News and Notes from the General Service Office of A.A.® www.aa.org Vol. 52, No.3 June-July 2006

■ 56th General Service Conference “Sponsorship, Service and Self-Support in a Changing World” “Because we set such a high value on our great liberties, and cannot conceive a time when they will need to be limited, we here specially enjoin our General Service Conference to abstain completely from any and all acts of authoritative government which could in any wise curtail A.A.’s freedom under God. The maintenance of these freedoms in our Conference is a great and practical guarantee that the Conference itself will always remain democratic in action and in spirit. “Therefore we expect that our Conferences will always try to act in the spirit of mutual respect and love — one member for another. In turn, this sign signifies that mutual trust should prevail; that no action ought to be taken in anger, haste, or recklessness; that care will be observed to respect and protect all minorities; that no action should ever be personally punitive; that whenever possible, important actions will be taken in substantial unanimity; and that our Conference will ever be prudently on guard against tyrannies, great or small, whether these be found in the majority or in the minority.” With co-founder Bill W.’s words from Concept XII in mind, the 56th General Service Conference of Alcoholics Anonymous in the United States and Canada was held at the Crowne Plaza Times Square, April 23-29. The 136 members who make up the General Service Conference consist of delegates from the 93 service areas, Class A (nonalcoholic) and Class B (alcoholic) trustees, and directors and staff of the two corporations—A.A. World Services, Inc. and The A.A. Grapevine, Inc. Chairing this year’s Conference were Leonard Blumenthal (nonalcoholic) chairman of the board;

Greg M., G.S.O.’s general manager; and Michael S., delegate chairperson. Rick W., G.S.O. staff, was Conference coordinator. Throughout, the Conference was ably assisted by staff and support personnel of the General Service and Grapevine offices. The Conference officially opened Sunday afternoon with the roll call, followed by Greetings from Michael S., delegate chair, and the Keynote address, delivered by Robert P., Eastern Canada regional trustee. Guests observing at this year’s Conference were Valerie M., general manager of G.S.O. Australia, and Noriaki N., general manager of G.S.O. Japan. At the open A.A. meeting that followed the Sunday evening dinner, Keith H. (Hawaii) chaired. The meeting was led by Gail L. (Virginia) and speakers were: Meri R. (Northern Indiana), Mike N. (North Dakota), George M. (A.A.W.S. director), Gayle S.R. (G.S.O. staff), and Howard L. (trustee). This June marks the 10th anniversary of La Viña, the Spanish-language magazine equivalent of the A.A. Grapevine. On Monday afternoon, Hernán M., editor of La Viña, spoke on the history of the magazine and plans for its future. The presentation was followed by the traditional anniversary cake with 10 candles. Throughout the busy week Conference sessions began at 9:00 a.m. and often continued to 9:00 p.m. or beyond. There were presentation/discussion sessions (including one on this year’s Conference theme, “Sponsorship, Service and Self-support in a Changing World”), reports, area service highlights, and “What’s On Your Mind?” sharing sessions. However, the major work of the Conference takes

Box 4-5-9 is published bimonthly by the General Service Office of Alcoholics Anonymous, 475 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10115, © Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc., 2006

Conference members met once more Saturday morning for the closing brunch. Farewell talks were given by rotating trustees Phyllis H., Robert P. and Ron G. (general service trustee). Following the brunch, delegates boarded mini-buses for a trip to Bedford Hills, New York, to visit Stepping Stones, the home of Bill W. and his wife, Lois — a nice ending to this Conference experience.

Mail address: P.O. Box 459, Grand Central Station New York, NY 10163 G.S.O.’s A.A. Web Site: www.aa.org Subscriptions: Individual, $3.50 per year; group, $6.00 for each unit of 10 per year. Check—made payable to A.A.W.S., Inc.—should accompany order.

place during the meetings and deliberations of the eleven standing Conference committees. Delegates review background material on items forwarded to them, and any resulting committee recommendations are presented to the entire Conference for a vote. Thus the group conscience of the Fellowship results in Conference Advisory Actions. (Highlights of Actions appear on page 3.) Wednesday afternoon the Conference elected two new regional trustees. Madeline P. of Pocatello, Idaho will succeed Phyllis H., as the Pacific regional trustee, and Denis V. of Brossard, Québec will follow Robert P. as Eastern Canada’s trustee. The new general service trustee, who will serve as a director on the A.A.W.S. Board, will be Jane S., of Beasley, Texas. Darryl M., Kentucky, will be the delegate chairperson for the 2007 Conference; Pat L., Alberta/NWT, will be alternate chair. Among the many activities during the week, New York Intergroup Association hosted a hospitality suite on Saturday, before the official Sunday opening, where earlyarriving Conference members could get together for fellowship and coffee, greeting old friends and meeting new ones. From Monday to Friday at 7:30 a.m., the G.S.C. Serenity Group held an open A.A. meeting, with topics based on readings from A.A. literature. The meetings were chaired by Bill C. (SE New York); Mark C. (Illinois, Chicago) was secretary treasurer. Tuesday afternoon Conference members and their guests visited the G.S.O. and Grapevine offices. Throughout the week volunteer A.A. members led tours of the city for the approximately 85 guests (many were A.A.s or Al-Anons) who had accompanied Conference members to New York. A Circle Line boat trip around Manhattan Island and a tour of NBC studios were among the activities. Friday afternoon the Conference officially closed with the Serenity Prayer, led by Patricia R. in French, Francisco A. in Spanish, Chip B. in English, and Noriaki N. in Japanese. 2

■ Opening for Class A (nonalcoholic) Trustee The trustees’ Nominating Committee asks that trustees, delegates and directors submit any names they deem appropriate as candidates for Class A (nonalcoholic) trustee. Class A trustees are chosen from a variety of professional backgrounds, including doctors, lawyers, clergy, social workers and educators. The Class A trustee who will rotate after the 2007 General Service Conference is Allen L. Ault, Ed.D., whose background is in the corrections field, and who is currently dean of the college of Justice and Safety, University of Eastern Kentucky. Please submit your candidates’ professional resumés to the Secretary, trustees’ Nominating Committee, General Service Office by June 30, 2006.

■ Estimates of Groups and Members as of January 1, 20061 United States Canada Sub-Total 2 Correctional facilities Internationalists Lone members Total 3 Outside U.S. & Canada Grand Total

Groups

Members

52,050 6,214 ______ 58,264 2,527

1,068,516 110,449 _________ 1,178,965 65,843 71 245 _________ 1,245,124 702,538 _________ 1,947,662

______ 60,791 45,436 ______ 106,227

______ 1. The General Service Office does not keep membership records. The information shown here is based on reports given by groups listed with G.S.O., and does not represent an actual count of those who consider themselves A.A. members. 2. U.S. and Canada only. 3. We are aware of A.A. activity in more than 180 countries, including 57 autonomous general service offices in other lands. Annually we attempt to contact those G.S.O.s and groups that request to be listed in our records. Where current data is lacking we use an earlier year’s figures.

■ 2006 Conference Advisory Actions and Additional Considerations Conference Advisory Actions represent recommendations made by the standing committees and approved by the Conference body as a whole; or recommendations discussed and voted upon by all Conference members during general sessions. Some Advisory Actions and a few additional committee considerations appear below in condensed form. A complete list will be published in the Final Conference Report.

Public Information—that the television public service announcement (P.S.A.) “Testimonials” developed by the trustees’ Public Information committee be approved completing a four year replacement schedule initiated by the 2002 Conference; that the section on “Marital Status” on the “A.A. Membership Survey Questionnaire” be revised and retitled as “Domestic Status” with the following four options: Married, Single, Divorced, Other (please specify_________).

