News and Notes from the General Service Office of A.A.® www.aa.org Vol. 60, No. 2 / Summer 2014

■ 64th General Service Conference Communicating Our Legacies — Vital in a Changing World Monday afternoon, when members of A.A.’s 64th General Service Conference approached the stairs leading to the ballroom of Hilton Westchester they were greeted by five 6′ tall panels depicting the history of the Big Book, Alcoholics Anonymous, A.A.’s basic text. Beginning with the germ of an idea in 1937, when cofounders Bill and Dr. Bob realized that “they needed a book,” the panels highlighted the various stages of the writing, rewriting, printing and finally the birth of the Big Book, just 75 years ago. On the right side of the hallway were four more panels showing the four editions of Alcoholics Anonymous — 1939, 1955, 1976, 2001. As they approached the doors to the ballroom each Conference member was handed a facsimile edition of the 1939 Big Book, with the heavy paper, colorful red and –yellow “circus” bookjacket, and red binding. Another A.A. milestone celebration was the 70th Anniversary of the Grapevine, the International Journal of Alcoholics Anonymous. Tuesday afternoon Ami B., Grapevine’s executive editor/publisher gave a PowerPoint presentation on the Grapevine’s history. Then there was, of course, the celebratory cake. Later in the week Donald C., Eastern Canada regional trustee, gave a presentation on La Vigne, the French-language magazine. This year the General Service Conference of Alcoholics Anonymous in the United States and Canada was held in Rye Brook, New York, at the Hilton Westchester, April 27 – May 3.

The 133 Conference members consist of delegates from the 93 Conference areas in 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 the delegate chair, Linda McG., Southeast New York. The Keynote Address was given by Roberta L., general service trustee. This year’s Conference was chaired by chairman of the General Service Board Terry Bedient; Phyllis H.; and

Linda McG. G.S.O. staff member Mary C. was Conference coordinator. Sunday evening the Opening Dinner was followed by an open A.A. meeting, chaired by Padee Mc C., California Northern Coastal, chairperson of the Conference Agenda Committee; the leader was Sharon S., Montana. Speakers were: Juan M., Southern California; Linda K., Northern New Jersey; Clayton V., Southwest regional trustee; Lynda B., Grapevine director; and Clay R., G.S.O. staff. Conference week is long, often arduous, but ultimately rewarding— filled with board and committee reports, presentations and discussions, area service highlights, sharing sessions and, most of all, committee meetings.

The main focus of the Conference though, is on the deliberations of each of the twelve 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 material and background information, weigh and discuss various issues and come up with recommendations which may result in Conference Advisory Actions. (Highlights of Advisory Actions appear on page 3.) One highlight of this year’s Conference was a PowerPoint presentation by G.S.O.’s archivist Michelle Mirza (nonalcoholic), which included audio recordings of cofounder Bill W. giving a history of events leading up to the publication of the Big Book. Another highlight was a presentation by staff member Eva S., International Convention coordinator, on the upcoming celebration of A.A.’s 80th Anniversary in Atlanta, Georgia, July 2–5, 2015. Following the presentation the 457 Riverside Drive Players (actually G.S.O. and GV staff members) put on an informative and humorous skit covering possible happenings at the Convention. The 2014 Conference was the second year of a planned three-year Conference Inventory. Wednesday morning Conference members split into 15 groups to address the 2014 Inventory questions and reportbacks were read to the entire Conference Friday afternoon. A summary of these reports may be found on pages 4 and 5 of this issue and a more complete report will be printed in the Final Conference Report (M-23, available early September).

Box 4-5-9 is published quarterly by the General Service Office of Alcoholics Anonymous, 475 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10115, Copyright © 2014 by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.

■ Grapevine Turns 70 in June

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 directly to your inbox, register your e-mail on the A.A. Digital Subscription Service on G.S.O.’s Web site.

