News and Notes from the General Service Office of A.A.® www.aa.org Vol. 59, No.2 / SUMMER 2013

■ 63rd General Service Conference April 21-27, 2013 members of the 63rd General Service Conference of Alcoholics Anonymous in the United States and Canada met at the Crowne Plaza Times Square Hotel in New York City; the theme was “The General Service Conference Takes Its Inventory —Our Solution in Action.” The 131 Conference members consist of delegates from the 93 Conference areas of the U.S. and Canada; trustees of the General Service Board; A.A.W.S. and Grapevine Board directors; and General Service Office and Grapevine staff members. The Conference was officially opened Sunday with the roll call by Phyllis H., G.S.O. general manager, followed by Greetings from delegate chair, Roger S., Northwest Texas. The keynote was given by George M., general service trustee. This year’s Conference was chaired by Ward Ewing (nonalcoholic), chairman of the General Service Board; Phyllis H., G.S.O.’s general manager, and Roger S., (NW Texas), delegate chair. Eva S., G.S.O. staff member, was Conference coordinator. Sunday evening the Opening Dinner was followed by an open A.A. meeting, chaired by Lynda R., Kentucky, chairperson of the Conference Agenda Committee; the leader was Dave M., Arizona. Speakers were: Joe D., A.A.W.S. director; Irene D., Grapevine staff; Jeryl T., Mid-Southern California; Doris S., Mississippi; and Andrew W., West Central regional trustee. For those who liked to start their day with an A.A. meeting the 2013 G.S.C. Serenity Group met each morning at 7:30. Percy G., Western Ontario, was the chair; secretary/treasurer was

Pamela V.-M., Manitoba. A Seventh Tradition basket was passed each morning, and at the end of Conference $457 was contributed to the General Service Office. During the week, while Conference members were in meetings, local A.A. members accompanied Conference members’ spouses and guests on sightseeing and shopping tours, to A.A. and Al-Anon meetings and to various New York City sites and museums. Some enjoyed a matinee of a Broadway play or musical. Tuesday afternoon Conference members, as well as their guests, traveled uptown to tour the

General Service and Grapevine offices. Wednesday afternoon, at the trustees elections, Bill F. of Marietta, Ohio was elected East Central regional trustee; Chet P., of Orlando, Florida will become the new Southeast regional trustee; and the next trustee-atlarge/U.S. will be Bob W. of Westfield, Massachusetts. At the Delegates Only Dinner Tuesday evening Linda M., SE New York, was elected delegate chair for the 64th Conference; Harold C., Oklahoma, will be the alternate chair. The main focus of the Conference

though, is on the deliberations of each of the thirteen Conference committees, and it is during the committee meetings that the major work of the Conference is done. After a joint meeting with each corresponding standing trustees’ committee, the Conference committees review agenda items and material and weigh and discuss various issues and come up with recommendations, some of which may result in Conference Advisory Actions (Highlights of Advisory Actions, p.3). This year presentation/discussion topics, under the banner of “Spiritual Principles for World Service,” were: The Triangle — More Than a Shape, Jim M., New Brunswick/ PEI; The General Service Conference Inventory — Why is it Necessary?, Lela M., Northern Interior California; Self-Support — What Does It Mean to the Fellowship?, Rich H., N. Illinois; Primary Purpose — Carrying the A.A. Message, Patricia M., Rhode Island. There was also a Finance PowerPoint presentation by Terry Bedient, Class A trustee and chair of the trustees’ Finance Committee. Barb K., trustee-atlarge/Canada, gave a report on the 22nd World Service Meeting, held last October in Rye Brook, New York. The 2013 Conference was the first year of a planned three-year Conference Inventory. In her presentation on “why is an inventory necessary?” Lela M. observed, “Our primary purpose hasn’t changed, but there are things that are changing. Our self-support model has been shifting. The logistics of publishing, commerce, distribution and communication — these are changing. Significantly. “We have choices that we need to make, to ensure that we use our precious resources prudently. Our inventory is an invitation to participate in a transparent, honest and loving dia-

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., 2011 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.

logue about how we go about making these choices. It’s an opportunity to review the logistics of leadership, while preserving our beautiful Concept.” Wednesday morning Conference members split into 15 groups to address the 2013 outlined inventory questions. Reportbacks were read by the reporter of each group on Friday morning. A summary of these reports may be found on pages 4 and 5 of this issue and a more complete report will be included in the Final Conference Report, available this summer. Late Friday afternoon rotating delegates (Panel 62) lined up at the mikes for a two-minute farewell. After Ward Ewing’s closing remarks the Conference was officially closed with the Serenity Prayers in three languages, lead by: English, Kenny K. (Western Michigan); French, Gilles F. (NW Quebec) and Spanish, Oscar R. (Puerto Rico). Conference members met once more at the Saturday morning closing brunch where the rotating trustees gave their farewell talks: Class A (nonalcoholic) trustees Ward Ewing and Rogelio Flores; George M., general service trustee; Don M. (Louisiana), trustee-at-large/U.S.; Don M. (Colorado), general service trustee; El N., Southeast regional trustee and Pam R., East Central regional trustee. This program was chaired by Terry Bedient (nonalcoholic) who will become the new chairman of the General Service Board. It has happened before, perhaps thousands of times. Outside a gathering of A.A.s, be it the meeting of a local A.A. group, a Regional Forum, an area assembly, or even at an International Convention, there will be a lone drunk, just hanging around. How he or she knows where we are will most likely remain a mystery forever. So, as it happened on this particular Friday evening, when members of the 63rd General Service Conference were leaving the hotel for dinner, there he was, asking someone—anyone—to help him get into detox. Some A.A.s went back to the Conference workroom and enlisted a G.S.O. staff member, who took the man to a hospital unit to dry out. We will probably never know what happened to this potential member. But one thing is a given; those who witnessed this Twelfth Step action will not likely forget him and might take another look at “Why We Need a Conference,” in Alcoholics Anonymous. 2

