11/27/09
Here is the report from the November meeting of the General Service Board. I am pleased to point out that the board chose not to intercede in the release of the Hope Video and it is now available for purchase from GSO for $10. No doubt the conference will further discuss the minority issue regarding the use of "full-faced" actors in video productions. Please feel free to email me at delegate@area03.org if you have any questions regarding this report
10/6/09
Hi All,
Here are the latest AAWS highlights:
English pdf Spanish pdf
8/25/09
Hi All, we have gotten a very quick response to our suggestion for a special needs poster. Click here for a letter I just received from our conference coordinator regarding the disposition of our area's suggestion.
Hi All,
Here are the highlights from the last quarterly meeting of the AAWS board:
July 30, 2009
John K., Chairman, and General Manager, Phyllis H. extended a warm welcome to everyone attending the July meeting of the A.A. World Services (A.A.W.S.) Board of Directors.
A significant honor in recognition of A.A.’s Co-Founders was bestowed by the Points of Light Institute in April 2009. At the recognition ceremony held in Washington D.C., Chair Emeritus, Elaine McDowell, accepted an award on behalf of A.A. and spoke about our Society’s growth and worldwide reach.
Results from past announcements for our A.A. Staff position resulted in the submission of over 100 applications. An ad-hoc committee performed the initial screening which proved to be very challenging as the number and quality of candidates were excellent. The final candidates will be interviewed the first weeks of August with A.A. Staff participating in the process.
G.S.O.’s newly-formed Communication Team has been meeting regularly and has made substantial progress developing a uniform communication method that includes identifying the types of communication that we send and receive separating those that rise to the level of critical communication and procedures needed such as setting up an internal review and approval process.
The Archives has processed 700 research requests from January 2009 to date! While this may demonstrate an increased interest in our history, it also includes a high demand for factual records to fulfill trustee, director and staff requests. We continue to look at the type and length of requests for information to provide the best service while balancing other work demands such as preservation, developing finding-aids and catalogs, as well as enhancing our electronic records.
The summer issue of “Markings” was the first electronic-only version of our newsletter. As of July 2009, there were 2,454 subscribers. This will result in a huge savings expenditure for the department as the approximate cost to produce and distribute Markings in hard copy annually is $20,000.
To mark the publication of the Big Book’s 70th Anniversary, Archives currently has an exhibit featuring all four editions of the Big Book, an original draft of the pre-publication manuscript with hand-written comments as well as early bookplates.
Work continues on developing the Online Contributions project. A.A.W.S. Directors were given a preliminary demonstration at their meeting. As work progresses, they will have another demonstration at their September meeting with future demonstrations of the project planned for the full General Service Board and 2010 Conference.
Phyllis H. and Valerie O. returned from their trip to Bangkok, Thailand, July 24–26, 2009, for the 8th Asia-Oceania Zonal Meeting. One of the key purposes of their visit was to serve as a resource for translations and licensing information. June 19–22, 2009, the chair of the General Service Board, Ward Ewing and Julio E. joined nearly 5,000 enthusiastic A.A. members for the IX National Convention of A.A. in Bucaramanga, Colombia.
More G.S.O. Notes: (a) The Corrections Correspondence Service (C.C.S) continues as one of our most valuable efforts. In the first 6 months of 2009, 414 male inmates and 200 female inmates were linked to an outside volunteer. An earlier request to the Fellowship has resulted in an unusual and gratifying situation in the past few months of having no male inmates on the waiting list and a handful of Spanish-speaking inmates; (b) Final preparations are being made for the upcoming Eastern Canada Additional Regional Forum that will be held August 14-16, 2009 in Thunder Bay, Ontario. (c) The inserts for the Group Handbook are being reviewed and updated for the next printing.
The A.A.W.S. Services Committee’s following recommendations were approved by the full Board: (a) The 1st and 2nd Quarter 2009 Website Reports were approved and forwarded to the trustees’ Committee on Public Information; (b) The revised Composition, Scope and Procedure of the text of G.S.O.’s Intra-Office Website Committee (“IOWC”) was approved; and (c) The conversion of videos currently on G.S.O.’s A.A. Website to Flash Video Streaming format was approved, with an estimated cost of $4,530.00.
The A.A.W.S. Finance Committee presented un-audited results for the first six-months of 2009 as follows: Net sales of $8,410,300 during the first six months of 2009 were approximately $474,725 (6%) over budget and approximately $1,923,300 (30%) more than the same period last year. Gross profit from literature was $5,099,410, approximately $433,513 (9%) over budget and $1,416,427 (38%) more than the same period in 2008. Contributions received for the six months of $2,883,440 were $221,050 (7%) less than budgeted and $203,264 (7%) less than the first six months of 2008. Resulting total revenue (gross profit from literature sales, contributions, and interest earned on cash flow) was $7,983,534. Total revenue was $210,131 more than budgeted and $1,209,507 more than the same time period last year. Unaudited net profit for the first six months of $1,313,607 compares with a budgeted profit of $1,153,716 and was 1,280,151 greater than the $43,456 reported for the same period in 2008.