Advisory Actions Agenda—that the theme for the 2007 General Service Conference be: “Our 12th Step Responsibility—Are We Going to Any Length?”; that the Workshop topic for the 2007 General Service Conference be “Spiritual Value of Our A.A. Dollars.” Cooperation With the Professional Community— that three short video segments be produced that can be accessed on G.S.O.’s A.A. Web site and directed to professionals in the employment/ human relations, legal/criminal justice, and medical fields, and brought back to the 2007 Conference Committee on Cooperation With the Professional Community, with a total cost not to exceed $60,000. Correctional—that the draft manuscript of A.A. in Prison: Inmate to Inmate be approved; that an informational media presentation be developed featuring someone highly credible in the corrections field introducing A.A. to training academies and in-service training programs for corrections personnel and be brought back to the 2007 Conference Committee on Corrections. Finance—that the word “donation” be replaced with the word “contribution” in A.A.W.S. literature. Literature—that the revised draft pamphlet “Too Young?” be approved; that the revised draft pamphlet “It Happened to Alice!” be approved; that the draft manuscript of the pamphlet “Young People and A.A.” be approved; that the Spanish-language Third Edition Big Book, Alcohólicos Anónimos, continue to be developed and that a report be brought back to the 2007 Conference Literature Committee. Policy/Admissions—that current General Service members and G.S.O. staff members from other countries be granted admission as observers, upon their request, to the annual General Service Conference of the U.S. and Canada, that admission is not to exceed two countries and two representatives per country, one being a board member and/or one G.S.O. staff member at each General Service Conference; that the request for admission be made through the General Service Office in New York, and that decisions regarding responsibility for guest observer expenses be at the discretion of the General Service Board.

Report and Charter—that the graphic, “Service Structure Inside the A.A. Group,” as it appeared in the 1998-1999 edition, be restored in Chapter 2 of The A.A. Service Manual. Treatment Facilities—that the phrase “and other noncorrectional environments” be added to the scope of the Conference Committee on Treatment Facilities so that it will read as follows: “The purpose of a treatment facilities committee is to coordinate the work of individual A.A. members and groups who are interested in carrying our message of recovery to alcoholics in treatment facilities and other noncorrectional environments, and to set up means of ‘bridging the gap’ from the facility to the A.A. community. The committee will review all aspects of service to A.A. groups/meetings in treatment facilities and other noncorrectional environments and make recommendations for changes and/or improvements.” Trustees—that the slate of trustees and officers of the General Service Board be elected at the annual meeting of the G.S.B. in April 2006; that the slate of directors of the A.A. World Services Corporate Board be elected at the annual meeting of the A.A.W.S. Board in April 2006; that the slate of directors of the Grapevine Corporate Board be elected at the annual meeting of the Grapevine Board in April 2006.

Additional Considerations Archives—considered annually reviewing a list to be compiled by G.S.O.’s archivist of proposed archival recordings (format to be determined by A.A.W.S.) to be produced for sale by A.A.W.S. so that the Conference might provide guidance prior to production. Grapevine—that the A.A. Grapevine Board consider the suggestion that the A.A. Grapevine produce an anthology of La Viña stories in the year 2007 or later. International Conventions/A.A. Regional Forums—the committee noted the addition of registration flyers to the Regional Forums section of G.S.O.’s A.A. Web site; that the report on the 2005 International Convention be accepted.

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■ Reports From G.S.O., the General Service Board, and Trustees’ Committees ■ General Service Board Trustees’ report: The timing of this Conference is especially significant in that we are entering the second half of the first century since Bill W. turned the ongoing stewardship of the Fellowship over to the Conference. Our theme this year is particularly appropriate in that it conveys the sacrifices each participant continues to make to ensure that A.A. is a spiritual experience for all who work to foster our Three Legacies. A highlight last year was the International Convention, held in Toronto, Ontario. Over 44,000 A.A. members, families and friends from 88 countries joined together for a joyful celebration of A.A.’s 70th Anniversary. This year we welcomed six new trustees to the board: Class A (nonalcoholic) trustee Jeanne Woodford, as well as five Class B (alcoholic) trustees: Paul C., general service trustee, Howard L., Southeast regional trustee; Ray M., general service trustee; Robert M., East Central regional trustee; and Dorothy W., trustee-at-large/U.S. At the close of this annual meeting, three trustees will rotate: Ronald G., Phyllis H., and Robert P. In February, we welcomed our new G.S.O. Archivist, Amy Filiatreau. Amy assumed Judit Olah’s responsibilities following Judit’s resignation in August 2005. At the 55th General Service Conference, it was reported that the Big Book, Alcoholics Anonymous, is available in 52 languages worldwide. Currently the translation for the Big Book in Hebrew is near completion, and the Arabic Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions is in progress. Publications maintains contact with General Service Offices or committees in other countries to achieve accurate translations of Conference-approved pamphlets. Late summer, as Hurricane Katrina’s devastating forces struck, our thoughts and prayers extended to those in its path. Because of continuous and generous contributions from A.A. groups and members, Publications was ready to respond to requests for literature from local offices and committees involved in setting up A.A. meetings for evacuees. In January, G.S.O. hosted an EAP (Employee Assistance Program) and Human Resources Day of Sharing. We gained insight on how A.A. might approach EAP/HR professionals to provide information and shared experience. Early this year, the U.S. Department of State contacted G.S.O. to arrange a visit to the office for eight professionals from Russia who are concerned about alcoholism in their country and interested in Alcoholics Anonymous. In February, the delegation from Russia, including Siberia and remote communities of eastern Russia, along with their translators, visited the General Service Office.

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When we read Bill W.’s three Convention talks on the Legacies of Recovery, Unity and Service, we are reminded of the inspiration of our co-founder and the God-given ability he possessed in articulating them. These Legacies continue to be the template against which we can measure ourselves, our actions and our decisions that will shape and guide Alcoholics Anonymous into the future. Leonard M. Blumenthal, LL.D., (nonalcoholic) chairman

■ Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. Directors’ report: Directors serving on Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. (A.A.W.S.) report to the General Service Conference on A.A. publications, group services provided by the General Service Office, and other activities linked directly to A.A.’s primary purpose. Our purpose, expressed through requested services and publication of A.A. literature, is to better enable members and groups to share A.A.’s solution with each suffering alcoholic. The A.A.W.S. Board met seven times since the 55th Conference to receive G.S.O. management and staff reports; review group services activity and progress on implementation of Conference and board recommendations; review financial reports; price new or revised publications; consider publishing operations and matters of G.S.O. administration; discuss requests from A.A. members and non-A.A.s for permission to reprint A.A.-copyrighted literature; and address other pertinent matters. G.S.O. welcomed 1,818 visitors during 2005, as well as several groups of 15-50 members. A net total of 1,100 new A.A. groups registered with G.S.O. last year. Each new group’s general service representative or contact received A.A. literature and basic information. The board approved the 2005 Annual Web Site Activity Report, and forwarded it to the trustees’ Public Information Committee. In 2005, there were over three million visits to the Web site, 27% more than in 2004. The redesigned Web site (www.aa.org) was launched on schedule, December 31, 2005. Trustees and G.S.O. staff traveled overseas to share with A.A. members and trusted servants in other service structures, including to South Africa, Russia, Belarus, Australia, China, Japan, Germany, the Dominican Republic, Bahrain, and Tahiti. The A.A.W.S. Board approved the 2006 budget and forwarded it to the trustees’ Finance & Budgetary Committee for review. Publications—In 2005, G.S.O. distributed a total of 2,104,525 units, down 5% from 2,219,591 units in 2004. In 2005, A.A. purchases totaled 1,670,763 units; while non-A.A.