■ Opening for G.S.O. Staff Member G.S.O. is pleased to invite candidates to apply for the position of staff member at the General Service Office in New York. G.S.O. staff are active members of Alcoholics Anonymous who have a minimum of six years sobriety. They are responsible for work that is specific to each of our 11 service desks, rotating to a new office and assignment every two years. Assignments include Corrections, Public Information, Treatment/Special NeedsAccessibilities, Literature, International and Conference. Ongoing communication with A.A.s on all aspects of recovery and service is a vital part of this work. Staff also represent the General Service Office at A.A. functions throughout the U.S. and Canada and provide the primary staff support for the General Service Board and its committees and the annual General Service Conference. Minimum qualifications include the following: excellent communication and organizational skills, good computer skills, the flexibility to travel and work flexible hours, the ability to work independently and as a team member, as well as willingness to relocate to New York City, if necessary. A.A. service knowledge and experience will also be taken into consideration. In addition, fluency in French and/or Spanish will be considered a plus. To request an application form, contact: Staff Coordinator, Box 459, Grand Central Station, New York, N.Y. 10163, or by e-mail staffcoord@aa.org. The deadline for receipt of applications is August 1, 2013.

■ Estimates of Groups and Members as of January 1, 20131 Groups

Members

United States

59,321

1,295,656

Canada

5,093 ______

93,071 ________

64,414

1,388,727

1,499

36,838

3

15

______0

67 ________

65,913

1,425,647

48,726 ______

705,902 ________

114,642

2,131,549

Sub-Total Correctional facilities2 Internationalists Lone Members Total Outside U.S. & Canada Grand Total

3

______________ 1. The General Service Office does not keep membership records. The information shown here is based on reports given by groups listed with G.S.O., and does not represent an actual count of those who consider themselves A.A. members. 2. U.S. and Canada only. 3. We are aware of A.A. activity in more than 170 countries, including 63 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 2013

■ 2013 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 Agenda—that the theme for the 2014 General Service Conference be: “Communicating Our Legacies — Vital in a Changing World.” Archives—that the Archives video Markings on the Journey be revised and updated; that a commemorative 75th Anniversary Edition of the first edition, first printing of Alcoholics Anonymous be published in April 2014. Cooperation With the Professional Community—that the trustees’ Committee on Cooperation With the Professional Community/Treatment/ Special NeedsAccessibilities revise the pamphlet “If You Are a Professional…” taking into consideration suggested changes of the Conference Committee on Cooperation With the Professional Community and bring back a report or draft pamphlet to the 2014 Conference Committee. Corrections—that the revised pamphlet “A Message to Corrections Professionals” be approved. International Conventions/Regional Forums—that the three cities, expressed here in alphabetical order, be considered as possible sites for the International Convention in 2025: Montreal, Quebec; St. Louis, Missouri; Vancouver, British Columbia. Literature—that the draft pamphlet “A.A.—Spiritual not Religious” be recommitted to the trustees’ Literature Committee for additional discussion and brought back to the 2014 Conference Committee on Literature. Policy/Admissions—that the deadline for the submission of Conference Agenda Items be changed from January 15 to December 15, beginning in December 2014 for the 65th General Service Conference; that the timetable for the election of the delegate from Area 84, Northeastern Ontario, be revised to allow for two odd and two even panels in that province. Public Information —that the 63rd General Service Conference affirm that the Internet, social media and all forms of public communications are implicit in the last phrase of the Short Form of Tradition Eleven, which reads: “…at the level of press, radio and films”; that A.A. World Services be permitted to utilize digital channels and Box 4-5-9, Summer 2013

current (commissionable) support and distribution technologies, such as, but not limited to, smart phones, tablets, e-readers, applications and commissioned online stores for the sale and distribution of digital A.A. literature, and that all contracts protect our Traditions, with the option to discontinue any and all contracts at any time. Report and Charter—that text describing the duties of the chairperson of the General Service Board be added to Chapter Nine in The A.A. Service Manual; that the 2010 Advisory Action regarding Area Highlights be rescinded, so the entire Final Report may be professionally edited and published, while still reflecting the full substance of the General Service Conference. Trustees—that the slate of trustees be elected at the annual meeting of the members of the General Service Board of Alcoholics Anonymous, Inc. in April 2013.