As a result of projects approved by the 2009 General Service Conference, the A.A.W.S. Board approved mid-year 2009 budget adjustments totaling $66,850, consisting of increases in the budget for writers’ fees, as follows: Develop Special Needs Pamphlet: $6,850; develop New Television PSA: $40,000; and revise Combo Radio PSA on CD: $20,000. These adjustments had been previously approved by the General Service Board at its meeting following the Conference when it approved the Conference Advisory Actions.
The A.A.W.S. Board approved the following recommendations of A.A.W.S. Publishing Committee: (a) That future Membership Survey displays be produced in Spanish and French; (b) A request that the abridged format of the Big Book be produced in audio CD format with an estimated price of $18.00; and (c) A request that the ASL Big Book and Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions videos be converted to DVD format.
General Manager, Phyllis H., presented a report on July 30, 2009 on the current status of the negotiations with Amazon Digital Services, Inc. (A.D.S.I.) regarding the Kindle project and explained that, based on the 30-day termination clause in the contract, a request to withdraw the Big Book on Kindle from the Amazon Website had been forwarded to A.D.S.I. on July 10, 2009. The Publishing Committee unanimously agreed to support the termination of the contract with Amazon Digital Services, Inc. upon completion of the stipulated 30 day period. The committee also requested that a letter from the chair of the A.A.W.S. Board explaining the history and resolution of the Kindle project be circulated to all Conference members.
Publications: Total distribution of all books through June 2009 was 1,495,764 up 37% from the same period in 2008, 1,089,218. This dramatic jump in distribution is the result of customers purchasing large quantities prior to the July 1 price increase. Through June, total A.A. purchases amounted to 1,072,471 units, while non-A.A.s accounted for 423,293 units, or 28% (this percentage is higher than normal due to a very large order from Hazelden). In May and June, gross sales were budgeted at $3,397,160. Actual sales, un-audited, came in at $4,088,007, which was $690,847 or 20% over budget. In the same period of 2008, gross sales amounted to $2,120,073.
For those interested here is a report from our regional trustee on the July GSB:
July 2009 Board Report
Madeleine P, Pacific Region Trustee
Well let me begin by saying rotation is a beautiful thing! I miss some of my compadres terribly but the new freshness that rotation has brought to the board is exactly what we need at this time. It was the most enjoyable, productive board weekend I have experienced in the last 3 years. So I joyfully report our decisions and discussions to you at this time.
First of all, following the GSC, the board had a conference call to address the issue of John S’s vacancy on the GSB and Jeanne Woodford’s resignation from the board. As discussed at the GSC, the vacancy on the AAWS board should be the purview of the AAWS board and approved by the GSB. AAWS has made plans to replace that vacancy by the next GSC and have Jo-Anne L, Trustee-at-Large Canada serving as a director for the next year. As for the vacancy created by the resignation of Jeanne Woodford, Ward Ewing, new chair of the board, had suggested that Herb Goodman, recently rotated Class A trustee, serve out the remainder of the term. The GSB was split on the decision so the position will remain vacant for the coming year.
We started the weekend with a full board orientation since we had 7 new trustees. The consensus was we need to have the orientation more often as the information was really valuable, regardless of how long one may have served on the board. So we were off to a really fresh start.
AAWS
The General Service Office welcomed 729 visitors the first six months of 2009.
Publications
Total distribution of all books through June 2009 was 1,495,764, up 37% from the same period in 2008. This dramatic jump in distribution is the result of customers purchasing large quantities prior to the July 1 price increase. Through June, total AA purchases amounted to 1,072,471 units; while non-AAs accounted for 423,293 units or 28% (this percentage is higher than normal due to a very large order from Hazelden).
Big Book Sales
Through the month of June 2009, we distributed 866,548 units, compared to 571,691 in the same period of 2008.
Kindle Project
General Manager, Phyllis H, presented a report on July 30, 2009 on the current status of the negotiations with Amazon Digital Services, Inc. (A.D.S.I.) regarding the Kindle project and explained that based on the 30 day termination clause in the contract, a request to withdraw the Big Book on Kindle from the Amazon website had been forwarded to the A.D.S.I. on July 10, 2009. It seems that none of the assurances made to us by Amazon were maintained, i.e. No suggestions for other books to show up with the Big Book, prices, rescinding the contract at any time. Needless to say, a letter will be sent to all conference members explaining the history and resolution of the Kindle project.
