A SUMMARY:
ADVISORY ACTIONS
OF THE
GENERAL SERVICE CONFERENCE OF
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS
1951-1993

CONTENTS
Actions Based Upon Reports of Conference Committees
Agenda ..................................................................................................................... 4
Conference Policy and Admissions ....................................................................... 13
Admissions .............................................................................................................. 18
Conference Report and Charter .............................................................................. 23
Cooperation with the Professional Community ...................................................... 33
Correctional Facilities ............................................................................................. 38
Finance .................................................................................................................... 40
Grapevine ............................................................................................................... 47
Institutions .............................................................................................................. 51
Literature ................................................................................................................ 53
Public Information .................................................................................................. 64
Treatment Facilities ................................................................................................. 72
Trustees ................................................................................................................... 76
General Categories
Al-Anon Family Groups ......................................................................................... 83
Clubs ....................................................................................................................... 83
Conference Committees .......................................................................................... 84
Delegates ................................................................................................................. 84
Delegates’ Meetings ................................................................................................ 85
Directories ............................................................................................................... 87
Films and Filmstrips ................................................................................................ 88
General Service Board ............................................................................................ 89
General Service Office ............................................................................................ 90
General Service Representatives ............................................................................. 90
Groups ..................................................................................................................... 91
International Conventions ....................................................................................... 91
Miscellaneous .......................................................................................................... 93
World Service Meeting ........................................................................................... 93

AGENDA
ADVISORY ACTIONS
based upon reports of the
CONFERENCE AGENDA COMMITTEE
1951
The following subjects were selected to be put before the 1951
Conference:
a. Should nonalcoholics continue to serve on the board of
trustees of the Alcoholic Foundation? (The Conference
voted affiatively, with complete unanimity.)
b. This Conference feels that in future years, A.A. textbook
literature should have Conference approval. (Prior to the
vote on this subject, it was pointed out that adoption of the
suggestion would not preclude the continued issuance of
various printed documents by ”non-Foundation” sources.
No desire to review, edit, or censor non-Foundation materi-al
was implied. The objective was to provide in the future a
means of distinguishing Foundation literature from that
issued locally or by non-A.A. interests.)
c. It is the sense of this Conference that our temporary
Charter, as outlined in the ”Third Legacy” pamphlet, is suit-able
for the coming three years and that the general princi-ples
guiding assemblies are also approved.
1952
At this Conference, the Agenda Committee was composed of
five members and a secretary. They reported that before rec-ommending
topics for the 1953 Conference, they would corre-spond
with all Conference committees, the board of trustees,
and G.S.O.
1953
It was felt that whenever controversial issues arise after due
discussion and to avoid both needless hassling on the
Conference floor and postponement, and where apparently no
conclusion is imminent, the chair should immediately select a
committee of second-year delegates from the hat and ask them
to retire to another room, talk the matter over, and come back
with a recommendation.
1954 It was recommended that:
Delegates having suggestions for the agenda for the closed or
”unchaperoned” Conference session send such suggestions to
the Conference secretary at least 90 days prior to the next
Conference.
1957 It was recommended that:
G.S.O. continue the briefing sessions for new delegates prior to
the opening of Conference deliberations.
1959 It was recommended that:
The G.S.O. reports be given more time to provide more
human-interest anecdotes, and that they be scheduled as the
first order of business, one after the other, and not with other
reports. Ten minutes is suggested for each report.
The General Service Board report and those of its committees
be limited to five minutes each.
Delegates speaking from the floor limit themselves to three
minutes.
1961 It was recommended that:
Area highlights be reported half by first-year and half by sec-ond-
year delegates; this will give new delegates the benefit of
second-year delegates’ experience.
1962 It was recommended that:
The Area-Delegates-Only meeting be scheduled earlier in the
Conference; that it be held on Thursday evening.
1963 It was recommended that:
Subjects should be submitted to the Agenda Committee
throughout the year as they come up; that July and October
Policy Committee meetings also review Conference discussion
subjects.
If an important agenda subject comes to the attention of
A.A.W.S. after approval of tentative agenda in October, it, as
well as an indication of which previously approved subject is
to be eliminated, if any, be brought to the attention of the
Agenda Committee for reaction prior to G.S.B.‘s final deter-mination.
Any items not included on current agenda be offered to the
succeeding committee.
Area highlights continue to express a central theme.
1964 It was recommended that:
The 1965 Conference cover a six-day period.
The responsibilities and motions of the Conference committees
be explained thoroughly prior to the selection of committee
members at future Conferences.
Committee members review background material on previous
Conferences’ actions as a guide in preparing recommendations
for the 1965 Conference agenda.
Consideration be given to the possibility of permitting past del-egates
to attend future Conferences at their own expense as
spectators.
Consideration be given to the possibility of scheduling a work-shop
session on the functions of Conference committees.
A sharing session involving delegates and the G.S.O. staff be
scheduled in 1965, and that the possibility of joint meetings of
such Conference committees as Agenda and Policy be consid-ered.
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1965 It was recommended that:
The Policy Committee and the board of trustees inform the
Agenda Committee members of actions taken on proposed
agenda subjects, and a brief reason be given for rejections, if
any.
Subjects approved for the agenda by Policy and board be made
available to delegates through the Interim Report [Quarterly
Report], following the January quarterly meeting.
The Delegates-Only meeting be held before any consideration
of the five-year trustees’ plan.
1966 It was recommended that:
The Agenda and Admissions Committees be combined, to be
called the Conference Committee on Agenda and Admissions.
1967 It was recommended that:
A review be made of Thiid Legacy electoral procedures.
More emphasis be placed upon workshops, and that we explore
the possibility of breaking up into smaller groups after presen-tations;
also, that a fresh look be taken at the method of form-ing
workshops, using area size and population as criteria rather
than region.
Delegates send agenda recommendations to G.S.O. before
October.
1968 It was recommended that:
A study of admissions procedures be conducted and that the
Agenda / Admissions Committee meet in the fall of 1968 in
New York after preliminary exploration through correspon-dence.
1969 It was recommended that:
The Conference format rotate emphasis on workshops and pre-sentations
on a yearly basis, with greater emphasis upon work-shops.
1970 It was recommended that:
Where time permits, all [suggested] Conference agenda sub-jects
received during the year be referred to the
Agenda/Admissions Committee before presentation to the
Conference and board Policy Committees for final approval.
1971 It was recommended that:
The Agenda/Admissions Committee remain Agenda/
Admissions, and that the Admissions part of this committee
not become a part of the Committee on Conference Policy, as
suggested by a former delegate.
The A.A. meeting on Monday night be retained, and that the
G.S.O. staff be presented for short A.A. talks every other year,
with a delegate chairman; also, that there be two delegate
speakers with a delegate chairman on alternate years; further,
that this format be reviewed every year by the
Agenda/Admissions Committee.
The same format be used for workshops for next year’s
Conference, and the number of workshops be a minimum of
two-more if possible.
Specific time be allotted to all speakers, and the bell rung no
matter who is speaking; presentations be kept in brief form;
nothing vital be scheduled after a presentation or session which
may become controversial; gripe sessions be held between
3:00 and 5:00 p.m. when they can run into the evening session
and not interfere with an important session; priorities be estab-lished
as to which subjects are best for the groups as a whole;
and Agenda/Admissions members send in opinions as to what
modifications of present agenda should be made for next year’s
agenda prior to November 1, 1971.
In view of the heavy agenda this year and the apparent problem
in completing it on time, some items (possibly of lower priori-ty)
be shown as optional subjects. These should be so placed on
the agenda that if we run out of time on earlier subjects, the
optional items could be eliminated for that specific year.
The subject of clubs be a major item on the 1972 Conference
agenda.
The idea of considering February 14 or the month of February
as a permanent special memorial time for Bill and others who
have departed be placed on the agenda of the 1972
Conference.
It is the primary responsibility of the duly elected delegates to
see that the heretofore agreed-upon contribution of $150
toward Conference expenses be paid by March 1; if not
received by March 1, a letter be sent directly to the delegate,
pointing out that unless this area shares in the expenses of the
Conference, said delegate will be referred to the
Agenda/Admissions Committee for discussion.
1972 It was recommended that:
All motions to be acted upon by the delegation, as much as
possible, be submitted in writing beforehand and, if time per-mits,
be distributed to the delegates by mail.
Delegate participation in some way be scheduled on Monday.
Consideration be given to the following suggested agenda
item: A scheduled workshop on inactive members be on the
agenda for the 1973 Conference, and that there be no outline
material (no scheduled questions).
1973 It was recommended that:
In order to improve the functioning of the Agenda/Admissions
Committee, members of that committee, when writing to
G.S.O., indicate in their letters when they wish copies to be
sent to the other members of the committee.
Background material be sent to members of the
Agenda/Admissions Committee on suggestions received for
Conference agenda items.
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Results of the Conference evaluation questionnaire be sent to
members of the Agenda/Admissions Committee.
The Conference declined to approve the following recommen-dations
of the Agenda/Admissions Committee:
a. That the Agenda/Admissions Committee participate as a
committee in the final approval of suggested agenda
items and their distribution to the various committees,
etc., and no longer be restricted to just making recom-mendations.
b. That the trustees study the feasibility of the
Agenda/Admissions Committee holding a full committee
meeting for proper and adequate evaluation and delibera-tion
of suggested Conference items, including selection
of the Conference theme and the evaluation of the pre-ceding
Conference agenda, prior to the Conference.
c. The committee also wishes to have the newly elected
Agenda/Admissions Committee chairman become co-chairman
immediately upon being elected, and full chair-man
when the present chairman’s term as delegate
expires on December 31.
1974 It was recommended that:
The Committee on Conference Policy consider the following
recommendation: That as many Conference agenda items as
possible be finalized for approval at the October Policy and
Board meetings so that the November Quarterly Report will
reflect this approval and allow for early assembly discussions;
and that further agenda items be forwarded to the delegates as
soon as they have been approved.
The 1975 Conference theme be built around ”Unity, Love, and
Service.”
The following agenda topics be considered for the
1975 Conference:
a. Discussion or workshop on the growing trend of holding
regional get-togethers for the past and present delegates
and trustees
b. Presentation followed by a workshop on Twelve
Concepts
c. Presentation on ”Understanding and Living the A.A.
Traditions-Delegates Share Their Experience”
d. Workshop on understanding the role of A.A. members
who wear ”two hats”
e. Workshop on the responsibilities of district committee
members
f. Presentation on ”Group Support for Group Service.”
The midweek A.A. meeting continue to be scheduled, with the
understanding that it may be omitted if time is needed to dis-cuss
unfinished Conference business.
1975 It was recommended that:
Having reviewed the recommendation received from the
Committee on Conference Policy/ Admissions that the opening
night A.A. meeting should always include the General Service
Office and Grapevine staff members, the original recommen-dation
(197 1 Action) be retained.
In view of the fact that the 1974 Conference spent many hours
discussing the question of special purpose groups, further dis-cussion
of this subject would not be productive at the present
time; therefore, it was unanimously recommended that a two-year
moratorium (until 1977) be placed on discussion of spe-cial
purpose groups.
The following suggestions for the 1976 Conference agenda be
considered:
a. Presentation followed by a workshop on sponsorship of
the new member.
b. Public information presentation and workshop with
emphasis on the importance of carrying the message in
this way.
c. The suggestion from the Conference Institutions
Committee that the subject of A.A. in hospitals be dis-cussed
at the Conference was accepted, and the commit-tee
suggests that the subject can best be discussed in a
structured workshop.
d. One unstructured workshop be retained.
e. Presentation and discussion on A.A. Literature.
f. The Ask-lt Basket be retained in a one- to one and-a-half-hour
session.
g. Visit to G.S.O. and Grapevine be continued unless the
time is needed for Conference business.
The delegates make every effort to send to G.S.O. no later than
October 1 their suggestions for the 1976 Conference agenda,
and those of their G.S.R.s and area committee members, for
consideration.
The same basic format for the Conference agenda be retained.
The 1976 Conference theme be built around ”Sponsorship.”
1976 It was recommended that:
The following suggestions for the 1977 General Service
Conference be considered:
a. The 1975 General Service Conference recommended a
two-year moratorium be placed on the discussion of spe-cial
purpose groups. The 1976 Agenda Committee, after
much discussion, recommended that at this time there is
no need for further discussion of this subject.
b. Presentations followed by a workshop on the importance
of rotation throughout the Fellowship.
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C. Cooperation and communication among all levels of ser-vice.
d. . Report on the A.A. directories.
e. The word ”Report” be added to Area Service Highlights.
f. Roll call of the Conference members be taken at the open-ing
session of the 1977 General Service Conference.
g. Presentation followed by a workshop on the Conference
Charter and Warranties.
h. The importance of the role of the alternate in service.
The 1977 Conference theme be built around ”The A.A.
Group.”
1977 It was recommended that:
The format of the A.A. meeting be reviewed every year; it was
further recommended that in 1978 the A.A. meeting be chaired
by a G.S.O. staff member with three delegate speakers.
The following be subjects for presentations at the 1978
Conference:
a. Finance
b. Let’s Carry the A.A. Message
c. How Our General Service Office Serves Us
d. The Participation of the G.S.R., the Vital Link Between
the A.A. Group and the General Service Conference
The following be subjects for discussion at the 1978
Conference:
a. Are We Letting Others Do Our Work?
b. Who Establishes Policy in A.A.? You, That’s Who
The following be topics for workshops at the 1978 Conference:
A.A.-What We Can Do for the Alcoholic Working with
Others Inside and Outside A.A.
The theme for the 1978 Conference be built around ”The
Individual and the Group: Growth Through Participation”; it
was further recommended that the Twelve Steps, with empha-sis
on the Twelfth Step, be incorporated into the 1978
Conference agenda.
All Conference mailings and the monthly letter to delegates be
sent to alternate delegates.
1978 It was recommended that:
The theme of the 1979 General Service Conference be built
around ”The Legacies: Our Heritage and My Responsibility.”
The format of the A.A. meeting following the opening dinner at
the 1979 Conference consist of six speakers-three delegates
and three members of the G.S.O. / GV staff-and that all mem-bers
of the G.S.O. and GV staff be seated on the dais; it was fur-ther
recommended that the format of the meeting be reviewed
each year by the Conference Agenda Committee.
The following be subjects for presentations at the 1979
Conference:
a. Archives
b. The Three Legacies
c. Let Gratitude Be Our Attitude
d. Are We Building a Class Distinction in Service?
e. The Vote and the Voice-Who Is in Control?
f. Our Responsibilities to the Future
g. How Do Roundups, Jamborees, Cruises, Rallies, etc., Fit
Into A.A. Tradition?
A topic for a workshop at the 1979 Conference be ”Group
Autonomy and A.A. Unity,” and that a question be included in
this workshop concerning the difference between an A.A.
group and an A.A. meeting.
The subject of listing special interest groups in the A.A. direc-tories
not be included on the agenda of the 1979 Conference.
In response to a request from a past delegate that levels of ser-vice
(group, district, and area) be explored to try to determine
if the current structure provides maximum opportunity for the
best possible service in the Fellowship, the committee felt that
the current structure does provide such opportunity.
1979 It was recommended that:
The theme for the 1980 General Service Conference be built
around ”Participation-the Key to Recovery.”
The format of the A.A. meeting following the opening dinner
at the 1980 Conference consist of one leader and five speak-ers-
three delegates and two staff members (one G.S.O. and
one GV). It was further recommended that the format of the
meeting should be reviewed each year by the Conference
Agenda Committee.
With regard to the committee’s recommendations for presenta-tion/
discussion topics (among them ”Working With Others,”
”The Role of the Alternate at All Levels of Service,” ”The
Cornerstone of Structure-the G.S.R.,” ”Where There Is Good
Service Structure, There Is Growth in A.A. Membership,” and
”Let’s Not Squander Our Inheritance”), the Conference retain
the general idea of the topics, but the Conference Agenda
Committee make additional suggestions.
At the 1980 General Service Conference, there be three work-shops:
two structured and one unstructured; it was further rec-ommended
that one of the workshops be on the topic ”Working
With Others.”

During the roll call at the 1980 Conference, Conference mem-bers
should stand when their names are called.
In response to a request from members of one of the work-shops,
a discussion on ”How are expenses for service workers
at all levels of service met in your area?” be included on the
agenda of the 1980 General Service Conference.
1980 It was recommended that:
The theme for the 1981 General Service Conference be built
around ”A.A. Takes Its Inventory-General Service
Conference Structure.”
The format of the A.A. meeting following the opening dinner
at the 1981 Conference consist of five speakers-three dele-gates
and two staff members (one G.S.O. and one GV) - and
one leader; it was further recommended that the format of the
meeting should be reviewed each year by the Conference
Agenda Committee.
The following presentation/discussion subjects be considered
for the 1981 Conference:
a. The Spiritual Meaning of Anonymity (on opening day if
feasible)
b. Let’s Examine Our Committee System
c. Should Clubs be Entitled to the A.A. Group Discount on
Literature?
At next year’s Conference, we have two structured work-shops,
with one workshop topic to be ”Let’s Examine Our
Committee System.”
There be a ”What’s on Your Mind?” session or sharing session
scheduled for the full Conference body instead of a third work-shop.
1981 It was recommended that:
Suggestions for a possible theme for the 1982 General Service
Conference be built around one of the following:
a. Equal Voice-Equal Responsibility
b. Equal Authority-Equal Responsibility
c. The Traditions-The Way to Unity
d. A.A.-Its Structure
The following presentation/discussion subjects be considered
for the 1982 Conference:
a. Equal Authority-Equal Responsibility (on the opening
morning if feasible)
b. How We Carry the Message to Alcoholics Coming to Us
From Outside Agencies
At next year’s Conference, we have two structured workshops:
a. How We Carry the Message to Alcoholics Coming to Us
From Outside Agencies
b. Why A.A. Works-The Traditions
The format of the A.A. meeting following the opening dinner
at the 1982 Conference consist of five speakers-one trustee,
two delegates, and two staff members (one G.S.O. and one
GV) - and one delegate chairing. It was further recommended
that the format of the meeting should be reviewed each year by
the Conference Agenda Committee.
1982 It was recommended that:
The following be considered for the 1983 Conference theme:
a. Group Responsibilities in Service-Back to Basics
b. The A.A. Member-Service, Privileges, and
Responsibilities
c. Anonymity-Our Spiritual Foundation
The following presentation/discussion subjects be considered
for the 1983 Conference:
a. How Is the A.A. Member’s Voice Heard at the General
Service Conference?
Through an Informed Group Conscience
Through Correspondence to G.S.O.
Through District Activity
Through His/Her Delegate
b. The Member, the Group, and Their Money
The Cost of Involvement in Service
How Are District Activities Funded?
What Will a Dollar in the Basket Do Today?
c. Sponsorship
In Recovery
In Service
The following structured workshops be considered for the
1983 Conference:
a. Communications: Group-G.S.R.-D.C.M.
b. Informed Group Conscience
c. Rotation in Service
The format of the A.A. meeting following the opening dinner
at the 1983 Conference consist of five speakers-one trustee,
two delegates, and two staff members (one G.S.O. and one
GV) -- and one delegate chairing. It was further recommended
that the format of the meeting be reviewed each year by the
Conference Agenda Committee.
a

1983 It was recommended that:
The format of the A.A. meeting following the opening dinner
at the 1984 Conference consist of five speakers--one trustee,
two delegates, two staff members (one G.S.O. and one GV) -and
one delegate chairing. It was further recommended that the
format of the meeting be reviewed each year by the Conference
Agenda Committee.
The following be considered for the 1984 Conference theme:
a. Our Primary Purpose
b. The Frontier for A.A.‘s Future-The Group
c. Gratitude-The Language of the Heart
The following presentation/discussion topics be considered for
the 1984 Conference:
members (one G.S.O. and one GV).
The following suggestions be made for a possible theme for the
1985 Conference with grateful recognition that we will cele-brate
A.A.‘s 50th Anniversary in 1985:
a. Service-The Golden Key
b. Love and Service
c. Golden Moments of Reflection
The following presentation/discussion and / or workshop topics
be considered for the 1985 Conference:
a. Will the Hand of A.A. Always Be There?
The Middle Years of Sobriety-A Dangerous Time
Are We Diluting Ourselves?
Communication Within the Fellowship
a. How Does A.A. Respond to a Changing World?
b. The Warranties
Are We Listening to the Newcomer?
Open-Mindedness
Working With Third Parties
b. The Informed Group Conscience-My Obligation
To Understand the Steps
To Understand the Traditions
To Understand the Concepts
c. Sobriety-What Is It?
At next year’s Conference, the following structured workshops
be considered:
a. Solutions for Everyday Problems in A.A.
c. Beyond the Seventh Tradition-Group Responsibility
In the Meeting Place
To the Newcomer
d. Fifty Years of Caring and Sharing
In Treatment Centers
In Correctional Facilities
With Young People
In the Group
e. The G.S.R.-The Key Role
Obtaining the Most Qualified Member
The Service Sponsor
b. How Does A.A. Respond to a Changing World?
1985 It was recommended that:
The Conference Agenda Committee secretary outline the pro-cedure
for selecting Conference items and send it to the
Agenda Committee members with their February letter.
Conference Agenda Committee members wait seven days from
the date of the postmark before replying to the Agenda
Committee secretary’s request for approval of the trustees’
Conference Committee recommendations regarding the next
year’s Conference agenda.
1984 It was recommended that:
At the dinner of the 1985 General Service Conference, there be
a light system on the podium and the chairperson of the
Conference Agenda Committee be designated chairperson of
the A.A. meeting and that his or her duties be limited to intro-ducing
the leader and monitoring the time of the meeting.
In addition to the meeting chairperson, the format of the A.A.
meeting following the opening dinner at the 1985 Conference
remain the same as 1984, consisting of a delegate leader to
introduce five speakers-one trustee, two delegates, two staff
At the A.A. meeting following the opening dinner at the 36th
General Service Conference, there be a light system on the
podium; the chairperson of the Conference Agenda Committee
be designated chairperson of the A.A. meeting and that his or
her duties be limited to introducing the leader and monitoring
the time of the meeting.
In addition to the meeting chairperson, the format of the A.A.
meeting following the opening dinner at the 36th General
Service Conference remain the same as 1985, consisting of the
alternate chairperson of the Conference Agenda Committee as
leader to introduce five speakers-one trustee, two delegates,
two staff members (one G.S.O. and one Grapevine).
For a possible theme for the 36th General Service Conference,
the following suggestions be made:
a. Service: Our Legacy of Life
b. The Third Legacy: Hope for the Future
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c. A.A.‘s Future: Our Responsibility
The following presentation/discussion topics for the 1986
Conference be considered:
a. The Committee System
Do We Trust It?
Does It Eliminate Conflict?
b. Responsibility In Service
Why Are You a General Service Representative?
Why Are You a District Committee Member?
Why Are You an Area Officer?
Why Are You a Trustee?
c. Trusted Servants
Do We Trust Them?
Ultimate Authority-Are We Listening?
Are Trusted Servants Informed?
The Importance of Rotation
The following two workshops be considered for the 36th
General Service Conference:
a. Letting Go of Old Ideas
Suggesting that the following be specifically addressed
in the workshop questions:
New Ways of Carrying the A.A. Message
Are We Getting Too Rigid?
b. A.A.‘s Impact On the World
With emphasis on:
Are We Being Friendly With Our Friends?
How A.A. Cooperates
1986 It was recommended that:
The format of the A.A. meeting following the opening dinner
at the 37th General Service Conference consist of the alternate
chairperson of the Conference Agenda Committee as leader to
introduce five speakers-one Class B trustee, two delegates,
two staff members (one G.S.O. and one GV).
There be a light system on the podium; the chairperson of the
Conference Agenda Committee be designated chairperson of
the A.A. meeting and that his or her duties be limited to intro-ducing
the leader and monitoring the time of the meeting.
The microphone be checked before the A.A. meeting and the
speakers be advised to speak clearly into the microphone and
limit their talks to ten minutes each.
One of the following four suggestions be the theme of the 37th
General Service Conference:
a. Our Primary Purpose-The Second Fifty Years
b. The Promises: Our Today-Their Tomorrow
c. The Seventh Tradition-A Turning Point
d. A.A.-A Spiritualized Society
The following presentation/discussion topics for the 1987
Conference be:
a. Are We Carrying the Message to All?
b. Area Structure
General Service Representative
District Committee Member
Area Committee
Delegate
c. Finance
Can G.S.O. be Self-supporting Through Group
Contributions Only?
What About the Birthday Plan?
Can Groups Pledge Contributions?
Group Support to District, Area and Intergroup
d. Publishing-Too Much?
A.A. World Services
A.A. Grapevine
e. Maintaining the Basics -- A.A.‘s Principles
Our Primary Purpose
The Twelve Steps
The Twelve Traditions
The Twelve Concepts-How Can We Live the Concepts
in Service?
f. Right of Decision
Two Workshops for the 1987 Conference be:
Unity-Let’s Talk About It
Living Sober-Growing Together or Growing Apart?
1987 It was recommended that:
The format of the A.A. meeting following the opening dinner
of the 38th General Service Conference consist of the alternate
chairperson of the Conference Agenda Committee as leader to
introduce five speakers: One Class B trustee, two delegates,
two A.A. members alternating from among the G.S.O. staff,
Grapevine staff, Archives or corporate boards; and that their
talks be limited to ten minutes each.
There be a light system on the podium; the chairperson of the
Conference Agenda Committee be designated as chairperson
of the A.A. meeting and that his or her duties be limited to
introducing the leader and monitoring the time of the A.A.
meeting.
10

”Self-Support” be a presentation/discussion topic for the next
five years, in keeping with the spirit of the Seventh Tradition.
The theme of the 38th General Service Conference be ”Our
Singleness of Purpose-Key to Unity.”
A workshop topic be on the theme ”Our Singleness of
Purpose-Key to Unity.” A second workshop be scheduled, if
time permits, with the subject to be determined at the trustees’
Conference Committee’s discretion.
The following be presentation/discussion topics for the 1988
Conference:
a. Self-Support
b. Singleness Of Purpose-Key To Unity
Groups vs Meetings
Are We Being Too Friendly With Our Friends?
Our Primary Purpose-Is Our Message Clear?
c. Focus On The Positive
Communications-Challenges
What Are We Doing Right?
Spirit Of Rotation
It was recommended, by floor action, that:
The consideration of inviting intergroups and central offices
into the general service structure be referred to the Agenda
Committee for the 1988 Conference.
1988 It was recommended that:
The format of the A.A. meeting following the opening dinner
of the 39th General Service Conference consist of the alternate
chairperson of the Conference Agenda Committee as leader to
introduce five speakers: one Class B trustee, two delegates,
two A.A. members alternating from among the G.S.O. staff,
Grapevine staff, Archives or corporate boards and that their
talks be limited to ten minutes each.
There be a light system on the podium; the chairperson of the
Conference Agenda Committee be designated as chairperson
of the A.A. meeting and that his or her duties be limited to
introducing the leader and monitoring the time of the A.A.
meeting.
The theme of the 39th General Service Conference be
”Anonymity-Our Past, Present and Future” or ”Anonymity --
Living Our Traditions.”
The following be presentation/discussion topics for the 1989
Conference:
How it Developed
Its Necessity Today
Principles Before Personalities
d. Back to Basics
The Group in the Structure
Sponsorship in Recovery and Service
A.A. Literature-Tool or Mandate
A workshop topic be on the Conference theme and a second
workshop on ”Love and Service” be scheduled if time permits.
A ”What’s on Your Mind?” session continue to be scheduled
in the beginning of the week.
We continue the practice of allowing more time for Committee
meetings.
1989 It was recommended that:
The format of the A.A. meeting following the opening dinner
of the 40th General Service Conference consist of the alternate
chairperson of the Conference Agenda Committee as leader to
introduce five speakers: One Class B trustee, two delegates,
two A.A. members, alternating from among the G.S.O. staff,
Grapevine staff, Archives and corporate boards.
There be a light system on the podium; the chairperson of the
Conference Agenda Committee be designated as chairperson
of the A.A. meeting and that his or her duties be limited to
introducing the leader and monitoring the time of the A.A.
meeting.
The following themes be considered for the 1990 General
Service Conference:
a. Home Group-Where Love and Service Begin
b. Home Group-Our Link to the Fellowship
c. Home Group-Our Responsibility and Link to A.A.‘s
Future.”
The following be presentation/discussion topics for the 1990
General Service Conference:
a. The Importance of the Home Group
In Recovery
For Unity
For Service
b. Sponsorship
In Recovery
For Unity
For Service a. Self-support
b. G.S.O. Finances c. Self-support
c. Anonymity d. G.S.O. Finances
11

One workshop be held at the 1990 General Service Conference
and the topic be on the Conference Theme.
1990 It was recommended that:
The format of the A.A. meeting following the Opening
Dinner of the 1991 General Service Conference be as fol-lows:
the Chairperson of the Conference Agenda Committee
be chair of the meeting, with his or her duties limited to intro-ducing
the meeting leader and monitoring the time allotted by
means of a light timer system; and the Alternate Chairperson
of the Conference Agenda Committee be leader of the meet-ing,
introducing five speakers, one Class B Trustee, two
Delegates, and two other A.A. members alternating from
among the G.S.O. staff, Grapevine staff, Archivist, and cor-porate
boards.
In order of preference, the theme for the 1991 General Service
Conference be selected from among the following:
a. Sponsorship: Gratitude in Action
b. Sponsorship: Our Three Legacies
c. Sponsorship: The Hand of A.A.
The following be presentation/discussion topics for the 1991
General Service Conference:
a. Sponsorship
Help and Hope
I Am Responsible
A Way of Life
b. Our Collective Humility
How We Identify Ourselves
Anonymity-Our Spiritual Foundation
In All Our Affairs
Self-support Project-Five Years Later
G.S.O. Finances
One Workshop for the 1991 General Service Conference, with
the topic to be on the Conference theme.
1991 It was recommended that:
The format of the A.A. meeting following the Opening
Dinner of the 1992 General Service Conference be as fol-lows:
The chairperson of the Conference Agenda Committee
be chair of the meeting, with his or her duties limited to intro-ducing
the meeting leader and monitoring the time allotted by
means of a light-timer system; and the alternate chairperson
of the Conference Agenda Committee be leader of the meet-ing,
introducing five speakers: one Class B trustee, two dele-gates,
and two other A.A. members alternating from among
the G.S.O. staff, Grapevine staff, archivist, and corporate
boards.
The theme for the 1992 General Service Conference be: The
A.A. Message in a Changing World.
The following be presentation/discussion topics for the 1992
General Service Conference:
a. The A.A. Message in a Changing World
Our Common Welfare
Unity: Together We Can
The Language of the Heart Worldwide
b. The Joy of Living
The Newcomer: A.A.‘s Future
Principles Before Personalities
Humility Through Rotation
c. Love and Service
d. G.S.O. Finances
There be one workshop for the 1992 General Service
Conference, with the topic to be on the Conference theme.
1992 It was recommended that:
The format of the A.A. meeting following the Opening
Dinner of the 1993 General Service Conference be as fol-lows:
The chairperson of the Conference Agenda Committee
be chair of the meeting, with his or her duties limited to intro-ducing
the meeting leader and monitoring the time allotted by
means of a light-timer system; and the alternate chairperson
of the Conference Agenda Committee be leader of the meet-ing,
introducing five speakers: one Class B trustee, two dele-gates,
and two other A.A. members alternating from among
the G.S.O. staff, Grapevine staff, archivist, and corporate
boards.
The theme for the 1993 General Service Conference be: A.A.
Takes Its Inventory-The General Service Conference
structure.
The following be presentation/discussion topics for the 1993
General Service Conference:
a. A.A. Takes Its Inventory
The Purpose of the General Service Conference
The Conference Relation to A.A.
The General Service Conference and Its General
Procedures
b. A.A. Takes Its Inventory
Conference Relation to the General Service Board and
Its Corporate Services
The General Service Board: Composition, Jurisdiction,
Responsibilities
c. The General Warranties of the Conference
d. A.A. Takes Its Inventory: Finance
e. A.A. Takes Its Inventory: The Grapevine
There be two workshops for the 1993 General Service
Conference: one workshop to be on the Conference theme with
the focus to be on the other six articles of the Conference
12

Charter; and another workshop to be titled ”A Vision for Us-Where
Are We and Where Are We Going?’ with questions to
be gathered from the Fellowship.
The proposal of the General Service Board to directly manage
A.A.W.S. / G.S.O on an experimental basis for nine months not
be implemented.
Members of a Conference Committee be informed as soon as
practical after it becomes known that an item will be on the
agenda of their Conference Committee, rather than waiting
until January.
The 1993 Conference Agenda Committee investigate the pos-sibility
of forming an ad hoc committee similar in intent to the
inventory committee proposed by Area 36 in their April 7,
1992 letter.
1993 It was recommended that:
The format of the A.A. meeting following the Opening Dinner
of the 1994 General Service Conference be as follows: The
chairperson of the Conference Agenda Committee chair the
meeting, with his or her duties limited to introducing the meet-ing
leader and monitoring the time allotted by means of a light-timer
system; and the alternate chairperson of the Conference
Agenda Committee be leader of the meeting, introducing five
speakers: one Class B trustee, two delegates, and two other
A.A. members alternating from among the G.S.O. staff,
Grapevine staff, archivist, and corporate boards.
The theme for the 1994 General Service Conference be: Spirit
of Sacrifice.
The following be presentation/discussion topics for the 1994
General Service Conference:
Spirit of Sacrifice: Bill’s and Dr. Bob’s Farewell
Messages:
Bill’s Message
Dr. Bob’s Message
Spirit of Sacrifice in the Long Form of the Tradition:
Traditions One, Two and Three
Traditions Four, Five and Six
c. Spirit of Sacrifice in the Long Form of the Traditions:
Traditions Seven, Eight and Nine
Traditions Ten, Eleven and Twelve
The following be the workshop for the 1994 General Service
Conference: The Twelfth Step in Action:
a Where have we been?
b. Where are we now?
c. Where are we going?
CONFERENCE POLICY
ADVISORY ACTIONS
based upon reports of the
CONFERENCE COMMITTEE
ON CONFERENCE POLICY AND ADMISSIONS
1954 It was recommended that:
Delegates come to the Conference being only tentatively
instructed for the following reasons: a) that each delegate bring
to the Conference the thinking of his area; and b) that the max-imum
wisdom of the Conference be achieved and voted
through the exchange of these ideas at the Conference.
The policy adopted by the 1953 Conference in reference to the
threequarter majority rule be continued. That policy stated as
follows:
No policy should be declared or action taken on matters
liable to gravely affect A.A. as a whole unless by consent of
at least three-quarters of the members present. A mere
majority should not authorize action.
1955 It was recommended that:
The Conference abide by the specific recommendations in
Section 7 of the 1965 ”Third Legacy Manual” (currently,
Chapter V of ”The A.A. Service Manual”), whereby no dele-gate
succeed himself. However, it is further provided in
Section 7 that in rare cases, when a fully qualified person is not
available, a delegate may be reelected at a future date. The
Policy Committee felt that the responsibility for this decision
lies entirely with the local area.
1956 It was recommended that:
There be an announcement in a future Headquarters bulletin
reminding group G.S.R.s that it is their duty to pass the bul-letins
on to the group secretary, and also suggesting that wher-ever
practical and feasible, the G.S.R. use a group post office
box as a mailing address.
1958 It was recommended that:
The suggestion of the name change from General Service
Headquarters to General Service Office be adopted.
The participation of institutional groups in the Conference
structure be left to the discretion of local Conference assem-blies.
1959 It was recommended that:
Consideration and study be made by all delegates during the
coming year on the possibility of all G.S.O. group mailings
going to the G.S.R.s and that this subject be placed on the 1960
agenda as a discussion subject.
1962 It was recommended that:
The present $100 paid by Conference areas toward delegate
travel expenses be retained.
13

1963 It was recommended that:
G.S.O. continue to refer local matters back to the area
involved, with the suggestion that they contact the local dele-gate;
and that copies of all correspondence referring to such
local matters be sent to the delegate.
Notices be sent with the Exchange Bulletin (now Box 4-5-9)
clarifying that the bulletins are for the use of the groups and not
exclusively for group secretaries or G.S.R.s.
1964 It was recommended that:
The idea that Conference committees be enlarged from six to
eight members be approved.
The proposal that all outgoing Conference committee members
serve in an ex-officio capacity for a full year after their terms
are concluded be approved.
The proposal that Conference committees select a co-chairman
from first-year delegates, to become chairman the second year,
be approved.
Communications among Conference committee members be
increased when feasible and desirable, to enhance the work of
the standing committees.
1965 It was recommended that:
Committee members continue to be chosen by lot, geographi-cally,
but this drawing be conducted by the chairman of the
Policy Committee of the General Service Board at their
January Policy Committee meeting; and that delegates then be
advised of their committee by the Conference secretary.
Committees include all delegates as active voting members,
advisers being discontinued; and that committees be as uni-form
in size as possible-not to exceed ten members.
Committee workshops be continued.
1966 It was recommended that:
The present policy of asking outgoing committee members to
continue to serve in an ex-officio capacity for one year be con-tinued.
The name of the Other Agencies Committee be changed to
coincide with the board’s Public Information Committee-namely,
to the Conference Committee on Public Information.
1967 It was recommended that:
Ex-officio committee members be continued, but only after
being queried following the January Policy Committee meet-ing,
as to whether they would like to continue as ex-officio.
Only if they answer in the affirmative will they be kept on the
committee list as ex-officio for one year.
1968 It was recommended that:
We maintain the present procedure for selection of Conference
committees on a geographic basis at the January Policy meet-ing
of the board.
Since the language of the General Service Conference is
English, and since the Conference is not equipped to provide
translators, it is desirable that delegates elected have a knowl-edge
of English.
1969 It was recommended that:
The name of the Conference Policy Committee be changed to
The Committee on Conference Policy.
The biographical sketches of the delegates, compiled by
G.S.O. and placed in delegates’ manuals, would serve no use-ful
purpose to the delegates or G.S.O.
Looking with favor on the proposal ”that each Conference area
contribute $150 every year to the support of the General
Service Conference,” delegates take this proposal back to their
areas for consideration. It was further suggested that this item
be placed on the 1970 General Service Conference agenda.
1970 It was recommended that:
In keeping with our Traditions, no cameras be allowed at any
G.S.O. Conference session. (It was agreed to send questions
about using cameras and tape recorders at Conference sessions
to the delegates in advance of the Conference meeting.)
It would be in the best interests of the Conference to have a
special task force appointed to review the procedures and
mechanics of the General Service Conference. (A special task
force, appointed by Dr. John Norris, to review procedures and
mechanics of the General Service Conference as it is presently
constituted, was approved.)
The delegates having accepted the Area Support Proposal,
G.S.O. bill the 90 Conference areas for $150, with a March 1
deadline for sending it to G.S.O.
Resulting from floor discussion, the Fellowship go on record
as opposing the use of the title ”A.A. Counselor.” (The
Conference accepted the recommendation.)
The procedure for selecting Conference committee members
continue to be from the hat; that no area be represented on any
standing committee for more than two consecutive years; that
when any state or province has more than one area, no stand-ing
committee have more than one member from each state or
province.
1971 It was recommended that:
It is not necessary to write to new delegates asking them if they
are willing to serve on the committee for which they have been
chosen, but rather in the interest of expediency, they will be
informed of their committee assignments.
We accept the recommendation from the Conference
Committee on Public Information for the formation of a
Conference Committee on Professional Relations to corre-spond
with the trustees’ Committee on Professional Relations.
14

its present form and, to avoid
sessions be heldduring meal-
Ask-lt Basket be continued in
confusion, none of the answer
time.
The Committee on Conference Policy take over the function of
the Conference evaluation handled last year by the task force;
that a questionnaire be mailed by the committee members to
Panel 20 and 21 delegates within six weeks from the conclu-sion
of this Conference; that this questionnaire be returned to
the committee members who will summarize the replies and
send this summarization with the originals to the chairman for
tabulation. These recommendations will be forwarded by the
chairman to the committee secretary.
There is no need for a Conference Committee on Traditions at
this time.
Rather than accept the Oklahoma Plan (a plan for restructuring
the General Service Conference) as written, the Conference
adopt unstructured open workshops, with no specific subjects,
on the agenda and that these unstructured workshops be sum-marized
and reported to the Conference.
The Conference accept the task force decisions, as written in
Dr. Jack’s letter of December 1970, with our appreciation and
thanks for the time, effort, and energy expended by this task
force.
Agendas for all Conference committees be mailed to all dele-gates
before the Conference.
1972 It was recommended that:
A deadline be specified on the return of all questionnaires sent
to delegates.
Because G.S.O. has given each delegate a questionnaire at this
year’s Conference, the Committee on Conference Policy not
make a Conference evaluation this year, but next year review
the success or failure of this year’s method and determine the
method to be used in future Conferences.
All Conference committee agendas continue to be sent to all
delegates.
The Conference reaffirm the 1969 Conference
Agenda/Admissions Committee recommendation:
”That when an elected delegate cannot attend the annual
meeting of the General Service Conference, the alternate
delegate seated at the Conference will be considered a del-egate
until notification is sent to G.S.O. by the area com-mittee
(as defined by ‘The A.A. Service Manual’) that the
originally elected delegate is ready to resume his duties.”
The agenda of the Conference be structured so that all
Conference committee reports be in the hands of the delegates
by Friday morning.
1973 It was recommended that:
Conference committees elect an alternate chairmanin case the
elected chairman is unable to attend the next year’s
Conference. Since the chairman is elected by a plurality, the
person with the second largest number of votes could be alter-nate
chairman.
An alternate area delegate chairman should be elected; the run-ner-
up could be alternate chairman.
Past delegates should not be elected to serve again, with the
exception of the conditions outlined by the
Agenda/Admissions Committee, 1973.
The Conference questionnaire and evaluation be continued
each year; more space should be given for the answer to ques-tion
5 --”How do you feel the Conference could be
improved?”--and a line added for general comments on
accommodations.
Since the action of the 1969 Conference Agenda/ Admissions
Committee that ”when an elected delegate cannot attend the
annual meeting of the General Service Conference, the alter-nate
delegate seated at the Conference will be considered del-egate
until notification is sent to G.S.O. by the area committee
(as defined by ‘The A.A. Service Manual’) that the originally
elected delegate is ready to resume his duties” is already incor-porated
in ”The A.A. Service Manual,” there is no further need
for reaffirmation.
1974 It was recommended that:
Committee members receive agendas for their committee only,
but that other committee agendas be sent upon request. The
number of requests received will be reviewed at next year’s
Conference committee meeting.
Consideration be given to revising the composition, scope and
procedure of the Committee on Conference Policy in order to
clarify its function.
Ex-officio committee members be discontinued. Past delegates
can keep themselves informed of their committee’s activity
through the present delegate and the Conference Report.
Results of the 1974 evaluation questionnaire be forwarded to
the delegates when compiled, and that .we follow the 1973
Committee on Conference Policy’s recommendation that the
Conference questionnaire and evaluation be continued each
year.
The Committee on Conference Policy accept the recommenda-tion
of the Agenda/Admissions Committee that the admissions
function of that committee be transferred to the Committee on
Conference Policy.
1975 It was recommended that:
Each delegate receive only the agenda pertinent to his/her com-mittee,
but may receive any others on request.
Ex-officio members not be restored.
A committee on Traditions not be established, but that it be fur-ther
recommended that individual delegates assume the
responsibility for familiarizing their area groups and members
15

with the Traditions.
The timing of the 1975 Conference agenda mailing be retained
for the 1976 Conference.
The dates for the 1976 Conference be Monday, April 19,
through Saturday, April 24, even though this means that the
pre-Conference get-together and orientation sessions will be
held on Easter Sunday.
It is the responsibility of the area committee to see that the con-tribution
of $200 toward Conference expenses be paid by
March 1, and if not received by March 1, that a letter be sent to
the delegate reminding him of this omission.
Having reviewed the 1975 Conference questionnaire, the
trustees’ Conference Committee consider specific suggestions
made by the Conference Policy Committee.
Note: It was the opinion of the trustees, when reviewing the
Conference Advisory Actions, that there was great positive
value in having delegates participate in the same workshop
sections throughout the Conference, and it was their recom-mendation
that this practice be continued for at least another
year. They agreed that consideration might be given to rotating
staff and trustee participants.
1976 It was recommended that:
The 1976 Conference questionnaire be approved with the fol-lowing
questions added for 1977:
a. ”Do you feel there is enough time for discussion of com-mittee
and trustee reports?’
b. ”Do you feel Area Service Highlights are valuable to the
Conference as a whole?”
Question 9 of the questionnaire read as follows: ”Please list
suggestions for improving or changing the Conference.”
Since the committee feels that committee meetings should be
concluded earlier in the week so that the reports, with discus-sion
thereon, could be had on Thursday, with the final discus-sion
and vote on Friday, a study be made by the appropriate
trustees’ committee of the feasibility of accomplishing this
result by eliminating or shortening the following sessions:
Area Service Highlights
Presentations/Discussions
Workshops
and that a feasibility report be made at the 1977 General
Service Conference for further action by the Committee on
Conference Policy/Admissions.
1977 It was recommended that:
Current general service board and staff members from foreign
countries be granted admission as observers, upon request, to
the annual General Service Conference of U.S. and Canada,
not to exceed one representative per country, at their own
expense; and that the request be made through the General
Service Office in New York.
The recommendations of the Conference Report and Charter
and Agenda Committees to retain the Conference Report and
Charter Committee, as is, be approved with the additional rec-ommendation
that all Conference committees reevaluate their
purpose and function during 1978 and report back to the 1979
Conference.
When a situation arises which prevents the trustee committee
chairperson from chairing the joint meeting, a Conference
committee chairperson be delegated to chair the joint commit-tee
meeting at the Conference until a new trustee chairperson
can be appointed.
The current Conference Institutions Committee be replaced by
two committees to be called Committee on Correctional
Facilities and Committee on Treatment Facilities.
1978
The questionnaire for the 28th General Service Conference
was satisfactory, and no changes were suggested.
The committee felt that the description in Chapter VII of ”The
A.A. Service Manual” on why the Conference has committees
is adequate, and suggested that reports of the trustees’ quarter-ly
meetings continue to be sent to members of the correspond-ing
Conference committees. Communication between commit-tee
members and G.S.O. between Conferences should be
encouraged.
It was recommended that:
A section be added to Chapter V of ”The A.A. Service Manual”
regarding applications for additional areas and delgates, and
that excerpts from Bill’s 1961 memo on the size of the
Conference be included as well as the information that applica-tion
forms are available from the General Service Office.
Selections from Conference talks made by Bill and Bern
Smith, beginning with the First General Service Conference in
195 1, be circulated to the Conference and trustees’ Literature
Committees so that consideration could be given to making
this material available to the Fellowship in printed form.
The opening date for the 1979 General Service Conference be
delayed until April 22 in order to permit delegates to avoid
travel complications.
The Conference did not accept the recommendation of the
committee re observers at committee meetings. It was the sense
of the meeting that we adhere to paragraph 2, ”Composition”
of the Conference (”The A.A. Service Manual,” page 23).
1983 It was recommended that:
The 1982 Conference Action be amended to read:
”All nontrustee, nondirector members of the trustees’
committees be encouraged to attend and participate at the
joint meetings.
16

