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News and Notes from the General Service Office of A.A.® www.aa.org

■ 60th General Service Conference

Under the theme “Practicing A.A.’s Principles—The Pathway to Unity,” the 131 members of the 60th General Service Conference of Alcoholics Anonymous in the U.S. and Canada, met April 18-24, 2010, at the Hilton Rye Town in Rye Brook, N.Y. Often referred to as “A.A.’s annual business meeting,” Conference week can be long, often arduous but ultimately rewarding—filled with presentations, workshops, trustees’ elections and committee meetings. The Conference Committees met first in joint meetings with their corresponding trustees’ committees. Then each Conference committee met separately to review background material, deliberate and discuss various agenda items and come up with recommendations, some of which resulted in Conference Advisory Actions. (See p. 3 for summary of Advisory Actions.) This year’s Conference was chaired by Ward Ewing, Class A (nonalcoholic) chairman of the General Service Board; Phyllis H., G.S.O.’s general manager; and Lowell L., delegate chair. Staff member Adrienne B. was Conference coordinator. Prior to the Conference, in February, the General Service Board announced with great sadness the death of Michael Alexander, a man deeply linked to A.A.’s history. He was remembered at the Conference Opening Dinner by his friend Jim Estelle, Class A trustee emeritus. As Jim noted, Mike’s association with

A.A. stretched back decades to a time when Mike worked as a young lawyer with Bernard Smith (nonalcoholic), and was present when Smith and Bill W. developed the framework of the General Service Conference structure. Mike later served as a Class A (nonalcoholic) trustee from 1976 to 1985, and as chairman of the General Service Board from 1988 to 1993. “Mike’s historic knowledge of A.A., his keen

’

insights and wonderful humor will be missed,” said Jim. A.A. history was also evident in the Archives presentation on Monday evening, as G.S.O.’s Archivist Michelle Mirza (nonalcoholic) projected a photo of Bill and Lois onto a large screen for the entire Conference to see. The photo was one taken in San Diego in 1948 when Bill was traveling across the country to gain support for the Conference. In keeping with the Conference theme, Michelle reflected, “. . . through our combined efforts, we can continue to support our objective in chronicling

Vol. 56, No.2 Summer 2010

A.A.’s history, to sustain our unity.” She then played a recording of Bill’s San Diego speech, in which Bill said, in part: “. . . unless we are bound together as one there can be little recovery for those hundreds of thousands yet to turn to us.” On Tuesday evening, during the Delegates Only Dinner, Leon A. (Nebraska) was elected chair for the 2011 Conference; Louie B., (NW Ohio/SE Michigan) was selected alternate chair. At the trustee elections Wednesday morning, Rod B., of Salt Lake City, Utah, was elected Pacific regional trustee; Don C, of Terrebonne, Quebec, was elected Eastern Canada regional trustee. As excitement mounts for A.A.’s 75th Birthday Party in San Antonio, Rick W., International Convention coordinator, brought the Conference up to date on the last minute preparations and, later in the evening on Friday, the 475 Riverside Players (starring G.S.O. staff members) presented a skit based on some of the humorous situations one might expect to encounter during the July 4th celebration. On Friday, the 60th General Service Conference closed with the Serenity Prayer in English, Spanish and French. Conference members met for the last time at the Saturday morning Closing Brunch, with farewell talks from rotating trustees Bill Clark, Class A (nonalcoholic), and Madeleine P., Pacific regional trustee. Delegate chair, Lowell T., summed up: “It’s hard to say goodbye. What do you say? . . . I’ll see you later. I’ll see you soon. It’s been fun.”

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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., 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.

■ 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, Arkansas. 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, Manitoba. 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 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 partici2

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pate 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.

■ Opening for Grapevine Nontrustee Director A.A. Grapevine’s Corporate Board has started its search to fill a vacancy for a nontrustee director, which will open following the 2011 General Service Conference. Interested A.A. members are encouraged to submit a résumé. Basic qualifications for this position are: a minimum of seven years of continuous sobriety; a sound business or professional background in, but not limited to, the following areas—finance, management, publishing, or communications; leadership qualities and the ability to work with others in a group conscience setting; availability to attend four planning committee meetings of the Grapevine Board, plus three General Service Board weekends, which include quarterly Grapevine Board meetings and meetings of trustees’ committees (to which corporate board directors are appointed). In addition, directors attend the General Service Conference for one week in April and may be called upon to represent A.A. Grapevine at Regional Forums or other A.A. functions. In seeking applications for all vacancies in A.A., the Fellowship is committed to creating a large applicant file of qualified persons, which reflects the inclusiveness and diversity of A.A. Résumés should be sent to Janet Bryan, Office Manager, A.A. Grapevine, by August 2, 2010.

