News and Notes from the General Service Office of A.A.® www.aa.org Vol. 62, No. 2 / Summer 2016

n 66th A.A. General Service Conference Convenes Our Spiritual Way of Life: Steps, Traditions and Concepts “Most of us here today come from our areas by election or motion ranged back and forth, raising questions of the hat, but all of us are here today as guardians of A.A.,” process and procedures for changes made to the agenda said Barb C., of West Virginia, delegate chair of the 2016 between Conferences. In the end, the motion failed and General Service Conference in her greeting to Conference the agenda remained as presented; but the spirited dismembers at the event’s opening session. “So, as I see it,” cussion paved the way for continued reflection at the she added, “this is my challenge here, perhaps yours, also: committee level and throughout the Conference. to continue to grow through the 36 Principles, to serve As the business of the Conference got underway, two A.A. as a whole, to be a guardian of A.A. and to keep my visitors from the Ukraine — Mykhailo A., past World eyes wide-open, smiling and laughing, arms outstretched, Service Meeting delegate, and Yury T. — were admitted to open and welcoming.” the Conference as observers. Reflecting the Conference theme, “Our Spiritual Way of Life: Steps, Traditions and Concepts,” and following a welcome by Terry Bedient, Class A (nonalcoholic) chairperson of the General Service Board, and the official roll call by G.S.O.’s general manager Greg T., Barb’s address set the Conference in motion, launching a week’s worth of discussion, debate and the pursuit of A.A.’s primary purpose. Meeting from Sunday morning, April 17 to Saturday afternoon, April 23, 2016, at the Crowne Plaza Times Square Hotel in New York City, the 134 voting members constituting the 66th General Service Conference assembled from all parts of A.A.’s eight service regions across the United States and Canada. Serving as “the actual voice and the effective conscience for our whole Society” (Concept II, The A.A. Service Manual/Twelve Concepts for World Service), the 2016 Conference was comprised of 93 delegates, 25 members of the General Service Board of Trustees, the A.A. World Services and Grapevine Corporate Boards, and 16 members of the A.A. staff of the General Service Office, the Grapevine and La Viña. Sunday evening the Opening Dinner was followed by Terry Bedient served as Conference chair; Greg T., an open A.A. meeting, chaired by Michelle P., Eastern G.S.O. general manager and Barb C., delegate chair, Massachusetts, chairperson of the Conference Agenda served as vice chairs; and Mary Clare L. served as Committee; the leader was Betty M., Southeast Michigan. Conference coordinator. Andrew W., West Central region- Speakers were: Drew A., Southern Wisconsin; Jennifer K., al trustee, gave the Keynote Address, noting that unity in British Columbia/Yukon; Richard B., A.A.W.S. director; A.A. “is not when you agree with me, but when we hear Ami B., Grapevine executive editor/publisher; and Racy J., all voices.” He continued, “We all win when we have G.S.O. staff member. broad discussion, listen to the minority voice and find our Conference week is long, often arduous, but ultimately collective group conscience.” rewarding — filled with board and committee reports, That process began sooner than some might have presentations and discussions, area service highlights, thought at the 66th Conference, as early in the opening sharing sessions and committee meetings. The main focus session a motion was made proposing the restoration of a of each Conference though, is on the deliberations of each workshop topic voted on at the 65th Conference in 2015 of the thirteen Conference committees, and it is during the that had been deferred between Conferences to the 2017 committee meetings that the major work of the agenda in favor of a workshop topic designed to gain Conference is done. Once again, this year, after a joint input from Conference members on a report from the meeting with each corresponding trustees’ committee, the General Service Board. While the report highlighted Conference committees reviewed material and backimportant fiscal and membership trends, debate on the ground information, weighed and discussed various issues