”All nontrustee, nondirector members be encouraged to
attend, as observers, the Monday sessions of the
Conference and one presentation session related to the
committee on which they serve.”
The dates for the 1984 Conference be Monday, April 16,
through Saturday, April 21, even though this would include
certain religious holidays.
The Conference Committees on Policy/Admissions and Report
and Charter consider, at their 1984 committee meetings, the
possibility of combining the function of these two committees.
1984 It was recommended that:
The area treasurer from Central and Southeast Ohio be seated
as a Conference member, since neither the delegate nor the
alternate delegate from that area was able to attend.
After reviewing the 1983 Conference Questionnaire, no
change be made on the form at this time.
Tapes of Conference presentations not be made available,
affirming the 1979 General Service Board recommendation
which prohibits making tapes of any Conference session for
distribution outside of the A.A. archives, except for the open-ing
dinner and the closing brunch.
To encourage Spanish-speaking groups and committees to par-ticipate
in the general service structure:
a. Areas be encouraged to provide room within their struc-ture
for Hispanic districts with a bilingual liaison or
D.C.M.
b. Assemblies be encouraged to provide G.S.R. schools,
seminars, or workshops in Spanish.
c. Successful experience with area structure participation by
Hispanic groups be shared in Spanish Box 4-5-9.
d. Spanish-speaking A.A.s active in service be encouraged
to sponsor new members into service.
e. G.S.O. increase its efforts to provide Spanish service lit-erature.
f. The trustees’ Committee on International
Convention / A.A. Regional Forums consider holding a
Forum in Puerto Rico.
The functions of the Conference Committee on
Policy/Admissions and Conference Report and Charter
Committee should not be combined at this time.
We reaffirm the 1980 Policy/Admissions Committee recom-mendation
which reads:
”The Conference reaffirm the importance of the committee
system for accomplishing business charged to the Annual
Meeting of the General Service Conference, as defined in
Chapter 7 of our ‘A.A. Service Manual.’ The importance
of clearly stated committee reports and recommendations
was also stressed.”
with particular emphasis on clarity and background informa-tion
when writing committee recommendations.
The 1985 Conference be held April 14-20, 1985, and that the
Conference Committee on Policy/Admissions routinely review
the dates for the succeeding year’s Conference.
1985 It was recommended that:
No change be made in the Conference questionnaire at this
time.
The General Service Conference for 1986 be held from April
20 through April 26.
The Conference Policy Committee routinely review the dates
for the General Service Conference to be held two years hence.
The 1987 General Service Conference be held from April 26
through May 2.
The decision regarding the South Florida Area invitation to the
groups in the Virgin Islands be made by area assemblies
involved.
The 1986 Policy/Admissions Committee study the need for a
procedure to include into the service structure new states or
provinces, U.S./Canadian territories and islands, etc.
1986 It was recommended that:
The revised Conference questionnaire be approved to evaluate
the 1987 General Service Conference.
The 38th General Service Conference be scheduled for April
17-23, 1988.
With regard to proposing Floor Actions in the final hours of the
Conference. the 1968 recommendation, which was as follows,
be reaffirmed:
”That when questions of importance for the Conference
could not be sent to the areas in advance, consideration be
given to an oral presentation early in the Conference ses-sions,
with discussion and voting to be taken at a later date
during the Conference.”
That when matters of great significance having along term
effect on the Fellowship or of substantial expense are present-ed
to the floor in the waning hours of the Conference, such
matters be referred to the appropriate committee at the next
Conference in order for the group conscience to be as informed
as possible.
Since some misunderstandings have occurred because of seem-ing
breakdowns in communication, the 1963 recommendation,
which was as follows, be reaffirmed:
”Recommended that G.S.O. continue to refer local matters
back to the area involved, with the suggestion that they con-tact
the local delegate and that copies of all correspondence
referring to such local matters be sent to the delegate.”
17

Trustees’ committees and General Service Office staff contin-ue
to inform the area delegates of any significant activities in
their areas, whenever possible, in order that the area may offer
assistance concerning these activities and that all might be bet-ter
informed.
d
At this time there is no need to establish a procedure to include
into the service structure, as part of an existing area assembly,
new states or provinces, U.S./Canada territories and islands. It
was suggested that past experiences be considered. When the
General Service Office receives an inquiry about joining the
service structure, the staff should encourage local members to
develop a district structure and contact an area assembly for
inclusion as part of that service structure.
Delegates assume more responsibility in encouraging C. S. R.s
and local A.A. members to take their suggestions and concerns
to district meetings and area assemblies for consideration in
order to accommodate the growing number of topics being
submitted for consideration by Conference committees. The
committee also suggested sending items for the Conference
Agenda to the Conference coordinator as early as possible.
Regarding the suggestion to change the seal designating
General Service Conference-approved literature to the Three
Legacies seal, no action be taken since the Conference has
reserved that seal for Conference-approved literature; howev-er,
the committee commends the idea of making the Fellowship
more aware of our Three Legacies.
ADVISORY ACTIONS
based upon reports of the
CONFERENCE COMMITTEE
ON CONFERENCE POLICY AND ADMISSIONS
The committee approved, as a guide for future Admissions
Committees, some of the basic considerations affecting the
number of delegates from a state, province, or territory:
a. The fact that a greater number of delegates means less
opportunity for each delegate to take part in the delibera-tions
of the Conference.
b. The fact that each request for an additional delegate
a state opens the way for requests from other states.
from
c. These guides taken from the ”Third Legacy Manual”
(now ”The A.A. Service Manual”):
That no state or province should request an additional
delegate unless its A.A. population exceeds these lim-its:
Two delegates serving up to 7,000; three delegates
serving up to 12,000; four delegates serving 14,000;
five delegates serving 19,000.
That the factor of mileage in a state be taken into con-sideration
in determining the number of delegates
representing a state.
. Requests for admission to come from state, provincial, or
territorial committees as a whole-rather than from an
area-and that such requests provide this information:
1. A map of the state, province, or territory showing pro-posed
divisions, A.A. population of each, and groups
involved.
2. Assurance that an attempt has been made to cover pre-sent
areas with present delegates plus an additional
number of area committee members.
1958 It was affirmed that:
The Admissions Committee cannot decide how state divisions
shall be made or how delegates shall be selected; recommend-ed
use of Third Legacy Plan of elections.
In reference to a resolution presented to the committee by a
delegate from Michigan, we submit the following:
a. Area committees within each state or province shall
have the authority to remove any delegate, alternate
delegate, or committee member for any interruption of
sobriety occurring during his term of service to the
General Service Conference.
b. In the event that such action is taken, the Conference
Admissions Committee shall be notified so that a
replacement may be recognized and seated at the
Conference.
In reference to an application for an additional
delegate from some groups in Illinois:
l
The Admissions Committee composed of members of the
1958 Conference feels obliged to honor the ”Guide for
Future Admissions Committees” as expressed in the
Final Report of the 1957 Conference.
- We find that the delegates from the state of Illinois have
not complied with those reports and, neither by virtue of
the factors of population nor mileage, can be granted an
additional delegate at this time.
We reaffirm the recommendations contained in the report
of the 1957 Conference that the committee cannot in any
measure decide how state divisions shall be made or how
delegates shall be elected-while we do recommend that
the Third Legacy Plan of election be used to ”avoid con-flict
between local and world service” (”Third Legacy
Manual,” Section 6) [now ”The A.A. Service Manual,”
pages 50-5 1] .
In reference to an application from all present
delegates from California:
a. Resolved, that since the various California district
assemblies have complied with all requests of the
Admissions Committee in their application for an addi-tional
delegate, that request is granted, thus allotting the
18

State of California five delegates to the General Service
Conference.
b. It is suggested, however, that since this additional dele-gate
will serve an area contiguous with Los Angeles, he
and the Los Angeles delegate be elected in alternate
years.
c. This leaves to the discretion of the California assemblies
the alternative of electing the fifth delegate to be seated
for one year in Panel 9, or for two years in Panels 10 and
11. A report of their decision shall be forwarded to the
Conference secretary at the earliest possible date.
1961
In view of the large geographical area and increasing popula-tion
involved, a request was approved for a third delegate from
Ontario, Canada, to serve the north and northwest section of
the province. The new delegate will be eligible to attend the
1962 Conference. In approving this admission, the delegates
cited the opinion of Bill W., surviving cofounder, that each
application for a new delegate should be weighed on its merits.
1962 It was recommended that:
Approval be granted to the request for an additional delegate
from the Province of Quebec to represent their French-speak-ing
groups, subject to presentation by Quebec of a complete
statistical report supporting their request at the 1963 General
Service Conference.
Public Information Committee and Grapevine Editorial Board
members who are not Conference members be permitted to
attend the Conference as observers without vote, the total num-ber
limited to four from the P.I. Committee and four from the
Grapevine Editorial Board.
1963 It was recommended that:
An additional delegate be approved for the Province of Quebec
to serve French-speaking groups and that the delegate be
admitted at the 1964 General Service Conference.
1964 It was recommended that:
A second delegate be admitted from the Atlantic Provinces of
Canada.
1965 It was recommended that:
After reviewing the request for an additional delegate from
Indiana, such request be granted, effective with the 1966
Conference, on the basis of population, growth, and communi-cations
needs in the area.
1966
After review and discussion of the area’s needs, it was
approved that the Province of Ontario be given a fourth dele-gate
to be elected for the 17th Conference.
It was unanimously moved to adopt the recommendation of the
International Convention Committee in reference to overseas
Conference observers: ”When a country wishes to have a for-eign
observer, the foreign observer be a legal resident of the
country and a member of A.A.”
It was recommended that the Agenda and Admissions
Committees be combined and called the Conference
Committee on Agenda and Admissions.
1968
The committee approved a third bilingual delegate from the
Province of Quebec. This delegate is to be elected on Panel 19
from the new Conference area, Northeast Quebec.
It was recommended that a study of admissions procedures be
conducted and that the Conference Agenda/Admissions
Committee meet in the fall of 1968 in New York.
1969 It was recommended that:
When an elected delegate cannot attend the annual meeting of
the General Service Conference, the alternate delegate seated
at the Conference will be considered delegate until notification
is sent to G.S.O. by the area committee (as defined in the
”Third Legacy Manual”) [now ”The A.A. Service Manual”]
that the originally elected delegate is ready to resume his
duties.
A two-year moratorium be declared on applications by the
areas for additional delegate representation so that a thorough
study can be made of the whole subject.
Non-Conference members from all trustees’ committees have
permission to attend as observers, two at a time from each
committee, the annual meeting of the General Service
Conference.
The Agenda/Admissions Committee met in New York on
September 7, 1968, and recommended the following:
a. That a standard form be prepared for use in applications
for additional delegates, and that it include pertinent A.A.
information.
b. That each state or province review its own delegate situa-tion
to see whether it may not already be overrepresented.
The reaffirmation of the 1957 Conference action which states,
”Requests for admission to come from state, provincial, or ter-ritorial
committees as a whole, rather than from an area,” but
recommended further discussion regarding the following
change:
That where there is more than one delegate in a state or
province, a two-thirds majority approval, rather than unani-mous
approval, be sufficient for future applications for addi-tional
representation.
At the same September 7, 1968, meeting, the committee
reviewed a request from California for an additional delegate
and recommended that it be resubmitted with additional perti-nent
A.A. information and all five delegates’ signatures. As of
19

February 1969, the California delegates withdrew their appli-cation
for an additional delegate.
1970 It was recommended that:
Delegates should go back to their areas and determine if any
obstacle exists which might create the illusion that an addi-tional
delegate is needed.
The following motion was made and carried:
Let it be moved that this committee recommends to the
assembled General Service Conference of 1970 that the
moratorium be continued until such time as the Long-Range
Planning Committee of the General Service Board, in con-junction
with the Agenda/Admissions Committee, presents
a set of guidelines to a future Conference for its approval.
This is to be done by communication between the members
of the two committees, either by mail or by a meeting in the
fall if necessary.
It was also recommended:
In view of the fact that we are asking for basic guidelines
from this committee and the Long Range Planning
Committee, the six proposals pertaining to the size of the
Conference should be held in abeyance until we have an
opportunity to consider any other ideas, and that each mem-ber
of the Agenda/Admissions Committee be requested to
accept the responsibility of forwarding some suggestions to
the secretary of the committee.
1971
Limiting the size of the Conference was referred to the Long-Range
Planning Committee by the Agenda/Admissions
Committee in 1970 for their consideration. That committee
recommended that:
The Conference should not be much larger than it is now; its
makeup should remain proportionately similar to its present
structure; and the number of nondelegate members should
not exceed one-third of the total Conference membership.
Therefore, the two-year moratorium on applications by
areas for additional delegate representation which was
approved by the 19th Conference be terminated, and
detailed questionnaires be prepared for areas seeking addi-tional
representation and sent to each area every two years
for a reevaluation of the Conference area structure.
Where a delegate does not have his own assembly it was
recommended he look forward to establishing one.
1972
In an area submitting an application for an additional delegate,
such application should be received by G.S.O. not later than
January 1 preceding the Conference.
It was recommended that:
The following be added to the application for additional dele-20
gate:
a. What could another delegate do that more committee
members could not do?
b. A map showing areas as they will exist if a new delegate
is allowed.
The request from the British Columbia/Yukon Area for an
additional delegate be held in abeyance for another year pend-ing
further information and reconsideration during the year.
The matter of the application for an additional delegate from
the Province of Quebec be tabled for a period of one year and
be returned to the Agenda/Admissions Committee with the fol-lowing
information:
a. A new map showing areas as they now exist.
b. A map showing areas as they will exist if a new delegate
is allowed.
c. Show where area meetings are being held in 1972, how
each delegate is elected, and how he reports to his area,
bearing in mind the suggestions in ”The A.A. Service
Manual.”
d. Suggest that they also redistrict their areas using more
committee members from smaller districts, as suggested
in ”The A.A. Service Manual.”
1973
When an elected delegate is unable to attend the Conference
meeting for any reason, a past delegate can be seated in his
place if no one else is available, with the proviso that ”The
A.A. Service Manual,” page 59 (Chapter V, ”Delegate Term”),
be reworded as follows:
A delegate serves one term for two years. The Conference
is on record in its attitude toward delegate rotation.
However, the question has arisen: Can a delegate be reelect-ed
at some future date? The Conference strongly recom-mends
limiting the term of a delegate to one two-year term,
with the exception of an alternate delegate who, after filling
one year of the delegate’s term, may be elected to serve his
own term.
And in the last paragraph, page 59, the following change be
made: ”The Conference recommends that all areas have alter-nate
delegates .”
In an area where the above situation exists, the secretary of the
Agenda/Admissions Committee shall be provided with the
information concerning the extent of the efforts made to
replace the delegate with someone who has not previously
served in that capacity in order to inform the members of the
Agenda/Admissions Committee, who will promptly voice their
disapproval, if any.
The Conference declined to approve the following recommen-dations
of the Agenda/Admissions Committee:
a. A fourth delegate would not provide for the Province of

Quebec any benefits which could not be met more ade-quately
by enlarging and developing the district commit-tee
structure, as suggested by ”The A.A. Service Manual”
and in the guidelines suggested by the
Agenda/Admissions Committee statement on the Size of
the Conference and Procedure for Application for
Additional Delegate.
b. The responsibility of the alternate delegate be more
fully developed.
c. The action of the three Quebec Provincial Committees
in recommending that the present three areas be repre-sented
by bilingual delegates will distribute the responsi-bilities
more equitably.
In declining to approve the committee recommendation, the
Conference voted that Quebec be allowed a fourth delegate.
1976 It was recommended that:
There is insufficient time allotted at the Conference for ade-quate
discussion of committee reports before the vote is
called for upon each report.
1977 It was recommended that:
Current general service board and staff members from for-eign
countries be granted admission as observers, upon
request, to the annual General Service Conference of the
United States and Canada, not to exceed one representative
per country, at their own expense, and that the request be
made through G.S.O. in New York.
When a situation arises which prevents the trustees commit-tee
chairperson from chairing the joint meeting, a
Conference committee chairperson be delegated to chair the
joint committee meeting at the Conference until a new
trustees’ committee chairperson can be appointed.
The current Conference Institutions Committee be replaced
by two committees to be called Committee on Correctional
Facilities and Committee on Treatment Facilities.
1979 It was recommended that:
Directors-elect not attend the Conference as observers prior
to their election, as they will attend as Conference members
for four years after taking office.
No arbitrary ceiling be set on the number of G.S.O./GV staff
eligible to vote, but that the delegates never have less than
66 2/3% of the total Conference votes. If more staff mem-bers
are added, some method of rotation of staff eligible to
vote may be necessary. In response to a request that dele-gates
represent not less than 75% of voting Conference
members, this was considered an unrealistic figure. The
committee pointed out that office personnel (exclusive of
staff) assisting at the Conference are not participants in
Conference sessions. Observers have no voice and no vote;
they do not participate in Conference deliberations.
nine members, so o that there will always be enough to con-stitute
one-half of the committee votes in regional elections.
When delegates are polled prior to the Conference, they be
asked to give their number of years in general service work
as well as age and length of sobriety.
The committee reaffirmed previous action that two non-trustee
members of each trustees’ committee may attend as
observers with no voice and no vote.
1980 It was recommended that:
Since neither the Panel 29 delegate from Northeastern
Quebec (Area 89) nor his alternate is able to attend this 30th
Annual Meeting of the General Service Conference, the
Committee on Conference Policy and Admissions recom-mends
to this Conference that the area chairperson, Gabriel
LaPointe, be allowed to be seated.
The Conference reaffirm the recommendation of the 1977
Conference Committee on Cooperation with the
Professional Community, as follows:
In the interest of communication and cooperation, reports
of trustees’ committees on P.I., C.P.C., Correctional
Facilities, and Treatment Facilities be distributed to the
delegate members of the corresponding Conference com-mittees
after each trustees’ committee meeting.
1981 It was recommended that:
The request for an additional delegate from Area 81 (New
Brunswick/Prince Edward Island, Canada) be denied.
The printing of the Ask-lt Basket questi
their present form be discontinued.
ons and answers in
Some criteria should be set by the Conference on what con-stitutes
an Advisory Action, and that members of the
Policy/Admissions Committee study the matter and present
some sort of guidelines for consideration by members of the
1982 General Service Conference.
1982 It was recommended that:
The alternate delegate for Southern New Jersey, Ruth
Nichol, be seated to replace delegate Madge Mansfield, who
had to leave the Conference on Tuesday, April 20.
All nontrustee, nondirector members of the trustees’ com-mittees
be encouraged to attend and participate at the joint
meetings and Monday sessions of the Conference and as
observers at one presentation session related to the commit-tee
on which
they serve.
Each Conference committee carefully consider their agenda
items and strive to make their recommendations for
Advisory Actions to the Conference at the policy level.
1983 No admissions request.
The Conference Committee on Trustees always have at least
21

1984 No admissions request.
1985 No admissions request.
1986 No admissions request.
1987 It was recommended that:
The area chairperson from Eastern Massachusetts be seated as
a Conference member, since neither the delegate nor the alter-nate
delegate from that area is able to attend.
The 39th General Service Conference be scheduled for April
23-29, 1989. These dates will not conflict with Easter or
Passover.
While the committee recognizes the need for and encourages
the development of Area Archives and Archives Committees,
with the resulting benefit to General Service and the
Fellowship as a whole, a Conference Archives should not be
formed at this time because the needs of local Archives
Committees are being well served by the trustees’ Archives
Committee and the General Service Office Archivist.
The 1982 Policy Committee Advisory Action:
”Each Conference Committee carefully consider their Agenda
Items and strive to make their recommendations for Advisory
Actions to the Conference at the Policy Level,”
be reaffirmed; and this Advisory Action of 1982 be read by
each Conference Committee chairperson at the opening of the
Conference Committee meetings.
To be more financially responsible, when a Conference
Committee recommendation involves a substantial expenditure
of money, an estimate of costs be part of that recommendation.
1988 It was recommended that:
Ron Carr, General Service trustee, Australia, be admitted to the
38th General Service Conference, as an observer.
The 40th General Service Conference be scheduled for April
22-28, 1990.
The comments under questions one and two in the 38th
General Service Conference Questionnaire be used in planning
the next Conference, but not included in the final results of the
1988 Conference Evaluation.
The Policy/Admissions Committee continue to study geo-graphical
representation and distribution of General Service
delegates.
Ample time for Conference Committees to meet and conduct
their business be provided for on the Conference Agenda.
1989 It was recommended that:
The 41st General Service Conference be held April 14-20,
199 1 with an alternative date of April 21-27, 1991, based on
hotel accommodations and availability.
The 1979 Conference Action be reaffirmed: ”Conference
Committee selection continue to be by lot with the widest pos-sible
geographical distribution.” It was the sense of the meet-ing
that any other method could erode the confidence of the
Conference in the committee system.
That all Conference-approved literature shall be developed
within the Conference structure, but that identification of need
may be established by use of questionnaires developed in
cooperation with the appropriate standing Conference commit-tees.
The 1987 Conference Action from the Policy/Admissions
Committee be modified to read:
”Each Conference Committee carefully consider their agenda
items and strive to make their recommendations for Advisory
Actions to the Conference at the policy level. To be more
financially responsible, when a Conference committee recom-mendation
involves a substantial expenditure of money, an
estimate of cost and its impact on the budget be part of that
recommendation.”
That the words ”and timely” be added to the end of Question
#6 on the 1990 Conference questionnaire, and that space be
allowed for comments. (The Question would read: ”Was the
advance material and preparation from G.S.O. adequate and
timely?”)
1990 It was recommended that:
The alternate delegate from Colorado be seated as a
Conference member in place of the delegate who is ill and
unable to attend.
The 42nd General Service Conference be held April 26-May 2,
1992, since this week will not conflict with Easter or Passover.
The 43rd General Service Conference be held April 18 - April
24, 1993 with an alternate date of April 25-May 1,1993, based
on hotel accommodations and availability, realizing the need
for reserving hotel space well in advance.
A standing committee for central and intergroup offices not be
formed at this time. The committee felt that many of the prob-lems
expressed by central offices and intergroups are ”home
issues,” and that the doors of communications need to be
opened at the area level. The committee would like to stress the
importance of delegates establishing contact with offices in
their areas and assuring them they do have a voice in the
Fellowship through their existing area service structure. The
committee suggests that the sharing received by this commit-tee
from areas and central/intergroup offices, regarding their
experiences of cooperation and communication, be reviewed
by the G.S.O. staff with the idea of incorporating into the
Guidelines on central/intergroup offices.
There be a continuation of the Conference International
Convention Ad Hoc Committee, which would also address
issues of Regional Forums, through 1995. This committee to
be comped of one delegate from each region, who could serve
as the Site Selection Committee for the International
22

Convention in the year 2000. The committee suggests this rec-ommendation
be reviewed in
Committee on Policy/Admissions.
1991 It was recommended that:
1995 by the Conference
The 44th General Service Conference be held April 17-23,
1994, with an alternative date of April 10-16, 1994, if needed
for hotel availability, since these dates do not conflict with cer-tain
religious holidays.
The policy for establishing new delegate areas in place at this
time, as described concisely in The A.A. Service Manual, is
adequate to allow for the gradual growth of the Conference,
and provides for a representative cross-section of A.A.
The trustees’ Conference Committee consider a presenta-tion/
discussion topic on New Delegate Areas for the 1992
Conference, focusing on existing delegate areas, procedures
for new delegate areas and future A.A. growth.
It was recommended, by floor action, that:
The 1992 General Service Conference annual meeting be held
in the city of New York.
1992 It was recommended that:
The alternate delegate from Area 30, Eastern Massachusetts,
Bob McElroy, be seated as a Conference member in place of
the delegate, Ronald Gauthier, who is unable to attend.
The Annual Conference Questionnaire be reviewed in the
future by the Conference Committee on Agenda, instead of the
Conference Committee on Policy/Admissions.
The 45th General Service Conference be held April 30-May 6,
1995, since these dates do not conflict with any major religious
holidays.
A revised, amplified form ”Application for Additional
Delegate Area” be approved.
The Conference review in April of the same year any request
for a new Delegate Area submitted to the Conference
Policy/Admissions Committee by January 1st of that year.
Final Conference Committee agendas be automatically sent
all Conference members no later than March 15 each year.
to
In response to the proposal to create a standing Conference
Committee on International Conventions/Regional Forums, the
1900 General Service Conference Action #3 be reaffirmed, as
follows:
”There be a continuation of the Conference International
Convention Ad Hoc Committee, which would also address
issues of Regional Forums, through 1995. This committee, to
be composed of one delegate from each region, could serve as
the Site-Selection Committee for the International Convention
in the year 2000. The committee suggests this recommendation
be reviewed in 1995 by the Conference Committee on
Policy/Admissions.”
In response to the proposal to create a Conference Committee
on Archives, the 1987 General Service Conference Action #45
be reaffirmed as follows:
”While the committee recognizes the need for and encourages
the development of area Archives and Archives committees,
with the resulting benefit to the General Service and the
Fellowship as a whole, a Conference Archives Committee
should not be formed at this time because the needs of local
Archives committees are being well served by the trustees’
Archives Committee and the General Service Office
Archivist.”
In order for groups/districts/areas to fully participate in the
Conference process, the following steps be taken:
a) Conference agenda items be submitted as early
ble but no later than January 15 each year.
as possi-b)
Final Conference committee agendas be automatically
sent to all Conference members by February 15 each
year.
c) Background material for each specific committee be sent
to its members by February 15 each year, with other com-mittees’
background material available upon request.
ADVISORY ACTIONS
based upon reports of the
CONFERENCE REPORT AND CHARTER
COMMITTEE
1993 It was recommended that:
Committee actions over the years include:
The alternate delegate from Area 62, South Carolina, George
Rollings, be seated as a Conference member in place of the del-egate,
Joe McGarity, who is unable to attend.
The 46th General Service Conference be held April 21-27,
1996, since these dates do not conflict with any major religious
holidays.
The area delegate term not be extended to three years, since the
current two-year term offers a wider opportunity for service,
and helps maintain continuity throughout the A.A. structure.
Recommended that each G.S.R. be urged to obtain a copy of
the Conference Report for his or her group, or that each area
committee purchase a copy for each group in the area.
Continued to recommend that first names and last initials only
of A.A. members be shown in the main body of the Conference
Report (and the Conference issue of Box 4-5-9), but that full
names and addresses may be used in the roster or end-of-book
section. Further, that should the booklet be given to a nonalco-holic
individual or agency, anonymity may be preserved by
23

cutting along perforated lines of the roster pages of the report
before it is given out. (Reaffirmed in 1969 and 1970; reconsid-ered
in 1975)
Updating the terminology of the Conference Charter.
1955
The permanent Charter of the Conference was ratified.
1963
The committee noted that a one-page agenda of the General
Service Conference will be added to the 1963 Final
Conference Report.
1965
The committee recommended the use of the Early Bird edition
of the Conference Digest to help delegates in preparing their
talks to their groups following the Conference.
The committee disapproved a proposal to bind past Final
Conference Reports for sale to delegates, committee members,
and groups.
1966 It was recommended that:
The summary of all previous Conference Advisory Actions,
now mimeographed and sent yearly to all Conference mem-bers,
should include only the actions on the first 15
Conferences (195 l-1965), and should be a chapter in the new
”Third Legacy Manual” (now ”The A.A. Service Manual”)
when it is written. Then only the most recent actions will have
to be compiled and distributed annually and all readers of the
Manual can see what actions the Conference took in its first
formative years (Policy, and Report and Charter).
The digest of Questions and Answers of previous Conferences
(also mimeographed and sent each year to all Conference
members) be condensed more.
Permanent records of the minutes of all Conference committee
meetings are established at G.S.O., available as needed, but
such detailed reports need not necessarily be printed in the
Final Conference Report unless acted upon by the entire
Conference (Report and Charter).
1968
The committee reviewed and made initial recommendations
concerning the draft of material submitted to them in connec-tion
with the revision of the ”Third Legacy Manual” (now
”The A.A. Service Manual”), and agreed to review further this
material and additional chapters referred to them. It is hoped
this revision will be completed prior to the 19th Conference
meeting. The reaction of the committee to the initial material
was that the format represented a great improvement.
It was recommended that a memorandum from the Southwest
regional trustee, updating the terminology of the Conference
Charter, be accepted as presented to the committee for review.
The committee approved the final draft of ”The A.A. Service
Manual,” a new revision of the ”Third Legacy Manual,” with
the understanding that minor editorial changes can still be
made which do not affect meaning or content.
The committee unanimously approved the suggested changes
to the Conference Charter:
That Article 1, paragraph 1, line 2, be amended by the
addition of the words ”the Twelve Steps”; the sentence
now to read: ”. . . the General Service Conference of
Alcoholics Anonymous is the guardian of the world ser-vices,
and of the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of
Alcoholics Anonymous.”
That Article 3, paragraph 2, line 1, be amended to read;
”But no change in Article 12 of the Charter or in the
Twelve Traditions of A.A.,” instead of ”. . . the A.A.
Tradition, etc.” Also it be understood that the new
approved procedure for electing general service trustees-at-
large be incorporated in the Charter.
1970 It was recommended that:
The roster section of the Final Conference Report have dotted
guidelines indicated near the pamphlet’s spine so that in the
event the report is given to anyone outside the Fellowship, the
delegate involved should accept the responsibility for remov-ing
these pages.
A wording change be made in Article 10, line 11, of the
Conference Charter, substituting the words ”general service
trustee-at-large” for ”regional general service trustee.”
1971
The committee stated that the summary of the Ask-lt Basket
questions and answers in its present form is an important and
valuable reference aid and suggested the following to make
this material even more useful:
a. Date the current summary and date each additional entry
hereafter, and provide a cover index for easier research.
b. Suggest this material be made available to the general
Fellowship, perhaps in the form of a handbook, as a sal-able
item to all groups, with particular attention given to
G.S.R. and committee member distribution.
It was recommended that the Advisory Actions summary be
retained in its present loose-leaf form, but with the addition of
a cover index and updated each year. ,
1972 It was recommended that:
The Literature Committee consider combining the summaries
of the Ask-lt Basket and the Advisory Actions into a single
loose-leaf binder to be offered, as such, to groups and members
as a salable item.
24

Wherever the term ”trustees-at-large” appears in ”The A.A.
Service Manual,” the wording be changed to ”general service
trustee, United States,” and ”general service trustee, Canada”
in line with the board’s recommendation for change in its
bylaws as accepted by this Conference.
Any future changes to be considered in the Conference Charter
or ”The A.A. Service Manual” be brought to the attention of
the committee’s chairman through the secretary for the sharing
of this information before it is finally adopted.
1973
The committee reviewed and approved rough layouts of the
1973 Conference issue of Box 4-5-9 and the Conference
Report. The committee also approved the new designations
”1973 General Service Conference issue, Early Bird Edition”
to be added to the masthead of Box 4-5-9.
The committee reviewed and approved certain updating, factu-al
material, and terminology in ”The A.A. Service Manual,”
and approved additional information respecting the delegate’s
term, as well as alternate, as recommended by the
Agenda/Admissions Committee. The new printing of ”The
A.A. Service Manual” will be available sometime this summer.
1974 It was recommended that:
Committee members review and return completed
Conference Report one week after its receipt.
A suggestion be made
Conference Report.
draft of the
The use of full names in the 1975 Conference Report be
included throughout the report since the report is confidential.
In order to familiarize A.A.s (at group level) with the Twelve
Concepts, the trustees’ Literature Committee consider publish-ing
the Twelve Concepts in pamphlet form similar to ”The
Twelve Traditions Illustrated.”
The committee review and return completed
Conference Report one week after its receipt.
draft of the
Study and consideration be given to adding the ”Rights of
Appeal and Petition” to the Conference Charter, according to
Bill’s wishes, so that action may be taken on this at a future
Conference.
It was resolved that those instruments requiring consent of
three-quarters of the responding groups for change or amend-ment
would include the Twelve Steps of A.A., should any such
change or amendment ever be proposed.
In case a change is needed in the Twelve Traditions, Twelve
Steps, or Warranties of Article 12 wherever the words ”regis-tered
A.A. groups of the world,” ”registered groups,” or ”direc-tory
listed groups” appear in ”The A.A. Service Manual” and
”Twelve Concepts for World Service,” a bracketed sentence be
inserted to state: ”This would include all A.A. groups known to
the general service offices around the world.”
to all A.A. groups to 0 purchase
It was recommended that:
In an effort to familiarize A.A. members (especially those
involved in service work) with the Twelve Concepts, the com-mittee
suggested that:
a. G.S.O. include a flyer in the Group Handbook informing
new groups of the Twelve Concepts as a helpful tool in
service work.
b. The short form of the Twelve Concepts be included in a
future issue of Box 4-5-9.
c. The short form of the Twelve Concepts be included in
”The AA. Service Manual” when it is rerun.
As the Conference ‘voted to use the alternate electoral proce-dure
for Class B regional trustees, the committee approved
amending paragraph 3, page 98, of ”The A.A. Service
Manual” and Article 10 of the Conference Charter to reflect
the change in the electoral procedure.
1975 It was recommended that:
”The A.A. Service Manual” be updated to include the follow-ing
changes on page 30:
The glossary of Conference language be simplified, repeti-tive
terms, such as ”area committee member” and ”district
committee member” be deleted, and the term ”district com-mittee
member” be used exclusively.
All groups be encouraged to subscribe to Box 4-5-9, and
a further suggestion was made to include in ”The
Bulletin Board” of Box 4-5-9 a subscription form carry-ing
information on the rate per copy and bulk rate.
The ”Rights of Appeal and Petition” not be added to the
Conference Charter at this time, but that a footnote be added to
page 113 of ”The A.A. Service Manual” where the short form
of the Twelve Concepts appears, stating: ”The Twelve
Concepts for World Service (long form) should be studied in
detail.”
1977 It was recommended that:
The Conference Report and Charter Committee continue to
exist.
A revision be made in the text of Article 5 on page 24 of ”The
A.A. Service Manual” so that it conforms with current A.A.
structure, and that the committee consider at the 1978
Conference any necessary updating of the first 11 articles of
the Conference Charter.
Preparation of ”The A.A. Service Manual” in loose-leaf form
not be considered at this time.
No recommendation be made at this time regarding a suggest-ed
procedure for the filling of midterm vacancies on area com-mittees.
25

1978 It was recommended that:
Article 5 on page 24 of ”The A.A. Service Manual” be amend-ed
to read:
Area assemblies: Composition o f : Assemblies, designated
as area assemblies, are composed of the elected general ser-vice
representatives of all A.A. groups desiring to partici-pate,
district committee members, and area committee offi-cers
in each of the delegate areas of the United States and
Canada.
Changes on page 53 of ”The A.A. Service Manual” be made to
read:
After group expenses are met, a suggested division among the
three services listed above is the 60-30-10 Plan (60%, inter-group
or central office; 30%, General Service Office; and l0%,
area committee).
At the end of the third paragraph on page 39 of ”The A.A.
Service Manual,” the following be added: ”When redistricting,
group approval is essential.”
The map on page 97 of ”The A.A. Service Manual” read:
Southeast Region (includes Puerto Rico and the Bahama
Islands).
A paragraph or two be added on suggested guidelines for area
and central office newsletters, possibly at the end of the chap-ter
on page 87 of ”The A.A Service Manual.”
G.S.O. expand the index in the back of ”The A.A. Service
Manual” for review by the Conference Report and Charter
Committee in 1979.
The following be added to page 46 of ”The A.A. Service
Manual”: ”Alternate D.C.M.s are also voting members of the
committee in the absence of the D.C.M.” (Delete ”See preced-ing
chapter.”)
All groups in the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Bahama Islands
be listed in the next printing of the Eastern U.S. Directory.
The recommendation of the Committee on Conference
Policy/Admissions be accepted-that a section be added to
Chapter V in ”The A.A. Service Manual” regarding applica-tions
for additional areas and delegates, and that excerpts from
Bill’s 1961 memo on the size of the Conference be included as
well as the information that application forms are available
from G.S.O.
The scope of the committee be expanded to include the respon-sibility
for proposing changes in the format or composition of
the six directories: Eastern U.S., Western U.S., Canadian,
International, Hospitals, and Prisons. It was recommended
further that this proposal be forwarded to the trustees’
Committee on the General Service Conference for review at its
quarterly meeting in July, in order to avoid possible overlap or
duplication of the various Conference committees’ functions.
The Conference did not accept the committee’s recommenda-
tion to include in ”The A.A. Service Manual,” in chapters rel-ative
to service work, the suggestion that trusted servants at all
levels be reimbursed for expenses in service work.
1979 It was recommended that:
Article 2, page 23, of ”The A.A. Service Manual” (1978 edi-tion)
be amended to read:
Composition: The Conference (U.S. and Canada) shall be com-posed
of area delegates, the trustees of the General Service
Board, directors of A.A. World Services and A.A. Grapevine,
and staff members of the Grapevine and General Service
Office.
The following sentence be included in ”The A.A. Service
Manual” in an appropriate place other than under Composition
(of the Conference): ”Foreign visitors as the Conference may
wish to invite may attend as observers only.”
Article 10, paragraph 1, page 25, of ”The A.A. Service
Manual” be changed to read ”may” in place of ”will.” The sen-tence
would then read: ”For trustees-at-large in the U.S. and in
Canada, the board may specify certain business or profession-al
qualifications .”
The revised and expanded index be included in the next print-ing
of ”The A.A. Service Manual.”
All six directories print the season (spring, summer, fall, win-ter)
and the year in which each directory is finally printed and
distributed.
Listings contained within the International Directory for over-seas
general service offices, central offices, and intergroup
offices be in a different color print or bracketed so that they can
be more easily recognized.
1980 It was recommended that:
A description of the alternate service worker be added to the
Glossary of Conference Language in ”The A.A. Service
Manual” (page 30) as follows: ”Alternates-At group, district,
or area levels, assists, supports, and participates in service
responsibilities where feasible, depending on local autonomy
and local needs.”
The role of the alternate G.S.R. (”The A.A. Service Manual,”
page 36) be further described as follows: ”Alternates should be
encouraged to assist, participate, and share in responsibilities
of the G.S.R., attending district and area meetings where feasi-ble,
depending on local needs.”
The role of the alternate committee member (”The A.A.
Service Manual,” page 39) be further described as follows:
”Alternate committee members should be encouraged to assist,
participate, and share in the D.C.M.‘s responsibilities, attend-ing
district and area meetings where feasible, depending on
local needs. ”
Page 48 of ”The A.A. Service Manual” include a paragraph
regarding alternate committee officers, described as follows:
26