purchases accounted for 433,726 units, or 21%. For 2005, 974,880 Big Books were distributed, compared to 1,201,569 in 2004. Translations and Licensing Projects: Translations completed include: updated Romanian and Russian, Alcoholics Anonymous, that include the Foreword and the Twelve Concepts from the Fourth Edition; Sinhalese, “Information on A.A.”; Simplified Chinese, A.A. Guidelines on “Central and Intergroup Offices,” “Clubs” and “For Members Employed in the Alcoholism Field” and Daily Reflections; Czech and Korean, “Information on Alcoholics Anonymous”; Latvian, Daily Reflections; Hmong, “44 Questions,” “A Newcomer Asks,” “A Brief Guide to Alcoholics Anonymous,” “Information on A.A.,” “This is A.A.,” and “Is A.A. for You?”; Danish, “Is There an Alcoholic in Your Life?” Licenses were granted to boards or committees serving A.A. in their countries to translate and/or print and distribute: Japanese, Dr. Bob and the Good Oldtimers, A.A. Guidelines on “How A.A. Members Cooperate with Professionals,” “A.A. in Treatment Facilities,” and “Is There an Alcoholic in the Workplace?”; Swedish, Dr. Bob and the Good Oldtimers and Pass It On; Arabic, “Information on A.A.,” “A Newcomer Asks,” “Is A.A. For Me?,” “44 Questions,” “This is A.A.,” “Is A.A. For You?,” Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions (regular edition), and Alcoholics Anonymous (4th Edition); Ecuador to print and distribute Spanish Living Sober; Dutch, “A.A. in Your Community,” “Understanding Anonymity,” “Speaking at Non-A.A. Meetings,” “Let’s Be Friendly With Our Friends” and “Problems Other Than Alcohol”; Polish, Dr. Bob and the Good Oldtimers; Portuguese, “Questions & Answers on Sponsorship” and “The Jack Alexander Article about A.A.” Online Ordering System: A Web-based ordering system for area, districts, central/intergroup offices and other large purchasers was implemented on March 13, 2006. Plans are underway to rewrite the Fellowship database to make it operate more efficiently and provide easier access for area registrars as they help us keep our records current. The board approved G.S.O.’s management request to enter into negotiations with the Interchurch Center for a new 10-year lease and forwarded the report to the trustees’ Finance & Budgetary Committee for review and disapproval, if any. At year-end, G.S.O. had 77 full-time employees, plus 6 part-time/students. The migration of our Information Technology (IT) back-room functions, including our main servers, was completed in June. With Invision, an outside vendor located approximately 60 miles away, we now have 24/7 monitoring of our servers. Gary K., chairperson

■ Archives Trustees’ report: The project to preserve and restore the majority of reel-to-reel tapes, audio cassette tapes and phonograph recordings is ongoing. There is also a new project to restore and preserve the collection of films and videos at the G.S.O. Archives. The main goal of the film preservation project is to maintain the historical sights, sounds, and valuable information contained within the films in our care. Two issues of the Archives newsletter were published. A subcommittee was appointed to explore the feasibility of expanding distribution of Markings in response to increased interest in the newsletter. Herb G., chairperson Archivist’s report: The Archives area at the Toronto International Convention was an outstanding success. The specially designed exhibit was well received, along with the souvenir items that were developed for the event, including a double CD, “History of Service” and a complimentary souvenir bookmark. The audio preservation work progresses as we move to the next phase of preserving other historic recordings, which includes oral history, Regional Forums and World Service Meetings. Our database now holds over three thousand audio records. The Archives continued to enrich its collection of treasures received from donors, including early printings of A.A. books and other A.A. related material. Amy Filiatreau, archivist

■ Audit Committee Trustees’ report: The trustees’ Audit Committee, formed in 2003 by the General Service Board, consists of four trustees and the board treasurer. The committee reviews such items as audit process, audit results, internal controls, best accounting practices, and management integrity. Vince Keefe, (nonalcoholic) treasurer

■ Conference Trustees’ report: We reviewed the Advisory Actions, including the theme for the 56th General Service Conference, “Sponsorship, Service and Self-Support in a Changing World,” and the Evaluation Questionnaires. The committee approved the updated 2006 Conference week schedule that includes presentation topics approved by the 2005 Conference. The committee discussed a suggestion that the “two-minute timer” procedure at the General Service Conference be flexible and agreed to request that the Conference allow additional time at the microphone for those who speak English as a second language and may need additional time to express themselves. Arnold R., chairperson Staff report: The Conference coordinator is the G.S.O. contact for General Service

Conference members. The Conference process continues throughout the year and the coordinator corresponds regularly with delegates and alternate delegates, who cooperate to make the annual Conference responsive to the needs of the Fellowship. The coordinator of the Conference is also the contact for area and district committee members, as well as past delegates, in the 93 areas throughout the United States and Canada. The coordinator is responsible for: serving as secretary to the Conference Agenda Committee and the trustees’ Committee on the General Service Conference; assembling suggestions for the Conference theme, presentation/discussion and workshop topics; working with the G.S.O. staff and general manager on planning and coordinating each phase of the Conference; scheduling and assembling reports and other information for the Conference Manual; and, with the guidance of the Publications Department, the Early Bird edition of Box 4-5-9 and the Conference Final Report. Rick W.

1,900 inquiries from professionals, 963 of which were associated with visits to G.S.O.’s A.A. Web site, other requests coming by letter, e-mail, fax and phone. Meetings with medical students throughout the year are an important part of this assignment. About AA is also the responsibility of the C.P.C. staff person. Irene K. Treatment Facilities—The purpose of the Treatment Facilities assignment is to share experience and information with committees that carry the A.A. message into a variety of treatment settings. G.S.O. currently lists 85 Area Treatment Facilities committee chairpersons, plus 398 district and other T.F. chairpersons, as well as 22 Area Bridging the Gap and 21 Area Hospitals and Institutions committee chairpersons; 142 BTG and H&I district and other chairpersons are also listed. We share highlights from the trustees’ meetings and activities from the T.F. staff assignment with area, district and other T.F. chairs, for the benefit of the committees they chair. Mary Clare L.

■ Cooperation With the Professional Community/ Treatment Facilities

■ Corrections

Trustees’ report: C.P.C.—The committee assists local C.P.C. committees to provide A.A. information to professionals who, through their work, may come in contact with the still-suffering alcoholic. The committee reviewed the contents of the C.P.C. Kit, including the C.P.C. Workbook, and oversaw the inclusion of shared experience in the C.P.C. Workbook on ways local committees approach professionals in addition to writing letters. The committee reviewed requests to reprint the chapter “To Employers” in pamphlet form and took no action. The sense of the committee was that taken out of context, the chapter contains dated practices. Treatment Facilities—In response to a request from the 2005 Conference Committee on Public Information to update the video Hope: Alcoholics Anonymous, the committee viewed the video and decided that it was not sufficiently outdated to warrant the expense of an update at this time. The 2005 Conference Committee on Treatment Facilities, staff, and the trustee’s Committee on Treatment Facilities reviewed text changes which will be incorporated into the Treatment Facilities Workbook at the next printing. The committee agreed to discuss a possible revision of its Composition, Scope and Procedure at their July 2006 meeting. Allen Ault, (nonalcoholic) chairperson Staff reports: C.P.C.—The staff member on the C.P.C. assignment, along with an assistant, provides information about A.A. and facilitates communication with those outside A.A. who may have direct contact with the still-suffering alcoholic through their professional work. In 2005, the C.P.C. desk responded to more than

Trustees’ report: The purpose of the trustees’ Committee on Corrections is to recommend to the General Service Board actions that support carrying the A.A. message to alcoholics confined in a variety of correctional settings. Since the 2005 General Service Conference, the trustees’ Committee on Corrections has met three times. The committee reviewed the revised draft manuscript of A.A. in Prison: Inmate to Inmate and recommended that it be forwarded to the 2006 Conference Committee on Corrections. The committee also forwarded to the Conference a progress report on the development of an informational media presentation introducing A.A. to corrections training academies and to corrections personnel. The committee agreed that the service piece “How to Conduct a Sharing Session,” which is referenced in the guidelines, be included in the Corrections Workbook. The committee agreed that the Corrections Correspondence Service serve both the U.S. and Canada, taking into consideration geography and language. Chuck B., chairperson Staff report: The Corrections assignment is responsible for helping A.A. members and local committees carry the A.A. message to alcoholics confined in a variety of correctional settings. Nearly 600 letters a month arrive from inmates, most requesting free literature, many asking to participate in our Corrections Correspondence Service (C.C.S.) or for help in making contact with A.A. upon their release. We try to facilitate these requests, primarily through our network of area, district and local Correctional Facilities committees. The newsletter, Sharing From Behind the Walls, containing excerpts of sharing from inmate letters sent to G.S.O., is also a responsibility of this assignment. Mary D.

