1 00:00:01,200 --> 00:00:02,700 - The views and opinions expressed 2 00:00:02,700 --> 00:00:05,310 during this podcast are those of our guests. 3 00:00:05,310 --> 00:00:07,920 No one person speaks for AA as a whole. 4 00:00:08,880 --> 00:00:12,270 - In 2018, researchers discovered evidence 5 00:00:12,270 --> 00:00:15,510 of a 13,000 year old brewery. 6 00:00:15,510 --> 00:00:18,030 While we don't know for sure if ancient peoples were getting 7 00:00:18,030 --> 00:00:21,480 drunk, there's a pretty good chance they were. 8 00:00:21,480 --> 00:00:23,250 Throughout the centuries, societies 9 00:00:23,250 --> 00:00:26,850 around the world have warned of possible severe consequences 10 00:00:26,850 --> 00:00:28,740 of excessive drinking. 11 00:00:28,740 --> 00:00:31,500 Of course, most people can drink responsibly 12 00:00:31,500 --> 00:00:33,150 or stop if they want to, 13 00:00:33,150 --> 00:00:36,750 but some people just can't For them, 14 00:00:36,750 --> 00:00:39,210 consuming alcohol creates a physical 15 00:00:39,210 --> 00:00:41,550 and psychological dependency 16 00:00:41,550 --> 00:00:44,670 that renders the strongest willed individuals powerless 17 00:00:44,670 --> 00:00:46,200 to control their cravings for it. 18 00:00:47,340 --> 00:00:50,460 They have a disease, it's called alcoholism. 19 00:00:54,480 --> 00:00:57,690 Hi, my name is Nathan and I'm an alcoholic. 20 00:00:57,690 --> 00:01:00,900 This is our primary purpose, a podcast produced 21 00:01:00,900 --> 00:01:03,630 by the General Service Office On behalf of the Fellowship 22 00:01:03,630 --> 00:01:06,840 of Alcoholics Anonymous in the US and Canada. 23 00:01:06,840 --> 00:01:08,040 We'll take a close look at 24 00:01:08,040 --> 00:01:10,260 what goes on at the General Service Office, 25 00:01:10,260 --> 00:01:13,590 or GSO as we call it, as well as the people 26 00:01:13,590 --> 00:01:15,660 and organization it serves. 27 00:01:15,660 --> 00:01:17,190 Whether you're a member of AA 28 00:01:17,190 --> 00:01:20,340 or just want to learn more about this almost 90-year-old 29 00:01:20,340 --> 00:01:23,580 organization, we welcome you to this journey. 30 00:01:23,580 --> 00:01:26,670 We have a lot to explore. So let's get started. 31 00:01:26,670 --> 00:01:27,630 Welcome to GSO. 32 00:01:37,105 --> 00:01:40,110 Let's start at the beginning of the AA story. 33 00:01:40,110 --> 00:01:41,970 How did AA start? 34 00:01:41,970 --> 00:01:45,270 How does AA continue to flourish around the world? Today? 35 00:01:45,270 --> 00:01:48,390 I've invited Sandra, director of Staff Services at GSO 36 00:01:48,390 --> 00:01:51,240 to help me tell this story. Hi, Sandra. 37 00:01:51,240 --> 00:01:53,910 - Hi, Nathan. - Sandra, how was addiction 38 00:01:53,910 --> 00:01:57,570 to alcohol treated before Alcoholics Anonymous? 39 00:01:57,570 --> 00:01:58,740 - Well, Nathan, in the time 40 00:01:58,740 --> 00:02:01,890 before AA in medical support became available 41 00:02:01,890 --> 00:02:04,650 for alcoholics in the 20th century. 42 00:02:04,650 --> 00:02:08,940 Alcoholism was primarily considered a moral failing, 43 00:02:08,940 --> 00:02:11,880 and the treatments were often barbaric. 44 00:02:11,880 --> 00:02:14,550 Chronic alcoholics were locked up in prisons 45 00:02:14,550 --> 00:02:16,680 and insane asylums. 46 00:02:16,680 --> 00:02:20,760 They were subjected to all kinds of experimental treatments. 47 00:02:20,760 --> 00:02:24,630 Many were unsuccessful and often tortures. 48 00:02:24,630 --> 00:02:25,920 We also saw the rise 49 00:02:25,920 --> 00:02:29,280 of the Temperance Movement in the 19th century. 50 00:02:29,280 --> 00:02:33,570 Outta this movement came a group called the Washingtonians. 51 00:02:33,570 --> 00:02:35,970 It was started by six alcoholics 52 00:02:35,970 --> 00:02:39,390 who thought they could stay sober by joining together 53 00:02:39,390 --> 00:02:41,700 and supporting one another. 