Some areas find it helpful to select alternates for all com-mittee
officers, the position of alternate chairperson being
especially encouraged. The alternate committee officers
may provide continuity at the area level and may or may not
be seated as voting members, depending on local autonomy
and area needs. Where feasible, alternates are encouraged to
share and participate in committee activities as fully as pos-sible.
It is suggested that the qualifications of the alternate
closely resemble the qualifications for the position they may
be assuming.
Sentence 1, section 11, in ”The A.A. Service Manual” (page
55), describing delegates’ responsibilities, be revised to read:
”They assume added responsibilities if the area committee
chairperson and alternate chairperson are unable to serve.”
The 1974 Conference Action regarding directory listing of
A.A. groups be reaffirmed, i.e.: ”All A.A. groups should be
listed in the World Directory in accordance with the descrip-tion
of an A.A. group in the World Directory”; it was further
recommended that decisions regarding verification of ”a true
A.A. group” be resolved locally.
1981 It was recommended that:
”The A.A. Service Manual” and ”Twelve Concepts for World
Service” be combined into one volume.
There be a note added to page 26 of ”The A.A. Service
Manual,” immediately following the Charter and prior to the
Resolution, that the principles on which the Charter operates
are outlined in ”Twelve Concepts,” which should be read.
The eligibility requirements in item 7(a), ”A Typical Election
Assembly Agenda,” of ”The A.A. Service Manual” (page 50)
be clarified by changing the last sentence from ”(Those eligi-ble
may be incoming or outgoing committee members, or
both.)” to ”(Those eligible may be present or past committee
members.)”
Reference to alternate G.S.R.s as runners-up be eliminated by
rewording the description of the alternate G.S.R. on page 36 of
”The A.A. Service Manual” to ”. . . elected at the same time, by
the same procedure.”
That election procedures for alternate D.C.M.s be provided by
rewording paragraph 2 under ”The Alternate Committee
Member” (pages 38 and 39 of ”The A.A. Service Manual”) to
read: ”Usually, the alternate is elected at the same time as the
regular district committee member, by the same election pro-cedure.”
The section referring to alternate delegates as runners-up be
eliminated by rewording this section on page 51 of ”The A.A.
Service Manual” to read: ”The alternate delegate is elected
next, by the same election procedure.”
In the interest of language clarification regarding ”odd” and
”even” panels on pages 28 and 29 of ”The A.A. Service
Manual,” reference to ”elected in” be changed to ”elected for.”
As the text of Article 5 of the Conference Charter may affect
admissions requests, this article be reviewed by both the
Policy/Admissions and Report and Charter Committees with a
view toward reporting their findings at a joint meeting at the
1982 Conference.
The Directory of A.A. Groups in Treatment Facilities be dis-continued.
1983 It was recommended that:
The reinclusion of the past-experiences portions of ”The A.A.
Service Manual” pertaining to G.S.R.s and D.C.M.s be includ-ed
on next year’s Conference Report and Charter Committee
agenda for the purpose of adding personal experience in the
area of financial support of G.S.R.s and D.C.M.s.
The committee felt that the eligibility qualifications of
D.C.M.s were already spelled out in the service manual and,
therefore, no additional input is necessary.
1984 It was recommended that:
The functions of the Conference Policy/Admissions and
Report and Charter Committees not be combined at this time.
Examples of personal experiences of G.S.R.s and D.C.M.s,
including some examples in the area of financial support, be
added to ”The A.A. Service Manual” at the ends of the appro-priate
chapters in an effort to help stimulate involvement for
these service positions.
All Conference members collect personal service experiences
from some G.S.R.s and D.C.M.s in their areas and submit them
to the Conference Report and Charter Committee for its con-sideration
in 1985.
The portion of the Third Legacy procedure (pp. 3 l-32, 50-5 1,
98) of ”The A.A. Service Manual” pertaining to the fourth bal-lot
and after be clarified by carrying over a statement from the
third ballot which reads, ”In case there are ties for second
place, the top candidate and tied second-place candidates
remain.”
This portion of the
to read as follows:
Third Legacy procedure would be
”After the fourth ballot, if no candidate has two-thirds of the
total vote, the chairperson asks for a motion, second, and
majority of hands on conducting a fifth and final ballot. (If
this motion is defeated, balloting is over and we go the ‘hat’
immediately. In case there are ties for second place, the top
candidate and tied second-place candidates remain. If not,
the candidate with the smallest total is dropped. If the motion
carries, a fifth and final ballot will be conducted.)”
The definition of a quorum at the General Service Conference
described in the Conference Charter on page 23 of ”The A.A.
Service Manual” is adequately defined and should not be
changed.
The following sentence, ”The past delegates in many regions
annually share their experience, strength, and hope at an infor-mal
unofficial meeting (described in Chapter Viii) and invite
all newly elected delegates and alternates to attend,” be includ-27

ed in answer to Question 4, Chapter V, page 56 of ”The A.A.
Service Manual.”
The following sentence, ”Some regions have an informal get-together
put on by past delegates, and one region’s meeting is
described in Chapter Viii and has been of value to new dele-gates
in that region,” be added to item 4, Chapter V, page 55 of
”The A.A. Service Manual.”
The following sentence, ”This first-year experience can be
shared with their successors at the past delegates’ annual get-together
in their region,” be added to item 14, page 56, Chapter
V of ”The A.A. Service Manual.”
The following sentence, ”Newly elected delegates and alternate
delegates are invited to attend,” be included at the end of the
”Past Delegates Can Be Helpful” section, Chapter Viii, page 87
of ”The A.A. Service Manual.”
The recommendation from the General Service Board ”That
there be a four-year limitation on service of an individual on a
trustee committee except for time served as director or trustee”
be added to the section on ”Trustees’ Service Committees,”
page 103, first paragraph, of ”The A.A. Service Manual.”
Meeting addresses and times not be included in the A.A. direc-tories,
since not only would this add greatly to the printing and
mailing costs of the directories, but also, some groups do not
have addresses, and the directories were not intended to be
used as a local meeting list.
Publication of the A.A. directories not be suspended.
The A.A.W.S., Inc., Board of Directors appoint a subcommit-tee
to review the content and format of the directories and
report to the Conference Report and Charter Committee its
findings and suggestions for their consideration.
1985 It was recommended that:
The Bylaws of the General Service Board be amended by
adding the short form of the Twelve Concepts.
”The A.A. Service Manual” contain the original ”Twelve
Concepts for World Service” as adopted by the 12th General
Service Conference on April 26, 1962.
Current factual and statistical inforrnation-bracketed, foot-noted,
asterisked and otherwise referenced-be checked for
accuracy and included at the end of each essay in the ”Twelve
Concepts for World Service.”
The factual and statistical information in ”Twelve Concepts for
World Service” may be updated at the end of each essay when-ever
practical without having to go through the process of
Conference action.
The Scope of the Conference Report and Charter Committee
be amended to include the responsibility for the ”Twelve
Concepts for World Service.”
The action taken at the 1984 Conference regarding clarification
of the portion of the Third Legacy Procedure pertaining to the
fourth ballot and after be reaffirmed.
There be reaffirmation of the 1984 Conference recommenda-tion
regarding the definition of a quorum described in the
Conference Charter which reads, ”The committee recommend-ed
that the definition of a quorum at the General Service
Conference described in the Conference Charter on page 23 of
‘The A.A. Service Manual’ is adequately defined and should
not be changed.”
References to ”nonalcoholic employees” at G.S.O. in ”The
A.A. Service Manual” be deleted since G.S.O. does not have a
policy of hiring only nonalcoholics for the supporting depart-ments.
Item 7a, page 50, in the ”Suggestions for the Chairperson on
Assemblies” section, referring to those eligible to run for dele-gate,
remain as is, which reads, ”Those eligible may be present
or past committee members,” since the suggestions in the
Service Manual are guidelines and each area is autonomous.
Option 3, page 40, in the section on ”How Do We Elect the
D.C.M.?” be changed by deleting the word ”immediate” from
the phrase, ”Only immediate past G.S.R.s are eligible to run. .
” This option would be revised to read ”Only past G.S.R.s are
eligible to run. . . .
There is no need at the present time to add any additional illus-trative
charts of the service structure to ”The A.A Service
Manual.”
The responsibilities of the World Service Meeting Delegates
should be included in the Service Manual. The Committee fur-ther
recommended that a draft of these responsibilities be pre-sented
to the Report and Charter Committee in 1986 for their
consideration.
A sentence which reads, ”Experience is now indicating that
many groups are now financially supporting their general ser-vice
representatives to attend service functions, ” be added to
the last paragraph on page 35 of Chapter II on the General
Service Representatives in the Service Manual.
A sentence which reads, ”Experience is now indicating that
many districts are now financially supporting their district
committee members to attend service functions” be added to
the end of paragraph 2 on page 41 under the section titled
”What Does the D.C.M. Do?” in the Service Manual.
A committee from the General Service Office be formed to
study Article 2 of the Conference Charter and report its find-ings
to the 1986 Report and Charter Committee.
Article 5-8 of the Conference Charter not be changed at the
present time.
The format of the A.A. directories be changed by having a
three-column page without general service representatives’
addresses, zip codes, and membership figures.
Further discussion should be centered on methods of reaching
groups which do not list themselves with the General Service
Office, and that this problem be addressed through a presenta-28

tion at a future General Service Conference.
Copy defining the role of Grapevine representatives at all lev-els
and providing more information about the operation of The
A.A. Grapevine, Inc. be prepared and presented by the
Conference Grapevine Committee to the Report and Charter
Committee in 1986 for their consideration.
If a committee recommendation does not receive the two-thirds
vote required to become a Conference Advisory Action, but
has a majority of votes, it automatically becomes a suggestion
and be duly noted in the Conference Report.
Double-trouble groups not be listed in the A.A. directories.
1986 It was recommended that: The present inclusion of the Concepts in both their long and
short form is sufficient in the Service Manual.
Article 4 of the Conference Charter, on page 24, paragraph two
of the Service Manual (1985-86 edition), should read:
A quorum shall consist of two-thirds of all the Conference
members registered.
No changes be made at this time in the ”Structure of the
Fellowship” chart on page 21 of the 1985-86 edition of the
Service Manual.
1987 It was recommended that:
It will be understood, as a matter of tradition, that a two-thirds
vote of Conference members voting shall be consid-ered
binding upon the General Service Board and its related
corporate services provided the total vote constitutes at least
a Conference quorum.
An eleventh chapter about the Grapevine be included in The
A.A. Service Manual.
Article 2 of The Conference Charter, page 24, paragraphs 2
and 3, of the A.A. Service Manual be changed to read:
The second paragraph, on page 25 of the Service Manual
(1985-86 edition), be changed to read:
It will be further understood, regardless of the legal prerog-atives
of the General Service Board, as a matter of tradition,
that a three-quarters vote of all Conference members voting,
provided the total vote constitutes at least a Conference
quorum, may bring about a reorganization of the General
Service Board and the directors and staff members of its
corporate services, if or when such reorganization is
deemed essential.
”Foreign lands in many cases have created autonomous
General Service Conferences of their own, which rely on
the Steps and Traditions protected by the Conference (U.S.
and Canada) and in other ways often turn to the actions of
the Conference for guidance.
”Consultation between conferences is encouraged. And a
formal meeting --The World Service Meeting-of dele-gates
from the various conferences is held once every two
years. The U.S./Canada delegates are chosen from The
General Service Board.
For purposes of consistency, the second sentence of the first
paragraph under ”Meaning of the Conference Charter,” page
23 of the Service Manual (1985-86 edition), be changed to
read:
”In countries where a General Service structure exists, the
U.S./Canada Conference will delegate sole right to publish
our Conference-approved literature to the General Service
Board of the structure.
It provides, for example, that a majority vote of the
Conference shall be considered a suggestion to the board of
trustees and G.S.O., but that a two-thirds vote of the
Conference members voting, provided the total vote consti-tutes
at least a Conference quorum, shall be absolutely bind-ing
upon the board, regardless of legal considerations.
”Only matters seriously affecting A.A.‘s worldwide needs
shall be the subject of joint consideration.”
(In addition, this article was referred to the 1988 Conference
Report and Charter Committee for further consideration.)
The draft of the responsibilities of the World Service Meeting The second paragraph on page 25 of The A.A. Service Manual
delegate be included in The A.A. Service Manual. (1987-88 edition) be changed to read:
No change to the voting members at an area assembly be made
in the Service Manual (page 83) at this time.
The copy defining the role of the Grapevine Representative at
all levels and providing more information about the operation
of the A.A. Grapevine, Inc. not be accepted at this time, and
that new copy be submitted to this committee for review at the
1987 General Service Conference with the objective of creat-ing
an 1 lth Chapter of the Service Manual specifically devot-ed
to the Grapevine.
”It will be further understood, regardless of the legal pre-rogatives
of the General Service Board, as a matter of tradi-tion,
that a three-quarters vote of all Conference members
may bring about a reorganization of the General Service
Board and the directors and staff members of its corporate
services, if or when such reorganization is deemed essen-tial.”
Paragraph 4, page 98 (after The Twelve Concepts) in The A.A.
Service Manual (1986-87 edition) be deleted.
All recommendations on which no Conference action is taken
should become part of the History and Highlights of Actions of
each Conference committee.
No change be made at this time in the definition of an A.A.
group in the A.A. Directories.
29

In an effort to improve area response to annual group printout
mailing from G.S.O.:
A summary sheet of the total
sent with the cover letter.
group changes in the area be
A cutoff date for the printouts be extended to a later date
(March 15th)
The title page of the directory be changed to indicate a split-level
year, i.e., 1987-88.
Printouts returned from the areas
group changes clearly indicated.
to G.S.O should have
The 1986 Conference Action regarding the directories not list-ing
”Double-Trouble groups be reaffirmed,” i.e. ”Double-Trouble
groups not be listed in the A.A. Directories;” and the
existing Double-Trouble groups in the A.A. Directories be
deleted. (Double-Trouble groups are defined as groups with
outside affiliation).
1988 It was recommended that:
The Conference Charter should appear in its original 1955
form in future editions of The A.A. Service Manual, with
General Service Conference Advisory Action amendments and
editorial changes indicated by footnotes, followed by the cur-rent
version of the Charter.
Articles 2, paragraphs 2, 3 and 4 of the Conference Charter be
further clarified through a footnote amendment to read as fol-lows:
”Other countries have created autonomous General Service
Conference of their own, which rely on the Steps and
Traditions that are protected by the United States/Canada
Conference. In addition, these other Conferences often turn
to the actions of the United States/Canada Conference for
guidance.
”Consultation between Conferences is encouraged, and a
World Service Meeting of delegates from the various
Conferences is held once every two years. The United
States/Canada delegates to the World Service Meeting are
chosen from the General Service Board.
”In countries where a General Service Structure exists, the
United States/Canada Conference will delegate sole right to
publish our Conference-approved literature to the General
Service Board of that structure.”
Section 3 of Concept XI be researched to identify the parts of
Section 3 touching on current practices of the General Service
Board and A.A. World Services that need footnoting, and that
this research be brought back to the 1989 Conference
Committee on Report and Charter for review and further rec-ommendation.
Footnote 8 to Concept XI be reworded to reflect current prac-tices
of the General Service Board, and A.A. World Services,
Inc. to read:
”G.S.O. staff members have voting representation on
trustees’ committees. Additionally, the staff member serv-ing
as staff coordinator has a vote as a director of the
A.A.W.S. Board.”
With minor amendments the proposed revision of the section
”How G.S.O. is supported” in The A.A. Service Manual to
address enhanced participation in self-support replace the
existing section in future editions of The A.A. Service Manual.
The final copy of the A.A. group structure prepared by the
Literature Committee be forwarded to the 1989 Conference
Committee on Report and Charter for further consideration as
an addition to The A.A. Service Manual.
A current list of ”Literature Published by A.A.W.S.,” as well
as a separate list of ”Literature Published by the A.A.
Grapevine,” appear in The A.A. Service Manual following the
chapters on ”The General Service Office” and on ”The A.A.
Grapevine” respectively.
The category ”alternate D.C.M.” be added to the eligibility
options outlined in the section ”How Do We Elect the
D.C.M?” in The A.A. Service Manual.
The sentence ”The G.V.R. is to the Grapevine what the G.S.R.
is to the G.S.O.” in the section ”What Does a Grapevine
Representative Do?” in The A.A. Service Manual be replaced
by a sentence which reads ”The G.V.R. is the group’s contact
with the Grapevine office.”
The phrase in Concept XI that reads: ”Most staff members’
assignments are changed yearly” be updated through footnot-ing
to reflect current practices as follows: ”Most staff members
serve two years on each assignment.”
The letter ”S” be used as a prefix to the first set of page num-bers
in The A.A. Service Manual/Twelve Concepts For World
Service, so as to differentiate between the two sets of page
numbers.
A footnote be added to the byline ”Bill W.” in the chapter
”A.A.‘s Legacy of Service” in The A.A. Service Manual, stat-ing
that Bill wrote these words in 195 1 and that the piece,
therefore, reflects that period.
The 1984 General Service Conference Advisory action be reaf-firmed:
”Meeting addresses and times not be included in the A.A.
directories, since not only would this add greatly to the
printing and mailing costs of the directories, but also, some
groups do not have addresses, and directories were not
intended to be used as a local meeting list.”
The Final Conference Report be sent to all G.S.R.s, with the
distribution method and quantity determined by the delegate.
The revised new group information form (March 1988) be
reproduced in the section ”Group Information” in The A.A.
Service Manual.
1989 It was recommended that:
30

The description ”What Is an A.A. Group” contained in ”The
A.A. Group” pamphlet be added to the The A.A. Service
Manual, and that, when adding the material, the circular struc-ture
chart of the group be amended to include ”Archives
Representative.”
The A.A.W.S., Inc. policy statement on ”Use of A.A.‘s
Trademarks and Logos” be added to The A.A. Service Manual.
The section ”Other Officer Qualifications” in the Area
Committee Chapter of The A.A. Service Manual be amended
from:
Other Officer Qualifications --
An area committee may have other officers who are responsi-ble
for special activities. A public information chairperson, for
example, to head up the area P.I. committee is appointed by the
area committee chairperson with the approval of the area com-mittee.
Some areas have an institutions chairperson, some a
convention chairperson. Other areas appoint a finance chair-person
whose sole job is keeping contributions coming into
area and G.S.O. treasuries. Other assignments handled by spe-cial
chairpersons or coordinators include: cooperation with the
professional community, liaison with central offices or inter-groups;
preparation of news bulletins; literature; Grapevine,
etc.
to:
Other Officers
An area committee may also have officers who are responsible
to the committee for special activities. Examples might include
a Public Information and Cooperation With Professional
Community chairpersons to head up the area P.I. and C.P.C.
committees; Correctional and Treatment chairpersons to coor-dinate
this vital Twelfth Step Work; a Literature chairperson to
act as liaison between the various service entities on all matters
regarding A.A. literature; a Grapevine chairperson to dissemi-nate
Grapevine material; an Archives chairperson to record and
maintain the history of the area; a Convention chairperson to
facilitate the event; a Finance chairperson to encourage self-support
for both the area needs and the needs of G.S.O.; a liai-son
chairperson to foster improved communication between
the area and central office/intergroup; and other assignments
and responsibilities, as suggested by local area needs.
A description of the position of D.C.M. chairperson not be
added to The A.A. Service Manual at this time,
Footnotes continue to appear in the same manner as in the pre-sent
1988-89 A.A. Service Manual edition for the following
reasons:
Footnotes in the first section of The A.A. Service
Manual/Twelve Concepts for World Service appear at the bot-tom
of the page where the text referred to appears, making for
easier reading.
In
of
the Twelve Concepts section, however, these
footnotes or, more specifically, footnotes and
are two types
end notes.
a. Footnotes, which are marked with an asterisk (*) and
appear at the bottom of each page, reflect changes Bill
Wilson made from the original writing in 1962 until
shortly before his death in 197 1 and are of the entire text
of each Concept.
b . End notes, which are numbered and appear at the end of
each Concept, reflect updated factual information that
has changed since the original.
The existing footnotes 7 and 8 of Section 3, Concept XI be
deleted and, instead, the following footnote to the entire sec-tion
be included as follows:
In order to meet the changing conditions since the writing of
this section, A.A.W.S., Inc., with the approval of the
General Service Board, has implemented a two-year rota-tion
of assignments for most staff members, and, since
1987, a merit pay increase system has been established.
Footnote 9 in Section 4, Concept XI in The A.A. Service
Manual / Twelve Concepts for World Service be changed from:
”G.S.O. staff members have voting representation on
trustees’ committees. Additionally, the staff member serv-ing
as staff coordinator has a vote as a director of the
A.A.W.S. Board.”
to:
”As a director of the A.A.W.S. Board, the staff member
serving as staff coordinator has a vote.”
In order to economize, the Eastern and Western U.S.
Directories be combined.
The listing of clubs be deleted from the A.A. Directories.
The Final Report for G.S.R.s be sent to the delegate with the
quantity to be determined by each delegate.
The Final Report be translated into French and Spanish.
Reinstating of perforated, removable pages for the roster sec-tion
of the Final Report not be done.
General Service Conference committee items discussed, but no
action taken or recommendation made, not be included in the
Final Report.
1990 It was recommended that:
There be a revision of the Twelve Concepts section in TheA.A.
Service Manual, printing the short form of the Concepts as the
”Table of Contents,” followed by the long form and introduc-tion.
The following text appear in The A.A. Service Manual in the
section ”Working Together-General Services and Local
Intergroup Services,” following item 7 on the election of
trustees:
31

”Some areas find that a liaison between central office/inter-group
and the area committee is very helpful. In some areas
the liaison has a vote, in others the liaison has a voice but no
vote.
”There is more information regarding working together
available through the General Service Office and in the
pamphlets ‘The A.A. Group’ and ‘Self-supporting Through
Our Own Contributions,’ as well as in the Guidelines on
Central Offices and Intergroups.”
The following be deleted:
”In areas where there are central offices providing the ser-vices
mentions previously, general service committees do
not attempt to duplicate these services; but in those areas
where there is little or no central office activity, the general
service committee has frequently undertaken to provide
many of these services.”
The General Service Conference Final Report continue to be
distributed at no charge in English, French and Spanish; and
that an informational sheet to ascertain the Report’s usefulness
be included with each copy, requesting it be returned to the del-egates
for forwarding by them to the Conference Committee on
Report and Charter by April 1, 199 1, as background in plan-ning
future distribution.
The present text in The A.A . Service Manual on ”Use of A.A.‘s
Trademarks and Logos” be replaced with the A.A.W.S., Inc.
amended policy.
Items discussed, but no action taken or recommendation made,
as well as committee recommendations which are not adopted,
be included in a separate section in the Conference Final
Report.
1991 It was recommended that:
The six-point description of an A.A. Group in The A.A. Service
Manual/Twelve Concepts for World Service be deleted, and be
replaced by the following:
The Long Form of Tradition Three and a section of Warranty
Six, Concept Twelve aptly describe what an A.A. Group is:
Tradition Three:
”Our membership ought to include all who suffer from alco-holism.
Hence we may refuse none who wish to recover.
Nor ought A.A. membership ever depend upon money or
conformity. Any two or three alcoholics gathered together
for sobriety may call themselves an A.A. group, provided
that, as a group, they have no other affiliation.”
Warranty Six:
"much attention has been drawn to the extraordinary lib-erties
which the A.A. Traditions accord to the individual
member and to his group; no penalties to be inflicted for
nonconformity to A.A. principles; no fees or dues to be
levied-voluntary contributions only; no member to be
expelled from A.A. -membership always to be the choice
of the individual; each A.A. group to conduct its internal
affairs as it wishes-it being merely requested to abstain
from acts that might injure A.A. as a whole; and finally that
any group of alcoholics gathered together for sobriety may
call themselves an A.A. group provided that, as a group,
they have no other purpose or affiliation.”
The existing footnote 7, Concept XI in The A.A. Service
Manual/Twelve Concepts for World Service, be deleted, as it
pertains to merit pay, until the General Service Board seeks
and obtains Conference approval of merit pay, being mindful
that Bill notes in the introduction to the Concepts:
”The future advocates of structural change need only make
out a strong case for their recommendations-a case con-vincing
to both the Trustees and to the Conference.”
The present system of distribution of the General Service
Conference Final Report (1988 Advisory Action #73. The
Conference Final Report be sent to all G.S.R.s with the distri-bution
method and quantity determined by the delegate.) be
continued.
The estimated cost of recommendations be included in the
Conference Final Report.
The text describing How A.A. chooses (Non-Trustee)
Directors for A.A. World Services and A.A. Grapevine, and
How A.A. Chooses Appointed Committee Members be includ-ed
in The A.A. Service Manual.
1992 It was recommended that:
The ”Procedures for Election of Class A Trustees,” previously
approved by the General Service Board, be added verbatim to
The A.A. Service Manual.
A reference to the ”gray pages” of the Grapevine on page S 134
of The A.A. Service Manual be eliminated in compliance with
1991 Advisory Action #l 1.
The words ”(or a vocal majority)” from line 19, page S80 of
The A.A. Service Manual, be deleted.
The third sentence, first paragraph, page S81 of The A.A.
Service Manual be changed to read ”To take care of that situa-tion,
the Charter provides that, as a matter of tradition, a two-thirds
vote of Conference members voting shall be considered
binding upon the General Service Board and its related corpo-rate
services, provided the total vote constitutes at least a
Conference quorum.”
1993 It was recommended that:
The following be added to The A.A. Service Manual: ”To
encourage participation of the maximum number of groups,
some areas have incorporated linguistic districts within their
structure. These districts usually have a bilingual D.C.M. or
liaison. Their boundaries may be independent of the conven-tional
district boundaries.”
Information on alternate district structures be added to the
1994-95 A.A. Service Manual, and that the committee’s back-32

ground material be referred to Publications to write a revised
section on districts for final approval by the 1994 Conference
Report and Charter Committee.
COOPERATION WITH THE
PROFESSIONAL COMMUNITY
ADVISORY ACTIONS
related to work of the
CONFERENCE COMMITTEE ON COOPERATION
WITH- THE PROFESSIONAL COMMUNITY*
1960 It was recommended that:
The Study Committee’s Fact File be made available to the
areas, and that the committee be continued on an interim basis
so that necessary changes or revisions may be adopted to make
the Fact File increasingly useful to the area.
1961 It was recommended
By the Study Committee that, ever mindful of A.A.‘s tradi-tional
policy of ”cooperation, yes-affiliation, no,” the Public
Information Committee, when requested to do so, continue to
meet with organizations outside A.A. concerned with the prob-lem
of alcoholism, for the purpose of improving communica-tions
and understanding and discussing mutual problems.
(Reaffirmed in 1962.)
1962 It was recommended that:
The delegates be encouraged to establish and maintain com-munications
with the directors of state-supported alcoholism
agencies within their respective areas. (Action voted in 1961;
reaffirmed in 1962.)
The committee approved the new policy recommended by the
Public Information Committee: That the A.A. exhibits be
available for display at meetings of appropriate national pro-fessional
groups without restriction as to the geographic areas
they represent.
The committee reaffirmed continuing cooperation on the part
of the board and the Public Information Committee with the
North American Association of Alcoholism Programs, and that
delegates be encouraged to maintain communications with
alcoholism agencies in their areas.
1964 It was recommended that:
The statement prepared by the Public Information Committee
defining A.A.‘s position in the field of alcoholism be accepted
by the Conference.
Copies of such communications
egates involved.
should be sent to the area del-*
Called Committee of Professional Relations upon its formation in
1971. This section includes pre-1972 actions related to C.P.C. but
based upon reports by the Public Information Committee.
G.S.O. correspondence concerning outside organizations and
Traditions be shared with the area delegate.
The committee approved a formal statement defining A.A.‘s
position in the field of alcoholism.
Delegates and committee members were urged to establish
communications with other agencies who share A.A.‘s concern
in this field.
1965 It was recommended that:
Delegates establish lines of communication with directors of
tax-supported and voluntary alcoholism programs in their
areas. (Further discussion in 1966.)
The Conference reaffirm the comment on question 1 in the
pamphlet ”Cooperation But Not Affiliation” and request publi-cation
of the following in the A.A. Grapevine:
Experience shows that A.A. groups and intergroups or cen-tral
committees should not operate or manage these ven-tures.
Individual A.A.s frequently set up such related facili-ties,
being careful not to use the A.A. name on solicitation,
advertising and publicity. These ventures are usually set up
on a nonprofit basis, incorporated under the charitable and
educational laws of the state and excluding ”Alcoholics
Anonymous” from their names.
Hospitals and rest homes and other community rehabilita-tion
aids bear the same relationship to A.A. groups, inter-groups
or central committees as do any other outside agen-cies.
With full cooperation of the groups in the community
they are used for referral, provided A.A.‘s tradition of
nonendorsement and nonaffiliation is made clear.
Since these ventures are separate from the Fellowship, it is
advisable that they operate under names which do not link
them to A.A.-under names other than ”Twelve Step
House, ” ”Alanon House,” etc.
The committee reaffirmed that all requests for the World
Directory received at G.S.O. from other organizations be
referred to the area delegate. After following through on such
requests and inquiring about the purpose planned for the direc-tory
by the organization, the delegate will make the decision
regarding its availability.
The Conference Committee on Other Agencies was changed to
the Conference Committee on Public Information.
1967
The committee approved a position paper on rehabilitation
centers to the effect that such-rehabs, rest homes and hospitals
are not part of A.A., and therefore are not responsible for
adhering to the Traditions of A.A.
It was recommended that:
Delegates continue to establish lines of communication with
tax-supported and voluntary alcoholism programs in their
33

G.S.O. refer requests for the World Directory from other agen-cies
to the area delegate for follow-up.
Ways were discussed regarding how A.A.s can best participate
in the Annual Alcoholism Information Week, such as holding
public meetings and appearing on programs when invited, pro-vided
anonymity is preserved; and it was suggested that the
trustees’ Public Information Committee provide information
concerning A.A. policy on this matter one month in advance of
the event.
1968
The committee approved ”Suggestions for Improving A.A.‘s
Relations with the Medical Profession in the Community,” and
recommended that it be made available to all A.A. groups.
1969
It was recommended that:
No special material for judges, law enforcement people, or
teachers be considered at the present time.
G.S.O. consider sending a questionnaire to delegates and pub-lic
information committees on the subject of cooperation
between A.A. members and affiliates of the North American
Association of Alcoholism Programs.
1971
The 21st General Service Conference recommended the for-mation
of the Conference Committee on Professional Relations
to broaden and supplement the activities of the trustees’ com-mittee
of the same name established in 1970.
1972 It was recommended that:
A.A. members approach the professional community without
anxiety or fear, but with confidence that we have something to
offer the alcoholic through the professional.
A.A. members approach the professional with the point of
view that we have a mutual interest in helping the alcoholic,
and with the idea of sharing our 37 years of experience as a
resource for alcoholics.
The pamphlet ”If You Are a Professional . . .” be approved
with minor editorial changes.
1973 It was recommended that:
The General Service Office of Alcoholics Anonymous, as well
as the members of the Fellowship cooperate with agencies
dealing with alcoholism--welcoming referrals, being guided
by applicable Traditions, and keeping in mind as our primary
purpose the welfare of the alcoholic and his recovery.
The Conference reaffirm that the furnishing of information
about, and explanation of, Alcoholics Anonymous to profes-sional
societies is not in violation of the Traditions.
We encourage the use of all present means of communication
(Grapevine, Box 4-5-9, and appropriate literature) to commu-nicate
to A.A. members an understanding of professional rela-tions
with emphasis on availability and value of the
Guidelines.
1974 It was recommended that:
Information to A.A.s about what is being done in the field of
alcoholism is adequately covered in the gray pages of the
Grapevine and no additional publication is needed. Some
members felt that a well-informed A.A. member is a better ser-vant.
Understanding of the role of the A.A. member who wears ”two
hats” would be advanced by discussion at assembly or com-mittee
meetings. It was also suggested that a workshop on
”Live and Let Live” could be helpful in understanding this sub-ject.
The action of previous Conferences be reaffirmed, namely, that
A.A.s employed in the alcoholism field be eligible for election
as trusted servants at all levels of service. It is up to the indi-vidual
to assess his or her availability for the time and effort
required. The criteria for choosing a trusted servant should be
based on A.A. activities rather than on personal employment.
Where possible, A.A. members of an area cooperate with alco-holism
counselors in starting A.A. meetings in treatment cen-ters,
rather than leaving this responsibility to the counselors.
Establishing area committees on cooperation with the profes-sional
community would improve understanding and coopera-tion
in the area.
The name of the Conference Committee on Professional
Relations be changed to Conference Committee on
Cooperation with the Professional Community, it was also sug-gested
that the full title be used instead of the initials.
1975
The film ”Bill’s Own Story” may be shown at A.A. orientation
sessions in rehabilitation facilities provided it is under the con-trol
of an A.A. member.
Although most A.A.s understand the difference between
Twelfth Step work, sponsorship, and referral to A.A., there is
still a big need for sponsorship in some areas.
More sharing of the results of cooperation between profession-als
and A.A.s might improve understanding of professional
efforts in the field of alcoholism.
It was recommended that more time be spent on the study of
the Traditions by all A.A. members, including those working
as professionals in the field. They enable us to better our rela-tions
with the professional community and with each other.
1976 It was recommended that:
More effort be directed toward utilizing the service structure
we have available to implement our recommendations.
34

We, as A.A. members, give to A.A. members interested in
working or volunteering in the alcoholism field the following
suggestions:
a. Take advantage of the literature already in existence.
b. Get adequate training.
c. Have three to five years of good, stable sobriety.
d. Get and keep
holism field.
a sponsor who does not work in the alco-e.
Be thoroughly familiar with ”Twelve Steps and Twelve
Traditions.”
f. The A.A. member carefully consider whether or not he or
she is suited to work in the field of alcoholism.
To alleviate some of the problems involved in sponsoring peo-ple
coming to A.A. from treatment centers, court/A.S.A.P. pro-grams,
etc., we should:
a. Establish greater communication
sources and local A.A. groups.
between the referral
b. Recognize the necessity of meeting the new member
where he presently is, listen to him, try to determine what he
really knows about the A.A. program.
c. See that specific programs are set up for sponsoring peo-ple
from treatment centers into local A.A. groups.
In order to improve communication between A.A. and the pro-fessional
community, we encourage A.A. members to become
active on cooperation with the professional community com-mittees.
Where there are existing public information and insti-tutions
committees, encourage cooperation among members of
all committees, keeping always in mind that our primary pur-pose
is to carry the message to the alcoholic who still suffers.
Specific suggestions: Sponsor your doctor; sponsor your cler-gyman;
sponsor your employer; communicate with the acade-mic
world; hold workshops at all service levels.
consider the possibility of holding a joint meeting (between the
1977 and 1978 Conferences) of the trustees’ Committees on
P.I., C.P.C., and Institutions. It was the committee’s feeling
that while there is bound to be some overlapping of the respon-sibilities
of the three committees, more specific guidance on
who does what is needed. It was also felt that we should do all
we can to eliminate any competition so that each committee
can function in unity and do the job of carrying the message in
the best way possible.
In the interest of communication and cooperation, reports of all
three trustees’ committees be distributed to the delegate mem-bers
of the three corresponding Conference committees after
each trustees’ committee meeting.
1978 It was recommended that:
A.A. members who meet with the administration of a treatment
facility concerning the formation of an A.A. group on its
premises should explain group autonomy, as well as what A.A.
can and cannot do (Traditions) and also have a good under-standing
of the facility’s rules and regulations. After mutual
agreements are reached, it is important that this information be
shared with the A.A.s who will be attending the group’s meet-ings.
It was suggested that groups meeting in treatment facili-ties
try to abide by the self-support tradition. If money for rent
is not accepted by a facility, groups should contribute in some
other way. It was also felt that the A.A.s employed by the facil-ity
should not run the groups at the facility.
1979 It was recommended that:
A.A. members, through their C.P.C. committees where feasi-ble,
assume the responsibility for communicating with treat-ment
facilities and court programs, letting them know which
meetings are available for prospective members, including
beginners meetings, where possible. Each group’s autonomy
should be kept in mind. It was further suggested that sponsor-ship
be made available for those new members coming from
treatment facilities. (The committee noted that it did not want
to detract from the help provided to alcoholics by the profes-sional
community, but wished to be of maximum service
through cooperation in helping the alcoholic get involved in
group life and understanding of the A.A. program.)
”Problems Other Than Alcohol” be Conference-approved.
1977 It was recommended that:
1980 It was recommended that:
In the spirit of cooperation, we respond to all calls for help with
information about A.A., whether the call comes from the alco-holic
or from the professional who is calling for his patient or
client. As members of A.A. it is our responsibility to try to
carry our message of recovery where we can.
We reaffirm the 1976 C.P.C. Conference Committee’s recom-mendation
to ”Recognize the necessity of meeting the new
member where he presently is, listen to him, try to determine
what he really knows about the A.A. program,” and reaffirm
the entire 1976 C.P.C. Conference Committee report.
A joint meeting of the Conference and trustees’ Committees on
P.I., C.P.C., and Institutions would not be practical. However,
the committee recommended that the General Service Board
In keeping with our Eleventh and Twelfth Traditions, A.A.
members who are requested to videotape talks and meetings
preserve anonymity at the level of press, radio, film, and video-tapes,
realizing that anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all
our Traditions. The committee further recommended that talks
by A.A. members be given in person rather than be videotaped,
in view of the temptation for videotaping to place personalities
before principles.
The pamphlet ”How A.A. Members Cooperate” be revised to
include information in regard to the functions of area and local
committees on cooperation with the professional community.
A renewed effort be made to inform A.A.s working in the alco-35

holism field of our Twelve Traditions, and that they be thor-oughly
familiar with A.A. Guidelines for A.A. Members
Employed in the Alcoholism Field.
A.A. continue to devote effort toward cooperation with the
professional community. Recognizing that our Fellowship is
experiencing a rapid influx of new members, it was further rec-ommended
that A.A. groups remember their primary purpose
of carrying the message to the alcoholic by:
a. Providing greeters to welcome new members and visitors
b. Emphasizing and accepting the responsibilities of spon-sorship
c. Taking group inventories periodically
group is fulfilling its primary purpose
to o determine if the
The pamphlet ”Alcoholics Anonymous and the Medical
Profession” be condensed and rewritten to reflect current infor-mation
about A.A.
The topic ”Is A.A. Devoting More Attention To Our
Relationships Outside A.A. Than We Do To What Is Going On
Inside A.A.?” be referred to the trustees’ Committee on the
General Service Conference for consideration as a workshop
item at the 198 1 General Service Conference.
1981 It was recommended that:
A.A. publish a leaflet addressed to labor and management.
The leaflet ‘”Alcoholics Anonymous in Your Community” be
reinstated as General Service Conference-approved literature
and put back into distribution as soon as possible.
1982 It was recommended that:
The draft of a pamphlet directed to the medical profession be
approved with some minor changes to be made in the editing
stage, with the title ”A.A. as a Resource for the Medical
Profession.”
1983 It was recommended that:
The statement that ”A.A. does not provide letters of reference
to parole boards, lawyers, court officials, social agencies,
employers, etc.” be included in the pamphlets ”A.A. in Your
Community,” ”If You Are a Professional,” ”How A.A.
Members Cooperate,” the flyer ”A.A. at a Glance” and the
A.A. Guidelines on Cooperating With Court, A.S.A.P., and
Similar Programs.
1984 It was recommended that:
A statement be included in the pamphlet ”A.A. as a Resource
for the Medical Profession” stating that when physicians rec-ommend
A.A. to their patients, the physicians not base their
opinion of the effectiveness of A.A. on one or two meetings
attended by the patients, but give A.A. a fair trial.
Cooperation with the professional community news be regu-larly
included in Box 4-5-9, eliminating the C.P.C. Bulletin.
1985 It was recommended that:
The following be inserted in the pamphlets ”If You Are a
Professional” and ”How A.A. Members Cooperate”:
The only requirement for membership in A.A. is a desire to
stop drinking. If the person is not sure about this point, then
he or she is most welcome to attend an open A.A. meeting.
If the person is sure that drinking is not his or her problem,
then he or she may wish to seek help elsewhere.
The pamphlet ”If You Are a Professional” be revised and that
a draft of the revision of that pamphlet be returned to the 1986
Conference Committee on Cooperation with the Professional
Community for their consideration.
1986 It was recommended that:
The guidelines for use of the Professional Exhibit
be as follows:
That the C.P.C. staff person explore the possibility of seek-ing
invitations to exhibit at conferences and conventions of
professions outside the field of alcoholism where we’ve not
exhibited before and we perceive a need for an awareness
and knowledge of A.A.
That the trustees’ C.P.C. Committee review the schedule for
the Professional Exhibit annually at their July meeting in
order to evaluate the ongoing effectiveness of the exhibit
and make recommendations to the C.P.C. staff person for
the following year; and that the C.P.C. staff person give a
quarterly report to the committee about the Professional
Exhibit.
That a letter be sent to delegates, alternates and C.P.C.
chairpersons annually to make them aware of the
Professional Exhibit.
When an exhibit is scheduled, the staff person notify the
area delegate for the city in which it is booked, asking for
their assistance in providing volunteers to staff the booth.
There will be ample opportunity for local committees to
raise any problem issues in connection with the exhibit.
In the pamphlet ”A Clergyman Asks About Alcoholics
Anonymous” in the fifth paragraph on page 8, the sentence
which reads ”Newcomers are encouraged to attend one or more
meetings a week” be changed to ”Newcomers are encouraged
to attend meetings as frequently as possible.”
No change is required in the wording of Item 3c on page 11 of
the pamphlet ”How A.A. Members Cooperate,” since deci-sions
about whether or not such information is provided is up
to the group conscience of the A.A. entity involved in accor-dance
with the Fourth Tradition.
The new ”If You Are a Professional” pamphlet, with some
design suggestions and editorial changes in the manuscript, be
approved.
1987 It was recommended that:
36