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■ Finance and Budgetary Trustees’ report: At last year’s Conference we reviewed the proposed budget for 2005 and reported that the G.S.O. expected a slight profit from operations of approximately $71,483, which after mid-year adjustments, resulted in an estimated loss of $83,517. Actual results for 2005 were about $1 million better. While expenses for the year were within $32,000 (three tenths of one percent) of budget, net revenues were significantly better than expected. At the end of 2006, the Reserve Fund balance represented approximately 8.75 months of operating expenses. Our revenue essentially comes from two sources: profit from literature sales and contributions. We should all be encouraged that contributions in 2005 were again higher than the previous year, in this case by about $225,000 (4.3%). This represents the eighth year in a row that contributions have increased. Contributions of $5,282,000 received from groups and members were $115,000, or 2%, greater than budgeted, and $218,000 (4%) more than in 2004. The $5,282,000 in contributions came from about 25,067 groups, individuals, and service entities. That, for comparison, represents 43.2% of the 58,067 groups registered with G.S.O., just slightly less than the 43.7% last year. Beginning in 2002, we were obliged to record funds received on behalf of the World Service Meeting International Literature Fund as Contributions to G.S.O. Total contributions of $5,417,000, reflected in our 2005 financial statements, include approximately $135,000 received to help carry the message around the world from those participating countries. The comparable comparisons for prior years were: 2004, $128,357; 2003, $102,900; and 2002, $108,000. While total contribution dollars were slightly higher again this year, and the number of groups listed at G.S.O. was also slightly higher, the percent of groups contributing has again decreased. It is important to remember that the statistics we discuss concerning number of groups, membership and averages are only a reflection of the information we capture on our systems. We report to you what you report to us. Turning to the other major component of our income, net sales of literature were $11,601,100, which was $476,000 (4%) greater than budgeted, and $303,500 higher than 2004. During 2005, with the exception of the Big Book, units of book sold generally increased slightly over 2004. (During 2005, the total number of Big Books sold was only 37,000, or 3.7%, less than in 2003). This reflects the combined effect of buying and leveling off resulting from the mid year price adjustments of different titles two years in a row. In total, printing and other manufacturing costs, shipping expenses and royalty payments were less than budgeted by a considerable margin. Gross profit of $6,676,600 was $943,000 more than budgeted.

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The combination of contributions and net literature sales resulted in total G.S.O. revenue of $12,103,100, some $1,092,000 greater than originally budgeted. Total operating expenses for G.S.O. during 2005 were $11,126,900, approximately $32,000 over budget and $90,000 less than the previous year. Compared with the budget, the increase in revenues offset by the slightly increased expenses resulted in an operating profit of $976,170 for the year, a substantial improvement from the budgeted loss of $83,917. In 1994, G.S.O. lowered prices and increased discounts on literature. These changes were undertaken to lower the Reserve Fund, which was approaching the upper limit established by the General Service Conference of 12 months of combined G.S.O. and Grapevine operating expenses. The adjusted balance used for the calculation, $9,253,935, amounts to about $159 per listed A.A. group. Contributions received averaged about $91 for the 58,067 groups registered, while expenses to support services to those groups amounted to approximately $128. Turning to 2006, the G.S.O. budget, anticipates a return to more “normal levels” of unit sales following the price adjustments of the past two years. Last year, your responsible trusted servants, after reviewing financial matters, recommended an increase in prices of books and booklets (except the Big Book), as well as an imposition of a small shipping charge effective July 1, 2005. Prudence dictated that even though Contribution revenue has seen favorable upward movement during the last several years, restoration of the overall revenue stream was appropriate. Trusted servants continue to explore methods to reduce the costs of operations, as well as assess the services supplied. You should also be aware that as we continue to strive to have literature available—for our Service Conference, in the Spanish and French languages as well as English—lower print runs in those languages result in higher production costs. Because we strive to have similar selling prices regardless of our manufacturing cost, lower overall gross profits are an expected result, making price increases required from time to time. This year’s budget anticipates a slight increase in contributions. The budget envisions approximately an 8.8% increase in costs when compared with 2005 actual results, and a 9% increase when compared with the 2005 budget. Following three consecutive years of planned losses (1995-1997), the Reserve Fund was at a point where it was prudent to anticipate slightly better than break-even years, and we did! Then, following a very good year in 2000, both from operations and the Convention, the Reserve Fund was approaching the 12-month level In 2005, we spent $7,443,300 on services to the Fellowship, approximately $189,000, or 2.5%, less than the $7,622,288 spent in 2004.

This compares with $7,622,288 in 2004, $7,088,055 in 2003, $7,182,000 in 2002, $6,685,600 spent in 2001, $6,143,300 spent in 2000, $5,876,500 in 1999, $5,867,700 in 1998, and $5,944,000 in 1997. Contributions provided 73%, and 27% came from the profit from literature sales. (This compares with 68% and 32% in 2004; 72% and 28% in 2003; 71% and 29% in 2002; 70% and 30% in 2001; and 73% and 27% for 2000.) Services spending amounted to $128 per listed A.A. group, down $4 from the previous year, while contributions were about $91 per group, up $1. The 2005 service dollar was spent on the following activities: Group Services 32.6% (which includes the Group Services assignment; Box 4-5-9; A.A. Directories; records and files; contributions processing; and French services); the General Service Conference, 13.4%; Loners, Internationalists, and Overseas Services, 10%; trustees’ and directors’ activities, 7.6%; Regional Forums, 7.5%; Archives, 8.7%; C.P.C., 6.2%; Public Information, 4.9%; Correctional Facilities, 4.3%; and Treatment Facilities, 1.6%; Convention Activities, 2.7%, other various 0.5%. At the Grapevine, magazine income was approximately even with the prior year while average circulation was down approximately 3.7%. Average circulation during 2005 was 104,356, compared with 108,426 for 2004, 112,614 for 2003, 115,753 for 2002, 115,000 in 2001, 115,700 in 2000, 115,900 for 1999, 117,300 for 1998, 120,679 for 1997, and 128,360 during 1996. Gross profit on the magazine was $1,163,000, which was $11,000 less than last year but $38,000 more than budgeted. See the Grapevine directors’ report for details. La Viña had 2005 average circulation of 9,453. This compared with 2004 average of 9,316, 2003 average circulation of 9,222, and 2002 circulation of 9,000. Past circulation is 8,600 in 2001, 8,500 in 2000, 8,000 in 1999, and 8,400 in 1997. During 2005, subscription income was $81,360 and direct costs of publishing were $77,450, resulting in a $3,907 gross profit. The overall loss on the project for the year was $107,739. For 2006, the loss on the La Viña project is budgeted to decrease approximately $27,000, to $80,699, and circulation is projected to increase slightly to 9,700 copies. Since the inception of the project, $1,100,000 has been invested in La Viña. In 2001, the General Service Board recommended that La Viña continue to be published at the General Service Board’s expense. During the year, the Trustees Finance and Budgetary Committee received reports from two subcommittees. One subcommittee studying Post Retirement Medical Benefit Obligations (FAS 106) recommended and the General Service Board approved the creation a separate “Board Designated Fund” of the General Service Boards to account for and receive funds to fund these future benefit obligations and that the operating corporations annually fund such amounts. A subcom-

mittee responded to the 2005 Conference Finance Committees request create a “Draft Finance Card.” The 70th Anniversary Convention held in Toronto this past year realized income of $3,919,300, and incurred direct expenses of $3,958,400, which resulted in a modest loss of $39,000 for the event. Vincent Keefe, (nonalcoholic) treasurer

■ General Sharing Session Trustees’ report: The topic of the July 2005 session was “Is the Conference Process Working? Pro and Con.” The October topic was “The A.A. Grapevine and La Viña.” In January 2006, the session focused on “Our Collective Group Conscience.” Bill Clark, (nonalcoholic) chairperson

Group Services Staff report: To assist groups, G.S.O. provides service material to the Fellowship, based on an indicated need, to provide information and share experience not found in Conferenceapproved literature. Examples of service material include: Group Handbooks; G.S.R. and D.C.M. Kits; A.A. Guidelines; List of Fellowships similar to A.A.; a catalog of A.A. Literature and Audiovisual Material for Special Needs. Ongoing projects: coordinating directories and supervising service material such as A.A. Guidelines, Group Handbooks, G.S.R., and D.C.M. Kits. Group Services coordinator works closely with G.S.O.’s Intra-Office Web site committee to update and improve G.S.O.’s A.A. Web site. Warren S.

