Conference Advisory Actions

Conference Literature Committee

The Literature Committee met separately three times deliberating until 1:20 a.m., as well as early morning, to complete their agenda.

1.       Recommendation:The committee unanimously recommended that a draft Introduction to be added to the front matter of the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions be developed by the General Service Office's Publications Department and reviewed by the trustees' Literature Committee and brought back to the 2004 Conference Literature Committee for their consideration.

Note: The purpose of adding an Introduction would be to explain the language in the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions and would include the following information:

"It was unanimously recommended that the text in the book, Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions written by Bill W., remain as is recognizing the Fellowship's feeling that Bill's writings be retained as originally published."

This introduction is to create a unified response to questions regarding specific language, idioms, and historical figures or events from A.A. members, newcomers and non-alcoholics.

Discussion: Several expressed concern about making a change to explain why we don't make changes. It was pointed out that in the Preface to the Fourth Edition of the Big Book it explains the strong sentiment against any radical changes being made, and that the first portion of the book describing the A.A. recovery program has been left untouched in the course of revisions. One delegate shared that she had changed her mind after listening to the discussion, and was happy to realize she had the right of decision.

The recommendation was approved by a vote of: 102 in favor, and 28 opposed.

2.       Recommendation:The committee recommended that the updated draft manuscript of the "A.A. and the Armed Services" pamphlet be approved.

Note: This draft was not distributed to all Conference members based on the 1993 Additional Committee Consideration of the Conference Policy/Admissions Committee: "The committee reviewed Conference policy as it relates to restricted or confidential matters, and agreed that restrictions apply only to legal matters that are pending, and to literature/audiovisual projects that are works in progress."

: Several shared that it was not a problem to not see the draft copy of the new stories, they thought we should trust our trusted servants (meaning the trustees and delegates who viewed the new stories). However, there were also delegates who opposed approving something they had not viewed. One area opposed the reference to using drugs (smoking marijuana) in one the stories.

The recommendation was approved by a vote of: 116 in favor, and 10 opposed A move to reconsider was seconded but did not pass, although at least 25 hands were in favor of re-voting. The original recommendation stood as having been passed. (I voted in opposition to this recommendation and spoke to the minority opinion, reiterating the discussions we have had in our Area regarding the approval process of Conference-Approved literature, and our thoughts that all Conference members (135) should see materials prior to voting on them).

3.       Recommendation: The committee recommended that the following changes to "The A.A. Grapevine" section of "You're A.A. General Service Office" pamphlet be approved:

  1. Replace the second sentence "Members of the editorial staff are A.A.s; the controller, circulation supervisor, and clerical workers are non-alcoholics" with the sentence "Some of the editorial staff are A.A. members."
  2. Add a third sentence "Since 1995 the Grapevine has also published La Vina for Spanish-speaking A.A.s."
  3. Replace the last sentence "All stories submitted are acknowledged with personal letters" with the sentence "All stories submitted are acknowledged by the Grapevine staff."

The recommendation was approved, with 12 voting in opposition.

4.       Recommendation: The committee recommended that the phrase, "not even your parents," be deleted from the second sentence in the sixth panel of the story "Vinnie" in the pamphlet "Too Young."

The recommendation was approved, with 8 voting in opposition.

5.       Recommendation: The committee recommended that the following changes to "The A.A. Group" pamphlet be approved:

  1. On page 23, in the section "What trusted servants (officers) do we need?", the word "jobs" in the first sentence of the first paragraph be replaced with the word "service" and the word "jobs" in the first sentence of the third paragraph with "service positions."
  2. The sentence "See the chart of suggested group officers," which introduces the Group Service Structure Chart on page 24, be replaced by the sentence "The chart below offers possibilities for service at the group level."
  3. The sentence "Some groups have positions that do not appear on this chart such as greeter, archivist, special needs representative and liaison to meeting facility" be added immediately after the chart on page 24.
  4. The reference to the "Archives Representative" be deleted in the Group Service Structure Chart on page 24.

    5. Discussion: There was lengthy discussion on this item. The Literature Committee clarified that their recommendation to make changes now was because it could take some time for other changes to happen if we do a comprehensive review of the pamphlet, and if we don't do a comprehensive review, then these changes would be important now. It was also mentioned in discussion that we don't have the typical home group in A.A. today, and taking the Archive Representative out of the group chart and adding Archivist to the verbiage below the chart made more sense.

    The recommendation was initially approved by a vote of: 83-In Favor and 38-Opposed.