The C.P.C. staff person write to all area assembly chairpersons
to gather information on their interest in having tabletop
exhibits and the areas’ desire to purchase them.
The title of the pamphlet ”A Clergyman Asks” be changed to
”The Clergy Asks” when it comes up for reprint.
1988 It was recommended that:
The following sentence ”Dually or multiply addicted persons
are asked to seek A.A. membership only if one of their addic-tions
is to alcohol” be deleted in the pamphlet ”If You Are a
Professional” under the section titled ”Problems Other Than
Alcohol” at the next printing.
After discussing in depth the need for carrying the A.A. mes-sage
to the black community, the committee decided that the
scope of the initiative be broadened to include all minorities
with emphasis on the black community and recommended that
the C.P.C. secretary and the Public Information secretary con-sider
the suggestions listed in the P.I./C.P.C. Bulletin, Fall
1981, and use them as guidelines for carrying the message to
all minorities.
A letter be sent to all area P.I. and C.P.C. chairpersons with
these revised suggestions for carrying the A.A. message to
minority group members.
In order to follow the progress of this initiative to minorities,
the committee requested that the secretary send the committee
members a full report of whatever action takes place at the
trustees’ C.P.C. and P.I. Committees at the July board meeting
and that discussion of the initiative be an item on the agenda of
the 1989 Conference C.P.C. Committee.
1989 It was recommended that:
The revised text of the pamphlet ”A.A. and Occupational
Alcoholism Programs” be approved with minor changes.
The title of the pamphlet ”A.A. and Occupational Alcoholism
Programs” be changed to ”A.A. and Employee Assistance
Programs .”
In carrying the A.A. messages to minorities:
a. The focus and work of the C.P.C. trustees’ Committee,
C.P.C. staff and all C.P.C. committees continue to gather
information on how the A.A. message of recovery can bet-ter
be carried to and through minorities, minority profes-sionals,
and all professionals who work with minorities.
b. That any initiative to better carry the A.A. message to and
through minorities media and media which focus on minori-ties
readers, viewers or listeners, and in schools with high
minorities populations, be referred to the appropriate public
information committees for any continued consideration.
c. That any further consideration of how minorities may bet-ter
be reached within the A.A. Fellowship with the message
of becoming involved in service, be through future consid-eration
by the General Service Conference.
d. That our minorities initiatives reflect our primary concern
for helping all alcoholics.
A revised text of the pamphlet ”The Clergy Ask About
Alcoholics Anonymous” be placed on the agenda for the 1990
General Service Conference C.P.C. Committee.
The trustees’ C.P.C. Committee and G.S.O. staff update the
C.P.C. Workbook giving, consideration to including a service
piece similar to one submitted by Southern Minnesota
Assembly.
Consideration be given to development of a guideline for area
C.P.C. committees to set up exhibits at state and local profes-sional
conventions.
Consideration be given by the trustees’ C.P.C. Committee to
the development of a video which addresses the need to inform
both professionals and A.A. members how our friends histori-cally
have helped the Fellowship and how we can cooperate
within the framework of our purpose, experience and
Traditions, and that discussion of the feasibility of such a pro-ject
be placed on the agenda of the 1990 General Service
Conference C.P.C. Committee.
1990 It was recommended that:
The revised pamphlet ”Members of the Clergy Ask About
Alcoholics Anonymous” be published, with minor changes,
once the present supply of the old pamphlet is exhausted.
1991 It was recommended that:
The Preamble, the Twelve Steps and the Twelve Traditions be
added to the following pamphlets: ”A.A. and Employee
Assistance Programs,” ”A.A. as a Resource for the Medical
Profession” and ”If You Are a Professional,” when pamphlets
are reprinted. Estimated cost: $5,000.
1992 It was recommended that:
The revised pamphlet ”A.A. as a Resource for the Healthcare
Professional” be approved, replacing ”A.A. as a Resource for
the Medical Profession,” because of the need to include infor-mation
for all healthcare professionals.
The following changes be made in the pamphlet ”If You Are a
Professional” when reprinted:
a. Delete the words ”self-help” in two places.
b. Change the second sentence, third paragraph on page 5 to
read ”Consequently, while we welcome the opportunity to
share our principles and methods with others, only they can
provide the essential ingredient for success: their common
bond.”
The Preamble, Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions be added
to all C.P.C pamphlets when reprinted, to provide consistent
and uniform information.
The following paragraphs be added to all C.P.C. pamphlets
37

when reprinted, to provide consistent and uniform information:
Many local A.A. service committees will, upon request,
provide informational presentations for your organization.
Sessions can be tailored to meet your needs. A typical agen-da
might include one or several A.A. films and a presenta-tion
by one or more A.A. members on ”What A.A. Is and
What It Is Not.”
Please check your local telephone directory
for the number of Alcoholics Anonymous.
1993 It was recommended that:
or newspaper
At the next printing of the pamphlet ”Alcoholics Anonymous
in Your Community” the following revisions be made:
a. Change the heading ”A.A.‘s Position in the Field of
Alcoholism” to ”A.A. and Alcoholism.”
b. Delete the subheading ”How A.A. Views Alcoholism”
and change ”Alcoholism is, in our opinion . . .” to ”From the
beginning, many A.A. members have come to believe alco-holism
is a progressive illness-spiritual and emotional (or
mental), as well as physical.”
Because the phrase ”A.A.‘s position in the field of alcoholism”
could imply a point of view or an opinion, consistency in our
literature be maintained by changing that phrase wherever it
appears in A.A. literature to ”A.A. and Alcoholism” or similar
wording that would remove the sense of a point-of-view or
opinion when such material is due for reprint.
ADVISORY ACTIONS
based upon reports of the
CONFERENCE COMMITTEE
ON CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES*
1978 It was recommended that:
The manuscript of the new inmate pamphlet, ”It Sure Beats
Sitting in a Cell,” be accepted pending mail-poll approval by
the committee of the final edited version and illustrations; that
production then proceed under the direction of the trustees’
Committee on Correctional Facilities, with the word ”hell”
being omitted from the title; and that consideration be given to
the use of color illustrations if financially feasible.
A future Conference Committee on Correctional Facilities con-sider
developing a booklet aimed at the alcoholic inmate, if
warranted.
1979 It was recommended that:
Mail-poll approval of ”It Sure Beats Sitting in a Cell” be con-firmed.
* For pre-1978 actions related to correctional facilities, see
Institutions.
”Where Do I Go From Here?” and ”A.A. at a Glance” be added
to the institutions discount packages, and that the trustees’
Committee on Correctional Facilities further explore rearrang-ing
the contents of the packages when ”It Sure Beats Sitting in
a Cell” becomes available.
The trustees’ Committee on Correctional Facilities explore the
feasibility of producing a filmstrip based on ”It Sure Beats
Sitting in a Cell” and report its findings to the 1980 Conference
Committee on Correctional Facilities.
1980 It was recommended that:
In helping the inmate ”bridge the gap” between ”inside” and
”outside” A.A.:
a. Emphasis should be put on cooperation with the
tional facility administration and the judicial system
correc-b.
More emphasis be put on prerelease sponsorship, utiliz-ing
responsible A.A. members and recovering ex-inmates
where possible.
c. The local institutions
A.A. groups.
committees be used in referrals to
A new pamphlet aimed at the dually addicted inmate not be
considered at this time.
The pamphlet ”Do You Think You’re Different?” be added to
Institutions Discount Package Y.
1981 It was recommended that:
The pamphlet ”Memo to an Inmate Who May Be an
Alcoholic” be continued, but that the recommendation be
reviewed again by the Conference Committee on Correctional
Facilities next year.
1982 It was recommended that:
The following statement be added to the pamphlets ”Memo to
an Inmate” (page 43, inside box) and ”It Sure Beats Sitting in
a Cell” (page 25): ”A.A. does not provide letters of reference
to parole boards, lawyers, court officials.”
The pamphlet ”Memo to a nn Inmate” continue to bee published.
The pamphlet ”Memo to an Inmate” be translated into Spanish.
It was also suggested that ”Carrying the Message Inside the
Walls” and ”It Sure Beats Sitting in a Cell” be translated into
Spanish due to the high Spanish population in prisons.
1983 It was recommended that:
A Correctional Facilities Workbook be developed for carrying
the A.A. message into correctional facilities. Also, that this be
developed through the trustees’ Committee on Correctional
Facilities and that a draft be prepared for the 1984 Conference,
using the survey results and other information.
A letter explaining the Institutions Correspondence Service be
38

sent twice a year to delegates and correctional facilities chair-persons
asking for A.A. volunteers to write inmates on an indi-vidual
basis.
”It Sure Beats Sitting in a Cell” and ”Carrying the Message
Inside the Walls” be translated into Spanish.
1984 It was recommended that:
The Correctional Facilities Workbook, which has now been
prepared, be approved for production and distribution.
The following lines from ”The A.A. Group” pamphlet be
added to page 12 of the ”A.A. in Prisons” pamphlet:
”In A.A. groups, the people who get the jobs done are called
‘officers,’ but our Second Tradition reminds us, ‘Our lead-ers
are but trusted servants; they do not govern.’
”Officers are usually chosen by the group for limited terms
of service.
”The jobs they do may have titles. But titles in A.A. do not
bring authority or honor; they describe services and respon-sibili
ties.
”They are ways of carrying the message. They are forms of
Twelfth Step work A.A. members do, primarily to help
themselves recover.”
That a specific reference to the year 1974 be deleted from page
17 of ”A.A. in Prisons” to keep from dating the pamphlet.
Correctional facilities news be included in Box 4-5-9, elimi-nating
the need for a separate Correctional Facilities Bulletin,
with concern that costs be held to a reasonable level, and that
a larger Box 4-5-9 be indexed and categorized.
1985 It was recommended that:
The language of the pamphlet ”Memo to an Inmate Who May
Be an Alcoholic” be rewritten in a simpler style, and that two
of the seven male stories be replaced by female stories.
There be affirmation of the paramount importance of full com-pliance
with all correctional facilities’ rules and regulations by
all A.A.s who carry the message into correctional facilities;
A.A. members are ”guests” of the facility and subject to all
security measures and constraints.
The words ”and minorities” be deleted from the pamphlet
”A.A. in Prisons.” Thus the sentence in the pamphlet that now
reads:
”And it keeps over-ambitious individuals and minorities
from ever becoming entrenched in the leadership of group.”
would be changed to read:
”And it keeps over-ambitious individuals from ever becom-ing
entrenched in the leadership of a group.”
Preliminary work begin on the creation of a filmstrip based on
the thoughts contained in the pamphlet ”It Sure Beats Sitting in
a Cell,” directed toward the inmate.
1986 It was recommended that:
In the 4-minute videotape proposal for a 15-minute
video/l6mm film based on the pamphlet ”It Sure Beats Sitting
in a Cell,” reference to ”copping drugs and dealing drugs” on
page 1 of the transcript be deleted, as well as the sentence
”Anything but drink” on pages 6 and 7 of the transcript, to be
replaced with ”Just don’t drink.”
This 15-minute film be produced in full to be presented to the
1987 Conference, and that the trustees’ Correctional Facilities
Committee monitor and report on the progression of the film
during the year.
The outline of the rewrite of the pamphlet ”Memo to an Inmate
Who May be an Alcoholic” be completed for approval at the
1987 Conference.
Relative to sponsoring inmates upon release, that area commit-tees,
district committees, central/ intergroup office committees,
and group correctional facility representatives discuss specific
ways to coordinate efforts in sponsoring inmates upon release
from prison.
The Institutions Correspondence Service be utilized by groups,
as well as by individuals, as a means of effective sponsorship.
1987 It was recommended that:
The 16-minute video based on the pamphlet, ”It Sure Beats
Sitting in a Cell,” be produced for distribution to the
Fellowship, with the following deletions: (a) ”in this film” be
eliminated from the opening statement, and (b) ”A.A.” in cred-it
4, page 7 of the script, be eliminated.
The video ”It Sure Beats Sitting in a Cell” be produced with
closed captions for the hearing impaired, at a cost not exceed-ing
$1,500.
The finalized draft of the pamphlet, ”Memo to an Inmate Who
May Be an Alcoholic,” be accepted for distribution to the
Fellowship as presented, with the following addition to page
29 under ”What A.A. Does Not Do”: ”No 14. Furnish initial
motivation for alcoholics to recover.”
The Institutions Correspondence Service not be dissolved at
this time.
The General Service Office take such steps as are necessary to
avoid delay in the Institutions Correspondence Service’s
response from G.S.O.
All areas be encouraged to begin working in the direction of
establishing an area institutions correspondence service, coor-dinating
this with G.S.O., as necessary.
The trustees’ Committee on Correctional Facilities find a
method of adapting the film ”It Sure Beats Sitting in a Cell”
into the Spanish language.
39

The trustees’ Committee on Correctional Facilities consider
the feasibility of adapting the film ”It Sure Beats Sitting in a
Cell” into the French language.
A recommendation to develop a simplified ”Twelve Steps
Illustrated” pamphlet to carry the message to the illiterate
inmate was not accepted by the Conference.
1988 It was recommended that:
The pamphlet ”A.A. in Prisons” be replaced with two separate
revisions of the material: (1) An easy-to-read pamphlet for
inmates and outside A.A.s interested in starting A.A. groups in
correctional facilities, which will explain how inside groups
are formed and how they function. (2) A brief pamphlet or
leaflet to provide information about A.A. to administrators of
correctional facilities.
The phrase ”A.A. contact” be used in place of ”prerelease
sponsorship” in A.A. literature and communications about
inmates who will soon be released in order to encourage more
participation on the part of outside A.A.s.
1989 It was recommended that:
The name of the ”Institutions Correspondence Service”
(I.C.S.) be changed to ”Corrections Correspondence Service”
(C.C.S.) as literature comes up for reprint.
That the flyer ”Carrying the Message Inside the Walls” be
replaced with the revised version entitled ”Carrying the
Message Into Correctional Facilities.”
1990 It was recommended that:
The trustees’ committee recommendation for publication of a
collection of Correctional Facilities stories from previous
Grapevines (and other A.A. sources) be approved.
The trustees’ Literature Committee consider adding a story of
a young person who entered A.A. while in prison to the pam-phlet
”Young People and A.A.,” because of an expressed need
for Correctional Facilities materials addressed to young peo-ple.
1991 It was recommended that:
The trustees’ Correctional Facilities Committee produce a 60-
minute audiotape of selected stories from the booklet A.A. in
Prison: Inmate to Inmate, including culturally varied voices
and some female stories, in response to an expressed need for
audiovisual material. Estimated cost: $2,475.
1992 It was recommended that:
The Correctional Facilities Workbook be published in a soft-cover
format and be enclosed in a folder which would include
the appropriate pamphlets and A.A. Guidelines. The commit-tee
felt it would allow more versatility for the use of the
Workbook within correctional facilities and would result in
annual cost savings of $3,400.
The Correctional Facilities Directory be discontinued. It was
40
felt by the committee that there is no viable service provided to
inmates and the Directory serves no purpose to warrant the
annual expenditure of $5,600.
The following paragraphs be included in the pamphlets ”A
Message to Correctional Facilities Administrators” and ”A.A.
in Correctional Facilities” when reprinted:
Many local A.A. service committees will, upon request,
provide informational presentations for your organization.
Sessions can be tailored to meet your needs. A typical agen-da
might include one or several A.A. films and a presenta-tion
by one or more A.A. members on ”What A.A. Is and
What It Is Not.”
Please check your local telephone directory
for the number of Alcoholics Anonymous.
1993 No recommendations.
or newspaper
ADVISORY ACTIONS
baked upon reports of the
CONFERENCE FINANCE COMMITTEE
1956
The committee outlined the financial needs of the General
Service Office and reminded the delegates that though it is tra-ditional
not to accumulate more than a prudent amount of
money, a certain amount is vital in order to carry the message,
and that since A.A. does not accept outside contributions, the
only way to secure this money is from voluntary contributions.
A plan was approved whereby older A.A. members write to
friends who are no longer active, reminding them of their con-tinued
financial responsibility for their General Service Office.
This was named the Anniversary Fund Plan.
A new simplified manner of presenting financial data was
approved. It was noted with gratitude that for the first time in
many years, the budget was met by the voluntary contributions
of groups and members.
It was suggested that groups be reminded of the desirability of
sending their contributions to G.S.O. on a quarterly or month-ly
basis.
1961
The committee recommended the adoption or continued use of
the so-called Birthday Plan to provide ”supplementary” support
of A.A.‘s world services. (Under the plan, individual members,

on their A.A. birthdays, can contribute $1.00 per year for each
year of sobriety up to a fixed amount-normally $10.)
The desirability of the $3.00 per year per member
(yardstick) contribution was reaffirmed.
1962 It was recommended that:
Delegates consider various plans to increase support of world
services that may prove most adaptable to their own areas, and
that the nature and success of various plans used be shared with
G.S.O.
G.S.O., in following the policy of declining In Memoriam con-tributions
from nonmembers, limit the standard letter of decli-nation
to an expression of gratitude and a statement of tradition
on such matters.
Allocation of $5,000 from the General Fund to assist overseas
groups in the preparation and translation of Conference-approved
literature in the coming year through a Literature Aid
Fund, be approved.
The present $100 paid by Conference areas toward delegate
travel be retained.
1963
In a joint meeting of the trustees’ and Conference Finance
Committees, it was agreed to reconvene on November 1 and 2,
1963, for the purpose of examining suggestions and recom-mendations
received from delegates to make G.S.O. self-sup-porting.
The end result was that two plans were considered
worthy of emphasis:
a. Monthly Sharing Plan (now, known as the Regular
Contribution Plan): Whereby each group would agree to
contribute on a monthly basis and be sent quarterly state-ments
from G.S.O.
b. Quota Plan: Based on contributions to be taken up at
group anniversary meetings or other special occasions. The
$3.00 per year per member quota be reemphasized and
focus placed on individual obligation.
The combined committees also recommended that records of
contributions received by G.S.O. in Canadian dollars be clari-fied
with a footnote indicating there is a difference in exchange
rate, so the reader will understand that contributions in
Canadian dollars are larger than the amount shown.
1964
The committee recorded complete confidence in the operations
of G.S.O. and approval of present patterns of compensation for
staff members.
Book Discounts/Retirement Fund: The 1964 Conference
approved the report of the joint meeting of the General Service
Board and the Conference Finance Committee that the present
book discount waiver be continued, and that the possibility of
a pension program be thoroughly explored and reported back
to the next Conference.
1965
Following an analysis of the successful results obtained in test
areas during the past year, plans were approved for extending
the Monthly Sharing Plan to all U.S. and Canadian groups.
Regarding the Book Discounts/Retirement Fund, it was rec-ommended
that:
a. The policy of book discounts being waived by groups,
established by 1954 and modified by 1955 Conference
actions, be continued.
b. The Reserve Fund, which reached $307,775.26 as of
December 3 1, 1964, receive no more funds from book dis-counts
waived.
c. For the year 1965 and subsequent years, funds received
from book discounts waived, together with funds, if any,
determined each year by the Board of Directors of the
Grapevine to be available for such purposes, be used to pro-vide
retirement income for regular employees of A.A.
World Services, Inc., and of The A.A. Grapevine, Inc., pur-suant
to a pension plan or retirement plan in form as may
hereafter be adopted by the General Service Board.
1966
The committee approved the Regular Contribution Plan and
quarterly statements; voiced favor of the Birthday Plan; and
approved by vote the acceptance by G.S.O. of one bequest of
not more than $100 from the estate of a deceased A.A. member.
The committee recommended that:
The delegates’ expense allowance revision be studied by all
delegates in assemblies, and that the 1967 Conference Finance
Committee review findings and recommend such for the
Conference Policy Committee.
Groups be educated regarding the functions of G.S.O.
1967
The committee recommended that delegates’ expense
allowance not be changed.
The committee approved increasing the annual individual con-tribution
ceiling from $100 to $200; the ceiling on bequests
was also increased to $200.
1968 It was recommended that:
The Regular Contribution Plan flyer be mailed again to all
groups, strongly stressing that committee members, G.S.R.s,
secretaries, etc., be kept well informed of any mailings such as
this in order to help stimulate interest in contributing to the
General Service Office.
1969
The committee discussed the need for a new ”money” folder to
help increase contributions, and recommended that the folder
41

last issued in 1963, called ”What Happens When You Put
$3.00 in the Hat,” be rewritten and brought up to date.
The committee unanimously approved the proposal to change
the basis for area support of the General Service Conference
wherein each Conference area would contribute $150 every
year to the support of the General Service Conference; all other
expenses to be paid by the G.S.O. Group Fund.
1970 It was recommended that:
The Birthday Plan be extended to include the birthdays of indi-vidual
groups as well as of individual members.
1971
The committee confirmed the General Service Board’s autho-rization
to A.A.W.S. Board of Directors to increase the price
on books and literature, if and when necessary, to be reviewed
by the Conference Finance Committee two years from now.
It was recommended that the delegates obtain the thinking of
their areas on the uses of the Bill W. Memorial Fund and com-municate
their findings to the trustees for guidance.
1972 It was recommended that:
The Group Contribution Fund be combined with the General
Fund. This fund is to be utilized for all expenses of the General
Service Office, including those formerly charged to both the
General Fund and Group Fund, and to be known as the General
Fund.
Regarding clubs, the committee agreed that G.S.O. should not
accept contributions from clubs, listed or known as such,
whether or not composed solely of A.A. members.
Contributions are welcome from groups meeting in clubs as
long as they are sent in the name of the group. It was recom-mended
that a letter be sent to delegates explaining this deci-sion
so that they can inform the clubs in their areas.
It was recommended that a finance packet or kit be sent to all
committee members and area chairmen, to include a package
of money folders, group contribution and birthday envelopes.
Bill Wilson Memorial Fund: It was agreed to defer the decision
on the use of the Bill Wilson Memorial Fund so that the dele-gates
may discuss with their groups the suggestion of a film
about A.A., historical or for public information purposes, and
come back next year prepared to make a decision on this or
some other suggestion. (In 1973 the Conference unanimously
recommended that the money in the Bill Wilson Memorial
Fund be transferred to the General Fund as expeditiously as
possible.)
1973 It was recommended that:
The $3.00 per year per member yardstick be changed to $3.65,
and be emphasized as a penny a day for sobriety.
To increase group participation, i.e., contributions:
a. Aim mailings at the G.S.R.s, giving them more informa-
tion and asking for their cooperation (copies
dence to G.S.R.s to be sent to all delegates).
b. Delegates
little.
should
of correspon-groups
to o contribute, no matter how
c. G.S.O. poll all the delegates, asking them to contribute
ideas about methods of informing groups regarding con-tributing
regularly in their respective areas.
d. The ”G.S.R. Comer” in Box 4-5-9 be reinstituted to fur-ther
communications with the G.S.R.s.
The authorization granted to A.A.W.S., Inc., by the 1971
Conference Finance Committee to raise the prices on books
and literature, if necessary, be reconfirmed.
The General Service Board Reserve Fund ceiling be raised
from $300,000 to $500,000 (unanimous recommendation).
1974 It was recommended that:
G.S.O. prepare a guideline for delegates on how to approach
committee members and G.S.R.s on the subject of financing,
i.e., how one area has tackled the problem.
There be a broader use and explanation of the In Memoriam
contribution envelopes.
Delegates emphasize that the cost of G.S.O.‘s service to the
Fellowship is not covered by contributions from the
Fellowship; the deficit has to be made up by A.A.W.S.
The area contribution toward the General Service Conference
expenses be raised from $150 to $200.
1975 It was recommended that:
Delegates, in reports to their areas, place more emphasis on
broadening the base of group support because the committee
felt that the dependence on literature income could become
detrimental to the Fellowship structure.
The 60-30-10 suggested group contribution formula be used,
where applicable andpracticable, as well as the $3.65 per year
per member plan; and that the 60-30-10 Plan should be encour-aged
by G.S.O. and all delegates: 60% to the intergroup (cen-tral
office), 30% to G.S.O., 10% to the area committee.
The recommended $10 maximum on birthday contributions be
eliminated from the birthday envelope.
A set of quarterly contribution statements be mailed to all del-egates
for their areas on a twice yearly basis rather than once a
year, as is now the practice. These statements are to cover the
six-month period ending June 30, and the 12-month period
ending December 3 1.
Upon reviewing the G.S.O. salary structure, it was considered
to be sound. This information is available to delegates upon
request.
1976 It was recommended that:
42

The Finance Committee of the General Service Board examine
and restate the meaning of a ”prudent reserve” as it relates to
the G.S.O. structure.
The General Service Board and A.A. World Services Board of
Directors consider reducing the net income from the sale of lit-erature
by appropriate means, such as:
a. Special consideration given to a substantial reduction in
the price of the Big Book
b. Liberalizing the discount structure
c. Distribution of gratis or low-cost literature to public
information committees, institutional committees, or new
groups
Delegates should emphasize that the preceding recommenda-tion
was made in anticipation of increased group participation,
and that further efforts to control literature costs to the
Fellowship, the Conference structure, and A.A. unity depend
upon a solid base of group support.
1977 It was recommended that:
A prudent reserve be established equal to the preceding year’s
operating expense of the combined expenses of the General
Service Board of A.A., A.A. World Services, Inc., and The
A.A. Grapevine, Inc. (with the exception of extraordinary
expenses); and that the auditing firm be requested to review
and comment annually on the availability, feasibility, and ade-quacy
of this reserve.
Book Discounts/Retirement Fund: After review of the board’s
proposal to return discounts donated to the group, the cost of
the employees’ retirement plan be charged to general operating
expenses, and that the selling price of books be reduced by
those amounts previously used for the retirement plan.
A suggested prudent reserve for a group be dependent on local
needs; and that a suggested prudent reserve for central offices,
intergroups, and area committees preferably be one to twelve
months’ operating expense, depending on local needs.
1978 It was recommended that:
A new pamphlet on finance,
and distributed to stress:
in at least two colors, be prepared
a. Self-support through the 60-30-10 Plan
b. How the 60-30-10 Plan helps carry the A.A. message
around the world
and that the title of the pamphlet be ”Self-Supporting? The 60-
30- 10 Plan.”
G.S.O. prepare and distribute a chart illustrating how money
flows through the G.S.O. finance structure.
Group treasurers continue to be reached through the G.S.R.s
and through the local service level; and further that contribu-
tions be acknowledged, as received, to
whoever the sender may be.
group treasurers or to
The delegate area contribution to Conference expense be
increased from $200 to $300.
1979 It was recommended that:
In line with the principle of broadening the base of group sup-port,
emphasis should continue to be placed on group contri-butions.
However, it was further recommended that:
a. The limit on individual contributions should be increased
from $300 to $500 to compensate for the inflationary fac-tor
since the last increase.
b. Requests should be subject to the same limit as on indi-vidual
contributions and be on a one-time-only basis and
not in perpetuity.
1980 It was recommended that:
The discontinuance of mailing contribution statements to
Quebec, requested by Quebec delegates, be referred back to the
1981 Conference Committee on Finance for further study and
consideration.
The Grapevine Corporate Board consider advising the
Canadian subscribers that, when possible, U.S. funds should be
used when purchasing a subscription.
1981 It was recommended that:
All future events, such as the International Convention, not be
planned to operate on a deficit basis, and it was also recom-mended
that all future events of this type be self-supporting.
The word ”suggested’ be added to the title of the 60-30-10
Plan folder, and that the words ”where applicable and practi-cable”
be added to the copy of panel 3 of the folder.
The graphics of the 60-30-10 Plan folder should indicate that
the 60-30-10 formula is flexible and subject to local autonomy,
and that the copy give illustrations reflecting the flexibility to
meet local needs (for example, the needs of a D.C.M. for trav-el
expenses). It should also give special emphasis to the
Regular Contribution Plan.
Because it was felt that the increasing trend of A.A. financial
dependence on publishing income was diminishing the
Fellowship’s traditional support by group contributions, in del-egates’
reports to their areas, emphasis should be placed on the
basic spiritual need for self-support by communicating to their
areas, districts, and groups the need to broaden the base of
group support.
Contribution statements to groups in Quebec continue to be
sent along with a letter written in both French and English
thanking those groups that had contributed directly to their dis-trict
or area, which, in turn, sent its surplus to G.S.O. The let-ter
is to be generated by lists of contributing groups supplied
by the delegates from each of the four Quebec areas. The letter
will acknowledge the actual amount received by G.S.O. during
43

a designated period.
Item 3 of the ad hoc committee recommendations of February
3, 1978, be deleted. It reads:
Income earned on that portion of the Reserve Fund attribut-able
to the deferred subscription income will be retained by
the General Service Board Reserve Fund as long as the
Grapevine has income from operation. In the event of an
operating deficit, such income would be credited automati-cally
to the Grapevine to the extent of its deficiency or the
limit of such income.
The following paragraph be substituted:
All income earned on that portion of the Reserve Fund
attributable to the deferred subscriptions be credited to the
Grapevine and reflected on the Grapevine financial state-ment.
The contra amount of the increase in income will be
added to the asset account of the General Service Board
Reserve Fund.
The reporting and crediting of interest earned on Grapevine
unexpired subscription income as originally recommended
by the ad hoc committee report of February 3, 1978, be
maintained.
1982 It was recommended that:
The following actions be taken in connection with the 60-30-
10 pamphlet:
a. A new concept for the pamphlet to replace the 60-30-10
piece be considered.
b. All 1981 Advisory Actions, with the exception of the
action requesting specific graphics, be incorporated into
the new piece; also, emphasis on the Seventh Tradition
and how it relates to the individual member be included.
c. The General Service Office develop the necessary copy
and title to further present the need for supporting the
A.A. support system.
The Regular Contribution Plan be used to supplement the 60-30-
10 Plan.
1983 It was recommended that:
An earlier treatment of illustrating the Regular Contribution
Plan in cartoon fashion be revised and reissued to supplement
the pamphlet titled ”Supporting the A.A. Support System,”
with the 1967 A.A. Grapevine article titled ”A.A.'s Tradition
of Self-Support,” written by Bill, printed on the reverse of the
flyer. Further, this flyer is to be produced in the English,
Spanish, and French languages and distributed simultaneously.
The need to decrease dependence on publishing income and
the needs for greater participation and increased contributions
from the groups to accomplish this goal be simplified concep-tually
in graphic form.
In keeping with our Seventh Tradition at the group, area, and
44
G.S.O. level, the Conference stress the importance and neces-sity
of discussing self-support at area and local workshops.
1984 It was recommended that:
Area contributions toward Conference expenses be increased
from $300 to $400 effective with the 1985 Conference.
Copies of contribution statements sent to the groups be contin-ued
to be sent to all delegates on a twice-a-year basis as of June
30 and December 31, with only a list to be sent on the off quar-ters.
A change be made in the pamphlet titled ”Supporting the A.A.
Support System” as follows. Where it now reads, ”Bequests in
wills: acceptable only from A.A.s and only in the year of the
A.A.‘s death. The limit is $500.” To read, ”Bequests in wills:
acceptable only from A.A.s and only on a one-time basis and
not in perpetuity. The limit is $500.” This change to be made
in the next printing.
The past Advisory Action relating to the need for greater par-ticipation
and increased contributions from groups, to reduce
dependence on publishing income, be supplemented with an
explanation aimed at the individual A.A. members regarding
what happens to their individual contribution, at the group
level, and how it helps carry the message worldwide.
1985 It was recommended that:
A guideline on finances be developed by the General Service
Office.
A cartoon treatment be approved illustrating need for greater
group participation and how the individual contributions at the
group level help carry the message worldwide.
1986 It was recommended that:
The finance cartoon flyer be changed in the third panel to list:
group expenses, district expenses, intergroup or central office,
area committee and General Service Office, eliminating pru-dent
reserve, numerals one to five, and the words ”part of the
remainder to” and ”part to”; and that the 1957 second panel be
changed to eliminate the numeral five and the words ”part to.”
The area delegates strongly consider implementation of the fol-lowing
suggestions to improve contributions to G.S.O., area
assemblies, districts, and central or intergroup offices:
a. G.S.O. make available to all delegates an itemized list of
group service expenses and other expenses of the board,
combined into one total, representing group services sup-ported
by group contributions.
b. Area delegates contact groups quarterly, either directly or
through the D.C.M., distributing self-support pamphlets
and contribution statements.
C . The delegates encourage each group to have a folder
which includes a list of addresses to whom monthly con-tributions
could be sent (District, Intergroup/Central
Offices, Area Committees and G.S.O.).

d.
e.
Each area affix a list of addresses or stamp addresses on
finance flyers and distribute to groups to provide them
with the information on ”where to send their money.”
Areas could provide groups with pre-addressed envelopes
as to where they should contribute to the area treasury.
A film on finance is premature (until the Guidelines on Finance
are introduced.)
Because of the many facets, the proposal to have G.S.O. self-supporting
through group contributions only not be considered
at this time, especially in light of the continuing decrease in the
percentage of groups contributing to G.S.O.
The limit contributed from individual A.A. members be
increased from $500 to $1,000 and bequests from A.A. mem-bers
should be subject to the same limit and be on a one-time
only basis and not in perpetuity.
The following changes be made to ”Supporting the A.A.
Support System” flyer:
a. The example which includes ”district” be made the first
illustration in the flyer, reflecting 50% to inter-group/cen-tral
office, 30% to G.S.O., 10% to area and 10% to dis-trict.
b. The present 60-30-10 Plan illustration will move to a sec-ondary
position.
1987 It was recommended that:
The ”Supporting the A.A. Support
revised as follows:
a. On the first page, change the
expenses” to bold face.
System” pamphlet be
type style for ”group
b. On the fourth page (the last illustration and description),
change the current ”40% to G.S.O.” and ”60% to Area
Committee” to ”30% to G.S.O., 30% to Area Committee,
40% to District.”
The concept of the Self-support communications plan be
approved; the plan is to provide Self-support information and
tools to D.C.M.s and other service people in the Fellowship.
The objectives of the five-year plan be approved and reviewed
monthly; the plan projects increased contributions and period-ic
literature price decrease, which would make A.A. self-sup-porting
in five years or less.
No change in delegates’ fees be made at this time, bu
matter be considered again by the 1988 Conference.
t that this
The Conference Committee on Finance reviewed the auditor’s
report on the General Service Reserve Fund which states, in his
opinion, ”that the balance of Reserve Fund at December 31,
1986, is adequate to meet any adverse events which can be
foreseen at the present time.”
The Committee recommends the acceptance of the auditor’s
opinion that the Reserve Fund is adequate at this time.
The 1977 Conference Advisory Action which reads:
”It was recommended that a prudent reserve be established
equal to the preceding year’s operating expense of the com-bined
expenses of the General Service Board of A.A., A.A.
Word Services, Inc., and the A.A. Grapevine, Inc. (with the
exception of extra-ordinary expenses); and that the auditing
firm be requested to review and comment annually on the
availability, feasibility, and adequacy of this reserve”
be amended to replace the phrase ”equal to” with the phrase
”not to exceed.”
And that a lower limit to the fund not be provided, inasmuch as
the auditor is required to comment on the adequacy of the fund.
1988 It was recommended that:
No change in delegates’ fees be made at this time.
The list of possible demands on the Reserve Fund as presented
by the trustees’ Finance and Budgetary Committee be made
available as a service piece and this list be attached to the
finance presentation and made available to the current mem-bers
of the Conference.
The trustees’ Finance and Budgetary Committee’s proposal for
handling possible excesses in the Reserve Fund be approved.
The proposal would use literature price reductions as the pri-mary
mechanism in adjusting the relationship of the Reserve
Fund to the Conference-approved limit of one year’s operating
expenses.
The statement of clarification recommended by the trustees’
Finance and Budgetary Committee be approved. The statement
says that when the auditor comments in his annual financial
statements on the availability, feasibility and adequacy of the
Reserve Fund, he is measuring the Reserve Fund as of the cal-endar
year just ended, including transfers from such year’s
income of the operating entities, against the operating expens-es
of the consolidated entities (A.A. World Service, Inc.,
General Service Board of A.A., Inc.., and the Grapevine, Inc.),
for the same year then ended.
Subject to editorial review, the Self-support Committee’s sug-gested
revisions to the ”Supporting the A.A. Support System”
pamphlet be approved with the provision that:
a. titles be indicated for the addresses of Districts,
Intergroups/Central Offices, Area Committees, and
G.S.O.
b. a list of services provided to the Fellowship be included
under the ”Why” section.
c. the message of the last panel of the cartoon supplement
be incorporated.
The committee see the draft reflecting these recommendations.
45

The cartoon supplement of the pamphlet ”Supporting the A.A.
Support System” be discontinued immediately.
The 1988 financial reports be presented as a management
report to the Conference, based on broad-based allocations.
The committee acknowledges that the more detailed computer-ized
general ledger system will provide more accurate alloca-tion
when available.
1989 It was recommended that:
The need to send complete audited financial statements to each
delegate as soon as they are available has not been demon-strated,
but that they will be made available upon request.
(Available about April lst, each year.)
Three-part printouts, which are seen as a better working tool
for delegates and D.C.M.s, be sent to the delegates every quar-ter
instead of alternating copies of the contribution quarterly
statements and quarterly contribution printouts.
Area contributions for delegate expenses for the Conference be
increased to $600 and that, in the spirit of the Seventh
Tradition, areas continue to be encouraged to make contribu-tions
over and above this requested amount to help cover a
greater portion of the Conference costs.
The Conference strongly reaffirms the 1986 Conference
Advisory Action on self-support which reads:
”That the area delegates strongly consider implementation
of the following suggestions to improve contributions to
G.S.O., area assemblies, districts, and central or intergroup
offices:
‘ . Area delegates contact groups quarterly, either directly or
through the D.C.M., distributing self-support pamphlets
and contribution statements.
c. The delegates encourage each group to have a folder
which includes a list of addresses to whom monthly con-tributions
could be sent (district, intergoup/central
offices, area committees and G.S.O.).
G.S.O. make available to all delegates an itemized list of
group service expenses and other expenses of the board,
combined into one total, representing groups services
supported by group contributions. (Now a part of the
financial statements in the Final Conference Report.)
d. Each area affix a list of addresses or stamp addresses on
finance flyers and distribute to groups to provide them
with the information on ‘where to send their money.’
e. Areas could provide groups with preaddressed envelopes
as to where they should contri bute to the area treasury.”
No change be made in the current literature pricing policy after
considering a proposal to change the G.S.O. literature pricing
from the existing procedure to one fixed price for everyone,
including purchasers who buy in bulk.
The self-support pamphlet reflect the idea that the support of
A.A. services (central/intergroup offices, area committee,
G.S.O., and district) be a commitment by the individual mem-ber
through his or her home group.
The commitment to the Seventh Tradition on the part of indi-viduals
through their home group be emphasized where applic-able
in other A.A. literature as it comes up for revision.
1990 It was recommended that:
No change be made to the newly revised pamphlet, ”Self-sup-porting
Through Our Own Contributions,” which emphasizes
the commitment on the part of the individual A.A. member;
and any relationship to intergroups be left to the Conference,
and the results of such actions then be reflected in the Self-sup-port
pamphlet.
There be a reaffirmation of the 1977 Conference Advisory
Action which reads: ”A suggested prudent reserve for a group
be dependent on local needs; and that a suggested prudent
reserve for central offices, intergroups, and area committees
preferably be one to twelve months operating expense, depend-ing
on local needs.”
1991 It was recommended that:
The format of the Finances presentation of the financial infor-mation
at the General Service Conference be reviewed and that
any revisions or changes be considered and forwarded to
Conference Finance Committee members prior to the end of
the year.
The pamphlet ”Self-supporting Through Our Own
Contributions” not be changed at this time, as there was insuf-ficient
input; and there be further input from the areas prior to
any action.
The adaptation of the ”Self-supporting Through Our Own
Contributions” pamphlet tailored to reflect the Quebec area’s
self-support system not receive Conference approval, because
there is already existing Conference-approved literature deal-ing
with the subject.
1992 It was recommended that:
The new computer-monitored Happy Birthday Contribution
Plan instituted in 1991 be discontinued immediately and that
any database of A.A. members’ names and addresses, together
with sobriety birthday dates, that may have been created be
destroyed.
The financial statements presented to the Fellowship do not
show allocation of expenses between various funds and entities
until the bases of such allocations can be justified.
The term ”Shortfall of group services supported by group con-tributions”
not be used until the basis of allocations resulting in
the amount shown as shortfall can be justified.
The request that contributions to the General Service Office
from conferences, conventions, and roundups be limited to the
maximum amount an individual may contribute in a given year
be forwarded to the 1993 Conference Finance Committee, as
46

there was insufficient information, and that there be input from
the areas prior to any action.
staff
sary.
in connection with the celebration of A.A.‘s 25th anniver-1993
It was recommended that:
Contributions from conferences, conventions, and roundups
not be limited to the maximum amount an individual may con-tribute
in a given year, and in accordance with our Seventh
Tradition, only funds from A.A. members attending the event
should be contributed to support A.A. services.
In light of declining contributions, a new self-support pamphlet
be prepared deleting the charts and percentages, stressing the
spirit of the Seventh Tradition, Bill’s vision of self-support, a
brief history of A.A. finances, the G.S.R’s responsibility con-cerning
the financial needs within the service structure, visual
aids and description of the various services provided through-out
the structure. It is requested that a draft be sent to the 1993
Conference Finance Committee following the October 1993
trustees’ Finance Committee meeting, and brought back to the
1994 Conference Finance Committee meeting for approval.
No change be made at this time to delegate fees, but in the spir-it
of self-support, areas are encouraged to make a contribution,
if possible, to defray the average cost per delegate. This state-ment
should incorporated in the annual Conference notification
to delegates of fees due.
ADVISORY ACTIONS
based upon reports of the
CONFERENCE GRAPEVINE COMMITTEE
1957
The committee approved the increasing of the price of the
magazine from $.25 to $.35 for single copies, and from $2.50
to $3.50 for annual subscriptions, effective July 1, 1957 (prices
in Canada to be the same as in the U.S., and prices of overseas
subscriptions and of bulk mailings to be increased proportion-ately).
1958 It was recommended that:
Heavy intensive promotions be opposed, but some form of
continuous ”reminders” be used as needed and at the discretion
of the Grapevine Board of Directors.
Grapevine subscriptions for newcomers are recommended as a
useful tool of sobriety; subscriptions to be entered automati-cally
for each newcomer who may reimburse the group when
he can.
Grapevine representatives will aim for 100% subscriptions in
their groups, with follow-up on expirations to ensure 100%
renewals.
1964 It was recommended that:
The Board of Directors of the Grapevine and the General
Service Board explore the possibilities of using Grapevine
material in a French A.A. magazine.
The committee approved that all Grapevine committee mem-bers
henceforth be kept informed during the year on all
Grapevine matters of Conference importance.
1965 It was recommended that:
The Grapevine use the service of area committees in promot-ing
the sale of the Grapevine at the group and individual lev-els.
A trial selling of binders which would carry 12 issues of the
Grapevine magazine was recommended.
1967 It was recommended that:
The Serenity Prayer be incorporated
Grapevine to appear every month.
into the format of the
Delegates suggest to groups the need for sponsoring subscrip-tions
to the Grapevine for prisons, jails, and hospitals in their
areas.
1968 It was recommended that:
The Grapevine, being the voice of individual A.A. members,
continue to publish the opinion of A.A. members, provided,
however, that the Grapevine does not add its editorial endorse-ment
to articles, and that it state that the opinions expressed
therein are not necessarily those of the Grapevine.
1969 It was recommended that:
1959 It was recommended that:
Special reports and Grapevine display material be made avail-able
to area delegates and committee members for use at area
conferences and conventions.
A.A. World Services, Inc., and The A.A. Grapevine, Inc., with
the primary purpose of the Fellowship foremost in mind, study
their promotional efforts in each other’s behalf and extend to
each other the fullest cooperation in making the Fellowship
aware of the tools of A.A.
The committee expressed approval of the special publication,
”A.A. Today,” to be published July 1, 1960, by the Grapevine
All delegates consider it a part of their responsibility to make
the Fellowship aware of the Grapevine as a tool of sobriety,
either through their own efforts or by recruiting others.
47

(Reaffirmed in 197 1.) Groups be encouraged to increase their subscriptions as their
memberships increase.
197 1 It was recommended that:
1977 It was recommended that:
The Grapevine Corporate Board be given Conference approval
to raise the price of the Grapevine from $.35 to $50 for a sin-gle
copy, and from $3.50 to $5 for a yearly subscription, if the
trend of rising costs indicates that the need is there.
Delegates be responsible for establishing area Grapevine com-mittees,
using the area and district service structure to achieve
the goal of a Grapevine representative in every group.
1973 One copy of the Grapevine, along with a Grapevine order
form, be included in every kit mailed out to new groups by
G.S.O. The Grapevine Committee unanimously recommends, in view
of increasing bad debts, that no new pay-as-you-go groups be
accepted after July 3 1, 1973. Pay-as-you-go groups in good
standing, however, will be continued. The committee recom-mends
prepaid subscriptions.
The Grapevine continue to publish the ”About Alcoholism”
section along with the disclaimer (voted unanimously).
1978 It was recommended that:
1974 It was recommended that:
Delegates continue their efforts in using the area and district
service structure to achieve the goal of a Grapevine represen-tative
in every group.
The Grapevine continue to publish responsible personal opin-ions
of A.A. members, although the Grapevine does not neces-sarily
endorse those opinions.
A Grapevine information table be made a regular feature at all
conferences, conventions, and assemblies. (A Grapevine
Conference Display Kit is available at no cost.)
The ”About Alcoholism” section in the gray pages of the
Grapevine continue to report developments in the field of alco-holism
even though they may be contrary to A.A. philosophy.
Committees on public information, cooperation with the pro-fessional
community, correctional facilities, and treatment
facilities explore the use of the A.A. Grapevine in their endeav-ors.
The delegates carry back to their areas a proposal that groups
institute the practice of giving birthday or anniversary gift sub-scriptions,
with which the Grapevine will mail appropriate
greeting cards.
Area and state functions consider Grapevine workshops simi-lar
to other workshops held at the area level from time to time. The use of full names in correspondence with the Grapevine
would facilitate A.A. communications. (The Grapevine pro-tects
anonymity at all times.) 1979 It was recommended that:
1975 It was recommended that: When feasible, groups consider bulk orders
ing the Grapevine available at the group.
as a means of mak-Delegates
communicate with the publishers of A.A. newslet-ters
in their areas and urge them to use Grapevine blurbs, dis-cussion
topics, or other notices of the Grapevine regularly in
their newsletters.
Grapevine representatives recommend to their groups that they
sponsor subscriptions, where possible, for institutions, treat-ment
facilities, and professionals being ”sponsored.”
A letter be sent to the remaining pay-as-you-go groups explain-ing
the advantages of prepaid subscriptions and notifying these
groups that the pay-as-you-go plan will be terminated as of
January 1,1976. 1976
The Grapevine office make available Grapevine prepaid gift
certificates.
1980 It was recommended that:
Shorter-term subscriptions for groups and treatment facilities
not be considered at this time.
We, the members of the Grapevine Committee of Panels 25
and 26, reaffirm the recommendation that areas be encouraged
to invite the Grapevine staff to visit state and provincial con-ferences
with the suggestion that the invitation be made to the
Grapevine staff directly. The committee feels that personal
contact between Grapevine staff and A.A. members will stim-ulate
interest in the Grapevine.
Delegates continue their efforts in using the area and district
service structure to achieve the goal of a Grapevine represen-tative
in every group.
Groups make every effort to introduce newcomers
Grapevine as one of our best tools in sobriety.
to the
It was recommended that: 1981 It was recommended that:
Groups
libraries
or indi viduals send Grapevine subscriptions to local The Grapevine provide a discount package of Grapevine mis-cellaneous
items for sale to groups and central offices/inter-groups
with a reasonable discount.
48

Delegates, in their continuing effort to achieve GvRs in their
groups, work toward establishing district GvRs.
The Grapevine Corporate Board consider increasing the cover
price of the Grapevine.
The yearly Grapevine income statement reflect the money held
in escrow for unfulfilled subscriptions, and the interest accrued
by this amount be shown. (The Conference did not accept this
recommendation, but requested that it be tabled and referred to
a joint meeting of the 198 1 Conference Finance and Grapevine
Committees.)
1982 It was recommended that:
The price of miscellaneous items sold by the Grapevine be
increased as needed.
No action be taken at this time on quantity sales of Grapevine
subscriptions to outside organizations.
1983 It was recommended that:
A trial tape cassette of articles from the Grapevine classic
‘issues be prepared and made available as a special item, with
future taping to be considered by the 1984 Conference.
Delegates research the need for the ”About Alcoholism” sec-tion
in their areas, and that the question of the function of and
need for this section be brought to the 1984 Conference.
All communications to area Grapevine chairpersons also be
sent to delegates.
Making the Grapevine available to outside agencies be left for
area service structures to handle, in the spirit of autonomy.
1984 It was recommended that:
Because of the positive response to the trial cassette, the
Grapevine produce at least one tape a year as a special item.
The Grapevine continue to publish the ”About Alcoholism”
section, along with the disclaimer.
The ”Portable A.A. Meeting” brochure be included in mailings
of G.S.O. bulletins, and that a supply of this brochure be made
available to all area Grapevine chairpersons.
The Conference reaffirm the 1977 Conference recommenda-tion
that ”delegates be responsible for establishing area
Grapevine committees, using the area and district service
structure to achieve the goal of a Grapevine representative in
every group.” Also that delegates explore the possibility of uti-lizing
alternates throughout the service structure as Grapevine
representatives.
1985 It was recommended that:
Grapevine committees seek ways to work with Public
Information, Cooperation With the Professional Community,
Correctional Facilities, Treatment Facilities, and other service
49
committees, with the aim of increasing the use of the
Grapevine as a tool in carrying the message.
Since each issue of the Grapevine cannot go through the
Conference-approval process, the Conference recognize The
A.A. Grapevine as an international journal of Alcoholics
Anonymous.
A workbook be produced for Grapevine committees.
Sections be added to the Service Manual defining the role of
Grapevine Representatives at all levels, providing more infor-mation
about the operation of The A.A. Grapevine, Inc., and
refer this item to the Report and Charter Committee.
1986 It was recommended that:
The draft of the workbook for use by Grapevine committees be
approved.
The Grapevine produce a trial tape in Spanish and a trial tape
in French, at a price comparable to the Grapevine tapes in
English. In making this recommendation the committee recog-nized
the possibility of a financial loss, but considers that in
this instance the need to carry the message to French-speaking
and Spanish-speaking A.A.s makes such a possible loss accept-able.
The 1985 Conference Advisory Action #17 be corrected to
read: ”Since each issue of the Grapevine cannot go through the
Conference-approved process, the Conference recognizes the
A.A. Grapevine as the international journal of Alcoholics
Anonymous .”
Because the twelve articles on the Traditions, by B.L. of
Manhattan, New York, and the article ”The Whisper of
Humility” contain the opinions of individuals only, and
because they are already reprinted in Best of the Grapevine,
these articles not be published as a pamphlet.
If the Grapevine Corporate Board approves development of the
proposed book of Bill W.‘s Grapevine writings, a draft be
brought to the 1987 Conference for consideration.
1987 It was recommended that:
Staff monitoring ongoing distribution of Spanish and French
Grapevine cassette tapes and report fuller results to the 1988
Conference.
No changes or additions be made to the Preamble.
Delegates focus their efforts on the district service structure as
a means of reaching individual groups, in order to make every
group aware of the value of the Grapevine as a recovery tool.
Delegates and area Grapevine chairpersons be encouraged to
invite Grapevine staff personnel to attend local, area, and
regional conventions, forums, and A.A. gatherings.
The Grapevine staff be responsible for communicating updat-ed
information to the delegates at appropriate intervals regard-ing
editorial, circulation/fulfillment, and financial matters.

