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News and Notes From the General Service Office of A.A.®

VOL. 41, No. 3/ JUNE·:JULY 1995

45th General Service Conference “Pass It On – Our Three Legacies” “We shall cry out our greetings to each other with a Sunday evening Conference m embers were joined in the ballroom by yet more friends- past trustees and warmth seldom known anywhere. We shall exchange experiences, confess that our Society has its faults, and delegates, former staff members and other fHends of ask God to show us how to remove them. We shall ponA.A. and their guests- for the opening dinner. An open der the mearung of our … excitmg history and,. in confiA.A. meeting followed dinner, chaired by Charles M. dent faith, we shall accept whatever destiny Providence (Tennessee). The meeting was led by Karl L. (New has in store for us.” Hampshire); ~peakers were: Gay G. (Southeast regional hustee); Billie H. (Mississippi); Richard B. (G.S.O. staff); Forty years ago, these words were written by A.A. cofounder Bill W. (Grapevine, April1955) in anticipation Russ V . (Nor thern Illinois); and Ames S. (Grapevme of A.A.’s Second International Convention in St. Louis-stam. the Convention where the Three Legactes were accepted Chairing this year’s Conference were: J im Estelle, by the Fellowship. When the 45th General Service Class A (nonalcoholic) chainnan of the board; George D., G.S.O.’s general manager; john Hartley Smith, M.D., Conference met, a t New York’s Holiday Inn Crowne Plaza, April 30-May 6, Bill’s words still seemed timely Class A tmstee; and Dorothy N., delegate chatrperson. and appropriate. The theme of this year’s Conference-Conference coordinator was G.S.O. staff member “Pass It On-Our Three Legacies.” Valerie O’N. On Sunday, the last day of Aptil, the 134 members of Presentations and r eports throughout the week the 45th Conference (delegates from the 91 service areas addressed the Conference theme; Finance; the Internathroughout the U.S. and Canada, trustees ofthe General tional Convention; the Grapevine; the 1994 World Service Board, A.A.W.S. and Grapevine directors and Se1vice Meeting; Reaching Out to Alcoholics With Spectal G.S.O. and Grapevine staff members) came together for Needs; and Substantial Unammtty tn the Conference the fu-st time, greeting “each other with a wannth selProcess. Other items on the weeks’ program included dom known anywhere.” Area Service Highlights, given by Following the roll call, which officially opened the Panel 45 deleConference, there were gr eetings from the delegate gates; a workshop chair , Dorothy N. of North Dakota, follow ed by the on “How We Pass keynote addre.ss by Dave O’L., trustee-at-large/Canada. It On”; a visit to Dave closed by wishing evetyone a good Conference G.S.O. and. week and asked that all remember, “‘Pass It On-Ow· Grapevine Three Legacies’ is not just our theme) 1t is our challenge, offices, and sevour hope and our responsibility.” eral “What’s On Sunday afternoon each of the eleven standing Your Mind?” Conference conunittees met alone or with the corresponding trustees’ committee. The trus tee ~ chairperson reported on various agenda item s that each Conference committ ee would consider over the next two days. Some of these agenda items would be presented to the entire Conference body, for their consideration and vote, and possible resulting Conference Advtsory Actions.

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Bo~ 4-5-9 is published bimonthly by the General Servtce Office of Alcohohcs Anonymous, 475 Riverside Drive, New York,

Resumes for Trustees Election duejan. 1, 1996

NY 10115, ©Alcoholics Anonymous World Setvices, Inc., 1995 Mall addl’ess: P.O. Box 459, Grand Central Station New York, NY 10163 Subscriptions: Individual, $3.50 per year; group, $6.00 for each unit of tO per year. Check-made payable to A.A.W.S., Inc.-should accompany order.

sharing sessions. Wednesday afternoon, regional trustee elections were held. Raul M., of San Antonio, Texas, will become the new Southwest regional trustee, replacing Ann B. The next trustee fi·om the Northeast Region will be Maryjanc R., of Wakefield, Rhode Island, replacing Jake H.; and trustee-at-large/Canada will be Michel G., ofRepentigny, Quebec, filling the position now held by Dave O’L. At the Delegates Only Dinner , Doug M., Southern Minnesota, was elected delegate charr for the 1996 Conference; George O’N ., Northeast Ohio, will be the alternate chairperson. Monday through Friday an open A.A. meeting was held at 7:30 a .m., chaired by Mike W., Idaho, with Will R., Maine, serving as secretary/treasurer. It was always well attended by delegates, s taff, sports enthusiasts fi:esh fi·om their morning jog and a scattering of hotel waiters and personnel who are A.A. members. The G.S.C. Serenity Group is self-supporting and made a contribution of $394.23 to the General Service Office. Friday afternoon the work of the 45th A.A. General Servlce Conference was completed, and the meeting was closed with the Seremty Prayer in English, French and Spanish. Highlights of the resulting Advismy Actions are on the following page. Saturday morning, Conference members assembled for l’l1c last time at the closing bmnch, and heard the farewell talks of rotating trustees. What was this Conference all about? What is any A.A. meetmg, assembly, convention, get-together about? Geny F., Western Canada regional trustee, said it well in his Presentation: “Not one of us is given a torch big enough to lead the drunks of the world out of the darkness and into the light. Instead, each of us has been giVen a candle that burns for a short wltile with a flickering flame. If we stand together, the light will outshine the greatest torch. If we argue and bicker and blow at each other’s candle so that each of us starts sltieldmg our own little flame, then the alcoholics of the world will continue to suffer in darkness, and so will we.” 2

Two new Class B (alcoholic) regional trustees – from the West Central U.S. and Western Canada Regionswill be nominated at the General Service Conference in April 1996, Resumes must be received at G.S.O. no later than ]anuruy 1, 1996, and must be submitted by delegates only. The new West Central regional trustee will succeed Les L., of Scottsbluff, Nebraska; the new Western Canada trustee will fill the position presently held by Gerry F. of Humboldt, Saskatchewan. A sound A.A. background is a basic qualification for Class B trustees. Ten years of continuous sobriety is desirable but not manda tory. Candidates should be active in both local and area A.A. affairs; and, because trustees serve the entire Fellowship, they require the background and the willingness to make decisions on mat1ers of broad policy that affect A.A. as a whole. It is also important that trustee candidates understand the commitment of time. Trustees are expected to attend three quarterly board weekends, with meetings ofien scheduled from Thursday afternoon through Monday morning, and the General Service Conference which lasts for one week. In addition, regional trustees a re usua lly asked to serve two years on either the A./\.W.S. or Grapevine Corporate Boards which m eet more frequently than t he General Service Board. Please submit your candidate’s resume to the Secretary, t rustees’ Nominating Committee, General Service Office.

1995 lntemational Convention New·s Enthusiasm ran high throughout the General Service Conference in anticipation of A.A.’s 60th Anniversary celebration,June 29-July 2. Pre-registration closed May 15, 1995, but there is onsite registration: 570.00 U.S.; $100.00 Canadian or an equivalent amount in New Pesos; try to get some accommodatlon first! So, hop a plane, bus, trall) or bike to the Convention Center in San Otego for a weekend of wonderful A.A. expenences.

And, hot off the press: Fun Run, Saturday, July 1. Beginning a t 7:30 a.m. at the Convention Center, followmg along the waterfront and ending back at the starting line. Sign up at the table in the Registration Area. Trophies “vill be awarded on the steps of the Convention Center.

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1995 Conference Advisory Actions Conference Advisory Actions represent recommendations made by the standing committees and approved by the Conference body as a whole; or recommendations dJ.ss:ussed and voted upon by all Conference members during general sess1ons. Some sigruficant Advisory Actions appear below in condensed form. A complete list will b e published in the Final Conference Report.

Public Information- that the Anonymity Statement Card used at public meetings, revised to include anonymity reminders regarding videotaping and full names on audiotapes, be approved.

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Rep ort and Charter -that various suggested changes and additions be made in the A.A. Service Manual.

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Agenda-that the theme of the 1996 General Service Conference be ” Preserving Our Fellowship- Our Challenge.”

Treatment Facllitles-no recommendations.

