August 6 in A.A. History

1945: The Central Group [right] in Little Rock, Arkansas, adopted by-laws [left] that established nine fundamental principles:

1. That the problems of men and women alcoholics are so entirely different that, while we will gladly and freely give such help as we can when requested by women, this shall always be kept a group of male alcoholics.
2. The officers of this group shall be composed of a chairman and four committeemen, all elected by secret ballot, the Chairman for a term of 4 months, the committeemen for 1, 2, 3, & 4 months, and one committeeman elected each month thereafter for a 4 month term to succeed the retiring member.
3. That one slip is understandable, two slips, while not desirable, are acceptable, but three slips indicate a lack of sincerity and regardless of our personal feelings in the matter, that man cannot attend any meetings or be in any way affiliated with this group for a period of 1 year.
4. That the original approach program be adopted and used in its entirety.
5. That no housing facilities for prospects be provided by this group.
6. That no financial aid be extended any prospect by this group.
7. That regular weekly dues be paid, whether in attendance or not, and any deficits be met by assessments according to each members [sic] ability to pay.
8. That two sponsors be assigned each prospect.
9. That all controversial questions be settled by secret ballot, majority ruling, and any member has the right to [a] secure written ballot simply by request.

August in A.A. History—day unknown

1941: Clarence S. [far left], founder of Alcoholics Anonymous in Cleveland, Ohio, joined with Albert “Abby” G.^* [near left], and other Cleveland members, to establish the Cuyahoga Central Committee, later renamed the Cleveland Central Committee. All Cleveland A.A. groups would be invited to send representatives to its second meeting on 15 August.

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^*The Cuyahoga/Cleveland Central Committee was the first A.A. body to adopt the principle of rotating leadership. Accounts differ on its origin: Bill W. credited Abby G. with introducing it in Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age, while Mitchell K.’s biography of Clarence S., How It Worked, attributes the idea to Clarence.

1942: While temporarily living in Kansas City, Missouri [right: Main St., 1942] during World War II, Jeanne C. was struggling with alcoholism when she saw an advertisement for Alcoholics Anonymous in The Kansas City Star [left: ad that ran in The Star every Sunday during this time]. She contacted Kansas City Group Number One and joined.

After returning home to Springfield, Missouri [right: Park Central Square, c. 1940s], Jeanne managed to stay sober for two years—despite gas rationing—by frequently traveling back to Kansas City for meetings and by corresponding with National Secretary Margaret “Bobbie” B. at the Alcoholic Foundation in New York City.

She would go on to establish the first A.A. meetings in Springfield and Joplin, Missouri [left: 200 block of Main St., looking south, 1941].

1942: Bill W. visited Miami’s A.A. group [right: Miami Beach, 1942], Florida’s first, formally organized in April 1941. By then it had grown to 45 members, meeting twice a week.