In view of the need for the entire Grapevine operation to be
fully accountable to the Fellowship, the committee recognized
serious management problems and believes them to be the
responsibility of the Grapevine Corporate Board.
The Grapevine Board establish a mechanism for timely com-munications
to all Conference members of actions taken and
progress toward resolution of these problems.
A disclaimer be prepared by Grapevine staff for the calendar of
events and be printed before each month’s listing of coming
events.
1988 It was recommended that:
The Grapevine not publish a monthly section of daily mes-sages/
reflections.
The matters of format and editorial policy raised in the
”Resolution to the A.A. Grapevine” from Area 70, Vermont,
be within the right of decision of the Grapevine editorial staff.
The 1987 Conference Advisory Action number 29 be reaf-firmed:
”The Grapevine staff be responsible for communicat-ing
updated information to the delegates at appropriate inter-vals
regarding editorial, circulation/fulfillment, and financial
matters.”
Since the Grapevine Corporate Board has fully complied with
1987 Advisory Action number 30, timely communication from
the board to all Conference members regarding resolution of
the management problems is no longer necessary, though the
standing practice of sending quarterly Corporate Board min-utes
to Conference Grapevine Committee members will be
continued.
The Grapevine proceed with a one-time trial distribution of
complimentary Grapevines to nonsubscribing groups (selected
on a random basis) in order to make them aware of the
Grapevine as an effective recovery tool. In order to stay with-in
the Grapevine’s 1988 budget, the cost of this trial distribu-tion
should not exceed $2,500. Results of this effort and any
further action of the Corporate Board should be reviewed by
the 1989 Conference.
The Grapevine proceed with publication of Bill W.‘s collected
Grapevine writings, with brief factual introductory material to
be prepared by Grapevine staff and approved by the Grapevine
Corporate Board.
The 1987 Conference Advisory Action #27 be reaffirmed:
”Delegates focus their efforts on the district service structure as
a means of reaching individual groups, in order to make every
group aware of the value of the Grapevine as a recovery tool.”
In order to encourage full participation, the Grapevine consid-er
establishing a Grapevine awareness month, and areas con-tinue
to hold Grapevine workshops, Grape-a-thons and
Grapevine meetings.
In response to concerns about the elapsed time between order-ing
and receiving the Grapevine, that the Grapevine Corporate
50
Board investigate the feasibility of early acknowledgment of
new subscription orders.
1989 It was recommended that:
The Grapevine develop an ongoing A.A. history section, draw-ing
on archival material, including area and regional histories.
In recognition of the need for a magazine price increase in the
near future, delegates clarify in their area the fact that the
Grapevine is supported by subscription income and does not
accept group contributions to cover operating expenses in
recognition of the need for a magazine price increase in the
near future.
1990 It was recommended that:
The words ”one-time trial distribution of complimentary
Grapevines to nonsubscribing. groups” in 1988 Conference
Advisory Action #25 no longer be considered binding.
1991 It was recommended that:
The Grapevine discontinue publishing the ”About
Alcoholism” section.
Because of an expressed need, the Grapevine commence as
soon as possible to include at least one article in Spanish in
each month’s issue.
1992 It was recommended that:
After review of 199 1 Conference Advisory Action #12:
a. The Grapevine continue to include at least one article in
Spanish in each month’s issue.
b. As a possible future replacement for the monthly Spanish
articles in the magazine, the Grapevine Corporate Board
investigate the feasibility of developing a quarterly
Spanish newsletter based on original material and trans-lations
of current Grapevine articles, and bring cost and
format proposals to the 1993 Conference Grapevine
committee.
The following proposal from the Grapevine Corporate Board
be accepted:
In order to achieve some uniformity of procedure and to gain
desired Conference input to Grapevine special items, yet not to
compromise the Grapevine Corporate Board’s ”right of deci-sion”
to manage the fiscal affairs of the Grapevine, let it be
proposed that:
Based on the positive model of mutual Conference and
board involvement in the production of The Language of the
Heart, the Grapevine Corporate Board offer to the
Conference Grapevine Committee, on an ongoing basis, a
general list of proposed special items at least two years in
advance of possible production in order that the Conference
should offer any guidance or register any disapproval they
might have. Having so presented the conceptual basis of
these special items to the Conference Committee, final

Delegates, in their continuing effort to achieve GvRs in their
groups, work toward establishing district GvRs.
The Grapevine Corporate Board consider increasing the cover
price of the Grapevine.
The yearly Grapevine income statement reflect the money held
in escrow for unfulfilled subscriptions, and the interest accrued
by this amount be shown. (The Conference did not accept this
recommendation, but requested that it be tabled and referred to
a joint meeting of the 198 1 Conference Finance and Grapevine
Committees.)
1982 It was recommended that:
The price of miscellaneous items sold by the Grapevine be
increased as needed.
No action be taken at this time on quantity sales of Grapevine
subscriptions to outside organizations.
1983 It was recommended that:
A trial tape cassette of articles from the Grapevine classic
‘issues be prepared and made available as a special item, with
future taping to be considered by the 1984 Conference.
Delegates research the need for the ”About Alcoholism” sec-tion
in their areas, and that the question of the function of and
need for this section be brought to the 1984 Conference.
All communications to area Grapevine chairpersons also be
sent to delegates.
Making the Grapevine available to outside agencies be left for
area service structures to handle, in the spirit of autonomy.
1984 It was recommended that:
Because of the positive response to the trial cassette, the
Grapevine produce at least one tape a year as a special item.
The Grapevine continue to publish the ”About Alcoholism”
section, along with the disclaimer.
The ”Portable A.A. Meeting” brochure be included in mailings
of G.S.O. bulletins, and that a supply of this brochure be made
available to all area Grapevine chairpersons.
The Conference reaffirm the 1977 Conference recommenda-tion
that ”delegates be responsible for establishing area
Grapevine committees, using the area and district service
structure to achieve the goal of a Grapevine representative in
every group.” Also that delegates explore the possibility of uti-lizing
alternates throughout the service structure as Grapevine
representatives.
1985 It was recommended that:
Grapevine committees seek ways to work with Public
Information, Cooperation With the Professional Community,
Correctional Facilities, Treatment Facilities, and other service
committees, with the aim of increasing the use of the
Grapevine as a tool in carrying the message.
Since each issue of the Grapevine cannot go through the
Conference-approval process, the Conference recognize The
A.A. Grapevine as an international journal of Alcoholics
Anonymous.
A workbook be produced for Grapevine committees.
Sections be added to the Service Manual defining the role of
Grapevine Representatives at all levels, providing more infor-mation
about the operation of The A.A. Grapevine, Inc., and
refer this item to the Report and Charter Committee.
1986 It was recommended that:
The draft of the workbook for use by Grapevine committees be
approved.
The Grapevine produce a trial tape in Spanish and a trial tape
in French, at a price comparable to the Grapevine tapes in
English. In making this recommendation the committee recog-nized
the possibility of a financial loss, but considers that in
this instance the need to carry the message to French-speaking
and Spanish-speaking A.A.s makes such a possible loss accept-able.
The 1985 Conference Advisory Action #17 be corrected to
read: ”Since each issue of the Grapevine cannot go through the
Conference-approved process, the Conference recognizes the
A.A. Grapevine as the international journal of Alcoholics
Anonymous .”
Because the twelve articles on the Traditions, by B.L. of
Manhattan, New York, and the article ”The Whisper of
Humility” contain the opinions of individuals only, and
because they are already reprinted in Best of the Grapevine,
these articles not be published as a pamphlet.
If the Grapevine Corporate Board approves development of the
proposed book of Bill W.‘s Grapevine writings, a draft be
brought to the 1987 Conference for consideration.
1987 It was recommended that:
Staff monitoring ongoing distribution of Spanish and French
Grapevine cassette tapes and report fuller results to the 1988
Conference.
No changes or additions be made to the Preamble.
Delegates focus their efforts on the district service structure as
a means of reaching individual groups, in order to make every
group aware of the value of the Grapevine as a recovery tool.
Delegates and area Grapevine chairpersons be encouraged to
invite Grapevine staff personnel to attend local, area, and
regional conventions, forums, and A.A. gatherings.
The Grapevine staff be responsible for communicating updat-ed
information to the delegates at appropriate intervals regard-ing
editorial, circulation/fulfillment, and financial matters.
49

approval for the completed items would rest with the
Grapevine Corporate Board.
1993 It was recommended that:
After considering 1992 Advisory Action #12 concerning the
feasibility of a quarterly Spanish newsletter:
a. The current policy of publishing monthly Grapevine arti-cles
in Spanish be reaffirmed;
b. Because of staffing needs and other cost factors, a quar-terly
newsletter not be implemented at this time;
c. Delegates and the Grapevine Corporate Board continue to
explore different ways of carrying the message to the
Spanish community through Grapevine materials.
The Grapevine Corporate Board not actively pursue the place-ment
of Grapevine materials for resale in commercial (non-A.
A.) outlets.
INSTITUTIONS
ADVISORY ACTIONS
based upon reports of the
CONFERENCE INSTITUTIONS COMMITTEE*
1954
It was affirmed that it was impracticable to list groups in hos-pitals
and prisons in the World Directory.
1958 It was recommended that:
Participation of groups in prisons and hospitals in area assem-blies
was a matter of local autonomy.
1964
It was agreed that in general it was not advisable to accept
proxies from regular groups at A.A. assembly meetings. At the
same time, it was recognized that groups in correctional insti-tutions
and in certain hospitals might be unrepresented at
assemblies if they were not permitted to assign their voting
privileges to members outside their groups.
1966
The 16th General Service Conference voted unanimously to
establish a Conference Institutions Committee on the recom-mendation
of the Conference Policy Committee.
1967 It was recommended that:
* Also see Correctional Facilities and Treatment Facilities. In 1977,
the Conference Institutions Committee was discontinued and replaced
by these two committees.
51
An institutions bulletin be prepared and mailed from G.S.O. to
A.A. groups in hospitals and prisons, and to institutions com-mittees
and sponsors.
A.A.s carrying the message to institutions abide by regulations
and cooperate with personnel.
A.A. groups and members on the outside take the responsibil-ity
of providing literature to A.A. groups in institutions when
possible, in line with the tradition of self-support.
Immediate sponsorship of the outgoing patient or inmate is of
major importance in carrying the message to institutions.
Where no such committees exist, all states and areas consider
formation of institutions committees to work in cooperation
with area committees.
1968 It was recommended that:
Institutions committees be encouraged to use a post office box
address so that referrals can be made without using an individ-ual’s
name and address.
A.A. groups in correctional facilities and hospitals adhere to
A.A.‘s Fifth Tradition: ”Each group has but one primary pur-pose-
to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers”;
also, that anyone with problems other than alcohol be made
welcome at inside open meetings, but not participate in group
activities.
G.S.O. make a survey of the duties performed by local institu-tions
committee chairmen.
1969 It was recommended that:
Guidelines be prepared outlining procedures for A.A. members
to follow in working with institutions and ways of informing
the nonalcoholic staff about A.A. The following committee
recommendations are to be included in the guidelines:
a. A.A.s attending meetings at prisons or hospitals should
be selected carefully so that relations with the institu-tion’s
staff remain harmonious.
b A.A.‘s position on membership in institutions groups be
defined as follows:
We cannot give A.A. membership to nonalcoholic nar-cotic
addicts and other unrelated groups or organizations.
A.A. groups in institutions can welcome anyone with
problems other than alcohol to inside open meetings, but
it is suggested that they do not speak or otherwise partic-ipate
in these meetings.
A.A.s should work toward coordination of all institutional
work in the state or province so that there will be cooperation
between all local, intergroup, and general service institutions
committees.
The institutions directories be distributed every two years with
yearly supplements.

1970 It was recommended that:
The possibility of separating the hospital and prison services
into subcommittees of the present Conference Institutions
Committee be discussed with the membership and presented
again on the 197 1 Institutions committee meeting agenda.
A group institutions representative
the group when practical.
be chosen at the directi o n of
This committee help in the formation of an institutions com-mittee
in an area where none exists and that A.A. members
from other areas who are experienced in institutions committee
work be consulted or asked to speak at an area assembly meet-ing
on this subject.
The wording of the 1969 Institutions Committee recommenda-tion
concerning the definition of A.A.‘s position on member-ship
in institutions groups be changed to read as follows:
Open meetings are traditionally open to all interested in
A.A., but should be devoted exclusively to the alcoholic
problem. Closed meetings should traditionally be restricted
to alcoholics.
encouraged to attend A.A. meetings, we have to assume that
they are coming for the right reasons. As far as any A.A. mem-ber
evaluating another A.A. member is concerned, this is total-ly
in opposition to our Traditions.
The 1973 Conference reaffirms the action taken by the 1968
Conference on the use of the World Directory:
That the present use of the World Directory in institutions
be continued in order to provide immediate A.A. sponsor-ship
for new members leaving the institution.
1974 It was recommended that:
The General Service Office send an inquiry to all delegates to
find out the functions and structure of the institutions commit-tees
in their areas and the body to which committees report.
All institutions committees and outside sponsors make every
possible effort to cooperate with institutions’ regulations and to
maintain good communications with institutions’ personnel.
Institutions committees and outside sponsors inform inside
A.A. group officers what the outside A.A. members can and
cannot do.
1971 It was recommended that:
1975 It was recommended that:
In a discussion of separating the hospital and prison service
into subcommittees of the present Institutions Committee, it
was the sense of the meeting that the Institutions Committee
remain the same.
The delegates give wholehearted support to the efforts of the
General Service Office to establish an Institutions
Correspondence Service on an individual basis, similar to the
Loner Sponsor Service.
The General Service Board participate
Conference Institutions Committee.
1972 It was recommended that:
more directly with the
The Literature Commi.ttee reexamine institutions li
an attempt to reach all levels of understanding.
terature in
The possibility of a trustees’ Committee on Institutions be con-sidered.
We endeavor to improve communications between intergroup
(central office) and general service institutions committees by
emphasizing the concept that general service committees exist
to provide service wherever needed, including service to inter-group
or central office institutions committees.
One person from each institutions committee be charged with
the responsibility of acting as liaison to the other, and that com-munications
may be further improved by: a) exchanging min-utes
of meetings between the two committees, and b) institut-ing
joint workshops and sharing sessions at area assemblies.
In an effort to place greater emphasis on the importance of hos-pitals
as part of the overall Institutions Committee, delegates,
upon returning to their areas, furnish the G.S.O. secretary of
the Institutions Committee with the names and addresses of
A.A. members who are currently interested in hospital work.
The secretary would then be in a position to keep these partic-ular
people fully informed of institutional activity, thereby cre-ating
a greater interest and more activity in the hospital field.
1973 It was recommended that:
1976 It was recommended that:
A letter be sent to local institutions committees or contacts ask-ing
them to send G.S.O. a list of facilities (both hospitals and
prisons) where there are currently no A.A. groups.
The General Service Office conduct a survey by contacting
administrative officials or correctional rehabilitation facilities
where there are A.A. groups, for a full assessment of A.A. in
their facilities.
In the institutional setting, we cooperate with administrative
officials to the utmost within the confines of our Traditions and
the suggestions contained in ”A.A. in Prisons” and ”Memo to
an Inmate.” If, because of prison procedure, inmates are
A.A. members on the staff of a hospital or facility should not
control A.A. meetings, but cooperate with institutions commit-tees
or responsible A.A. members who are carrying the mes-sage
to that facility; also, to refer to Guidelines for A.A.
Members Employed in the Alcoholism Field.
Taking a collection at a hospital A.A.
cretion of the institutions committee.
meeting be left to the dis-Next
year the 1977 Conference Institutions Committee add to
its agenda the following: Define what a rehabilitation facility is
and how the institutions committee can handle it.
52

The trustees’ and Conference Institutions Committees be
divided into two subcommittees each: Correctional
Institutions, and Hospitals and Rehabilitation Centers.
The two pamphlets ”Your Third Legacy” and ”Your Role in
General Service Conference” be combined.
All new literature
envelope.
be in a format suitable for mailing in a # 10
1977 It was recommended that:
The Institutions Committee be dissolved and two new commit-tees-
one dealing with Correctional Facilities, and one with
Treatment Facilities-be formed.
The two pamphlets ”Structure and Services of A.A.” and
”Your General Service” be combined.
In action by the whole Conference, the full Conference adopt-ed
a resolution that the publication rights of ”Twenty-Four
Hours a Day” not be accepted.
It is not practical to hold a joint meeting of the Conference and
trustees’ Committees on P.I., C.P.C., and Institutions, but that
the quarterly highlights of the trustees’ Committees on P.I.
C.P.C., Correctional Facilities, and Treatment Facilities be sent
to all members of these Conference committees.
1956 It was recommended that:
A folder on the General Service Representative plan based on
an extract from the ”Third Legacy Manual” (now ”The A.A.
Service Manual”) be prepared.
There is no need for the institutional groups to receive the A.A.
Directory at this time.
It is not within A.A.‘s province to define a rehabilitation facil-ity.An instructive folder, ”Is A.A. For You?,” priced at $.05, be
prepared.
The committee will review the outline of the pamphlet ”It Sure
Beats Hell Out of Sitting in a Cell” and also the two pamphlets
”A.A. in Prisons” and ”A.A. in Hospitals.”
A new version of ”Your Role in the General Service
Conference” be prepared.
The 1957 Conference consider the possibility of publishing a
leather-bound gift edition of the Big Book.
Bill’s new book, A.A. Comes of Age, be produced in a first
class manner; decisions as to pictures and price be left to the
board of trustees.
ADVISORY ACTIONS
based upon reports of the
CONFERENCE LITERATURE COMMITTEE
Consideration be given to the possibility of
specific use of’ the older member.
materials for the
1951 It was recommended that: Pamphlet literature for institutions continue
able in gift packages at a price reduction.
to be made avail-A.
A. textbook literature should have Conference approval.
A group A.A. Exchange Bulletin (now Box 4-5-9) be institut-ed,
incorporating all the special service bulletins previously
distributed by the General Service Office.
The committee approved the principle of retaining profession-al
writers on a fee basis when their employment has been
authorized, to ensure prompt, efficient handling of editorial
responsibilities.
The symbol ”A.A.” within a triangle within a circle, together
with the words ”General Service Conference,” be restricted to
the use of Conference-approved literature only.
1953 It was recommended that:
A new pamphlet for young alcoholics be prepared, and also a
revision of ”Medicine Looks at A.A.”
The committee
Big Book.
tabled a proposal to publish a gift edition of the
A series of stock newspaper stories be prepared for groups to
use in local newspapers, and that a series of radio scripts be
similarly prepared. The committee rejected a proposal to publish a paperback edi-
tion of the Big Book.
A supplement for the ”Third Legacy” pamphlet be introduced,
clarifying the suggested duties and responsibilities of G.S.R.s. It was recommended that A.A. Publishing
A.A. book in foreign languages as needed.
provide for a basic
1954 It was recommended that:
The committee recognized the original use of ”honest” before
”desire to stop drinking” and its deletion from Tradition as part
of the evolution of movement, any change to be left to the dis-
All Conference-approved literature have on its face an
fying symbol. (This became the circle and the triangle.)
identi-
53

cretion of A.A. Publishing.
The committee approved the concept that A.A. Publishing dis-tribute
for a year specially priced literature packages of books
and pamphlets and report the results to next year’s Conference.
The committee
holics.
approved a new pamphlet for inmate alco-The
committee approved preparation of a pamphlet to inform
clergymen of A.A.‘s sole purpose and how they can help the
alcoholic find sobriety in A.A.
The committee considered a recommendation from the Study
Committee on Relations with Outside Agencies for a brief
folder on ”Cooperation but Not Affiliation” with outside agen-cies,
and suggested that this be handled as a Grapevine article
and reprinted and made available to A.A. members and outside
agencies by G.S.O.
It was recommended that, in view of the importance of com-municating
the A.A. message to non-English-speaking alco-holics
in many lands, A.A. World Services, Inc., undertake a
thorough study of the immediate and long-range needs for
A.A. literature in languages other than English.
The committee recommended retention of the sentence ”There
are no dues or fees for A.A. membership” in Conference-approved
literature.
The committee studied the suggestions in the 1962 Overseas
Conference Report that condensation of selected G.S.O. ser-vice
material be prepared for translation into appropriate lan-guages,
and recommended that this service material be pre-pared
by G.S.O. in the near future.
The committee recommended that the suggestion for an intro-ductory
comic-strip type of A.A. pamphlet be explored further
by G.S.O.
A suggestion for preparation of a pamphlet designed to be
helpful to social workers was discussed, and the committee
recommended that this be given further study by the General
Service Office.
The committee accepted Bill’s manuscript on ”Twelve
Concepts” and recommended that it be distributed initially as a
supplement to, and eventually an integral part of, the ”Third
Legacy Manual” (now ”The A.A. Service Manual”).
1963 It was recommended that:
”Partners, ” when revised, be entitled, ”The Group Handbook,”
with the subtitle ”How the A.A. Group Starts and Grows.”
The need for a study guide to Steps and Traditions or a con-densed
Twelfth Step book be explored and report back made to
the 1964 Conference.
1964 It was recommended that:
The words ”This is A.A. General
approved literature” be used under the
approved literature, and that reprints c
material has been reprinted with the
General Service Conference.”
Service Conference-seal
on all Conference-arry
the wording ”This
approval of the A.A.
A pamphlet, ”A.A. in Hospitals,” similar to ”A.A. in Prisons,”
be prepared.
The gift edition of Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions b e
made available on the occasion of the 30th anniversary in
Toronto (full Conference recommendation).
1965 It was recommended that:
A new G.S.R. pamphlet be prepared following
outlined by the G.S.B. Literature Committee.
the suggestions
The pamphlet ”A.A. and the Community” be prepared with
emphasis on what A.A. cannot do.
The suggested guideline for conducting newcomers’ meetings
be used as service material.
In all future pamphlets and in revisions, an effort be made to
avoid alphabetical abbreviations and to spell out such abbrevi-ations
as G.S.R. and A.A.W.S. ”in the interest of clarity and
education.”
1966 It was recommended that:
The idea of a cartoon format for A.A. Literature be further
explored and developed for the purpose of reaching alcoholics
who are unable to read well, or who just don’t read.
A ”Guide for Leading Newcomers’ Meetings” be prepared as
soon as possible in pamphlet form, and that this guide be
placed on the order form.
In recognition of the need for a hardcover book containing
Bill’s letters, writings, and excerpts from the Grapevine, Big
Book, Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, etc., such a book
be published, the format and contents to be determined by the
board of trustees; and further, that the title thereof be along the
lines of ”Selected Writings by Bill.”
When the ”Third Legacy Manual” (now ”The A.A. Service
Manual”) is updated, it should carry a glossary of terms such
as area, district, assembly, etc., so terms can become more uni-form
throughout the continent.
The sentence ”There are no dues or fees for A.A. membership”
be retained in the Preamble.
1967
The committee reported that ”The A.A. Way of Life” was
54

anticipated with great interest in all areas; noted enthusiastic
reception of the comic book pamphlet, ”What Happened to
Joe”; voiced high hopes for the Newcomers’ Meetings Kit; and
expressed interest in upcoming revisions of ”A.A. for the
Woman,” ”Young People in A.A.,” and ”Questions and
Answers on Sponsorship.”
It was suggested that area committees interest groups in
Conference-approved literature by using ”Let literature carry
the message, too” as an agenda item at area meetings and hold-ing
discussions on specific pamphlets at sharing sessions and
workshops.
The committee recommended to the trustees’ Literature
Committee that the possibility of translating ”What Happened
to Joe” into Spanish be explored, and that it ask permission of
the Grapevine to reprint Bill’s article, ”Problems Other Than
Alcohol, ” for use as a pamphlet.
1968 It was recommended that:
Conference-approved literature and G.S.O. Guidelines be dis-played
and distributed at assembly meetings.
Brief mimeograph service material (not Guideline format) be
prepared to provide a listing of source material from
Conference-approved literature as an aid to closed-meeting
discussions.
The pamphlet ”The A.A. Group” be brought to the attention of
new group officers as they rotate.
A yearly questionnaire be sent to a sampling of A.A. groups to
determine literature needs.
1969 It was recommended that:
The story of a young A.A. be added to the next reprint of the
book Alcoholics Anonymous, and that the present stories be
edited, when necessary, in order that current readers will be
able to identify.
Material illustrating the General Service Office and the history
of A.A. in cartoon style be considered.
More effective ways of displaying Conference-approved liter-ature
be explored; that the delegates be polled for their sugges-tions
and results be made available to A.A. groups.
1970 It was recommended that:
Each group choose a member to be responsible for literature
display at each meeting.
Occasionally group discussions center around Conference-approved
pamphlets such as ”Sponsorship,” ”Is A.A. for
You?,” " This Is A.A.,” or any of the others that would be suit-able
for such discussions.
The Grapevine reprints of Bill’s articles, ”Problems Other
Than Alcohol” and ”Why Alcoholics Anonymous Is
Anonymous,” be considered by A.A.W.S. for pricing and
inclusion in the G.S.O. order blank.
The suggestion of the 1969 Conference Literature Committee
that a cartoon-style booklet illustrative of the history of A.A.
and service activities of G.S.O. be pursued, but that the histo-ry
be confined to the early years at G.S.O. so that the project
will have cohesion.
”A Clergyman Looks at A.A.” be considered for revision if the
response from a selected number of A.A. and non-A.A. cler-gymen
to whom it will be mailed for comment warrants it.
Delegates continue to explore the possibility of placing the
book Alcoholics Anonymous and other Conference-approved
books in local libraries wherever this has not already been
done.
1971 It was recommended that:
The ”A.A. and the Armed Services” pamphlet now in prepara-tion
be directed toward the alcoholic in the armed services
rather than the higher echelon, and that A.A. stories of armed
services experiences be forwarded to the committee secretary.
Box 4-5-9 be included on the price list of the regular literature
order blank if G.S.O. finds the suggestion feasible.
The delegates assume responsibility for informing A.A.s of all
available Conference-approved literature, and that the updated
spring and fall literature order blanks which are mailed with
B o x 4-5-9 be reviewed at district and assembly meetings.
The Literature Committee, following the general feeling of the
Conference, reaffirm both the spirit and the wording of the ”I
Am Responsible” Declaration from the International
Convention held in Toronto in 1965.
The short form of the Twelve Concepts be accepted.
1972 It was recommended that:
G.S.O. be asked to submit suggestions for material and costs
with reference to taped literature to the Conference Literature
Committee for their recommendations. Deadline: June 1, 1972.
Suggestions for meeting discussion be included in the Group
Handbook, using discussion subjects from the A.A. Grapevine
if permission is granted.
The Group Inventory material submitted to the committee be
recommended to G.S.O. as possible service material.
A cartoon leaflet on service responsibilities be considered by
A.A.W.S.
The Twenty-Four Hour Book not be confirmed as Conference-approved
literature.
It be suggested that when a local A.A. facility (central office,
intergroup, group, etc.) sells non-Conference-approved litera-ture,
it be clearly designated as such.
G.S.O. review the content of Box 4-5-9 with the idea of mak-ing
the material in it more like the kind of information now
55

included in the Quarterly Report.
1973 It was recommended that:
The words ”sometimes heavily” be deleted from question 5 in
the pamphlet ”Is A.A. for You?”
The preparation of an illustrated or cartoon-style
People and A.A.’ pamphlet be explored.
”Young
The Unity Declaration be added to all A.A. Literature when
feasible and economical, and be referred to A.A. World
Services, Inc., for follow-through.
A.A.W.S., Inc., be asked to study the possibility of having a
reproduction made of the original Big Book .
1974 It was recommended that:
The progress report of the Big Book subcommittee be
approved with the added suggestion that a story regarding
retired persons be particularly considered.
The pamphlet ”Questions and Answers on Sponsorship” be
reviewed and rewritten to include Twelfth Step calls as well as
sponsorship, with a new suggested title: ”Twelfth Step Calls
and Sponsorship.”
In memory of A. A.'s co-founders , the last
pared in pamphlet form and distributed.
talk of each be pre-The
Grapevine reprints ”Why Alcoholics Anonymous Is
Anonymous,” ”Let’s Be Friendly With Our Friends,” and
”Problems Other Than Alcohol” be prepared in standard pam-phlet
form.
The trustees’ Literature Committee explore the need for a pam-p
h l e t on taking the Fourth and Fifth Steps.
1975 It was recommended that:
The original ”Is A.A. for You?” pamphlet be dropped and the
simplified version be used.
”The Alcoholic Husband” and ”The Alcoholic Wife” be com-bined
into one pamphlet called ”The Alcoholic Mate” or anoth-er
appropriate title.
The reprints ”Why Alcoholics Anonymous Is Anonymous,”
”Our Critics Can Be Our Benefactors, ” and ”A.A. as a
Community Resource” be dropped.
A paragraph to an appropriate A.A. pamphlet dealing with the
problem of the use of mood-changing pills by A.A. members
who hold group office should not be added because it was felt
that this decision is up to local autonomy.
An illustrated pamphlet like ”What Happened to Joe” and ”It
Happened to Alice,” directed to teenage and pre-teenage alco-holics,
be prepared.
Two teenage stories be added to the pamphlet ”Young People
and A.A.”
Previous Conference action to display non-Conference-approved
literature and Conference-approved literature sepa-rately
be reaffirmed.
A feasibility study regarding a paperback edition of the Big
Book and alternatives be made and reported on at the 1976
Conference.
1976 It was recommended that:
Delegates take back to their areas a statement to the effect that
the Big Book, Alcoholics Anonymous, third edition, is not
being changed-that only the stories have been updated and
some new ones added.
The pamphlet ”So You Think You’re Different” have a new
t i t l e - ” Do You Think You’re Different?”-and that the agnos-tic
story, ”My Name Is Jan,” be added, and the Spanish story,
”My Name Is Maria,” be deleted.
The new title for the combined pamphlets ”The Alcoholic
Wife” and ”The Alcoholic Husband” be ”Is There an Alcoholic
in Your Life?” with a subtitle, ”‘A.A.‘s message of hope.” The
third draft was accepted as presented.
The new title for the teenage cartoon pamphlet be ”Teenagers
and A.A.” The manu script was unanimously accepted.
Action on pamphlets directed to special groups of alcoholics be
deferred until after the publication of ”Do You Think You' re
Different?”
The present terminology used regarding the word ”suggested’
when referring to the Twelve Steps is consistent with that
employed in the Big Book, Twelve and Twelve, and other A.A.
literature, and should remain as is.
The trustees’ Literature Committee look into reproducing
”How It Works” in wallet-sized cards.
1977 It was recommended that:
A story be added to the pamphlet ”Do You Think You’re
Different?” under the title ”My name is and I am an
alcoholic (with a language barrier),” and that the emphasis in
the story should be on feeling the barrier rather than on the par-ticular
language, for example, Spanish or French.
The Conference-approved seal on A.A. Literature remain as it.
1s.
The proposal on ”Living Sober Longer” not be pursued further
as there is not sufficient need for such a pamphlet.
The Responsibility Declaration not be changed as it was made
at the 1965 International Convention in Toronto.
Literature
months.
survey results be mailed to all delegates within a few
A.A.W.S. proceed with the project of a joint biography of Dr.
Bob and Bill.
56

The publication of a facsimile of the first edition of the Big
Book should not be undertaken as it would destroy the senti-mental
value of the actual first edition.
It was suggested that A.A. groups be discouraged from selling
literature not distributed by the General Service Office and the
Grapevine.
1978 It was recommended that:
Neither a story about someone with a language barrier nor a
story about a physician be added to the pamphlet ”Do You
Think You’re Different?” at this time.
In the next printing of Alcoholics Anonymous, the foreword of
the second edition be included as it was originally published in
the second edition.
It was strongly recommended that the delegates should be
made aware of any changes under consideration in the book
Alcoholics Anonymous prior to publication.
No changes be made in the pamphlet ‘”Is There an Alcoholic in
Your Life?,” as there is no need for clarification,
The test film shown to the Conference Literature Committee be
expanded to a film approximately 25 minutes in length for the
purpose of carrying the A.A. message to the general public
with the understanding that the film will be presented to the
1979 General Service Conference for approval prior to distrib-ution.
A change be made in the scope of the committee to read: ”To
review new literature and audiovisual needs,” and that this pro-posal
be forwarded to the trustees’ Committee on the General
Service Conference for review at its quarterly meeting in July
in order to avoid possible overlap or duplication of the various
Conference committees’ functions.
1979 It was recommended that:
The pamphlet ”The A.A. Group” be expanded to include pre-vious
Conference Advisory Actions recommending that A.A.
groups should not be named after institutions in which they
meet or for persons either living or deceased, and that the word
”family” should not be part of the name of the group.
Jo’s story be substituted for Lisa’s story in the pamphlet
”Young People and A.A.” when it is next reprinted.
The Twelve Steps of A.A. be included in the pamphlet ”Too
Young?” when it is next reprinted.
A voice-over be added at the end of the film ”Alcoholics
Anonymous--An Inside View,” repeating that film techniques
have been employed to protect the anonymity of A.A. mem-bers.
With this addition, the committee recommended that the
film be approved by the Conference.
With regard to the distribution of the film ”Alcoholics
Anonymous-An Inside View”:
57
d . Although the film is intended primarily for use outside
A.A., prints be made available on a rental basis to any
A.A. entities wishing to show it.
e. With the exception of one or two selected test areas, the
use of the film on television be delayed for one year to
give the General Service Conference an opportunity to
gain real experience with the reaction of the Fellowship
and the public to the film.
f.. Anyone involved in showing the film during the coming
year be asked to submit a brief evaluation on a prepared
form to G.S.O.
g. The results of the evaluation and the distribution policy
be reviewed by the 1980 Conference Public Information
committee.
The pamphlet for the older alcoholic be approved by the
Conference with the title ”Now It’s Time to Start Living” and
the subtitle ”Stories of Those Who Came to A.A. in Their Later
Years.”
No pamphlet or booklet concerning the Fourth Step be consid-
a.
b.
c.
A.A. World Services retain ownership of the film and
control distribution of each copy.
During its first year, the film be released only to those
with an expressed, direct interest in helping the sick alco-holic,
and that the area delegate be notified of all requests
from his or her area for the film.
Priority for distributing the film would be: (1) A.A. ser-vice
entities, such as public information committees and
institutions committees; (2) those with an expressed,
direct interest in helping the sick alcoholic, such as treat-ment
programs and professional groups; and (3) schools,
churches, service clubs, etc.
ered at this time
books Alcoholics
Traditions.
because this information n is provided in the
Anonymous and Twelve Steps and Twelve
The biographies of Dr. Bob and Bill W. be published as sepa-rate
books rather than as a joint biography.
A study committee composed of delegates, trustees, and staff
be appointed to study the advisability of, and procedures for,
having Conference-approved literature and service material
distributed by G.S.O.
1980 It was recommended that:
The change in the title of the pamphlet for older people, from
”Now It’s Time to Start Living” to ”Time to Start Living,” be
approved.
The unedited manuscript of ”Dr. Bob and the Good Oldtimers”
be accepted.
The pamphlet from Great Britain entitled ”A Newcomer Asks”
be adopted and adapted.