Wednesday afternoon Richard B., of Terrebonne, Quebec, was elected Eastern Canada regional trustee; and Joel C., of San Diego was elected the new Pacific regional trustee. Joe D., from Kingston, Ontario, will serve as the new general service trustee. At the Delegates Only meeting Tuesday night Jake J., Northern Minnesota, was selected delegate chair for the 65th Conference; Jen N., New Mexico, will be alternate chair. Friday afternoon rotating Panel 63 delegates each gave a two-minute farewell. Then the 64th General Service Conference was officially closed with the Serenity Prayer, led by Becky B. (English), Roger B. (French), Juan M. (Spanish), and Rod B. (Navajo). At the closing brunch on Saturday morning rotating trustees gave their farewell talks: Rod B., Pacific regional trustee; Donald C., Eastern Canada regional trustee; and Roberta L., general service trustee. The program was chaired by Terry Bedient (nonalcoholic), chairman of the General Service Board. While the General Service Conference operates all year, the annual meeting held every spring is the culmination of the year’s activities, the time when the collective conscience of A.A. in the U.S./Canada emerges to take actions that will guide the groups in the years to come. In this way, the Conference is a window to the future of the Fellowship. Each Conference has its own flavor, and one A.A. was heard to observe, “A.A. love and respect were the hallmarks of debate and sharing at the 64th General Service Conference. The spirit of A.A. Traditions was observed, thus creating a unifying commitment to Alcoholics Anonymous.”

■ Save the Date A Regional Forum may be coming to your neighborhood — or just a short distance away. July 11–13 — Pacific, The Riverside Hotel, Boise, Idaho. August 15–17 — Eastern Canada, Sheraton Laval Hotel, Laval, Quebec.

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Join in the celebration of 70 years of service to the Fellowship. Did you know that the A.A. Preamble, essays on the Twelve Traditions; the Slogans and many other items, first appeared in the Grapevine magazine? For more information about the International Journal o f A . A . , p l e a s e v i s i t www.aagrapevine.org/GV70 (available until the end of 2014).

■ Opening for Two Class A (nonalcoholic) Trustees Following the 2015 General Service Conference there will be openings for two Class A (nonalcoholic) trustees, replacing Corliss R. Burke, of Whitehorse, Yukon, and Frances L. Brisbane, of Medford, NY. The trustees’ Nominating Committee asks that trustees, delegates and directors submit any names they deem appropriate as candidates for Class A trustees. Class A trustees are chosen from a variety of professional backgrounds, including doctors, lawyers, clergy, social workers and educators. 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. Please submit your candidate’s business or professional résumé to the Secretary, trustees’ Nominating Committee, General Service Office, by July 25, 2014.

■ Please let us know… Please tell us how your group and/or area celebrated the 75th anniversary of the Big Book. We would like to share your ideas in the Fall issue of Box 4-5-9. You may email your sharing to literature@aa.org. Box 4-5-9, Summer 2014

■ 2014 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.

service announcement be produced in 2014. Report and Charter—that text be added to the Glossary of General Service terms in The A.A. Service Manual describing “Advisory Actions” and “Additional Committee Considerations.” 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 May 2014.

Advisory Actions Agenda—that the theme for the 2015 General Service Conference be “Celebrating 80 Years of Recovery, Unity and Service — The Foundation of Our Future.” Archives—that the video Markings on the Journey be approved. Cooperation With the Professional Community—that several changes be made in the text of “If You Are a Professional…”; that a section regarding smoking be deleted from “A.A. as a Resource for the Health Care Professional.” Corrections—that a change be made in the text of “A Message to Correctional Professionals”; that a new video be developed to replace “It Sure Beats Sitting in a Cell.” Finance—that a plan be created by G.S.O. to translate Conference material (background material, Conference Manual, etc.) into French and Spanish, and that a report be presented to the 2015 General Service Conference. International Conventions/Regional Forums—that an anonymity-protected photograph of the flag ceremony be taken at the 2015 International Convention; that an encrypted, anonymity-protected Internet broadcast of the 2015 International Convention Opening Flag Ceremony be approved. Literature—that the revised pamphlet “Circles of Love and Service” be approved; that the pamphlet on spirituality with the title “Many Paths to Spirituality” be approved. Policy/Admission—that during a two year trial period the

General Service Conference include one day of electronic voting on all nonelection votes, on the Thursday of the 2015 General Service Conference and on the Friday of the 2016 General Service Conference and that the trustees’ Committee on the General Service Conference provide a report from data gathered from the 2015 and 2016 General Service Conferences, evaluating electronic voting to the 2017 Conference Committee on Policy/Admissions for considerations. Public Information—that the 2014 A.A. Membership Survey be conducted by area on a random basis as was done in the 2011 A.A. Membership Survey; that the video public service announcements “Living in Chaos” and “We Know What It’s Like” be discontinued; that a new public Box 4-5-9, Summer 2014

Additional Considerations Grapevine—the committee reviewed the 2014 Grapevine Office Report on Audio Strategy and requested that an updated status and financial report on the project, including practices, financials, metrics and plans for the future, be provided to the 2015 Conference Committee on the Grapevine; the committee reviewed the A.A. Grapevine Board’s suggestions that a new business plan is required for La Viña and requested that such a plan be developed and be brought back to the 2015 Conference Committee on A.A. Grapevine for review. Treatment/Special Needs-Accessibilities—the committee requested that the General Service Board consider whether there is a need to develop a Conferenceapproved pamphlet addressing bridging the gap activities for corrections.

