April 21 in A.A. History

In 1939, Hank P. wrote to Janet Blair, a non-alcoholic editor of Alcoholics Anonymous in Peekskill, New York, enclosing a signed first printing of the first edition of the book in grateful appreciation of her editorial contributions.

In 1946, The New York Times Magazine published an article titled “The Sick Person We Call an Alcoholic" [left], about Mrs. Marty M., a member of Alcoholics Anonymous. In the article, she “tells what we can do to help those who would quit but can’t.”
[Marty, a lesbian, used the title “Mrs.” to protect her privacy, as prejudice against homosexuality was prevalent in the 1940s. Both she and the National Committee for Education on Alcoholism, which she helped establish, faced significant challenges during that time, and revealing her sexual orientation would have damaged both.]

Today in A.A. History—April 21–25 

In 1954, at the 4th General Service Conference, held at the Hotel Commo­dore in New York City, the following were among the advisory actions:

• Unanimously, that the name The Alcoholic Foundation be changed to The General Service Board of Alcoholics Anonymous, Inc.; and
  
• “that Delegates come to the Conference being only tentatively instructed for the following reasons:
  1. that each Delegate bring to the Conference the thinking of his area, and
  2. that the maximum wisdom of the Conference be achieved and voted through the exchange of these ideas at the Conference.”

Today in A.A. History—April 21–26

In 1964 , at the 14th General Service Conference, held at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City, the Atlantic Province Area was split into 1) New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, and (2) Nova Scotia and Newfoundland.
    The following were among other advisory actions:

• That the responsibilities and functions of Conference Committees be explained thoroughly, prior to the selection of committeemen, at future Conferences [and] that consideration be given to the possibility of scheduling a workshop sessionon the functions of Conference Committees.
• That all members of the [Agenda] committee receive copies of all correspondence on agenda matters[,]… be informed of the action taken on their recommendations to the Policy Committee [and]… review background material on previous Conferences’ actions, as a guide in preparing recommendations for the 1965 Conference agenda.
• That all Grapevine committee members henceforth be kept informed during the year on all Grapevine matters of Conference importance.
• Approved an agreement between Bill W., co-founder, and A.A. World Services, Inc., covering royalties derived from Bill's writings.

Today in A.A. History—April 21–26

In 1969, at the 19th General Service Conference, held at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City, the following were among the advisory actions:

• 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.
• Recommended that the General Service Conference approve the following resolution of the… General Service Board of Trustees:
  “We will endeavor to avoid participation on radio and TV programs, unless
  • We are given adequate time for preparation.
  • Our presence will serve an A.A. objective.
  • The primary discussion is appropriate for A.A.—not concerned with crime, sex, controversy or any other sensationalism.
  • We are satisfied our anonymity is guaranteed.”
• 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.
• [Added] to the Conference Charter:… Article 1… “…The Twelve Steps,” the sentence now to read: “…The [GSC] is the guardian of the world services, and of the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous.”
• Disapproved the proposal for a suggested change… for regional trustees which would increase the voting body to all delegates and eliminate the trustees from voting.

In 1975 , at the 25th Annual General Service Conference, held at the Hotel Roosevelt in New York City, the following were among the advisory actions

• A two-year moratorium (until 1977) be placed on discussion of special-purpose groups.
• A paragraph dealing with the problems of the use of mood-changing pills by A.A. members who hold group office should not be added to an appropriate A.A. pamphlet, because it was felt that this decision is up to local autonomy.
• Each delegate receive only the agenda pertinent to his or her committee, but may receive any others on request.

Today in A.A. History—April 21–27

In 1966 , at the 46th General Service Conference, held at the Crowne Plaza in New York City, the following were among the advisory actions:

• “Washington State East Area 92” and “Western Washington State Area 72” be approved as the new names for these areas.
• The [parts of the] title of the chart[s] on page[s] S23 [and S46] of The A.A. Service Manual be changed from “Struture of the Fellowship” to “The General Service Conference Structure (U.S. and Canada)” to more accurately describe what is depicted.