April 14 in A.A. History

1959: In response to a letter from “Russ,” Bill W. wrote a widely circulated defense of ending A.A. meetings with the Lord’s Prayer. In it, he reasoned:

[T]here will always be those who seem to be offended by the introduction of any prayer whatever into an ordinary A.A. gathering. Also, it is sometimes complained that the Lord's Prayer is a Christian document. Nevertheless this Prayer is of such widespread use and recognition that the arguments of its Christian origin seems to be a little farfetched. It is also true that most A.A.s believe in some kind of God and that communication and strength is obtainable through His grace.  Since this is the general consensus it seems only right that at least the Serenity Prayer and the Lord's Prayer be used in connection with our meetings. It does not seem necessary to defer to the feelings of our agnostic and atheist newcomers to the extent of completely hiding our light under a bushel.

1967: Prompted by a reminder from Bob F., Bill W. wrote to him in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The letter [right] included a note for Barry C.—a key contributor to The Little Red Book—to commemorate Barry’s 27th anniversary.

Dear Bob,
    Furthering your request of March 27, I'm enclosing a note for Barry C―― on the occasion of his 27th Anniversary.
    Memories of the early days, the Nicollet Group and Barry are much with me.
    Thanks for the reminder!
                                Ever,
                                s/Bill

Today in A.A. History—April 14–20

1985: The 35th General Service Conference was held at the Roosevelt Hotel [right, 2008] in New York City. Advisory actions included:

15. 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.
48. The Bylaws of the General Service Board be amended by adding the short form of the Twelve Concepts.
49. 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.

1991: The 41st General Service Conference took place at the Rye Town Hilton [left] in Ryebrook, New York. Advisory actions included:

12. 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.
14. The A.A. History book project continue to completion, and that a manuscript be forwarded to the 1992 Conference Literature Committee…
31. The six-point description of an A.A. Group in The AA. 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 XII, aptly describe what an A.A. Group is: [quotes of Tradition Three (long form) and Warranty Six].”

2024: The 74th General Service Conference was held at the New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge [right] in Brooklyn. Advisory actions included:

• The General Service Conference Inventory Plan be approved and that an inventory summary… be included in the 2025 Final Conference Report.
• A comprehensive summary of the 2025 General Service Conference Inventory be developed and distributed as an electronic version only.
• The draft manuscript Plain Language Big Book… be approved with minor editorial changes…
• … a footnote be added to the Current Conference Charter[, Article 9,] with the following text: 
  
  “In 2023 an Advisory Action was passed by the General Service Conference outlining a process for polling the General Service Conference body between annual meetings using virtual technology.”
• The items that receive simple majority be included in the Final Conference Report under the heading “Recommendations that achieved Simple Majority…”