■ Estimates of Groups and Members as of January 1, 20141 Groups

Members

United States

59,565

1,296,037

Canada

5,129 ______

93,565 ________

64,694

1,389,602

1,487

35,799

3

6

______0

65 ________

66,184

1,425,472

49,174 ______

712,949 ________

115,358

2,138,421

Sub-Total Correctional facilities

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Internationalists Lone Members Total Outside U.S. & Canada Grand Total

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______________ 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 61 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.

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■ The General Service Conference Inventory “Communicating Our Legacies — Vital in a Changing World” Setting the stage for the second year of the General Service Conference’s three-year Inventory Plan, as seen through the lens of the 2014 General Service Conference theme, rotating general service trustee Roberta L. spoke directly to Conference members in her Keynote Address: “It is most exciting to be at the 64th General Service Conference and to focus on ‘Communicating Our Legacies — Vital in a Changing World.’ This theme is no surprise as better communication is usually the motive for everything we do. “As we continue our Conference Inventory and work on agenda items in this 64th General Service Conference,” she continued, “we must look for ways to better carry the message in a world where the barrage of media and the Internet can be utilized to reach still-suffering alcoholics. Along with this consideration, we must continue to retain the proven Twelfth Step face-to-face interaction of one alcoholic talking with another. “Most likely we will begin something here that could be the start of something bigger,” she said in summary, “that might be enhanced and enriched by those who come after us. It is our responsibility to make sure that whatever that is, we are ‘Communicating Our Legacies’ in a complete and accurate manner.” Dating back to 2005, when the General Service Board began the process of taking its own inventory and subsequent inventories of its two operating corporations, A.A. World Services, Inc. and the A.A. Grapevine, Inc., it was suggested that the inventory process might also expand to cover the General Service Conference itself, examining its structure, processes and procedures. The idea gained steam and a General Service Board subcommittee was formed in August 2008 to discuss the proposal for a General Service Conference Inventory. Such an inventory, it was determined, would be a natural outgrowth of that which is done to maintain individual sobriety throughout the A.A. Fellowship. However, when applied to A.A.’s general services and for the purposes of the General Service Conference inventory, the Twelve Concepts for World Service, not the Twelve Steps for Recovery, would provide the context through which to evaluate current Conference practices and procedures. In August 2009, a General Service Board subcommittee put together a process by which a Planning Committee could be established, with proportional representation from the full range of Conference members and participants selected by lot. These conclusions were ultimately referred back to the Conference Policy/Admissions Committee in 2010 and subsequently proposed to the full Conference in 2011. The recommendation for a General Service Conference Inventory was accepted by the full Conference and passed as an Advisory Action of the 2011 General Service Conference, with implementation to begin in 2013. In 2013, the first year of the Inventory Plan, a number 4

of issues were discussed and reported to the Fellowship through the 2013 Final Conference Report, Box 4-5-9, The Grapevine and La Viña. The major topics were: Communication, Use of Technology, Conference Orientation and Preparation, Conference Participation/ Timing, and Information. In 2014, the second year of the Inventory Plan, a number of additional issues were discussed, focusing on the following common and interconnected themes: Language Equality: An overriding concern was the question of language equality and the need to reach a level of parity in terms of the preparation and distribution of Conference agenda items and background information in all three of the languages represented by the Conference. Diversity: Full participation in the Conference process was related to the question of diversity, and it was suggested that the Conference, and delegates in particular, find ways to reach out to underrepresented populations of all kinds. Conference Agenda: The question of how agenda items are developed was widely discussed, with requests made for more input from delegates in the determination of agenda items. Conference Deadlines: The timing and distribution of Conference agenda items and background information throughout the Fellowship can be problematic, and requests were made for the trustees to reevaluate the scheduling and deadlines for Conference agenda items, redefining the process to facilitate greater exposure, and discussion and reporting at all levels of the service structure. Conference Theme: The Conference theme could be a means of encouraging greater involvement in the Conference process from the Fellowship, and delegates and the General Service Office were urged to incorporate the Conference theme more prominently on a yearlong basis to help establish focus on the Conference and increase participation throughout the Fellowship. Communication: We should always encourage full debate, yet continued and regular focus on the minority voice is a beneficial element in fully evaluating issues and concerns that come before the Fellowship. Communication at all levels is a key element in the Conference process and when existing channels are not well utilized or become clogged, misunderstanding can grow. Transparency and the spirit of collaboration throughout the Conference structure can help build trust and restore effectiveness. As planned, the General Service Conference Inventory will continue in 2015 with a new influx of Conference members, new questions to evaluate, and new perspectives to inform the comprehensive process undertaken by the General Service Conference in the spirit of Bill W.’s reflections in A.A. Comes of Age (page 231), “Just as each Box 4-5-9, Summer 2014