Additional Considerations Finance—the committee reviewed the suggested area contribution for delegate expense for the Conference and felt an increase was not necessary at this time; the committee reviewed the report on self-support from the trustees’ Finance Committee and urged that the work of the Self-Support subcomittee continue. Grapevine—the committee requested that the GV Board submit a proposal to the 2014 Conference Committee on the Grapevine that would significantly reduce the La Viña deficit; the committee requested a report from the A.A. Grapevine Board on the feasibility of producing one book in American Sign Language (ASL) format. Treatment—the committee reviewed the report on Spanish and French translations of the video Hope: Alcoholics Anonymous and expressed the need for translated versions of audiovisual materials to have improved sound production in the future; the committee reviewed the report on the DVD version of the pamphlet “A.A. For the Alcoholic with Special Needs” formatted for alcoholics who are blind, deaf or learning challenged.

■ Save the Date A Regional Forum may be coming to your neighborhood — or just a short distance away. June 7–9 — Northeast, Crowne Plaza Cromwell Hotel, Cromwell, Connecticut. August 16–18 — Additional Forum Southeast, Charleston Marriott Town Center, Charleston, West Virginia.

3

“The General Service Conference Takes Its Inventory — Our Solution in Action” As suggested by the 2013 General Service Conference theme, taking inventory, in the best sense of the word, is a fundamental aspect of A.A.’s program of recovery. As cofounder Bill W. reflected in A.A. Comes of Age (page 231), “Just as each A.A. must continue to take his moral inventory and act upon it, so must our whole society if we are to survive and if we are to serve usefully and well.” In 2005 A.A.’s General Service Board began the process of taking an inventory of itself, including its two operating corporations, the A.A. Grapevine, Inc. and Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. As this process was nearing completion, in April of 2008, a regional trustee suggested that the inventory process might also expand to cover the General Service Conference itself, examining its structure, processes and procedures. A General Service Board subcommittee was formed in August 2008 to discuss this proposal for a General Service Conference Inventory and presented a final report to the GSB in February of 2009. After reviewing the history of other Conference inventories, the conclusion of the subcommittee was that while presentations and workshops had been held at the 1963, 1981 and 1993 Conferences, where the theme of each Conference was “A.A. Takes Its Inventory,” an actual inventory of the General Service Conference itself had never been conducted, and the subcommittee agreed that it seemed reasonable to conclude that “a thorough and soul-searching examination” of the General Service Conference was warranted. The subcommittee recommended that the General Service Board forward a recommendation to the 2009 Conference Committee on Policy/Admissions proposing that a comprehensive inventory of the GSC be undertaken. The GSB accepted the subcommittee’s recommendation and forwarded such a proposal to the 2009 Conference. The 2009 Conference Policy/Admissions Committee reviewed the material and recommended to the full Conference that: “The General Service Board develop a plan for the General Service Conference to conduct an inventory of itself that includes a planning committee consisting of representatives of delegates, trustees, directors, nontrustee directors, and staff, and that a progress report be presented to the 2010 Policy/Admissions Committee.” The recommendation was passed as a Conference Advisory Action, and in August 2009 the GSB established a subcommittee to fulfill the charge of putting together a process or procedure by which a Planning Committee with representation from all membership segments of the General Service Conference could be established. The subcommittee determined that representation should be proportional, as representation is at the General Service Conference, and that participants be selected by lot, with consideration given to other responsibilities and ability to serve. These conclusions were accepted by the GSB, along with some additional suggestions regarding the establish4

ment of a Conference Inventory Planning Committee, and were referred back to the Conference Policy/Admissions Committee in 2010. After evaluation and discussion by the 2010 Conference Committee on Policy/Admissions and deliberation by the entire Conference, a detailed Advisory Action was passed recommending that “The General Service Conference conduct a thorough inventory of itself and that a Conference Planning Committee be established to develop a comprehensive inventory plan to bring forward to the 2011 Conference Committee on Policy/Admissions for consideration, an estimated cost for conducting the inventory.” Once constituted following the 2010 General Service Conference, the Conference Inventory Planning Committee (made up of 17 individuals: 11 Panel 60 delegates, one Class B regional trustee, one Class B general service trustee, one Class A trustee, one nontrustee director, one G.S.O. staff person and one Grapevine staff person, along with a nonvoting G.S.O. staff member to serve as secretary to the committee) began to conduct its business in early June 2010, ultimately creating a consensus document — the Conference Inventory Plan — which was forwarded to the 2011 Conference Committee on Policy/ Admissions for review. The 2011 Conference Committee on Policy/Admissions reviewed the inventory plan and proposed to the full Conference that the General Service Conference conduct a thorough inventory of itself in accordance with the Comprehensive Plan formulated by the Conference Inventory Planning Committee. The recommendation was accepted by the full Conference and passed as an Advisory Action of the 2011 General Service Conference, with the understanding that the inventory be conducted at three consecutive Conferences: 2013, 2014 and 2015. With the process and procedures for the inventory finally set, the 2012 Conference Agenda Committee made a series of recommendations, accepted as Advisory Actions, suggesting the theme of the 2013 Conference and presenting the specific inventory questions to be taken up by the 2013, 2014 and 2015 Conferences. Meeting for two-and-a-half hours on Wednesday, April 24th, the inventory questions for 2013 were discussed by Conference members, with reports prepared from each workshop group. Subsequently, each group reported directly to the full Conference on Friday, April 26th, with additional discussion held after each grouping of workshop reports. Over the course of the Inventory, a number of common and interconnected themes surfaced that cut across a number of different questions: COMMUNICATION and the flow of information throughout the Fellowship, from the trustees to the delegates, from delegates to the areas, from areas to districts and groups; Box 4-5-9, Summer 2013