AAWS Publishing Other Items
The AAWS Publishing Committee recommended the following items:
*That the 2010 International Convention souvenir version of A.A. Comes of Age in soft-cover
Format be priced at $7.00
*That future Membership Survey displays be produced in Spanish and French
*That the abridged format of the Big Book be produced in audio CD format with an estimated
Price of $18.00
*That the ASL Big Book and Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions videos be converted to DVD
Format.
Financial
Net sales of $8,410,300 during the first six months of 2009 were approximately $474,725 (6%) over budget and approximately $1,923,300 (30%) more than the same period last year.
Gross profit from literature was $5,099,410, approximately $433,513 (9%) over budget and $1,416,427 (38%) more than the same period in 2008.
Contributions received for the first six months of $2,883,440 were $221,050 (7%) less than budgeted and $203,264 (7%) less than the first six months of 2008.
Resulting gross revenue (gross profit from literature sales, contributions, and interest earned on cash flow) was $7,983,534. Total revenue was $210, 131 more than budgeted and $1,209,507 more than the same time period last year.
Unaudited net profit for the first six months of $1,313,607 compares with a budgeted profit of $1,153,716 and was $1,280,151 greater than the $43,456 reported for the same period in 2008.
Other subjects:
The AAWS board accepted the recommendation from the 59th GSC that the AAWS Board should annually review The AA Service Manual Combined With Twelve Concepts for World Service and forward necessary updates to the Conference Committee on Report and Charter.
International
Phyllis H, Jo-Anne L and Julio E attended the 4th Sub-Saharan Africa Service Meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa, May 29-31, 2009.
Ward Ewing and Julio E attended the IX National Convention of AA in Columbia, in Bucaramanga, Colombia, June 12-22, 2009.
Phyllis H and Valerie O attended the 8th Asia-Oceania Service Meeting in Bangkok, Thailand, July 24-26, 2009.
AA Grapevine
AA Grapevine saw a slight increase in average monthly circulation of the Grapevine magazine this quarter, although circulation has not caught up to where it was last year before the downturn in the economy. Average monthly circulation of the magazine was 104,571 at the end of June 2009 (103,211 print; 1360 audio).
Distribution of books, CDs and other items was up about 13.5% over last year, because of interest in two new titles, Beginners Book and Voices of Long-term Sobriety. The website drew and average of 43,000 visits a month. Year to date, AA Grapevine has distributed 62,039 books and other items and 646,616 copies of our meeting in print, including back issues.
At 9,620, average bimonthly circulation of La Vina has held steady so far this year, but it is still 1,022 behind June 2008. Year to date we have distributed 2,833 La Vina books and CDs and 35,860 copies of the magazine, which includes back issues and current issues (March/April and May/June).
Response to the redesign of the Grapevine has been largely positive. The chief concern, the placement of the Preamble, Steps and Traditions to the inside covers, beginning with the August issue. The size of the Alcoholism at Large disclaimer will be increased as of the September issue.
I want to remind everyone that the move to staple free was in response to the fellowship request. I had numerous requests from Corrections/ H & I committees for this with the promise of increased subscriptions. I hope you will urge these committees to follow through and purchase subscriptions for their service work.
AA Grapevine Financial Report
For the six months ended June 30, 2009, AA Grapevine, Inc. realized a loss of $27,139 in comparison to a budgeted net loss of $163,055. This was ahead of budget by $135,917. Total AA Grapevine income, including interest from the Reserve Fund was $920,835 or $100,539 ahead of budget. Total AA Grapevine expenses were $947,973 or $35,378 below the budget of $983,351.
La Vina Financial Report
Magazine income was $46,877, which was under budget by $880. Circulation averaged 9,620 at June 30, 2009. Net loss for the year was $22,124. This was ahead of the budgeted loss of $52,380 by $30,256.
The AAGV Board approved the proposal to publish a special convention issue of the Grapevine commemorating the 75thanniversary of AA. The price will be $4.00 with a limited print run.
Archives
The committee discussed the Conference Committee on Archives’ request to prepare a report on the feasibility of developing a self-guided tour of GSO’s AA Archives and requested that the Acting Archivist prepare the report based on the committee’s discussion for review at their next meeting on November 1, 2009.
The committee discussed the Conference Committee’s request to add a daily historical reference to the GSO’s AA Web Site and forwarded the request to GSO’s Intra-Office Web site committee for consideration.