■ Estimates of Groups and Members as of January 1, 20101 United States Canada

Groups 56,694 4,887 ______

Members 1,264,716 94,163 ________

Sub-Total Correctional facilities2 Internationalists Lone Members

61,581 1,589 3 ______-

1,358,879 39,731 157 ________

Total Outside U.S. & Canada3

63,173 52,600 ______

1,398,767 704,266 ________

115,773

2,103,033

Grand Total __________

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 and 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 coutries, including 60 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 figure.

Box 4-5-9, Summer 2010

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■ 2010 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.

Advisory Actions Floor Action—that the revised 60th Conference draft pamphlet, “The A.A. Member — Medications and Other Drugs,” be returned to the trustees’ Literature Committee for additional discussion and report back to the 2011 Conference Committee on Literature; that the request to replace the existing pie charts on page 12 of the pamphlet “Self-Support: Where Money & Spirituality Mix,” be recommitted to the trustees’ Finance Committee. Agenda—that the theme for the 2011 General Service Conference be: “We Are Responsible for A.A.’s Future — Let It Begin With Us.” Corrections—that two new sentences be added to the pamphlet “A Message to Corrections Professionals.” Finance—that the trustees’ Finance Committee gather personal stories drawn from the Fellowship that humanize the impact of Seventh Tradition monies for the purpose of communicating with the Fellowship about Self-Support in new or existing literature. Grapevine—that La Viña achieve spiritual parity with the A.A. Grapevine, beginning in the following manner: publishing La Viña as a bimonthly, perfect-bound, black-and-white, 68-page issue for one year beginning in 2011 followed by a year of review and assessment in 2012. The results of this review and assessment will be brought to the 2013 Conference Committee on the A.A. Grapevine. Literature—that the revised pamphlet “Questions and Answers on Sponsorship” be approved; that the trustees’ Literature Committee review the booklet Living Sober and present a report to the 2011 Conference Committee on Literature.

Information Committee report back to the 2011 Conference Committee on Public Information with a draft policy on showing or not showing faces of actors who are portraying A.A. members or potential A.A. members in Conference-approved visual media, reviewing and taking into consideration targeted audiences for all available A.A. tapes and videos. Report and Charter—that the General Service Board consider adding a section describing the role of trustees emeriti to The A.A. Service Manual; that the Publication Department publish the Area Service Highlights in their entirety in the Final Conference Report. Trustees—that the slate of officers and trustees to be elected at the annual meeting of the General Service Board be approved; that the slate of directors for the A.A.W.S. and Grapevine Boards be approved.

Additional Considerations Archives—accepted the report from the trustees’ Archives Committee on the feasibility of Developing a Self-guided Tour of G.S.O.’s Archives. Cooperation With the Professional Community—reviewed the C.P.C. Kit and Workbook and made several suggestions for additions and revisions. International Conventions/A.A. Regional Forums— reviewed the preparations for the upcoming International Convention; discussed ways to encourage interest in Forums and attract first-time attendees. Treatment Facilities/Special Needs-Accessibilities—suggested that the DVD Hope: Alcoholics Anonymous be added to the T.F. Kit in a hole-punched vinyl sleeve, instead of in the current box casing.