Cooperation Wi1h the Professional Communitythat the soft-cover Workbook be made available as a single item, as well as in a simple binder labeled “C.P.C. Kit” contaming related items suggested by the trustees’ C.P.C. Committee. Correctional Facilities-no recommendations. Finance-that the draft of the pamphlet, “SelfSupport-Where Money and Spirituality Mix,” be accepted with changes placing emphasis on the infonned group conscience; that a heading in this pamphlet, titled “Suggested Plans for Group Contributions Toward All A.A. Services,” give five suggested contribution plans. Grapevine-that a bi-monthly Spanish edition of the GrapeVUle be produced, and that fundmg for up to five years be obtained from the Reserve Fund, and that the monthly Spanish articles be removed from the Englishlanguage Grapevme, and if after five years the Spanish edition is determined to be no longer feasible, publication be dlscontinued. Lit erature- that changes in “The A.A. Group” pamphlet be implemented; that minor changes in the text of Tradition Three in the “Twelve Traditions Illustrated” pamphlet be implemented; that the first 164 p ages of the Big Book, Alcoholics Anonymous, the Preface, the Forewords, “The Doctor’s Opinion ,” ” Dr. Bob’s Nightmare” a nd the Appendices remain a s is; that a pocket edition of Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions b e published. Policy/Admissions-that the Conference Committee on International Conventions continue to meet on an annual basis, dtscussrng RegiOnal Forums when there are no International Convention items, and that the committee be renamed Conference Committee on International Conventions/Regional Forums; that since the Washington Area (Area 72) has met the conditions for admission, a second delegate b e admitted from the Washington Area.

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Tn.lstees-after a thorough exarrunation of the issues and information available and acknowledging that there may have been problems with commumcation a t many service levels in the past, it was the sense of the committee that there has been improvement and, therefore, in the interest of mamtaining AA unity and fmdmg there was not sufficien t· cause, the committee unanimously recommended that the proposal to censure the General Service Board be dismissed.

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Estimates of Groups and Members as ofjanuary 1, 1995

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United States Canada Correctional facilities Internationalists Lone members

49,443

Total Outside U.S. liP Canada Total

56,661

5,133

2,085

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1,127,471 95,546 50,983′

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154 359 32,578 89,239

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1,274,513 516,015: 1,790,528

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1. U.S, and Canada only. Z. G.S.O. hCI$ records for 40 foreign G.S. O.s. as well as individual groups in 111 count ties that do not have a.getltral service office. We attempt to cor1tact all general setvice offices outside the u.s. and Canada annually. Groups are contacted in countries where thete is no G.S.O. Last yeat\ ofthe 40foreign G.S.O.s, i8 t•esponded with updated figures. Of the 2Z rmtainingjbrei,gn G.S.O.s,figures w;edfor 18 of them are from their la.st previous response. while 4 have not forwarded any membership figures. Since we cannot substamiate the international figures, no attempt is made to f!1>timate membership figures for the countries not responding. The estimated group counts in the U.S. and Canada include only those that ask to be listed at G.S.O.; thousands do not. Among listed ~>roups in tile U.S. a11d Canada , many d o not. repor·t membership figures. For ecu;h norweporting group, an estimate of membe•·ship is arrived at by taking an average amor1g reporting groups within the Coriference area concerned, Even anw~ report!~ groups. membership .fisures include only those r1ow actiiiC and attending meetings; there is no way to count sober members who no lo~er have a horne group. In 1994, it was dctennined that A.A. meeti11gs (wl!ich do not corlsider themselves groups) will no longer be included in the General Service Office database. In the past, m eetin,f.J were included in tl1e total number ofgroups slwwn in the dir·ectories. Altllougt! cwrettt figures indicate a decrease in the number of g.·oups. 3,056 new !JI’Oups wm·e registered at G.S.O. duti~ the year.

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Reports From G.S.O., the General Service Board, and Trustees’ Conunittees General Service Board

now repeat with hope, and we trus t that together we can do what I alone or you alone cannot do. The love and commitment to our Steps, n·arutions and Concepts have supported and energized us as cWikult matters were dtscussed. The same sprrit and attitude were manifested at the last three Regional Fomms in Boise, Idaho, in Eastern Canada at Thw1der Bay and in Biloxi, Mississippi. We have seen increasing participation from the regions in both the planning and conduct of the Fomms. W J. (Jim) Estelle,Jr. (nonalcoholic) chairperson

Trustees’ I’q>Ort: Following the practice of the last several years, cl1airpersons of Conference Committees were inVIted to the qua rterly trustees’ meetll1g at the end of January. The presence of the chairpersons at the January meetings is part of the shanng process that btmgs us to this room today. Members of the board travel all over the U.S. and Canada attending meetings of areas, election assemblies, Regional Forums, board meetings <.md committee meetings, as well as A.A. World Services, Inc. plaruung meetings. The goal of tl1ese activities is lo carry the m essage of Alcoholics Directors’ report: A.A.W.S., Inc., is a wholAnonymous. Meetings cDnnot be ends in ly-owned s ubsidiary of the General Service themselves; they must continue to be vc~hicles Board with the delegated responsibility to to enable the message of recovety in A.A. to m aintain oversight of group services, including printing ana distribution of Conferencebe earned to the drunk who s till suffers. 1994 also saw the General Service Board, approved and other senice literature. The A.A.W.S. and the Grapevme Board~ involved board met nine limes in 1994 to hear G.S.O. in efforts to improve communica tion and management and staff reports; review group resolve diiferences with I.W.S., Inc. Early in service activity and progress on complia nce 1995 the board asked Gaty Glynn, Class A with Conference and board recommendatrustee, along with Ann W., Grapevine execu- tions; review budgets, expenditures, and tive editor, and George D., G.S.O.’s general salary policy; establish prices for literature manager, to m eet with three people associat- and other materials; dtscuss publishlllg opered with LW.S.; the meeting resulted in a better ations and matters of G.S.O. admmistration, understanding. The spu·itual foundation of consider requests for permission to reprint ow· Three Legacies provided a positive thrust A.A. copynghted literature; and address other toward resolutiOn beneficial to the total matters as they anse. The committees of the A.A.W.S. Board arc: Fell(:lwship. We will continue to stay in close communication with those involved and we Publishing; Finance and Admi nistration; continue to be optimistic, since we have infi- Service; and Nominating. Long-ra nge plannitely more common ground than differences. nmg is done within each committee and by The board appmved the plan to reduce lit- the board as a whole. The following signifierature income, which inducted reducing the cant items are noted: Finance and Administration: We reafptice ofspecial net:ds items and s~lected I’CCOveJy/service pamphlets; mc1·easing the discmU1t firmed the 1990 board obJectives regarding on pamphlets, miscellaneous items, and for- self-support; prepared, reviewed ;md recomeign literatw·e; and 1’Cducing the level at which mended the G.S.O. budget to tl1e trustees’ books receive a quantity dil;c()unt as well as an Finance Committee; endorsed the general additional5% d1scoun t on all orders. manager’s proposal to utiliz.e the servic.:~~~ of As I review 1994, a p assage from The an outside compensation consultant in 1995. Langtt~ ofthe Heart (p. 322) comes to mind. Literatitre income reduction: We recom”As we now enter upon the next great phase mended a repncing structure a nd presented of AA’s life, let us thereii:>re rededicate ourselves it to the trustees’ Finance Committee. As a to an even greater re!>ponsibibty for our general result, literature discounts were increased by welfare. Let us continue to tnke our inventory $140,000 in 1994. In 1995 the effect will be a as a fellowship, sea rchmg out our flaws and reduction in literature income of approxiconfess01g them fi-eely. Let us devote ourselves mately $1,000,000. to the repair of all faulty relations that may Publications: The suggestion that we pubexist, whether within or without. lish a pocket version of Twelve Steps and “And above all, let us remember that great Twelve Traditions was forwarded to the legion who still suffer fi·om alcoholism and trustees’ Literature Committee. We approvbd who are still without hope. Let us. at any cost the committee’s reconunendation to translate or sacrifice, so improve our communication the Big Book into Tagalog and Nepah. As the wtth all these that they may fmd what we have board has a working policy regarding transfonnd- a new life offi-eedom under God.” lations of A.A.lHerature into Native American Once again our co-founder, Bill W., had languages, we ai’C open to receiving requests seen into the tu ture a nd said a prayer that we for assistance. The board granted perm1s-