USE OF TECHNOLOGY in today’s changing digital world, for the dissemination of information and communication relative to the General Service Conference; CONFERENCE ORIENTATION AND PREPARATION to help provide delegates and the Fellowship a clearer picture of what happens at the Conference and how decisions are arrived at; PARTICIPATION AND TIMING for the development and distribution of agenda items and background information to best facilitate thorough discussion and review by the Fellowship; INFORMATION on which much of the Conference is based: its volume, dissemination, purpose and derivation. Following preparation of a full report on the 2013 segment of the inventory, the process will continue in 2014 and 2015, with a final report to be prepared at the Inventory’s conclusion. In the keynote address to the 2013 Conference, trustee George M. noted, “We don’t take inventory simply because it is, in and of itself, a good thing, but because it is an important element of our continued sobriety. The same holds true for our service inventories, including the Conference inventory which we are now undertaking. We are not here to take pride in doing the responsible thing by taking an inventory. We are here to help assure the unity and effectiveness of A.A. in its mission to carry the great message of hope to anyone, anywhere, who has a desire to do something about his or her drinking problem.”

■ Résumés for Trustees Election Due January 1, 2014 Two new Class B (alcoholic) trustees, from the Eastern Canada and Pacific regions, will be nominated at the General Service Conference in April 2014. Résumés must be received at G.S.O. no later than January 1, 2014, 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 reflect 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 Eastern Canada regional trustee will fill the position currently held by Donald C., Terrebonne, Quebec. The next trustee from the Pacific Region will follow Rod B., of Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Box 4-5-9, Summer 2013

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 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.

■ Opening for A.A.W.S. Nontrustee Director A.A. World Services, Inc. (A.A.W.S.) has started its search to fill a vacancy for one nontrustee director, which will open following the 2014 General Service Conference. Interested A.A. members are encouraged to submit a résumé. In seeking applications for all vacancies in Alcoholics Anonymous, the Fellowship is committed to creating a large applicant file of qualified persons, which reflects the inclusiveness and diversity of A.A. itself. Basic qualifications for this position are: a minimum of seven years of continuous sobriety; a sound business or professional background is preferable, but not limited to the following areas—finance, management, publishing, legal, or information technology; the ability to work with others; availability to attend all regular meetings of the A.A.W.S. Board (currently, up to eight per year), three weekend meetings of trustees’ committees (to which corporate board directors are appointed), and the Conference, for one week in April. In addition, directors may be called upon to attend subcommittee or other meetings and to represent A.A.W.S. at Regional Forums or other A.A. functions. Résumés should be sent to Director of Staff Services, at the General Service Office, no later than July 15, 2013. 5

The Budget Highlights 2013 G.S.O. Budget These budget highlights describe the “OPERATIONS” of the General Service Office—A.A. World Services (the Publishing operation), 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 2013 budget projects gross sales of $12,800,000. Unit sales are expected to be approximately even with 2012. While reviewing and recommending the 2013 budget the A.A.W.S. Board continues to consider 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 5% higher than 2012 and just slightly less than the 2012 budget. This increase allows for possible increases in various parts of the manufacturing process. Royalties are budgeted at $28,000 for 2013, even with 2012. There is only one remaining royalty recipient. Shipping and warehousing costs are budgeted approximately 7% higher than 2012, again allowing for inflationary increases. We do expect that a new system of determining shipping instituted this year will continue to mitigate costs. After subtracting manufacturing costs, royalties and shipping expense, gross profit is budgeted at $7,782,800 or 62.1%. Gross profit has been budgeted about $95,000 less than 2012. The 62.1% gross profit percentage anticipated for 2013 compares with 63.7% realized for 2012. It should be recognized that as we continue to strive to have literature available throughout our Service Structure in Spanish and French, 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 2008 through the 2013 budget. 2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013 Budget