54 00:02:41,700 --> 00:02:44,190 Their ideas caught on at first, 55 00:02:44,190 --> 00:02:46,050 but eventually the group fell apart 56 00:02:46,050 --> 00:02:48,690 because of fighting over the social issues of the day. 57 00:02:49,560 --> 00:02:53,610 Then comes prohibition in 1920, which outlawed the sale 58 00:02:53,610 --> 00:02:55,710 of alcohol in the United States. 59 00:02:55,710 --> 00:02:58,110 - Then Prohibition ends in 1933. 60 00:02:58,110 --> 00:03:01,480 - Yes, and W enters our story. 61 00:03:01,480 --> 00:03:05,140 - Bill W is a 38-year-old struggling businessman living in 62 00:03:05,140 --> 00:03:08,740 Brooklyn, New York, and suffering from severe alcoholism. 63 00:03:08,740 --> 00:03:11,560 He had been hospitalized numerous times for his drinking 64 00:03:11,560 --> 00:03:13,570 and would chronically return to the bottle 65 00:03:13,570 --> 00:03:15,010 after being released. 66 00:03:15,010 --> 00:03:17,590 - At this point, bill is desperate. 67 00:03:17,590 --> 00:03:21,730 A later description said that terror, self-hatred 68 00:03:21,730 --> 00:03:25,930 and suicidal thoughts were his constant companions. 69 00:03:25,930 --> 00:03:28,810 It was at this low point when Bill was visited 70 00:03:28,810 --> 00:03:30,640 by his friend, Eby T, 71 00:03:30,640 --> 00:03:32,080 - Old drinking buddies. 72 00:03:32,080 --> 00:03:34,510 - Bill immediately offers Eby a drink, 73 00:03:34,510 --> 00:03:37,990 - Gin and pineapple juice, - But Eby declines. 74 00:03:37,990 --> 00:03:42,010 Bill knows Eby to be a hardened alcoholic like himself, 75 00:03:42,010 --> 00:03:46,060 but here he was sober sitting at Bill's kitchen table. 76 00:03:46,060 --> 00:03:47,950 When Bill asked how he had done it, 77 00:03:47,950 --> 00:03:50,530 Eby says he accepted the spiritual principles 78 00:03:50,530 --> 00:03:52,570 of something called the Oxford Group. 79 00:03:52,570 --> 00:03:55,030 - Right off the bat, bill doesn't like the idea 80 00:03:55,030 --> 00:03:56,740 of anything religious. 81 00:03:56,740 --> 00:03:58,210 When Eby asks him, 82 00:03:58,210 --> 00:04:01,360 why don't you choose your own conception of God? 83 00:04:01,360 --> 00:04:03,730 Bill's resistance begins to melt, 84 00:04:03,730 --> 00:04:07,000 - But this isn't enough to keep Bill sober. 85 00:04:07,000 --> 00:04:09,970 Less than a month later, bill is admitted 86 00:04:09,970 --> 00:04:12,760 to Towns hospital in New York City for treatment. 87 00:04:12,760 --> 00:04:17,350 Again. Here he meets Dr. William d Silkworth. 88 00:04:17,350 --> 00:04:19,120 The doctor shares his belief 89 00:04:19,120 --> 00:04:22,720 that alcoholism is not a moral failure, 90 00:04:22,720 --> 00:04:27,190 but a physical allergy to alcohol causing a compulsion 91 00:04:27,190 --> 00:04:29,140 and mental obsession to drink. 92 00:04:30,160 --> 00:04:33,910 Here, bill experiences a profound spiritual awakening, 93 00:04:33,910 --> 00:04:36,160 and he never has another drink again. 94 00:04:36,160 --> 00:04:37,840 - That's not to say that the temptation 95 00:04:37,840 --> 00:04:39,130 to drink disappeared. 96 00:04:39,130 --> 00:04:42,250 - That's right. Bill learns that in order to stay sober, 97 00:04:42,250 --> 00:04:44,530 he needs to take action as well 98 00:04:44,530 --> 00:04:46,930 and connect with other alcoholics. 99 00:04:46,930 --> 00:04:48,220 - Bill makes that connection. 