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sionldid not object to 85 requests to reprint from A.A. literature; eight requests were denied. We now accept credit card payment for literature orders and have made the 800 FAX number available for credit card purchases to all literature purchasers. Services: TI1e committee has been considering a video ·with accompanying service piece whlch would show ways that G.S.O. setY’es the Fellowship as a whole. It was recommended to the trustees’ Literature Committee that this project be developed for consideration by the :1~95 Conference. A.A. Guidelines for Serving Alcoholics with Special Needs is now available. We considered a req uest to produce the Twelve and T welve in American Sign Language (ASL); the board \villlook into the costs of tm A<;L Twelve and Twelve. Intemational: At the World Service Meeting in October a report was given on the status of the Foretgn Literature Assistance Fund, whlch is supported by contribuhons fium other calmtries. There was also discussion rega rding A.A.W.S.’s copyright and licensing policy. The conunittee recommended that AA.WB., Inc. should continue to grant exclusive liceJlSCS to one service structure per counii)r. George D. participated in a National Conference in Espoo, Finland; 3,000 a !tended out of a total membership estinlated at 5,500. At the request of !he RUSSlail General Service Board, staff member jolm G. and trustees-atlarge Larry N. and David O’L. attended the Sixtl1 Russian General Service Conference in Petrozavodsk in May. Staff member Danny M. participated in Colombia’s Sixth Na tiona! Convention, and at the reques t of the Mexican General Se1vice Board, David O’L. and Danny M. accompanied members of the General Service Board, Mexico, to Cuba, where they met with members of the newly form ed Cuban Service Board, and with Cuban doctors and A.A. groups. Cornputeriwt ion: The Financial Reports, Ca nadian sales tax data, royalties and 1099s Me now all system generated; the Tri-Annual Membership Survey is completely computerized; s taff assis tants were provided with PCs; and a new Records system has been implemented. To ms ure the safe ty of archival mateJ·ials and provide for efficient storage and retrieval ofG.S.O. documentary information, we have purchased an imaging system to be implemented this year. Regional Forums: A.A.W.S. directors and G.S.O . s taff members coordinated and attended five Regional Forums in 1994. Intergmup Seminar: This seminar, held in Vancouver, B.C., November 11-13, 1994, pmvided an opportunity to address specific shipping and delive1y and publications questions. Having representatives attend from A.A.W.S. and G.S.O. was very useful.

International Convention: As of March 31, advance registrntions for the International Convention were 30,01:t We have budgeted for 60,000 participants (attendance at Seattle was 48,000). We are hoping for 40,000 registrations by the May 15 cut-off date, and anticipate many on-site registrations. Michael McP., chairperson

Archives Trustees’ committee: The committee welcomed Judit Santon, our new assistant archivist. A Timeline exhibit of important dates in A.A. histmy was developed for display at the .International Convention. A subcommittee examined our present policy on not photocopying for diStribution the personal correspondence of our members, and it was decided to retain tlus restnction for reasons of confidentiality and our Traditions of Anonymity. A plan to hold two Archtval Workshops, en titled Archives: A Collective Vis1on, at the Intemational Convention, was approvecl. The committee approved a Conference Archives Committee Scope and PrtJcedure for submission to the 1995 General Service Conferer,ce Policy and Admissions Committee. It was suggested that this new committee be pattemed after the Conference International Convention Committee, which constitutes a “second assigmnent” for selected delegates. A scanner has been ordered tor the Archives, to insure archival document protection and access. john King, (nonalcoholic) chairperson Archivist’s report: Interest within our Fellowship m thmgs archival abounds. Our Group Birtbdate project is proceeding quietly; a small fraction of our overall group list has supplied corrected dates from their records or the memories of earlytimers. Along with other duties, our new assistant archivist, Judit Santon, will lead us into the electronic age when we obtam our scanner. In the fall, an earlytrmer (1947), Joe H., gathered a small group on a forced march, retJ:aci:ng Bill W.’s daily commute fi·om his home on Clinton Street in Brooklyn to the frrst “headquarters” of Works Publishing on Willi;un Street, Newark, NJ. We obtained a remarkable oral history from Lib S., past G.S.O. staff member (1951-1962), which encompassed some of the more turbulent ye8rs. historically for our Fellowship. Lib started work on May 1st right after tl1e first General Sen-1ce Conference. She quoted Bill W. as sa}’lng~ “A.A. is a kindergart611 des1gned to knock off our rough edges to render us suitable for polite society.” F’rankM., archivist

Conference Trustees’ comn1lttee: The cornrruttee revtewed the 1994 Advisory Actions and approved the theme for the 45th General

Service Conference, “Pass It On- Our Tlu·ee Legacies.” We also approved revisions to a summary of the service piece “How the General Service Conference Operates,” to be used for reference during voting on Conference Corrunittee rept~rts. We agreed to include the Wednesday morning sharing session on the 1995 Agenda and to discuss whether or not to include it in 1996. Proposed agenda items submitted for the 1995 Conference were reviewed and referred, when appropriate, to the standing Conference Committee, G.S.O. or the General Sen11ce Board. The Conference Agenda was reviewed and fmalized, participants for the various presentations were assigned. Ann B., chairperson

we communicate with more than 405 area, district and intergroup/central office C.P.C. committees through committee chairpersm1s. The newsletter, About A.A., is mailed tvvo or three times a year to more than 17,000 professionals who ask to be on this mailing list. joanieM.

Correctional Facilities

Trustees’ collUnittee: Our efforts in the past year have been to get area and local committees involved in respondmg to requests from inmates and con·ections staff for iniormation about A.A. literature, outside meeting assistance, and prelease contacts. ‘INe forwarded to the Conference committee a review of the C.F. Staff ltep ort: The Conference coordmator is Workbook and a report on suggestions fi·om the contact for all Conference members and area C.F. committee chairs regarding A.A. serall area and district committees of the 91 vice injuvenile detention facilities. Durmg the areas throughout the U.S. and Canada. The year we have cooperated with the C.P.C. Conference com·dinator assmn es responsibili- Committee to provide literature and local ty for: Assembling suggestions for the statfmg for €lillibits at national conferences of Conference theme, presenta lion/discussion corrections orgamzations. We forwarded to and workshop topics; serving as secretary of A.A.W.S. a proposal to offer local C.F. comthe Conference Agenda Committee and the mittees an additional and larger pnson distrustees’ Committee on the General Service count package. We are also developing a letter Conference; workin~ with the general man- to wardens in the U.S. and Canada to provide age: and G.S.O. staff in planning and coordi- infonnation about AA. and its service work in natmg each phase of the Conference; sched- correctional facilities. uling and assembling reports and all mateiial john N. Chappel, M.D. for the Conference Manual, Early Bird edition (nonalcoholic) chairperson of Bar 4-5-9 and the Conference Final Repl:wt. Staff Report: This assignment receives an Valer·ie O’N. average of 400 letters a month from inmates, most asking for free literature, some asking Cooperation With the for names of outside A.A. members with Professional Community whom to correspond, or for help in makmg contact w1th A.A. upon release. We try to Trustees’ committee: Projects completed facilitate many of the~ requests, primarily since the 1994 Conference: revision to pamphlet through our network of area, district and “How A.A. Members Cooperate With local C.F. committees. The Corrections Professionals”; policy on distribution of A.A. Correspondence Service is coorctin<;~ted by this con.tidential directories changed so that G.S.O. desk, and we are concerned about the continno longer provides these directories outside of uing need for outside A.A. members to correthe Fellowship; final draft of the rewritten spond with inmates. We currently have a C.P.C. Workbook; approved guidelines for the waiting list of more than 100 inmates who traveling C.P.C. exhibits. We forwarded a rec- have not been “hooked up” with outside ommendation to the Conference C.P.C members. Area C.F. chairs have become more Committee to consider rewriting and retitling involved in helping us to fmd volunteers. “Alcoholics Anonymous and Employee Richard B. A’lS1stance Programs.” New panel designs for the traveling C.P.C. eJJUbits were installed last year and have been well received; the commit- Finance tee recommended that A.A.W.S. purchase sets Tntstees’ committee: Contributions in 1994 ofpanels for sale to local conunittees. were approximately $3,855,500, an increase of john Hartle;’ Smith, M.D. 0.8% or $47,000 over 1993, reversmg a three(nonalcoholic) chairperson year trend of declmmg conhibutions. Of the StaffReport: The ptrrpose ofC.P.C. is to pro- 55,200 registered groups, we recetved contrivide A.A. information to individuals and butions fi·om approximately 25,300, or 45.8% groups who may be in contact with the still- during 1994: about $152.00 per contributil1g ~~ffering alcoholic in their professional capac- group. Literature sales for the year amo\.Ulted Ities. The C.P.C. staff person serves as a link to to approxin1ately $9,637,000 before disco\.Ults. all C.P.C. committees in Canada and the U.S., This was approximately $86,000 less than the and shares background and other informa- prior year and approximately $800,000 ahead tion with AA.s overseas on request. Ctrrrently, ofbudget. Based on the history of the past sev_