■ International/ World Service Meeting Trustees’ report: This committee is responsible for suggesting policies and actions to assure that the A.A. message is available around the world, especially in areas where there is no established service structure. We provide shared experience, support translations of A.A. literature in other languages, and encourage the expansion of regional or zonal meetings. The committee is the primary link between the international A.A. community and the U.S./Canada General Service Board of Trustees. The 19th World Service Meeting will be held October 15-19 in Dublin, Ireland, with the theme “Anonymous, But Not Invisible.” We are anticipating over 40 delegates representing over 30 countries or zones. Murray McI., chairperson Staff report: The International desk receives correspondence from groups, individual A.A.s and professionals interested in obtaining information about A.A. in countries outside of the U.S. and Canada. The staff member corresponds with 58 international general service offices and literature distribution centers. Other

responsibilities on the assignment are: coordinating the biennial World Service Meeting (WSM) and maintaining contact with delegates and their offices throughout the year; maintaining close communications with our Publications Department on requests for new translations of literature and the beginnings of new General Service or Information offices that may be able to distribute literature locally. Doug R.

■ International Conventions/ A.A. Regional Forums Trustees’ report: International Conventions—The 2005 International Convention last summer was attended by approximately 43,800. For the first time, the opening Flag Ceremony could be seen over the Internet via an encrypted, anonymityprotected, delayed extranet broadcast. The General Service Board accepted a recommendation from this committee that Al-Anon/Alateen be invited to participate in the International Convention in San Antonio, Texas in 2010. Regional Forums—Since the 2005 General Service Conference, Regional Forums have been held in the Northeast, West Central, East Central, Southwest, and Western Canada Regions. A four-city Special Forum was held in Homer, Anchorage, Fairbanks and Juneau, Alaska. Ray M., chairperson Staff reports: International Convention—The International Convention assignment entails coordinating the myriad details involved in producing the A.A. International Convention, held every five years. Working with four committees—Trustees, Conference, G.S.O. Planning and Host—the International Convention coordinator is responsible for bringing the Convention to life and ensuring that thousands of A.A.s can share and celebrate A.A.’s Anniversary. While still on the back burner, initial plans are under way for the next International Convention in San Antonio, Texas, July 1-4, 2010. Regional Forums—The staff member handling Regional Forums is responsible for coordinating all arrangements necessary for holding Regional and Special Forums in the U.S. and Canada. These weekends help foster wider communication and understanding among A.A. service workers, the General Service Board, A.A.W.S., and the staffs of the GV and G.S.O. Forums are held at the invitation of a particular region every two years; there are four Forums annually. The staff member serves as secretary of the trustees’ and Conference International Conventions/Regional Forums Committees. Valerie O’N.

■ Literature Trustees’ report: Projects completed: “Questions and Answers on Sponsorship,”

“The A.A. Group,” “Your A.A. General Service Office,” “A.A. and the Gay/Lesbian Alcoholic,” and the revised introduction to Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions. Projects forwarded to the Conference Literature Committee for consideration: Revised draft pamphlet “Too Young?”; revised draft pamphlet “It Happened to Alice!”; draft manuscript of revised “Young People and A.A.” pamphlet, and a progress report on the development of the Spanish-language Third Edition Big Book, Alcohólicos Anónimos. Paul C., chairperson Staff report: The Literature coordinator works closely with the editor, writers and illustrators on reviewing all new recovery pamphlets, books and audiovisuals, in accordance with recommendations from the Conference. The literature desk receives and responds to correspondence from A.A. members and groups about literature, and maintains contact with 71 areas, 356 districts, and 278 intergroup/central offices and A.A. group literature chair, and also serves as editor of Box 4-5-9. Adrienne B.

■ Loners, Internationalists, Homers Staff report: Loners are A.A.s who are unable to attend meetings because there are no groups nearby. There are about 245 Loners in 58 countries. Seagoing A.A.s, known as internationalists, number about 71 as well as 57 Port Contacts. We now have 209 Homers, A.A.s who are housebound due to illness or physical disability. Homers, Loners and Internationalists stay sober by sharing with each other through letters, tapes and e-mails. Each new Loner, Homer and Internationalist receives a directory of members, a subscription to Box 4-5-9 and the Loners/Internationalists Meeting-By-Mail (LIM), a confidential bimonthly bulletin which shares excerpts of letters received at G.S.O. from LIM members. There are also over 496 Loners Sponsors, who share A.A. activities and personal experience. Mary Clare L.

■ Nominating Trustees’ committee: The committee considered a request that the selection process for chairperson of the General Service Board be expanded to include past Class B trustees as candidates, and forwarded the minutes of its discussions to the 2006 Conference Committee on Trustees. The committee also forwarded to the Conference the proposed slates of General Service Board members, officers of the board, and A.A.W.S. and A.A. Grapevine directors, for disapproval, if any. Phyllis H., chairperson Staff report: This new and evolving staff assignment is responsible to the trustees’

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Nominating Committee, as well as to the Conference Committee on Trustees, serving as secretary to both committees. This assignment also serves as a resource point for Special Needs/Accessibilities Committees, sending welcome letters, material, and shared experience to district and area committee chairs, as well as serving as a Special Needs correspondent. The packet of service material for Special Needs was recently redesigned, and a sample of the packet was sent to each of the 144 current Special Needs/Accessibilities Committee chairs at the area, district and other levels. Gayle S. R.

■ Public Information Trustees’ report: Over the past year the committee viewed and made several suggestions for changes to a new TV public service announcement and then forwarded it to the 2006 Conference. The committee heard a report on the Annual Anonymity Letter and agreed with the revisions made, and with the recommendation to personalize the memo and reformat it as a letter for mailing in March 2006. The committee reviewed the A.A. Membership Survey and agreed to forward it to the 2006 Conference P.I. Committee. Robert P., chairperson Staff report: The goal of the P.I. assignment is to provide accurate and consistent information about A.A. to the general public through the media, health fairs, schools and G.S.O.’s A.A. Web site. A crucial part of P.I. work at G.S.O. is to act as a resource and central repository of the sharing from P.I. committees in the U.S. and Canada. During the year the staff member and an assistant respond to hundreds of written and telephone inquiries from the public and Fellowship. The staff member also handles interviews with the media describing what A.A. is and what it can and cannot do. The staff member communicates with over 700 P.I. Committee chair people at the area, district, intergroup/central office and group level. Julio E.

■ Staff Coordinator Staff report: Services to A.A. groups and members are provided through 11 staff assignments; in addition, staff members correspond with groups and members in a specific region. Staff members rotate assignments every two years; assignments are assisted by the staff coordinator. In 2005 staff received a total of 35,935 pieces of mail (including faxes and e-mail). As assistant secretary of the General Service Board, the staff coordinator is responsible for scheduling meetings, distributing advance material, preparing the minutes of the board meetings and also serves as editor of the Quarterly Report. In the past year, G.S.O. welcomed 1,818 visitors. Eva S.

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■ Reports from the A.A. Grapevine Directors’ report: An operating arm of the General Service Board, A.A. Grapevine, Inc., publishes the international journal of Alcoholics Anonymous and collections of its articles in books, audio CDs, and an online digital archive. A.A. Grapevine, Inc. also publishes La Viña, the Spanish-language journal of Alcoholics Anonymous, along with Spanishand French-language editions of selected publications. The directors of the A.A. Grapevine convened seven times as a board this year: three times for board meetings held during quarterly General Service Board weekends, once by phone, once during a Planning Committee meeting and twice during the General Service Conference week. In addition, the directors met as a Planning Committee in June, September, December and March to discuss matters of broad policy and to develop plans for the corporation’s future. Six committees supported the board’s oversight of the corporation. The nominating committee facilitated the nomination of the board’s incoming regional trustee; a finance and budget committee worked with staff to draft the corporation’s 2006 budget and report on the corporation’s financial standing each quarter; the committee on La Viña led a discussion of the corporation’s long-term goals for the magazine; and the risk management committee helped set policy for documenting the Grapevine and A.A.W.S.’s use of one another’s copyrighted material and led the board’s review of A.A. Grapevine’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation and its Revised Bylaws. The board development committee evaluated the orientation offered new directors, reviewed the directors’ manual, and developed a framework for the board’s assessment of its performance, instituted this March. The Circulation Committee established the need to survey former and current Grapevine subscribers. The Board also reviewed quarterly reports from the executive editor, who, as the chief executive of the corporation, defines the operational goals of the corporation and oversees their administration. Operations are divided among four departments: editorial, finance, circulation, and Internet operations. The editorial staff consists of an editor of Spanish resources, a senior editor, freelance art director, production manager, assistant editor, and two part-time editorial assistants. They are responsible for the content, design, and production of the Grapevine and La Viña publications. Moving customer service to the company that handles our fulfillment, along with the 2001 outsourcing of fulfillment, resulted in a reduction of staff by ten people in the last six years. Therefore, the board approved a plan to request a reduction in space from its leaseholder, A.A.W.S., which would result in a savings of almost $25,000 a year. In January, the printing of the magazines was moved to a new printer, to increase efficiency and reduce costs.