100 00:04:48,220 --> 00:04:52,420 In spring 1935 on an unsuccessful business trip to Akron, 101 00:04:52,420 --> 00:04:54,640 Ohio, he's struggling 102 00:04:54,640 --> 00:04:57,820 and finds himself in the lobby of the Mayflower Hotel, 103 00:04:57,820 --> 00:05:00,640 tempted by the party in the hotel bar. 104 00:05:00,640 --> 00:05:03,640 Bill has an overwhelming urge to drink, but, 105 00:05:03,640 --> 00:05:05,650 and this is an important moment in the history of aa, 106 00:05:06,670 --> 00:05:10,810 he remembers that talking to another alcoholic might help. 107 00:05:10,810 --> 00:05:13,360 He sees the church directory posted on the wall in 108 00:05:13,360 --> 00:05:15,010 the hotel lobby. 109 00:05:15,010 --> 00:05:17,830 Bill's call to a church eventually leads him 110 00:05:17,830 --> 00:05:19,960 to meet another alcoholic, Dr. 111 00:05:19,960 --> 00:05:24,340 Bob. Yes, when they meet on May 12th, 1935, Dr. 112 00:05:24,340 --> 00:05:27,520 Bob plans to talk with Bill for only 15 minutes. 113 00:05:27,520 --> 00:05:29,230 He has a severe hangover, 114 00:05:29,230 --> 00:05:31,810 but they end up talking long into the night. 115 00:05:31,810 --> 00:05:34,420 It was a profound experience for both men. 116 00:05:34,420 --> 00:05:36,610 For the first time, there is another person 117 00:05:36,610 --> 00:05:38,680 who really understands their drinking 118 00:05:38,680 --> 00:05:41,710 and their many failed attempts to get sober. 119 00:05:41,710 --> 00:05:44,800 - Now, Dr. Bob does keep drinking, 120 00:05:44,800 --> 00:05:49,150 but with Bill's help, he finally has his last drink. 121 00:05:49,150 --> 00:05:53,170 On June 10th, 1935, a date 122 00:05:53,170 --> 00:05:56,500 that marks the beginning of Alcoholics Anonymous, 123 00:05:56,500 --> 00:05:59,060 - Bill and Bob soon realized that the best way 124 00:05:59,060 --> 00:06:01,040 to help other alcoholics was 125 00:06:01,040 --> 00:06:03,200 to talk about their own drinking 126 00:06:03,200 --> 00:06:06,650 and the idea that alcoholism was a disease, 127 00:06:06,650 --> 00:06:08,750 not a moral failing. 128 00:06:08,750 --> 00:06:11,570 - Later that summer, bill returns to New York 129 00:06:11,570 --> 00:06:13,310 and begins to have success 130 00:06:13,310 --> 00:06:15,585 with patients from Towns hospital. 131 00:06:15,585 --> 00:06:17,510 He and his wife Lois, 132 00:06:17,510 --> 00:06:19,700 welcome alcoholics at their small Brooklyn 133 00:06:19,700 --> 00:06:21,680 apartment just as Dr. 134 00:06:21,680 --> 00:06:26,000 Bob and his wife Anne were doing in their home in Akron. 135 00:06:26,000 --> 00:06:29,000 By late 1937, bill and Dr. 136 00:06:29,000 --> 00:06:31,340 Bob are astonished to find that 137 00:06:31,340 --> 00:06:34,790 after two years of working with dozens of alcoholics, 138 00:06:34,790 --> 00:06:36,770 about 40 were staying sober. 139 00:06:37,790 --> 00:06:39,500 AA was up and running. 140 00:06:39,500 --> 00:06:42,110 - Now they look for ways to carry this message of hope 141 00:06:42,110 --> 00:06:44,810 to even more suffering alcoholics. 142 00:06:44,810 --> 00:06:46,850 They agree to write a book. 143 00:06:46,850 --> 00:06:49,550 Here we come to the pivotal story of how Bill, 144 00:06:49,550 --> 00:06:51,770 through his connections, ends up meeting 145 00:06:51,770 --> 00:06:53,810 with John d Rockefeller, Jr. 146 00:06:53,810 --> 00:06:58,070 To ask for a $50,000 contribution to the book Project. 147 00:06:58,070 --> 00:07:01,370 Rockefeller was a prominent financier and philanthropist. 148 00:07:01,370 --> 00:07:05,210 He agrees only to a $5,000 contribution 149 00:07:05,210 --> 00:07:08,330 after one of his advisors asks, isn't money going 150 00:07:08,330 --> 00:07:10,040 to spoil this thing? 151 00:07:10,040 --> 00:07:12,020 A light bulb goes on for Bill, 152 00:07:12,020 --> 00:07:16,190 and the idea of AA self-support takes root. 153 00:07:16,190 --> 00:07:18,500 More to come on that in this episode, 154 00:07:18,500 --> 00:07:19,940 - But back to Bill and Dr. 155 00:07:19,940 --> 00:07:22,370 Bob's book project. 