worthy, can’t we then begin to make amends to ourselves? July: “The Steps Are the Program” (p. 2) reminds us of what the Big Book says about the Steps. Can we take them in bits and pieces and still gain all the program has to offer? Discuss how each Step relates to the next. Read the section on “A.A. and Prison” (pp. 6-19) and ask whether we are doing enough in carrying the message to alcoholics behind bars. Read especially “The JULY Sponsor’s Story” (p. 11); discuss the import5-6 – Lahti, Finland. Quarterly Mtg. of A.A. in ance of being here when a prison A.A. memFinland. Write: A.A. Office, Pietari Hannikaisen ber is released. “Thanks, but No Thanks” tie 1 P, SF-00400, Helsinki 40, Finland (p. 26) considers the question of “controlled 18-20 – Atlanta, Georgia. Atlanta Roundup. Write: drinking” and reminds us that we have done more than stop drinking we have started Cent. Office, P.O. Box 1215, Atlanta, Ga. 30310 31-August 3 – Orlando, Florida. 19th Annual Ha. living. Compare our present sobriety with State Cony. Write: 19th Annual Fla. State yesterday’s struggle for control. Read “Are We Ever Home Safe?” (p. 28) and discuss Cony., P.O. Box 14348, Orlando, Ha, 32807 31-August 3- Palm Beach, Florida. International the baffling power of alcohol. The June Grapevine also includes the Doctors in A.A. Annual Mtg. Write: Secty., sprightly reminder below. Have you made I.D.A.A., 1950 Volney Rd., Youngstown, Ohio 44511 your plans for the Convention?

it’s later –.haii you thinki 40th Anniversary International AA Convention Denver, Colorado, July 4-6,1975