News and Notes from the General Service Office of A.A.® www.aa.org Vol. 56, No. 1 / Spring 2010

■ Making Way for the Future: G.S.O.’s A.A. Archives Gets a Renovation To the many visitors of G.S.O.’s A.A. Archives, quite a few of the artifacts housed there will be familiar—they may even have sat on “Bill’s couch,” the couch from his office at an earlier incarnation of “A.A. headquarters,” or looked at a number of first edition Big Books with their wonderful dedications, or perused the original letter from Carl Jung to Bill W., where Jung affirms the need for a spiritual transformation in order to recover from alcoholism. Over the years, the Fellowship has accumulated a remarkable collection of materials, providing an unmatched historical resource and a resonating emotional touchstone for the Fellowship. A couple of years ago, however, some concerns were raised by then-Archivist Amy Filiatreau about future needs and the physical capacity of the existing Archives space. In terms of archives, the past continues to accumulate each day, and more and more materials were becoming available to be evaluated, categorized and stored for the benefit of future A.A.s.

The A.A.W.S. Board took up the concern and began to consider a number of possibilities. Ultimately, as part of a planned reconstruction at G.S.O., the A.A. Archives underwent a focused renovation in the fall of 2009. The renovation was limited strictly to the Archives vault and did not extend to the entire department. The result, however, effectively doubled the existing storage space, added modified shelving compatible with existing fire code regulations, and created a professional-grade workroom to help in processing historical documents, paving the way for continued growth of A.A.’s extensive archival collection. While the reconstruction was focused and limited in duration, there were a number of challenges faced by the Archives staff, not the least of which was emptying the existing vault prior to the reconstruction. Then creating a pathfinder for all the materials, which would have to be temporarily stored in various locations around G.S.O. Central in this effort was the recently-appointed Director of Archives, Michelle Mirza. As luck would have it, Michelle was, and is, extremely familiar with the Archival collection, having served as a member of the Archives department since 1999. “I started at G.S.O. as a part-time Archives clerk,” she says, while earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. “Some ten years later, and through two other positions in the Archives, I accepted the Director of Archives position.” Michelle’s experience is unique and she credits her familiarity with the collection to her initial years as Archives clerk. “I was expected to file all incoming and outgoing letters and other documents and maintain archival copies of A.A. publications. Back then we didn’t have modern archival databases or finding-aids like we do now. So, I memorized the contents of each box and that was my finding-aid! I also recall using an old typewriter as we had only three computers in the Archives. We have surely come a long way!”

Box 4-5-9 is published quarterly by the General Service Office of Alcoholics Anonymous, 475 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10115, © Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc., 2010. 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. To have issues delivered by e-mail, register on the A.A. Digital Subscription Service on G.S.O.’s Web site.

Michelle worked closely with two Archivists, Judit Santon and Amy Filiatreau (both nonalcoholics). When Judit resigned in July 2005, Michelle temporarily assumed the responsibilities of Archivist until Amy’s hire in January 2006. The position became vacant once again upon Amy’s resignation in July 2008 and, as Senior Archivist, Michelle stepped in once again on a temporary basis until formally accepting the position full-time in November 2009. A nonalcoholic, Michelle has come to love the Fellowship and its unique history. “Truthfully, before I came to work for A.A., I knew very little about the organization. Working intimately with the collection for so many years, though, as well as communicating with the A.A. Fellowship, has enlightened me a great deal about the ‘disease concept of alcoholism.’” Noting as “phenomenal” the fact that A.A. has been able to successfully fulfill its mission of carrying the message to still-suffering alcoholics continuously since its inception in 1935, Michelle finds great purpose in A.A.’s archival collection. “It is amazing that our history is so well-preserved, that we have letters and other documents from the late 1930s, when our organization was merely a few years old—that we are able to refer to these old documents to settle heated arguments or discover a particular aspect of our history is incredible.” Incredible as it is, none of that, however, made the laborious process of preparing for the renovation—emptying the vault and tracking all the boxes—and dealing with the aftermath any easier for the Archives staff, and when asked what she felt was the most challenging aspect of the renovation, Michelle answered with a hint of understatement, “I think unpacking the boxes was the most daunting. It would have been even more difficult without the help and dedication of the Archives staff, especially our new associate archivist Steven D’Avria (nonalcoholic), who came aboard in July 2009.” 2

Nevertheless, the renovation had a compelling offshoot as well, as the expansion of available space allowed material that had been stored in an off-site facility to come inhouse, thereby decreasing the costs associated with storing particular materials off-site and making them that much more accessible to the Fellowship. According to Michelle, the modified shelving installed in the expanded vault should provide for up to ten years’ worth of storage space for that aspect of the collection that is expected to increase every year: Conference Reports, Board minutes, copies of A.A.W.S. and non-A.A. pamphlets and literature, books and magazine articles on A.A. and alcoholism, and other such materials. The renovation also allowed the staff to organize the room in a sensible order, attributing particular rows for specific materials. When it comes to the kinds of material A.A. members seem most interested in, Michelle notes, “We receive hundreds of requests for group history information. Members are also curious about the history of the writing of the Steps and Traditions; the Big Book; meeting formats; Bill’s personal philosophy on spiritual matters; and a myriad of questions on various aspects of our history.” The materials in the Archives are available to all A.A. members and other researchers who have an interest in the legacy of A.A. Access, however, is controlled, notes George M., chairperson of the trustees’ Archives Committee, a constraint necessary to safeguard the anonymity of all members mentioned in archival materials. In general, all visitors are welcomed to the Archives; there they can see published materials such as newspaper and magazine articles, books and other selected materials. “However,” says George, “if a researcher wishes to use any unpublished materials in the Archives (correspondence, meeting minutes, manuscripts, etc.), a written request for access must be made to the trustees’ Archives Committee, which meets three times each year, generally on the last weekends of January, July and October.” While visitors to G.S.O.’s A.A. Archives may still spend most of their time sitting on Bill’s couch in the Archives’ vestibule, or reviewing the broad array of books, letters, and articles on exhibit articulating A.A.’s growth around the world, and may never be aware of the increased storage space or the newly-created document processing room at the back of the expanded vault, this recent renovation has provided a critical pathway for A.A.’s future. Speaking, perhaps, for all A.A. Archivists, former Archivist Judit Santon noted in an article in the January 2000 Grapevine, “The essence of our work remains virtually invisible to the public. Behind the quiet walls of exhibits there is a never-ending buzz of activities. We research, explore, discuss, consult, investigate, and passionately argue about preservation, storage, and system decisions. We love history, we love to preserve and organize the records relevant to A.A.’s history and, most of all, we love to say ‘I’ve found it!’” Box 4-5-9, Spring 2010