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 the 2014 Conference presentation “Inventory — A Guiding Tool to Our Future,” Southeast Texas delegate Patrick C. noted, “Self-assessment through inventory is a tool that can provide insight into the specific actions we need to consider…. Do our current actions, public relations policies, and messages to newcomers help or hinder our common welfare and legacy of unity? Is there something we need to change?” In closing, Patrick said of the Inventory, “Since effective communication is the keystone of our general service structure, I am grateful the three-year General Service Conference Inventory is affording our Fellowship the opportunity to discuss new suggestions to ensure that information flows up and down the service structure. Learning from past experience will grant us vision for tomorrow.”

■ Résumés for Trustees Election Due January 1, 2015 Two new Class B (alcoholic) regional trustees, from the Northeast and Southwest regions, as well as the trusteeat-large/Canada, will be nominated at the General Service Conference in April 2015. Résumés must be received at G.S.O. no later than January 1, 2015, 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 Northeast regional trustee will fill the position currently held by J. Gary L., of Bethlehem, PA. The next trustee from the Southwest region will follow Clayton V. of Sikeston, MO. The next trustee-at-large/Canada will replace Barb K. of Oakwood, Ontario. 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. Box 4-5-9, Summer 2014

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.

■ Registration Forms for 2015 Convention Registration forms for the 2015 International Convention, in Atlanta, Georgia, July 2-5, will be mailed around the world in August. You can get your form from your G.S.R., your area structure, your local intergroup/central office, from your G.S.O., and, of course, on G.S.O.’s A.A. website, www.aa.org. You may also register online starting September 3. The preregistration fee is $100 USD; after May 12, 2015, registration will be $110.00 USD. Your registration badge entitles you to attend all Convention events, including the Thursday night Party in the Park, the Stadium meetings on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in the Georgia Dome, and all of the marathons, panels, workshops, and topic, special interest and other meetings at the Georgia World Congress Center and nearby hotels. Housing reservation information, including the Housing Bureau’s contact information, will be included with your registration confirmation. Similar to the 2010 Convention, housing for the 2015 International Convention will be on a first-come, first-served basis. However, you must be registered for the Convention before you can make your reservations. Once your registration form and payment have been received, you will receive housing information by the same method you sent in your registration. If online, a link to the Housing Reservation website will be sent to your email address along with your registration confirmation. You will then be able to complete your hotel reservation online. If you register by mail or fax, housing information will be sent to you by postal mail. Complete your housing and deposit information and send it to the address indicated on the Housing Reservation Form. Your hotel reservation will be processed and a confirmation mailed to you. As at other International Conventions, many A.A.s will be accompanied by Al-Anons and Alateens (check appropriate badge box on form), and Al-Anon and Alateen have scheduled a variety of daytime activities, including meetings and workshops at the Marriott Marquis. Of course, Al-Anons and Alateens will join in the festivities at the Party in the Park, the Big Meetings and more. 5