General Service Conference
As chair of this committee this year, we have a very full and challenging plate. The first item up for discussion was the development of a policy regarding the use of “full-face videos” and was tabled until the Fall Quarterly Board meeting as this was the topic for the Sharing Session to be held later that day and it is an agenda item for the trustees’ Committee on CPC/Treatment Facilities.
This committee did recommend to the GSB and was subsequently approved that the use of an online dashboard for all conference members be continued for an additional 2 years beginning with the 2010 GSC.
The topic of floor actions and commit to committee and recommit to committee was discussed at length and tabled until their 2009 Fall Quarterly Meeting for further discussion.
This committee also approved the request for two observers from the General Service structure of Venezuela to attend the 2010 GSC.
Treatment Facilities/CPC
This committee recommended to the GSB and was subsequently approved, to rename this committee to “Trustees Committee on Cooperation With the Professional Community/Treatment Facilities/Special Needs-Accessibilities.” What a mouthful!
The revised video Hope: Alcoholics Anonymous will be produced on a single DVD containing all three languages with a planned release date of late September 2009. The DVD will contain dubbing and subtitles as options. Permission was secured from the copyright holder to use the song “Happy Birthday” at the end of the video.
The committee accepted responsibility for the proposed development of a recovery pamphlet for newcomers or prospective members with special needs to include stories solicited from AA members with a wide variety of challenges, such as autism, brain damage, learning disabilities, blindness, deafness or hearing impairment, confinement to wheel chairs, etc. An outline of the proposed pamphlet will be prepared by the Publications Director and brought to the November 1, 2009 meeting of the committee.
CPC
Staff provided an update from the Publications Director that in response to an additional committee consideration from the 2009 GSC Committee on CPC, that he is completing production of consistent voice over text regarding anonymity and singleness of purpose in the three CPC video segments. A DVD containing the three segments will be priced by AAWS and the DVD will be included in the contents of the CPC kit.
This committee also had discussion regarding the use of full face videos and will discuss further at the November 2009 meeting.
With regards to the service piece directed to drug court/alcohol court professionals, a revised draft service piece will be reviewed by this committee and if approved, will be forwarded to the Publications Department for final editing. When approved, staff will send the completed service piece in the next Activity Update to all CPC chairs for use in their CPC Service with drug court/alcohol court professionals.
Corrections
A subcommittee was appointed to bring a plan for proceeding with the project of revising the pamphlet “It Sure Beats Sitting in a Cell” and will report back to the October 31, 2009 meeting of this committee.
The committee discussed the request from the 2009 Conference Committee on Corrections for gathering of shared Fellowship experience regarding the signing of “legally binding documents” and tabled further discussion until its October 31, 2009 meeting. The chair appointed a subcommittee to begin to compile suggestions regarding signing legally binding documents that may be helpful to AA members involved in Corrections service and report back to the October 31, 2009.
International Conventions/Regional Forums
Registration forms for the International Convention will be mailed in August and registration forms, online and paper, will open on September 1, 2009.
The committee agreed there would be no Fun Run because of declining interest and heat concerns.
A local forum was approved for the Spanish speaking districts in Area 08 San Diego/Imperial California on August 22, 2010.
It was recommended and approved that online hotel registration for Regional Forums will be available on GSO’s AA Web site with “page break disclaimers.”
Literature
The committee asked the Publications Department to revise the draft pamphlet “The AA Member – Medications and Other Drugs” with attention to the suggestions provided during the GSC discussions and with additional review by AA members who are also physicians and bring the draft back to the fall meeting for review.
The committee also discussed the 2009 Conference Advisory Action that the Literature Committee undertakes a thorough review of the pamphlet “Questions and Answers on Sponsorship.” A subcommittee will bring a progress report back to the next quarterly meeting.
Public Information
Hopefully, the Young People’s Video PSA will be available this fall. Please continue to urge the fellowship to submit videos as there is a continued need for new submissions.
Nominating
There were multiple changes clarify language in the nominating committee procedures. The majority of the work for this committee this year will be choosing two new Class A trustee candidates to replace Bill Clark and Jeanne Woodford. We will also be choosing two new regional trustees, one for Eastern Canada that has been vacant for almost all of its term and one for the Pacific Region, replacing me.
This is probably as good a place as any to talk about the responsibilities for those who are wishing to place their name in the hat for Pacific Region Trustee. I want to make sure everyone realizes the time commitment for this position. We talk a lot about how it doesn’t cost any money to serve AA but that really isn’t true. How can you spend 90 days away from home in one year and not have it cost something? I work and I suspect many of you do as well. I also know my own limitations in trying to accommodate all requests from areas to visit. I have regrettably had to cancel some requests this year due to my employment responsibilities. I just ask that as you enter into elections, ask candidates to consider the commitments and also as areas, be mindful of the limitations of your regional trustees to accommodate all requests. We need to all work together to make service accessible to all who wish to serve.