■ 2010 International Convention ■ Host Committee Prepares for International Convention Anticipation is growing for A.A.’s 13th International Convention, set to take place in San Antonio, Texas, July 1-4, 2010, with the theme “A Vision for You.” A multitude of volunteers are eagerly preparing an enormous welcome for the thousands of A.A.s (and their friends) set to descend upon the famed city to celebrate Alcoholics Anonymous’ 75th Birthday. The San Antonio Host Committee, the group coordinating the greeters for this massive celebration, hosted a Volunteer Kickoff meeting in January of 2010. Volunteer attendance, estimated between 1,800 and 2,000, was a resounding success and provided a hint of the enthusiastic welcome in store for A.A. members. Jim B., a past delegate, chairs the San Antonio Host Core Committee, and cochairs Yoli F. and Bill T. join him. This core group, working through 20 subcommittees, will grant a personal welcome at the 2010 International Convention and emphasize the joy of sobriety by extending the hand of A.A. to all guests at key points of the Convention—all transportation hubs (airports, bus stations, train stations), hotels/motels, the streets and River Walk surrounding the main Convention area, the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, and the Alamodome. Rest assured, friendly A.A. host volunteers in easy-tospot outfits (a final decision on the volunteers’ uniform was not available when this issue went to press) will be guiding the thousands of attendees looking for the Big Meetings in the Alamodome (Friday night’s Flag Ceremony and meeting, the Saturday oldtimers meeting, and the Sunday closing meeting). Still more helpful host committee volunteers will be directing conventioneers to Thursday night’s Party in the Park, the Marathon Meetings, and all other meetings (both A.A. and AlAnon). And, in addition to greeting and guiding tens of thousands of A.A.s, an army of volunteers will be assisting guests who have language or other special needs. Getting around San Antonio with ease is a high priority to many Convention-goers. Although most hotels are within walking distance of the Convention Center, shuttle buses will be provided, at no extra cost, to facilitate travel for those guests in outlying hotels and dormitories. A bus schedule will be available on site. As most are probably aware, San Antonio is hot in July. During the day, temperatures can reach over 90 degrees (30 ̊ C)—although it is typically 10-15 degrees cooler in the shade. Proper hydration is important, so water stations and shaded areas will be available, and there will be plenty of water for sale throughout the facilBox 4-5-9, Spring 2010

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ities. For the comfort of attendees strolling outside, outdoor misting systems around the most trafficked areas will cool off those on foot. These misting systems can reduce temperature as much as 20 degrees—a welcome bonus for many strolling outside! Although many conventioneers will be busy making meetings, meetings, and more meetings, other A.A.s and their friends may want to sample a little of what San Antonio has to offer. Many already know San Antonio as home to the Alamo and cradle of the famous Tex-Mex cuisine, but San Antonio is also the Paseo del Rio, better known as the “River Walk.” Cobble and flagstone paths border two miles of the San Antonio River as it winds through culture-rich downtown. Along the meandering paths of the River Walk, cafés, art galleries, shops, parks, and restaurants offer something for everyone. For those looking for diversions outside the River Walk, San Antonio’s five 18th century missions are excellent examples of Spanish colonial architecture, including the famous Alamo. Four other Spanish colonial missions founded in the early 1700s form San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, an excellent place to explore the city’s roots and Spain’s influence on the southwestern part of the United States. Rooms are still available through the Convention Housing Bureau, and information on available rooms is provided to registered Convention attendees. Visit www.aa.org and navigate to “2010 International Convention” for more information. For those who are already registered, 2010 International Convention advance programs will be mailed out in March. In April, the General Service Office will begin e-mailing those registered with additional material, reminders or general information. In May, registered attendees should begin to receive their 2010IC badges in the mail. For more information about the 2010 International Convention, visit www.aa.org. We look forward to seeing you in San Antonio.

■ Anonymity and the International Convention Anonymity is often described as a “cloak” or “protective mantle” with which A.A. members might drape themselves against the public eye. Alcoholism has always carried with it a certain amount of stigma and in an effort to protect themselves—and those who might need their help—from the harsh glare of public scrutiny, the early members sought the discreet protection anonymity offered. As expressed in Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, in the chapter on Tradition Twelve, Bill W. notes “In the beginning, anonymity was not born of confidence; it was the child of our early fears. Our first nameless groups of 4

alcoholics were secret societies. New prospects could find us only through a few trusted friends. The bare hint of publicity, even for our work, shocked us. Though exdrinkers, we still thought we had to hide from public distrust and contempt.” In those early years, anonymity had a very distinct meaning; however, as the Fellowship grew and the concept of anonymity took root, it came to mean a great deal more than simply “hiding out” and keeping one’s membership secret. As Bill wrote later in the chapter on Tradition Twelve regarding the evolution of A.A.’s principle of anonymity, “Anonymity is real humility at work. It is an all-pervading spiritual quality which today keynotes A.A. life everywhere. Moved by the spirit of anonymity, we try to give up our natural desires for personal distinction as A.A. members both among our fellow alcoholics and before the general public. As we lay aside these very human aspirations, we believe that each of us takes part in the weaving of a protective mantle which covers our whole Society and under which we may grow and work in unity.” Anonymity, the unique and powerful principle at the heart of our program, has evolved to become, for the individual and the Fellowship as a whole, “the greatest safeguard that Alcoholics Anonymous can ever have.” This evolution of anonymity, while providing support and guidance on a daily basis to alcoholics around the world, takes on a special importance as A.A.’s prepare to gather “en masse” at the upcoming 2010 International Convention in San Antonio, Texas. With thousands of A.A. members soon to be roaming the streets of San Antonio— walking, talking and wearing their recovery, literally, like a badge—the spiritual qualities of anonymity become ever more important. At previous Conventions, considerable work has been done by both the General Service Office and each city’s site host committee to inform local media outlets about A.A.’s tradition of anonymity well in advance of the opening of the actual convention. This practice helps to avoid some of the anonymity breaks in the media and other situations that can arise when huge numbers of A.A., Al-Anon and Alateen members “take over” a city. And San Antonio will be no exception. But, working with the media is only part of the equation, and A.A. members themselves are ultimately the ones most responsible for maintaining the principle of anonymity, both their own and that of other members. While members may have differing views of how to adhere to the principle of anonymity, as laid out in A.A.’s Eleventh and Twelfth Traditions, here are some suggestions for practicing these principles at A.A.’s 75th Anniversary Celebration in San Antonio: Photographs: Out of respect for others, photographs ought not be taken during any of the meetings. The taking of photos during A.A. meetings makes many members uncomfortable about the confidentiality of the gathering. Box 4-5-9, Spring 2010