The Responsibility Declaration not be changed.
The suggestion to add a definition of the slogans to the book As
Bill Sees It not be accepted because it was felt that the slogans
may be defined in many different ways.
The following pamphlets, leaflets, and flyers be approved with
their present content:
”Where Do I Go From Here?”
”Your A.A. G.S.O.”
”G.S .R.”
”Self-Supporting? The 60-30- 10 Plan”
”Inside A. A.”
”Carrying the Message Inside the Walls”
”Circles of Love and Service”
”A.A. in Your Community”
”A. A. at a Glance”
”The A. A. Member”
”If You Are a Professional”
Any factual or statistical information may be updated whenev-er
practical without having to go through the process of
Conference action, i.e., whenever inventory runs low, a new
survey is completed, etc. In addition, minor copy cuts to make
room for new material added to publications may be made
when necessary.
Since A.A. Guidelines are a reflection of collective experience
that is shared through G.S.O., relating to specialized topics not
necessarily relevant to all groups or A.A. members generally
(i.e., armed forces, clubs, answering services, occupational
programs), the A.A. Guidelines may be produced or revised
when new information or other contingencies arise, at the dis-cretion
of the G.S.O. staff without Conference approval.
The Conference-approved seal may be positioned or
wherever practical on a piece of literature so approved.
1981 It was recommended that:
placed
The suggestion to publish a pamphlet for the homosexual alco-holic
be tabled until the 1982 Conference to allow time for all
delegates to get the group conscience from the groups in their
areas.
The suggestion to publish a pamphlet for the homosexual alco-holic
be placed on the 1982 Conference Literature Committee
agenda.
The suggestion to include information about meeting newcom-ers
from treatment centers ”where they are” be added to ”The
A.A. Group” pamphlet when it is next reprinted; the suggested
information to read as follows:
Welcoming newcomers from treatment centers keeping in
mind that they usually have already gotten sober and have
been given some introduction to the A.A. program.
The suggestion to put a two-year moratorium on any new liter-ature
not be accepted.
trustee committee involved in the preparation of literature, to
review already existing pamphlets with an eye to which pam-phlets
could be combined or dropped; and their report be given
to the 1982 Conference.
A footnote be added to Tradition Eight in the book Twelve
Steps and Twelve Traditions, page 169, to update the job
description of present-day G.S.O. staff members; the suggest-ed
footnote to read as follows:
The work of present-day staff members has no counterpart
among the job categories of commercial organizations.
These A.A.s bring a wide range of business and profession-al
experience to their service at G.S.O.
The suggestion to include the Twelve Traditions in all recov-ery
pamphlets when feasible be accepted.
1982 It was recommended that:
A draft o f a pamphlet b e e developed for the homosexu
holic to be considered by next year’s Conference.
al alco-The
suggestion that a filmstrip be produced on the
central and intergroup offices not be approved.
functions of
Since the book Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions is available
on cassette tapes, there is no need to print the book in large
type at this time.
The suggestion to seek Conference approval for ”Problems
Other Than Alcohol (Excerpts)” be approved.
An index and illustrations be included in ”The A.A. Group”
pamphlet.
The following sentence be added in bold type on the cover of
A.A. directories under the caveat ”CONFIDENTIAL”: ”This
directory is not to be used as a mailing list or for any form of
solicitation or commercial venture.”
1983 It was recommended that:
The distribution of the pamphlet ”The A.A. Member and Drug
Abuse” be continued at this time until it is revised for consid-eration
by the 1984 Conference.
The revision of Chapter 21 of the booklet ”Living Sober” be
accepted. The following changes be made in the pamphlets:
a. ”Is A. A. for You?”-Substitute the following words:
”disease” for ”sick,” and ”alcohol” for ”booze.” Question
# 4 should be changed to read ”Have you had to have an
eye-opener on awakening?”
b. ”This Is A.A.” -Page 5; paragraph 1 should be changed
to read: ”There are a number of self-proclaimed atheists
and agnostics among us.”
c. ”It Happened to Alice”-Should be brought up to date
visually. On page 19, the word ”fun” should be put in
quotes.
A subcommittee be formed, consisting of a member from each

d. ”What Happened to Joe?”-Should be brought up to date
visually.
e. ”Questions and Answers on Sponsorship”- Consider
changing the wording on page 15, paragraph 3; and page
13, paragraph 2. The wording should be clear in answer-ing
the question on page 13, paragraph 2: ”Is a special
approach needed for present-day newcomers?”
f. The revised manuscript of ”The A.A. Group” pamphlet
not be approved at this time and be returned for further
revision.
The word ”suggested” in the title of the Twelve Steps not be
reinstated.
The 1983 draft of the pamphlet for the homosexual alcoholic
be approved for circulation to Conference members, so that the
1984 Conference may make an informed policy decision as to
whether or not the Fellowship will publish and distribute a
pamphlet for the homosexual alcoholic.
The suggestion that a filmstrip be produced on the functions of
central and intergroup offices not be approved; and that the
1982 Conference Advisory Action regarding the suggestion for
this filmstrip be reaffirmed.
1984 It was recommended that:
The Bill Wilson biography be approved with the title ”Pass It
On .”
”A.A.The First Fifty Years” not be approved.
The words ”queers” (p. 140) in Twelve Steps and Twelve
Traditions not be changed to ”homosexuals and lesbians,” rec-ognizing
Fellowship feeling that Bill Wilson’s textbook writ-ings
be retained as originally published.
”The A.A. Member-Medications and Other Drugs” be
approved with some revision, to replace ”The A.A. Member
and Drug Abuse.”
The General Service Conference not develop a pamphlet for
the homosexual alcoholic, as the need is currently addressed in
”Do You Think You’re Different?”
The draft of a pamphlet for the homosexual alcoholic be
dropped.
”The A.A. Group” pamphlet not be illustrated, as artwork is
not necessary.
Adding an index to ”The A.A. Group” pamphlet is not neces-sary*
”The A.A. Group” pamphlet continue to be distributed with its
current content generally intact, as a major revision is not nec-essary.
The trustees’ Literature Committee review ”The A.A. Group”
pamphlet with an eye toward underscoring the importance of
an informed group conscience.
The text of the pamphlet ”The A.A. Group” referring to
”What’s the difference between a ‘meeting’ and a ‘group’?”
(pp. 32-33) be retained, as the text reflects the spirit of local
autonomy.
A ”Twelve Concepts Illustrated” pamphlet suggested by the
trustees’ Literature Committee be developed for consideration
by the 1985 General Service Conference.
A pamphlet or manual for A.A. central offices/ intergroups not
be developed.
The updated illustrations for ”What Happened to Joe” and ”It
Happened to Alice” be approved.
The updated version of ”P.O. Box 459” filmstrip be approved.
1985 It was recommended that:
Preparation of a brochure or pamphlet of a condensed version
of the Twelve Concepts be tabled until the 1986 General
Service Conference, pending development of the ”Twelve
Concepts Illustrated.”
As a condensed version of the Twelve Concepts would be
especially valuable to service workers, the manuscript be
reproduced and distributed by the General Service Office as
service material.
A.A.W.S., Inc. produce cassette tapes of A.A. Comes of Age.
A.A.W.S., Inc. explore the financial feasibility of reproducing
the photographs from A.A. Comes of Age in a brochure to
accompany the cassette album of the same title.
There is no need to add reference to the Big Book as our basic
recovery source in all pamphlets and other literature.
There is no need to develop a pamphlet offering guidelines for
A.A. meeting discussions.
The previous Conference actions regarding the Fourth and
Fifth Step study guides be reaffirmed-i.e., there is no need for
Fourth and Fifth Step study guides as existing literature ade-quately
covers these matters.
Suggested editorial revisions in ”Your A.A. G.S.O.” pamphlet
be approved:
a. ARCHIVES-replace the question ”When did our group
start?” with ”When did A.A. start in our area?” (The
question ”When did our A.A. group start?’ is now han-dled
in our Records Department.)
b. WHAT CAN YOU DO FOR G.S.O.?- Under ”share
your experience”-line three- rewrite ”A.A.s help more
alcoholics” to read ”A.A.s carry our message.”
1986 It was recommended that:
The manuscript and illustrations for the pamphlet ”The Twelve
Concepts for World Service Illustrated” be approved.
59

A definitive book on A.A. history from 19551985 be prepared
and brought to the 1987 Conference for consideration.
In an effort to strengthen our network of ”literature representa-tives”
to ensure that A.A. Literature is available at meetings, as
well as catalog order forms for books and cassettes that indi-viduals
are likely to want, it is suggested that groups appoint
literature coordinators.
The trustees’ Committee on Literature complete the updating
of the pamphlet ”Too Young ?" ” for presentation at the 1987
Conference for approval.
The following pamphlets be updated, if possible, in time for
presentation at the 1987 Conference for approval:
a. ”Young People and A.A.”
b. ”A.A. and the Armed Forces”
As the preface to the Big Book clearly states that the text was
written in 1939 and that it has not been changed, no further
explanation regarding out-of-date phrases and/or gender-ori-ented
pronouns or chapter titles is necessary.
The italicized footnotes regarding Al-Anon at the end of the
chapter ”To Wives” in the Big Book be retained, as it provides
information rather than implying affiliation, but that it be print-ed
in small type as appropriate to a footnote and placed at the
bottom of the page.
A story of a gay alcoholic not be included in the Big Book.
There was no need to publish a separate and complete volume
of all stories taken from the three editions of the Big Book.
The A.A.W.S. editorial staff continue to degenderize A.A. lit-erature,
with the exception of Bill W.‘s writings, as the items
are reprinted, e.g., ”staffing the booth” rather than ”manning
the booth,” etc.
In order to determine the need to put more literature in large
print, Conference members seek the experience of A.A. mem-bers
and agencies for the visually impaired and report the find-ings
to the G.S.O. literature coordinator within the year.
A service item for use at A.A. meetings regarding A.A.‘s pri-mary
purpose be developed by the appropriate trustees’ com-mittee
and proposed to the appropriate Conference committee
at the 1987 Conference.
In ”The A.A. Group” pamphlet, in the section ”What Do
Treasurers Do,” the text relating to the 60-30-10 Plan be
reworded to reflect that this suggested plan for groups to divide
contributions to A.A. service entities is only applicable in some
areas, and reference be made to the finance pamphlet
”Supporting the A.A. Support System.”
The updated draft for ”A.A. for the Woman” be accepted with
the exception of the story ”I Hated Monday Mornings . . . ,”
and that production proceed under the direction of the trustees’
Literature Committee.
In order to determine the need for a daily reflections book, the
Conference members ask A.A. members in their areas and
report the findings to the G.S.O. literature coordinator by
January 1, 1987, for consideration by the 1987 Conference.
The spirit of the 1977 Conference action regarding group liter-ature
displays be reaffirmed, and recommended the suggestion
that A.A. groups be encouraged to display or sell only litera-ture
published and distributed by the General Service Office,
the A.A. Grapevine and other A.A. entities.
Because the story section is still up to date, there is no need to
develop a fourth edition of the Big Book at this time.
To establish the need for additional formats of the Big Book,
an explicit questionnaire (describing the preferred Lexitone--softcover-
samples of (1) the pocket size and (2) first eleven
chapters, plus Dr. Bob’s story) be developed for use by the del-egates
in surveying A.A. groups in their areas. It is further rec-ommended
that area delegates be responsible for distributing
the questionnaire and returning them to G.S.O. by July 15,
1986, and that the results be reported to all Conference mem-bers
by August 1, 1986. Should the survey results indicate, in
the judgment of the General Service Board, substantial
requests for additional format(s), A.A.W.S. may act as neces-sary*
1987 It was recommended that:
The following statement regarding A.A.‘s primary purpose be
available as an A.A. service piece.
THIS IS A CLOSED MEETING OF ALCOHOLICS
ANONYMOUS
This is a closed meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous. In sup-port
of A.A.‘s singleness of purpose, attendance at closed
meetings is limited to persons who have a desire to stop
drinking. If you think you have a problem with alcohol, you
are welcome to attend this meeting. We ask that when dis-cussing
our problems, we confine ourselves to those prob-lems,
as they relate to alcoholism.
The following statement regarding
available as an A.A. service piece.
A.A.‘s primary purpose be
THIS IS AN OPEN MEETING OF ALCOHOLICS
ANONYMOUS
This is an open meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous. We are
glad you are all here--especially newcomers. In keeping
with our singleness of purpose and our Third Tradition
which states that ”The only requirement for A.A. member-ship
is a desire to stop drinking,” we ask that all who par-ticipate
confine their discussion to their problems with alco-hol.
The updated manuscript for ”Too Young?” be approved.
Because of insufficient expressed need, no large-print
ture for the visually impaired be prepared at this time.
litera-6
0

Although there is some desire to publish the first 181 pages of
the Big Book, Alcoholics Anonymous, in soft-cover, there is
not sufficient need at this time.
The trustees’ Literature Committee undertake development of
a daily reflections book based on individual A.A.‘s (including
Bill W.‘s) sharing based on the Traditions and Steps, and that
a progress report be submitted to the 1988 Conference
Literature Committee.
A pamphlet for the Native North American be prepared by the
trustees’ Literature Committee and brought back to the 1988
General Service Conference.
The Grapevine Corporate Board consider publishing a special
issue written by Native North Americans and devoted to their
recovery stories.
The following editorial changes be made in ”The A.A. Group”
pamphlet:
Since a number of groups send their inventories to G.S.O.
that are mainly helpful only to themselves, the parenthetical
sentence on page 34, ”(If your group tries an inventory,
please let G.S.O. know the results.)” be changed to read:
(Please share with G.S.O. those benefits of your group’s
inventory which might be of help to other groups.)”
To reaffirm A.A.‘s purpose as stated by our co-founder, Bill
W.‘s writings on ”Single Purpose” as they appear on page
304 in ”As Bill Sees It” be added to ”The A.A. Group” pam-phlet.
The phrase on page 25 that reads: ”. . . the stigma attached
by ignorant people to our illness . . .” be changed to read
”the stigma attached by people ignorant of our illness . . .”
The phrase on page 30 that reads: ”Most of us do not want
to cater to the cruel stigma unjustly attached by ignorant
people . . .” be changed to ”Most of us do not want to cater
to the cruel stigma unjustly attached by people ignorant of
our illness . . . ”
The phrase on page 33 that reads: ”On the other hand, spe-cialized
groups-men’s, women’s, gays’. . .” be changed to
read ”On the other hand, specialized gatherings-men’s,
women’s, gays’. . .” because, although the intent was to use
the word ”group” in a generic sense, its use confuses the
issue about the difference between a meeting and a group.
In the pamphlet ”44 Questions,” page 19, the language be
changed to read ”Most members arrange to attend meetings as
frequently as possible,” rather than ”Most members arrange to
attend at least one meeting a week.”
The trustees’ Literature Committee further explore the need for
simplified material for those with limited vocabularies and
report its findings to the 1988 Conference.
A report on the progress of The History of A.A.: 1955-1985
book be made to the 1988 General Service Conference.
It was recommended, by a floor action, that:
61
A report on the progress of The History of A.A.: 1955-1985
book be made to the 1988 General Service Conference.
1988 It was recommended that:
Work continue on the A.A. history book, and that this be sub-ject
to further editing through the coordinating efforts of each
regional trustee with each delegate for further updating, cor-rections,
and additional information.
The revision of the manuscript of ”A.A. in the Armed
Services” he accepted with the following changes:
The Marine story from the current pamphlet ”A.A. in the
Armed Services” be included in the revised pamphlet.
The manuscript be returned for editing of Charles’ story, to
include consideration of references to ”drug addictions.”
The copy on the A.A. Group Structure be approved with the
following additions:
That ”Cooperation With the Professional
Community/Public Information Representatives” be
added to the diagram entitled ”Service Structure Inside
the A.A. Group.”
That the term ‘institutions representative” be changed to
”treatment facilities/correctional facilities representa-tive.”
That the six-point definition of an A.A. group found on
page 32 of ”The A.A. Group” pamphlet be added to the
copy of the second paragraph.
The copy on the structure of an A.A. group be added as a chap-ter
to The A.A. Service Manual, pending approval by the
Conference Report and Charter Committee.
The copy on the structure of an A.A. group be:
a. Produced as a flyer suitable for insertion in ”The A.A.
Group” pamphlet, and also as a continuing piece of liter-ature.
b. Included in ”The A.A. Group” pamphlet at the next revi-sion.
The copy ”The Home Group” be accepted for inclusion in
”The A.A. Group” pamphlet with the following stipulations:
a. That the third paragraph, page two be underlined,
”Obviously, as with all group conscience matters, each A.A.
member has one vote, and this, ideally, would be through
their ‘ Home Group.’ ”
b. That on page three, paragraph three, line two, ”. . . and
greeting newcomers at the door” be added.
c. That where repetition of information occurs in ”The A.A.
Group” pamphlet, it be deleted.

”Specialized gatherings” found on page 33 of ”The A.A.
Group” pamphlet be changed to ”specialized meetings.”
The article in the April/May issue of Box 4-5-9 entitled
”Service Sponsorship: A Vital Stepping-Stone to Service and
Sobriety” be prepared as a service piece with ”Kiwanis Club
types” on page four, paragraph two, line three, changed to
”Club types.”
The manuscript for the Native North American not be
approved as presented, but that this manuscript be returned for
editing to include consideration of the references to drug addic-tion,
chemical dependency, ”junkie” and ”clean” and then
upon completion of editing be approved for publication.
A more simplified draft of an easy-to-read, illustrated pam-phlet
of ”Is A.A. for You?” be prepared for consideration by
the 1989 Conference.
”This is A.A.” and ”44 Questions” as illustrated flyers not be
published at this time.
A simplified, easy-to-read, illustrated ”Twelve Steps” pam-phlet
be prepared for consideration by the 1989 Conference.
Work continue on the Daily Reflections Book and that a
request be made for additional manuscripts to be submitted
from the Fellowship on any Step, Tradition, or writings by Bill
W. coordinated through each delegate with a progress report to
be presented at the 1989 Conference.
eration at the 1989 General Service Conference.
1989 It was recommended that:
Work continue on a definitive book on A.A. History from
1955, as recommended by the 1986 General Service
Conference, along the lines of a proposal recently submitted to
the trustees’ Literature Committee, which focuses on major
events and developments since the co-founder turned A.A.
over to the Fellowship, rather than focusing on the beginning
of A.A. and the history of the 91 areas of the U.S. and Canada
A complete manuscript of Daily Reflections be prepared for
review by the 1990 Conference Literature Committee because
of the good response to the appeals for additional material from
the Fellowship.
Work continue on an easy-to-read, illustrated Twelve Steps
pamphlet suitable for people with very limited reading skills.
An illustrated, easy-to-read manuscript entitled ”Is A.A. for
Me?’ be approved to help carry the message to people with
limited reading skills.
The pamphlet ”The A.A. Group” be thoroughly revised to
address the many issues and concerns related to A.A. groups
which come before the committee year after year such as:
a. The difference between a group and a meeting;
b. Meeting formats;
The Primary Purpose Card continue as a service piece.
c. How to obtain a group conscience;
The 1980 Task Force recommendation and Conference Action
be reaffirmed.
”Any factual or statistical information may be updated
whenever practical without having to go through the
process of Conference Action, i.e., whenever inventory runs
low, a new survey is completed, etc. In addition, minor copy
cuts to make room for new material added to publications
may be made when necessary.”
And further recommended:
”That any other changes made in the substance of the
Conference-approved literature shall be through the
Conference process.”
The revised pamphlet ”Young People in A.A.” be approved for
publication with one following revision, that all personal refer-ence
be removed from page 51, line 3.
The Self-support flyer ”Your DCM” be Conference approved.
A draft of a pamphlet for the gay/lesbian
and reviewed by the 1989 Conference.
alcoholi c be prepared
It was recommended, by a floor action, that:
A proposal from the Northern Minnesota area regarding the
use of surveys to determine the need for Conference-approved
literature be referred to the appropriate committee for consid-
d. The duties of trusted servants and their alternates;
and. others, as described in an outline
the trustees ’ Literature Committee.
of contents submitted by
The manuscript for a pamphlet for gay and lesbian alcoholics
be approved with specific editorial changes which will be
reviewed by the Conference Literature Committee before pub-lication,
and that the title be ”A.A. and the Gay/Lesbian
Alcoholic.”
The book Alcoholics Anonymous be made available
print because of an indicated need over the years.
in large
The 16mm film entitled ”A.A.--An Inside View” be made
available for sale in lieu of long-term lease with the under-standing
that the film’s copyright is sufficient protection
against misuse by outside entities. This recommendation is
consistent with our distribution policy for our more recent
films which are available to the general public.
It was recommended, by a floor action, that:
The trustees’ Literature Committee and the Conference
Literature Committee consider the paragraph containing the 6-
point definition in ”The A.A. Group” pamphlet, and bring a
report and recommendation regarding this back to the 1991
General Service Conference.
62

1990 It was recommended that:
The revised manuscript for ”The A.A. Group” pamphlet be
approved with the following change:
The first sentence in the section on Group Inventory, man-uscript
page 47, be changed to read: ”Many groups period-ically
hold a ‘group inventory’ meeting to evaluate how
well they are fulfilling their primary purpose: to help alco-holics
recover through A.A.‘s suggested Twelve Steps of
recovery.”
The A.A. History book project continue to completion, and
that the time frame covered be expanded to include 1955 to the
present.
The manuscript of the daily reflections book be approved with
the following specific changes:
a. All references to ”we” be changed to ”I.”
b. The page for June 17 delete the words ”(Psalm 130)”
from line 1 of the reflection.
c. There be an addition of a page for February 29; that page
to be the ”alternate” for March entitled ”True Tolerance.”
d. That these words be imprinted on the cover of the book:
”This is a book of reflections by A.A. members for A.A.
members .”
The text and illustrations for the proposed Twelve Steps
Illustrated pamphlet be referred to the trustees’ Literature
Committee for rewriting of the easy-to-read text, with the rec-ommendation
that this language be further simplified and
shortened into simple statements that would direct attention to
the illustrations, without attempting to rewrite the Steps; and
bring the text back to the 1991 General Service Conference for
approval.
The proposal for a pamphlet on the spiritual aspects of A.A.
not be approved, because there is not sufficient need at this
time.
The trustees’ Literature Committee study the feasibility of
updating the ”Circles of Love and Service” filmstrip and video,
because of the need to include current information and condi-tions,
and report their findings to the 1991 Conference
Literature Committee.
The trustees’ Literature Committee and the Conference
Literature Committee consider the paragraph containing the
six-point definition in ”The A.A. Group” pamphlet, and bring
a report and recommendation regarding this back to the 1991
General Service Conference.
1991 It was recommended that:
The A.A. History Book project continue to completion, and
that a manuscript be forwarded to the 1992 Conference
Literature Committee for consideration and approval.
The eleven minor changes suggested by the trustees’ Literature
Committee and revised by this committee be included at the
next printing of ”The A.A. Group” pamphlet, with the excep-tion
of insert #2 containing the six-point definition of an A.A.
group, which will be deleted.
The ”Circles of Love and Service” filmstrip, slides and video
not be updated, and that these visual formats be discontinued
once the present inventory is depleted. Thereafter, should there
be requests for a copy of the video format, it will be provided
at cost.
The proposed Twelve Steps Illustrated pamphlet be published,
in response to an expressed need for simplified literature.
Estimated cost: $7,000.
A story of a young person who entered A.A. while in prison be
added to the ”Young People and A.A.” pamphlet.
a. The trustees’ Correctional Facilities Committee obtain
appropriate stories of several young people who entered
A.A. while in juvenile correctional facilities, and forward
these to the trustees’ Literature Committee for considera-tion.
b. The trustees’ Literature Committee forward one such
story to the 1992 Conference Literature Committee for
consideration and addition to the ”Young People and
A.A.” pamphlet.
The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions be added to Daily
Reflections at the time of the next printing.
a. The text of the proposed reflection titled ”One A.A.
Miracle” be substituted for the present February 29th
entry in Daily Reflections at the next printing, because of
the duplication of entries in the current printing.
The trustees’ Literature Committee study the best possible
ways to carry our message to minorities through illustrations
and text in A.A. literature, including existing publications and
audio and visual formats, and report their findings to the 1992
Conference Literature Committee.
At the next printing of ”The Twelve Concepts Illustrated”
pamphlet, the line ”It is significant that the ‘Twelve Concepts
for World Service’ is the only piece of Conference-approved
literature that carries a personal by-line: ‘by Bill W.,’ ” be
deleted, as that statement is no longer accurate.
Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions be published in large
print, in response to an expressed need. Estimated cost of
proofreading: $500.
The questionnaires in seven Conference-approved pamphlets
not be standardized, as the questions in each are targeted to
specific populations.
The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions be included in all
recovery literature, wherever possible.
1992 It was recommended that:
The story of ”John” (a young person who entered A.A. while
63

in prison) be added to the pamphlet ”Young People and A.A.”
as per the 1991 Conference Action.
The 1986 Advisory Actions (listed below) pertaining to sexist
language in the Big Book and other Bill W. writings adequate-ly
address the issue:
”As the preface to the Big Book clearly states that the text
was written in 1939 and that it has not been changed, no fur-ther
explanation regarding out-of-date phrases and/or gen-der-
oriented pronouns or chapter titles is necessary.”
(Advisory Action #3 1)
”The A.A.W.S. editorial staff continue to degenderize A.A.
literature, with the exception of Bill W.‘s writings, as the
items are reprinted, e.g., ‘staffing the booth’ rather than
‘manning the booth,’ etc.” (Advisory Action #35)
In lieu of a moratorium on new literature, the ongoing
Literature Advisory Subcommittee composed of trustees, dele-gates
and G.S.O. staff continue to review in depth all current
and proposed Conference-approved material and service pieces
to assure that:
a. we discourage unnecessary duplication;
b. we encourage that our singleness of purpose is foremost;
c. we encourage simplification wherever possible;
and report back to the 1993 General Service Conference.
The Twelve Concepts for World Service (short form) be
included in all service pamphlets, wherever feasible.
The six-point definition of an A.A. group be removed from all
literature and replaced by the long form of Tradition Three and
a section of Warranty Six, Concept XII (listed below):
Tradition Three:
”Our membership ought to include all who suffer from alco-holism.
Hence we may refuse none who wish to recover. Nor
ought A.A. membership ever depend upon money or confor-mity.
Any two or three alcoholics gathered together for sobri-ety
may call themselves an A.A. group, provided that, as a
group, they have no other affiliation.”
Warranty Six:
”. . . much attention has been drawn to the extraordinary liberties
which the A.A. Traditions accord to the individual member and
to his group: no penalties to be inflicted for nonconformity to
A.A. principles; no fees or dues to be levied-voluntary con-tributions
only; no member to be expelled from A.A.--mem-bership
always to be the choice of the individual; each A.A.
group to conduct its internal affairs as it wishes-it being
merely requested to abstain from acts that might injure A.A. as
a whole; and finally that any group of alcoholics gathered
together for sobriety may call themselves an A.A. group pro-vided
that, as a group, they have no other purpose or affilia-tion.”
The trustees’ Literature Committee review the terminology of
”minorities” and consider that our singleness of purpose is car-rying
the message to alcoholics.
The new A.A. History Book manuscript be returned to the
1992 Conference Literature Committee for further review, and
then forwarded to the 1993 Conference Literature Committee.
It was recommended, by a floor action, that:
The trustees’ Committee on Literature develop material on
Service Sponsorship to be forwarded to the 43rd General
Service Conference Committee on Report and Charter for pos-sible
inclusion in The A.A. Service Manual.
1993 It was recommended that:
A.A.W.S. produce an anonymity display card with the follow-ing
verbiage:
”Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our Traditions.
Please respect this and treat in confidence who you see and
what you hear.”
Because of strong sentiment against any changes in the first
164 pages of the Big Book, the request to rewrite the first three
chapters of the Big Book not be implemented.
The 1977 Advisory Action pertaining to the production of a
facsimile of the first edition of the Big Book be reaffirmed:
”The publication of a facsimile of the first edition of the Big
Book should not be undertaken
timental value of the actual firs
as it would
t edition.”
destroy the sen-The
committee further felt no need exists for such a book.
A.A.W.S. produce a pocket-sized version of the Big Book with
all front matter (Preface and various forewords, Doctor’s
Opinion), basic text, Dr. Bob’s Story and Appendices.
The A.A. History Book project he deferred for two years so
that a new team of A.A. servants can look at the History Book
with fresh ideas.
PUBLIC INFORMATION
ADVISORY ACTIONS
based upon reports of the
CONFERENCE PUBLIC INFORMATION
COMMlTTEE*
1955 It was recommended that:
The trustees’ Public Information Committee provide specific
suggestions regarding all acceptable methods of preserving
anonymity during TV appearances.
The committee adopted a resolution affirming the importance
* Formerly the Committee on Relations with Other Agencies
64

of anonymity and approved its wide distribution to press,
broadcasting, and other media. (Reaffirmed in 19581961, and
1968.)
A report in question and answer form was prepared and
approved by the General Service Conference. It was then
referred to the Literature Committee with the suggestion that
this Fact File containing a sharing of experience on A.A.‘s
relations with outside organizations be published as a pam-phlet.
(This material was incorporated in a revision of the pam-phlet
”Cooperation But Not Affiliation” in 1962.)
1961 It was recommended that:
Ever mindful of A.A.‘s traditional policy of ”cooperation,
yes-affiliation, no,” the Public Information Committee, when
requested to do so, continue to meet with organizations outside
A.A. concerned with the problem of alcoholism for the purpose
of improving communications and understanding and dis-cussing
mutual problems.
1962 It was recommended that:
Delegates be encouraged to establish and maintain communi-cations
with directors of state-supported alcoholism agencies
within their respective areas.
Approval be given to the new policy recommended by the
Public Information Committee that A.A. exhibits be available
for display at meetings of appropriate national professional
groups without restriction as to the geographic areas they rep-resent.
The committee approved a Questions and Answers section to
be included in the pamphlet ”Cooperation But Not Affiliation,”
clarifying A.A.‘s lack of formal relationship to retreats.
The committee reaffirmed continuing cooperation on the part
of the board and the Public Information Committee with the
North American Association of Alcoholism Programs, and that
delegates be encouraged to maintain communications with
alcoholism agencies in their areas.
1964 It was recommended that:
G.S.O. put into effect, in cases involving possible misunder-standing
of A.A.‘s relationship to retreats, a procedure similar
to that followed in cases of anonymity breaks. (Persons
believed to be responsible for creating an erroneous impression
that A.A. as a society sponsors retreats should be advised that
this is not the case, and their attention should be directed to the
section Questions and Answers on Retreats in the pamphlet
”Cooperation But Not Affiliation.”)
The statement prepared by the Public Information Committee
defining ”A.A.'s Position in the Field of Alcoholism” be
accepted by the Conference.
The Conference reaffirm the comment on question 16 in the
pamphlet ”Cooperation But Not Affiliation,” and request pub-lication
of the following in the A.A. Grapevine:
Experience shows that A.A. groups and intergroups or cen-tral
committees should not operate or manage these ven-tures.
Individual A.A.s frequently set up such related facili-ties,
being careful not to use the A.A. name in solicitation,
advertising, and publicity. These ventures are usually set up
on a non-profit basis, incorporated under the charitable and
educational laws of the state, and excluding ”Alcoholics
Anonymous” from their names.
Hospitals and rest homes and other community rehabilita-tion
aids bear the same relationship to A.A. groups, inter-groups,
or central committees as do any other outside agen-cies.
With full cooperation of the groups in the community
they are used for referral, provided A.A.‘s tradition of
nonendorsement and nonaffiliation is made clear.
Since these ventures are separate from the Fellowship, it is
advisable that they operate under names which do not link
them to A.A.-under names other than ”Twelfth Step
House, ” ”Alanon House,” etc.
1966 It was recommended that:
The name of the Conference Committee on 0ther Agencies
changed to Conference Committee on PublicInformation.
be
Delegates screen requests for the World Directory from outside
A.A.
It be reaffirmed that the color-sound film ”Bill’s Own Story” is
for use by A.A. groups only, not for agencies outside A.A.
The committee requested the General Service Board Public
Information Committee to provide specific suggestions as to
all acceptable techniques for preserving anonymity of A.A.
remembers during appearances on TV programs.
The committee approved the position paper on rehabilitation
centers to the effect that such rehabs, rest homes, and hospitals
are not part of A.A. and, therefore, are not responsible for
adhering to the Traditions of A.A.
The committee discussed ways that A.A.s can best participate
in the Annual Alcoholism Information Week, such as holding
public meetings and appearing on programs when invited,
provided anonymity is preserved, and suggested the trustees’
Public Information Committee provide information concern-ing
A.A. policy on this matter one month in advance of the
event.
1968 It was recommended that:
The showing of the full face of an A.A. member at the level of
press, TV, and films is a violation of our tradition of anonymi-ty,
even though the name is withheld.
1965 It was recommended that: The committee confirmed the Tradition of self-support by
65

agreeing that telephone meetings in which the telephone com-pany
makes its facilities available without charge are not with-in
this Tradition.
”A Student’s Guide to Alcoholics Anonymous” (suggested by
the 1970 Conference) be accepted for publication with minor
revisions.
The survey proposed by the trustees’ Public Information
Committee be undertaken.
The committee reviewed and approved the pamphlet ”The
Fellowship for Alcoholics Anonymous,” with minor changes,
and it will now carry the seal.
Delegates obtain the thinking of their areas on possible uses of
the Bill W. Memorial Fund and communicate their findings to
the trustees for guidance.
1969 It was recommended that:
The General Service Conference approve the following resolu-tion
of the trustees’ Policy Committee and the General Service
Board of Trustees:
The committee noted that theuse of full names and addresses,
where indicated, could improv e communications within A.A.
We will endeavor to avoid participation on radio and TV
programs, unless
Following some discussion of a local problem involving the
alleged use of the A.A. name in a fund-raising appeal, dele-gates
reaffirmed the right of any A.A. member or General
Service Board member to serve and have his name placed on
the letterhead of another organization when not identified as an
A.A. member or a member of A.A.‘s General Service Board.
a. We are given adequate time for preparation
b. Our presence will serve an A.A. objective
The Conference reaffirmed that the A.A. name never
with other organizations for fundraising purposes.
be linked c. The primary discussion is appropriate for A.A.not
concerned with crime, sex, controversy or any other
sensationalism
1972 It was recommended that:
d. We are satisfied our anonymity is guaranteed.
Special discount packages for use in schools be made available
to local public information committees and other interested
A.A. members.
Material be prepared and included in P.I. Kits which empha-sizes
the importance of local public information committees
taking care that their announcements, public meetings, and
releases to news media concern the A.A. program of recovery
and not the professional field of alcoholism.
Where there is no public information committee, it is the dele-gate’s
responsibility to form one in his area with the help of
qualified and dedicated individuals.
1970 It was recommended that:
The pamphlet ”A Brief Guide to A.A.” (formerly ”A Student’s
Guide to A.A.”) be approved. A brief statement be prepared-no longer than the A.A.
Preamble-explaining why A.A. retains the tradition of
anonymity at the media and film level. 1973 It was recommended that:
The P.I. Kit be reviewed annually by the Conference
Committee on Public Information to keep it effective and up to
date.
The idea of combining all present material pertaining to
radio-TV appearances by A.A. members with a new memo
covering discussion topics for such shows be approved.
A small folder (similar to the Management folder) be consid-ered
for use in schools.
All delegates cooperate with public information committee
chairmen (in areas where there is a PI. committee) in an effort
to share public information experiences, both good and bad,
with G.S.O. so that others might benefit via the P.I. Bulletin.
1 9 7 4 The committee approved the Anonymity Statement presented
by the trustees’ Public Information Committee with the fol-lowing
reservation: That it be made clear that disclosing one’s
A.A. membership to those outside A.A. be a matter of person-al
choice and not a matter of obligation. With this in mind, the
committee suggests the revision of certain paragraphs and
wishes to see the revised draft before it is put into circulation.
The 1974 General Service Conference approved the proposal
for the 1974 A.A. survey and the delegates agreed to cooperate
in the distribution and collection of the questionnaires.
It was recommended that:
In accordance with the General Service Board’s recommenda-tion,
the film ”Bill’s Own Story” be released to Al-Anon
groups under the same conditions as to A.A. groups.
It was recommended that:
The wallet card Anonymity Statement (suggested by the 1970
Conference) be accepted, and further suggested that the term
”self-aggrandizement” be eliminated in favor of a simpler and
more easily pronounced word.
The wording of the Eleventh Tradition remain as is and that the
delegates explain at the local level that ”TV” is implicit in the
last phrase of the Tradition, which reads: ”. . . at the level of
66

press, radio, and film.” It was noted that in the P.I. Manual, the
word ”TV” is included as part of the Eleventh Tradition. The
committee requests that this be deleted in the next printing of
the Manual.
The following Conference action of 1968 be reaffirmed:
The showing of the full face of an A.A. member, identified
as an A.A. member, at the level of press, TV, and film, is a
violation of our Tradition of Anonymity even though the
name is withheld.
G.S.O. make available to delegates the annual anonymity letter
to the press so that it can be distributed by them to smaller
newspapers in their areas
1975 It was recommended that:
The annual anonymity letter continue to be sent to delegates.
The present Public Information Guidelines be revised so that
they will provide specific suggestions for P. I. speakers, and
also information to assist delegates in setting up public infor-mation
committees at the area level where there is a need and
a desire for this assistance.
1976 It was recommended that:
A.A . members speaking at non-A.A. meetings refrain from get-ting
involved in a discussion regarding mood-changing drugs.
The new pamphlet ”Do You Think You’re Different?” be
included in the P.I. Kit.
The P.I. Kit be sent to all members of the Conference
Committee on Public Information.
For communication purposes, consideration be given to a joint
meeting of the Conference and trustees’ Committees on Public
Information, Cooperation with the Professional Community,
and Institutions.
1977 It was recommended that:
The A.A. membership survey be conducted in June 1977 with
the cooperation of the area delegate.
Thirty- rather than 60-second TV and radio spots are desirable.
New TV spots are not needed at this time. It was suggested
there be wider distribution of our current spots. It was further
recommended that our TV spots be shown to all delegates at
future Conferences.
G.S.O. prepare a one-sheet flyer about A.A. In addition to dis-tributing
the flyer to local P.I. committees, students, and civic
groups, it would be helpful to distribute it to general service
representatives and group secretaries.
The trustees’ Public Information Committee prepare public
service announcements in print form and that these announce-ments
be sent to local P.I. committees and placed in
Background Editorial Material in the Public Information Kit.
A joint meeting of the Conference and trustees’ Committees on
P.I., C.P.C., and Institutions would not be practical. However,
the committee recommends there be a joint meeting of the
Conference P.I. and C.P.C. Committees at the 1978
Conference. The committee accepts the fact of an existing
overlapping of responsibilities between the two committees. It
is felt a joint meeting will be helpful in this regard.
The 1976 recommendation of sending the P.I. Kit annually to
members of the P.I. Committee prior to the Conference be reaf-firmed,
and that the following be added to the P.I. Kit:
a. Information paper on Alcoholics Anonymous, recently
prepared by the trustees’ C.P.C. Committee
b. In the Background Radio/TV Material, a brief description
of existing TV and radio spots
All material in the P.I. Kit reflect current membership figures.
1978 It was recommended that:
Existing G.S.O. TV spot announcements and the TV spots
made available by the Northern Florida Public Information
Committee remain in use at this time. It was further suggested
that new TV spot announcements be considered by the 1979
Conference Public Information Committee, and that when
they are made, they deal more with the alcoholic than with his
family.
The existing radio spot announcements continue to be used and
that the radio spots reported on by the committee member from
Tennessee be reviewed by the trustees’ Public Information
Committee for possible distribution in the United States and
Canada.
The following items be added to the P.I. Kit: ”A.A. at a
Glance, ” ”Is A.A. for You?, ” ”This Is A.A.,” and a one-sheet
piece describing the one-way display and how to order it.
A sentence describing the one-way display and how to order it
should be added under ”Displays” in the P.I. Guidelines.
The P.I. Manual be reviewed, updated, and made consistent
with other materials in the P.I. Kit; that the statistics be updat-ed;
and that a notation be made in the new manual stating that
it supersedes the manual printed in February 1973.
Background Editorial and Background Radio and TV Material
be reviewed and updated by the trustees’ Public Information
Committee.
In order to encourage attendance at public information meet-ings
by non-A.A.s, the current Guidelines be amended to
include personal contact as a follow-up to invitations extended
to the public.
One of the Canadian P.I. committees be invited to do an article
on public information meetings and/ or industrial luncheons for
the P.I./C.P. C. Bulletin since they seem to have greater success
in getting the non-A.A. public to attend such functions.
67

A.A. members be encouraged to invite their doctors, lawyers,
etc., to their group anniversary meetings.
There is no further necessity for a special meeting of the
Conference Committees on Public Information and
Cooperation with the Professional Community. However, it
was suggested that a table be set aside at lunch for members of
the P.I. and C.P.C. Committees on one day of the Conference
for the purpose of sharing.
1979 It was recommended that:
The report of the trustees’ Public Information Committee be
approved as read, with the exception of the phrase ”to reflect
current A.A. practice” as used in the following paragraphs:
”The committee recommended that the board respond that
changes made by the P.I. Committee in P.I. literature are
made to reflect what is believed to be current A.A. practice
and experience. Changes in the ‘Understanding
Anonymity’ and ‘Speaking at Non-A.A. Meetings’ pam-phlets
are also responsive to the 1978 Conference comment.
”The committee further recommended that the board’s reply
should state that the intention when making changes in P.I.
literature has never been to reinterpret A.A. Traditions, but
again to reflect current A.A practice. ”
-because the phrase ”to reflect current A.A. practice” is not
specific enough in either definition or application to deal with
the very important matter of changes in our A.A. Literature.
The trustees’ P.I. Committee and the General Service Office
staff begin production on new television and radio spots at the
earliest possible date.
The trustees’ P.I. Committee and the General Service Office
staff begin production on Spanish-speaking television and
radio spots.
All the TV spots be ”signed” for the deaf or have subtitles.
After reviewing and approving the model for the new P.I. Kit:
.
A statement of the purpose and scope of a public infor-mation
committee be included in the introductory ele-ment
of the Public Information Kit.
The anonymity letter to the media be included in the kit
with the suggestion that local P.I. committees take it to
their local newspapers.
Grapevine subscription forms be included in the kit with
the suggestion that they be used to give subscriptions to
local libraries, doctors, members of the clergy, etc.
Definitions and special information be indicated by being
printed in bold type.
When available, the new P.I. Manual be mailed to all per-sons
on the P.I. chairpersons list at G.S.O.
The mail-poll approval given for the changes made in the pam-
phlets ”Understanding Anonymity” and ”Speaking at Non-A.
A. Meetings” to reflect the 1978 Conference indication that
most A.A. members use first names only when speaking at
non-A.A. meetings be reaffirmed.
The pamphlet ”Too Young.?” be included in the P.I. Discount
Package.
1980 It was recommended that:
The film ”A.A.-An Inside View” be released for general dis-tribution.
When there is a television showing of ”A.A.--An Inside
View,” the delegate be notified, if possible.
The 1980 A.A. membership survey be done.
TV spots nos. 1,3,4, and 5 be accepted, and that spot no. 2 be
sent back for revision, taking out some of the ”lonely” words
and stressing more ‘drinking” words. The committee felt TV
and radio spots should be made in both French and Spanish.
The trustees’ P.I. Committee’s explanation of why all spots
should not be signed for the hearing-impaired be accepted (the
reason being that some deal with telephone use); one TV spot
has subtitles, and this is sufficient.
When updating the pamphlet ”Speaking at Non-A.A.*
Meetings, ” pages 9 and 10 give short answers to questions
instead of references to another pamphlet.
”A.A. in Your Community” be discontinued since this pam-phlet
is so much like ”A Brief Guide” and ”A.A at a Glance”;
it was found to be unnecessary to have two pamphlets so much
alike.
The trustees’ P.I. Committee take excerpts from the current
pamphlet ”Too Young?” and make it into a flyer for teenagers.
The committee particularly liked the 12 questions illustrated at
the end. (The current proposed draft for such a flyer was reject-ed.)
There be a substantial reduction in the price of the pamphlet
”Too Young ?" ” to encourage a wider distribution of the current
pamphlet.
1981 It was recommended that:
The 1980 membership survey be accepted as reported and that
the trustees’ P.I. Committee and A.A.W.S. develop a pam-phlet,
tabletop display, and wall poster of survey results, if fea-sible.
The rewrite of the pamphlet ”Understanding Anonymity” now
go into production.
The comments from the February 1, 1981, General Sharing
Session on ”Attraction, Promotion, Information?” be added to
the P.I. Workbook, in the section ”How to Do P.I.,” and to the
P.I. Guidelines.
All areas be notified before announcements on the availability
68

of television or radio spots are sent to radio and television sta-tions,
so that local autonomy can be exercised.
1982 It was recommended that:
The additional TV public service announcements be distrib-uted
as follows:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
G.S.O. will announce availability to delegates and P.I.
committees.
The announcement will include a listing of local TV sta-tions
that requested spots in 1980-81, so that P.I. com-mittees
may initiate contact with the stations.
Committees ordering public service announcements may
indicate if they wish spots sent to them or directly to sta-tions.
Four-color storyboard brochures, developed by the
trustees’ P.I. Committee, will accompany the mailing.
G.S.O. will contact and
network headquarters.
fill requests made b y sion
The sampling method for conducting the future membership
survey be reevaluated by:
a. The trustees’ Public Information Committee, which is
requested to explore the value of designing a program to
reselect A.A. groups listed at G.S.O., on a random basis
by area.
b. Area delegates, who are asked to consider the feasibility
of distributing survey material to preselected A.A. groups
in their areas.
The possibility of conducting a future membership survey on a
random basis by area be an agenda subject for the 1983
Conference.
A.A.W.S. explore the feasibility of producing a small, low-cost
cardboard literature display rack for P.I. purposes.
1983 It was recommended that:
A membership survey be undertaken in 1983.
The 1983 membership survey be conducted on a random basis,
by area.
A reference to photographs be added to the Anonymity Card--The
third paragraph to read as follows:
Thus, we respectfully ask that no A.A. speaker-or, indeed,
any A.A. member-be identified by full name or photo-graph
in published or broadcast reports of our meetings.
The trustees’ Public Information Committee develop a feature
story regarding A.A.‘s primary purpose, highlighting the cross
section of alcoholics now sober in A.A. and including, if prac-tical,
the A.A. Preamble.
A.A.W.S. explore the feasibility of translating the sound tracks
of existing TV public service announcements into Spanish.
1984 It was recommended that:
The flyer, one-way display, and poster on ”The A.A. Member”
be updated to include information from the 1983 membership
survey.
The Spanish translations of ”Picking Up the Phone” (30 sec-onds),
”Calling A.A.” (60 seconds), ”First Meeting” (30 sec-onds),
and ”B.G.‘s Advice” (30 seconds) be made available to
the Fellowship.
Public information news be regularly included in Box 4-5-9,
eliminating the P. I./C. P. C. Bulletin.
All P.I. committees be contacted on the availability of ”A.A.--An
Inside View” in conjunction with the 50th anniversary P.I.
efforts. They, in turn, would contact local independent TV sta-tions.
The committee further recommended that there be an
article published in Box 4-5-9 about this P.I. effort.
A 60-second video draft of footage taken from ”A.A.-An
Inside View,” describing what A.A. is and is not and to possi-bly
include the Preamble, be completed for use in conjunction
with P.I. efforts for the International Convention, pending
approval as a P.I. expenditure by A.A.W.S., Inc.
The Spanish version of the 30-second public service announce-ment
”B.G.‘s Advice” be prepared with subtitles in Spanish for
the hearing-impaired for approval at the 1985 General Service
Conference.
A new radio tape about young people in A.A. be prepared for
approval at the 1985 Conference.
1985 It was recommended that:
The phrase used in the membership surveys, No. 14, ”Were
you addicted to any drugs other than alcohol” be reworded to,
”Were you addicted to drugs,” in support of our singleness of
purpose.
The new TV 30-20-10-second public service announcements
be developed for approval at the 1986 General Service
Conference as suggested by the trustees’ Public Information
Committee, and requested by the major networks.
The phrase ”or check your local newspapers” be added to the
present ending statement on the radio public service announce-ments.
The request to drop the phrase ”A.A.--It Works” from all
video public service announcements not be approved.
The wording in the fourth line, second page of the flyer ”A.A.
at a Glance”-” past illness” be changed to ”alcoholism.”
The new radio public service announcements for young peo-ple,
as presented by the trustees’ Public Information
Committee, be approved with the exception of the Danny S.
story.
69