Please let me know if you have me scheduled to attend your area this fall. As I mentioned, I had to cancel 4 trips as they conflicted with my work schedule. As many of you know, I moved in May to southwestern Idaho and was fortunate to get a great new job but it does mean less flexibility in my schedule. I will do my best to accommodate your requests but my responsibilities to GSB commitments takes precedence. Thanks for your patience and support during this time.
This is only a partial list of everything that happened this weekend but my intent was just to give you some highlights. Thank you for your patience and support. Call me if you have any questions or if I haven’t answered any questions for you.
END OF JULY GSB REPORT
Here are the highlights from the June AA World Services Board of Director's Meeting. - Dennis
AAWS Hightlights
John K., Chairman, and General Manager, Phyllis H. welcomed everyone to this meeting of the A.A. World Services (A.A.W.S.) Board of Directors. Special greetings were extended to new Directors: Andrea B. Jo-Anne L., Bill N. and Vic P. Incoming Directors attended an orientation on June 11th.
Phyllis asked that all join in a moment of silence in remembrance of past G.S.O. Staff member, Lois F. who passed away last month. Lois was a vibrant Staff member (1977-2000) whose example continues to benefit the work of the General Service Office (G.S.O.).
Phyllis shared briefly about the Sub-Saharan Africa A.A. Service Meeting in South Africa where she, Jo-Anne L., Trustee-At-Large, and Julio E., Staff, participated in sharing about basic 12th Step work, carrying the A.A. message within countries where A.A. is taking root. The General Service Boards of Great Britain and U.S./Canada co-sponsor this biennial meeting.
G.S.O. Staff rotation will take place on July 13, 2009. The deadline for applications to fill the G.S.O. staff vacancy to replace Irene K. was June 21, 2009. We hope to have the new staff person in place by August 2009. G.S.O. welcomed new employee Steven D’Avria as Associate Archivist.
When the scheduled printing for A.A. Directories neared, a decision was needed as to whether to delay the printing for 2009. Following the example of an earlier decision to freeze G.S.O. staff wages and weighing the budgetary cost savings with the minimal impact on the Fellowship we serve, it was decided to suspend printing of the three regional Directories (Canadian, Western U.S. and Eastern U.S.) for this year which resulted in a savings of approximately $35,000.
Managers and staff are working as committees to assess G.S.O.’s internal and external communication methods; what’s working; what’s not working and developing procedures for improvement.
Markings, the Archives newsletter, will soon begin its first electronic-only version, joining Box 459, and Sharing Behind the Walls in digital format. Moving this publication online provides greater on-line services to the Fellowship and reduces expenses $4,000 per issue. Archives received the advanced copy of Dr. Bob and the Good Oldtimers sent to the parents of the author, Niles P., by former General Manager, Bob P. The story of its discovery will be highlighted in the next Markings. We also received an extensive collection of A.A. material donated by the International Conference of Young People of A.A.
For the past number of months, development of a computer system that will allow G.S.O. to accept contributions online from A.A. members by credit card via an Internet Website has been under way and is nearing completion – roll-out is planned for early August 2009. The link will be sent to Area Delegates, Trustees and Directors prior to going “live” for use by the Fellowship.
We expect the 59th General Service Conference Final Report to be available in August.
The spring C.P.C. Activity Update requesting Fellowship sharing on the use of professional actors’ full faces in video projects produced by A.A. World Services Inc. has received an excellent response.
Regional Forums scheduled for the next 12 months are posted on the G.S.O. Website, aa.org, (West Central Region, St. Cloud, MN in September; Southwest Region, Dallas, TX in October; East Central Region, Kalamazoo, MI in November; Western Canada Region, Saskatoon, SK in May, 2010). Registration for each forum opens online about six months in advance of the Forum.
Work on the 2010 International Convention has intensified; Rick W., Convention Coordinator, and his planning team traveled to San Antonio to meet with staff representing local hotels, the Gonzales Convention Center, Alamodome, San Antonio Central Service Office and A.A. Volunteer Host Core Committee.
The April Literature Activity Update, included news on the revised pamphlet, “The G.S.R.”; notice on book price increases effective July 1st, and a list of the 58 languages in which our Big Book is published.
Following the 59th Conference, the Nominating assignment sent an announcement regarding the upcoming vacancy for a Class A Trustee. Informational letters, procedures and resume forms regarding the election process for incoming Pacific and Eastern Canada regional trustees were also sent to respective Area Delegates and Area committee officers in the respective regions.