This courtesy should also extend to other convention venues, and care needs to be taken not to capture images of A.A. members, family members and friends who have not given their permission to be photographed and may not wish to appear in any pictures related to the Convention. The Internet: In keeping with the long form of A.A.’s Eleventh Tradition, which says “Our names and pictures as A.A. members ought not be broadcast, filmed, or publicly printed,” posting recognizable photos of identifiable A.A. members on Web sites accessible to the public, including unrestricted pages on social networking sites, is something to be avoided. Whatever the medium, when it comes to personal anonymity, no disclosure of a member’s affiliation with A.A. can rightfully be made by anyone but the individual him or herself. As Bill W. wrote in the January 1946 Grapevine, “It should be the privilege of each A.A. to cloak himself with as much personal anonymity as he desires. His fellow A.A.s should respect his wishes and help guard whatever status he wants to assume.”

■ Opening Flag Ceremony One of the highlights of each International Convention is the parade of flags of those countries represented at the Convention, which takes place at the Opening Meeting on Friday evening. At the last convention, in 2005, a limited broadcast of this event was shared with General Service Conference areas in the U.S. and Canada and with General Service Offices overseas. At their November 2009 meeting, the General Service Board agreed that over the 2010 Convention weekend, unlimited access to an encrypted, anonymity-protected Internet broadcast of the 2010 International Convention Opening Flag Ceremony will be made available through G.S.O.’s A.A. Web site (www.aa.org). Access to the broadcast will begin on Saturday, July 3 and end on Monday, July 5, 2010, at midnight Eastern Daylight Time.

■ Two New A.A.s Join G.S.O. Staff In the latter part of 2009, the General Service Office welcomed two new staff members: Jim M., of Long Island, New York and Mary C., of Cincinnati, Ohio. Professionally, Jim and Mary both have teaching backgrounds and years of experience in general service work. Jim is currently handling the Corrections assignment and Mary is serving on the Cooperation With the Professional Community assignment. Box 4-5-9, Spring 2010

An English teacher by trade, with over 18 years of classroom experience at both the secondary and college levels, Jim got sober in February of 2000, the day before Valentine’s Day. It didn’t take him long to get involved in service and by the end of his first 90 days he had a service commitment at his home group, continuing over the years to serve in various capacities at the district, intergroup, and area level. Recalling his inauguration to service, Jim remembers, “This lady, Deb, came up to me and said, ‘Jim, we need your help.’” Not used to such a request, in fact, used to hearing quite the opposite, Jim was blown away. “She said it was the literature position, and I thought, jeez, I’m an English teacher, I can critique it, I can review it. Then she actually said, ‘We just need somebody to take the books out of the box and put them on the table.’ I think that was my first experience with ego deflation at depth.” Aside from his professional qualifications, what may have prepared Jim best for his experience at G.S.O., especially on his first assignment, is “my own experience with hopelessness and the absolute need for someone to step in and specifically show me this is how you can get out, this is what you can do. That kind of background really fuels a lot of the work that I do in corresponding with inmates. When I get letters with that same note of despair, I realize that these are alcoholics first and inmates second.” Prior to coming to work at G.S.O., in 2004 Jim traveled to China to teach for six months at Xi’an International Studies University in Shaanxi Province, a challenging interlude in his professional career and his sober life. There, he taught a lecture-based course on American poetry and additional classes to university students learning English as a foreign language. A.A. meetings were scarce and Jim struggled, finding that the answer to his uncomfortability lay in working the Steps. Through a series of providential circumstances, Jim came in contact with another (barely) sober alcoholic and the two began working together. “We floundered for a couple of weeks. He would go about a week or so without drinking, and then he would succumb. I was getting really angry and frustrated with him, and he was scared to death.” A third party entered the picture, an American woman touring around China, who was put in contact with the two struggling alcoholics in Xi’an. “It took her about fifteen minutes to see the kind of trouble we were in,” says Jim, “and she proposed what I thought at the time was a radical idea. She said ‘Why don’t the two of you just sit down with our Big Book and read it from the beginning. Then just do what those guys did.’” It was a successful prescription and the two alcoholics have remained friends ever since. “He got married three summers ago,” says Jim, “and I went out to L.A. for his wedding, and he came to New York for mine. And neither one of us has had any trouble with our drinking since.” Mary C. comes to G.S.O. similarly from a career in education, where she worked most recently teaching comput5

er skills to students with a wide variety of disabilities ranging from blindness to cerebral palsey. She has also worked with adult populations, teaching mathematics and language arts, while coordinating the largest adult literacy tutoring program in Cincinnati. For a number of years prior to her work in education, Mary was involved in a market research company where, as vice president, she was responsible for marketing, sales, and all internal operations. “It was a bit of a miracle,” she notes, since she had never completed her college degree because of her drinking. Ultimately, she grew disenchanted with market research, and went back to school. “I took a look around and said what do I want to do with the rest of my life— and it wasn’t market research.” In 2006, she graduated with a B.A. degree in History and Secondary Education and began her teaching career. Sober since 1988, Mary, too, got involved early on in service. Drawn to treatment and correctional facilities service, she had a standing commitment at a jail A.A. meeting. “They were my Saturday night date for five years.” In addition, she took a meeting into a treatment center for seven or eight years. Elected delegate from Southwest Ohio in 2006 (Panel 56, Area 56), Mary served on the Conference Committee on the Grapevine and the Archives Committee. “My experience with general service,” says Mary, “is that in order to be an effective trusted servant, I have to really focus on my recovery. And that has taken me to some really new places.” She has been warmly welcomed at G.S.O., and, while she goes through the process of settling in and setting down new roots, especially in A.A., “There’s plenty of help available,” she says. “As always, all you have to do is ask for it.”