    A motion to reconsider was made and seconded. Motion to reconsider passed. Motion made to table this until we address the next agenda item regarding a comprehensive review of this pamphlet, as well as the amendment to not remove "Archives Representative" from the group chart. Vote on the motion to table: In Favor - 16, Opposed - 119. Motion fails.

    The question was called on the original recommendation. In favor = 0; Opposed = 134. Recommendation fails

    6.       Recommendation: The committee recommended that the Trustees' Literature Committee initiate a comprehensive review of "The A.A. Group" pamphlet, and that the Trustees' Literature Committee bring a draft manuscript of the revised pamphlet to the 2004 Conference Literature Committee for their consideration. The committee requests that the secretary of the Trustees' Literature Committee send a letter to all General Service Conference members requesting suggestions for updates or revisions to this pamphlet.

    Discussion: It was mentioned by a few delegates that they use this pamphlet and give it to other group members for reference. It was also explained that the changes to this pamphlet would be viewed by the entire conference because it is not a work in progress like the fourth edition of the Big Book was.

    The recommendation was overwhelmingly approved (overwhelmingly means that more than 2/3 of the Conference voted to approve the recommendation, and there were very few (1) who voted in opposition).

    7.       Recommendation: The committee recommended that the following text changes to add La Vina information to "The A.A. Group" pamphlet be approved:

    1. Change "Grapevine Representative" to "Grapevine/La Vina Representative" on the chart on page 24.
    2. Change fourth paragraph title on page 27 from "Grapevine Representative (GvR)" to "Grapevine/La Vina Representative (GvR/RLV).
    3. Add new third paragraph as follows to the "Grapevine Representative (GvR)" section on page 27:
      "La Vina representatives (RLVs) perform the same functions as the GvRs in Spanish-speaking groups and districts where La Vina, the Grapevine's magazine in Spanish, is 'our meeting in print'. Some districts or groups may also combine GvR and RLV functions."
    4. Change address and Grapevine material information on pages 27 and 28 to read:
      • "New GvRs and RLVs should send their name, address, group name and group service number to: the Grapevine, 475 Riverside Drive, Room 1040, New York, NY 10115.
      • …and for books, tape cassettes, CDs and other Grapevine items available.

    Discussion: It was expressed that reprinting could come up on this pamphlet before we finish the comprehensive review, and making the changes now would also allow the pamphlet to be printed in Spanish. There was concern about the cost of making the changes, and it was estimated by the publishing department that it would probably take about forty-five minutes of an employees time to correct the type.

    The recommendation was approved, with 7 voting in opposition.

    8.       Recommendation: The committee recommended that updated illustrations and text revisions suggested by the Trustees' Literature Committee to reflect contemporary language, clothing and hair styles and to add ethnic and age diversity to the pamphlet "What Happened to Joe…" be approved. All text and illustration changes in the revised pamphlet "What Happened to Joe" are to be reviewed by the Trustees' Literature Committee prior to publication.

    The recommendation was unanimously approved

    9.       Recommendation: The committee recommended that, based on a suggestion from the trustees' Literature Committee, a draft manuscript of a new comic book format pamphlet which would have current language and updated illustrations to replace the pamphlet "It Happened to Alice!" be developed and brought back to the 2004 Conference Literature Committee for review. The concept for this pamphlet would be based on a single working mother who is involved in a drunk driving incident followed by introduction to A.A.

    Discussion: Some areas felt this concept was too specific. They thought it would be stereotyping single, working mothers. Many areas felt this pamphlet reaches those in rehabilitation and detox centers and many single mothers are in these facilities. It was also noted we should keep the essence that alcoholism affects people around the drunk. It was shared that perhaps instead of thinking who we might offend, we should think about who we're going to help.

    The committee changed the original "DUI" concept to "drunk driving incident" to allow more flexibility for a story line and avoid any possible affiliation with the court system through a DUI incident.

    The recommendation was approved, with 6 voting in opposition.

    10.       Recommendation: The committee unanimously recommended that the development of the Third Edition of the Spanish-language Big Book, Alcoholicos Anonimos, by the trustees' Literature Committee be approved and that a report from the trustees' Literature Committee be brought to the 2004 Conference Literature Committee specifying suggestions for contents, process and story solicitation for the Spanish-language Third Edition Big Book.