The A.A.W.S. Board approved the following recommendations of the A.A.W.S. Services Committee: a) The text of G.S.O.’s Website Privacy Statement be revised to delete the mailbox privacystatement@aa.org. The committee noted that this change improved communication with members who have questions about the privacy statement by putting them directly in communication with G.S.O.; b) The text of G.S.O.’s Website Intellectual Property Policies under the “Reprint Policy” section be revised to add this final sentence: “Please send your request to reprint A.A.W.S. material to ippolicy@aa.org.” This does not change the process for review and approval of requests; this change is intended to facilitate the handling of requests by sending them directly to the Intellectual Property Administrator; and c) That live hotel reservation page links for Regional Forums’ hotels be created with a customized “break” page. Each link would be carefully reviewed by Staff.
The A.A.W.S. Finance Committee reviewed the report and recommendations of the 2009 Conference Finance Committee (C.F.C.), that the Trustees’ Finance Committee gather input from the Fellowship for review by the 2010 Conference Finance Committee: a) If A.A.W.S. continues to use literature profits to fund services, should there be a limit?; and b) If there is a limit, how do we continue to pay for services if there is a shortfall in contributions? The committee also reviewed the C.F.C.’s recommendation that a discussion of additional ways to communicate with the Fellowship be included on the agenda for the C.F.C. for the 60th General Service Conference. The committee was provided with a list of actions taken by the 59th Conference that resulted in upward adjustments to the 2009 budget totaling $66,850.
Un-audited results for the first three months of 2009 reflected net sales of $3,271,100, contributions of $1,444,200 and total revenue of $3,312,500. Unaudited net income for the first three months of 2009 was $290,700 compared with a $359,400 budgeted profit and was approximately $5,000 less than the $295,900 profit reported for the same period in 2008.
The A.A.W.S. Publishing Committee’s recommendation that the 2010 International Convention souvenir version of A.A. Comes of Age, soft-cover, be priced at $7.00 was approved. The Committee held an extended discussion on the e-book version of the Big Book being made available to Kindle Reader customers through Amazon.com. The A.A.W.S. Board requested that management send an announcement to Conference members on when the e-book is available for download on the Kindle Reader, including an outline of the terms of the agreement with Amazon.
Publications: Total distribution of all books through April 2009 was 734,875, down slightly from the same period in 2008. Through March, total A.A. purchases amounted to 607,456 units, while non-A.A.s accounted for 127,419 units, or 17%. Through the month of April 2009, 385,239 Big Books (all editions) were distributed, compared with 386,669 for the same period in 2008. Gross sales for April were budgeted at $1,187,060. Actual sales, unaudited, were $1,111,919, or 6% under budget compared to $1,087,972 in 2008.
Other Topics: a) The Board accepted the recommendation from the 59th General Service Conference that “the General Service Board, the A.A.W.S. Board and the AA Grapevine Board annually review The A.A. Service Manual Combined With Twelve Concepts for World Service and forward necessary updates to the Conference Committee on Report and Charter.” b) The Board approved these prices: 1) Young People’s poster, $1.00; and 2) Young People’s Videos in DVD format at $10.00.
Big Book available in new eformat
The A.A.W.S. Board has been discussing an idea for an electronic version of the big book proposed by Amazon Digital Service, Inc, for their Kindle Reader.The Kindle Reader is a viewer for electronic books that can be downloaded from Amazon.com. The board has been in negotiations for over six months and there have been a large number of requests from members for the availability of big book in this format.
In accordance with Our Sixth Tradition, A.A. World Services, Inc. ncgotiated on our terms wilh Amazon. Specifically, Amazon agrees not to use our name or materials in any manner intended or construed as an endorsement of Amazon.com or of any other product. Amazon also agrees to address in good faith any concern that A.A.W.S. brings forth to them regarding actual or implied endorsements. As an extra precaution we also negotiated the right to withdraw from the agreement al any time for any reason. This non-exclusive agreement allows us to make the book available in e-book format through our own Website, should we decide to do so, or to negotiate a similar agreement with other companies. AA. World Services retains all ownership rights and copyright to the content of the book.
The 2009 General Service Conference heard a report from the AAWS Board about the Kindle Reader agreement. A floor action to cancel the agreement with Amazon.com did not prevail.
The e-book price is the same as, our list price for the hardcover edition of the book which as of July 1, 2009 will be $8.00. We will collect 40% of the income from the sale of the e-book, or $3.20. By comparison, we lose money on single sales of the hardcover edition.
I am pleased to announce that at the regular June meeting of the AAWS Board, the Board unanimously authorized the Big Book, Alcoholics Anonymous, to be downloaded onto the Kindle Reader device through Amazon.com, effective July 1, 2009.