55.9%

61.1%

64.5%

63.7%

63.7

62.1%

Percentage

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 provided. Contributions: Contribution revenue had shown positive movement for several years. 2008 and 2009 showed reductions, and 2010 rebounded to $6,408,421, $58,400 and 2011 declined to $6,265,649. For 2012, Contributions of $6,557,600 were received, an increase of $293,800 from 2011. The increase for 2012 is significant because it was in spite of a further reduction in support from Countries who contribute to the World Service Meeting literature efforts. For 2013 we have budgeted an overall increase of contributions of approximately 2%. We are hopefully that the economy is turning around and continuing efforts to communicate with the Fellowship about the needs for funds and how they are spend will show positive results. % of Groups Contributing During 2012, contributions from groups and individuals (as distinguished from those 46 received for the World Service Meeting literature efforts) of $6,522,943 were $95,000 (1.5%) 45 more than budget and $333,077 (5.4%) greater 2011. Contributions received from World 44 Service Meeting countries toward the World Service Meeting International Literature efforts 43 amounted to $34,665, approximately $40,000 less than 2011. Total contributions as noted 42 above were just over $6,557,600. 41 40 The chart at the left reflects the approximate percentage of the A.A. groups that choose to 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 list with the General Service Office that have participated in the Seventh Tradition by contributyear ing to the General Service Office. Total Operating Revenue for 2013 is anticipated at $14,480,550, an increase of approximately $40,000 due to a slight increase in sales and improving contributions. Total Operating Expenses for 2013 have been budgeted at $15,091,790, approximately $800,000 or 5.6% greater than 2012 expenses and approximately five percent greater than the 2012 budget. The 2013 budget anticipates filling several positions that have been either vacant or filled by temporary/part timers. In addition, G.S.O. continues to fund larger amounts for the old pension plan according to US Government rules established a few years ago. These extreme funding levels should mitigate by 2016-2017. The 2013 G.S.O. budget anticipates an excess of expense over revenue of $611,240. After considerable discussion, in view of ongoing self-support efforts, and the concerns by some corners how an increase in prices might be viewed considering a considerable Reserve Fund, the A.A.W.S. Board did not recommend an adjustment in prices for 2013. A drawdown from the Reserve Fund will be required to fund the deficit. It should be remembered that generally the Reserve Fund is funded by literature profits of G.S.O. This anticipated loss for 2013 compares with an excess of revenue of $152,448 for 2012; $819,132 for 2011, $1,255, 289 for 2010, $1,273,500 for 2009, and a loss of $275,000 for 2008. AA Grapevine Circulation 1998-2012

2013 Grapevine Budget

140,000

Dollars

copies

120,000 The 2013 Grapevine Budget calls for an average circulation for the print magazine of 78,760. 100,000 This anticipates 8,200 fewer copies than the 2012 budget and approximately 4,500 fewer copies 80,000 than the 2012 average paid circulation of 83,263. The 2013 budget calls for approximately 4,653 60,000 GV online subscriptions. Print magazine circulation for the last 15 years is depicted in the chart to 40,000 the right. 20,000 0 Income: Magazine income of $2,200,256 is expected to be approximately $142,000 less than 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2012. Other Publishing Income from books, cassette tapes, and miscellaneous items is budgeted at $704,320, approximately even with 2012. Total Gross Profit: Combining the magazine and other publishing items, a gross profit of $1,819,859 is budgeted for 2013. This compares with $1,948,916 achieved for 2012 and the 2012 budget of $1,851,987. Total Operating Expenses: Total Operating Expenses for 2013 are budgeted at La Viña Losses 1995-2012 $1,824,205, $117,491 greater than the 2012 expenses of $1,706,714 and $19,500 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 $0 less than the 2012 budget. -$20,000 Net Income (loss): For 2013 the Grapevine anticipates a net profit of $11,954. This -$40,000 compares with a 2012 budgeted profit of $34,284 and an actual profit from opera-$60,000 tions of $257,003.

-$80,000

-$100,000 -$120,000

2013 La Viña Budget

Following the 1995 General Service Conference Advisory Action #7, the publication -$140,000 of the Grapevine magazine in Spanish was approved by the Grapevine Board and the trustees’ Finance Committee of the General Service Board. Recognizing this publication as a new venture, both boards were to review the financial impact on the Fellowship and the progress of circulation and continue to monitor the viability of this venture. In 2001 The General Service Board recommended, and the 2001 Conference approved, that the La Viña magazine continue to be published by the Grapevine but Funded by the General Service Boards General Fund instead of continuing to draw funds from the Reserve Fund. For 2013 La Viña expects a gross profit on the magazine of $53,629, compared with $54,341 achieved in 2012. Circulation for 2013 is estimated at 9,200 slightly more than the 2012 average and slightly greater than the 2012 budget as well. Other Publishing Income is estimated at $16,210, which after deducting cost of product of $5,086 expects to contribute $11,124 to revenue. Total costs and expenses are estimated at $191,932 for 2013, $10,000 more than 2012. The 2013 budget projects a net loss of $127,179, $11,000 higher than the 2012 loss of $115,820. As noted above these losses are funded by the General Service Board General Fund. You may recall 2010 Conference Actions that added costs to La Viña production. The Chart (above) reflects the La Viña magazine losses since inception (1995). To date, losses of approximately $1,526,100 have been incurred.