• Grapevine: subscriptions continue to decline 2% – 3% Box 4-5-9 is published quarterly by the General Service per year; expenses continue to increase slowly at 2% – 3% Office of Alcoholics Anonymous, 475 Riverside Drive, per year. New York, NY 10115, Copyright © 2016 by Alcoholics • Budget Outlook: G.S.O./A.A.W.S., Grapevine, and La Anonymous World Services, Inc. Viña combined budgeted result for 2016 is a $325,600 loss, Mail address: P.O. Box 459, Grand Central Station with following years having even larger losses, assuming New York, NY 10163 no changes in operations or income. Based on the workshop discussions, the General Service G.S.O.’s A.A. Website: www.aa.org Board will review the feedback gathered from Conference Subscriptions: Individual, $3.50 per year; group, $6.00 for members and determine what ideas may be actionable, each unit of 10 per year. Check—made payable to A.A.W.S., bringing them back to future General Service Conferences Inc.—should accompany order. To have issues delivered for consideration. directly to your inbox, register your email on the A.A. On Thursday, as the bulk of the committee reports Digital Subscription Service on G.S.O.’s Website. began, a brief Conference-wide training session was conducted to facilitate electronic voting — a procedure in the and came up with recommendations, some of which second year of a two-year trial. Armed with input from resulted in Conference Advisory Actions. (Highlights of last year’s Conference, an outside consultant was brought Advisory Actions appear on page 3.) in to oversee the process and after a series of practice At the Delegates Only meeting Tuesday evening Bob votes — using mock questions like “Do you like coffee?” to M., South Dakota, was selected as the delegate chair for test the system — the Conference as a whole took a vote the 67th Conference; Ian R., Manitoba, will be alternate (by hand — the old-fashioned way) to move forward chair. On Wednesday, trustee elections were held and electronically. Cate W., of Winnipeg, Manitoba, was selected as Western With results displayed automatically on two screens at Canada regional trustee. Due to an unidentified ailment, the front of the meeting hall, voting progressed smoothly, however, that overtook a number of delegates, the West though some Conference members may still hear in their Central regional trustee election had to be put off until the sleep the words “Voting is open,” followed in a matter of next day, when Tom A. of Waite Park, Minnesota, was seconds by “Voting is closed,” which accompanied each selected from the hat after five ballots. (In response to the action of the Conference on Thursday. health issues that prompted the rescheduling of the elec- A report will be prepared as the result of the twotion, Class A trustee David Fromson, M.D., requested that year experiment, and the 67th Conference will decide portable bottles of hand sanitizer be placed prominently whether future Conferences will employ this method of in the lobby area outside the meeting hall as a precaution- tallying results. ary measure to limit the spread of any germs that might With discussion and voting on committee agendas and further impact the Conference. As he noted later on floor actions finally complete, Friday evening rotating Saturday in his rotation remarks, he might be the only Panel 65 delegates lined up around the room and gave person in General Service Conference history to be remem- emotional two-minute farewells, highlighted by a tonguebered for requesting that alcohol be widely administered in-cheek song dedicated to Panel 66 delegates and sung to at an A.A. event.) the tune of “Route 66.” The 2016 General Service Following two days of committee meetings and a Conference then officially closed with the Serenity Prayer, Tuesday afternoon trip to visit G.S.O. and Grapevine led by Lisa P. (English), Michel B. (French) and Gilberto V. offices, the workshop session on Wednesday morning (Spanish). focused on the report from the trustees’ Feasibility Study Rotating trustees gave their farewell talks at the closing Subcommittee, with workshop questions developed to brunch on Saturday morning: Michele Grinberg and John facilitate brainstorming among Conference members on Fromson, Class A (nonalcoholic) trustees; and Andrew four basic topics: improving internal and external com- W., West Central regional trustee. munications; increasing revenues; reducing expenses; and While the General Service Conference works year structure. The report itself, presented earlier in the week round, the annual meeting held every spring is the culmiby David Morris, Class A trustee and chairperson of the nation of the year’s activities, the time when the collective trustees’ subcommittee, evaluated some current fiscal conscience of A.A. in the U.S./Canada emerges to take trends and presented a three-year budget outlook of the actions that will help groups and members today and in General Service Board and its two operating corporations, years to come. In this way, the Conference is a window to A.A.W.S., Inc. and A.A. Grapevine, Inc., highlighting the the future of the Fellowship. following areas: Each Conference has its own flavor and focus, and as • G.S.O./A.A.W.S.: membership levels are flat; contri- the 66th Conference began to recede, those returning butions show little growth; literature sales show slow to members of the 67th Conference started to turn their no growth; expenses continue to increase slowly at 2% – attention toward the 2017 Conference with its theme: 3% per year. “Supporting Our Future.”

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n 2016 Conference Advisory Actions and Additional Considerations Conference Advisory Actions represent recommendations Treatment/Accessibilities—that the term “Special made by the standing committees and approved by the Needs” be removed from the name of the Conference Conference body as a whole; or recommendations dis- Committee on Treatment/Special Needs-Accessibilities. cussed and voted upon by all Conference members during general sessions. Some Advisory Actions and a few addi- Trustees—that the slate of trustees be elected at the tional committee considerations appear below in con- annual meeting of the members of the General Service densed form. A complete list will be published in the Final Board of Alcoholics Anonymous, Inc. in April 2016. Conference Report.

