September 8 in A.A. History

1894: James D. “J.D.” H. [right] was born in Groves County, Kentucky. He would become A.A. #10 (some sources say #8 or #17) in September 1936 and go on to be a founder of A.A. in Indiana.

September in A.A. History—day unknown

1947: The A.A. Grapevine published “Little Rock Plan Gives Prospects Close Attention” [left] by B.H.G., presumably Bud G., the founder of the Central Group in Little Rock, Arkansas.

More than five hundred men and women have been initiated into A.A. through the Little Rock Approach Plan… since its creation seven years ago when five men got together and began to use the book, Alcoholics Anonymous, which had just been published.

It is interesting to note that of these men, the founders of the movement here, all are alive and only one ever had a relapse. They are living, walking proof of the state-ment that “it works.”

The Little Rock Plan was, we believe, the first of its kind in the country.… By adhering strictly to the “Plan” hundreds have been brought into A.A. and because this group has kept accurate records and statistics, we can report that our success is better than the national average of 75%…—or to put it another way, our “slip” record is lower than the 25% expected and reported from other groups over the country.

It is not easy to become a member of this group. When a person has expressed a desire to achieve sobriety and has had a sponsor appointed for him, he must leave his work or position for at least two weeks. Usually the prospect is required to spend that entire time within the confines of the club rooms, studying, preparing a case history, meeting and filling assignments laid out by the sponsor.

If, after two weeks, he has discharged his assignments to the satisfaction of his sponsor, he is brought before the executive committee and there his request for membership is presented by his sponsor in his presence. In some instances, because of the peculiarity of the case, he may not be admitted for varying periods as high as six months in some cases [sic]. However, if he is deemed eligible by the committee, he is brought before the next meeting, receives a warm welcome, is handed a copy of the “Approach Program” and the 12 Steps.…

This is not all, however. We do not simply say, “Now here you are, you have had it all, go your way, and may God bless you.” No, we do not cut him off in mid-air, so to speak. We give him a small diary and ask that each day thereafter for 28 days, he record his impressions of the day, any event, whether a happy one or a sad one, and enter therein, “I have not taken a drink this day,” and sign his name.

At the end of this period he returns the diary to the club, is again welcomed and is admitted to full membership, the privilege of the ballot and an unrestricted part in the activities of the fellowship. He is then assigned to a squad, given some definite task, and encouraged to work, guided by some older member, with new prospects.

1948: The A.A. Grapevine was published in a “pocketbook size” of 5½″ × 7½″ with 32 pages for the first time [right: relative sizes of A.A. Grapevine issues through August 1948 (L) and from September 1948 on (R)].

This issue included a rare article by Dr. Bob S. titled “The Fundamentals—In Retrospect.” Among his statements were these:

It is fitting at this time to indulge in some retrospect regarding certain fundamentals. Much has been written, much has been said about the 12 Steps of A.A. These tenets of our faith and practice were not worked out overnight and then presented to our members as an opportunist creed. Born of our early trials and many tribulations, they were and are the result of humble and sincere desire, sought in personal prayer for Divine guidance.

As finally expressed and offered, they are simple in language, plain in meaning. They are also workable by any person having a sincere desire to obtain and keep sobriety. The results are the proof. Their simplicity and workability are such that no special interpretations, and certainly no reservations, have ever been necessary. And it has become increasingly clear that the degree of harmonious living which we achieve is in direct ratio to our earnest attempt to follow them literally under Divine guidance to the best of our ability.