Back From New York
Hi all! Just a few quick notes to bring you up to speed. The conference was exceptional in more ways than one. It was the longest conference in our history. Everything was discussed very very very throughly. There was and has been some controsersy which I will discuss in more detail in my post-conference report up in mountains at Alpine. With the recent resignation of Class A Trustee, Jeanne Woodford we are now short three trustees. We are still missing the Eastern Canada Regional Trustee and one General Service Trustee as well as the one Class A. The other two are both due to the member's passing.
The update of the video Hope is completed and has been approved. It is terriffic and I have an advanced copy of it that I will be showing in Alpine. Also, GSO staffer, Irene K is leaving creating an opening for a new GSO staff member. Regular rotating GSO staff are all alcoholics. Working on staff at GSO is an amazing expereince! If you think you might have the necessary skills please consider applying. Check out the link on our area home page.
PRAASA 2009
The Pacific Region A.A. Service Assembly was just held in Oakland, CA and there was excellent participation from Area 03. All of the Area Officers with the exception of Registrar were in attendance as well as many DCMs and DCMCs. I was also pleased to see some GSRs and at least one IGL. There were almost 1800 people registered and there were many wonderful presentations. Tom C a DCM from Maricopa County did a talk as did I. I have requested copies of the talks to post on the web site. Those will be up as soon as I have them. JoAnne L the At-Large Trutee (Canada) was the Saturday night speaker and was loved by all. Thanks to all of you who attended and next year we will be in Los Angeles.
Thanks from GSO
Just got a very nice thank you from GSO for our 2008 contributions. Area 03s precentage of groups contributing increased from 44.38% in 2007 to 45.59% in 2008. Whether this means that more groups are contributing or that our Registrar is doing an excellent job of weeding out defunct groups is unclear. Either way we are making progress. In addition, I received a very nice letter from Phyllis H our old Pacific Regional Trustee and now our first woman General Manager. Here is the text of the letter:
Warm greetings from your General Service Office:
This is my first letter to you as your General Manager and what a privilege it is! Your friends in the General Service Office (GSO) are deeply grateful for your unfaltering participation in carrying the A.A. message of hope and recovery to alcoholics in Canada, the U.S. and worldwide. We are ever grateful for your continuing contributions to the General Service Board that help pay for the many services essential to Twelfth Step work.
Group participation is particularly meaningful given the current economic conditions. While many institutions have been shattered financially, AA remains secure because of members like you. During the early days of our Fellowship, the economy was weak and future unpredictable. But, it was during times of uncertainty that our principles were forged and our Fellowship grew. We were strengthened and inspired by each challenge.
Today, as then, we find that action is the answer--we can and will do anything to ensure our Fellowship’s survival. This is demonstrated in many ways: embracing the basics of our program; strong focus on sponsorship; home group participation; reaching newcomers; and, through regularly celebrating the practice of self support.
Interestingly, AA history shows that it is during challenging economic times hat members’ and Groups’ contributions actually increase. To my mind, this is one of the finest examples of gratitude in action. It is a way of giving back, of participating in recovery through whatever amount we contribute. In AA there is no contribution too small, as those often represent the greatest sacrifices. So, through your acts of participation to the basket, our services will continue--services that you have requested we provide.
We pray for the members of our Fellowship who are facing life changes and uncertainties during these difficult economic times. Day by day we hear stories that demonstrate the strength of their sobriety and spirit of love and service. It is during times such as these that your General Service Office is most needed to ensure that Big Books are published and distributed, and that group and individual inquiries are addressed with understanding and gratitude. Our vital services continue and enable your Twelfth Step work to be accomplished.
We are therefore deeply grateful for the increase in your voluntary contributions as the Newear begins.
With Gratitude,
Phyllis H
General Manager
February 2009 Board Report
Hello all,
First, let me apologize for my late report. Between work and my husband’s surgery, it has been hectic. You should have received your final GSC agenda by now so I will not report on any of those items.
To begin, some information on AA World Services – during the year 2008, the General Service Office welcomed 1,291 visitors. Think about it – that is a lot of people coming through there.
Total distribution of all books through December 2008 was 2,113,574, up 0.03% from the same period in 2007. Total AA purchases through December 2008 amounted to 1,715,780 units, while non-AA’s accounted for 397,794 units or 19%.
Big Book sales through December 2008 were 1,111,906 units, compared to 1,127,310 in 2007.
Financial Results – Net sales of $12,429,952 for the year 2008 were approximately $79,952 more than budgeted. Contributions received of $6,437,409 were $237,591 less than budgeted and $88,593 less than the total for 2007. Net loss for the year 2008 of $304,877 compares with a budgeted profit of $180,796 and was $1,323,455 less than the $1,018,578 profit reported for the year 2007.