See You in San Antonio

Policy/Admissions—that Angel Andres C. and Carlos Julio H., from the General Service Board of Venezuela be admitted to the 60th General Service Conference as observers; that the General Service Conference conduct a thorough inventory of itself and that a Conference Inventory Planning Committee be established to develop a comprehensive inventory plan to bring forward to the 2011 Conference Committee on Policy/ Admissions for consideration along with an estimated cost for conducting the inventory. Public Information—that the A.A. Video for Young People, titled “Animation,” be approved; that the 2010 television public service announcement, “My World,” developed by the trustees’ P.I. Committee, be approved; that the trustees’ Public Box 4-5-9, Summer 2010

A.A.’S 75TH BIRTHDAY July 1 – 4, 2010 3

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Reports From Boards and Trustees’ Committees Complete reports, as well as staff reports, may be found in the Final Conference Report (M-23). ■ General Service Board Report Trustees’ report: I have been inspired

throughout the year by our Conference theme, “Practicing A.A.’s Principles — the Pathway to Unity.” As your chair, and a nonalcoholic, it is truly humbling to be called upon to practice A.A. principles. We have had a challenging year from an economic point of view, yet we have had a productive year as well. Our General Service Board has been blessed with the addition of some new folks. We’ve been joined by Class A trustees, Francis Brisbane and Corliss Burke and Class B trustees Don M. (Colorado), Don M. (Louisiana), George M., El N. and Pam R. The General Service Office was delighted to welcomed new staff members Mary C. and Jim M., and the hard working Michelle Mirza (nonalcoholic) was appointed Director of the Archives. We’ve had some sad loses this year, as well. Past G.S.O. staff member John G. died in January, and on February 16th, we also lost a great friend of Alcoholics Anonymous, Michael Alexander. Since the last Conference, various trustees, staff members and the G.S.O. general manager, were invited to travel to South Africa, Columbia, Peru, Germany, and Thailand. In April of 1935, Bill and Dr. Bob had no idea what an immense transformation in the world of recovery from alcoholism was about to take place— that when Bill dropped a coin into a hotel lobby phone in Akron a worldwide spiritualized society would be created that has embraced and saved millions of lives since then. At this 60th General Service Conference, may a loving God express himself to us through our informed group conscience during the coming week. Ward Ewing, D.D., (nonalcoholic) chairman

■ Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. Trustees’ report: Each year directors serving on Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. Board report to the 4

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. The board receives reports from G.S.O. management and staff, reviews updates on group services activity, tracks progress on implementation of Conference and board recommendations related to A.A.W.S., reviews financial reports, considers new budgets, prices new and revised publications, consider publishing operations and G.S.O. administrative matters, discusses requests from A.A. members and non-A.A.s seeking permission to reprint A.A. copyrighted literature, and addresses other pertinent matters. The board utilizes the committee system to address extensive agendas. Committees are: Services (considers the needs of all service assignments); Publishing (reviews reprints, foreign literature and publications matters); Finance (oversees budgeting and financial results); and Nominating (suggests candidates for nontrustee director and general service trustee vacancies). John K., chairperson

■ A.A. Grapevine, Inc. Directors’ report: The A.A. Grapevine, Inc., one of the operating corporations of the General Service Board, publishes the international journal of Alcoholics Anonymous in print and in audio, along with collections of Grapevine magazine articles in books, CDs, and on the Web site. With the financial support of the General Service Board, A.A. Grapevine, Inc., also publishes La Viña, the Spanish-language journal of A.A., and collections of La Viña stories in CDs and other formats. Sharing the experience, strength and hope of current members and their friends, the magazines carry the A.A. message to about a quarter million people a month. Average monthly Grapevine print circulation was 102,281 in 2009; bimonthly circulation of La Viña was 9,663. Dorothy H., chairperson

■ Archives Trustees’ report: The committee reviews the Archives policies, procedures and budget and undertakes and maintains final responsibility and authority for the use of the Archives. The committee continues to support the G.S.O. Archives’ commitment to grant access to the archives for legitimate research purposes. They aim to ensure that vital records are preserved by applying preservation procedures to prolong the usable life of the records entrusted to its care. George M., chairperson

■ Audit Committee Trustees’ report: The committee was created as a proactive measure to assist the General Service Board in fulfilling its fiduciary obligation of Prudent Corporate Governance. Madeleine P., chairperson

■ Compensation Committee Trustees’ report: The committee reports to the General Service Board and reviews and advises A.A. World Services, Inc. and A.A. Grapevine, Inc. on such items as overall compensation philosophies and policies, annual salary increases process, best compensation practices, and executive compensation. George M., chairperson