In 2005, the Grapevine Corporation realized a profit of $44,200 in comparison to a budgeted profit of $17,780. Total Magazine Income was $1,910,800, which was $27,520 ahead of budget and $14,841 ahead of the same period in 2004. Direct costs of the Grapevine magazine, $747,800, were $10,250 lower than budget, resulting in a gross profit on the magazine of $1,163,000. This is $37,771 ahead of budget and $11,119 less than 2004. Other publishing income of $566,340 is $84,630 lower than budget and $930 below 2004. Total gross profit is $1,506,500, which was $80,640 behind budget and $71,740 behind the same period in 2004. Total Grapevine expenses were $1,522,600 or $98,820 lower than the budget of $1,621,420. Combined with cash flow and interest from the Reserve Fund of $60,280, total income was $1,566,790, which resulted in a Net Profit of $44,200, which is $26,420 ahead of budget. With a circulation of 104,356, a passalong rate of at least three, and the distribution of 75,000 back issues a year, the Grapevine magazine carried the message to a quarter million people this year. In 2005, 120,000 people visited the Grapevine’s redesigned Web site, 3,590 subscribed to the Digital Archive, and 1,600 listened to MP3 recordings of Grapevine stories. Financial results for La Viña show a net loss of $107,740, compared with a budgeted loss of $93,840. Income from the magazine was $81,360, which is $4,100 ahead of the budget. Gross profit from CD sales was $17,740, behind budget by $10,010. Total Gross Profit for La Viña and the CDs was $21,650. Editorial costs of $67,350 were under budget by $390. Michael P., chairperson Staff report: This year the Grapevine published stories that focused on alcoholics in their teens and twenties, the impact of alcoholism and A.A. on families, and the worldwide growth of A.A. It also released an updated edition of The Home Group: Heartbeat of AA, a large-print edition of The Best of Bill and a new book of selected Grapevine stories, I Am Responsible: The Hand of AA. At the International Convention in Toronto, staff and directors joined Grapevine and La Viña representatives and enthusiastic volunteers to welcome thousands of visitors at the GV/LV booth and in plays, workshops, and meetings to celebrate our Fellowship’s 70th anniversary. Our international magazine in Spanish, La Viña, continued to grow as a tool for unity and communication as well, while its second CD Historias de La Viña II: Pasos 1 a 6 made recorded stories available to the Fellowship. The magazine will celebrate its 10th anniversary with a special issue and the release of its third CD later this year. Robin B., executive editor

The Budget Highlights 2006 G.S.O. Budget This budget describes the “OPERATIONS” of the General Service Office. It includes expenses of A.A. World Services (the Publishing operation) and the General Fund (Service activities). It excludes any activities reported separately in the Reserve Fund, Convention Fund, or the Capital Projects Fund. The Grapevine operations are described below in a separate report. Income: The 2006 budget projects net sales of $12,655,000, an increase of approximately $1,250,000 (11%) from the 2005 budget and $700,000 more than the 2005 actual results. The 2006 budget includes an expected return to “normal” levels of Big Book sales, and full-year effects of increases in the price of books and booklets and the shipping and handling charge instituted 7/1/05. Manufacturing costs are budgeted higher than 2005 but less than 2004. The primary reason for the reduction from 2004 is good shopping on the part of our new print purchaser. Royalties are budgeted at $175,000. Shipping and warehousing costs are budgeted approximately even with the 2005 results. While there may be expected increases in operational costs due to inflationary pressures, our warehousing group has shifted warehouse facilities and anticipated more cost-effective operations. In addition we intend to continue to ship products using less expensive methods even if it takes a day or two longer to reach their destination. After subtracting manufacturing costs, royalties and shipping expense, gross profit is budgeted at $7,235,400 or 58.8%. This is about $560,000 more than 2005. The gross profit compares with $6,676,000 (57.7%) for 2005. It should also be remembered that as we continue to strive to have literature available for our Service Conference in Spanish and French as well as English, lower print runs in those languages could result in higher production costs. Because we strive to have similar selling prices regardlesas of our manufacturing cost, individual lower overall gross profits may occur that may affect the overall gross profit and thus price increases may become necessary as things progress. Prudence dictates that even though contribution revenue has seen favorable upward movement during the last several years, other actions have been necessary. Trusted servants continue to explore methods to reduce the costs of operations, as well as assess the services supplied. Contributions for 2006 have been budgeted at $5,520,000 in total. Contributions received for the year 2005 were $223,000 greater than 2004. During 2005, contributions from groups and individuals of $5,282,000 were $114,000 (about 2%) greater than budget and $218,000 (4%) greater than 2004. Contributions received from World Service Meeting countries toward the World Service Meeting International literature fund amounted to $135,000, approximately $7,000 more than 2004. In total, contributions received for 2005 were just over $5,417,000. Total Operating Revenue for the period is anticipated at $12,758,400, approximately 15% more than the 2005 budget and 5% greater than the 2005 actual results. Total Operating Expenses for 2006 have been budgeted at $12,102,425, approximately $975,500 or 9% more than 2005 and $1,007,000 or 9% more than the 2005 budget as well. It should be remembered that this larger than usual increase follows a 2005 budget that was $277,000 (2.5%) less than 2004 expenses and $377,000 (3.3%) less than the 2004 budget. (Last year we noted that the 2005 decrease represented considerable efforts to reduce costs without significantly affecting service.) The 2006 budget includes increases for such items as the GSO USA net expense for the World Service Meeting, increased funding cost for the pension plan and funding for the Retiree Medical Benefits Program. For 2006 the GSO budget anticipates an excess of revenue over expense of $656,000. This compares with an actual income for 2005 (excluding the Convention) of $976,172 and the $83,517 loss budgeted for 2005 (after mid-year adjustments). The expected 2006 operating income, the 2005 actual income as well as other transfers will work to assist in rebuilding the Reserve Fund balance.

2006 Grapevine Budget The 2006 Grapevine Budget calls for an average circulation of 105,500, approximately 1,000 copies fewer than the 2005 budget and approximately 1,000 copies more than the 2005 paid circulation number of 104,356. Circulation for the last several years was as follows: 2004, 108,203, 2003, 112,614, 2002, 115,753, 2001, 115.034, 2000, 115,734, 1999, 116,000, and 1998, 117,300. Income: Magazine income of $1,933,000 is expected, about $22,000 greater than 2005. Other Publishing Income from books, cassette tapes, and miscellaneous items is budgeted at $644,500, approximately $78,000 higher than 2005. The increase in the “other items” category anticipates sales of new products. Total Gross Profit: Combining the magazine and other publishing items, a gross profit of $1,635,715 is budgeted for 2006 compared with $1,506,500 achieved for 2005 and the 2005 budget of $1,587,152. Total Operating Expenses: Total Operating Expenses for 2006 are budgeted at $1,673,300, approximately $150,700 more than the 2005 actual of $1,522,600. Net Income: For 2006 the Grapevine anticipates a profit of $19,900. This compares with a 2005 budgeted profit of $17,783 and an actual profit from operations of $44,200.