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eral years we had expected to have declinmg urut values again. In fact, sale of books and booklets for 1994 exceeded 1993’s by approximately 14,000. A.A.W.S. recommended, and the General ServJce Board approved, $1 milhon worth of reductions in our prices of selected A.A. literature,i’a s requested last year at the Conference. Total G.S.O. revenues, that is Gross Profit from Literature Sales plus Contributions, fell approximately $83,000 or just w1der one percent. We mcreased discounts approximately $547,000, $170,000 higher than budgeted and $140,000 higher than the previous year. Due to a strong Reserve f\md, and bght controls on expenditures, we were able to institute these ptice decreases. Operating expenses are still under control. Total Operating E>..penses for the year were approximately $7,650,000, some $20,000 higher than 1993. Net income for the year is $606,000, compared vvith $710,000 last year. This reduction in mcome was due prunarily to allowing price reductions and discounts on literature sales. The cost of providing se1vices, excluding publlslung activities, was $5,365,000 in 1994, approxunately $106,000, or 2% higher than in 1993. This amount exceeded connibutions by approximately $1,506,000, a difference that was made up by literature profits. The $5,365,000 incurred for services represent approximately $98.00 for each registered group. Last year’s service dollar was spent on the following activities: Group Services, 47%; Public Information, 4%; C.P.C., 4%; Treatment Facilities, 1%; Correctional Facilities, 3%; Loners, Internationalist and Overseas Services, 10%; the General Servtce Conference, 13%; Regional Forums, 4%; Archives, 6%; and trustet>s’/ directors’ expenses, 7%. The 1995 G.S.O. Budget assumes that book &1les trught decline by approxunately 3%, the most significant being the pocket Big Book as it goes tlwough its normal cycle from introduction to a leveling out of sales. Gross Margin from literature has been budgeted to decline by apprmamately 17%, prm1arily due to price reductions and discounts. Contributwns are budgeted to be approximately one percent htgher than in 1994. Total revenue will likely decline by approximately 12% or almost $1,000,000. Operating costs are budgeted to rise ~;omewhat less than 5%. A budgeted operatmg deficit of approximately $730,000 will be offset by drawing dm….n interest and principle from the Reserve Fund. The Reserve Fund equalled $10,484,000 at the end of 1994, $1,228,700 of which was held for the account of the Grapevine for subscrip bon liabilities, leaving $9,255,300 as the principle amount. It earned apprmamately $545,000 in 1994, net of the A.A. Grapevine share and received transfers of $700,000 from A.A.W.S. and $67,250 from the A.A. GrapeVllle. The Reserve Fund at the end of 1995 is expected to be approximately 12 6

months of operating expenses; it currently amounts to $169 per registered group. In 1994, the Grapevine realized lower revenue in both magazine subscription income and other publishing related items income. Circulation was approximately 120,300 copies, compared with 121,400 at the end of 1993 and the 1994 budgeted circulation of 123,000 copies. Total Gross Profit was $1,163,000, apprmamately $108,000 below 1993, or nearly 8% lower. Total cost and expenses were $1,320,700, approximately $35,000 or 3% higher than the prior year. Net Loss after interest income was $81,630 compared with an excess of mcome in 1993 of approximately $67,990. For 1995, the Grapevine Budget assumes average circulation of approxunately 123,000. The Gross Profit Percentage of the magazine is expected to drop by approximately one percent, due to higher production costs, largely paper and postage increases. Total dollars of magazine gross profit is expected to be approximately the same as 1994. Other Publishing Income is also budgeted to be approXImately the same in 1~95 , Total gross profit for the year is budgeted at $1,139,900 compared with $1,163,000 in 1994. Total 1995 costs and expenses are projected at $1,329,800 compared w ith $1,292,000 in 1994, $38,000 or 3% higher than 1994. Loss from operations is estimated at $189,900 and a loss after interest income earned is projected at $109,700 compared with an $82,000 loss after interest earned in 1994. Although the Grapevine Board recommended a price increase for the magazine during 1995, the trustees’ Finance Committee requested that a price increase be deferred pending the results of circulation efforts that are being implemented. Foregoing the price increase will increase the Grapevine’s loss from operations by $66,500 in 1995. Both the Grapevine Board and the trustees’ Finance Committee recognize that eventually the price of the Grapevine will have to increase. Gary Glynn

(nonalcoholic) chaiTperson

General Sharing Session TMistees’ report: The first sharing session discussed “Anonymity and the Public Perception of Alcoholics Anonymous.” One of the presenters said that he hoped that we do not become overly concerned about the public perception of A.A., but rather try to help the public understand that there tS a difference between anonymity and secrecy. In October the topic was “Corporate Poverty and the Seventh Tradition (Spiritual and Practical Principles that Assure A.A.’s Future).” A Class A trustee shared that in A.A., “spiritual” and “practical” are the same thing. In January “Carrying the Message- Our International Commitment”

was addressed. Focus was on the growth of A.A. worldwide. La11y N., chairperson

Group Services Staff report: The Group Services coordinator is responsible for service mate1ial, which provides infmmation and shared experience not found in Conference-approved literature. Current ongoing projects: Coordination and production of three A.A. Directories; supervision of G.S.O. service fUes; supervis!Onlproduc1ion of A.A. Guidelines, Group handbooks, and G.S.R kits; haJSOn with intergroup/central offices; participant on Office Procedures Commi ttee. The staff member or1 Group Services also serves as secretary for the trus tees’ Nominating Committee and the Conference Committee on Trustees. Lois F.

InternationaV World Service Meeting Trustees’ report: The International Cotrunittee senres as a link between the General Service Board and the World ServJce Meebng. It has the responsibility of developing policies enabling the A.A. message to be carried to alcoholics overseas, especially in countries where there is no service stJucture. The 13th World Se1vice Meeting was held in Cartagena Colombia, October 9-13, 1994, with 38 delegates from 25 cmmtries. The theme was “Back to Basics.” Some literature translations included m the 1995 budget are: Armenian, Czech, Hungarian, Nepali, Tagalog, Bulgarian, Portuguese, Hindi, Turkish and Lithuanian. Some of the e>..penses for these b:anslations are being underwritten by the International Literature Fund. A.A. continues to grow in Eastern Europe and in the former Republics of the Soviet Union. Davul O’L., chairperson Staff Report: CorrtSpondence from groups, individual A.A.s and professionals interested in obtainmg information about A.A. in cotmtries without a service center or office is answered by the staff member on this assignment, who also corresponds with 39 general service offices and literature distribution centers outside the U.S. and Canada. Coordinating the biennial World Service Meetmg is an absorbing aspect of this assigxunent. The European and lberoAmerican Service Meetmgs are also held biennially, altemating with W.S.M.s. The first PanPaofic Service Meeting was held in March in japan. Since the last Conference, the Big Book has been published in Ukramian, 1\velve Steps and Twelve Traditions in Romanian, Came to Believe in Hungarian, Daily Reflections in Lithuanian and Uving Sober in Bulganan and Turkish. john G.

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International Convention/ A.A. Regional Forums Tntstees’ committee: Interna tional Convention-We approved the 1995 Convention Program, accepted the list of non-A. A. speakers for the panels and reviewed formats for the Big Meetings. We recommended inviting sever-dl special guests who are surviving links to our co-fou nders. The committee discussed whether the Convention badge cover should include the !etten; “A.A.,” and accepted the suggestion that “A.A.” not appear anywhere on the badge.

Regional For·ums-To gain a better perspective of who attends Forums, the committee examined the breakdown of attendance by area. TI1e farther away an area was from the Forum site, the fewer the participants from tha t area. It was suggested that considera tion be givCJl to inviting neighbo1·ing area s outside the Forum host area. This past year we scheduled fewer presentabons, to allow for a less structured agenda; this provided a more relaxed atmosphere. Les L., chairperson Staff repo rts:

In ter national Convention-This assignment involves coordina tmg every aspect of the many processes and p lans tha t go to make up our International Conventions. Eileen G.

Regional Forums-This assignment involves coordinating all arrangements necessary for Regional forums in t)1e U.S. and Canada. Forums arc held at the region’s invitation every !vvo yec:trs; in addition, Special Forums are held upon request. Working with the regtonal trustee, area delegates and host committee, the Fon.m1s coo••ciinator prepares the agCJ1da, works with the hotel, and sends invitations to area service people. Following the forum, a report is sent to all who attended. SarahP.

Literature

Staff report: The literature coordmator works closely with II ·~ Publications DepartmCJ1t on preparmg all new recovery pamphlets, books, displays and audiovisuals, in accordance with recommendations from t11e Conference. The coordinator also follows the updating and revtSmg of all recovery pamphlets. The literature desk receives and responds to correspondence fi·om A.A. members and groups about literature. We maintain contact with current area, d!snict, mtergroup and A.A. gt-oup literature chairs. Under the present structure, the literature coordinator serves as cdi tor ofBar 45-9, and is the liaison with the French Literature Service in Montreal, Ca.nada. Susan U.