Advisory Actions Additional Considerations Archives—the committee discussed ways of encouraging Agenda—that the theme for the 2017 General Service A.A. groups to write or update their group histories. Conference be: “Supporting Our Future”; that the presentation/discussion topics be: Growth, Participation, Finance—the committee discussed information from the Contributions. A.A.W.S. Self-Support Subcommittee and considered the format and use of the flyer “The Seventh Tradition Fact Cooperation With the Professional Community—that Sheet” (F-203). a new section on A.A. and medication be added to the pamphlet “If You Are a Professional”; that text be added International Conventions/Regional Forums—the to the pamphlet “Is There An Alcoholic in the committee discussed ways to encourage interest in Workplace?”; that an introductory paragraph for profes- Regional Forums and how to attract first-time attendees. sionals be added to the pamphlet “Problems Other Than Alcohol.”

n Estimates of Groups and Members Corrections—that the video to replace “It Sure Beats Sitting in a Cell” be titled “A New Freedom.”

Grapevine—that the delegate chair for the Grapevine as of January 1, 20161 Conference Committee be allowed the same participation Groups Members at the January A.A. Grapevine Board meeting as all other delegate chairs at their corresponding trustees’ United States 60,698 1,262,542 committees. Canada 5,043 85,530 ______ ________ Literature—that the trustees’ Literature Committee Sub-Total 65,741 1,348,072 develop a plan that includes a systematic schedule for the 2 Correctional facilities 1,450 35,710 annual review of recovery literature items; that the pamphlet “Young People and A.A.” be updated; that there be Loners, Internationalists, a comprehensive revision of the pamphlet “The Twelve Homers ______2 66 ________ Traditions Illustrated.” Total 67,193 1,383,848 Policy/Admissions—that two A.A. members from the 3 Outside U.S. & Canada 50,555 ______ 705,850 ________ Ukraine be admitted to the 66th General Service Conference as observers; that the 69th General Service Grand Total 117,748 2,089,698 Conference be held April 28-May 4, 2019.

Public Information—that the English- and French-lan- ______________ guage versions of the video public service announcement 1. The General Service Office does not keep membership records. The “Tengo Esperanza” be centrally distributed, tracked and information shown here is based on reports given by groups listed with evaluated; that the video public service announcement G.S.O., and does not represent an actual count of those who consider “I Thought” be discontinued. themselves A.A. members. 2. U.S. and Canada only. Report and Charter—that various copy changes and 3. We are aware of A.A. activity in more than 180 countries, including information be made to The A.A. Service Manual/Twelve 62 autonomous general service offices in other lands. Annually Concepts for World Service; that a new edition of The A.A. we attempt to contact those G.S.O.s and groups that request to be listed Service Manual be published biannually (i.e., every two in our records. Where current data is lacking we use an earlier year’s years) beginning in 2018. figure.

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n Name That Theme itself the Orthodox Group, and included Henrietta Seiberling among its few members. In a letter she wrote at the time For the 2020 International Convention— she charged that Bill was motivated by greed and suffering Deadline Oct. 3, 2016 from delusions of grandeur, and that, “we want the people in the Groups to know just what the dangers are.” Believe it or not, it’s time to start thinking about a theme One nonalcoholic trustee, Leonard Harrison, resigned for the 2020 International Convention celebration of A.A.’s over the issue, saying in a February 1948 letter to Bill: “I 85th Anniversary in Detroit, Michigan, July 2-5, 2020. We have felt that a degree of isolation of the Foundation from invite you to send in suggestions for a theme, which will be the main currents of the Alcoholics Anonymous moveselected by the trustees’ International Conventions/ ment has been, and would continue to be, a stabilizing Regional Forums Committee. Please let us hear from you factor in dealing with the necessary ‘housekeeping,’ legal, by October 3, 2016. and financial affairs of the A.A. headquarters. The some- To spark your thinking, the themes of past A.A. what intricate relationships envisaged in your plans… will International Conventions have been: 1965 “I Am invite more troubles than solutions, I believe.” Responsible”; 1970 “Unity”; 1975 “Let It Begin With Me”; Harrison later rejoined the board and was credited by 1980 “The Joy of Living”; 1985 “Fifty Years With Gratitude”; Bill with being a calming influence that helped the 1990 “Fifty-Five Years–One Day At a Time”; 1995 “A.A. Foundation weather the controversy. Everywhere–Anywhere”; 2000 “Pass It On–Into the 21st Essentially, Bill feared that after he and Dr. Bob passed Century”; 2005 “I Am Responsible”; 2010 “A Vision for on, the Alcoholic Foundation would eventually suffer a loss You;” and in 2015 “80 Years — Happy, Joyous and Free.” of legitimacy. As Bill saw it, such a development would Send your ideas to: International Conventions hurt A.A. in various ways, including diminished financial Assignment, P.O. Box 459, Grand Central Station, New support from A.A. groups for the New York office. York, NY 10163. Writing to an A.A. member in San Diego at the end of 1947, Bill said: “We shall have to do something… about the New York Headquarters. A self-perpetuating Board of