156 00:07:22,370 --> 00:07:24,230 After more than a year of writing, 157 00:07:24,230 --> 00:07:27,560 bill thinks we need a definite statement 158 00:07:27,560 --> 00:07:29,150 of concrete principles 159 00:07:29,150 --> 00:07:31,790 that these drunks can't wiggle out of. 160 00:07:31,790 --> 00:07:35,990 So he writes a first draft of the 12 steps. 161 00:07:35,990 --> 00:07:39,980 The book, which is officially titled Alcoholics Anonymous, 162 00:07:39,980 --> 00:07:43,190 is published on April 10th, 1939, 163 00:07:44,210 --> 00:07:45,950 4,650. 164 00:07:45,950 --> 00:07:49,610 Copies of the first edition roll off the presses 165 00:07:49,610 --> 00:07:53,000 - Today, the book is known by millions as the big book. 166 00:07:53,000 --> 00:07:56,570 It has sold more than 40 million copies in English alone 167 00:07:56,570 --> 00:08:00,770 and is available in 75 languages in 1940. 168 00:08:00,770 --> 00:08:03,800 The first general service office is established in lower 169 00:08:03,800 --> 00:08:06,260 Manhattan to provide general service 170 00:08:06,260 --> 00:08:08,750 to the rapidly growing organization. 171 00:08:08,750 --> 00:08:09,950 By 1950, 172 00:08:09,950 --> 00:08:12,860 there are a hundred thousand recovering alcoholics in 173 00:08:12,860 --> 00:08:14,870 AA worldwide. 174 00:08:14,870 --> 00:08:18,410 - The growth of AA since that time has been pretty amazing. 175 00:08:19,250 --> 00:08:23,270 AA is active in more than 180 countries, 176 00:08:23,270 --> 00:08:26,930 and our publications have been translated into 110 177 00:08:26,930 --> 00:08:29,060 languages and counting. 178 00:08:29,060 --> 00:08:32,870 Today, the general service office in New York City serves 179 00:08:32,870 --> 00:08:35,060 AA in the United States and Canada, 180 00:08:35,060 --> 00:08:39,320 and also offers services to AA internationally, especially 181 00:08:39,320 --> 00:08:42,170 to countries where there's no service structure. 182 00:08:42,170 --> 00:08:44,660 Since we're a large nonprofit organization, 183 00:08:44,660 --> 00:08:46,970 we do have board governance, 184 00:08:46,970 --> 00:08:49,640 but our service structure is unique. 185 00:08:49,640 --> 00:08:53,840 It's a bottom up versus top down structure 186 00:08:53,840 --> 00:08:57,720 and involves members throughout the organization. 187 00:08:57,720 --> 00:08:59,610 - We'll hear more about our service structure 188 00:08:59,610 --> 00:09:01,290 later in the episode. 189 00:09:01,290 --> 00:09:04,710 Sandra, thank you for that glimpse of AA history. 190 00:09:04,710 --> 00:09:06,630 - Nathan, - It has been my pleasure. 191 00:09:08,580 --> 00:09:10,650 For more information about aa, 192 00:09:10,650 --> 00:09:13,380 please visit our website@aa.org. 193 00:09:15,060 --> 00:09:18,900 - Briefly mentioned in the AA story were the 12 steps. 194 00:09:18,900 --> 00:09:21,900 These steps are suggested as a program of recovery, 195 00:09:21,900 --> 00:09:24,990 and they're a big part of what AA is all about. 196 00:09:24,990 --> 00:09:29,160 Along with the 12 steps, there are also 12 traditions. 197 00:09:29,160 --> 00:09:33,390 Just like the steps, the traditions are suggestions. 198 00:09:33,390 --> 00:09:37,650 There are no rules in aa, no musts, no have tos. 199 00:09:37,650 --> 00:09:40,290 Every group is autonomous. 200 00:09:40,290 --> 00:09:42,660 That's actually part of tradition four. 201 00:09:42,660 --> 00:09:45,630 The fifth tradition states that each group has 202 00:09:45,630 --> 00:09:49,410 but one primary purpose to carry its message 203 00:09:49,410 --> 00:09:51,990 to the alcoholic who still suffers. 204 00:09:51,990 --> 00:09:55,620 The seventh tradition states, every AA group ought 205 00:09:55,620 --> 00:09:58,680 to be fully self-supporting, declining 206 00:09:58,680 --> 00:10:01,020 outside contributions. 