Loners, Internationals, Homers Staff report: Loners are A.A.s who are Luwble to a ttend meetings because there are no groups nearby. There are about 375 Loners in 141 countnes. Seagoing A.A.s are known as Internationalists. There arc about 161 Intcmationahsts and 40 Pmi Contacts. Thirtyfour Internationalist Groups meet aboard ships or in ports. There are 128 Homers, 1\.A.s who are housebound due to Illness or disability. Loners, Homers and Intemallonalists stay sober reading A.A. literature and sharing A.A. expe•ience, strength and hope with other AA.s around the worfd through letters and tapes. Each new Loner, Homer or Internationalist receives a dJrectory of members, a subsctiption to Box 4-5-9 and Loners-Internationalists Meeting (LIM), a bimonthly meetmg-in-print, sharing excerpts of letters received at G.S.O. from LIM mCJ1lbers. About 1,000 AAs serve as Loner Sponsors, 11haring group activities and personal expenence. SarahP.

Nominating Trustees’ committee: We reviewed the list of “fncnds of A.A.” available to serve as Class A (nonalcoholic) trustees; we interviewed fou1′ and made two recommendations. We prepared a report on more speofic procedw-e; for the formation of new regions and/or makmg altera tions in the regionaT map, and forwarded this report to the ConferCJ1cc Committee on Trustees as a worl<. in progress for review and input. The proposed slates of General Service Board membe rs, officers of the board, A.A.W.S. a nd A.A. Grapevine directors were fo1warded to the 1995 O:mference Committee on Trustees for disapproval, if any.

Tntstees’ committee: A summary of projects since the 1994 Conference: Projects Completed: “A.A. GuidelinesLiterature Committees”; updated the “G.S.R.” pamphlet; requested changes to “Is There an Alcoholic In Your Life?” and “Th e A.A. Member- Medications and Other Drugs”; “Service Sponsorship” added to “Questions and Answers on Sponsorship.” Project in PI’Ogress: Reviewing a Concepts Jacob H, chairperson Checklist for use as service material. Some projects forwarded to the Conference Literature Committee: Proposed revision to Public Information “Twelve Traditions Ulustra ted”; review a nd consider a Fourth Edition of the Big Book; Tntstees’ conunittee: Work of the comrrutconsider recommendation for a pocKet edi- tec during the past year included: close-caption ofTwelve Steps and Twelve n·aditions. tionmg all1V public service a nnouncCJ11CJ1ts; Fran P. , cha.itperson revision and reformatting of the P.I. Work..

book; a suggested Box 4- 5-9 article on anonymity; met with the public relations consultant for the International Convention. The followwg 1 terns were forwarded to the Conference P.I. Committee: Drafi of mission statement for the Membership Survey; draft of questionnaire for the 1996 Membership Survey; revisions to Anonymity Statement card. Gerry F., chauperson Staff report: The goal of the P.I. <~ssigrunenl is to help to carry the A.A. message to the alcoholic, potential alcoholtc and the general public through the medta, health fairs, and schools. The s tafr member responds to hundreds of written and telephone mquiries fi·om the public and the Fellowsl11p, and is responsible for handlmg mterviews wiU1 the media and providmg accurate information to the media, researchers, and the public. In U1e year of the Intcmati.onal Convention the staff member prepares and mails press releases and a P.I. Press Kit, and provides information to journalists covermg A.A.’s 60th Amuven.my. Literature is provided for a large number of health and commmlily fairs. When possible, we try to connect the corrm1w1ity resource with local P.T. committees so that they can become involved with the decision about how A.A. can best partiopate in the event. Radio and television public service announcements have been widely aired and many fllm companies have contacted us for permission to use our literature in scenes depicting AA meetin~. Helen T.

Spanish Services Staff r eport: There are more than 30,000 Spanish-speaking A.A. members, meeting in 1 ,200 &troups in the U.S., Puerto Rico and Ca nada. The Spanish Services staff person coordinates Spanish translations and assists other staff mCJ1lbers in providing services to Spanish-speaking community. All Spanishspeaking grou ps receive Bar 4-5-9 in Spanish. For the :first t ime this year, the Quarterly Report is being dis tributed in Spanish. A revised Spanish translation of the Twelve and Twelve was available m March. Communication between Spanish- and English-speaking groups is improving; groups are represented by G.S.R.s a t district meetings, where they elect bilingual D.C.M.s who represent Spanishspeaking districts at a rea a ssemblies. The Spanish Services staff member helps answer the correspondence received in Spanish by other assignmen ts, especially the International desk. The staff member on this assignment, who docs not rotate, represents G.S.O. at the Ibero-AmCJican Commission for Translation and Adaptation of A.A. Literature and attends conventions, Regional Forums, the World Service Me eting a nd t h e In tern a tiona! Convention, as well as greeting Spanishspeakmg visitors to G.S.O. DannyM.

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Staff Coordinator

Reports from the A.A. Grapevine

Staff report: Services to A.A. groups and members are proVlded through 12 staff assignments. In addition to 1heir regular assignments, staff’ ~1embers coiTespond with groups and A.A. members in a specific geographic area. Staff assignments are monitored by the coordmator. G.S.O. staff receives approximately 14,500 pieces of mail a year. The s taff coordinator coordinates the staff activities and chairs the weekly staff meeting. As assistant secretruy of the General Service Board, the staff coordinator is responsible for scheduling committee meetings, distributing advance material, prepanng the minutes of the board meeting, and serves as editor of the Quarterly Report. The coordinator 1s secretary of the General Sharmg Session, and the Conference Commtttee on Policy/Admissions, and is a dlrector and vice-president of A.A.W.S. Dtumg the past year, approximately 1,219 visitors from all over the world visited G.S.O. PatR.

Directors’ report: The A.A. Grapevine, Inc. is on A.A. histoxy – – “History Lights the Way” a wholly-owned subsidiary of the General and “What We Were Like” – were produced Service Board. The corporation’s primary pur- in April; a total of 8,200 were sold by the end of the year. The board voted to go ahead Wlfh pose IS to produce a magazine. In the past year the board’s emphasis has production of the 1996 Wall Calendar and been on ways to improve circulauon, and to Pocket Planner. GV Resources in Spanish: A Sprulish transmake communication v.1th all segments of the Fellowship more effective. After several years lation of The Lansu.age of the Heart will come of declining circulation, finances have been a off press early in May for introduction at the Interna tional Convention in july. Spanish serious concern. We celebrated the magazine’s 50th translations of the slogans, Serenity Prayer, Anniversary with a new design, a 96-page and Preamble were made available in May. double issue in jtme, and the transition to jane S., chairpe,.son desktop publishing. Response to the new look has been overwheimmgly positive. Throughout Staff report: The A.A. Grapevine currently the anniversary year, all new subscrtbers has 16 full-time and four part-tune employee!>; received a bonus issue, November 1994, two A.A. staff members, along with a freelance designer and a copyeditor. Together, the emphaslZlngA.A. history. Circulation.: Around April, the steady managlllg edltor, the executive editor, and the downward progression started to level off, and copyeditor evaluate all material for publication circulation has been fluctuating from month and stay in touch \.vith everyone who writes for to month in the netghbor hood of 120,000. the magazine. To bolster these efforts, the Treatment Facilities Average circulation for 1994 was 120,900, or Grapevine Edit01ial Advisory Board (made up 2,100 below the budgeted 123,000. For the frrst of volunteer A.A. members who are profesTrustees’ committee: Since the 1994 three months of 1995 the average mculation Sionals in the fields ofpublishmg and commuConference the pamphlets “Bndging the was 121,572, with a lugh for the March issue nications) meets nine times a year to dtscuss all Gap” and “A.A. in Treatment Facilities” were of 123,555. Three spe<>ial mailmgs were help- aspects of the magazine. The Editorial revised. In addition to the aru1Ual letter sent ful: A trial mailing to groups in nine areas; one Department is also responsible for publishing to treatment facilities personnel and to T.F. to readers whose subscnpttons had expired; the quarterly “GvR News,” and with the help committees, a letter was sent to T.F. chairs and another to subscription donors. In july, of the part-time GvR coordmator tries to keep requesting information about local treatment the board requested a budget adjustment for GvRs (Grapevine reps) infonned. facilities committee activity. A possible several pwposes, one bemg to bring in a tlnn The controller/business administrator change in the format of the T.F. Workbook of outside consultants for reconunendations manages all business aspects of the cmporawas forwarded to the Conference T .F. about circulation and renewal practices. The tion, oversees the circulation department, and Committee for their consideratjon. There has consultant’s final report reinforced a growing heads up the bookkeeping-accoun ling also been discussion about the fact that there feeling among board and management that department. He is assisted by a bookkeeper, are currently more alcoholism treatment the Grapevine can, and should, follow more who supervises four accounting clerks and programs in prison settings. This presents standard publishmg industry practices. the shipping operatwn. The book.keepmg new challenges and opportunities for local Management is moving forward with department keeps track of all mcoming and A.A. members to introduce newly sober alco- redesigning the renewal sequence and in tak- outfloW111g funds, and prepares the fmancial holics to A.A. in their commwl.ities. steps to contact new groups directly with analyses and reports r e quired by the Elaine M.]ohnson, Ph.D. Corporate Board, the General Service Board, mtom1ation about the Grape\1ne. (nonalcoholic) chairperson Finance: We ended the year with a net· loss and the GrapeV111e’s outside auditor. While Staff report: The primary purpose of the of $81,600, compared to a budgeted net loss the magazine and the bulk of the Grapevine’s special item orders are packaged and mailed Treatment Facilities assignment is to help of$61,000. 1995 Budget: Faced with an average circu- by outside mailers in Pennsylvania, the inA.A.s cany the message 1’0 alcoholics in treatment. We have now over 450 T.F. committees lation about 2,000 below the 1994 budget, house shipping department is kept busy mailfunctioning in the U.S. and Canada; 91 are along with dramatically rising costs, we were ing a vatiety of small orders, back issues, letarea committees. We try to keep an up-to-date forced to seriously ctmsider a plice increase on ters, books, tapes, and complimentary matelist of committee chairs and to provide them the magazine. After long discussion and in rials for conferences and conventions keeping with our fiduciaty responsibilities, the tlrroughout the U.S. and Canada. The circulawith consideration and literature. Mail comes from newly sober alcoholics in board approved a budget that included a price tion department consists of three data entry treatment facilities; local A.A.s who have mcrease on the magazine effective May 1 (the clerks and a customer service clerk and is become or are interested in becoming active in July issue), and showed a net Joss of $44,680. responsible for maintaining the Grapevine’s T.F. committees; treatment facilities apmmis- However, the Finance Committee considered subscriber list as well as handhng any special trators or personnel requesting information the Grapevine’s situation in relation to the requests or problems which may occur. The office manager and corporate secreabout A.A. and assistance in setting up meet- Reserve Fund and voted to accept the al ternate ings. The staff member also gathers material budget, without a price incr~ase, showing a tary’s job includes ensuring the general efllfor an occasional treatment facilities ar ticle in deficit of $109,000. The Finance Committee ciency of the ofllce, admmisteling the health Box 4-5-9 and prepares biannual editions of believed that in a year when the Reserve Fund insurance program, supervising the day-tothe Treatment Facilities Newsletter. is exceedmg the maxirnum, this was an appro- day work of the GvR coordinator, and handling all copyrights and permissions requests. priate use ofReseiVe Fund monies. PhyllisM. Related MateriaLs: Two new cassette tapes Ames S., manq~ng editor

