November 17 in A.A. History

In 1943, the first meeting of the Board of Trustees of The Alcoholic Foundation, Inc. was held. Originally incorporated as a trust, it was reorganized as a membership corporation and the number of trustees was increased from seven to nine.

In 1947, with the help of A.A. members Harry B. knew in Salt Lake City and Ogden, Utah, the Idaho Falls (Idaho) group helped organize the first meeting in Pocatello, Idaho. Founded by Harry six months earlier, Idaho Falls Group #1 had grown to 38 members.

In 1948, Bill and Lois W. made a return visit to Milwaukee, Wisconsin [left], primarily to see Dr. Gilbert “Gib” K., who was near death from cancer. Gib urged Bill to accept his violin as a gift, which Bill did; he cherished it for the rest of his life. With only a few hours’ notice, local A.A. members organized an evening open meeting. Over 500 people showed up. Bill also visited Group 7, where no one recognized him. 
    Lois was taken to the alcoholism ward at St. Michael’s Hospital to visit a female patient. Lois talked with the girl for a while and then started to leave. As she was leaving, Lois turned and took a small corsage from her suit jacket and pinned it to the girl’s nightgown. She said, “You know my dear, it’s as easy to kick yourself up as it is to keep kicking yourself down.” 
    They stayed with George S., who had started a second A.A. meeting in Milwaukee. He wanted Bill W.’s advice on whether or not to go into the alcoholism field full time, since he was already very involved as a volunteer. Bill waited until the morning of his departure to answer. Over breakfast Bill said

George, I don’t think there is much of a choice. Someone must begin to spearhead the dreams we have of working with the public to make the lot of the alcoholic a better one.

George made his choice and became a towering figure in the field. He would continue his A.A. activities, including serving as Area 75’s first Delegate on Panel 1 of the General Service Conference (1951–52).