n A Brief History of the Conference Trustees unknown to most A.A. members could never stand up over the long future. So we shall have to have some kind of annual conference in which out-of-towners It’s been with us for so long now, providing guidance and delegated for the purpose would sit down and talk things stability throughout the Fellowship, that there may be over with the Trustees, the office, and the Grapevine, and some within the A.A. universe who have forgotten — or make a joint annual report to the Groups.” never knew — that not everyone thought creation of the As Bill noted, however, in a July 1955 article from The General Service Conference was a good idea. It could be Language of the Heart (p. 162), “It was one thing to say said that nothing comes easy in A.A. — not the price that we ought to have a General Service Conference, but it many have paid to get here, the sacrifices necessary in was quite another to devise a plan which would bring it keeping our groups together, or the ongoing maintenance into successful existence. The cost of holding such a of the very services that hold us in unity today. So, it Conference was easily dismissed. Even though the outlay should be no surprise that getting the Conference up and might be $20,000 for each yearly session, this would be running as “the actual voice and the effective conscience only fifteen cents apiece extra for each A.A. member, and for our whole Society” itself took some doing. mighty well worth it. What member wouldn’t give that A.A. had grown tremendously in the years since the much to be sure that A.A. didn’t collapse at its center in Alcoholic Foundation had been created in 1938, when some future day of great need or crisis? there were barely 100 A.A. members. In 1946, when mem- “But how on earth were we going to cut down destrucbership had reached about 30,000, Bill had begun formu- tive politics with all its usual struggles for prestige and vainlating a plan for some kind of conference with delegates glory? How many delegates would be required and from from A.A. groups around the country. where should they come? Arrived at New York, how could In the beginning, though, there was little enthusiasm they be related to the Board of Trustees? What would be for the project. As almost all the 15 trustees on the board their actual powers and duties? Whatever the plan, it had to of the Alcoholic Foundation saw it, the Alcoholics be sound enough to work well on the first trial. No blunders Anonymous movement had flourished in the 10 years big enough to create a fiasco could be allowed.” since the Foundation had been created, and they saw no And work well it did. Like other not-so-popular-at-first reason to endorse what looked like a radical change. ideas (think Big Book and Twelve Traditions), in the 66 Bernard Smith, who joined the board as a nonalcoholic years since its “experimental” appearance on the A.A. trustee in 1946, was alone in supporting the plan. A busi- landscape, the General Service Conference has proven to nessman and a lawyer, Smith’s backing over the next few be an indispensable thread woven firmly into the fabric of years was to prove crucial. A.A., a worthy successor to the Fellowship’s founders and One angry faction that opposed the conference called early members.

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n Résumés for Trustees porate board directors are appointed), and the General Service Conference, for one week in April. Election due Jan. 1, 2017 In addition, directors may be called upon to attend subcommittee or other meetings and to represent Three new Class B (alcoholic) trustees — from the East A.A.W.S. at Regional Forums or other A.A. functions. Central and Southeast regions and the trustee-at- Résumés should be sent to A.A.W.S. Board secretary, at large/U.S. — will be elected at the General Service the General Service Office, no later than July 1, 2016. Conference in April 2017. Résumés must be received at

n Opening for A.A. Grapevine G.S.O. no later than January 1, 2017, and must be submitted by delegates only. The new East Central regional trustee will succeed Bill F., of Marietta, Ohio; the next Southeast regional will follow Chet P. of Orlando, Florida. The new trustee-at- Nontrustee Director large/U.S. will fill the position currently held by Bob W., of A.A. Grapevine’s Corporate Board has started its search to Westfield, Massachusetts. fill the vacancy for nontrustee director, which will open A sound A.A. background is a basic qualification for following the 2017 General Service Conference. Interested Class B trustees. Ten years of continuous sobriety is desir- A.A. members are encouraged to submit a résumé. able but not mandatory. Candidates should be active in Basic qualifications for this position are: a minimum of both local and area A.A. affairs; and, because trustees seven years of continuous sobriety with a working knowlserve the entire Fellowship, they require the background edge of The A.A. Service Manual; ability to work with othand the willingness to make decisions on matters of broad ers; experience serving on boards of directors (nonprofit policy that affect A.A. as a whole. experience is most helpful); knowledge of organizational It is also important that trustee candidates understand strategic planning, problem-solving and implementation the commitment of time required. Trustees are expected of change; experience with organizational management to attend three quarterly board weekends, with meetings and finances; and familiarity and experience with publioften scheduled from Thursday afternoon through cations media, including new communication technolo- Monday morning, and the General Service Conference, gies and methodologies. which lasts for one week. Often trustees are asked to The time commitment required is significant and attend a Regional Forum weekend. In addition, regional includes availability to attend all regular meetings of the trustees are usually asked to serve two years on either the A.A. Grapevine Board (currently up to eight a year), three A.A.W.S. or Grapevine Corporate Boards, which meet weekend meetings of trustees’ committees (to which cormore frequently than the General Service Board. porate board directors are appointed) and the General Please submit your candidate’s résumé to the Secretary, Service Conference for one week in April. Trustees’ comtrustees’ Nominating Committee, General Service Office. mittees may also include conference calls between in-person meetings. In addition, directors may be called upon to attend