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Budget Highlights 1995 G.S.O . Budget Income: The 1995 sales budget of $9,335,800 is approximately $300,000 less than 1994’s actual, and $500,000 greater than the 1994 budget. The 1995 budget reflects increased volume, as exhibited by the favorable 1994 trends, as well as increased distribution of pamphlets and miscellaneous items following the price reductions put in place last October. Discounts allowed are budgeted at slightly less than one million dollars, approximately $600,000 more than budgeted for 1994. As a result, net sales are anticipated approximately S100,000 less than budgeted and $700,000 less than actual 1994. Manufacturing, shipping and warehousing are anticipated to be higher due to rising costs, as well as increased units, and Royalties are budgeted somewhat lower. Gross margin is budgeted $400,000 less than the 1994 budget and approximately $900,000 less than 1994 actual results. Contributions are expected to be approximately the same as 1994 with a minor increase budgeted. Total Revenue (literature sales less manufacturing, royalties, shipping and warehousing, as well as contributions) is budgeted at $7,292,500, approximately $963,000 (11. 7%) less than 1994’s actual results. Total Operating Expenses for 1995 have been budgeted at $8,023,100, just under 5% above 1994. An operating loss of $730,500 is budgeted prior to a drawdown from the Reserve Fund, which would result in a net for the period of zero. This drawdown allows for an orderly, prudent use of the Reserve Fund earnings, and possibly a portion of principle, at a time when the Reserve Fund is at its upper limit. During the preparation of the 1995 budget, which lasted approximately eight or nine months, many, many hours of discussion took place in various circles, from the office, to board committees, to boards, to trustees committees, concerning the pricing of literature. Considerable time was spent discussing the favorable effect the current level of the Reserve Fund has on the ability to reduce literature prices.

1995 Grapevine Budget Net loss of $109,700 is about $27,500 higher than the 1994 loss, an increase of33.6%. Gross profit on the magazine, $847,900, is 57.3% of revenue, compared to $845,200, or 58.4% of revenue in 1994. Paper price increased 40% and postage increased 20%. Gross profit on other publishing income, $292,000, is 58.2% as compared to $288,600, or 57.5% in 1994. Total costs and expenses of $1,329,900 is an increase of $37,900, or 2.9% over the 1994 actual. A price increase for the magazine was considered as costs surged higher. The current subscription prices were held for 1995. Staff levels and salaries, as well as other costs, will be closely monitored and controlled where possible.