■ Conference Trustees’ report: The committee reviewed the Advisory Actions pertaining to the Conference, including the theme chosen for the 60th Conference. The committee reviewed topics submitted for consideration as agenda items in 2010, and forwarded them to trustees’ and Conference Committees, or to the A.A.W.S. or Grapevine Corporate Boards. The committee recommended to the General Service Board that the trip to the General Service Office will now be every two years, alternating with the visit to Stepping Stones. Madeleine P., chairperson Box 4-5-9, Summer 2010

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■ Cooperation With the Professional Community/ Treatment Facilities/Special Needs-Accessibilities Trustees’ report: C.P.C. — A primary focus of this committee is assisting local C.P.C. committees to provide A.A. information to professionals who, through their work, may come in contact with the stillsuffering alcoholic. The committee completed and approved a new informational service piece, “A.A. as a Resource for Drug and Alcohol Court Professionals.” Treatment Facilities — The committee’s interest in treatment facilities, rehabilitation centers and similar centers is reflected through local A.A. committees on Treatment Facilities, Hospitals & Institutions (H&I) and Bridging the Gap (BTG). The committee worked on a request to develop a recovery pamphlet for newcomers and A.A.s with special needs. Conley B., chairperson

■ Corrections Trustees’ report: The purpose of the committee 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. In response to a 2009 Advisory Action the committee has undertaken a revision of “It Sure Beats Sitting in a Cell.” The committee agreed that an appointed committee member (ACM) would benefit this revision process and selected Diane O. of California. Kenneth B., chairperson

■ Finance and Budgetary Trustees’ report: The trustees’ Finance report and Finance Presentation, both given by Terrance Bedient, (nonalcoholic) treasurer, may be found in the Final Conference Report. For Budget Highlights please see page 6, of this issue of Box 4-5-9.

■ General Sharing Session Trustees’ report: The topic of the August 2009 session was “Full Face Box 4-5-9, Summer 2010

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Videos.” The October topic was “Addressing Spirituality in A.A. — Do Our Practices Match Our Principles?” In January 2010 the session focused on “Selection Process of General Service Conference Agenda Items.” Conley B., chairperson

■ 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 structure. We provide shared experience, support translations of A.A. literature in other languages, and encourage the expansion of regional or zonal meetings. The 21st World Service Meeting will be held October 17-21, 2010, in Mexico City, with the theme “Sponsorship: Our Responsibility.” Jo-Anne L., chairperson

■ International Conventions/ A.A. Regional Forums Trustees’ report: International Conventions — The purpose of this committee is to work on plans for each forthcoming International Convention. The 2010 International Convention, celebrating A.A.’s 75th Anniversary, will be held in San Antonio, July 1-4, 2010. The theme will be “A Vision for You.” Regional Forums — Since the 2009 Conference, Regional Forums have been held in the Northeast, West Central, Southwest and East Central regions. An “Additional” Regional Forum was held in the Eastern Canada region. Bill Clark, (nonalcoholic) chairperson

■ Literature Trustees’ report: Some of the literature projects the trustees’ Literature Committee forwarded to the 2010 General Service Conference: • Revision of the pamphlet: “The A.A. Member — Medications and Other Drugs.” • Revised draft of the pamphlet

“Questions and Answers on Sponsorship.” • Request to revise and update the video “Your General Service Office, the Grapevine and the General Service Structure.” • Suggestion to consider a revision of “A.A. and the Armed Services” to reflect more recent experience. • Develop a book about the early pioneer women in A.A. Vic P., chairperson

■ Nominating Trustees’ report: The responsibilities of this committee have grown to encompass criteria for all vacancies, whether in the ranks of trustees, or among key service directors and staff members. The committee reviwed the résumés and background of 31 applicants available to serve as Class A trustees (nonalcoholic), and recommended to the board that John Fromson, M.D. and Michele Grinberg, J.D. be invited to serve as Class A trustees. Rogelio Flores (nonalcoholic) chairperson

■ Public Information Trustees’ report: The Committee on Public Information is charged with the responsibility of helping the membership carry the A.A. message of recovery through the general public to the alcoholic who still suffers. We do this by recommending and coordinating activities which include: creating a greater public understanding of the Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous; producing television and radio public service announcements (P.S.A.s); preparing and posting press releases on aa.org; coordinating health fairs and other community and school exhibits with local P.I. committees; conducting the triennial A.A. Membership Survey; and carrying A.A.’s message through electronic as well as print media. Terrance Bedient, (nonalcoholic) chairperson 5