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 31-2—North Platte, Nebraska. 54th Area 41 Reunion. Write: Ch., 512 N. Cherry St., Valentine, NE 69201 31-2—Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. WRAASA. Write: Ch., Box 488, Esterhazy, SK S0A 0X0; www.wraasa2013.org 7-9—Sioux Center, Iowa. Area 24 Spring Conf. Write: Ch., Box 53, LeMars, IA 51031; area24springconference@gmail.com 7-9—New Orleans, Louisiana. Big Deep South Conv. Write: Ch., 638 Papworth Ave., Ste. A, Metairie, LA 70005; www.bigdeepsouth.org 7-9—Taos, New Mexico. Area 46 State Conv. Write: Ch., Box 2383, Taos, NM 87571; www.nmaastateconvention2013.org 7-9—Akron, Ohio. 78th Founder’s Day. Write: Ch., Box 12, Akron, OH 44309; https://foundersdayregistration.akronaa.org 7-9—Kenton, Oklahoma. Camp Billy Joe Roundup. Write: Ch., Box 906, Sunray, TX 79086 7-9—Houston, Texas. 67 th TX State Conv. Write: Ch., Box 8189, Galveston, TX 77553; www.txaaconvention.org 7-9—Westville, Nova Scotia, Canada. NS Provincial Roundup. Write: Ch., Box 722, Trenton, NS B0K 1X0; 2013nspr@gmail.com 13-16—Hagerstown, Maryland. 43rd Area 29 State Conv. Write: Ch., Box 1339, Frederick, MD 21702; www.mgsconventions.org 14-15—Richmond, Québec, Canada. 31ième Congrès du Dist. 88-10. Infos: http://ipdistrict10.wordpress.com/congres2013 14-16—Springfield, Missouri. Heart of the Ozarks Roundup. Write: Ch., Box 1607, Springfield, MO 65801; heartoftheozarksroundup@gmail.com 14-16—Casper, Wyoming. 38 th June Jamboree. Write: Ch., 4241 Caribou, Casper, WY 82604 21-23—Tallahassee, Florida. Founder’s Day Florida Style. Write: Ch., Box 38034, Tallahassee, FL 32315-8034; www.foundersdayflorida.org 21-23—Hyannis, Massachusetts. 15th Cape Cod Pockets of Enthusiasm. Write: Ch., Box 773, Mashpee, MA 02649; www.capecodpockets.org 21-23—Newport, Rhode Island. Ocean State Young People’s Conf. Write: Ch., Box 708, Slatersville, RI 02876; Area61OSYPCRegistrar@RhodeIsland-AA.org

21-23—Sept-Îles, Québec, Canada. 34 e Congrès du Dist. 89-10. Écrire: Prés., C.P. 1242, Sept-Iles, QC G4R 4X7 21-23—Qawra, Malta. European Conv. of YPAA. Info: www.eurypaa2013.org 28-30—McLeod, Montana. 21 st Beartooth Mtn Conf. Write: Ch., Box 23406, Billings, MT 59104; www.beartoothmountainconference.com 28-30—Essington, Pennsylvania. Liberty Bell Roundup. Write: Ch., 2817 Bowman Ave., Bristol, PA 19007; www.libertybellroundup.com

July 5-6—Roanoke, Virginia. Spring Into Action Workshop. Write: Ch., Box 8609, Roanoke, VA 24014; www.springintoactionroanoke.com 5-6—Rivière-Du-Loup, Québec, Canada. 38e Congrès Rivière-Du-Loup. Écrire: Prés., B.P. 951, Rivière-Du-Loup, QC G5R 3Z5 11-14—Phoenix, Arizona. 55 th ICYPAA. Write: Ch., Box 80116, Phoenix, AZ 85060; www.icypaa.org 12-14—Tehachapi, California. 12 th Tehachapi Mtn Roundup. Write: Ch., Box 800, Tehachapi, CA 93581; www.tehachapiroundup.org 12-14—Martinsburg, West Virginia. 61st Area 73 State Conv. Write: Ch., 1337 Loop Rd., Franklin, WV 26807; www.aawv.org 18-21—Lubbock, Texas. 39 th Lubbock Caprock Conv. Write: Ch., Box 6511, Lubbock, TX 79493 19-21—Indianapolis, Indiana. Circle City Roundup. Info: circlecityroundup@yahoo.com 19-21—Carrabassett Valley, Maine. ME Area Roundup. Write: Ch., Box 831, Gray, ME 04039; www.roundup.area28aa.org 19-21—Truro, Nova Scotia, Canada. 38 th Mid-Summer Roundup. Info: www.area82aa.org

SUMMER 2013 19-21—Baie-Comeau, Québec, Canada. 43ème Congrès de Baie-Comeau. Écrire: 5 Bernier, Baie-Comeau, QC G4Z 1J3; district89-09@hotmail.com 20-21—Dayton, Kentucky. 13th Twelfth Step Study. Write: Ch., 400-12 Lakeview Dr., Wilder, KY 41071; tnccc03@aol.com 24-28—Jacksonville, Florida. 57 th Florida State Conv. Write: Ch., 1650 Margaret St., Ste. 302-136; Jacksonville, FL 32204; http://57.flstateconvention.com 26-28—Linden, Arizona. Lewis Canyon Campout. Write: Ch., Box 3284, Show Low, AZ 85902; www.whitemountainsaa.org 26-28—Troy, Michigan. 61st MI State Conv. Write: Ch., 645 Griswold St., Ste. 66-111, Detroit, MI 48226; michiganlegacies2013@gmail.com 26-28—Langley, British Colombia, Canada. BC Yukon Conv. Info: www.bcyconvention2013.ca