n Opening for A.A.W.S. subcomittee or other meetings and to represent A.A. Grapevine at Regional Forums or other A.A. functions. Résumés should be sent to Janet Bryan, operations Nontrustee Director manager, A.A. Grapevine, by July 1, 2016.

n Opening for Class A A.A. World Services, Inc. (A.A.W.S.) has started its search to fill the vacancy for one nontrustee director, which will open following the 2017 General Service Conference. Interested A.A. members are encouraged to submit a résumé. In seeking applications for all vacancies in Alcoholics (nonalcoholic) Trustee Anonymous, the Fellowship is committed to creating a The trustees’ Nominating Committee asks that trustees, large applicant file of qualified persons, which reflects the delegates and directors submit any names they deem inclusiveness and diversity of A.A. itself. appropriate as candidates for Class A trustee, to Basic qualifications for this position are: a minimum of replace the General Service Board trustee Terrance M. seven years of continuous sobriety; a sound business or Bedient, when he rotates in 2017. Class A trustees are professional background is preferable, but not limited to chosen from a variety of professional backgrounds, the following areas—finance, management, publishing, including doctors, lawyers, clergy, media, social worklegal, or information technology; the ability to work with ers and educators. others; availability to attend all regular meetings of the Please submit your candidate’s business or professional A.A.W.S. Board (currently, up to eight per year), three résumés to the Secretary, trustees’ Nominating weekend meetings of trustees’ committees (to which cor- Committee, General Service Office, by July 31, 2016.

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The Budget Highlights 2016 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 2016 budget projects literature gross sales of $13,707,484. The 2016 budget was developed with the realization that unit sales volumes have been declining gradually, however we are expecting an overall increase in unit sales as those who purchased significant amounts of literature prior to the October 1, 2014 price increase need to restock. When approving the 2016 budget, the A.A.W.S. Board continued to focus diligently on revenue and expense assumptions and how they ultimately affect the long-term fiscal health of the General Service Board and its Reserve Fund. Manufacturing, royalties, and shipping and warehousing costs are budgeted slightly higher than the 2015 results taking into consideration inflationary increases and the expected increment in unit sales, offset by the absence of royalty payments as the last recipient has passed away. After subtracting manufacturing and shipping and warehousing costs, gross profit is budgeted at $9,007,384, or 66.9%. The 66.9% gross profit percentage anticipated for 2016 compares with 65.4% realized for 2015 and 66.1% budgeted for 2015. 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 will affect the overall gross profit percentages in the future. The table below reflects the Gross Profit Percentages from 2011 through the 2016 budget. 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Budget 63.7% 63.7% 64.3% 58.6% 65.4% 66.9% Prudence dictates that ongoing reviews are necessary to control costs and reinforce the revenue 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: Seventh Tradition self-support contributions for 2016 are budgeted at $7,100,000, which is just slightly higher than the 2015 budget and approximately even with 2015 actual contributions received of $7,154,000. During 2015, contributions from groups and individuals (as distinguished from those received for the World Service Meeting literature efforts) of $7,109,338 were $145,338 greater than budget and $280,848 greater than 2014. Contributions received from World Service Meeting countries toward the World Service Meeting International Literature efforts amounted to $44,808, approximately two thirds of $69,600 received in 2014. Total contributions including WSM efforts were just over $7,154,146. The percentage of the A.A. groups that choose to list with the General Service Office that have participated in the Seventh Tradition by contributing to the General Service Office was 40.3% in 2015. For the last ten years it has been in a relatively stable range (between 40% and 45%) for the past ten years. Total Operating Revenue for 2016 is anticipated at $16,107,784, an increase of approximately $800,000 (5%). Total Operating Expenses for 2016 have been budgeted at $16,134,475, approximately $1,015,136 or 6.7% greater than 2015 expenses but $489,550 (2.9%) less than the 2015 budget. The 2016 G.S.O. budget anticipates an excess of expenses over revenue of $26,691. After considerable discussion that included concern for sales trends and expenses, the A.A.W.S. Board recommended and the General Service Board approved the 2016 budget. It should be remembered that generally the Reserve Fund is funded by literature profits. This anticipated loss for 2016 compares with a profit of $205,625 for 2015, $1,376,656 for 2014, $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.