■ 60th General Service Conference The 60th General Service Conference of Alcoholics Anonymous in the U.S. and Canada will meet at the Hilton Rye Town, Rye, New York, April 18-24. The theme will be “Practicing A.A.s Principles—the Pathway to Unity.” What is the General Service Conference? That question can be answered on a number of levels. Most familiarly, it is the Fellowship’s annual business meeting, when Conference members—delegates from 93 areas in the U.S. and Canada, alcoholic and nonalcoholic trustees, directors of A.A. World Services and the A.A. Grapevine, and staff members of the General Service Office and the Grapevine, meet for a busy week of committee meetings, presentations, and workshops, which culminates in the approval of a number of Advisory 6

Actions to guide the Fellowship during the coming years. The Conference structure is also A.A.’s primary vehicle of communication, which operates all year long through the general service structure: group general service representatives, district committees, area assemblies, the board of trustees and its two operating corporations, and the work of G.S.O. and the Grapevine. As soon as the annual meeting comes to a close, delegates begin reporting back to the groups, and members begin expressing the concerns that may need Conference discussion and action in the future. Most importantly, as the Conference Charter says, “The General Service Conference of Alcoholics Anonymous is the guardian of world services and of the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous. The Conference shall be a service body only; never a government for Alcoholics Anonymous.” On July 3, 1955, at the 20th Anniversary Convention in St. Louis, A.A.’s founding members turned over to the movement as a whole the Three Legacies of Recovery, Unity and Service. Since its first trial meeting in 1950, the Conference has proved to be a worthy successor to our founders and a reliable guide in good times and bad.

■ What are ‘Areas’ and ‘Panels?’ In any discussion about which beverage to serve at an A.A. event, odds are good that coffee, cream, and sugar are going to be mentioned. Likewise, in any conversation about the General Service Conference, another three words are sure to be mentioned: delegates, areas, and panels. To an A.A. new to general service, however, these conversations can resemble a family reunion, where first, second, and third cousins try to place each other on the right branch of the family tree. “Hi! You served with John, the delegate from Area 49, right? Panel 35? You’re from Area 48? Oh, do you know Mary? She’s not from Area 48, she’s from Area 44, but she served on Panel 35, too.” Other A.A.s rattle off panel numbers, area numbers, and a regional history of delegates with the practiced ease of an auctioneer, all the while reassuring the novice that it really has been “kept simple” and not to worry—“panel” and “area” will soon be rolling off his tongue. Just stick around and keep showing up, those new to service often hear. But at this point, after swimming through an alphabet soup of G.S.R., D.C.M., P.I., T.F., and C.P.C., newcomers to general service can be skeptical that any explanation of areas and their numbers are uncomplicated. Why, some wonder, were areas created in the first place? What, exactly, is an area and how did they get their numbers? Fortunately, the wealth of A.A. literature provides answers to nearly any question a baffled A.A. can come up with, and delving into A.A.’s past sheds some light on the use of “areas” in A.A. Box 4-5-9, Spring 2010

Areas were formed to facilitate representation at the first General Service Conference, which was created to entrust Alcoholics Anonymous to its members. “It [ensures] that the full voice of A.A. will be heard. . . .” (The A.A. Service Manual, p. S15) And, with the creation of areas, came the creation of delegates to represent those areas. “An area may be part of a state or province, or all of it, or may include parts of more than one state or province, depending on the size and needs of the A.A. population.” (ibid., p. S36) Areas are numbered alphabetically (with a few exceptions), starting with the states in the U.S. For instance, Area 1 is Alabama and Northwest Florida. Area 2 is Alaska. Area 3 is Arizona. Some states or provinces have a large A.A. population, and therefore are divided into several areas. Such is the case in Ontario, which includes Area 83, 84, 85, and 86. Since the first Conference, “there have been additional areas added to states and provinces—total count, 93.” (ibid., p.S105) To some other A.A.s, any discussion of panels proves just as puzzling. Delegates to each Conference are made up of two “panels,” or groups of persons elected for a two year term of service. One panel is even-numbered and includes those elected to start serving in an even year. The other is odd-numbered and includes those elected to start serving in an odd year. The first Conference in 1951 introduced Panel 1, which included 37 delegates. The second Conference, in 1952, saw Panel 2, which included 38 delegates. Therefore, a total of 75 delegates participated in that second Conference. Bill W. explained that this method “give[s] the Conference continuity. . . . Hence only half the delegates would drop out at one time and the Conference membership would rotate.” (Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age, p. 215) Following this blueprint, the 60th Conference in 2010 will include Panel 59 (delegates serving their second and final year) and Panel 60 (new delegates). But, if panels, areas, and delegates still aren’t rolling off your tongue, simply show up at the next district event, grab some coffee, cream, and sugar, and stick around to talk to some fellow drunks. As Bill W. wrote, “. . .an A.A. service is anything whatever that helps us to reach a fellow sufferer—ranging all the way from the Twelfth Step itself. . . to A.A.’s General Service Office. . . . The sum total of all these services is our Third Legacy of Service . . . and [they] are utterly vital to our existence and growth.” (The A.A. Service Manual, p. S1)

■ Deadlines for Directories In order to be included in the 2010 Regional Directories, group updates made via Fellowship New Vision (FNV) should be completed by May 7th, 2010. Hard copy updates should be received at the G.S.O. Records department no later than April 23rd, 2010 to be included. Box 4-5-9, Spring 2010

■ In Remembrance The General Service Office sadly reports the death of John G., who was a G.S.O. staff member from 1987 until his retirement in 1996. A native of New York, John had boundless gratitude for Alcoholics Anonymous and last September celebrated 32 years of sobriety. He leaves his son, Christian, daughters Lynne and Nina, other family members and a legion of friends around the world. A former colleague said, “John had a real way with words, not fancy or elegant, but direct, plainspoken, and to the point. He loved an underdog and was always willing to offer a helping hand.” In the words of his close friend Dennis, from his Staten Island A.A. group, “Everybody was a somebody to John.”

