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.
November 24, 2024
To: GSRs, Alt GSRs, DCMs and Chairs, Area Officers and Committee Chairs, Delegates, Alt Delegates, Appointed Committee Members, Non-trustee Directors, Trustees, GSO Employees, Intergroups and Central Offices, Group Contacts
Dear A.A. Friends:
The response to the release of the Plain Language Big Book has been heartwarming.
The initial print run of just over 70,000 copies sold out in only two weeks!
In preparation for a second printing, the General Service Board noted revisions that better
align with the 74th General Service Conference’s recommendation (Advisory Action) to
move ahead with the printing of the book.
Prior to the first printing, the General Service Board made adjustments to align with the
Conference’s direction. However, the Board now realizes the adjustments that were made
fell short. A regrettable and unintentional mistake had been made. We have worked
together to correct those mistakes quickly.
The changes outlined below may be very consequential for some, and less significant for
others, but the Board feels responsible to see that the Advisory Action from the
Conference is carried out.
In addition to the changes to the text of the Plain Language Big Book outlined below, the
language on the back flap will be amended to better reflect the progress of this project.
The third sentence will now read, “The 72nd GSC reviewed a progress report, and sample
chapters were reviewed at the 73rd GSC.”
My sincere apologies for any inconvenience this may have caused any of our members,
and I appreciate your patience and understanding. The order for the second printing has
been placed to include the changes outlined below. We expect the book to be back in
stock in approximately 4-6 weeks.
Thank you again for your understanding. I hope you find the Plain Language Big Book a
useful tool for reading the Big Book, Alcoholics Anonymous, and helpful with carrying our
life saving message.
Scott H.
Chair, General Service Board
November 24, 2024
To: GSRs, Alt GSRs, DCMs and Chairs, Area Officers and Committee Chairs, Delegates, Alt Delegates, Appointed Committee Members, Non-trustee Directors, Trustees, GSO Employees, Intergroups and Central Offices, Group Contacts
Dear A.A. Friends:
The response to the release of the Plain Language Big Book has been heartwarming.
The initial print run of just over 70,000 copies sold out in only two weeks!
In preparation for a second printing, the General Service Board noted revisions that better
align with the 74th General Service Conference’s recommendation (Advisory Action) to
move ahead with the printing of the book.
Prior to the first printing, the General Service Board made adjustments to align with the
Conference’s direction. However, the Board now realizes the adjustments that were made
fell short. A regrettable and unintentional mistake had been made. We have worked
together to correct those mistakes quickly.
The changes outlined below may be very consequential for some, and less significant for
others, but the Board feels responsible to see that the Advisory Action from the
Conference is carried out.
In addition to the changes to the text of the Plain Language Big Book outlined below, the
language on the back flap will be amended to better reflect the progress of this project.
The third sentence will now read, “The 72nd GSC reviewed a progress report, and sample
chapters were reviewed at the 73rd GSC.”
My sincere apologies for any inconvenience this may have caused any of our members,
and I appreciate your patience and understanding. The order for the second printing has
been placed to include the changes outlined below. We expect the book to be back in
stock in approximately 4-6 weeks.
Thank you again for your understanding. I hope you find the Plain Language Big Book a
useful tool for reading the Big Book, Alcoholics Anonymous, and helpful with carrying our
life saving message.
Scott H.
Chair, General Service Board
- On page 64, remove the sentence “It seems to control and punish people who are addicted to it” from the last paragraph.
- On page 9, remove the definition of "Addiction" from the Glossary section.
- On page 11, revise the sentence “Dr. Silkworth ran the Charles B. Towns Hospital for Drug and Alcohol Addictions in New York City during the 1930s.”
To read:
“Dr. Silkworth ran the Charles B. Towns Hospital for alcoholism and drug addiction in New York City during the 1930s."
- On page 14, revise the sentence “I help people recover from their alcohol and drug addictions”
To read:
“I help people recover from their alcoholism and drug addiction."
- "On page 139, revise the sentence “In one of these cities there is a well-known hospital for the treatment of alcohol and drug addiction.”
To read:
“In one of these cities there is a well-known hospital for the treatment of alcoholism."
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.