2016 Grapevine Budget The 2016 Grapevine budget calls for an average circulation for the print magazine of 70,369. This anticipates 737 more copies than the 2015 budget but approximately AA Grapevine Circulation 1998-2015 140,000 1,597 fewer than the 2015 average paid print circulation of 71,966. The 2016 budget 120,000 calls for approximately 5,097 GV online subscriptions, which compares with the 2015 budget of 5,368 and the 5,233 actually achieved. Print magazine circulation for the last 100,000 80,000 copies 18 years is depicted in the adjacent chart. 60,000 Income: Magazine income of $2,093,366 is expected to be approximately $50,900 40,000 less than 2015. Other Publishing Income from books, cassette tapes, and miscellaneous 20,000 items is budgeted at $577,187, approximately $233,900 less than 2015. 0 Total Gross Profit: Combining the magazine and other publishing items, a gross 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 profit of $1,716,983 is budgeted for 2016. This compares with $1,968,828 achieved for the 2015 budget of $1,938,427. Total Operating Expenses: Total Operating Expenses for 2016 are budgeted at $1,867,946, $131,829 greater than the 2015 expenses of $1,736,117, but $93,288 less than the 2015 budget. Net Income (loss): For 2016, the Grapevine anticipates a net loss of $146,263. This compares with a 2015 budgeted loss of $14,607 and an actual profit from operations of $240,811.

2016 La Viña Budget La Viña Circulation 1997-2015 Following the 1995 General Service Conference Advisory Action #7, the publication 12,000 of the Grapevine magazine in Spanish was approved by both the Grapevine Board 10,000 and the trustees’ Finance Committee of the General Service Board. Recognizing this 8,000 publication as a new venture, both boards were to review the financial impact on 6,000 the Fellowship and the progress in circulation growth and to continue to monitor 4,000 the viability of this new venture. In 2001, the General Service Board recommended, 2,000 and the 2001 Conference approved, that the La Viña magazine continues to be 0 published by the Grapevine and that any ongoing shortfall between revenues and 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 operating expenses be funded by the General Service Boards’ General Fund, instead of continuing to draw funds directly from the Reserve Fund. For 2016, La Viña expects a gross profit on the magazine of $61,549, compared with $63,160 achieved in 2015. Circulation for 2016 is estimated to decline to 10,017, some 338 or 3% less than the 2015 average but 1.5% greater than the 2015 budget. Other Publishing Income is estimated at $21,984, which after deducting cost of product of $6,408 expects to contribute $15,576 to revenue. Total costs and expenses are estimated at $229,732 for 2016, approximately $10,000 greater than 2015 and $4,000 more than the 2015 budget. The 2016 budget projects a shortfall of expense over revenue of $152,607, to be funded by the General Service Board General Fund. The anticipated 2016 shortfall is $6,200 greater than the 2015 shortfall of $146,378. As noted above these shortfalls for this service activity is funded by the General Service Board General Fund. Net shortfall since inception (1995) to date is approximately $1,947,048. The chart above reflects the La Viña magazine circulation.

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– – – -! ———————————————————————————- BULLETIN BOARD Items and Ideas on Area Gatherings for A.A.s — Via G.S.O. Summer 2016