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1994 Contribution From Groups-byDelegateArea
 (in U.S. dollars)
 GENERAL GENERAL
 SERVICE #GPS. % TOTAL CONTRIB. SERVICE #GPS. % TOTAL CONTRIB.
AREA CONFERENCE RE- #GPS. OF GPS. GROUP MEMBER· PER AREA CONFERENCE RE- #GPS. OFGPS. GROUP MEMBER· PER
 AREA PORTED CONTRIB. CONTRIB. CONTRIB. SHIP CAPITA AREA PORTED CONTRIB. CONTRIB. CONTRIB. SHIP CAPITA
 ------
 Ala./N.W.Fia 410 209 50.9% 28,707.00 7,863 $3.65 Pennsylvania
 2 Alaska 238 100 41.9 11,276.00 3,667 3.07 59 East 1,387 748 53.9 101,677.00 33,135 3.07
 3 Arizona 804 362 44.9 62,085.00 15,653 3.97 60 West 719 357 49.6 38,609.00 10,605 3.64
 4 Arkansas 230 131 56.9 12,905.00 3,661 3.52 61 Rhode Island 229 102 44.4 10,895.00 5,312 2.05
 California 62 South Carolina 283 184 65.0 26,230.00 5,945 4.41
 5 Southern 1,882 734 38.9 105,394.00 61,315 1.72 63 South Dakota 152 58 38.1 5,535.00 3,477 1.59
 N. Coastal 1,935 1,067 55.0 172,516.00 61,107 2.82 64 Tennessee 471 225 47.8 37,390.00 9,537 3.92
 7 N. Interior 640 308 48.1 38,397.00 18,201 2.11 Texas
 8 San Diego/Imp. 824 384 46.6 56,355.00 25,684 2.19 65 Northeast 414 205 49.4 46,412.00 15.483 3.00
 9 Mid-South. 1,755 751 42.7 82,511.00 54,124 1.52 66 Northwest 223 106 47.5 14.396.00 5,831 2.47
10 Colorado 589 326 55.2 44,921.00 15,119 2.97 67 Southeast 533 243 45.6 32,082.00 16.336 1.96
11 Connecticut 1,352 41.3 68 Southwest 422 192 45.4 34,635.00 9,836 3.52
 559 63,037.00 32,055 1.97
12 Delaware 185 19,482.00 69 Utah 281 188 66.8 24,147.00 4,956 4.87
 112 60.4 3,046 6.40
 70 Vermont 218 96 43.9 11,778.00 4,309 2.73
13 D.C. 440 222 50.5 40,106.00 14,564 2.75
 71 Virginia 1,110 607 54.6 80.622.00 22,011 3.66
 Florida
 72 Washington 1,354 688 50.7 101,719.00 30,505 3.33
14 North 616 350 56.7 58,439.00 13,829 4.23
 73 West Virginia 294 122 41.4 9,920.00 3,545 2.80
15 Soulll/8ahamas/ 1.449 792 54.7 119,367.00 29,472 4.05
 Wisconsin
 V.I.
 74 N. Wis/Upper 606 287 47.3 23,014.00 9,665 2.38
16 Georgia 679 464 68.2 65,350.00 16,947 3.86
 Pen. Mich.
17 Hawaii 253 162 63.9 31,737.00 5,219 6.08
 75 South 899 422 46.8 38,929.00 17,413 2.24
18 Idaho 187 92 49.2 9,884.00 2,857 3.46
 76 Wyoming 111 63 56.8 4,674.00 1,919 2.44
 Illinois
 77 Puerto Rico 121 69 57.0 5,097.00 1,579 3.23
19 Chicago 1,129 347 30.7 43,924.00 26,283 1.67
 78 Alberta/N.W.T. 578 234 40.5 29,648.00 7,750 3.83
20 North 971 358 36.9 34,431.00 20,624 1.67
 79 B.C./Yukon 718 394 54.8 56,152.00 13,254 4.24
21 South 439 206 46.8 26,429.00 7,348 3.60
 80 Manitoba 148 66 44.5 5,275.00 4,111 1.28
 Indiana
 81 N.B./P.E.I. 215 102 47.3 8,054.00 3,526 2.28
22 North 655 291 44.4 30,884.00 10,558 2.93
 82 N.S./Nfld./Lab. 264 110 41.6 9,439.00 3,630 2.60
23 South 520 279 53.6 29,432.00 10,337 2.85
 Ontario
24 Iowa 53·1 324 51.3 35,320.00 12,620 2.80
 83 East 590 291 49.2 43,294.00 14,295 3.02
25 Kansas 369 194 52.6 22,453.00 9,501 2.36 84 Northeast 169 60 35.5 8,334.00 2,281 3.65
26 Kentucky 62 t 347 55.9 56,232.00 10,805 5.20 85 Northwest 87 78 89.7 7,209.00 1.418 5.08
27 Louisiana 531 219 41.1 29,050.00 10,550 2.75 86 West 501 185 36.9 29,928.00 9,939 3.01
28 Maine 461 171 37.0 15,250.00 7,860 1.94 Quebec 1
29 Maryland 867 394 45.3 53,633.00 13,542 3.96 87 Southwest 578 308 53.3 30,284.00 14,970 2.02
 Massachusetts 88 Southeast 229 138 60.2 9,437.00 2.87
 3.288
30 East 1.525 572 37.5 75,623.00 52,017 1.45 89 Northeast 366 359 98.0 19,807.00 6,913 2.87
31 West 237 125 52.6 14,831.00 5,273 2.81 90 Northwest 394 237 60.2 35,910.00 7,880 4.55
 Michigan 91 Saskatchewan 325 164 50.5 15,791.00 4,205 3.76
32 Central 543 217 40.0 32,998.00 12,331 2.68
 Total U.S./ 54,576 25,728 47.1 $3,409,190.00 1.223,017 2.79
33 Southeast 624 282 45.1 54,360.00 16,311 3.33 Canada
34 West 432 213 49.3 31,807.00 9,443 3.37
 Minnesota
35 North 536 252 46.9 19,168.00 8,275 2.32 Individual, in memoriam, & special meetings 174,334.00
36 South 960 418 43.5 46,238.00 21,168 2.18 Specials 240,185.00
37 Mississippi 238 124 52.1 13,179.00 3,836 3.44
 Total for U.S. & Canada 3,823,709.00
 Missouri
38 East 559 .275 49.2 38,310.00 8,921 4.29
39 West 192 106 55.2 13,075.00 5,934 2.20
 FOREIGN AND OTHER
40 Montana 293 138 47.1 15,202.00 4,456 3.41
 Birds ol a Feather 335.00
41 Nebraska 690 370 53.5 50,084.00 14.986 3.34
 Correctional facility groups 424.00
42 Nevada 360 165 45.8 15,171.00 8,078 '1.88
 Foreign 28,887.00
43 New Hampshire 522 214 41.0 21,775.00 8,503 2.56
 Internationalists 223.00
 New Jersey
 Loners 745.00
44 North 1,254 458 36.4 62,090.00 30,735 2.02 Treatment facility meetings 120.00
45 South 460 259 56.2 38,866.00 8,464 4.59 World Hello 1,002.00
46 New Mexico 339 152 44.7 18,809.00 5,617 3.35
 Grand Total 3,855,446.00
 New York
47 Central 694 295 42.4 43,745.00 10,992 3.98
48 H./M./B. 756 276 36.4 25,695.00 11,324 2.27
49 Southeast 1,776 798 44.8 158,844.00 54,469 2.92
50 West 302 107 35.3 9,096.00 5,140 1.77 CONTRIBUTION COMPARISON -1994-1993
51 North Carolina 812 474 58.3 75,373.00 12,756 5.91 (in U.S. dollars)
52 North Dakota '168 80 47.5 6.475.00 3,324 1.95
 #GPS. % TOTAL CONTRIB.
 Ohio RE· #GPS. OF GPS. GROUP MEMBER- PER
53 Cent. & S.E. 593 168 28.2 16,076.00 8,456 1.90 PORTED CONTRIB. CONTRIB. CONTRIB. SHIP CAPITA
54 Northeast 1,171 302 25.7 37,554.00 23,970 1.57 U.S. & Canada
 2
55 N.W. Ohio/ 271 125 46.0 13,500.00 3,799 3.55 1994 54,576 25,728 47.1% $3,409,190.00 1,223,017 $2.79
 S.E. Mich.
 U.S. & Canada
56 S.W. Ohio 529 223 42.2 31 '150.00 10,770 2.89 1993 55,828 26,620 47.7% $3,359,470.002 1,231,271 $2.73
57 Oklahoma 376 237 63.0 30,729.00 6,403 4.80
 Increase (Decrease) (1 ,252) (892) -0.5% $49,720.00 (8,254) $0.06
58 Oregon 713 360 50.4 43,537.00 13,996 3.11


 Reflects not only those groups that contributed directly to G.S.O., but also those groups that contributed to G.S.O. through their Conference areas (per lists of percentages submitted by areas).
 Group contributions reported on this schedule do not include contributions received as special, individual, in-memoriam, and special meetings_


10

DO

1519

BULLETIN BOARD

Items and Ideas on Area Gatherings for A.A. -Via G.S.O.

Calendar of Events Events listed here are presented solely as a service to readers, not as an endorsement by the General Service Office. For any additional information, please use the addresses provided.

june 2-4–Flagsta;[f, A1iuma. f lagstaff Roundup. Write: Ch. , Box 86002, F lagstaff, AZ 86001 2-4:-Soutlt San fhmcisco, Califomia. 48th Annual NCCAA Summer Conf. Write· Tr., Box 14134, Rohnert Park, CA 94927-1484. 2-4–Dartona Be<tc /1, Florida. F1flh Annual Sp1·ing Roundup. Write: Ch., Box 4911 , South Daytona, l’L 32121 2-4-Angel Pil·e, New MCl.ico. 38th Aru1ual New Mexico Conv. Write: Ch., Box 1045, Taos, NM 87571

3-5-Rocky M ountain House, Alber·ta, Canada. Rocky Recovery Roundup. Write: Ch., Box 478, Rocky Mountain House, AB TOM 1T3 8-11-Hager~town, Maryland. 25th State Conv. Write: Ch., 8008 Old Alexandria feny Rd., Clinton, MD 20735 9-11-Alberta Beach,Alberta, Canada. First Annual C..ampout Roundup. Write: Ch., Box 536, Alberta Be.ach, AB TOE OAO 9-11 – Calgar·y, Alberta, Canada. 14t h Annual Grahtude Roundup. Wnte: Ch., Box 954, Station M, Calgary, AB T2P 2K4

9-11-Burns Lake, British Columbia, Canada. Red Road Warriors Roundup. Write: Ch., Box 967, Bums Lake, BC VQJ 1EO 9 -tt-Dawson C1·eek, British Columbia, Canada. 38th Annual Roundup. Write:

16-18- Topeka, Kansas. Heartland Conf. Write: Ch., Box 213, Topeka, KS 66601 16-18–Akron, Ohio. LIM Conf: Write: Ch., Young People’s Conf. Write: Ch., Box 41091 , Providence, Rl 02940 16-18- Casper, Wyoming . 20th June Jamboree. Write: C’..h., Box 1441, Casper,

WY82601 23_25-Coombs Rodeo Grounds, British Columbia, Canada. 35th Annual Rally. Write: Ch., 715 Ermineskin Ave.,

Parksville, BC V9P 2IA 23-25- Beaver Creek, Colorado. Sixth Annual Serenity in the San Juans. Write: Ch., Box 41!1, Ft. Garland, C.O 81133 23-25-Moodus, Connecticut. Soberfest 1995. Write: Ch., 64 Greenview Lane, MUford, CI’ 06460 23-25- Peoria, Illinois. Peoria Area Intet-group Big Book Seminar. Write: Ch., Box 9096, Peona, IT, 61614-9096 23-25- New Orleans, Lou1siana. 11th Annual LASCYPAA. Write: Ch ., 4041 Tulane Ave., Ste. 301, New Orleans, LA

70119 30-:fulp 2–Montreal, Quebec, Canada. 10th Annual Rendez-vous (sponsored by gay &> lesbian members). Write: CAG, Box 47527, 1990 Mont-Royal, Est; Mont•·e<~l, QCH2H2S8 .

july

For m ore detailed suggestions, see the pages noted. june (page 22): Building blocks of AA- the 1):aditions; changes in AA.