closed-captioned for the hearing impaired.
The words ”and drugging” in the Kevin P. story in the radio
public service announcement be deleted.
The delivery plan for the new young people’s public service
announcements to preselected radio stations be approved as
presented by the trustees’ Public Information Committee,
which would include notification to the delegates, central
offices and public information committees well in advance of
airing.
An anonymity reaffirmation be read at the big meeting during
the International Convention in Montreal.
An anonymity letter be sent to Publishers’ Weekly the book
publishers magazine, and Folio, the magazine publishing mag-azine,
reaffirming A.A.‘s position on the Anonymity
Traditions.
We affirm our Anonymity Traditions through letters to all gen-eral
service representatives, articles in the Grapevine, and Box
4-s-9.
The idea for a film, filmstrip, videotape or some other such
instrument targeting young people be referred to the trustees’
Public Information Committee for consideration, and that a
report be returned to the Conference Public Information
Committee in 1986.
1986 It was recommended that:
The focus in public service announcements be on alcoholism
identification, although mention of addictions as part of a
”story” is acceptable.
The 1986 Membership Survey be taken in the same manner as
the 1983 survey.
Question 14 of the Membership Survey questionnaire read as
follows: ”In addition to your alcoholism, were you addicted to
drugs?”
Three new television public service announcements of 30, 20,
10 seconds respectively be approved. In addition, the commit-tee
recommended that the 30-second spot and the 20-second
spot be made available with different voice-over endings--either
”Look us up in the phone book or check your local news-paper”
or ”Look us up in the phone book.”
The 28-minute film targeting young people be made, with the
provision that in any ”Reprise” sections in the final film, the
focus be on alcoholism only. The committee further recom-mended
that the film be brought to the 1987 General Service
Conference for approval.
1987 It was recommended that:
The flyer, one-way display, and poster ”The A.A. Member” be
updated to reflect the findings from the 1986 Membership
Survey.
The film targeting young people be approved. for completion
and distribution; and videocassette version of the film be
The trustees’ Committee on Public Information explore the
feasibility of adapting the new film targeting young people into
Spanish and French.
The graphics in the flyer ”A Message to Teenagers” be updat-ed
with the new graphics from ”Too Young?”
1988 It was recommended that:
The word ”fight” be changed to the words ”deal with” in item
6 under ”What A.A. Does Not Do” in the pamphlet ”A Brief
Guide to Alcoholics Anonymous,” so that the sentence will
read ”But A.A. does cooperate with organizations that deal
with alcoholism.”
A discussion outline for the film ”Young People and A.A.” is
not needed at this time.
New radio spots be developed to reach specific audiences cur-rently
being targeted by radio stations and brought back to the
1989 Conference Public Information Committee for approval.
The 197 1 General Service Conference Action be reaffirmed:
”A.A. members generally think it unwise to break the
anonymity of a member even after his death, but in each sit-uation
the final decision must rest with the family.”
Further, the A.A. Archives continue to protect the anonymity
of deceased A.A. members as well as other members.
The A.A. Fact File be updated to correct inaccuracies, that the
corrected material be sent to the 1988 Conference Public
Information Committee members for their approval prior to
publication.
1989 It was recommended that:
Ten new English radio public service announcements (Nos. 1,
2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11) with tag line changed to
”Alcoholics Anonymous-phone or check your newspaper” be
approved for distribution by G.S.O.
One additional English radio P.S.A. with the tag line changed
to ”Alcoholics Anonymous-phone or check your newspaper”
titled ”Liberated Woman” be approved for distribution by
G.S.O.
Two Spanish radio P.S.A.s titled ”I Would Not Kiss My
Children” and ”Completely Bankrupt” be approved for distrib-ution
by G.S.O.
The 1989 Membership Survey be conducted on a random
basis, by area; and that we use the same questionnaire used in
the 1986 survey.
The following items be added to the Public Information
Workbook for use by convention P.I. chairperson:
a. ”Memo to News Directors, Writers, and Commentators.”
70

b. ”Guide for a Convention Press Release” with one para-graph
changed to delete the first name and last initial of the
speakers and all other information that identifies convention
speakers.
c. ”Press Kit” to be used at Convention Press Conferences.
Change the Public Information chairperson paragraph of the
A.A. Guidelines on Conference and Conventions to include
references to the material now available to convention P.I.
chairpeople.
A service piece providing guidelines for taping A.A. talks be
prepared and brought to the 1990 General Service Conference
for review and added to the A.A. Guidelines on Conferences
and Conventions.
The following 1980 Conference Action be reaffirmed:
”In keeping with our Eleventh and Twelfth Traditions, A.A.
members who are requested to videotape talks and meetings
preserve anonymity at the level of press, radio, film, and
videotapes, realizing that anonymity is the spiritual founda-tion
of all our Traditions. The committee further recom-mended
that talks by A.A. members be given in person
rather than videotaped, in view of the temptation for video-taping
to place personalities before principles.”
A.A.W.S., Inc., give television stations and A.A. service enti-tities
the opportunity to use shortened versions of any of our
films now available to the public but strongly urge they be used
in their entirety when possible in order to maintain the integri-ty
of the A.A. message.
No action be taken on the request to drop ”It Works” from
existing video P.S.A.s.
1990 It was recommended that:
”The A.A. Membership Survey” pamphlet, the one-way dis-play
and the poster be updated to reflect the findings from the
1989 Membership Survey.
”The A.A. Membership Survey” pamphlet, the one-way dis-play
and poster reflect all the findings of the 1989 Membership
Survey. The answer to Question #14 in the A.A. survey per-taining
to drugs should be presented as follows:
”In addition to their alcoholism X% of members indicated
they were addicted to drugs,” and include the disclaimer
”A.A.‘s primary purposed is recovery from alcoholism.”
The trustees’ Committee on Public Information review the
background of the entire survey and each question on the sur-vey
questionnaire, to determine which questions should be
included or deleted from the 1992 Membership Survey. This
information should be given to the 1991 Conference Public
Information Committee as promptly as possible.
The trustees’ Committee on Public Information consider the
feasibility of developing video and television public service
announcements with the focus on younger A.A. members and
all minorities, within the framework of A.A.‘s desire to carry
its message to all alcoholics, and bring a recommendation back
to the 1991 General Service Conference.
The trustees’ Committee on General Service Conference con-sider
a Conference theme, workshop or presentation on the
question of affiliation, to be presented as soon as possible.
1991 It was recommended that:
The following ten changes on the 1992 Membership Survey
Questionnaire in a report from the trustees’ Membership
Survey subcommittee be approved:
1. Add the meeting name to the top of the form (on the same
line as Town/City, State, Date).
2. The statement of purpose at the top of the questionnaire
conform to the one used in the final brochure. The current
brochure copy (1989) is as follows: The purpose of the sur-vey
has been to keep A.A. members informed on current
trends in membership characteristics, and to provide infor-mation
about Alcoholics Anonymous to the professional
community and to the general public as part of the effort to
reach those who still suffer from alcoholism.
3. Combine categories 1 and 2 in question #5 into one ques-tion
which would read: 1. Newspaper, magazine, radio or
TV.
4. Add a category to question #5 (just above the last one, 15.
Other) which would read: 14. Court order.
5. It was suggested that the categories listed in question #8,
(”What is the general nature of your employment now?”) be
changed to accepted and established standard categories.
6. That question #9, ”What is the specific nature of your
employment now?”, be eliminated from the questionnaire.
7. To eliminate the question #l0b on questionnaire. (”Is it at
the group at which you are filling out this questionnaire?”)
8. Regarding the counseling questions: eliminate numbers
#12b and #13b, which read:
What was the most helpful (Check one):
Medical Psychological Spiritual Other
9. Omit question #16 which reads: ”Does your doctor pre-sent
A.A. as a program of recovery to his patients?”
10. Omit question #17, which reads: ”Has your doctor been
to an A.A. meeting?”
The trustee’s Public Information Committee, in preparing the
1992 Membership Survey Questionnaire, reconsider Question
#14 of the 1989 Membership Survey Questionnaire (”In addi-tion
to your alcoholism, were you addicted to drugs?”), and
that the trustees’ P.I. Committee forward their findings with
and explanation of their decision to the Conference Public
Information Committee at least one month prior to the start of
the 1992 General Service Conference.
The pilot footage for a video targeting younger people and
71

minorities be approved, and that the 15-minute video produc-tion
be authorized at a total cost of $82,000 and be presented
to the 1992 Conference for final approval.
The trustees’ Committee on Public Information be authorized
to spend $4,000 for storyboards or others visual aids that out-line
a proposed film or video on the Traditions with focus on
anonymity, and bring their proposals for production to the
1992 Conference.
1992 It was recommended that:
The 1992 A.A. Membership Survey Questionnaire be changed
as follows:
a. Add item ”f’ to Question #3: ”this is my first A.A. meet-ing.”
b. Revise item ”1” of Question #5 to read: ”Newspaper
magazine, radio or TV.”
c. Change Question #9 to read: ”Do you belong to an A.A.
Home Group?”
d. Revise item ”a ’ of Question #10 to read: ”Do you have a
sponsor?”
e. Change item ”b” of Question #10 to read: ”Did you get a
sponsor within 90 days of coming to A.A.?”
That Question #14, ”In addition to your alcoholism, were you
addicted to drugs ?" ” be removed from the 1992 A.A.
Membership Survey Questionnaire because the question:
a. emphasizes problems other than alcohol;
b. has a tendency to lead to disunity;
c. could be construed as conflicting with our primary pur-pose.
The 1992 Membership Survey be conducted by area on a ran-dom
basis, as was done in the 1989 Membership Survey.
The video directed to young alcoholics be approved for distri-bution
with one editing change: delete the segment at approxi-mately
3 minutes, 23 seconds of the tape run that appears to
show a drug transaction during a street scene; and add the
anonymity disclaimer that appears at the beginning of the
video to the closing credits.
The outline for an ongoing Traditions Communications
Program not be developed. This project does not fall within the
Scope of the Conference Public Information Committee, does
not appear to be covered by the Scope of the trustees’ Public
Information Committee, and does not respond to an expressed
need.
All materials already developed for the Traditions
Communications Program be available to future Conference
committees that may wish to consider utilizing some or all of
this information.
The six-segment Public Service Announcement directed to
teens and seniors, produced by three California Area
Assemblies, be approved with the tag line changed to read:
”Alcoholics Anonymous-look us up in the
check you newspaper.”
phone book, or
Future audio-visual proposals be reviewed by the appropriate
Conference committee prior to expenditure commitments to
insure maximum economy and communication within the
Fellowship.
1993 It was recommended that:
The results contained in the final draft of the 1992 Membership
Survey be applied to update the survey pamphlet, poster and
one-way display.
The trustees’ Public Information Committee undertake a thor-ough
study, followed by a complete report that particularly
addresses the need for, and the effectiveness of, A.A.
Membership Surveys within the context of our singleness of
purpose.
The each area delegate encourage discussions within all A.A.
groups on the spiritual principles of Anonymity, including
photographs, publications and posthumous Anonymity, as
related to our Eleventh and Twelfth Traditions.
The radio public service announcement R-06 be discontinued
as an inventory or catalog item, because these spots contain
mixed messages about what A.A. is, and the A.A. message is
better communicated in other radio spots.
The trustees’ Subcommittee on Radio and Television Public
Service Announcements carefully review the radio spots con-tained
in R-09, with particular attention to spot #5, ”We are All
in This Together,” and report back to the 1994 Conference
Public Information Committee.
ADVISORY ACTIONS
based upon reports of the
CONFERENCE COMMITTEE
ON TREATMENT FACILITIIES*
1978 It was recommended that:
The outline for revision of the pamphlet ”A.A. Treatment
Facilities” be approved with suggestions to be incorporated in
the pamphlet.
1979 It was recommended that:
The Conference approve the pamphlet ”How and Why A.A.
Members Carry the A.A. Message into Treatment Centers”
(formerly ”A.A. in Hospitals”) with revisions.
With regard to hospital discount packages, the July 1977 deci-sion
of the General Service Board of Trustees to allow local
areas to decide what is needed for their particular area be
*For pre-1978 actions related to treatment facilities, see Institutions.
72

adopted. 1984 It was recommended that:
1980 It was recommended that:
A modification in the scope of the Treatment Facilities
Committee be made so that it will now read as follows:
The purpose of the committee is to encourage A.A. members
to assume responsibility to carry the message to alcoholics in
treatment facilities.
The committee will review all aspects of A.A. services to treat-ment
facilities and make recommendations for changes and/or
improvements in these A.A. services.
It is not appropriate to send a specific (”bridging-the-gap”) let-ter
to treatment facilities’ administrators at this time. However,
G.S.O. is encouraged to forward copies of the newly published
”A.A. in Treatment Centers” pamphlet to all facility adminis-trators.
Although the directory of A.A. Groups in Treatment Facilities
may be of value to a limited number of treatment facility
administrators and A.A. members, its value to the A.A. com-munity
is questionable. Therefore, it was recommended that
the Report and Charter Committee and G.S.O., at their earliest
convenience, review this matter for possible continued value.
1981 It was recommended that:
The additions and changes in the ”A.A. in Treatment Centers”
pamphlet by the trustees’ Committee on Treatment Facilities
be accepted.
These changes basically involve the clarification of the two
types of meetings held in treatment facilities: regular group
meetings and treatment facilities meetings. It was specifically
recommended that the six-point definition of an A.A. group be
included in a ”boxed-in” form in the pamphlet. These changes
will result in new terminology; what has previously been
known as a ”treatment center group” will now be known as a
”treatment center meeting.”
1982 It was recommended that:
In light of the recent statistics showing the greater influx of
members coming from treatment facilities, a bulletin directed
primarily to treatment facilities committees be instituted, and
that this recommendation be referred to the appropriate
trustees’ committees for implementation.
1983 It was recommended that:
A copy of the Treatment Facilities Bulletin with a cover letter
be sent to alcoholism treatment facilities. The cover letter is to
suggest that the facilities get in touch with Alcoholics
Anonymous.
Delegates ask their treatment facilities committees or other
appropriate committees to compile a mailing list of alcoholism
treatment facilities in their areas for the purpose of establishing
a G.S.O. mailing list for the Treatment Facilities Bulletin.
We affirm the 1978 Conference action which is as follows:
”A.A. members who meet with the administration of a treat-ment
facility concerning the formation of an A.A. group on
its premises should explain group autonomy as well as what
A.A. can and cannot do (Traditions), and also should have a
good understanding of the facility’s rules and regulations.
After mutual agreements are reached, it is important that
this information be shared with the A.A.s who will be
attending the group’s meetings. It was suggested that groups
meeting in treatment facilities try to abide by the self-sup-port
Tradition. If money for rent is not accepted by a facili-ty,
groups should contribute in some other way. It was also
felt that A.A.s employed by the facility should not run the
groups at the facility.”
A draft of a treatment facilities workbook be prepared by the
trustees’ Committee on Treatment Facilities in time for the
1985 General Service Conference.
The Guidelines on Correctional and Treatment Facilities
Committees be separated.
1985 It was recommended that:
The draft of the Treatment Facilities Workbook be approved,
with minor changes, for production and distribution.
In the Scope of the Conference Treatment Facilities
Committee, the sentence ”The purpose of the committee will
be to encourage A.A. members to assume responsibility to
carry the message to alcoholics who cannot, of their own free
will, seek A.A. help” be changed to ”The purpose of the com-mittee
will be to encourage A.A. members to assume responsi-bility
to carry the message to alcoholics in treatment facilities.”
1986 It was recommended that:
To more explicitly state the scope of the Conference
Committee on Treatment Facilities, under Scope, the para-graph:
”The purpose of the committee is to encourage A.A. mem-bers
to assume responsibility to carry the message to alco-holics
in treatment facilities”
be changed to the following paragraph from the Treatment
Facilities Guidelines which reads:
”The purpose of a treatment facilities committee is to coor-dinate
the work of individual A.A. members and groups
who are interested in carrying our message of recovery to
alcoholics in treatment facilities, and to set up means of
‘bridging the gap’ from the facility to the larger A.A. com-munity.”
That the letter in the Treatment Facilities Workbook which
addresses the issue of nonalcoholics’ attendance at closed A.A.
meetings be revised to provide a more sensitive introduction to
the subject as follows: the sentence ”It has been brought to our
attention that nonalcoholic drug addicts are attending A.A.
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meetings in your facility” be changed to ”It has been brought
to our attention that nonalcoholic drug addicts may be attend-ing
A.A. meetings in your facility.”
Item 5 of the ”Suggested Do’s” for the treatment facilities
chairperson (page 79 of the Treatment Facilities Workbook) be
changed from ”Play some Grapevine cassette tapes-always
good listening and learning” to read: ”Play some Grapevine
cassette tapes-always good listening and learning, and leave
some copies of the A.A. Grapevine.”
Each area treatment facilities committee conduct workshops,
as frequently as needed, to effectively utilize the Treatment
Facilities Workbook.
Treatment facilities committees send liaisons to other service
entities’ meetings in their area and, in turn, invite them to send
liaisons to the treatment facilities committee meetings.
The trustees’ Committee on Treatment Facilities study ways to
develop contact sponsorship committees for prospective new-comers
just leaving treatment facilities and report back to the
1987 Conference.
The pamphlet, ”A.A. In Treatment Centers,” be revised as fol-lows:
The A.A. Grapevine be added to the list of literature sug-gestions
in paragraph 5 on page 13. The paragraph will read
as follows:
Leaving a few pieces of A.A. Literature and a copy of the
A.A. Grapevine is a good idea, too. Maybe ”If You Are a
Professional . . . ,” ” A.A. In Your Community,” ‘ A .A . At A
Glance,” and ”Where Do I Go From Here?” Maybe even
this pamphlet.
The words ”regular” A.A. group in paragraph 1 on page 12
and ”treatment center meeting” in paragraph 5 on page 12
be highlighted by using italics.
Paragraphs 4 and 5 on page 7 of the pamphlet ”A.A. In
Treatment Centers” be revised to accommodate information
on the Treatment Facilities Workbook. The revised para-graph
will read as follows:
The Treatment Facilities Workbook (available from G.S.O.)
contains Guidelines, sample letters, workshop presentations
and other information useful to local treatment facilities
committees who are carrying the A.A. message into treat-ment
centers. The pamphlet, ”How A.A Members
Cooperate With Other Community Efforts to Help
Alcoholics,” answers specific queries on working within
A.A. Traditions, and the pamphlet ”Questions and Answers
on Sponsorship” gives suggestions for helping the newcom-er
who may have had exposure to A.A. in a treatment cen-ter.
The title of the pamphlet ”A.A. In Treatment Centers” be
changed to ”A.A. In Treatment Facilities,” as ”facilities” is
currently a more generally used term. It was also recommend-ed
that the word ”facilities” replace the word ”centers”
throughout the body of the pamphlet.
1987 It was recommended that:
The following phrase in the pamphlet ”A.A. in Treatment
Centers,” ” Since A.A.‘s co-founders first got sober by carry-ing
the A.A. message into treatment centers. . .” be changed to
read: ”Since one of the ways A.A.‘s co-founders helped main-tain
their sobriety was by carrying the A.A. message into hos-pitals.
. .”
The report, developed in response to the 1986 General Service
Conference recommendation that the trustees’ committee on
Treatment Facilities study ways to develop contact sponsor-ship
programs, be returned to the trustees’ committee to devel-op
a service piece to be added to the Treatment Facilities
Workbook. Also that the trustees’ committee prepare this ser-vice
piece using only shared experience that reflects strict
adherence to the Traditions. (Some of the sharing in the initial
report reflected violations of the Traditions.) Also that the ser-vice
piece include sharing from both successful and unsuc-cessful
contact sponsorship programs and that the format
include sharing that reflects contact sponsorship programs in
various stages of development.
The word ”larger” be deleted from the ”Scope” section of the
Composition, Scope and Procedure. The revised ”Scope” will
read as follows: The purpose of a treatment facilities commit-tee
is to coordinate the work of individual A.A. members and
groups who are interested in carrying our message of recovery
to alcoholics in treatment facilities, and to set up means of
”bridging the gap” from the facility to the A.A. community.
The 1986 Conference Action that ”each area treatment facili-ties
committee conduct workshops, as frequently as needed, to
effectively utilize the Treatment Facilities Workbook” be reaf-firmed.
Also, that the workshops include groups and district
committees.
The 1986 Conference Action that ”treatment facilities commit-tees
send liaisons to other service entities’ meeting in their area
and, in turn, invite them to send liaisons to the treatment facil-ities
committee meetings” be reaffirmed.
1988 It was recommended that:
An audiovisual presentation for Treatment Facilities including
three minutes of sample footage be made and brought to the
1989 General Service Conference for further review.
The following topics be included in the film:
a. What A.A. is and is not
b. Anonymity
c. Traditions
d. Steps
e. Meeting types
f. Sponsorship
g. Home Groups
The film be appropriate for use by all other related committees,
A.A. groups, and as an additional tool for our Twelve Step
work.
The cost of the sample footage be in the neighborhood of
74

$17,000.
The newsletter drafted by the trustees’ Committee on
Treatment Facilities for annual distribution to Treatment
Facilities chairpersons be a quarterly newsletter whenever pos-sible
and reflect shared experience from other areas on how
they are solving problems related to treatment facilities.
The word ”educate” in the introductory statements of the pro-posed
newsletter to Treatment Facilities chairpersons be delet-ed
in favor of the word ”inform,” in keeping with A.A.‘s tradi-tion
of sharing rather than educating.
1989 It was recommended that:
A 15-minute film be produced for A.A. members carrying the
message into treatment facilities and be presented to the 1990
General Service Conference.
NOTE: Although the following item did not receive the neces-sary
two-thirds vote to become a Conference recommendation,
it did receive a substantial majority and is therefore a strong
suggestion for the board’s consideration.
”Suggested that in the proposed film for treatment facilities
that the Louis B. segment of the script be deleted because of
implied endorsement of Narcotics Anonymous.”
1990 It was recommended that:
The film ”Hope: Alcoholics Anonymous” be accepted as pre-sented
to meet an expressed need from the A.A. members car-rying
the message into treatment facilities; and that the film be
translated into French and Spanish, and be captioned for deaf
and hearing-impaired alcoholics, consistent with recommenda-tions
for our other recent videos.
The following 1988 Conference Action be reaffirmed:
”The newsletter drafted by the trustees’ Committee on
Treatment Facilities for annual distribution to treatment facili-ties
chairpersons be a quarterly newsletter whenever possible,
and reflect shared experiences from other areas on how they
are solving problems related to treatment facilities.”
The ”Treatment Facilities Newsletter” mailing list be expand-ed
to include district committee members, as well as delegates,
alternate delegates and trustees; and that the 1991 Conference
reevaluate the need for this newsletter.
It was recommended by a floor action, that:
There be a pamphlet on ”Bridging the Gap” developed through
the trustees’ Treatment Facilities Committee in conjunction
with the Conference Treatment Facilities Committee; and that
it be brought back to the 1991 General Service Conference for
consideration.
1991 It was recommended that:
The manuscript prepared by the trustees’ Committee on
Treatment Facilities for a pamphlet on bridging the gap be
approved, because of the need to encourage A.A. members to
serve as temporary contacts to help the alcoholic in treatment
make the transition into A.A.
The ”Treatment Facilities Newsletter” be distributed semi-annually
for the purpose of sharing information among com-mittees
carrying the A.A. message into treatment facilities, and
that it continue to be mailed to district committee members,
delegates, alternate delegates and trustees in addition to mem-bers
of treatment facilities committees. Estimated cost: $5,500.
Once supplies are depleted, the pamphlet ”A.A. in Treatment
Facilities” be revised to include information about ”Hope:
Alcoholics Anonymous” and other Conference-approved
videos/films relevant to treatment, by inserting the following
text just preceding ”A few plain suggestions. . .”:
The video ”Hope: Alcoholics Anonymous” explains the
principles of A.A. and is a wonderful tool for A.A.s making
presentations to administrators and staff as well as carrying
the message of recovery.
This is for the purpose of increasing the Fellowship’s aware-ness
of our audiovisual material.
1992 It was recommended that:
The six points defining an A.A. group in the pamphlet ”A.A. in
Treatment Facilities” be deleted, and that the definition of a
group in the pamphlet be consistent with the definition of a
group in the ”A.A. Group” pamphlet.
The following paragraph be added to pamphlets directed to
treatment facilities professionals to provide them with as much
information as possible:
”Many local A.A. service committees will, upon request,
provide informational presentations for your organization.
Sessions can be tailored to meet your needs. A typical agen-da
might include one or several A.A. films and presentation
by one or more A.A. members on ‘What A.A. Is and What
It Is Not.’
”Please check your local telephone directory or newspaper
for the number of Alcoholics Anonymous.”
The following sentence of the third paragraph on page 1 of the
”Bridging the Gap” pamphlet be removed from all subsequent
printings as the Membership Survey is not specifically related
to the temporary contact program: ”Responses to questions in
the most recent Membership Survey indicate that approximate-ly
50% of those coming to A.A. for the first time leave within
three months.”
The words ”temporary sponsor” and ”sponsorship” on pages 8
and 13 of the ”A.A. in Treatment Facilities” pamphlet be
replaced with the words ”temporary contact(s)” when the cur-rent
supply is depleted, to reflect current A.A. terminology.
A.A.W.S. retain a three-ring binder
Facilities Workbook.
1993 It was recommended that:
format for the Treatment
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In an effort to guide members more fully in understanding
Twelfth Step activity with prospective members, the pamphlet
”Bridging the Gap” be revised in two sections as follows:
In the section ”Temporary Contact Guidelines”-a.
”Keep in mind that this is basic Twelfth Step work.
b. ”Experience suggests that it is best to be accompanied by
another A.A. member when meeting our newcomer. One of
the two temporary contacts should have at least a year of
sobriety.
c. ”Experience also suggests that men work with men and
women work with women.
d. ”The intent is to provide the newcomer with your help for
a limited time. You need not have experience with treatment
facilities. Your qualifications are experience as an alcoholic
and recovery in A.A.
e. ”It may be helpful for you as a temporary contact to
attend workshops on bridging the gap and attend meetings
of your area’s hospital and/or treatment facilities commit-tees.”
The above would replace the following:
a. ”It is suggested that the temporary contact be sober one
year or more.
b. ”Keep in mind that this is basic Twelfth Step work. The
intent is to provide the newcomer with your help for a lim-ited
time. You need not have any experience with treatment
facilities. Your qualifications are experience as an alcoholic
and recovery in A.A. It may be helpful for you as a tempo-rary
contact to attend workshops on Bridging the Gap and
be a member of your area’s treatment facilities committee or
hospital committee.”
In the section ”Points to Remember”--”
A.A. does not provide housing, food, clothing, jobs,
money or other welfare or social services.
”The professional treatment facility is in charge of its
patients or clients and is responsible to them. While we can-not
compromise our A.A. Traditions, we should remember
that we are there as guests of the facility, and must abide by
their rules. We are there to carry the A.A. message to the
newcomer, and to answer any questions regarding the A.A.
program of recovery and the A.A. way of life. Statements
that may be interpreted as medical or psychological diagno-sis
or advice on medication should be avoided. We are there
only to share our experience of staying away from one
drink, one day at a time, through the program of Alcoholics
Anonymous.
”In many cased, months of hard work have gone into estab-lishing
a relationship which enables us to be invited into a
facility. A careless action could destroy that trust and inter-fere
with carrying the message. If problems arise, inform
the local service committee. They may wish to present an
A.A. informational meeting.
”No one speaks for A.A. as a whole. When we carry the
A.A. message to those in treatment, we are just one drunk
talking with another. How we look, act and talk may be all
they are going to know about Alcoholics Anonymous. Since
we may be seen as part of A.A., let our new friends see, hear
and talk to a winner!”
The above would replace the following:
”A.A. does not provide housing, food, clothing, jobs,
money or other welfare or social services.
”The professional treatment facility is in charge of its
patients or clients and is responsible to them. If A.A. mem-bers
do not conform in every way to the rules and regula-tions
of the facility, it has a perfect right to keep A.A. mem-bers
out. A.A. members go into treatment facilities as
guests. Avoid statements or situations that may be interpret-ed
as medical or psychological diagnosis or prognoses or
advice on medications. Avoid challenging the teachings of
the facility; guide the newcomer to A.A. membership and
the A.A. way of life.
”Some of these suggestions may be strongly stated. In many
cases, months of hard work have gone into establishing a
relationship which enables us to be invited into a facility. A
careless action could destroy that trust and interfere with
carrying the message.
”When we carry the A.A. message to those in treatment, we
are not just one drunk talking with another. While no one
speaks for Alcoholics Anonymous as a whole, how we look,
act and talk may be all they are going to know about
Alcoholics Anonymous. Since we may be seen as part of
A.A. let our new friends see, hear and talk to a winner!”
Minor editorial changes in the ”Bridging the Gap” pamphlet be
accepted.
A.A.W.S. consider production of an A.A. poster similar to the
one used by an area P.I. committee.
A.A.W.S. explore the production of an inexpensive pamphlet
holder of durable material that could hold up to four different
pamphlets in a format which may be free-standing or wall-mounted.
TRUSTEES
ADVISORY ACTIONS
based upon report of the
CONFERENCE COMMITTEE ON TRUSTEES
1951
It was reaffirmed that nonalcoholics should continue to serve
on the board of trustees.
The committee approved the principle of a fixed term of office
for A.A. trustees.
76

1953
It was agreed that the trustees have the discretion and authori-ty
to provide at least part-time compensation to the president of
A.A. Publishing or any other situation, as needed.
The committee approved a plan for selecting
lying areas on a basis of rotation of areas.
trustees from out-The
committee rejected a proposal that ex-trustees attend and
be made permanent members of the Conference.
The committee tabled a proposal
holic and nonalcoholic trustees.
for changing the ratio of alco-The
committee approved continuance of the existing structure
of the board until 1958, with further study at the 1957
Conference.
The committee tabled the question of changing the ratio of
alcoholic and nonalcoholic trustees, and recommended consid-eration
at the 1958 Conference.
The committee approved the principle of changing the ratio of
trustees to nine alcoholics and nine nonalcoholics, subject to
review in the areas prior to a formal vote at the 1959
Conference.
The proposal to recommend a change in the current ratio of
trustees to nine alcoholics and nine nonalcoholics failed pas-sage.
(History of Trustee Ratio, 1959 Conference Report, page
6 )
A request from the Southern California delegate for two per-manent
members of the board of trustees for areas west of the
Rocky Mountains was reviewed. It was not looked upon favor-ably
by the Conference. It was recommended that this matter
be referred to the trustees’ Committee on Policy and
Nominating for report to the 1961 Conference.
The request for two permanent western trustees was not
approved by the General Service Board. It was referred to the
board’s Policy Committee for further study.
The Conference approved, 87 to 20, the recommendation of the
trustees to enlarge the board by two A.A. trustees and two non-alcoholic
trustees in accordance with the Electoral Plan.
By a 72 to 36 vote, decisions of earlier Conferences were reaf-finned
that the principle of having a majority of nonalcoholics
as trustees of the General Service Board should be retained.
1 9 6 3
The Committee on Trustees thanked the regions involved for
their cooperation in following, for the first time, the procedure
approved by the 1962 General Service Conference for the
nomination of Class B regional trustees in the United States.
The committee also recommended, in view of the success of
the elections on Friday, April 26, that the procedure be fol-lowed
for future elections of Class B regional trustees in the
United States.
1 9 6 4
The committee recommended that the electoral procedure fol-lowed
in 1963 and 1964 be followed for future elections of
Class B regional trustees in the United States.
It was suggested that the delegates search their areas and sub-mit
to the General Service Board possible candidates for the
position of a Class A trustee. Summaries would be placed in
the files for future reference. It was suggested that profession-al
and industrial people be given special attention.
Following careful review, the committee agreed that the pro-cedures
for electing Class B regional trustees continued to be
satisfactory.
The committee agreed that, if two states in an eligible region
nominate a candidate to be a regional trustee, a delegate from
each state may make a three-minute presentation in support of
the candidate.
The committee received, for study in the areas during the com-ing
year, a unanimous proposal of the trustees (two abstaining)
for restructuring the General Service Board, with the under-standing
that delegates to the 1966 Conference will vote on the
proposal next April.
1 9 6 6
The Restructuring Plan was approved, 92 to 24, that the
General Service Board be increased to 21: 7 nonalcoholic and
14 alcoholic.
It was recommended that an A.A. member professionally
employed in the field of alcoholism should not be excluded
from service on the General Service Board solely for that rea-son,
but it is desirable that the board and its Nominating
Committee ”maintain the guardianship of Alcoholics
Anonymous on a nonprofessional basis.”
The committee unanimously favored the suggestion of the
Nominating Committee of the General Service Board that the
75-mile radius of New York City restriction affecting regional
Class B trustees be eliminated.

The committee would like to go on record as being in favor of
welcoming ex-trustees as advisors to boards and committees
for periods to be determined by chairmen and members of
these boards and committees. Also, that we do not look with
favor on the election of ex-trustees to the Grapevine or
A.A.W.S. Board of Directors.
1967 It was recommended that:
The General Service Board study the procedures for selecting
regional trustees with special consideration given to with-drawals
and drawing by lot.
The revised procedure for preselection of general
trustees (non-New York) be accepted as follows:
service
The board would set up ”specifications” to cover the kind of
business and professional qualifications needed to fill a
vacancy. All states and provinces would be asked to submit
qualified names by January 15. The Conference Committee
on trustees would be invited to meet with the trustees’
Nominating Committee in joint session on the Sunday pre-ceding
the first Conference session to discuss all candidates
and to reduce the number to four for each vacancy. At the
Conference Annual Meeting, the entire Conference would
use Third Legacy procedures to select one name for each
vacancy for election by the board.
The chart of adjustment of tenures for regional trustees be
accepted so that:
Starting with 1975 elections, two regional trustees will be
elected each year. From then on, all regions will have full
four-year terms. Southeast and East Central Regions will
take two consecutive three-year terms in 1971 and 1974.
The Northeast Region will take two consecutive three-year
terms in 1969 and 1972.
Only one nominating speech be made for a trustee candidate.
1968 It was recommended that:
The possibility of electing one trustee candidate from each
Conference area, rather than one from each state or province,
be studied and explored.
The revised electoral procedures for A.A. regional trustees be
adopted by the General Service Conference and utilized in
future elections.
Consideration be given to the possibility of
electoral procedures in all A.A. elections.
using these revised
In describing the qualifications of the A.A. trustee, emphasis
be placed on the fact that the trustee represents the entire
Fellowship of A.A. and not a geographical area.
1969 It was recommended that:
The ”electoral procedure for the election of Class B regional
trustee nominee” be used in all Third Legacy elections; and
further that this suggestion be incorporated in the ”Third
Legacy Manual” (”The A.A. Service Manual”) now under
revision.
The procedure for the election of a general service trustee-at-large
be accepted.
Resumes of all regional trustee candidates be prepared by a
person other than the candidate himself; and that his qualifica-tions
be itemized rather than in paragraph form, limited to one
page, using the General Service Office resume sheet.
The committee disapproved the following:
The suggestion that a state or province having a regional
trustee be eliminated from submitting a candidate to their next
regional trustee election.
The proposal for a suggested change in electoral procedures for
regional trustees which would increase the voting body to all
delegates and eliminate the trustees from voting. The reasons
for this are: It would increase or encourage politicking on the
floor of the Conference and thus divert the delegates from their
primary purpose; in all probability it would increase the length
of time required by the Conference and therefore incur great
unnecessary expense. Trustees should have some voice in vot-ing
for the person with whom they will be working.
A proposal to enable each Conference area, if it so desires, to
select its own regional trustee candidate and recommended that
it be held over for further study.
1970 It was recommended that:
A regional or general service trustee-at-large candidate may be
elected from each Conference area, or that two or more of the
Conference areas within a state or province may jointly pro-pose
a single candidate.
A regional trustee
trustee-at-large.
shall not be a candidate for a general service
The proposal regarding a 75-mile (from New York City) limi-tation
on trustee-at-large candidates be rescinded on the basis
that it is discriminatory; bylaws to be amended accordingly.
It was agreed that the proposal to change the regional trustee
candidates’ resumes to eliminate any educational background
and outside A.A. activities was not in the best interest of A.A.,
and it was recommended that we continue to ask for educa-tional
background and outside A.A. activities in resumes.
The committee reviewed the recommendation that the propos-al,
i.e., any delegate shall not be eligible as trustee candidate
for a full year after ending the term as area delegate, and found
this recommendation not consistent with the best interest of
A.A., as it would eliminate many qualified candidates; there-fore,
it was not accepted.
1971 It was recommended that:
The words ”but not mandatory” be deleted from the description
of the A.A. regional trustee and from the Composition, Scope
and Procedure of the trustees’ Nominating Committee after the
words ”ten years of continued sobriety is desirable.”
78

The proposed change in election procedures of regional
trustees, which suggested that the members of the Conference
Committee on Trustees be omitted from the listing of voting
members, is not in the best interest of A.A. at this time.
When electoral procedures require an alternate to sit in for an
area delegate whose region is electing a trustee because he (the
delegate) is also serving on the Conference Committee on
Trustees, no voting instructions be given to the alternate.
The area delegate assume the responsibility for sending
trustee-candidate resumes to G.S.O.
State of health be included in trustee nominee resumes.
Voting: Following a question from the floor regarding the
method of determining a two-thirds majority during the elec-tion
of trustees, delegates voted to continue using the present
mathematical formula in determining the percentage of total
vote in elections of trustees (rounding to nearest whole: .5 and
over to larger figure; below .5 to lower -figure).
1972 It was recommended that:
A delegate to the General Service Conference shall not be eli-gible
to be proposed for trustee candidate until after he has
attended his last Conference.
On resume forms for Class B regional trustees, the heading
”Activities Outside of A.A.” include clubs, rehabs, and all
alcoholism-related activities.
1 9 7 3
The committee reviewed and approved the recommendation
from the trustees’ Nominating Committee for a procedure to be
used when a Conference area requests a change of region.
The committee discussed the treatment of resumes received at
the General Service Office after the January 15 deadline and
recommended that:
a. Any resumes received after the established January 15
deadline be returned by G.S.O. to the delegate in the sub-mitting
area.
The January 15 deadline be so noted on the resume sheet.
It was suggested that resumes be sent to the General
Service Office by registered mail-return receipt request-ed.
Resumes for trustee candidates received at the General
Service Office be presented for approval to the trustees’
Nominating Committee and the Conference Committee
on Trustees exactly as received.
In the event circumstances prevent an area’s candidate
for Class B trustee from serving as trustee, the area will
have the right to submit another candidate after the
January 15 deadline, subject to the approval of the
trustees’ Nominating Committee and the Conference
Committee on Trustees.
1974 It was recommended that:
In accordance with the action of the 1973 Conference regard-ing
the January 15 deadline for receiving trustee candidate
resumes, resumes received after that date not be accepted.
A subcommittee be set up to find a more equitable procedure
for reducing the number of candidates for general service
trustee-U.S./Canada to be presented to the Conference for
election. The subcommittee will consist of two members of the
Conference Committee on Trustees and two members of the
trustees’ Nominating Committee. Norman A. and Horton S.
will represent the Conference Committee on Trustees on this
subcommittee. The subcommittee will submit a proposal(s) to
the Conference Committee on Trustees at the 1975
Conference.
1 9 7 5
The request from Alaska to be transferred to the West Canada
Region from the Pacific Region was tabled for one year to per-mit
time for all Alaskan groups to be polled on this matter.
It was recommended that:
The Eastern and Western Missouri Areas be granted permis-sion
to change from the West Central Region to the Southwest
Region.
The following addition be made to Class B trustee resume
forms in order that more specific information may be obtained
in connection with employment in the field of alcoholism:
EMPLOYMENT IN THE FIELD
OF ALCOHOLISM
Now Working in Field of Alcoholism?
How Long? Salaried or Volunteer?
With Whom? Title
The following procedure be adopted for reducing the number
of candidates presented to the Conference in the election of
general service trustees-U.S. and Canada:
a. Each Conference area may select one candidate, or two or
more areas may jointly propose a single candidate via
Third Legacy procedure.
b. Resumes of all candidates will be reviewed for eligibility
by the trustees’ Nominating Committee.
c. Delegates from each region will caucus prior to the elec-tion
to reduce the number of candidates, using Third
Legacy procedure, to one each in the U.S. and two each
in the Canadian regions. A maximum of six candidates
for general service trustee-U.S., and a maximum of four
candidates for general service trustee-Canada, will be
presented to the voting members of the Conference for
election.
d. Voting members of the Conference will be all delegates
from the electing country (U.S. or Canada) and all mem-79

bers of the trustees’ Nominating Committee.
Note: The physical arrangements for the caucus of delegates
from each region, as required in paragraph c above, should
be made during the Conference prior to the election, possi-bly
in the form of regional luncheons.
The procedure to be used when a Conference area requests a
change of region be reviewed by the 1976 Conference on
Trustees in order to clarify the voting rights of an area moving
into or out of an electing region.
1976 It was recommended that:
There be no change in the structure of the General
Board (seven nonalcoholic and 1.4 alcoholic trustees).
Service
The revised description of the general service trustee (New
York), with procedure for election and reasons for it, replace
paragraph 1 of ”How A.A. Chooses Its General Service
Trustees” in ”The A.A. Service Manual” (1975 edition, page
100) .
No person be eligible simultaneously as a candidate for both
regional trustee and general service trustee--U.S./Canada.
Revisions in the procedure for areas requesting a change of
region be made in ”The A.A. Service Manual.”
make a study of the possibi.lity of restructuring the A.A.
Conference regions and report back to the 1 979 Conference.
It was further recommended that:
The title ”general service trustee-U.S./Canada” be changed to
”trustee-at-large.”
Trustee candidate resumes continue to carry
regarding employment in the alcoholism field.
the question
The Conference unanimously reaffirmed the 1977 recommen-dation
of the Conference Committee on Trustees that a Class A
(nonalcoholic) trustee continue to serve as chairperson of the
board.
1979 It was recommended that:
The Statement of Restructuring Trustee Regions be accepted.
(The statement recommended no restructuring at this time.)
The committee reaffirm that if a trustee candidate withdraws
after the January 1 deadline, that area may not submit another
candidate.
That the method of electing trustees-at-large/US. and
be referred to the trustees’ Nominating Committee.
1980 It was recommended that:
1977 It was recommended that:
The resumes for trustee candidates be sent to G.S.O. by the
area delegates as soon as possible after the elections, but no
later than January 1. Any resume received at G.S.O. after the
January I deadline will be returned to the delegate in the sub-mitting
area.
A delegate not be eligible as a trustee candidate until one year
after his or her last Conference, commencing with the 1978
election.
The trustees’ Nominating Committee consider and determine
the role and purpose of the general service trustee-U.
S./Canada; the responsibility of the general service trustee-U.
S./Canada; and that some clearer terminology be used in
”The A.A. Service Manual” authorizing the board to determine
such additional qualifications or requirements in a candidate as
the board may require.
The trustees’ Nominating Committee review resume. forms for
Class B trustees, reconsider the question of employment in the
alcoholism field, and refer recommendations to the Conference
Committee on Trustees by mail.
The committee would like to go on record as favoring the con-tinuance
of having a Class A trustee serve as chairman of the
board.
After considerable discussion following the presentation on the
role of the general service trustee--U.S./Canada, a motion was
carried requesting the General Service Board of trustees to
Canada
The speeches nominating trustee candidates be reduced from
three minutes to two minutes at the Conference election ses-sion,
with delegates giving verbal information not included in
the written resume.
Retired G.S.O. and Grapevine staff members should not be
excluded from service on the General Service Board and/or the
A.A.W.S. and Grapevine Corporate Boards solely because of
their past staff service.
Owners and operators of alcoholism facilities should not be
excluded from service on the General Service Board solely
because of their occupations, but it is desirable that the board
and its Nominating Committee maintain the guardianship of
A.A. on a nonprofessional basis.
1981 It was recommended that:
The report of the trustees’ Nominating Committee be accepted
as presented, with an additional recommendation that the
method of reducing the number of trustee candidates to be pre-sented
to the Conference floor for election of trustee-at-large/
Canada remain as it presently appears in ”The A.A.
Service Manual,” and that this method be reviewed again at the
1982 General Service Conference.
The question ”Are you a salaried employee in the field of alco-holism?”
be removed from the regional trustee and trustee-at-large/
US. and Canada resume sheets.
1982 It was recommended that:
The report of the trustees’ Nominating Committee be accepted
80