The Budget Highlights 2014 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 2014 budget projects gross sales of $15,300,000.Ongoing unit sales are expected to be approximately even with 2013,however, the 2014 budget anticipates sales of the75Anniversary Edition of thefirst edition of the Big Book;also,a general price adjustment is scheduled for late in the year (October the long-term fiscal health of the General Service Board and its Reserve Fund. Manufacturing.royalties, and shipping and warehousing costs are budgeted higher than both the 2013 budget and the 2013 actual results, primarily due to the costs for the 75h Anniversary Edition. about $1,114.000 more than 2013, again primarily due to the Anniversary Edition. The 62.7% gross profit percentage anticipated for 2014 compares with 64.3% realized for 2013. It should be recognized that as we continue to strive tohave literature available throughout our Service Structure in Spanish andFrench, as well as English, The table below reflects the Gross Profit Percentages from 2009 through the 2014 budget. 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014Budget 61.1 % 64.5% 63.7% 63.7% 64.3 % 62.7% Prudence dictates that ongoing reviews arenecessary to control costs and reinforce therevenue stream to provide sufficient funds to continue providing services. Trusted servants continue to evaluate costs of operations as well as assess the services provided. Contributions: Contribution revenue had shown positive movement for several years.The years 2008 and 2009 however reflected decreases followed by a rebound in 2010.Results for 2011 showed a slight decline with 2012rebounding with a $293,800 increase from 2011 and 2013 reported a further increase of approximately $348,000. 口 During 2013,contributions from groups and individuals (as distinguished from those received for the World Service Meeting literature efforts) of $6,870,242 were $208,242(3.1%)more than budget and $347,299(5.3%)greater than 2012.Contributions received from World Service Meeting countries toward the WorldService MeetingInternationalLiterature Fund efforts amounted to$36,130,approximately even with the$34,665received in 2012.This compares with $75,000 received in 2011 and $129,000 in 2010.Total contributions including WSM efforts were just over S6,906,300 Total Operating Revenue for 2014 is anticipated at $16,223,960,an increase of approximately S1,207,000 (8%) due primarily to the Anniversary Edition. Total Operating Expenses for 2014have beenbudgeted at $15,928,516,approximately $943,800 or6.3% greater than 2013 expenses and approximately five percentgreater than the 2013budget.The 2014budget anticipates additional staffingneeds,specifically International Convention assignment staff member and assistant, and a publications Licensing Manager. The 2014 G.S.O.budget anticipates an excess of revenue over expense of $295,444.After considerable discussion,the A.A.W.S.Board recommended and theGeneralServiceBoard approved the 2014budget,which includedprice adjustments effective October 2014.It should beremembered that generally the Reserve Fund is funded by literature profits. This anticipated profit for 2014 compares with a profit of $31,554 for 2013,$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. bulletin 2014 Grapevine Budget The 2014 Grapevine Budget calls for an average circulation for the print magazine of 73.401. This anticipates 5,359 fewer copies than the 2013 budget GV online subscriptions,which compares with the 2013 budget of 4,653 and the 5.175 actually achieved.Print magazine circulation for the last 16 years is depicted in the chart below. AA GrapevineCirculation 1998-2013 140,000 less than 2013.Other Publishing Income from books,cassette tapes,and miscel- 120,000 100,000 Total Gross Profit: Combining the magazine and other publishing items,a gross 80,000 60,000 profit of $1,903,119 is budgeted for 2014. This compares with $1,993,516 achieved on 40,000 for 2013 and the 2013 budget of S1,819,859 20,000 bage fo $1,820,687,$131,876 greater than the 2013 expenses of $1,688,811,but $3,500 lower than the 2013budget. this Net Income (loss):For 2014 the Grapevine anticipates a net profit of $94,232. This compares with a 2013 budgeted profit of S11,954 and an actual profit from operations of $315,205. post 2014 LaVinaBudget Following the 1995 General Service Conference Advisory Action #7,the publication of the Grapevine magazine in Spanish was approved by the Grapevine Board pue and the trustees’Finance Committee of the General Service Board.Recognizing this publication as a new venture,both boards were to review thefinancial La Vina Net Costs 1995-2013 line, the viability of this venture.In 2001 The General Service Board recommended,and the 2001 Conference approved,that the LaVina magazine continue to bepublished $0+ 1995 19961997199619992000200120022003200420052006200720082009 20102011 2012 2013 by the Grapevine but funded by the General Service Board’s General Fund, instead $20,000 dotted of continuing to drawfundsfrom theReserve Fund. $40.000 For 2014 La Vina expects a gross profit on the magazine of $57,267,compared 60.00 with S54.758 achieved in 2013.Circulation for 2014 is estimated at10.607 some $80,000 4.5%greater than the 2013 average and 15%greater than the 2013 budget as well. $100,000 along Other Publishing Income is estimated at $9,649,which after deducting cost of prod- $140,000 uct of $1,751 expects to contribute S7,898 to revenue.Total costs and expenses are -$160,000 estimated at$206,740for2014,approximately$700greater than2013 and $15,000 Cut more than the 2013 budget. The 2014 budget projects a net cost of $141,575,to be funded by the General Service Board’s General Fund. The anticipated 2014 net cost is $1,000 less than the 2013 net cost loss of $142,544.As noted above these net costs are funded by the General Service Board’s General Fund. The Chart above reflects the La Vina magazine net costs since inception (1995). To date net costs of approximately $1,668,645 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. Please note that we cannot attest to the accuracy, relevancy, timeliness, or completeness of information provided by any linked site.