July (page 20): Changes in A A. 21-2B-Havre, Montana. Havre Mini-Conf. Write: Ch., Box 2043, Havre, MT 59501 21-23-Eugene. Oregon. Summerfest ’95. Write: Ch., Box 1172, Eugene, OR 97440

28-30_-Truro, Nova Scotia, Canada. DIStrict 6 Annual M.ini-Evenl. Wr:ite: Ch, Box 308, Truro, NS B2N 5C5 . 28-30-Betltel, Maine. 18th Maine Area Roundup. Write: Ch .. Box 488, Bmns”~ck. ME 04011-0488 28-30-Lima, Ohio. Lima’s 50th Anniv. Write: Ch .• 112 46 Shelby-Freyburg Rd ., Wapakoneta, OH 45895 28-30- Tulsa, Oklahoma. 15th Annual OSRYPAA Roundup. Write: Ch,, Box 471331, 1\tlsa, OK 7•1147 28-30-Latrobe, Pennsylvania. Back to Basics Big Book Study. Write. Ch., Box NICK, St. Vmcent Archabbey, Latrobe, PA 15650

14-16-Mtildison, Minnesota. 19th Almual fl’eedom Fest &> Campout. Write: Ch., Rt.

2, Box 8, CorreU, MN 56227 14-16-Houston, Texas. HCYPAA. Write: Ch., Box 37, Spring, TX 77383 20-23-Ra/eigh, North Carolina. 4.J3th State

Ch., 1513-95 Avenue, Dawson Creek. BC

Conv. Write: Ch. , 802 Brookgreen Dr.,

Cary, NC 27511 21-23-Hi.ron, British Columbi£t, Canada.

Roundup. Write : Ch., R.R. 7, Site 12A, Camp Z7, Vernon, BC V1T 6L7

Third Annual Weekend of Gratitude. Write: Ch., Box 441, Hixon, BC VOJ lSO 21-23-Prescott, t\riz.ona.. Shoe String Roundup. Write: Ch., Box 3813, Prescott, AZ 13630.2-.~1313 21-23-Wiclzita, Kansas. Central Oflice’s Summer Roundup. Write: Ch., 2812 E. English, Wichita, KS 67211

Nova Scotia Provincial Roundup . Write: C’..h., Box 461, Blidgewater, NS B4V 2X6 9-11-Ru&w/lvil/e, Arkansas. Eighth Annual Summertime Sobrie ty. Write: Ch., Box 213, Mavflower, AR 72106-0213 9-11-Du);uque, Iowa. 1995 Area Spring Conf. Write: Ch., Box 1218, Dubuque, 1A

Closed Meeting Topics From the Grapevine

Box 360446, Columbus, OH 43236

16-18-Bristol, Rhode Island.

Vl61J9 9-11- Vemon, British Columbia, Canada.

9-11-BT’idgewater, Nova Scotia, Canada.

JUNE -JULY 1995

4-6-Guelph, Ontario, Canada. 26th Annual Central West Ontario Conv. Write: Ch.• 4A-385 Fairway Rd So. , Box 146, Kitchener, ON N2C 2N9 4-6-Redwood Creek . California. 17 th Annual HCI Campout. Write; Ch., 6872 Eureka, CA 95502 4-6-Cromwell, Connecticflt. lZth Annual Walk the Walk Roundup. Wri te: Ch ., Box 1389, New Hnven, C.’T 06505 4-6- Delmar, Marylaud. Ninth Annual Area Weekend Assembly. Write: Ch., Western Assembly, Box 1636, Salisbury, MD 21802 4-7- Darwin City, Austl’lllia. Round-Up

52004-1418 9-1 1-Spdrte:!Wld, Missouri. Fifth Heart of

Planning a Future Event?

the Ozarks Roundup. Write: Ch., Box 1607, Spnngfield, MO 65801 9-11-Raymond, Nebraska. 10th Annual Cornhusker Campi.’lg Outing. Wnte: Ch., 2205 S. 59th, Lincoln, NE 68506 9-11- Utica, New York . New York State Information Workshop. W rite: Ch., 14 Panesi Ave., Rome, New York 13440 9-11-Akron, Ohio. 60th Founder’s Day Weekend. Write: Ch., Box 12, Akron, OH44309

Please send your information on August. Sepkmber or October events, n••o days Ol’ more, in time to reach G.S.O. by]lme 10. the calendar deadline for the August-September tssue ofBor4-5-9.

1.6-18-Cache Creek, Bl’itish Columbia, Canada. 20th Almual Roundup, Write: Ch., Box 558, Cache Creek, BC VOK lHO

16-18-Blenlleim., On.tano, Canada. 17th Annual Mtdseas6n Campout. Write. Ch., Box 5. Chatham, ON N7M 5K1

For your convemence and ours – please type or print the information to be listed on the Bulletin Board page, and mail to us:

Dat’eqfevent:from _ _ __ _ __ _ _ _ _ to _ _ _ __ _ __ _ _, 19 _ __

Name ofevent:

——————————————-

Place (dty, state orprov.): _ _ _ _~~———————-

For information, wnte: (e..r:act matlingaddressJ _ _ __ _ __ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ __

Contact phone# iforoffice useonlp): _ _ __ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ __

Flip up this end ofpage -for events on reverse side

Weekend . Write: Ch. , Box 40760, Casuarina, NT 0811, Aust ralia

5-6-Campbell Rt.ver, llritisl! Columbia, Canada. 22nd Annual Rally. Write: Ch .• Box 652, Campbell River, BC V9W q)J 10-13-Hot Springs, Arkansas. State Conv. Write: Ch., Box 70, Redfield, AR 72132

11-13- Tulameen, British Columbia, Canada. Annual Tulam een Campout. Write: Sec., Site 3C,C-3, Tulameen , BC VOX2LO

17-20-0maha, Nebraska. Cornhusker Round Up VHI. Write: Ch., Box 425, Bellevue, NE 68005 18-20-C!shawa, Ontario, Canada. 23rd Annual Lakeshore C.onf. Write: Ch., 200 TI1omtonRd N., Oshawa , ON L\J 6T3 18-20–Moline, Illinois. 22nd Annual State Conf Write: Ot., Box 11, East Moline, JL 61244-0011 18-20-0ver/and, Kansas. Ninth Annua l KCACYI’AA. Write: Ch., Box 3510, Shawnee, KS 66.203 24-27-Loui.sville, Kt:l’ltucky. 51st SE Conf/ Fifth Fall City Conv. Write: Ch., Box 37137, Louisville, J(Y 40233-7137

25-27-]ackson, Mississippi. Ninth ArulUal

1-3-Seattle (Sea- Tac), Washington.

Mississippi Oldtimcrs Roundup. Write: Ch ., Box20664,Jackson, MS 39289 25-27- ]oplin, Missouri. E ighth Annua l Summer Hummer. Write: Ch., 527 Winfield, Joplin, MO 6<1801

Sponsorship Conf Write: Ch., llox 99945, Tacoma, WA 98499 1-4-San Francisco. Califomia. Western Roundup . Wricc: Ch., Box 420974, San Francisco, CA 94142 1-4-Tampa, Florida. Fall Roundup. Wrile: Ch., Box 262545, Tampa, FL 33685 8 -10-Vallecito Lake, Colorado. Four Comers Roundup. Wrile: Ch., 755 E. 2nd Ave., Ste.L, Durango, CO 81301 8-10-Cromwell, Connecticut. 37th Annual Area Conv. Write: Ch., 61 Laurel Lane, Ridgefield, GT 06887 15-17-EI Prado. New Mexico. 12th Taos Mountain Fiesta. Write: Ch., Box 253, El Prado, NM 87529 21-24-Pensarola Beacll, Flotida. Alabama/ NW Florida Area Conv. Write: Ch., Box 8083, Pensacola, FL 32505 29-0ct.t-Muscatine, Iowa. Melon City Roundup IV. Write: Ch. , Box 1244, Muscatine, lA 52761

25-27-]amestown, New York. Tri-State and Canada Assembly. Write: Ch., Box 1977, Butler, PA 16003 25-27-Kcttlc Falls, Washington. Disc. 51 Campout. Wrlce: Ch., 774 S. Elm, Colville, WA 99114 31-Sept. 3-Hono/ulu, Hawaii. 36th ICYPM. Write: Ch., llox 295759, Honolulu, HI 96820

September 1-3- Corner Brook, Newfoundland, Canada. 31sl NS-Nfld-Lab. Assembly. Write: Ch., 7 Basha Place, Curling, Nl’ A2HGT9

1-3-Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada. 23rd Annual NWr Round Up. Write: Ch., Box 1641, Yel lowknife, NT X1A2P2