■ Résumés for Trustees Election Due January 1, 2011 Three new Class B (alcoholic) trustees, from the Southwest and Northeast regions, and trustee-atlarge/Canada, will be nominated at the General Service Conference in April 2011. Résumés must be received at G.S.O. no later than January 1, 2011, and must be submitted by area delegates U.S./Canada, only. In seeking applications for vacancies in Alcoholics Anonymous, the Fellowship is committed to creating a large file of qualified applicants that reflects the inclusiveness and diversity of A.A. itself. Please submit your candidates’ résumés to the secretary, trustees’ Committee on Nominating, G.S.O. The new Southwest regional trustee will follow Conley B., of Redfield, Arizona. The new Northeast regional will fill the position currently held by John K., of Collingswood, New Jersey. The next trustee-at-large/Canada will succeed Jo-Anne L., of Winnipeg. A sound A.A. background is a basic qualification for Class B trustees. Ten years of continuous sobriety is desirable but not mandatory. 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 matters of broad policy that affect A.A. as a whole. Since much is asked of the trustees with respect to their time, it is important that trustee candidates understand the commitment of time required. Trustees are expected to attend: three quarterly board weekends, with meetings running from Saturday morning through Monday noon; a quarterly meeting combined with the General Service Conference (seven days) in April; and any special meetings of the board. Regional trustees also serve in rotation for attendance at Regional Forums other than in their own regions. In addition, regional trustees are usually asked to 7

serve two years on either the A.A.W.S. or Grapevine Corporate Boards, which meet more frequently than the General Service Board. Trustees serve on committees of the General Service Board and may also serve on trustees’ subcommittees or corporate board subcommittees, whose work often involves conference calls. They are often invited to participate in regional or area activities, such as service conferences, area assemblies, etc. Trusteeship is for four years. Applicants are encouraged to discuss this time commitment with their family and employer. Trustees are reimbursed for travel, hotel and meal expenses.

■ G.S.O.’s Contributions Department Did you ever wonder what really happens to that dollar or two, or more, you drop in the basket at meetings, or to the larger sum you contribute to G.S.O. in gratitude for a particular anniversary? All of our contributions add up to roughly 1,800 pieces of mail that are received weekly by G.S.O.’s Contributions Department, headed by nonalcoholic Constance Ivey. Constance, who has been at G.S.O. for 30 years, supervises the department’s heavy flow of mail along with a staff of five who, together, process each and every contribution that comes in. The department’s job is to first break down contributions mail into four categories: group; individual; special; and foreign. Each donation is logged, computerized and responded to differently. For example, once a check is received and tabulated, if it’s a group contribution, then the sum is credited to that group, according to its registration or group service number. The group is then sent a thank you card. Thousands of acknowledgments are sent out each month. If it’s a special contribution from your area, for example, perhaps after a gratitude “get-together” at which everyone dropped something into the basket, that contributer will be sent an acknowledgment from a staff member. So, too, with contributions from individual A.A.s, which might be celebratory or sent in memory of an A.A. member who died. Generally, each group decides what percentage of their “basket money” to send, and there are examples in the pamphlet “Self-support: Where Money and Spirituality Mix.” The group conscience also decides whether to send contributions on a monthly, quarterly or annual basis. “Many members want to express their gratitude on their anniversary,” Constance says, “and these contributions are given special treatment: every donor receives an attractive, wallet-sized card on which is printed a congratulatory message.” 8

Once the mail is processed and letters of acknowledgment sent out, it’s all put on the computer, where it is stored routinely, in addition to being placed on a backup “double-ledger” file. The department’s updated filing system saves a lot of time, particularly when individuals call or write after they’ve sent a contribution that may have gone unacknowledged. “We get less and less of those queries now that we’re more streamlined,” Constance reports. However, group contributors are reminded, whenever possible, over and over to include their group service number with their contributions. “Once they know it, we urge them to pass it on to the next slate of group officers. Believe me, that group service number is important,” says Constance. “The department has implemented a few new procedures to help us work more efficiently,” Constance reports. “We have set up a new check-scanning system, whereby the checks are scanned directly into the bank. This means the checks clear in half the time as the old method. This improvement has cut down on the time it takes to get checks deposited and receipts in the mail. “We also have an e-mail receipt sending system, which enables us to e-mail members a receipt, provided the email address is included. The Contributions Department is always trying to improve on our services to the Fellowship,” Constance says. The department’s work is hectic with rarely a let-up, and “there are days when all we can handle is the mail, and recording the contributions,” Constance says, adding,

Contribution Department staff (all nonalcoholics) from left: Winsome Ricketts, Elizabeth Ramdarass, Constance Ivy (Supervisor), Joan Alleyne, Raisbel Peña and Awilda Rivera. Box 4-5-9, Spring 2010

“A.A.s are an extremely generous bunch of people and I love working with them.” At the present time, the General Service Conference Advisory Action limits the maximum annual contribution by an individual to $3,000.

and service committees within the Fellowship. So when there is an anonymity break at the public level, the P.I. desk at G.S.O. writes to the appropriate area delegate, passing along the basic facts, and suggesting that the delegate or another trusted servant make contact with the member. Only if the delegate so requests does G.S.O. write the actual letter.

P.I. ■ Anonymity Letter to the Media Each year, since the practice began in 1949, the trustees’ Public Information Committee has sent its annual Anonymity Letter to the Media. The simple letter thanks members of the media—news reporters; radio; television and on-line editors and producers; photo directors; and talk show hosts—for the support they have always afforded Alcoholics Anonymous in regard to protecting the anonymity of A.A. members, and asks for their continued cooperation. The letter goes on to request that when presenting A.A. members first names only be used, and that pictures in which their faces may be recognized not be used. It further explains that: “Anonymity lies at the heart of our Fellowship and assures our members that their recovery will be private. Often, the active alcoholic will avoid any source of help which might reveal his or her identity.” This February approximately 9,000 Anonymity Letters were mailed and 6,000 were e-mailed to a media list covering the U.S. and Canada (including Spanish media in the U.S. and the French media in Quebec). The letter is also posted on G.S.O.’s Web site. Despite the saturation coverage of the Anonymity Letter, and the vigilance of A.A. groups and individual members everywhere, anonymity breaks do happen—a number of them at the hands of well-meaning celebrities eager “to help other alcoholics like me.” What is done about such breaks and the dozens of others that occur yearly? As mail received by the General Service Office reveals, members have expressed continuing concern about such violations of the Eleventh Tradition (“Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio, and films.”), which the Fellowship’s co-founder Bill W. called “the key to A.A.’s spiritual survival.” When a specific anonymity break occurs, A.A. members frequently ask G.S.O. to send a letter to the publication or broadcast station involved. But it has long been the consensus of A.A.’s General Service Conference that responsibility for protecting the Tradition of Anonymity at the public level, and for responding to anonymity breaks in the media, rests with the individuals, groups Box 4-5-9, Spring 2010