Other news – the first issue of the newsletter, “AA Around the World,” with notes and news from the 20th World Service Meeting was finalized and printed in late December.
AAWS sent two names forward for non-trustee directors on their board – Bill N and Andrea Bl. They also have forwarded George M name to be their new General Service Trustee. We all look forward to their participation.
AA Grapevine
In 2008, the A.A. Grapevine, Inc. published twelve issues of the Grapevine, in print and audio editions; six issues of La Vina; the Beginners’ Book; the audio edition of Emotional Sobriety (2 CDs); a wall calendar; and a pocket planner. Average monthly circulation of the Grapevine in print was 104,993; based on a reported pass-along rate of four, average monthly readership was an estimated 525,000. Average monthly circulation of AudioGrapevine was 1,595, and average bimonthly circulation of La Vina was 10,404. The Grapevine distributed 125,097 books, CDs, and other items. As of March 2009, all 12 issues of the Grapevine will be staple-free and in full color. To meet non-profit periodical postal requirements and to protect subscribers’ anonymity, the title on the cover will be “Grapevine: AA’s Meeting in Print.”
Financial results – for the year ended December 31, 2008, the AA Grapevine, Inc. realized a loss of $94,686 in comparison to a budgeted net income of $3,204. This was due mostly to higher than expected professional fees and increasing postage expense.
La Vina realized a loss of $76,260 which was behind budget by $8,889. Again, postage expenses attributed to the increased expenses.
As you may be aware, the AA Grapevine raised the price of their books by $2.00, with the exception of the Best of Bill. Beginning July 1, 2009, a one year subscription for the Grapevine will be $27.00. This larger than usual increase is due to too little – too late. The AA Grapevine has not kept pace with increasing costs and inflation over the years and this represents an attempt to actually charge what is needed to produce the magazine. Remember – “self-supporting through our own contributions!”
The AA Grapevine Board approved and forwarded two names to be new non-trustee directors beginning after the 59th GSC. They are Albin Z and Nancy H. Also forwarded was the name of Don M to serve as the new General Service Trustee from the AA Grapevine Board. We are excited and thrilled to have them serve.
The AA Grapevine Board also agreed to hold three of its planning meetings in conjunction with General Service Board weekends, resulting in a net savings of $25,000 for meetings in 2009.
Trustees Nominating – The big news here is we had five outstanding applicants for our two Class A positions on the board. The two names forwarded for consideration are Corliss Burke from Whitehorse and Frances Brisbane from New Jersey. These two women come with an incredible background in helping alcoholics and will be a tremendous asset to the General Service Board.
Feel free to distribute this to anyone who can benefit from the information. Just remember to anonymity-protect the document.
One more time, I cannot thank all of you enough for the privilege of serving as your trustee. Having you guys for delegates always makes me feel like I’m cheatin’. You make me so proud and I feel so loved. I love all of you back!
Your grateful servant in recovery,
Madeleine P – Pacific Region Trustee
November 2008 Board Report
11/03/2008 New GSO GM
Just thought you would like to know some exciting news from board weekend. We have a new chairman for the general service board, a new general service manager, and we have selected a site for the 2020 International Convention.
I guess you probably would like the names as well. Ok! Our new chairman is Ward Ewing, a class A non-alcoholic trustee who works on the side as an Episcopal minister when he is not doing AA stuff. It also appears that we will be enjoying Detroit in 2020. And now for the really big news.......past Pacific Region Trustee, Phyllis H is our new General Service Office Manager. Congratulation to All!
10/31/08 Self-support Discussion
As many of you may remember at our Pre-Conference Assembly this year we had an all panel topic regarding self-support. This was discussed at length at the conference and the following Advisory Action was adopted:
"That the trustees’ Finance and Budgetary Committee gather input from the Fellowship on the benefits and liabilities, both spiritual and practical, of fully funding G.S.O. Services to the Fellowship (G.S.O. functional expenses) by the voluntary contributions of A.A. members and groups and that this information be forwarded to the 2009 Conference Committee on Finance."
Our Area has been requested to provide further discussion and feedback on this issue. Background material on this topic is posted above. I would appreciate all GSRs, DCMs or DCMCs, and IGLs to discuss this with thier home groups, districts, and Intergroups and report back to me by email at delegate@area03.org. Deadline for this feeback is December 31, 2008 this will allow me sufficient time to send a report with your comments back to the trustees' committee before the end of January. This is an important issue and we want as much feedback as we can get. Thank you for your assistance with this topic. I will also be announcing this tomorrow at our November Assembly.