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The Budget Highlights 2010 G.S.O. Budget These budget highlights describe the “OPERATIONS” of the General Service Office — A.A. World Services (the Publishing operation) and the General Fund (Service activities) and the Grapevine Operations. It excludes any activities reported separately in the Reserve Fund, Convention Fund, Post Retirement Fund or the Capital Projects Fund. Income: The 2010 budget projects gross sales of $14,300,000. Unit sales are expected to be approximately flat when compared with the 2009 after accounting for substantial purchases prior to the July 1, 2009 price increase. The 2010 budget includes a full year of the new selling prices. While reviewing and recommending the 2010 budget, the A.A.W.S. Board considered that revenue and expense assumptions ultimately affect the long-term fiscal health of the General Service Board and its Reserve Fund. Manufacturing costs are budgeted approximately 4% higher than actual 2009 costs but slightly less that the 2009 budget. While there may be some slight increases, our publishing department does not anticipate significant increases in paper or manufacturing costs. Royalties are budgeted at $70,000 this year. While there are only 2 remaining recipients, the increase in selling prices results in higher Royalties. Shipping and warehousing costs are budgeted approximately 8% higher than the 2009 results (we anticipate an increase in smaller shipments) but 12% less than the 2009 budget. The effect of large quantity purchasing just prior to the July price increase had an effect on these costs. After subtracting manufacturing costs, royalties and shipping expense, gross profit is budgeted at $8,452,850 or 60.6%. Gross profit has been budgeted about $217,000 greater than 2009, a direct result of the increase in prices. The 60.6% gross profit percentage anticipated for 2010 compares with 61.1% for 2009. It should be recognized that as we continue to strive to have literature available through out our Service Structure in the Spanish and French languages as well as English, lower print runs in non English languages usually result in higher production costs. We strive to have the same selling prices regardless of the manufacturing cost, therefore lower gross profit margins for low volume items affect the overall gross profit percentages. The table below reflects the Gross Profit Percentages from 2007 through the 2010 budget. 2007 56.8%

2008 55.9%

2009 61.1%

2010 Budget 60.6%

Even though Contribution revenue has shown positive movement for the last several years, total Contributions received for 2009 were less than the 2009 budget and 2008 receipts as well. Your G.S.O. was hit hard during the last quarter of 2008 as was the country at large. During 2009, there were 5 down months and 7 up months when compared with the same month in 2008. The last 4 months of 2009 showed positive results when compared with 2008 and this gave us hope. Prudence dictates that actions have been necessary to control costs and reinforce the revenue stream so as to provide sufficient funds to continue providing services. Trusted Servants continue to explore methods to reduce the costs of operations as well as assess the services supplied. Contributions: Total contributions received for the year 2009 were $166,000 (2.5%) less than 2008. For 2010, contributions have been budgeted at $6,350,000, an increase of slightly less than 1%. During 2009, contributions from groups and individuals of $6,163,000 were $198,600 (3%) less than budget and $162,200 (2.5%) less than 2008. Contributions received from World Service Meeting countries toward the World Service Meeting International literature fund amounted to $133,715, approximately $4,000 less than 2008. In total, contributions received for 2009 were just over $6,296,100. The chart to the right reflects the approximate percentage of the AA groups that choose to list with the General Service Office that have participated in the 7th Tradition by contributing to the General Service Office. To t al O p er at i n g R e ve n u e: for the 2010 is anticipated at $14,803,850, an increase of approximately $260,000 due to the increase in selling prices. To ta l O p e ra t i ng E x p en se s: for 2010 have been budgeted at $13,760,855, approximately $500,000 or 3.8% greater than 2009 expenses and approximately one half percent greater than 2008. The 2010 G.S.O. budget anticipates an excess of revenue over expense of $1,043,000 and is intended to assist in maintaining the Reserve Fund at approximately a nine-month level. This compares with an excess of revenue of $1,273,500 for 2009 and a loss of $275,000 for 2008.