15-17—South Bend, Indiana. Svc. Comm. 12-14—Austin, Texas. Capital of TX Conf. Calendar of Events Colloquium. Write: Ch., Box 721, South Write: Ch., Box 4946, Austin, TX 78785; Bend, IN 46624; coloquium@sjcmd.org www.capitaloftexasconference.org Events listed here are presented solely as a service to readers, not as an 22-24—Rimouski, Québec, Canada. 37ième 12-14—Oshawa, Ontario, Canada. 44th endorsement by the General Service Congrès du Bas-St-Laurent. Écrire: Prés., Lakeshore Dists Conf. Write: Ch., 92 Office. For any additional information, BP 651, Rimouski, QC G5L 4B0; Fenning Dr., Courtice, ON L1E 3H2; www.aa-quebec.org/region88/Congres.html lakeshoredistrictsconference@hotmail.com please use the addresses provided. Please note that we cannot attest to 29-31—Jefferson City, Missouri. 65th MO State 12-14—Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Québec, the accuracy, relevancy, timeliness, Conv. Write: Ch., Box 7524, Columbia, MO Canada. 40e Congrès. Écrire: Prés., C.P. or completeness of information 65205; www.mostateconvention.org 8008, Cap-aux-Meules, QC G4T 1R3 provided by any linked site. 29-31—Baie-Comeau, Québec, Canada. 19-21—Joplin, Missouri. Summer Hummer. 46ième Congrès de Baie-Comeau. Écrire: Write: Ch., Box 2364, Joplin, MO 64803 Prés., C.P. 2052 Succursale, Mingan, Baie- Comeau, QC G5C 2S8 19-21—Reston, Virginia. VAC Conv. Write: June Ch., Box 230866, Centerville, VA 20120; www.vac2016convention.com 2-5—Lahaina, Hawaii. MauiFest. Write: Ch., Box 893, Kihei, HI 96753; 19-21—Reunion Flat, Wyoming. 15th Teton www.mauifest.org August Canyon Campout. Write: Ch., Box 2905, La Grande, OR 97850; 3-5—Mobile, Alabama. Azalea City 3-7—Palm Harbor, Florida. 60th FL State tetoncanyoncampout@gmail.com Jamboree. Write: Ch., Box 9005, Mobile, AL Conv. Write: Ch., 632 Addison Dr., NE, St. 36691; www.mobileaa.org 19-21—Elspeet, Netherlands. 30th Netherlands Petersburg, FL 33716; Roundup. http://60flstateconvention.com Info: www.aa-netherlands.org 3-5—Denver, Colorado. Addt’l SW Reg. Forum. Write: Forum Coord., Box 459, Grand 5-7—Oakhurst, California. Serenity in the Central Station, New York, NY 10163; 26-28—San Francisco, California. Western Sierras. Write: Ch., Box 1116, Oakhurst, CA Roundup Living Sober. Write: Ch., Box Regionalforums@aa.org 93644; serenitysierras.com 14804, San Francisco, CA 94114; 3-5—Bozrah, Connecticut. Soberfest. Write: 5-7—Springfield, Massachusetts. MSCYPAA. information@livingsober.org Ch., Box 1681, Meriden, CT 06450; Write: Ch., Box 636, Enfield, CT 06083soberfest@ct-aa.org 26-28—Asheville, North Carolina. SE Woman 0636; www.mscypaa.com to Woman. Write: Ch., Box 5675; Asheville, 3-5—Dubuque, Iowa. Area 24 Spring Conf. NC 28813

Cut along dotted line, and post this page on your group’s bulletin board 5-7—Parkersburg, West Virginia. 64th Area Info: www.2016area24springconference.com 73 State Conv. Write: Ch., Box 3033, 26-28—Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada. Parkersburg, WV 26103-3033; Western Canada Reg. Forum. Write: Forum 10-12—Akron, Ohio. Founder’s Day. Write: www.aawv.org Coord., Box 459, Grand Central Station, Ch., Box 12, Akron, OH 44309; https://foundersdayregistration.akronaa.org/ 12-14—Kenai, Alaska. 42nd Wilderness New York, NY 10163; Jamboree. Write: Ch., Box 1625, Kenai, AK Regionalforums@aa.org 10-12—Kenton, Oklahoma. 40th Camp Billy 99611; www.aakenaialaska.org Joe Roundup. Write: Ch., Box 944, Desert Hot Springs, CA 92240 12-14—Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. PENNSCY- PAA 28. Write: Ch., 135 Abbeyville Road, 10-12—Olympia, Washington. Capitol #206, Pittsburgh, PA 15228; Jamboree. Write: Ch., Box 7205, Olympia, www.pennscypaaxxviii.org WA 98507; http://capitoljamboree.org 10-12—Calgary, Alberta, Canada. 35th Calgary Roundup. Info: www.gratituderoundup.com 24-26—Pendleton, Oregon. Pacific Northwest Planning a Future Event? Conf. Write: Ch., 2777 SW 196th Ct., Aloha, OR 97003; www.pnc1948.org 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 July Date of event: from ___________________________________ to _____________________________ , 20_______________ 1-3—New Orleans, Louisiana. Road to Detroit. Info: www.roadtodetroit.com Name of event: ____________________________________________________________________________________________ 8-10—Thunderbay, Ontario, Canada. Eastern CITY STATE OR PROVINCE Location: _________________________________________________________________________________________________ Canada Reg. Forum. Write: Forum Coord., Box 459, Grand Central Station, New York, P.O. BOX (OR NUMBER AND STREET) Address to list: ___________________________________________________________________________________________ NY 10163; Regionalforums@aa.org

