From GSO
EPGSA Conference Report
November 8-10 2024 Wyndham Resort Lancaster PA
Voting District 46 1 GSR 0 DCM
Delegate: Dan B
Alternate Delegate: Alex N
Chairperson: Tara C
Secretary: Lauren B
Treasurer: Jen F
Officer at large: Neil D
GSO Manager writes
Also significant is the passing by substantial unanimity of the Plain Language Big Book. This project began as the result of discussion during the 66th GSC (2016). Since that time, the project was discussed at each subsequent Conference. It received approval by Advisory Action to move forward from the 71st GSC (2021). The Publishing Department in collaboration with the Trustees Literature Committee of the General Service Board worked diligently together over the last three years and prepared a draft. At both the 73rd and 74th Conferences, reading rooms and sharing sessions were arranged to offer all Conference delegates the opportunity to spend time privately reviewing the draft and to share feedback. This allowed for a fully informed group conscience. Serving as a co-chair of the Conference, I presided over much of the discussion and can attest that it was robust and thorough. This timeline of discussion and development is one of the best examples of how the group conscience of the Fellowship is exercised through the General Service Conference.
From Area 59
Greetings Area Committee Members, Past Delegates, and Special Servants,
See below an update from the July General Service Board weekend regarding the Plain Language Big Book. I plan to cover this further at our September quarterly meeting. Let me know if you have any questions and thank you all for your service.
The General Service Board (GSB) reviewed correspondence received since the 74th General Service Conference (GSC) pertaining to Plain Language Big Book: A Tool for Reading Alcoholics Anonymous which included letters of concern, appeals, process concerns, and letters of support. Each person who submitted correspondence will receive a personal response. Related floor actions that were proposed but then forwarded to the applicable board/committee by group conscience of the GSC were also reviewed and will also be receiving individual responses. The discussion of these matters resulted in the General Service Board affirming its desire and responsibility to implement Advisory Actions of the General Service Conference that carry by substantial unanimity and expressing agreement with the work of the Trustees Literature Committee.
The Trustees Literature Committee (TLC) reviewed the 2024 Conference Committee on Literature (CCL) memo to A.A.W.S. Publishing regarding 10 additional "minor editorial changes," which were intended by the CCL to be included as part of those given as examples in the Advisory Action. In past Conferences, when minor formatting, grammar, or style changes have been suggested, the editorial notes have been sent directly to Publishing without being included in Advisory Actions. The memo to Publishing also included an additional 36 suggestions for which the Conference Committee had not formed a group conscience and about which they were asking the Publishing Department to use its discretion to determine whether and how to implement. After careful consideration, the TLC agreed to proceed with Plain Language Big Book: A Tool for Reading Alcoholics Anonymous based on what was stated in the Advisory Action from the 74th GSC plus the first 10 "minor editorial changes" from the Publishing memo.
The Advisory Action stated: The draft manuscript Plain Language Big Book: A Tool for Reading Alcoholics Anonymous be approved with minor editorial changes to include:
• Relocation of the "A.A. Steps Table" to constitute an Appendix (on the Twelve Steps) at the back of the new publication.
• Replace the references to "addiction" and "addicted" with language related to alcoholism.
The AAWS Board has been discussing pricing, format and print dates, and began preparations pending the outcome of the discussions at the July General Service Board meeting.
An announcement from AAWS Publishing Department will be widely distributed in the coming weeks once some formatting matters are finalized. It is expected that the Plain Language Big Book: A Tool for Reading Alcoholics Anonymous will be available in November 2024. The AAWS Board approved a list price of $11.00.
See below an update from the July General Service Board weekend regarding the Plain Language Big Book. I plan to cover this further at our September quarterly meeting. Let me know if you have any questions and thank you all for your service.
The General Service Board (GSB) reviewed correspondence received since the 74th General Service Conference (GSC) pertaining to Plain Language Big Book: A Tool for Reading Alcoholics Anonymous which included letters of concern, appeals, process concerns, and letters of support. Each person who submitted correspondence will receive a personal response. Related floor actions that were proposed but then forwarded to the applicable board/committee by group conscience of the GSC were also reviewed and will also be receiving individual responses. The discussion of these matters resulted in the General Service Board affirming its desire and responsibility to implement Advisory Actions of the General Service Conference that carry by substantial unanimity and expressing agreement with the work of the Trustees Literature Committee.
The Trustees Literature Committee (TLC) reviewed the 2024 Conference Committee on Literature (CCL) memo to A.A.W.S. Publishing regarding 10 additional "minor editorial changes," which were intended by the CCL to be included as part of those given as examples in the Advisory Action. In past Conferences, when minor formatting, grammar, or style changes have been suggested, the editorial notes have been sent directly to Publishing without being included in Advisory Actions. The memo to Publishing also included an additional 36 suggestions for which the Conference Committee had not formed a group conscience and about which they were asking the Publishing Department to use its discretion to determine whether and how to implement. After careful consideration, the TLC agreed to proceed with Plain Language Big Book: A Tool for Reading Alcoholics Anonymous based on what was stated in the Advisory Action from the 74th GSC plus the first 10 "minor editorial changes" from the Publishing memo.
The Advisory Action stated: The draft manuscript Plain Language Big Book: A Tool for Reading Alcoholics Anonymous be approved with minor editorial changes to include:
• Relocation of the "A.A. Steps Table" to constitute an Appendix (on the Twelve Steps) at the back of the new publication.
• Replace the references to "addiction" and "addicted" with language related to alcoholism.
The AAWS Board has been discussing pricing, format and print dates, and began preparations pending the outcome of the discussions at the July General Service Board meeting.
An announcement from AAWS Publishing Department will be widely distributed in the coming weeks once some formatting matters are finalized. It is expected that the Plain Language Big Book: A Tool for Reading Alcoholics Anonymous will be available in November 2024. The AAWS Board approved a list price of $11.00.