2010 Grapevine Budget The 2010 Grapevine Budget calls for an average circulation of 92,000, 8,000 copies less than the 2009 budget and approximately 10,000 copies less that the 2009 average paid circulation of 102,281. Circulation for the last several years is depicted in the chart to the left. Income: Magazine income of $2,340,238 is expected, $213,000 greater than 2009. Other Publishing Income from books, cassette tapes, and miscellaneous items is budgeted at $929,957, $135,772 higher than 2009. Total Gross Profit: Combining the magazine and other publishing items, a gross profit of $2,023,610 is budgeted for 2010. This compares with $1,784,611 achieved for 2009 and the 2009 budget of $1,705,728. Total Operating Expenses: Total Operating Expenses for 2010 are budgeted at $2,315,251, $352,146 more than the 2009 expenses of $1,963,105. Net Income (loss): For 2010 the Grapevine anticipates a loss of $245,741. This compares with a 2009 budgeted loss of $167,358 and an actual loss from operations of $132,594.

2010 La Viña Budget For 2010 La Vina expects a gross profit on the magazine of $23,101 compared with $29,491 achieved in 2009. Circulation for 2010 is estimated at 9,300, approximately 360 fewer than the 9,663 average for the year 2009 and 700 fewer than the 2009 budget. Other Publishing income is estimated at $30,498, which after deducting cost of product of $5,702, expects to contribute $24,796 to revenue. Total costs and expenses are estimated at $126,861 for 2010, $21,983 more than 2009. The 2010 budget projects a net loss of $78,964, $24,492 higher than the 2009 loss of $54,472. To date, losses of approximately $1,265,000 have been incurred.

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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 3-6—Indian Wells, California. Desert Pow Wow. Write: Ch., Box 10128, Palm Desert, CA 92255-0128 4-5—Trois-Rivières, Quebec, Canada. 26 e Congres Dist. 89-18. Écrire: Prés., CP 1341, Trois-Rivières, QC G9A 5L2 4-6—Flagstaff, Arizona. Flagstaff Round-up. Write: Ch., Box 488, Flagstaff, AZ 86002; www.flagstaffroundup.com 4-6—Bozrah, Connecticut. Area 11 Soberfest. Write: Ch., 45 Greenhouse Blvd., West Hartford, CT 06110; soberfest@ct-aa.org 4-6—Abiquiu, New Mexico. NM State Conv. Write: Ch., Box 803, Los Alamos, NM 87544 4-6—Reading, Pennsylvania. Circle of Hope Roundup. Write: Ch., Box 12957, Reading, PA 19612; www.circleofhoperoundup.com 4-6—Brookings, South Dakota. Area 63 Spring Conf. Write: Ch., 406 Chase St. NW, De Smet, SD 57231 5-6—Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Canada. 58 th Prince Albert Gateway Roundup. Write: Ch., Box 145, Prince Albert, SK S6V 5R4; www.princealbertroundup.ca 11-13—Mobile, Alabama. Azalea City Jamboree. Write: Ch., Box 9005, Mobile, AL 36691-9005 11-13—Springfield, Missouri. 20th Heart of the Ozarks Roundup. Write: Ch., Box 1607, Springfield, MO 65801 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—Hagerstown, Maryland. 40 th MD State Conv. Write: Ch., Box 4211, Crofton, MD 21114-4211; stateconvention@marylandaa.org 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 18-19—Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada. Abbotsford Roundup. Write: Ch., 2589 Magnolia Cres., Abbotsford, BC V2T 3N1; www.abbotsfordaaroundup.org 18-20—New Orleans, Louisiana. 42 nd Big Deep South Conv. Write: Ch., 638 Papworth

Box 4-5-9, Summer 2010

Ave., Ste. A, Metairie, LA 70005; www.bigdeepsouth.org

18-20—Mills, Wyoming. June Jamboree. Write: Ch., Box 2714, Mills, WY 82644; www.area76wyaa.org 25-27—Kauai, Hawaii. Kauai Roundup. Write: Ch., 5330 Koloa Rd., #3, Koloa, HI 96756; kauairu2010@yahoo.com 25-27—Sept-Îles, Quebec, Canada. 31 e Congres Du Dist. 89-10. Écrire: Prés., 456, Arnaud, Sept-Îles, QC G4R 3B1