CITY STATE OR PROVINCE ZIP CODE 15-17—Leadville, Colorado. Area 10 Summer ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Svc Assembly. (NO PERSONAL E-MAIL ADDRESSES) Info: www.coloradoaa.org/assembly Web site or E-mail: _______________________________________________________________________________________

NAME PHONE # AND E-MAIL Contact person: ___________________________________________________________________________________________

Box 4-5-9, Summer 2016 7

September 23-25—Harrisburg, Virginia. Shenandoah Valley Roundup. Write: Ch., 618 N. Beverly Ave., Covington, VA 24426; 2-4—Phoenix, Arizona. AZ State Conv. Write: shenandoahvalleyroundup@comcast.net Ch., Box 21612, Mesa, AZ 85277; www.area03.org 23-25—Wenatchee, Washington. Wenatchee Valley Roundup. Write: Ch., 1320 Terr. Ct. 2-4—Concord, California. First Unity and NE, East Wenatchee, WA 98802; Service Conf. Write: Ch., 827 Sean Place, www.wenatcheevalleyroundup.org Concord, CA 94518; www.unityandserviceconference.org 23-25—Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India. The National Conv. Write: Ch., Office No.116 2-4—Saint Louis, Missouri. 33rd Annual Fall (A, B &C) Bharat Shatrughna Com. Classic Conf. Write: Ch., Box 16872, St. Complex Ltd., Above Hotel Bhagat Louis, MO 63105; info@fall-classic.com Tarachand, Sector-18 Sanpada, Navi Mumbai 400 703; www.aagsoindia.org 2-4—Westminster, Colorado. CO State Conv. Info: www.convention.coloradoaa.org 30-2—Waikoloa, Hawaii. Pacific Reg. Forum. Write: Forum Coord., Box 459, Grand 2-4—Addison, Texas. 44 Conv. Nacional de Central Station, New York, NY 10163; E.U. y Canadá. Regionalforums@aa.org Para Info: www.44convencionhispanadeaa usaycanada.org 30-2—Spearfish, South Dakota. Area 63 Fall Conf. Write: Ch., Box 644, Spearfish, SD 2-4—Powell River, British Columbia, Canada. 57783; www.area63aa.org 69th Powell River Rally. Write: Ch., 9408 Stittle Rd, Powell River, BC V8A 0J3 30-2—Colville, Washington. Roundup of Recovery. Write: Ch., Box 355, Loon Lake, 2-4—Jonquière, Québec, Canada. Congrès du WA 99148; www.area92aa.org Saguenay «Nouvelle liberté avec AA». Write: Ch., 3921, Des Passereaux, Jonquière, G7X-8A7, Québec, CA; www.aa89.org 9-11—Meriden, Connecticut. 58th Area 11 Conv. Write: Ch., 112 E. Main St., Meriden, CT 06450; www.ct-aa.org 9-11—Dunnville, Ontario, Canada. 50th Annual Dunnville A.A. Conv. & Campout. Write: Ch., Box 76, Smithville, ON L0R 2A0; dunnvilleconvention2016@outlook.com 9-11—Kenora, Ontario, Canada. 45th Sunset Country Roundup. Write: Ch., 522 9th St. N., #2, Kenora, ON P9N 2S8; kenoraroundup@gmail.com 16-17—Duluth, Minnesota. 71st Duluth Roundup. Write: Ch., Box 16771, Duluth, MN 55805-0771; www.duluthroundup.org 16-18—Wichita, Kansas. Area 25 State Conf. Write: Ch., 3062 W. 8th St., Lawrence, KS 66049; www.kansas-aa.org 16-18—Medora, North Dakota. ND State Roundup. Write: Ch., Box 521, Dickinson, ND 58602 16-18—Vernal, Utah. Area 69 Pre-Conf. Assembly. Write: Ch., Box 790241, Vernal, UT 84078 16-18—Gatineau, Quebec, Canada. 18e Congrès du Dist. 90-22. Écrire: 1194 Boul. St-René oust, Gatineau, QC J8T 6H3; congre22@aa90.org 16-19—Vernal, Utah. Area 69 Fall Assembly. Write: Ch., Box 790241, Vernal, UT 84078 23-24—Olean, New York. Day of Learning. Write: Ch., Box 421, Olean, NY 14760 23-25—San Diego, California. 65th So. CA Conv. Write; Ch., 12223 Highland Ave., Ste 106, PMB399, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91739; www.aasocal.com 23-25—Sioux City, Iowa. Sioux City Tri-State Roundup. www.siouxcitytristateroundup.com

8 Box 4-5-9, Summer 2016