June 20-21—Peterborough, Ontario, Canada. 53rd Kawartha Dist. Intergroup Conf. Write: Ch., Box 1233, Peterborough, ON K9J 7H5; www.peterboroughaa.org 20-22—Storm Lake, Iowa. Area 24 Spring Conf. Write: Ch., Box 693, Storm Lake, IA 50588

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

20-22—Hyannis, Massachusetts. Cape Cod Pockets of Enthusiasm. Write: Ch., Box 773, Mashpee, MA 02649; www.capecodpockets.org

20-22—Olive Branch, Mississippi. Area 37 State Conv. Write: Ch., Box 1612, Southaven, MS 38671 20-22—Ft. Worth, Texas. 68th TX State Conv. Write: Ch., Box 26979, Ft. Worth, TX 76126; www.txaaconvention.org 20-22—Sept-Îles, Québec, Canada. 35 e Congrès du Dist. 89-10. Écrire: Prés., P.C. 1242, Sept-Îles, QC G4R 4K7; infopublique.aa8910@yahoo.ca 27-29—Lodi, California. 67 th NCCAA Summer Conf. Write: Ch., Box 3162, Yuba City, CA 95992; www.norcalaa.org 27-29—Billings, Montana. 22 nd Beartooth Mtn Conf. Write: Ch., Box 23406, Billings, MT 59104; www.beartoothmountainconference.com

July 4-5—Rivière-Du-Loup, Québec, Canada. 38e Congrès Rivière-Du-Loup. Écrire: Prés., B.P. 951, Rivière-Du-Loup, QC G5R 3Z5 10-13—Raleigh, North Carolina. 67 th NC State Conv. Write: Ch., Box 1387, Knightdale, NC 27545-1387; www.aanorthcarolina.org 11-12—Roanoke, Virginia. Spring Into Action. Write: Ch., Box 8609, Roanoke, VA 24014; www.springintoactionroanoke.com 11-13—Tehachapi, California. 13 th Tehachapi Mtn Roundup. Write: Ch., Box 800, Tehachapi, CA 93581; www.tehachapiroundup.org

Box 4-5-9, Summer 2014

Summer 2014 4383, Palm Desert, CA 92261; www.maaddogdaze.org

11-13—Boise, Idaho. Pacific Reg. Forum. Write: Forum Coord., Box 459, Grand Central Station, New York, NY 10163; Regionalforums@aa.org

1-3—Boise, Idaho. Gem State Roundup. Info: www.gemstateroundup.org 1-3—Jefferson City, Missouri. 63rd MO State Conv. Write: Ch., Box 29224, St. Louis, MO 63126-9224; www.mostateconvention.org

11-13—Omaha, Nebraska. VIII Conv. Hispana. Inf.: Com. Org., Box 7187, Omaha, NE 68107 16-20—Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. 58 th State Conv. Write: Ch., 1730 S. Federal Hwy, #122, Delray Beach, FL 33483; www.58.flstateconvention.com 17-20—Lubbock, Texas. 40 th Lubbock Caprock Conv. Write: Ch., Box 6511, Lubbock, TX 79493; www.nwta66.org 18-20—Carrabassett Valley, Maine. 37th Area 28 Roundup. Write: Ch., Box 368, Bath, ME 04530; www.roundup.area28aa.org

1-3—Latham, New York. NY Informational Workshop. Info: nysiw@aahmbny.org 1-3—Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. 21st PA State Conv. Write: Ch., 1444 Roundtop Rd, Middletown, PA 17057; www.aapastateconvention.com 1-3—Baie-Comeau, Québec, Canada. 44ième Congrès de Baie-Comeau. Écrire: Prés., C.P. 2052 Succursale Mingan, Baie-Comeau, QC G5C 2S8

18-20—White Haven, Pennsylvania. Big Book Twelve Step Workshop/Campout. Info: aapracticetheseprinciplesgroup.org 18-20—Windsor, Ontario, Canada. 39 th Windsor/Essex County Conv. Write: Ch., Box 231, 401 Ouellette Ave., Windsor, ON N9A 6K1; www.windsoraa.org 25-27—Perrysburg, Ohio. 58th OH State Conv. & East Central Reg. Conf. Write: Ch., 3328 Glanzman Rd., Toledo, OH 43614; www.area55aa.org 25-27—Rimouski, Québec, Canada. 35 e Congrès du Bas Saint-Laurent. Écrire: Prés., 4-401 Lamoureux, Rimouski, QC G5L 5R4