    Discussion: During discussion the Literature Committee clarified several points; 1) this recommendation was made open-ended because the conference has never gone through this process before; 2) that is why we specifically suggested the trustees committee come back with a progress report stating contents, process and story solicitation; 3) correspondence from the fellowship has been very different in what each area would like in the book, hence the solicitation from groups for input.

    It was also suggested from the conference floor that we possibly have an adhoc committee of Spanish-speaking members read the stories before publishing to make sure they are readable for the fellowship.

    The recommendation was unanimously approved.

    11.       Recommendation: The committee recommended that the Third Edition Big Book punctuation in "Doctor Bob's Nightmare" be restored based on the 1995 Conference Advisory Action:

    "The first 164 pages of the Big Book, Alcoholics Anonymous, the Preface, the Forewords, "The Doctor's Opinion," "Doctor Bob's Nightmare" and the Appendices remain as is."

    The recommendation is initially approved: 92-In Favor, 35 Opposed. Motion to reconsider passed.

    Discussion: There was a great deal of discussion on this recommendation.

    It was pointed out that perhaps changing punctuation in Dr. Bob's story was not the intent of the 1995 Advisory Action regarding changes to anything in the first 164 pages, etc. There were many who felt that leaving it as is means leaving it as is. One person shared that the perfections (even punctuation errors) in Dr. Bob's story are okay to A.A. members, it is sacred. It was shared that the conference gave permission in the 1999 Advisory Action to change the stories in the book, but not Dr. Bob's story. It was felt that the words "conference approval" get diluted a lot. It was also noted that the Big Book is part of the Archives, so it should stay as is.

    At one point in the discussion someone shared they felt the conversation was getting personally punitive to those that serve us at GSO (specifically the publications department). Chris C., the publications director addressed the reasoning for changing the punctuation in Dr. Bob's story - mainly to follow a consistent comma usage style throughout the book.

    The question was asked why the committee took no action regarding the text that was deleted from the stories carried over from the third edition book to the fourth edition? The Literature Committee Chair answered that we as a committee had consulted with the publications department and were in agreement that the changes to the stories were in line with the pagination of the book and within their authority to do so. It was also noted that many stories may have been changed from the Second Edition to the Third Edition that we don't know about. The discussion on this ended when someone pointed out that we were taking an inordinate amount of time talking about punctuation changes and could be talking about bigger issues that face the conference in carrying the message.

    Note: As your delegate, I voted in favor of changing the punctuation in Dr. Bob's story back to its' original printing in the third edition and also was in a minority during the committee deliberations in wanting the deleted information put back into the stories.

    The second vote on the recommendation: In favor = 67, Opposed = 56. The recommendation failed.

    ADDITOINAL COMMITTEE CONSIDERATIONS:

    1.       The committee encourages full Conference discussion of the A.A. World Services Board's "intent to place the Fourth Edition of the Big Book on the G.S.O. Web site."

    Discussion: There was considerable discussion about putting the Big Book on the web site. I spoke to this discussion and ask questions about copyright problems that may arise and our international licensing agreements we have with other countries allowing them to publish A.A. literature. It was pointed out that copyright laws are stable, and we are protected by our copyrights. The second, third and fourth editions of the Big Book have copyright protection around the world. It was also noted that we would not have any problems with the licensing agreements either. One delegate shared a story about a women who went to a chat room on the Internet and talked with someone about possibly having a drinking problem. The person she spoke with had downloaded the first three chapters of the Big Book from a bootleg web site and sent it to her (the Big Book is already on the Internet right now at other web sites). As a result of that communication, the women is sober and in A.A. today. Someone else pointed out that the reason for putting the book on our web site is our primary purpose, "carrying the message to the alcoholic who still suffers." There was also a comment about the fellowship wanting to micro-mange things right now. There was a response to that statement saying that part of the reason the fellowship may be wanting to manage things is because there are decisions that are made and done, and the fellowship is told about them after the fact. It was mentioned that A.A.W.S. waited until this conference to do anything because they wanted input from the fellowship and unless the conference took action to tell A.A.W.S. not to do so, they are planning to go ahead with putting the book on our web site. It would be the fourth edition Big Book and would be put on the web site in English, French and Spanish.

    A show of hands was definitely in favor of putting the Big Book on the web site.

    2.       After lengthy discussion, the committee considered the request to edit the following Fourth Edition Big Book stories to restore their Third Edition Big Book content: "The Housewife Who Drank At Home," "Me An Alcoholic?," "Another Chance" and "Freedom From Bondage," agreed to accept the Fourth Edition Big Book editorial changes and agreed to take no action.