July 9-11—Tehachapi, California. Tehachapi Mountain Roundup. Write: Ch., Box 800, Tehachapi, CA 93581; www.tehachapiroundup.com 15-18—Decatur, Georgia. Atlanta Round-up. Write: Ch., Box 889034, Atlanta, GA 30356; www.atlantaroundup.com 16-18—Eugene, Oregon. Summerfest 2010. Write: Ch., Box 11824, Eugene, OR 97401; www.aa-summerfest.org 16-18—Spearfish, South Dakota. 6 th Paha Sapa Mtn. Conf. Write: Ch., Box 1212, Spearfish, SD 57783; www.pahasapaconference.com 16-18—Morgantown, West Virginia. Area 73 Conv. Write: Ch., Box 512, Grafton, WV 26354; wvarea73convention@gmail.com 22-25—Charlotte, North Carolina. 63rd NC State Conv. Write: Ch., Box 71144, Durham, NC 27722-1144; ncconference@nc.rr.com 22-25—Lubbock, Texas. 36 th Lubbock Caprock Conv. Write: Ch., Box 6511, Lubbock, TX 79493-6511; http://lubbockaaconvention.tripod.com/ 23-25—Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada. 28th Chilliwack Roundup. Write: Ch., 5973 Flagstone St., Chilliwack, BC V2R 0E3; cruc2010@gmail.co

SUMMER 2010 23-25—Windsor, Ontario, Canada. 35 th Windsor/Essex County Conv. Write: Ch., Box 231, 401 Ouellette Ave., Windsor, ON N9A 6K1 23-25—Tegucigalpa, Honduras. Conv. Nacional del 50 Aniversario. Inf: osdehonduras@yahoo.com 23-25—Stockholm, Sweden. All Europe Young People Conf. Write: Info: www.eurypaa.org 29-1—Louisville, Kentucky. SERCYPAA. Write: Ch., Box 7954, Louisville, KY 40257; www.sercypaa2010.org 29-1—Valencia, 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 30-1—Jefferson City, Missouri. 59th MO State Conv. Write: Ch., Box 422, Bonne Terre, MO 63628; www.mostateconvention.org 30-1—McLeod, Montana. 18th Beartooth Mtn Conf. Write: Ch., Box 23406, Billings, MT 59104; www.beartoothmountainconference.com

August 6-8—Boise, Idaho. Gem State Roundup. Write: Ch., 1953 E. Summerridge Dr., Meridian, ID 83646 6-8—Garrison, New York. 31 st NY State Informational Workshop. Write: Ch., Box 571, NY, NY 10116; nysiw@aaseny.org 6-8—Bryan, Texas. 24 th Aaggieland Conv. Write: Ch., Box 3491, Bryan, TX 77805’ www.aaggieland.com

6-8—Odessa, Texas. 36th West TX Roundup. Write: Ch., Box 14755, Odessa, TX 79762

Planning a Future Event? To be included in the Box 4-5-9 Calendar, information must be received at G.S.O. four 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): _______________________________________________________

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6-8—Elspeet, The Netherlands. The Netherlands 24 th International Roundup. Info: www.aa-netherlands.org 13-15—Oakhurst, California. Summer Serenity in the Sierras. Write: Ch., Box 1116, Oakhurst, CA 93644 13-15—Sugarloaf Mountain, Maine. 33 rd Maine Roundup. Write: Ch., Box 2155, Biddeford, ME 04405; www.roundup.area28aa.org 13-15—Perrysburg, Ohio. 54th OH State Conv. Write: Ch., 3328 Glanzman Rd., Toledo, OH 43614; 2010stateconvoh.semi@bex.net 13-15—Guelph, Ontario, Canada. Central West ON Conv. Write: Ch., #5-827 King St., E, Cambridge, ON N3H 3P1 13-15—Mount Laurier, Québec, Canada. 20e Congrès 90-20. Écrire: Prés., 700 rue Parent, Mt. Laurier, QC J9L 2K1 19-22—Ocean Shores, Washington. NW Fellowship of the Spirit. Write: Ch., Box 33884, Seattle, WA 98133; www.nefots.org 20-22—Hot Springs, Arkansas. 70 th Old Grandad AR State Conv. Write: Ch., Box 251223, Little Rock, AR 72225; conventions@arkansasaa.org 20-22—East Liverpool, Ohio. 20th Beaver Creek Getaway Wknd. Write: Ch., Box 5174 East Liverpool, OH 43920 20-22—Dallas, Texas. North TX Roundup. Write: Ch., Box 38574, Dallas, TX 75238; www.northtexasroundup.org 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