7-10—Katherine, Australia. Katherine Roundup. Write: Ch., Box 5100, North Geelong 3215 8-10—Oakhurst, California. 29th Serenity in the Sierras. Write: Ch., Box 1116, Oakhurst, CA 93644; www.serenitysierras.com 8-10—Ocean Shores, Washington. Step Ashore. Write: Ch., Box 192, Port Orchard, WA 98366; www.nwwoodstockofaa.org 8-10—Nelson, British Columbia, Canada. Sisters in Sobriety Kootenay Campout. Write: Ch., 407 Nelson Ave., Nelson, BC V1L 2N1; womensaacampoutbritishcolumbia@gmail.com 8-10—Mont Lanier, Québec, Canada. Congrès Dist. 90-20. Écrire: Prés., 70 Chemin de la Lièvre, Kiamika, QC J0W 1G0; district20@aa90.org

August 1-3—Hot Springs, Arkansas. 74 th Old Grandad AR State Conv. Write: Box 1185, West Memphis, AR 72303; www.arkansasaa.org 1-3—Indian Wells, California. 9th MAAD Dog Daze Ninth Dist. Conv. Write: Ch., Box

14-17—Kettle Falls, Washington. Hog Heaven Campout. Write: Ch., Box 1161, Colville, WA 99114 14-17—Charleston, West Virginia. 70 th SE Reg. Conf. & 62nd State Conv. Write: Ch., Box 11364, Charleston, WV 25339; 2014SEConference@aawv.org

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: ____________________________________________________________________________________________ CITY

STATE OR PROVINCE

Location: _________________________________________________________________________________________________ P.O. BOX (OR NUMBER AND STREET)

Address to list: ___________________________________________________________________________________________ CITY

STATE OR PROVINCE

ZIP CODE

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ (NO PERSONAL E-MAIL ADDRESSES)

Web site or E-mail: _______________________________________________________________________________________ NAME

PHONE # AND E-MAIL

Contact person: ___________________________________________________________________________________________

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5-17—Laval, Quebec, Canada. Eastern Canada Reg. Forum. Write: Forum Coord., Box 459, Grand Central Station, New York, NY 10163; Regionalforums@aa.org 16-17—Windsor, Nova Scotia, Canada. 50th Windsor & Area 82 Mini Roundup. Info: district17newsletter@gmail.com 21-24—San Antonio, Texas. ICYPAA. Write: Ch., Box 7434, Houston, TX 77248; http://56th.icypaa.org 22-24—Lansing, Michigan. 62 nd MI State Conv. Write: Ch., Box 174, Weidman, MI 48893-0174; www.cmia32.org 22-24—Chattanooga, Tennessee. Serenity in the Scenic City Conf. Write: Ch., Box 28042, Chattanooga, TN 37424; www.serenityinthesceniccity.com 22-24—Reunion Flats, Wyoming. 13th Teton Canyon Campout. Write: Ch., Box 2905, La Grande, OR 97850; tetoncanyoncampout@gmail.com 28-31—Destin, Florida. 10th Summer Serenity at the Beach Conf. Write: Ch., Box 6178, Destin, FL 32550; www.summerserenityatthebeach.com

19-21—Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. 19th SE Woman to Woman Conf. Write: Ch., Box 2303, Aiken, SC 29802; sew2w@aol.com 19-21—Rimini, Italy. 30 th Conv. Info: www.alcolistianonimiitalia.it

24-26—Killeen, Texas. Area 68 Fall Assembly. Write: Ch., Box 2876, Harker Heights, TX 76548; 2014fac@texasdistrict5.com 24-26—Qawra, Malta. 9th Internat’l Conv. Info: www.aamalta.org

26-28—Crescent City, California. Sobriety by the Sea. Write: Ch., Box 871, Crescent City, CA 95531; www.sobrietybythesea.com 26-28—San Diego, California. 63 rd So. CA Conv. Write: Ch., 8890 19th St., Apt. 360, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91701; www.aasocal.com 26-28—Somerset, New Jersey. 58 th Area 44 Conv. Write: Ch., Box 13, Dover, NJ 07801; www.nnjaa.org

30-2—Honolulu, Hawaii. HI Conv. Write: Ch., Box 23434, Honolulu, HI 96734; www.annualhawaiiconvention.com

26-28—Isla Verde, Puerto Rico. Southeast Reg. Forum. Write: Forum Coord., Box 459, Grand Central Station, New York, NY 10163; Regionalforums@aa.org