as presented and agreed that the method of electing the trustee-at-
large/Canada remain as recommended in ”The A.A. Service
Manual” since there is no clear consensus as to an alternate
procedure, nor does there seem to be a clear consensus that
there is need for a change at this time.
for filling trustee vacancies when a death or resignation occurs.
No change in the current schedule or procedure
trustee-at-large be made at the present time.
1985 It was recommended that:
1983 It was recommended that:
The General Service Board of Trustees cause a study to be
made concerning inconsistencies between legal directions and
actual practice of rotation in our two corporate boards and
committees.
The General Service Board of Trustees explore the possibility
of establishing an internal checks-and-balances method that
would possibly insure against the inadvertent violation of the
spirit of rotation on the corporate boards and committees.
An effort be made to rectify contradictions and inconsistencies
between ”The A.A. Service Manual” and legal charters and
corporate by-laws.
The committee, in the A.A. spirit of trust and love, leaves these
suggestions and recommendations in the capable hands of the
trustees, requesting they report their doings to the 1984
General Service Conference.
Date of birth replace age, and that date of sobriety replace
length of sobriety on the Class B trustee resume forms. The
committee also recommended striking marital status from
Class B resume forms, in that marital status furnishes no valid
bearing on the candidates’ qualifications.
Resumes for trustee candidates received at the General Service
Office be presented to the trustees’ Nominating Committee and
the Conference Committee on Trustees exactly as received,
with the exception that spelling and grammatical errors may be
corrected by the General Service Office staff preparing
resumes for distribution, retaining the original resumes for ref-erence.
1984 It was recommended that:
Information about bilingual
regional trustee resume forms
ability not be included on the
A change be made on the form in which the regional trustee
resume sheet requests information on the procedure for elec-tion
from:
(1) two-thirds majority, (2) out of hat, (3) other
to:
(1) Third Legacy procedure, (2) other
Because the proposal from the trustees’ Nominating
Committee which favors the election of all Class B trustees for
a four-year term regardless of when vacancies occur represents
a substantive change in policy, the trustees’ Nominating
Committee conduct a survey of delegates and trustees during
the coming year and provide the results to next year’s
Conference committee for final action. When this survey is
sent to delegates and trustees, background material on all
aspects should be sent, advising the delegates and trustees of
the reasoning involved in arriving at the existing procedures
of
All Class B trustees be elected
of when vacancies occur.
for a four-year term regardless
electing a
There be reaffirmation of the 1977 Conference Advisory
Action:
”Resumes for trustee candidates be sent to G.S.O. by the
area delegate as soon as possible after the elections, but no
later than January 1. Any resumes received at the G.S.O.
after the January 1 deadline will be returned to the delegate
in the submitting area”
with certain changes so that it will read:
”Resumes for trustee candidates be sent to the General
Service Office by the area delegate only, as soon as possi-ble
after the elections, but no later January 1. Any resumes
received at the General Service Office after the January 1
deadline will be returned to the delegate in the submitting
area and will not be considered by the trustees’ Nominating
Committee in the current election.”
The 1976 Advisory Action which reads:
”No person be eligible simultaneously as a candidate for
both regional trustee and general service trustee-U.
S./Canada (changed in 1978 to trustee-at-large,
U. S ./Canada)”
be changed to read:
”No area shall submit an individual as candidate for both
regional trustee and trustee-at-large U.S./Canada in the
same year.”
A change in wording on the Class B trustee resume forms
from: ”Date of sobriety” to ”Date of last drink” not be made at
this time.
1986 It was recommended that:
With one exception all candidates for regional trustee of
Eastern Canada and Pacific U.S. be eligible for election. The
reason for the exception was that the resume was submitted by
the candidate rather than following a Conference action that
states the resume be submitted by the delegate only. (Because
of extenuating circumstances, the Conference as a whole
accepted his candidacy during the election process on
Wednesday.)
The Regional Trustee-G.S.O. Resume Sheet be updated to
include the following information from the Conference
Advisory Action from 1985: ”Resumes for trustee candidate be
sent to G.S.O. by the area delegate only . . . . ”
Due to the unforeseen circumstances, the chairperson of the
81

board is authorized to appoint from the existing members of
the General Service Board a director of the A.A. Grapevine,
Inc. to fill the vacancy.
The practice of having a Class A trustee serve as chairperson
of the board continue.
All resumes of potential Class A and General Service trustees
and directors be sent to members of the Conference Committee
on Trustees for their perusal before the General Service
Conference.
1987 It was recommended that:
The Conference reaffirm the 1985 Conference Action using the
word only in ”Resumes for Trustee Candidates be sent to
G.S.O. by Area Delegate only . . .”
We continue with the current practice of selecting directors for
both A.A.W.S. and Grapevine Boards, but that the positions
should not necessarily be restricted to residents of New York
City and vicinity.
A director serving on the A.A.W.S. or Grapevine Corporate
Board not be a candidate for regional trustee or trustee-at-large.
1988 It was recommended that:
In regard to the suggestion for a Class A trustee with expertise
in the area of finance, no additional specific limitations should
be made regarding qualifications for candidates, in order that
the board have the greatest latitude in selecting candidates for
Class A trustee vacancies.
In regard to the suggestion of the selection of corporate board
directors of A.A.W.S., Inc. and Grapevine, Inc., that they not
be past delegates, no specific limitations should be made
regarding qualifications for candidates, in order that the board
have the greatest latitude in selecting candidates for these posi-tions.
1989 It was recommended that:
An effort be made to rectify contradictions and inconsistencies
between The A.A. Service Manual and legal charters and cor-porate
by-laws.
NOTE: Although the following item did not receive the neces-sary
two-thirds vote to become a Conference recommendation,
it did receive a substantial majority and is therefore a strong
suggestion for the board’s consideration.
The following revised text be approved for substitution and
inclusion in The A.A. Service Manual:
THERE ARE. . .
TWO TRUSTEES-AT-LARGE
The trustees-at-large (2) serve as members of the trustees’
International Committee and other trustees committees or as
directors of the corporate boards. They may fill in for
regional trustees, as needed and/or requested.
The trustees-at-largs-one from the U.S. and one from
Canada-serve as the World Service Meeting delegates rep
resenting the U.S. and Canada. World Service Meeting del-egates
participate in two World Service Meetings which are
held once every two years, the meeting place alternating
between New York City and a location outside the U.S. and
Canada. World Service Meeting delegates should have the
same qualifications as any trustee, and also have time both
to attend the World Service Meetings and to present and
carry out any decisions reached at these meetings.
The trustees-at-large are requested to attend all Regional
Forums in their own country and be available on a rotation-al
basis to participate on forum programs.
The trustees-at-large are also available for other A.A. ser-vice
activities as requested by areas or regions and addi-tional
activities as may be requested by the board of
trustees.
THERE ARE. . .
FOUR GENERAL SERVICE TRUSTEES
General service trustees are active on one or more of the ser-vice
corporate boards and must be available, not only every
quarter, but any week and, sometimes, any day, for the solu-tion
of problems on which G.SO. or Grapevine staff mem-bers
need help. Because of this requirement, all general ser-vice
trustees originally came from New York City or its
commuting area and were sometimes known as ”in-town
trustees.” The current practice of selecting general service
trustees for both the A.A.W.S. and Grapevine corporate
boards will continue, but these positions are no longer
restricted to residents of New York City or its vicinity.
While there are no ”specialists” in A.A.--only recovered
drunks-it has been possible to choose, for general service
trusteeships, men and women with the kind of business or
professional acumen that is particularly applicable to the
problems at hand, whether their backgrounds are in pub-lishing,
public relations, or administration. This brings up
the question of what qualifications count most in the selec-tion
of a trustee . . .
1990: It was recommended that:
The following revised text be approved for substitution and
inclusion in The A.A. Service Manual:
THERE ARE. . .
TWO TRUSTEES-AT-LARGE
The trustees-at-large (2) serve as members of the trustees’
International Committee and other trustees committees or as
directors of the corporate boards. They may fill in for
regional trustees, as needed and/or requested.
The trustees-at-large--one from the U.S. and one from
Canada-serve as the World Service Meeting delegates rep-resenting
the U.S. and Canada. World Service Meeting del-egates
participate in two World Service Meetings which are
held once every two years, the meeting place alternating
between New York City and a location outside the U.S. and

Canada. World Service Meeting delegates should have the
same qualifications as any trustees, and also have time both
to attend the World Service Meetings and to present and
carry out any decisions reached at these meetings.
The trustees-at-large are requested to attend all Regional
Forums in their own country and be available on a rotation-al
basis to participate on forum programs.
The trustees-at-large are also available for other A.A. ser-vice
activities as requested by areas or regions and addi-tional
activities as may be requested by the board of
trustees.
THERE ARE. . .
FOUR GENERAL SERVICE TRUSTEES
ADVISORY ACTIONS
Concerning
AL-ANON FAMILY GROUPS
1963
The traditional A.A. policy of cooperation but not affiliation
with Al-Anon Family Groups was reaffirmed.
1967
Guidelines
approved.
for group separation of A.A. and Al-Anon were
General service trustees are active on one or more of the ser-vice
corporate boards and must be available, not only every
quarter, but any week and, sometimes, any day, for the solu-tion
of problems on which G.S.O. or Grapevine staff mem-bers
need help. Because of this requirement, all general ser-vice
trustees originally came from New York City or its
commuting area and were sometimes known as ”in-town
trustees.” The current practice of selecting general service
trustees for both the A.A.W.S. and Grapevine corporate
boards will continue, but these positions are no longer
restricted to residents of New York City or its vicinity.
While there are no ”specialists” in A.A.--only recovered
drunks-it has been possible to choose, for general service
trusteeships, men and women with the kind of business or
professional acumen that is particularly applicable to the
problems at hand, whether their backgrounds are in pub-lishing,
public relations, or administration. This brings up
the question of what qualifications count most in the selec-tion
of a trustee. . . .”
The Conference approved the recommendation to incorporate
into the existing A.A. Guidelines the questions on how A.A.
and Al-Anon can cooperate with regards to central offices, and
area and regional get-togethers and conventions. The
Conference also approved a resolution of gratitude to the fel-lowship
of Al-Anon Family Groups.
1976
It was affirmed that Al-Anon be allowed one vote on the
Convention Site Committee for the 1980 International
Convention.
ADVISORY ACTIONS
Concerning
CLUBS
1991
No recommendations other than that slate of offices, trustees
and directors be elected.
The Conference confirmed, on the basis of numerous case his-tories,
that it is possible for clubs limited to A.A. members to
develop and operate successfully without recourse to solicita-tion
of funds from non-A.A.s.
1992 It was recommended that:
It was recommended that a basic study be made of the relation
of clubhouses to the A.A. movement and approved formation
of an eight-member staff special Conference Study Committee
to work on this project with G.S.O.
Delegates who become chairpersons of Conference commit-tees,
and the delegate chairperson, continue to be invited to
attend the quarterly board weekend/General Service Board
meeting prior to the General Service Conference.
1961
1993 It was recommended that:
A detailed clubhouse survey was reported to the Conference.
Hereafter, Class A trustees be limited to two (2) consecutive
three-year terms. Since the committee recognizes the necessity
of a degree of flexibility in the terms of Class A trustees, the
chairperson of the General Service Board-after approval by
that board-is granted the opportunity to extend one (1) addi-tional
three-year term for Class A members of the General
Board, where necessary.
The chairperson of the General Service Board serve for no
more than four consecutive years.
The Conference reaffirmed A.A.‘s policy of cooperation but
not affiliation with clubs and rehabilitation facilities, as spelled
out in Tradition Six.
1967
The Conference approved a position paper concerning clubs
organized and directed by A.A. members to the effect that such
83

clubs should operate within A.A. Traditions and abide by them
to the fullest.
Conference committee by written ballot, to become chairman
immediately following each Conference.
1972 It was suggested that committee members can communicate
with each other by requesting the secretary to duplicate letters
The Conference agreed that G.S.O. should not accept contri-butions
from clubs, listed or known as such, whether or not
composed solely of A.A. members; and that a letter be sent to
delegates explaining this decision so that they can inform clubs
in the areas.
from members and mail them to all committee members.
1966
A Conference Institutions Committee was approved.
1981 It was recommended that: 1967
Clubs not receive the literature discount available to A.A.
groups.
ADVISORY ACTIONS
Concerning
CONFERENCE COMMITTEES
It was recommended that ex-officio committee members be
continued, but only after being contacted following the January
Policy Committee meeting and asked if they would like to con-tinue
serving ex-officio. Only if they answer in the affirmative
will they be kept on the committee list as ex-officio for one
year.
1957 1969
Approval was given to outlining the scope of Conference com-mittee
work for the benefit of new delegates.
It was recommended that the name of the Conference Policy
Committee be changed to Committee on Conference Policy.
1961 1970
Recognizing the growing importance of the field of outside
agencies, a Study Committee on Relations with Outside
Agencies as a standing Conference committee was established.
It was recommended that the procedure for selecting
Conference committee members continue to be from the hat;
that no area be represented on any standing committee for
more than two consecutive years; that when any state or
province has more than one area, no standing committee will
have more than one member from each state or province.
1971
The Conference approved the proposals that:
Conference committees select a co-chairman from first-year
delegates to become chairman the second year.
All outgoing Conference committee members serve in an ex-officio
capacity for a full year after their terms are concluded.
The Conference recommended that procedures for selecting
Conference committees be submitted during the forthcoming
year.
The Conference recommended that:
Committee members continue to be selected geographically by
lot, and that this drawing be conducted by the chairman of the
Policy Committee of the General Service Board at the January
Policy Committee meeting. Any delegates’ names not received
by that date will be added to committees as received.
[Reaffirmed, 1968]
It is not necessary to write to new delegates asking them if they
are willing to serve on the committee to which they have been
chosen, but rather, in the interest of expediency, they will be
informed of their committee assignment.
It was recommended that we accept the recommendation from
the Conference Committee on Public Information for the for-mation
of a Conference Committee on Professional Relations
to correspond with the trustees’ Committee on Professional
Relations; that five delegates from Panel 22 be drawn by lot for
the Conference Committee on Professional Relations; and that
four members from Panel 23 will be added to the committee to
bring it up to its full complement of nine. The Conference will
then have ten Conference Committees comprised of nine mem-bers
each at the present Conference size.
ADVISORY ACTIONS
Concerning
DELEGATES
1959
Delegates assigned to committees before the Conference then
be advised of their committee assignments by the Conference
secretary and given the opportunity to refuse the assignment.
[See Policy Committee action, 1971.1
The Conference reviewed a suggestion to increase the dele-gate’s
term of office to three years, and voted unanimously to
retain the present two-year term of office. [Reaffirmed in 1965
and 1967.1
The new chairman be elected at the final meeting of each
84

1962
The Conference asked the General Service Board to investigate
the savings that might be obtained by limiting air-travel
allowances for delegates to the cost of jet tourist where obtainable.
1963
The Conference confirmed the need for exchange of informa-tion
on intergroup experience and activity through G.S.O.
1 9 6 5
The Conference recommended that all area assemblies at
which delegates are elected be held prior to December 31.
The Conference reaffirmed the basic A.A. principle of rotation
in service positions, and disapproved a proposal that former
delegates be permitted to attend Conference meetings as
observers.
1968
The Conference recommended that delegates be informed of
important issues so they can read prepared material and per-haps
discuss before voting.
1 9 7 3
The Conference suggested that past delegates not hold office as
G.S.R.s or D.C.M.s but find other ways to become involved in
area service.
ADVISORY ACTIONS
Concerning
DELEGATES’ MEETINGS
The Conference approved the principle of having a second-year
delegate as chairman, with a first-year delegate as vice-chairman,
succeeding to the chairmanship the following year.
1957
The Conference approved giving each new delegate the oppor-tunity
to be recognized and to speak (suggested time limit, two
minutes) at the opening of the meeting.
1961
The Conference approved the continuation of the plan adopted
in 1960 of placing qualified G.S.R.s on appropriate G.S.O.
mailing lists. It suggested that G.S.O. prepare a special form on
which G.S.R.s could record data essential to maintaining up-to-
date mailing lists.
It was recommended that
er-Thursday evening.
the Area-Delegates Meeting be earli-
1963
The decision was made to create an informal association of
past and present delegates, to be called ”The Delegates’
Association,” who will meet together at the International
Convention in 1965.
1964
It was suggested that G.S.O. reinstitute the practice of having
advance copies of talks available to delegates at the time pre-sentations
are made, as was done at the 1963 Conference.
It was agreed that present delegates should attend the 1965
International Convention in Toronto ”as A.A. members only.”
1965
The meeting approved the continuation of Area Highlights
reports on the 1966 Conference agenda.
It was agreed:
That delegates have an obligation to query G.S.O. staff mem-bers,
trustees, and directors on matters of movement-wide con-cern;
and it was felt that the new interview time sessions, as
well as increased discussion with the staff members, might be
more useful in this connection than procedures used in the past.
To recommend to the Policy Committee of the Conference
”that the structure of committees be changed to provide for
more than the eight members now allowed.”
Area delegates meet on Wednesday night.
The following delegates were elected to the World Service
Meeting in October 1969:
Panel 18: Delegate-Warren S., So. Coastal
1969
It was suggested that the Sunday afternoon delegates’ recep-tion
be continued as a hospitality fellowship reception of an
informal nature, rather than as a more formal planned or pre-arranged
meeting.
It was the expression of the meeting that inasmuch as G.S.O. is
now giving consideration to relocation of the office in New
York, consideration might also be given to the relocation of the
site of this meeting, with a view to returning to single-room
accommodations so that the advantages of private meditation,
study, thought, and rest might be restored. It was further sug-gested
that the rising costs of the annual meeting might be con-trolled,
or at least reduced, by a study of possible alternative
hotel accommodations.
1970
The following resolutions were acted upon at the Area-Delegates-
Only Meeting:
That the Delegates-Only Meeting be held on Tuesday night
85

of the Conference instead of Wednesday night.
That the General Service Office have the right to choose the
hotel for the 197 1 General Service Conference without con-ferring
further with the delegates to the Conference.
That a separate, one-page agenda be printed for the conve-nience
of the delegates.
A resolution of thanks to Lois for standing by Bill all these
years.
A reaffirmation of the action of the Committee on
Conference Policy to appoint a task force to take the
Conference’ s inventory.
1971
The following resolutions were acted upon:
That the General Service Office have the right to choose the
hotel for the 1972 Conference, with a unanimously strong rec-ommendation
that they consider a site other than the Hotel
New Yorker.
In recognition of the importance of keeping past delegates
informed and involved, it was recommended that past dele-gates
receive the G.S.O. Quarterly Report.
It was unanimously agreed that the Sunday get-acquainted
meeting be continued. The delegates expressed a desire to use
the bell system so that more members would have an opportu-nity
to participate.
Two U.S./Canada Conference delegates and two alternates to
the World Service Meeting of 1972 were elected:
Panel 21: Delegate-Shirley S., N.E. Ohio, Alternate--Lenore
M., E. Pennsylvania.
Panel 22: Delegate--Ben P., Kansas, Alternate-Ralph Z.,
Western New York
It was recommended that the area delegate chairman should
have greater Conference responsibility and be allowed to chair
parts of the meetings, such as Personal Highlights.
It was strongly recommended that the election procedure for
election of trustees should be thoroughly reviewed.
1972
A contribution was made by the delegates to the Memorial Fund
to show gratitude to Hazel R., Betty R., and Walter H. Calif.,
Alternate-Hal V., North Dakota. Panel 19: Delegate-Charles
D., Central Michigan, Alternate-Bill W., Chicago, Ill.
1973
It was the sense of the meeting that:
Delegates should be more responsive to G.S.O. requests and
communications.
86
Present delegates should be more thorough in advice to suc-cessors
as to Conference structure, activity, and procedures.
G.S.O. might improve lines of communication to delegates in
such matters as attitudes on Conference theme and seek atti-tudes
on finalized agenda subject matter.
It was also requested that delegates be advised of the results of
the Conference Evaluation and Critique Study made in 1972.
It was recommended that:
The agenda of the 24th Conference include an in-depth discus-sion
concerning involvement of A.A. members in outside
agency programs on alcoholism. The suggestion was made
with the view in mind that the new Professional Relations
Committee would be deeply involved in this matter, particu-larly
to determine whether or not such involvement results in
implied endorsement in violation of our Traditions.
The delegate chairperson be more actively involved in the
Conference-such as introducing delegate Highlight speakers,
introducing Conference committee chairpersons making
reports, and chairing meetings involving delegates.
1974
The chairperson stated that any actions taken would be adviso-ry
only. He stated further that there would be elections tonight
(April 25) of chairman and alternate for Panel 25. The purpose
of having a Delegates-Only Meeting is to ensure frank discus-sion.
A telegram received by the Conference from Grover S. of
Delaware was referred back to the Ask-It-Basket as a
Conference matter.
The chairman offered a resolution of commendation of Kleina
Jones [G.S.O. personnel manager, now retired] for her dedica-tion.
Unanimously approved.
Ted K. was thanked by the assembled delegates for his ”Memo
to a Delegate from a Delegate.” It was suggested that this con-tinue
to be a Conference mailing.
A motion was made from the floor to suggest to the appropri-ate
committee that each day’s meetings be opened with the
Serenity Prayer and closed with the Lord’s Prayer. It was
passed unanimously.
The scheduling this year was adequate and flexible enough to
meet the Conference needs.
The sense of the meeting was that all delegates felt they had
free and completely involved participation in all Conference
action.
1975
A unanimous vote of appreciation was given to AM M.
(G.S.O. staff) for her many years of service.
The sense of the Delegates-Only Meeting was that the sched-

uling of the Conference was satisfactory.
The delegates felt that they had enough participation.
It was suggested that the delegates should have name tags in
advance so those who arrive early for next year’s Conference
may identify each other as early arrivers.
One delegate asked that when outside agencies get permission
from G.S.O. on use of A.A. phraseology, the delegate involved
should be notified.
Since items for the agenda must be established by a certain
date, it is suggested that any changes in agenda should be
voiced at the beginning of the Conference and approval sought
for any changes.
It was recommended that any matter brought before the
Conference that required a vote, either by a sense of the meet-ing
or other voting procedure, shall be given the right of dis-cussion
before the vote is taken.
1976 It was the sense of the meeting:
To bring G.S.O.‘s attention to our needs and concerns on the
widespread problem in mailings and records and to tell us
exactly what we might do to cooperate with them and they to
cooperate with us.
That this Delegates-Only Meeting go on record as strongly
urging that the format of the Conference be changed so that the
committee reports will be in our hands early in the week,
Thursday morning or Thursday evening, in ample time to dis-cuss
them before voting on Friday morning.
That in the Delegates-Only Meeting there be no restrictions on
any subject the delegates discuss.
That at the regional luncheons next year one person be picked
out of each region and that person be the nominee for delegate
chairman, Panel 27.
1977
At this Delegates Meeting, for the first time, there were three
topics for presentation and discussion:
a. How to Spread the Word-The Delegates’ Report
b. Delegates’ Right of Decision and Group Conscience
c. The Past Delegate-A Dropout?
Election of 1978 delegate chairperson: In keeping with the
26th Conference action, one nominee from each region was
presented to the delegates. Results: Fran P. (Washington), del-egate
chairperson; and Dave A. (Northeast Texas), alternate
chairperson.
There was considerable discussion about the composition of
the trustees’ committees. It was suggested that committees
should no longer be limited to members from the New York
area.
1978
Presentation and discussion topics were:
a. The Delegate and A.A. World Service Structure
b. The Delegate and the Responsibility of Communication
c. The Delegate and the Professional Community
Suggestions for improvement at the area level included:
a.
b.
C.
d .
e.
f.
Order in bulk through intergroups.
Address mail to a particular person at G.S.O.
Document all correspondence and keep copies; set up a
system for documentation with groups.
Establish a central point of quality assurance for all dele-gates;
get a report from that point at the 1979 Conference.
G.S.O. reports that 33% of the 30,000 G.S.R.s change
every 90 days; stress two years service, not short term.
Use group service number or delegate’s panel and area
number in all correspondence to expedite mailing.
It was also pointed out that areas should be aware
of the time required for processing and delivery of
orders, third-class mail taking up to three weeks.
ADVISORY ACTIONS
Concerning
DIRECTORIES
1956
In regard to misuse of the World Directory, it was recom-mended
that the attention of the groups again be directed to its
purpose as listed on the inside directory cover. It was recom-mended
that this statement be used as a guide and not a rule, as
it is not intended to interfere with free communication between
A.A.s in sharing experience and activities; that non-A.A. mis-use
be handled as in the past. [Reaffirmed in 1961 and 1966.1
1960
It was recommended that permanent mailing addresses for
General Service Conference area committees be listed in the
World Directory under state or province.
The majority
chairpersons
permission.
of delegates were in favor of listing delegates and
of area committees in the directory with their
The Conference agreed it would not be practical to list local
a7

A.A. newsletters and bulletins in the World Directory.
1966
The present policy on listings in the World Directory was reaf-firmed.
9 6 8
Separation of the World Directory into two editions was
approved, one edition being for the U.S. and Canada, and the
second for all other countries.
1972
Regarding listing in the World Directory, it was the sense of
the meeting that family groups should not be listed under the
family group name in the directory.
Regarding World Directory, Part I, it was recommended that a
set of specific guidelines on the use of the World Directory be
prepared by G.S.O. as soon as possible. Delegates unanimous-ly
agreed that their names may be used for any referrals from
G.S.O.
It was unanimously agreed that alcohol and pill groups not be
listed in A.A. directories or meeting lists.
1973
Guidelines for use of the World Directory as presented to the
Conference were unanimously accepted.
A one-year moratorium on the publication of the World
Directory as presented to the Conference was granted.
1974
The Conference approved the following recommendations of
the World Directory Study Committee:
a. Part I (U.S. and Canada) of the World Directory be divid-ed
into three sections, each subdivided by region:
Eastern United States: Northeast Region; Southeast
Region; East Central Region.
Western United States: Pacific Region; West Central
Region; Southwest Region.
Canada
b. Work be scheduled so that Part II of the World Directory
may be distributed before summer.
c. A staggered system of mailing, obtaining responses and
processing changes on group information cards, be estab-lished
to facilitate the spreading of work throughout the
year.
d. Only full. names and phone numbers that may be used for
Twelfth Step referral and meeting information from any
source be published. This will be clearly indicated on the
88
‘ .
group information card.
Group meeting place information be included on back of
group information cards. This is for reference at G.S.O.
only and not for the directory.
.
Delegates
tory cards
be asked to assume
in their areas.
responsibility for all direc-1
In special session, the Conference affirmed that all A.A. groups
should be listed in the World Directory. This action is in accor-
dance with the description of an A.A. group in the World
Directory.
1977 It was recommended that:
States and provinces should be listed alphabetically rather than
by region.
The recommendation of the 1974 General Service Conference
be reaffirmed:
Only full names and phone numbers that may be used for
Twelfth Step referral and meeting information from any
source by published. This will be clearly indicated on the
group information sheet.
Each group’s service number (used for G.S.0 records) should
be listed with other information.
Group contributions continue to be listed.
1979 It was recommended that:
The names of alcohol and pill groups not be listed in A.A.
directories.
1989 It was recommended that:
The 1989 General Service Conference appoint an ad hoc com-
mittee consisting of Panel 39 delegates and G.S.O. employees
involved with the new computer system to study the problems
of group registration and the A.A. directories and bring its rec-
ommendations back to the 1990 General Service Conference.
ADVISORY ACTIONS
Concerning
FILMS AND FILMSTRIPS
1960 It was recommended that:
The board pursue the plan of making a documentary A.A. film
for sale to A.A. groups and for use by other interested people
at a cost to the board not to exceed $7,500; that the plan include
provisions for control of the script and for exclusive sale to the
groups and others approved by the General Service Board.
1 9 6 4
The Conference approved a new filmstrip describing world
services made available through G.S.O.

1966
The Conference reaffirmed the action of the 1965 Conference
that ”Bill’s Own Story” on film is for A.A. use only and should
not be shown outside A.A. groups.
1 9 6 8
The Conference recommended that prints of the film ”Time for
Decision” be made available to local public information com-mittees
at a rental price of $20 a week.
1 9 6 9
It was felt that the G.S.O. filmstrip was very effective in letting
members know about G.S.O. and encouraging them to con-tribute.
The committee suggested that all delegates show the
G.S.O. filmstrip as often as possible, just prior to their discus-sion
of the need for contributions and support .
1 9 7 0
The Conference recommended better utilization of the G.S.O.
filmstrip should be made and suggested that it be distributed in
a slide form to make it more convenient to use.
1 9 7 7
After discussion, it was decided that there was no substantial
unanimity regarding the showing of the 1960 International
Convention film at Regional Forums, and it was also decided
that the subject should be discussed in the areas before a final
decision is made. It was also suggested that an additional print
be obtained and safeguarded.
1 9 7 8
A motion was carried that the film of the 1960 International
Convention in Long Beach, California, be kept for archival
purposes only.
1980 It was recommended that:
The pictures of Bill W. and Dr. Bob remain in the film ”A.A.--An
Inside View.”
1981 It was recommended that:
The filmstrip ”Markings on the Journey” be shown within the
Fellowship only.
ADVISORY ACTIONS
Concerning
GENERAL SERVICE BOARD
1952 It was recommended that:
The committee study the question of Congressional incorpora-tion.
1953 It was recommended that:
A.A. not be incorporated by Congressional action.
1954
A motion to change the name of the Alcoholic Foundation,
Inc., to General Service Board of Alcoholics Anonymous, Inc.
was unanimously adopted.
1 9 6 1
The General Service Board of Trustees was asked to consider
specific action in respect to royalty payments on textbook lit-erature
to ensure that Bill and Lois may not suffer a possible
loss of income in the future.
1 9 6 4
An agreement between Bill W., co-founder, and A.A. World
Services, Inc., covering royalties derived from Bill’s writings
was reviewed and approved. (The intent of the agreement is to
protect Bill, his wife, Lois, and their designated heirs, while
defining A.A.W.S.'s position as the society’s publishing
agency.)
1 9 7 2
Regarding the Bill Wilson Memorial Fund: Agreed to defer the
decision on the use of the Bill Wilson Memorial Fund so that
the delegates may discuss with their groups the suggestion of a
film about A.A., historical or for public information purposes,
and come back next year prepared to make a decision on this
or some other suggestion. [In 1973 the Conference unani-mously
recommended that the money in the Bill Wilson
Memorial Fund be transferred to the General Fund as expedi-tiously
as possible.]
A change in the bylaws was approved to remove the words ”at-large”
from the title of the general service trustee from the U.S.
and the general service trustee from Canada.
The proposal to change the State of Wisconsin from the West
Central Region to the East Central Region was unanimously
approved.
1 9 7 3
Utah’s request for a change of region from the Southwest
Region to the Pacific Region was unanimously approved.
The procedure for election of regional trustees was reviewed
and the Conference recommended that the questionnaire
regarding electoral procedures for the regional trustees be
filled out and sent to G.S.O. by the trustees’ Nominating
Committee at their July 1973 meeting. The trustees’
Nominating Committee will make a proposal(s) to the 1974
Conference for consideration.
The Conference unanimously recommended that the money in
the Bill Wilson Memorial Fund be transferred to the General
Fund as expeditiously as possible.
1 9 7 4
The Conference, by more than a two-thirds majority, voted to
make the following changes in the electoral procedures for
89

regional trustees:
a. That the trustees’ Nominating Committee continue to
review resumes for each candidate’s eligibility for nomi-nation.
Voters to consist of delegates from the region
involved plus an equal number of voters-one-half to
come from the Conference Committee on Trustees, and
one-half to come from the trustees’ Nominating
committee.
b. That a five-year moratorium on discussion of electoral
procedures of Class B regional trustees at the Conference
level be observed.
1975 It was recommended that:
No further discussion is necessary regarding John O.‘s letter
concerning St. Luke’s Hospital in Phoenix, and a vote of con-fidence
was unanimously given to Milton Maxwell, Class A
trustee.
Delegates be given background information on Class A and
general service (in-town) trustee nominees when they are pre-sented
to the Conference prior to election by the General
Service Board.
The concept presented by Dr. Norris on conferences in which
staff and trustees would visit in the regions and work with local
service people should be further explored and developed.
1976 It was recommended that:
We go forward with mini-conferences and provide them as
often as possible, and that these be held at the request of the
region. The sense of the meeting was that for the time being the
regional meetings be known as A.A. Regional Forums.
1992 It was recommended that:
A feasibility study be undertaken by the General Service
Board of all possible methods by which sobriety chips/medal-lions
may be made available to the A.A. Fellowship; and that:
a. the study culminate in a report to an ad hoc committee of
1993 Conference delegates;
b. the report presented to the ad hoc committee also be
mailed to all Conference members by March 15, 1993;
c. the ad hoc committee be charged with bringing forward a
recommendation to the 1993 Conference reporting their
conclusions.
ADVISORY ACTIONS
Concerning
GENERAL SERVICE OFFICE
1958 It was recommended that:
The suggestion of a name change f r om General Service
Headquarters to General Service Office be adopted.
1966 It was recommended that:
More planned specific help should be provided by area com-mittees
and the General Service Office for both starting and
assisting A.A. in small communities.
A staff member coordinate central office services.
Monthly information sheets be mailed from G.S.O.
1972
Regarding local misunderstandings, the Conference approved
the following resolution:
This, the 22nd General Service Conference of Alcoholics
Anonymous, feels that G.S.O. should not be asked to inter-vene
or otherwise involve itself in local disputes or misun-derstandings.
1976 It was recommended that:
G.S.O. discontinue distribution of the book ”Bill W.,” dispose
of the present supply in the most feasible manner, and notify
the Fellowship through Box 4-5-9 when the book ”Bill W.” is
no longer available through G.S.O. The sense of the meeting
was taken that the deletion of the listing in the catalog should
be handled by overprinting or other method as the General
Service Office sees fit.
Up to $5,000 be authorized for a professional study of the fea-sibility
of relocating G.S.O., the result of this study to be
reported at the 1977 Conference.
1977
It was agreed that, as recommended by the General Service
Board, it would not be in the best interest of the Fellowship to
relocate the General Service Office at this time.
1978
Following the presentation on the possible relocation of the
General Service Office, the Conference reaffirmed the recom-mendation
of the 1977 General Service Conference that it
would not be in the best interest of the Fellowship to relocate
the General Service Office at this time.
1980 It was recommended that:
When G.S.O. and Grapevine offices are expanded, the offices
be modernized and the appearance of the reception area and
office as a whole be vastly improved.
ADVISORY ACTIONS
Concerning
GENERAL SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES
1956 It,was recommended that:
An announcement be made in a future G.S.O. Exchange
Bulletin reminding G.S.R.s that it is their duty to pass bulletins
on to the secretary and suggesting that, wherever practical, the
G.S.R. use a group post office box as a mailing address.
90

1963
The 1963 Conference endorsed the plan of conducting area
committee sharing sessions in which G.S.R.s are encouraged to
share their experience and knowledge in helping the
Fellowship to carry out specific responsibilities of service to
alcoholics.
1964
The Conference approved the proposal that areas which volun-teered
on an experimental basis will have their G.S.R.s receive
G.S.O. mailings exclusively.
1965 It was recommended that:
All G.S.R.s receive the group mailings from the General
Service Office.
1970 It was recommended that:
The area committees consider a symposium on services that
would include an educational program for G.S.R.s in the work-ings
of their groups to G.S.O. The need to employ more artic-ulate
people, especially in the role of G.S.R., was stressed.
1992 It was recommended that:
The general manager of the General Service Office and the
Alcoholics Anonymous World Services Board devise an equi-table
system of pay for the staff that embraces the spiritual
principles of Concept XI and complies with all applicable laws.
1993 It was recommended that:
The General Service Office review the current practice of mail-ing
label distribution and devise
pass the principle of anonymity.
a new policy that will encom-ADVISORY
ACTIONS
Concerning
GROUPS
1972
Regarding naming an A.A. group after an individual: The sug-gestion
was approved that an A.A. group should not be named
after an A.A. member or a nonalcoholic, living or deceased.
A.A. group policy was reaffirmed that ”Only those with a
desire to stop drinking may be members of A.A. groups; only
A.A. members are eligible to be officers of A.A. groups; non-alcoholics
are welcome at open meetings of A.A.” And it is
suggested that the word ”family” not be used in the name of an
A.A. group: if A.A.s and their nonalcoholic mates wish to meet
together on a regular basis, they consider these gatherings
”meetings” and not A.A. groups. [See also Directories section
regarding listing in the directory.]
Tape-making: It was agreed that tape-making at all types of
A.A. meetings is helpful to some A.A.s and that the decision of
making tapes be left to group autonomy.
Narcotics, drugs, and A.A.: A show of hands indicated that
more than one-half of the delegates are concerned with this
problem in their areas, and it was agreed that we should publi-cize
what we are and what we are not. See also Directories sec-tion
regarding the listing of alcohol and pill groups in the direc-tory*]
1973 It was recommended that:
Newcomers should learn about and become involved in the
A.A. service structure as soon as possible.
Discussion of special purpose groups was recommended as an
agenda item for 1974.
ADVISORY ACTIONS
Concerning
INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS
1962
The Conference rejected a proposal that the 1965 General
Service Conference be held in Toronto in conjunction with the
30th Anniversary Convention to be held in July 1965.
1964
Operating plans and procedures for the 30th Anniversary
International Convention in Toronto, July 2, 3, and 4, 1975,
were approved.
1965
Reports were approved on the preparation of a book entitled
”A.A./30” being prepared for sale at the Convention.
The Conference disapproved a suggestion that Convention
funds be used to defray expenses incidental to attendance at the
Convention by certain early A.A. members, but suggested that
area committees might be interested in such projects.
1966
It was agreed to hold a 35th International Convention; that
Miami be recommended as first choice and Chicago as second
choice, with the provision that if Miami should prove imprac-tical,
then Seattle be considered as well as Chicago, and that
the ”Procedures Affecting A.A.‘s International Convention” be
accepted for the 1970 Convention with the following change in
Item D, under II:
After the Site Committee has carefully screened the infor-mation
submitted on each site, the committee will indicate
its order of preference as first and second.
The sole change involved is the elimination of the word ”third”
after second.
1971
The delegates selected the following cities in order of prefer-91

ence as their choice for the 1975 A.A. Convention: Denver,
Seattle, and Detroit. Following the Conference, Bob, Kleina,
and Dennis visited Denver to inspect hotel and convention
facilities. Their report will be forthcoming shortly.
The committee reviewed and confirmed the action taken at the
197 1 Conference:
The number of non-A.A. speakers be limited, and that
be people who are interested in A. A. and alcoholism.
they
a. There be at least one A.A. meeting held at the same time
non-A.A.s are speaking so that members will always
have a choice.
Simultaneous translation services (depending on foreign regis-tration)
be provided free of charge at the 1980 International
Convention.
The number of non-A.A. speakers to be invited to participate
in the 1980 International Convention remain the same (21) as
at previous International Conventions.
Three commercial taping organizations be invited to establish
guidelines and submit bids for providing the equipment to tape
the 1980 International Convention. It was further recommend-ed
that the services of A.A. volunteers be utilized to do the
actual taping with the guidelines established by the firm pro-viding
the equipment. It was felt that this procedure would cut
the retail cost of the tapes to about 50% of the cost of tapes
from the 1975 International Convention.
b. The speakers at the Sunday morning spiritual panel be
A.A. members.
Box 4-5-9 publish information on:
It was recommended that:
a. Convention services for deaf A.A. members
Al-Anon be requested not to hold the Sunrise Meeting at Red
Rocks because it might interfere with the buses needed for the
A.A. Sunday morning spiritual meeting.
b. Convention policy regarding travel agencies and their
handling of registration and reservation forms
c. When registration and reservation forms will be available
The Host Committee have the responsibility for planning and The 1980 International Convention include showing(s) of the
handling the luncheon for delegates, past delegates, trustees, films, ”Bill Discusses the Twelve Traditions” and ”Alcoholics
and past trustees. Anonymous-An Inside View.”
The Convention Committee reported that there are 12,000 reg-istrations
as of April 24; May 15 is the deadline for receiving
registrations at G.S.O.
The committee also reported that there will be: two Big
Meetings-Friday night and Sunday morning; the Big Show
on Saturday night; 34 Alkathon A.A. meetings; 12 Panel
Meetings; 12 Workshops; luncheon for past/present delegates
and trustees ($6.50 per person, Saturday, July 5; these lun-cheons
will take place at the Holiday Inn downtown).
Don B., delegate from Colorado, gave an enthusiastic
the activities of the Denver Host committee.
report on
A Convention evaluation questionnaire will be distributed to
all registrants with their badges.
The members of the Conference Convention Committee will
be among the hosts at the G.S.O. informal reception for the
A.A. and Al-Anon Convention Host Committee, Sunday, July
16, from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m.
Convention meetings will open with the Serenity Prayer and
close with the Lord’s Prayer.
The general manager of G.S.O. personally inform area dele-gates
of invitations to A.A. members in their respective areas
to chair major functions of the International Convention prior
t o issuance of the invitations.
1980 It was recommended that:
Simultaneous translations in French, Spanish, and German be
provided at no charge for the Big Meeting on Friday night and
the Spiritual Meeting on Sunday morning.
1981 It was recommended that:
The report of the 1985 International Convention Site Selection
committee be accepted; first, second, and third choices as fol-lows:
(1) Montreal, (2) San Diego, (3) Minneapolis.
Complete financial reports of the International Conventions be
published in the Final Conference Reports, including the 1980
International Convention.
1984 It was recommended that:
The principal speakers at the major A.A. meetings all be A.A.
members, as it has been at our A.A. International Conventions
in the past.
1 9 7 6 Due to the 1985 International Convention, state, local and
provincial convention committees be alerted to the possible
The Convention Site Committee reported its selection for the effect on attendance at local conventions held May 10 and
1980 International Convention as follows: (1) New Orleans, August 23.
(2) Houston, (3) Seattle.
1985 It was recommended that:
1979 It was recommended that:
92

For public information purposes, we permit a TV camera to
film the flag ceremony from afar at the Olympic Park Stadium.
Because the Convention questionnaire is not helpful from one
Convention to the next, we discontinue its use.
1986 It was recommended that:
Three cities be specified for the 1990 International
Convention: Houston, Texas; Seattle, Washington; Vancouver,
British Columbia.
1987 It was recommended that:
The 1988 General Service Conference select three cities for the
1995 International Convention; and that the Convention Site
Selection Committee not determine its preference for first, sec-ond
or third choice and that the top three cities be given equal
consideration by the 1988 General Service Conference. The
final selection of the site will be made by the General Service
Board in July 1988, following an inspection trip by the
Convention Site Selection Committee.
MISCELLANEOUS ADVISORY ACTIONS
It was agreed that qualified ”observers” from overseas areas be
admitted to the 1957 Conference.
1959
The Conference accepted the board’s recommendation that
invitations be extended to the Service Committee of Great
Britain and Ireland, Finland, Norway, and Holland to send, this
year or next, a member as a correspondent who would be a
member of the Conference without vote and, as such, would
receive all Conference materials.
1966
The Conference approved the International Committee’s rec-ommendation:
”When a country wishes to have a foreign
observer, the foreign observer should be a legal resident of the
country and a member of A.A."
1972
Regarding the Stepping Stones property, it was voted unani-mously
not to accept this property, the home of Bill and Lois.
1983
We send an invitation to a friend of A.A. to share with us spir-itually
one morning, at the 1985 International Convention; and
we would like that person to be a member of Al-Anon.
1985
The general manager designate a staff person to coordinate and
pull together (at the General Service Office) all available infor-mation
about spreading the A.A. message to the native North
American population, including but not limited to (I) transla-tions
of their languages and dialects, (2) experiences of various
A.A. groups in their contact with these populations, and to
explore with a view toward consolidating and expanding
A.A.‘s experience in these areas; to report back to the 1986
Conference through whatever committee the General Manager
feels is appropriate.
The Treatment Facilities, Correctional Facilities and
Cooperation With the Professional Community Workbooks be
translated into Spanish.
1986
The 1987 Conference Policy/Admission Committee consider
the formation of a Conference Archives Committee.
ADVISORY ACTIONS
Concerning
WORLD SERVICE MEETING
1968
The proposal that the first World Service Meeting be held in
New York City in the fall of 1969 was approved.
1970
A motion was made, seconded, and unanimously approved that
the 20th General Service Conference accept the following
advisory actions of the First World Service Meeting:
a. That the First World Service Meeting was worthwhile,
and delegates approved the idea of holding future meetings.
b. That the
some were
next meeting be
in favor of two or
held
four
in three
years.
years; although
c. That the expenses of the next meeting should be shared
on a more equitable basis if possible.
d. That New York be the unanimous choice for the site of
the next World Service Meeting, although it was agreed that
future meetings should be held in other areas of the world
when it becomes feasible.
e. That the principle of rotation regarding the election of
delegates to future meetings be accepted. However, it was
noted that each country will determine the method of elec-tion
or appointment of its own delegates. It was suggested
that new delegates might be elected on a staggered-rotation
basis.
f. That delegates agree to the formation of four committees
to conduct the business of World Service Meeting until the
next gathering: Policy, Finance/Admissions, and
Literature/Publishing. Delegates agreed that members of
these committees would be chosen by lot.
93

The Conference accepted the proposal for electing delegates to
the World Service Meeting, representing the U.S. and Canada,
in accordance with the procedures followed by other countries.
1977 It was recommended that the Fourth World Service
Meeting report be accepted.
94