August 2-4—Kenai, Alaska. 40th Kenai Wilderness Jamboree. Write: Ch., Box 1917, Soldotna, AK 99669 2-4—Hot Springs, Arkansas. 73 rd Old Grandad AR State Conv. Write: Ch., Box 2254, Benton, AR 72018-2254; www.arkansasaa.org 2-4—Boise, Idaho. Gem State Roundup. Info: gemstateroundup2013@yahoo.com 2-4—Jefferson City, Missouri. 62nd MO State Conv. Write: Ch., Box 254, Harrisonville, MO 64701; howrecovery@aol.com 2-4—Saugerties, New York. Burning Desire Bonfire. Write: Ch., Box 2624, Kingston, NY 12402; www.hvypaa.com 2-4—Worthington, Ohio. 57th OH State Conv. Write: Ch., Box 2131, Columbus, OH 43216; www.area53aa.org 2-4—Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. 20th PA State Conv. Write: Ch., 1441 Bradley Ave., Hummelstown, PA 17036; www.aapastateconvention.com

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 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: ___________________________________________________________________________________________

Box 4-5-9, Summer 2013

NAME

PHONE # AND OR E-MAIL

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2-4—Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada. 7th BCYPAA. Info: www.bcypaa7.com 8-11—Columbia, South Carolina. 69 th Southeastern Conf. Write: Ch., Box 541, Irmo, SC 29063; 62conven@area62.org 8-11—Katherine, Northern Territory, Australia. Katherine Roundup. Write: Ch., Box 5100, North Geelong 3214, Australia 9-10—Granby, Québec, Canada. 35 ième Congrès Du Dist. 87-21. Infos: congres.aa.granby@hotmail.ca 9-11—Phoenix, Arizona. Salt River Intergroup Summer Roundup. Write: Ch., 3215 E. Thunderbird Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85032; www.sriroundup.org 9-11—Waynesboro, Virginia. VA State Conv. Write: Ch., Box 1544, Waynesboro, VA 22980; www.aavirginia.org 9-11—Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. 25 th Courage Roundup. Info: www.halifaxgayaaroundup.org 9-11—Oshawa, Ontario, Canada. 41 st Lakeshore Dist. Conf. Info: www.aaoshawa.org 15-18—Omaha, Nebraska. Cornhusker Roundup. Write: Ch., Box 425, Bellevue, NE 68005; www.aa-cornhusker.org 15-18—Kettle Falls, Washington. Hog Heaven Campout. Write: Ch., Box 355, Loon Lake, WA 99148 15-18—Ocean Shores, Washington. NW Fellowship of the Spirit. Write: Ch., Box 33884, Seattle, WA 98133; www.nwfots.org 16-18—York, Pennsylvania. Sunlight of the Spirit Conf. Write: Ch., Box 3538, York, PA 17402; www.sosyorkpa.org 16-18—Woodstock, Ontario, Canada. 32 nd Marathon of Unity. Write: Ch., 174 Charles St. East, Ingersoll, ON N5C 1K2; www.oxfordaa.com 17-18—Indianapolis, Indiana. VIII Conv. Hispana de Indianapolis. Inf: Com. Org., 6214 Morenci Trail, Ste. 270, Indianapolis, IN 46268

23-24—St. Pete Beach, Florida. Big Book on the Beach. Write: Ch., 357 41 st Ave., St. Pete Beach, FL 33706; bigbookonthebeach@yahoo.com 23-25—Schaumburg, Illinois. IL State Conf. Write: Ch., Box 894, Elgin, IL 60121; http://stateconference2013.aa-nia.org 23-25—Hampton, Virginia. 18 th SE Reg. Woman to Woman Seminar. Info: www.southeastwomentowomen.org 30-1—Tucson, Arizona. Area 3 State Conv. Info: www.area03.org 30-1—Fortuna, California. Redwood Coast Roundup. Write: Ch., Box 6943, Eureka, CA 95502; www.redwoodcoastroundup.org 30-1—Denver, Colorado. Colorado State Conv. Write: Ch., Box 1012, Loveland, CO 80539; www.a10conv.org 30-1—Tampa, Florida. XLI Conv. Nacional Hispana de Estados Unidos y Canada. Inf: Com. Org., Box 260815, Tampa, FL 33685-0815; www.xliconvencionnacionalhispana.talkspot.com

30-1—Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada. Dist. 35 Roundup. Write: Ch., Box 2813, Yellowknife, NT X1A 2R1; district35@hotmail.ca

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30-1—Jonquière, Québec, Canada. Congrès du Saguenay. Infos: www.aa-quebec.org 30-2—Tampa, Florida. 27th Tampa Bay Fall Roundup. Write: Ch., Box 262545, Tampa, FL 33685-2545