7-9—Wenatchee, Washington. Wenatchee Valley Roundup. Info: www.wenatcheevalleyroundup.org 13-16—Helen, Georgia. 35th Chattahoochee Forest Conf. Write: Ch., 311 Jones Mill Rd., Statesboro, GA 30458 14-15—Wichita, Kansas. 31st Fall Roundup. Info: www.wichitafallroundup.com 21-22—Trois-Rivières, Québec, Canada. 41e Congrès de Trois-Rivières. Écrire: congres3rivieres@gmail.com

26-28—Harrisonburg, Virginia. Shenandoah Valley Roundup. Write: Ch., 618 N. Beverly Ave., Covington, VA 24426-1314 26-28—Colville, Washington. NE WA Roundup of Recovery. Write: Ch., Box 1161, Colville, WA 99114

29-31—Prescott, Arizona. ASCYPAA. Info: www.ascypaa2014.com 29-31—Denver, Colorado. 42 Conv. Hispana de E.U. y Canada. Inf.: Com. Org., Box 19332, Denver, CO 80219; www.42convencionhispanausaycanada.org 29-31—Grand Junction, Colorado. Area 10 State Conv. Write: Ch., Box 324, Grand Junction, CO 80502; www.a10conv.org 29-31— Jonquière, Québec, Canada. Congrès du Saguenay. Infos: www.aa-quebec.org/region89

September 5-7—Meriden, Connecticut. 56 th Area 11 Conv. Write: Ch., 112 E. Main St., Meriden, CT 06450; area11convention@ct-aa.org 5-7—Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada. 32nd Chilliwack Roundup. Write: Ch., Box 134, Chilliwack, BC V2P 6H7 5-7—Gatineau, Québec, Canada. 17e Congrès du Dist. de 90-22. Écrire : Prés., 1194 Boul. St-René ouest, Gatineau, QC J8T 6H3; congress22@aa90.org 12-14—Westlake, California. 36 th Ventura County Conv. Write: Ch., Box 1087, Simi Valley, CA 93062; www.vcaac.org 12-14—Taos, New Mexico. Taos Mtn Fiesta. Info: www.taosmountainfiesta.org 19-21—Big Lake, Alaska. AK Advance for Women. Write: Ch., 19312 Iris St., Chugiak, AK 99567; www.alaskaadvanceforwomen.com 19-21—Wichita, Kansas. 57th Area 25 State Conf. Write: Ch., Box 14764, Lenexa, KS 66285; www.kansas-aa.org 19-21—Duluth, Minnesota. 69 th Duluth Roundup. Write: Ch., Box 16771, Duluth, MN 55816-0771; www.duluthroundup.org

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31-2—Hyannis, Massachusetts. Big Book Step Study Conv. Write: Ch., Box 23, Norwood, MA 02062; www.bbssconvention2014.com

November

October 3-5—McCall, Idaho. Area 18 Fall Assembly. Info: www.idahoarea18aa.org 3-5—Troy, Michigan. 27th Tri-County Conf. Write: Ch., Box 4324, Troy, MI 48099; www.3countyconference.com 3-5—Grand Forks, North Dakota. ND State Roundup. Write: Ch., Box 13663, Grand Forks, ND 58208-3663; www.grandforksaa.org 9-12—King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. 18 th Nat’l Archives Workshop. Write: Ch., Box 216, Lionville, PA 19353; www.aanationalarchivesworkshop.com 10-12—Nashville, Tennessee. 40th ILAA Conf. Write: Ch., 214 2 nd Ave. N., Ste. 1, Nashville, TN 37201; www.ilaa.org 10-12—Angels City, Philippines. 19 th Fall Roundup. Write: Ch., 9-26D Bertha St., Balibago, Angeles City, Pampanga, Philippines; www.roundupangelescity.wordpress.com 17-19—Jackson, California. Gold Country Roundup. Info: www.goldcountryroundup.com 17-19—Greensburg, Pennsylvania. 74th Laurel Highlands Conf. Write: Ch., Box 6, Bovard, PA 15619 17-19—Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. 63 rd Eastern ON Fall Conf. Write: Ch., 30 Lavergne St., Unit 2, Ottawa, ON K1L 5G3; http://fallconference.ottawaaa.org 24-26—Buffalo, New York. 73rd Buffalo Conv. Write: Ch., Box 184, Tonawanda, NY 14151; www.buffaloaany.org

Box 4-5-9, Summer 2014