Corrections ■ A New Opportunity for Hope Behind the Walls The Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous is filled with men and women who know very well that “A.A. is more than a set of principles; it is a society of alcoholics in action.” (The A.A. Service Manual, p. S1) They keep an eye peeled for anyone, anywhere, reaching out for help so that they may offer the hand of A.A. Of course, most remember when it was their own hand reaching out for assistance—and help was there. The handiwork of these alcoholics is revealed in countless ways, from a simple invitation to coffee to standing for election to a position in general service. Indeed, whenever an A.A. is in action, helping other alcoholics, great rewards often follow: “Life will take on new meaning. . . . Frequent contact with newcomers and with each other is the bright spot of our lives.” (Alcoholics Anonymous, p.89) Bob C. is one of those A.A.s in action. After being elected Area 14 (Northern Florida) corrections chairperson, he said that, other than helping to carry A.A.’s message to a still-suffering alcoholic, he “wasn’t sure what to expect.” One day, however, he received an e-mail from Keith S., an A.A. in California participating in the Corrections Correspondence Service (CCS) through the General Service Office. (CCS is a Twelfth Step opportunity which links A.A. members on the “outside” with A.A. members in correctional facilities to provide a source of experience as it relates to problems with alcohol. Men are linked with men and women with women.) Keith S., an “outside” A.A., was corresponding with Greg M., an alcoholic on the “inside” at a state prison in Florida. In his correspondence, Greg shared that he’d like to attend an A.A. meeting, but there hadn’t been an A.A. meeting at that correctional facility for nearly ten years. After receiving Greg’s letter, Keith tracked down the corrections area chair—Bob C.—in the region where the prison is located. He related Greg’s request for a meeting and asked Bob about the possibility of bringing an A.A. meeting behind the walls of that facility. With a clear request for help in hand, Bob then emailed the warden of the prison, as well as the Area 14 9

Public Information service coordinator in Tallahassee, Florida. He spoke with prison officials and other A.A.s with experience in corrections and service. A few months later, after meeting with the warden, as well as with security and education personnel, A.A. was given permission to bring a meeting inside the walls. Since then, it has been a resounding success. That meeting is now a new group called “Fresh Start Behind the Walls.” It has about 14 members, a G.S.R., and is a closed meeting format. It meets every Wednesday at 6:30 PM in the main unit of the prison. Bob C.’s voice is still tinged with awe and wonder as he relates the events around the creation of the meeting. “Prison officials have gone out of their way to be helpful. We have coffee at the meeting. They rescheduled a head count so that some of the men could attend the meeting without interruption.” Energized by the success of the meeting, he said, “I have made it my home group. I will be going there for years.” Bob also shares something that almost never fails to add a spark of excitement to an A.A.’s eye: “Calls are flooding in from other institutions—they all want A.A. I am organizing an event to get more volunteers to help fill all the requests.”

■ Corrections Correspondence Service (C.C.S.) We are in need of male A.A. members on the “outside” to correspond with male A.A. members in correctional facilities and to share their experience, strength and hope. We also have a particular need for Spanish-speaking male correspondents. Most correspondents use their home address, some use a P.O. Box and others receive permission to use the group, area, or Intergroup P.O. Box. G.S.O. Does Not Forward Mail. Linking is done in the order received. To sign up for this service or for more information contact the Corrections Desk at: G.S.O., P.O. Box 459, New York, NY 10163; corrections@aa.og or 212-870-3400.

■ Stories Needed Submissions of personal stories are being sought for a revision of the pamphlet “It Sure Beats Sitting in a Cell” from A.A. members who can briefly present their experience with the A.A. program of recovery while incarcerated. Please send submissions to the Corrections desk at corrections@aa.org, or by mail to Corrections, PO Box 459, Grand Central Station, New York, NY 10163. The deadline for submissions is June 15, 2010. Questions should be directed to the Corrections desk at G.S.O., either by e-mail or phone, 212-870-3400. 10

International News ■ South African Pamphlet Poses Simple Question in 11 Languages South Africa is referred to as the “Rainbow Nation” in recognition of the country’s many languages and cultures. For South Africa A.A., though, this presents the challenge of producing literature useful to as many as possible. So at the country’s annual Conference last year, when it was decided to produce a new literature piece, the initial suggestion was for a pamphlet in four languages— English, Afrikaans, Zulu and Xhosa—which would have served a large portion of the population. But the national secretary for C.P.C./P.I. whose job it was to design the piece had another idea. Instead of producing yet another leaflet on the broad subject of alcoholism, he opted for a simple and direct question—“Are You an Alcoholic?”—to be printed in all 11 official languages. The publication, known as the “rainbow pamphlet,” also contains 20-question tests readers take to determine for themselves whether they have a drinking problem, along with contact information for A.A. “It seemed that this might do more good as a C.P.C./P.I tool in that it would enable alcoholics and their families to more easily identify the problem of alcoholism, lessening the effect of denial by the alcoholic, once the questions had been honestly answered,” says Peter K., head of the G.S.O. of South Africa. “The leaflets could easily be left with doctors, clinics, etc.,” he adds. A dummy of the layout was submitted to the C.P.C./P.I. Committee, which authorized its production. The Literature and Publications Committee oversaw translation and printing, while coming up with the idea for an accompanying poster. “The response by A.A. members, as well as the community at large, has been very positive,” says Peter. “Together with the various posters that have been produced in most of our languages, it has given added meaning and hope in our multicultural Fellowship to the concept of going to The question “Are You an Alcoholic?” appears in all the official languages any lengths to help the of South Africa in this poster version still-suffering alcoholic.” of the so-called rainbow pamphlet. Box 4-5-9, Spring 2010

Cut along dotted line, and post this page on your group’s bulletin board

– – – -✁ ———————————————————————————-

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.