September 5-8—San Diego, California. 8 th Internat’l Seniors In Sobriety Conf. Write: Ch., Box 1833, Lemon Grove, CA 91946; sisconferencesd@gmail.com 6-8—Waterbury, Connecticut. 55 th Area 11 Conv. Write: Ch., Box 526, Vernon, CT 06066 6-8—Schaumburg, Illinois. 23rd Bridging The Gap Workshop Wknd. Write: Ch., 12070 Hierba Plc., San Diego, CA 92128; www.btgww.org 6-8—Tonopah, Nevada. Area 42 Assembly. Write: Ch., Box 70171, Las Vegas, NV 89170; www.nevadaarea42.org 6-8—Petaling Jaya, Huala Lumpur, Malaysia. 3 rd Malaysian Internat’l Roundup. Info: www.aamalaysia.org 13-15—Kenora, Ontario, Canada. Kenora Sunset Country Roundup. Write: Ch., Box 375, Keewatin, ON P0X 1C0 13-15—Rimini, Italy. 27 th Conv. Info: www.alcolisti-anonimi.it 20-22—Mountain Home, Arkansas. Autumn In The Ozarks. Write: Ch., 408 Cone St., Mountain Home, AR 72653; www.autumnintheozarks.com 20-22—Macon, Georgia. GA Service Assembly. Write: Ch., Box 7325, Macon, GA 31209; gssa@aageorgia.org 20-22—Wichita, Kansas. 56 th Area 25 State Conf. Write: Ch., Box 48391, Wichita, KS 67201; www.kansas-aa.org 20-22—Taos, New Mexico. 30 th Taos Mtn Fiesta. Write: Ch., Box 750, El Prado, NM 87529; www.taosmountainfiesta.org 20-22—Gatineau, Québec, Canada. 16 Congrès Du 90-22. Infos: www.aa-quebec.org/region90 27-29—Crescent City, California. Sobriety By The Sea. Write: Ch., Box 871, Crescent City, CA 95531; www.sobrietybythesea.com 27-29—Plymouth, California. Gold Country Roundup. Info: www.goldcountryroundup.com 27-29—Grand Junction, Colorado. ColorDaze. Write: Ch., 1005 N. 12th St., #107, Grand Junction, CO 81501; www.colordaze.com 27-29—Sioux City, Iowa. Sioux City Tri-State Roundup. Write: Ch., 411 33rd St., Sioux City, IA 51104; www.siouxcitytristateroundup.com 27-29—Lafayette, Louisiana. Cajun Country Conf. Write: Ch., Box 3160, Lafayette, LA 70502; www.cajunaa.org 27-29—Colville, Washington. 5th Roundup of Recovery. Write: Ch., Box 355, Loon Lake, WA 99148 28-30—San Diego, California. 38th Woman To Woman SD Conf. Write: Ch., 19700 Fairchild, Ste. 300, Irvine, CA 92612; www.womantowomansandiego.com

October 3-6—Rancho Mirage, California. So. CA Conv. Write: Ch., 710 S. Myrtle Ave., #121, Monrovia, CA 91016; www.aasocal.com 4-6—Troy, Michigan. Tri-County Conf. Write: Ch., Box 4324, Troy, MI 48099; tri.countyconference@ymail.com 4-6—Tacoma, Washington. Western WA Assembly. Write: Ch., Box 1822, Auburn, WA 98071; www.assembly2013.com 5-6—Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. Area 35 Fall Assembly. Info: areachair@area35.org 11-12—Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada. Congrès du Dist. 88-02, 88-15. Écrire: Prés., 1621 rue Yvan Gosselin, Sherbrooke, QC J1G 3E5 11-13—Angeles City, Pampanga, Philippines. 18th Internat’l Fall Roundup. Write: Ch., Box 308, Manila 1099, Philippines; angelescityaa@yahoo.com 17-20—Atlanta, Georgia. 60 th GA Pre-paid Conv. Write: Ch., 4780 Ashford Dunwoody Rd., Ste. A PMB #161, Atlanta, GA 303385004; www.aageorgia.org 18-20—Mackinac Island, Michigan. 25 th Mackinac Island Fall Wknd. Write: Ch., 1915 E. Michigan Ave., Ste. D, Lansing, MI 48912; www.aalansingmi.org 18-20—Bouctouche, New Brunswick, Canada. Area 81 Fall Assembly & Roundup. Write: Ch., 4 Kilburn Ave., Moncton, NB E1A 3N6; www.area81aa.ca 18-20—Rocky Point, Sonora, Mexico. Rocky Point Roundup. Write: Ch., Box 10756, Glendale, AZ 85318; www.rockypointroundup.org 24-27—Hagerstown, Maryland. 29th MD Fall Conv. Write: Ch., Box 20177, Baltimore, MD 21284; www.marylandaa.org 25-27—Mesa, Arizona. ASCYPAA. Write: Ch., Box 40124, Mesa, AZ 85274; www.ascypaa.org 25-27—Pughtown, Pennsylvania. Downington Young People’s Conf. Info: www.dypcaa.org 25-27—San Antonio, Texas. TX State Conf. of YPAA. Info: www.txscypaa.org

November 1-2—Cornwall, Ontario, Canada. Cornwall Dist. 50 Conf. Write: Ch., Box 1984, Cornwall, ON K6J 1B6; www.cornwallaa.ca 8-10—Santa Maria, California. 52 nd Dist. Central Coast Roundup. Info: www.centralcoastroundup.org 8-10—Framingham, Massachusetts. 50th MA State Conv. Write: Ch., Box 121, Blanford, MA 01008 14-17—Honolulu, Hawaii. HI Conv. Write: Ch., Box 23434, Honolulu, HI 96823; www.annualhawaiiconvention.com 22-24—Manchester, Vermont. Woman to Woman New England. Info: www.woman2womanne.org 29-30—Newark, New Jersey. XXVI Conv. Hispana de NJ. Inf: www.convencionaanj.org 29-1—Diamondhead, Mississippi. 23 rd Gratitude Roundup. Write: Ch., Box 7851, Gulfport, MS 39507; www.aagulfcoast.org

Box 4-5-9, Summer 2013