2006 Spanish Grapevine Budget Following the 1995 General Service Conference Advisory Action #7, the publication of the Grapevine magazine in Spanish was approved by the Grapevine Board of Directors and the trustees’ Finance Committee of the General Service Board. Recognizing this publication as a new venture, both boards will review the financial impact on the Fellowship and the progress of circulation and continue to monitor the viability of this venture. In 2001 The Board recommended and the 2001 Conference approved that the Spanish magazine continue to be published by the Grapevine but Funded by the General fund instead of continuing to draw funds from the Reserve Fund. For 2006 La Viña expects a gross profit on the magazine of $17,900 compared with a $3,900 gross profit for 2005. Circulation for 2006 is estimated at 9,700, slightly higher that the 2005 average of 9,400. Other Publishing income is estimated at $18,000, which after deducting cost of product of $3,900, expects to contribute $14,100 to revenue. Total costs and expenses are estimated at $112,759 for 2006, compared with $129,388 for 2005. The 2006 budget projects a net loss of $80,699, compared with a loss of $107,739 for 2005. To date the La Viña project has incurred start-up costs/operating losses of approximately $1,100,000 as follows: $29,500 in 1995, $138,290 in 1996, $102,140 in 1997, $66,182 in 1998, $59,224 in 1999, $49,570 in 2000, $119,385 in 2001, $103,815 in 2002, $111,638 in 2003, $111,592 in 2004, and $107,739 in 2005.

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■ Celebrating A.A.’s 75th Anniversary San Antonio, Texas — July 1-4, 2010 Name That Theme for 2010 Deadline 10/1/06 Believe it or not, it’s time to start thinking about a theme title for the 2010 International Convention celebration of A.A.’s 75th Anniversary in San Antonio, Texas, July 1-4, 2010. We invite you to send in suggestions for a theme. The trustees’ International Conventions/Regional Forums Committee will select the theme. Please let us hear from you by October 1, 2006. To spark your thinking, the themes of past A.A. International Conventions have been: 1965 “I Am Responsible”; 1970 “Unity”; 1975 “Let It Begin With Me”; 1980 “The Joy of Living”; 1985 “Fifty Years With Gratitude”; 1990 “Fifty-Five Years–One Day At a Time”; 1995 “A.A. Everywhere–Anywhere”; 2000 “Pass It On–Into the 21st Century”; and 2005 “I Am Responsible.” Send your ideas to: International Conventions Assignment, P.O. Box 459, Grand Central Station, New York, NY 10163.

Registration and Housing for 2010 Many A.A. members are beginning to write G.S.O. requesting information on registration and housing accomodations for A.A.’s 75th Birthday celebration. Please do not write or call G.S.O., as this information will not be available for some time. Registration/housing forms will be sent to all A.A. groups on our mailing list in September 2009. At the same time, local intergroup and central offices will also receive approximately 100 copies of these forms. Most of the hotels in and around San Antonio, are already committed to our Convention and the rates for each— from very reasonable to luxurious—will be described on the registration/housing forms. The procedures for registration and housing, beyond specifying this 2009 mailing date, are still in the planning stages. Notification of these procedures will appear in Box 4-5-9 so that anyone who is interested will have timely and accurate information. As we do not maintain a separate mailing list of A.A. members who have requested information, please be sure your home group receives Box 4-5-9 so that you and all members of your group will have access to this information as we get nearer to Convention time.

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BULLETIN BOARD Items and Ideas on Area Gatherings for A.A.s — 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—Boca Raton, Florida. Big Book Workshop Weekend. Write: Ch., Box 951903, Lake Mary, FL 32795 2-4—Grand Island, Nebraska. Area 41 47th Annual Reunion. Write: Ch., 910 S. 8th St., Lincoln, NE 68508 2-4—Natural Bridge, Virginia. Fellowship of the Spirit Mid-Atlantic Conf. Write: Ch., Box 36061, Richmond, VA 23235; www.fotsmidatlantic.org 2-4—Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Canada. Prince Albert Gateway Round-up. Write: Ch., RR #5, Site 32, Comp 2, Prince Albert, SK S6V 5R3; www.princealbertroundup.ca 2-4— Würzburg, Germany. Miracles in Progress Second Annual Internt’l Roundup. Write: Ch., CMR 408 Box 1041, APO AE 09182; www.aa-europe.net 3-5—Columbus, Mississippi. 2006 Unity Conv. Write: Ch., Box 1073, Columbus, MS 397031073 9-11—Hot Springs, Arkansas. Fourth Annual Tri-Lakes Conv. Write: Ch., 305 Hidden Meadows Dr., Benton, AR 72015 9-11—Storm Lake, Iowa. Area 24 2006 Spring Conf. Write: Ch., Box 174, Everly, IA 51338 9-11—Springfield, Missouri. 16th Heart of the Ozarks Round-up. Write: Ch., Box 1607, Springfield, MO 65801 9-11—Akron, Ohio . 71 st Founders’ Day Celebration. Write: Ch., Box 12, Akron, OH 44309; www.akronaa.org 9-11—Houston, Texas . 61 st Annual Texas State Conv. Write: Box 3076, Bellaire, TX 77402-3076; www.txaa2006.org 9-11—Calgary, Alberta, Canada. 25th Annual Calgary Gratitude Round-up. Write: Ch., #2, 4015-1 St. SE, Calgary, AB T2G 4X7 9-11—Vernon, British Columbia, Canada . Vernon Round-up. Write: Ch., 202-4305 Bellevue Dr., Vernon, BC V1T 9J2 9-11—Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada. District 35 Annual Round-up. Write: Ch., Box 2813, Yellowknife, NT X1A 2R1 9-11—Three Mile Plains, Nova Scotia, Canada. Provincial Round-up. Write: Ch., Box 513, Annapolis Royal, NS B0S 1A0 9-11—Sanur, Bali, Indonesia. Fifth Annual Bali International Round-up. Write: Ch., Gang Balangan I/10, Bukit Ungasan, Jimbaran, Badung 80362, Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia; www.aa-bali.org 10-11—Kansas City, Kansas . V Encuentro Hispano del Estado de Kansas. Write: Ch., 723 Osage Ave., Kansas City, KS 66105 15-17—Mc Bean, Couva, Trinidad and Tobago, West Indies. Jubilee Anniversary National Conv. Write: Ch., General Service Office, L.P. 52 Rivulet Rd, Brechin Castle, Couva, Trinidad and Tobago, W.I.; gsott@hotmail.com

16-17—Windsor, Québec, Canada . 24 e Congrès 88-10. Write: Ch., 237 rue Bord de L’Eau RR 2, Tingwick, QC J0A 1L0 16-18—Kodiak, Arkansas. Solstice and Serenity Campout. Write: Ch., 1212 Mission Rd, Kodiak, AK 99615 16-18—Cortland, New York. 55th Annual CNY Area 47 Conv. Write: Box 85, Homer, NY 13077 16-18—Coombs, British Columbia, Canada. 46th Annual Parksville/Qualicum “Living Free” Rally. Write: Ch., #307, 220 Island Hwy, Parksville, B.C. V9P 2P3 16-18—Blenheim, Ontario, Canada. 28 th Mid-Season Campout. Write: Ch., 4700 Ray Rd, Maidstone, ON N0R 1K0; themidseasoncampout@hotmail.com 16-18—Llandrindod Wells, Powys, Wales . Welsh National Conv. 2006. Write: Ch., Box 489, Swansea, SA4 3WF, U.K.; www.aawelshconvention.org.uk 23-25—Moodus, Connecticut. Soberfest 2006. Write: Ch., 243 Main St., E. Berlin, CT 06023; www.ct-aa.org 23-25—McLeod, Montana . 14 th Beartooth Mountain Conf. Write: Box 23406, Billings, MT 59104 23-25—Greensburg, Pennsylvania . 65 th Laurel Highlands Conf. Write: Ch., Box 6, Bovard, PA 15619-0006 23-25—Seattle, Washington. Pacific Regional Forum. Write: Forum Coordinator, Box 459, Grand Central Station, New York, NY 10163; Regionalforums@aa.org 23-25—Sept-Iles, Québec, Canada . 27 ième Congrès District 89-10. Write: Ch., C.P. 1242, Sept-Iles, QC G4R 4X7 24-25—Muswellbrook, New South Wales, Australia. Eastern Regional Forum 2006. Write: Ch., Box 1170, Armidale, NSW, 2350, Australia; easternrf2006@hotmail.com