March 5-7—Los Angeles, California. PRAASA. Write: Ch., Box 2126, Upland, CA 91785; www.praasa.org 5-7—Indianapolis, Indiana. 57 th Indiana State Conv. Write: Ch., 35 Palimino Ct., Zionsville, IN 46077; indianastateconvention@yahoo.com 5-7—Dubuque, Iowa. West Central Reg. Svc Conf. Write: Ch., Box 1685, Dubuque, IA 52004-1685 5-7—Dearborn, Michigan. Area 33 March Round-up. Write: Ch., Box 185, Roseville, MI 48066; www.aa-semi.org 5-7—Rochester, New York. Flower City Fellowship Conv. Write: Ch., 10 Manhattan Sq. Dr., Ste D, Rochester, NY 14607; www.rochester-ny-aa.org 11-14—Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. 63rd SC State Conv. Write: Ch., Box 7393, Myrtle Beach, SC 29572 12-14—Victorville, California. 26th Sunshine of the Spirit. Write: Ch., Box 1894, Apple Valley, CA 92307 12-14—Albany, Georgia. Flint River Roundup. Write: Ch., Box 7461, Bainbridge, GA 39818; www.flintriverroundup.org 12-14—Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. Regina & Area 80 Round-up. Write: Ch., 845 Broad St., Regina, SK S4R 8G9 12-14—Nagoya, Japan. 35 th Celebration. Write: Ch., 4-17-10-4F Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo, 171-0014 Japan; gsoj-int@ric.hi.ho.ne.jp 18-21—Ruston, Louisiana. 19th LA Upstate Conv. Write: Ch., Box 505, Ruston, LA 71273-0505; www.rustonaa.org 19-20—Virginia, Minnesota. 31st Winter Rap Up. Write: Ch., 9801 Highway 1, Cook, MN 55723 19-21—Odessa, Florida. Soberstock. Write: Ch., 4949 Marbrisa Dr., #1616, Tampa, FL 33624; www.soberstock.com 19-21—Rapid City, South Dakota. Rushmore Round-up. Write: Ch., Box 8472, Rapid City, SD 57709 19-21—Ripley, West Virginia. Area 73 Conv. Write: Ch., Box 15, Ripley, WV 25271; wvarea73convention@gmail.com

Box 4-5-9, Spring 2010

Spring 2010

26-28—Brawley, California. 20 th Imperial Valley Round-up. Write: Ch., Box 393, El Centro, CA 92244; www.area8aa.org

April 2-4—Costa Mesa, California. 25 th Orange County Conv. Write: Ch., Box 987, Anaheim, CA 92815; www.ocaac.org

26-28—Longmont, Colorado. Area 10 Assembly. Write: Ch., 2306 Sherri Mar St., Longmont, CA 80501; www.coloradoaa.org 26-28—Fruitland Park, Florida. Beyond Sobriety Round-up. Write: Ch., Box 493244, Leesburg, FL 34749

2-4—New Haven, Connecticut. Fourth New Haven Spring Conf. Write: Ch., Box 791, North Haven, CT 06473; www.newhavenspringconference.com

26-28—Ames, Iowa. Aim for Ames. Write: Ch., Box 2522, Ames, IA 50010; www.aimforames.org 26-28—Cherry Hill, New Jersey. 46th Southern NJ Area 45 Conv. Write: Ch., Box 292, Sicklerville, NJ 08081; www.snjaaconvention.org

8-11—Tucson, Arizona. Fifth Seniors in Sobriety International Conf. Write: Ch., Box 482, Green Valley, AZ 85622; www.seniorsinsobriety.org 9-11—Beachwood, Ohio. 54th NE Ohio MiniConf. Write: Ch., Box 91384, Cleveland, OH 44101-3384; www.area54.org

26-28—Niagara Falls, New York. Second Cataract City Conv. Write: Ch., Box 2006, Niagara Falls, NY 14301

9-11—San Antonio, Texas. Wknd in SA. Write: Ch., 8919 Wickfield St., San Antonio, TX 78217-4141; www.aainsa.org 9-11—Manchester Village, Vermont. 47 th Area 70 Conv. Write: Ch., Box 167, Jamaica, VT 05343

26-28—Tarrytown, New York. 43rd SENY Area 49 Conv. Write: Ch., Box 610093, Flushing, NY 11361; www.aaseny.org

14-15—Park City, Utah. Area 69 Pre-Conf. Assembly. Write: Ch., 2860 W. 7420 S., West Jordan, UT 84084

26-28—Morehead City, North Carolina. Crystal Coast Round-up. Write: Ch., Box 813, Havelock, NC 28532; ccr2010@ec.rr.com

15-18—Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Springtime In The Ozarks Conv. Write: Ch., Box 402, Eureka Springs, AR; www.nwarkaa.org 16-18—Erie, Pennsylvania. 35 th Erie Area Spring Conf. Write: Ch., Box 1357, Erie, PA 16512-1357; erieconf@aol.com

26-28—Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Area 60 Getaway Wknd. Write: Ch., Box 353, Warren, PA 16365; www.wpaarea60.org 26-28—Caguas, Puerto Rico. Conv. de Area 77. Inf: Com. Org., Box 35, Caguas, PR 00726-0035; despertar@aa-pr.org

16-18—Dauphin, Manitoba, Canada. Dauphin Round-up. Write: Ch., 21-4th Ave. NW, Dauphin, MB R7N 1H9

27-28—Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. Area 35 Spring Assembly. Write: Ch., 1921 E. 21st St., Hibbing, MN 55746

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 Editor: Box 459, Grand Central Station, New York, NY 10163 or literature@aa.org Date of event: from ___________________________________ to _____________________________ , 20_______________ Name of event: ____________________________________________________________________________________________ Location: _________________________________________________________________________________________________ CITY

STATE OR PROVINCE

Planning Committee address: ____________________________________________________________________________ P.O. BOX (OR NUMBER AND STREET)

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

CITY

STATE OR PROVINCE

ZIP CODE

Web site or E-mail: _______________________________________________________________________________________ (NO PERSONAL E-MAIL ADDRESSES)

Contact person: ___________________________________________________________________________________________ NAME

PHONE # AND E-MAIL

11

17-18— Shawinigan, Quebec, Canada. 41 e Congrès, Dist. 89-02. Écrire: Prés., 3192 Place Garnier, Apt. 2, Shawinigan, QC G9N 6R5.