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September

October

3-5—Denver, Colorado. CO State Conv. Write: Ch., Box 721, Parker, CO 80134; www.coloradoaa.org 10-12—Cromwell, Connecticut. 52nd Area 11 Conv. Write: Ch., 21 Private Grounds Rd., Ellington, CT 06029; area11convention@ctaa.org 10-12—Dodge City, Kansas. 53rd Area 25 Conf. Write: Ch., 274, Pratt, KS 67124; www.kansasaa.org 10-12—Minneapolis, Minnesota. 20th Bridging the Gap Workshop Wknd. Write: Ch., 2618 Patee, St., Joseph, MO 64507; www.btgww.org

8-10—Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada. 40e Congres de Sherbrooke. Écrire: Prés., 1291 rue McManamy, Sherbrooke, QC J1H 2P1 ; congresaa2010@bell.net

10-12—Hampton, Virginia. VA State Conv. Write: Ch., Box 7704, Hampton, VA 23666; www.2010vaconvention.com 10-12—Dunnville, Ontario, Canada. 44 th Dunnville Conv. Write: Ch., 79 Duncan St., Welland, ON L3B 2C9; dunnconvention@hotmail.com 17-19—Minot, North Dakota. ND State Roundup. Write: Ch., Box 1922, Minot, ND 58702-1922 17-19—Trois-Rivières, Quebec, Canada. Eastern Canada Regional Forum. Write: Forum Coord., Box 459, Grand Central Station, New York, NY 10163; Regionalforums@aa.org 18-19—Saint-Sauveur, Québec, Canada. Congres du 90-25. Écrire: Prés., 33 rue de l’Eglise, St. Sauveur, QC J0R 1R0 20-22—North Charleston, South Carolina. 15th SE Region Woman to Woman Seminar. Write: Ch., Box 3182, Summerville, SC 29484; www.sewomantowoman.org

28-31—Athens, Georgia. GA Prepaid Conv. Write: Ch., Box 7082, Athens, GA 30604; www.aageorgia.org 28-31—Hagerstown, Maryland. Area 29 Fall Conf. Write: Ch., 5320 Wright Ave., Baltimore, MD 21205 29-31—Branson, Missouri. Western Area of MO Conv. Write: Ch., Box 187, Reeds Spring, MO 65737; www.wamo-aa.org 29-31—Amherst, New York. 69th Buffalo Fall Conv. Write: Ch., Box 686, Williamsville, NY 14231; www.buffaloaany.org

November 5-7—Boulder, Colorado. Area 10 Assembly. Write: Ch., 2920 Bluff St., #223, Boulder, CO 80301; www.coloradoaa.org 5-7—Saint Augustine, Florida. Ancient City Gratitude Wknd. Write: Ch., 34 Glen Falls Dr., Ormond Beach, FL 32174; www.ancientcityaa.com 12-14—Rapid City, South Dakota. West Central Regional Forum. Write: Forum Coord., Box 459, Grand Central Station, New York, NY 10163; regionalforums@aa.org 19-22—Cape May, New Jersey. 4th Waves of Sobriety Roundup. Write: Ch., Box 905, 32 E. Black Horse Pike, Pleasantville, NJ 08232; www.caigrp.org

24-26—Plymouth, California. 24th Gold Country Roundup. Write: Ch., Box 184, Ione, CA 95640; www.goldcountryroundup.com 24-26—Gatineau, Quebec, Canada. 12 e Congres du Dist. 90-22. Écrire: Prés., 5, rue Schingh, Gatineau, QC J8P 2B5

27-29—Alta, Wyoming. Teton Canyon Campout. Write: Ch., Box 153, Driggs, ID 83422 27-29— Writing On Stone Park, Alberta, Canada. Corn Roast. Write: Ch., 719 Birch Ave., Shelby, MT 59474

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Box 4-5-9, Summer 2010