July 7-9—Sacramento, California . NCCAA 59 th Annual Summer Conf. Write: Ch., 2416 Inglewood Dr., Lodi, CA 95242 7-9—Omaha, Nebraska. Primera Convención Hispana del Estado de Nebraska. Write: Ch., Box 7187, Omaha, NE 68107

JUNE – JULY 2006 7-9—Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada. Chilliwack 2006 Round-up. Write: Ch., 46035 Victoria Ave., Chilliwack, BC V2P 2T9 13-16—South Lake Tahoe, California. Serenity In The Sierra XVII. Write: Ch., 14485 Reno, NV 89521. 14-16—Monte Vista, Colorado. Area 10 Summer Assembly. Write: Ch., 412 Jefferson, Monte Vista, CO 81144 14-16—Carrabassett Valley, Maine. 29 th Annual Maine Area Round-up. Write: Ch., Box 1532, Saco, ME 04072; http://www.aamaine.org 14-16—Jefferson City, Missouri. 55th Annual Missouri State Conv. Write: Ch., 5939 Lakeland Dr., Villa Ridge, MO 63089; www.eamo.org 14-16—Charleston, West Virginia. 54 th Annual Area 73 WV State Conv. Write: Ch., Box 1643, Charleston, WV 25326; www.aawv.org 14-16—Washington Island, Wisconsin. Tenth Annual Keep it Simple Spirituality Weekend. Write: Ch., Box 295, Maplewood, WI 54226-0295 14-16—Rivière-du-Loup, Québec, Canada . 31e Congrès District 88-05. Write: Ch., 206 Principale, St. Cyprien, QC G0L 2P0 20-23—Charlotte, North Carolina. 59th North Carolina State Conv. Write: Ch., 305 Park Rd., Wadesboro, NC 28170 20-23—Lubbock, Texas. Lubbock Caprock Conv. Write: Ch., Box 6511, Lubbock, TX 79493-6511; http://lubbockaaconvention.tripod.com 21-23—Elko, Nevada. Serenity In The Rubies Campout. Write: Ch., Box 6148, Elko, NV 89803; serenityintherubies@yahoo.com 21-23—Reno, Nevada. 8 va Convención Hispana del Estado de Nevada. Write: Ch., Box 1050, Reno, NV 89504; convencionreno@sbcglobal.net 21-23—Deadwood, South Dakota. Paha Sapa Mountain Conf. Write: Ch., Box 1212, Spearfish, SD 57783; www.beartoothmountainconference.com 21-23—Rimouski, Québec, Canada. Congrès du Bas St-Laurent District 88-06. Write: Ch., 62, Ste-Marie #6, Rimouski, QC G5L 4E2

Planning a Future Event? To be included in the Box 4-5-9 Calendar, information must be received at G.S.O. three months prior to the event. We list events of two or more days. For your convenience and ours — please type or print the information to be listed on the Bulletin Board page, and mail to us: Date of event: from ___________________________ to ________________________, 20 _________ Name of event: _______________________________________________________________________ Place (city, state or prov.): __________________________________________________________________________ For information, write: (exact mailing address) ______________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ Contact phone # (for office use only): _______________________________________________________

23-28—Crested Butte, Colorado. 23rd Annual Crested Butte Mountain Conf. Write: Ch., Box 140114, Irving, TX 75014-0114; www.cbconference.org 28-30—Rochester, New York. 2006 New York State Conv. Write: Box 1073, Webster, NY 14580 28-30—Baie-Comeau, Québec, Canada . Congrès de Baie-Comeau. Write: Ch., C.P. 333 Marquette, Baie-Comeau, Québec G4Z 2H1

August 2-6—Palm Harbor, Florida. 50th Florida State Conv. Write: Ch., Box 40474, St. Petersburg, FL 33743-0474; www.50flstateconvention.com 4-6—Altoona, Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania State Conv. Write: Ch., 211 Phillips Dr., Pittsburgh, PA 15241 11-13—Guelph, Ontario, Canada. 36th Central West Ontario Conv. Write: Ch., 141 Woolwich St., Unit 702, Guelph, ON, Canada, N1H 8M5 11-13—Veldhoven, Netherlands . 2006 International Conv. Netherlands. Write: Ch., Zuidwal 9, 2512 XR Den Haag, Netherlands; www.icaan.nl 17-20—Ocean Shores, Washington. Fourth Annual Northwest Fellowship Of The Spirit Conf. Write: NWFOTS, Box 491, Woodinville, WA 98072; www.nwfots.org 18-20—Decatur, Illinois. 33rd Annual Illinois State Conf. Write: Ch., Box 2872, Decatur, IL 62526 18-20—Jackson, Mississippi. 20 th Annual Mississippi Old Timers Round Up. Write: Ch., Box 20664, Jackson, MS 39289 18-20—Cook Forest Area, Pennsylvania. 18th Campathon. Write: Ch., Box 1567, Washington, PA 15301 18-20—York, Pennsylvania . Ninth Annual Sunlight of the Spirit Conf. Write: Ch., Box 3538, York, PA 17402; www.sosyorkpa.org 18-20—Beaumont, Texas. 25th Annual District 90 Conf. Write: Ch., 721 W. Walton Rd, Lumberton, TX 77657 18-20—Green Lake, Wisconsin. 26 th Green Lake Round Up. Write: Ch., Box 684, Menomonee Falls, WI 53051 25-27—Fortuna, California . Redwood Coast Roundup. Write: Ch., Box 6943, Eureka, CA 95502; www.redwoodcoastroundup.org 25-27—Red Deer, Alberta, Canada. Annual Red Deer Round-up. Write: Ch., 27 Ellis St., Red Deer, AB T4R 2C8, Canada

September 1-3—Denver, Colorado. 2006 Colorado State Conv. Write: Ch., Box 5381, Greenwood Village, CO 80155; 2006convention@comcast.net 1-3—Oahu, Hawaii. 11 th Annual Hawaiian Island Conf. of Young People. Write: Ch., Box 5164, Kaneohe, HI 96744 1-3—Polson, Montana. 23 rd Annual Ray Of Hope Camporee. Write: Ch., 776 Kerr Dam Rd, Polson, MT 59860 1-3—Reno, Nevada. 29th Annual Sierra Nevada Roundup. Write: Ch., Box 5874, Sparks, NV 89432 1-3—Rye Brook, New York. XXXIV Convención Hispana de Estados Unidos y Canadá. Write: Ch., Box 311207, Jamaica, NY 11431; www.convencionhispanadeaaeeuuycanada.org 8-10—Florien, LA. 39 th Western Louisiana Intergroup Conv. Write: Ch., 440 S. Byles St., Many, LA 71449 9-11—Marquette, Michigan. Area 74 Fall Conf. Write: Ch., Box 254, Ishpeming, MI 49849 14-17—Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Tenth Annual National Archives Workshop. Write: Ch., Box 2793, Opelousas, LA 70571 15-17—Bull Shoals, Arkansas . 26 th Annual Autumn-in-the-Ozarks. Write: 1211 Orchard Ln., Horseshoe Bend, AR 72512; www.autumnintheozarks.com 15-17—Cocoa Beach, Florida. Seventh Serenity Weekend Women’s Fall Conf. Write: Ch., 8025 Gillette Ct., Orlando, FL 32836 15-17—Nashville, Tennessee . 2006 Area 64 Conv. Write: 1242 Carthage Hwy., Lebanon, TN 37087 15-17—Sudbury, Ontario, Canada . Eastern Canada Regional Forum. Write: Forum Coordinator, Box 459, Grand Central Station, New York, NY 10163; Regionalforums@aa.org 29-1—Natchez, Mississippi. Southern Hospitality Hoopla Conv. Write: Ch., Box 18182, Natchez, MS 39120 29-1—Somerset, New Jersey. 50th Anniversary NNJSGS Area 44 General Service Conv. Write: Ch., 200 Atrium Dr., Somerset, NJ 08873 29-1—Bastrop, Texas. Fellowship in the Pines 22 nd Annual Conf. Write: Ch., 2306 State Hwy. 71 W., Cedar Creek, TX 78612

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