28-30—Covington, Louisiana. SE LA Spring Round-up. Write: Ch., 4150, Covington, LA 70434

23-25—Corona, California. Congreso del Inland Empire. Inf: Com. Org., Box 926, Bloomington, CA 92316

28-30—Minneapolis, Minnesota. Gopher State Round-up. Write: Ch., Box 65295, St. Paul, MN 55165; www.gopherstateroundup.org

16-18—Morgantown, West Virginia. Area 73 Conv. Write: Ch., Box 512, Grafton, WV 26354; www.wvarea73convention@gmail.com

23-25—Chipley, Florida. Chipley Country Roundup. Write: Ch., Box 677, Chipley, FL 32428; chipley_countryroundup@hotmail.com

28-30—St. Louis, Missouri. Spring Fling Conv. Write: Ch., Box 22454, St. Louis. MO 63126; www.springflingstl.com

23-25—Stockholm, Sweden. All Europe Young People Conf. Write: Info: www.eurypaa.org

23-25—Concan, Texas. Ninth Spiritual Unity on the Frio Conf. Write: Ch., Box 528, Utopia, TX 78884

28-30—Dallas, Texas. XLVIII Asamblea Estatal Hispana de TX . Inf: Com. Org., Box 271312; Dallas, TX 75227 28-30—Dallas, Texas. 24 th Gathering Of Eagles. Write: Ch., Box 35865, Dallas, TX 75235; www.dallasgatheringofeagles.org

23-25—Mont-Tremblant, Québec, Canada. 37ieme Congres des Laurentides. Ecrire : Prés., 652 rue Guy, Ste-Agathes-des-Monts, QC J8C 2Y9 ; www.aa-quebec.org 30-2—Grand Rapids, Michigan. Iron Range Get Together. Write: Ch., Box 1002, Grand Rapids, MN 55744; ironrangegettogether@live.com 30-2—Albuquerque, New Mexico. 17th Red Road Conv. Write: Ch., Box 20292, Albuquerque, NM 87154

28-30—Glen Allen, Virginia. Sixth Fellowship Of The Spirit Mid-Atlantic Conf. Write: Ch., Box 36061; Richmond, VA 23235; www.fotsmidatlantic.org 28-30—Tacoma, Washington. VIII Conv. D el WA Sede Tacoma. Inf: Com. Org., 12005 Des Moines Memorial Dr., Seattle, WA 98168

30-2—Waco, Texas. Heart of TX Conf. Write: Ch., 1133 Taylor Ave., Waco, TX 76704 ; www.hot-waco.synthasite.com 30-2— Longueuil, Québec, Canada. 28 th Congrès Longueuil Rive-Sud. Écrire: Prés., CP 21061 Stn Jacques-Cartier R-S, Longueuil, QC J4J 5J4

28-30—Cody, Wyoming. Area 76 Spring Conv. Write: Ch., Box 1092, Cody, WY 82414; www.area76wyaa.org

May

June

6-9—Cocoa Beach, Florida. 20th Spring Conf. Write: Ch., Box 951903, Lake Mary, FL 32795; www.woodstockofaa.com

4-5—Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, Canada. 26 e Congres Dist. 89-18. Écrire: Pres., CP 1341, Trois-Rivieres, QC G9A 5L2

7-9—Jekyll Island, Georgia. Recovery In Action. Write: Ch., 132 Lakeview Circle, Brunswick, GA 31525; www.recoveryinaction.net

4-6—Flagstaff, Arizona. Flagstaff Round-up. Write: Ch., Box 488, Flagstaff, AZ 86002; www.flagstaffroundup.com

7-9—Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. Blossom Time Conv. Write: Ch., Box 831, Niagara Falls, ON L2E 6V6; www.blossomtimeconvention.com 7-9—Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany . 32nd Rheinland-Pfalz Round-up. Info: www.aaeurope.net 14-16—Tulsa, Oklahoma. OK State Conf. Write: Ch., Box 52739; Tulsa, OK 741520739; www.aaoklahoma.org 14-16—Port Angeles, Washington. Olympic Round-up. Write: Ch., Box 1081, Port Angeles, WA 98362-0204; www.olympicroundup.com 14-16—Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. Western Canada Regional Forum. Write: Forum Coord., Box 459, Grand Central Station, NY, NY 10163; Regionalforums@aa.org 21-23—Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. 50th DE State Conv. Write: Ch., Box 830, Clayton, DE 19938; www.delawareaa.org

12

28-31—St. Augustine, Florida. Ancient City Unity Wknd. Write: Ch., 34 Glen Falls Dr., Ormond Beach, FL 32174; www.ancientcityaa.com

July

29-1—Valencia, Estado Carabobo, Venezuela. V Conv. Nacional. Inf: www.aanonimos.org.ve 30-1—Grand Junction, Colorado. Area 10 Assembly. Write: Ch., Box 118, Whitewater, CO 81527, www.coloradoaa.org

August 13-15—Perrysburg, Ohio. 54 th OH State Conv. Write: Ch., 3328 Glanzman Rd., Toledo, OH 43614; 2010stateconvoh.semi@bex.net 26-28—Columbus, Ohio. 29th OH Round-up. Write: Ch., 128 Wilson Ave., Columbus, OH 43205; 29thohioroundup@gmail.com 26-29—New York, New York. 52nd ICYPAA. Write: Ch., Box 422, Times Sq. Station, NY, NY 10108; www.icypaahost.org 27-29—Torrance, California. Pacific Regional Forum. Write: Forum Coord., Box 459, Grand Central Station, New York, NY 10163; Regionalforums@aa.org 27-29—McComb, Mississippi. Fourth Dimension Conv. Write: Ch., Box 50; McComb, MS 39649

4-6—Abiquiu, New Mexico. NM State Conv. Write: Ch., Box 803, Los Alamos, NM 87544 4-6—Brookings, South Dakota. Area 63 Spring Conf. Write: Ch., 406 Chase St. NW, De Smet, SD 57231 11-13—Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Canada. Provincial Round-up. Write: Ch., 14 Orchard Terr., Antigonish, NS B2G 1W3 12-14—Calgary, Alberta, Canada. 29 th Calgary Gratitude Round-up. Write: Ch., #2-4015 1st St., SE, Calgary, AB T2G 4X7; aaoffice@telusplanet.net 17-20—Mesquite, Nevada. Fellowship Of The Spirit. Write: Ch., PMB 311, 840 S. Rancho Dr., Ste 4, Las Vegas, NV 89106; www.fotsnv.com 18-20—Mills, Wyoming. June Jamboree. Write: Ch., Box 2714, Mills, WY 82644; www.area76wyaa.org 25-27—Sept-Îles, Quebec, Canada. 31 e Congres Du Dist. 89-10. Écrire: Pres., 456, Arnaud, Sept-Îles, QC G4R 3B1

Box 4-5-9, Spring 2010