207 00:10:01,020 --> 00:10:02,730 In the early pioneering years 208 00:10:02,730 --> 00:10:06,840 of AA groups primarily met in people's homes, 209 00:10:06,840 --> 00:10:08,790 but the fellowship expanded quickly, 210 00:10:08,790 --> 00:10:12,240 and as Bill w himself will tell you, 211 00:10:12,240 --> 00:10:16,230 - Well, after a while, Holmes got too small. 212 00:10:16,230 --> 00:10:21,030 We had to move into halls and we can all smile. 213 00:10:21,030 --> 00:10:25,075 As we think of the great cries that went up from us drunk, 214 00:10:25,075 --> 00:10:29,490 when landlords actually had the nerve to charge us money 215 00:10:29,490 --> 00:10:34,470 for those halls, the heartless things, 216 00:10:35,640 --> 00:10:40,200 why we said to the landlords, we can't mix money 217 00:10:40,200 --> 00:10:42,000 with spirituality. 218 00:10:42,000 --> 00:10:44,340 The landlord said, well, that's all right for me, 219 00:10:44,340 --> 00:10:47,100 but you don't get the hall. 220 00:10:47,100 --> 00:10:48,540 So it cost a little something, 221 00:10:48,540 --> 00:10:51,060 and we began to drop money in the hat. 222 00:10:51,060 --> 00:10:54,240 - We began to drop money in the hat, 223 00:10:54,240 --> 00:10:57,780 meaning we were collecting money from each other, 224 00:10:57,780 --> 00:11:01,290 self-support straight from the GSO archives. 225 00:11:01,290 --> 00:11:04,455 That recording was Bill W speaking at the International 226 00:11:04,455 --> 00:11:05,730 Convention in St. 227 00:11:05,730 --> 00:11:08,760 Louis, Missouri, 1955. 228 00:11:08,760 --> 00:11:11,760 Now, nearly 70 years later, the necessity 229 00:11:11,760 --> 00:11:15,450 of self support remains the same for why 230 00:11:15,450 --> 00:11:18,510 and how GSO implements this practice. 231 00:11:18,510 --> 00:11:21,300 We take you to the source affectionately known 232 00:11:21,300 --> 00:11:23,010 around the office as Zenni. 233 00:11:23,010 --> 00:11:24,300 - My name is Zenida Medina 234 00:11:24,300 --> 00:11:26,850 and I am the controller at the General Service Office. 235 00:11:26,850 --> 00:11:30,390 - Last name? - Yes. That's okay. I'm not a member of aa. 236 00:11:30,390 --> 00:11:33,480 - So you don't need to be a member to work at GSL? 237 00:11:33,480 --> 00:11:37,140 - No, not all positions are required to be a member of AA 238 00:11:37,140 --> 00:11:38,400 in the finance department. 239 00:11:38,400 --> 00:11:40,500 No one is required to be a member. 240 00:11:40,500 --> 00:11:41,880 - What does the controller do? 241 00:11:42,900 --> 00:11:46,470 - As the controller of aa, I go over the day-to-day activity 242 00:11:46,470 --> 00:11:48,900 of the accounting department to make sure 243 00:11:48,900 --> 00:11:50,550 that our reports are accurate so 244 00:11:50,550 --> 00:11:53,920 that the CFO can report accurately to the board. 245 00:11:53,920 --> 00:11:56,860 - So you know a thing or two about self-support in aa. 246 00:11:56,860 --> 00:11:59,560 - I've been around quite a while, so yes. 247 00:11:59,560 --> 00:12:01,600 - What do we mean by self-support? 248 00:12:01,600 --> 00:12:05,500 - Self-support means accepting contributions only from 249 00:12:05,500 --> 00:12:07,120 AA members. 250 00:12:07,120 --> 00:12:08,710 - How do we support ourselves? 251 00:12:08,710 --> 00:12:11,920 - So we do have two revenue streams. 252 00:12:11,920 --> 00:12:15,490 Our first is literature sales. We sell recovery literature. 253 00:12:15,490 --> 00:12:19,330 We are a wholesaler, so a lot of treatment centers, 254 00:12:19,330 --> 00:12:23,140 hospitals, as well as groups and intergroup central offices. 255 00:12:23,140 --> 00:12:24,850 All purchase literature from us 256 00:12:24,850 --> 00:12:26,020 - And anyone can purchase literature. 257 00:12:26,020 --> 00:12:27,790 - Anyone can purchase literature. 258 00:12:27,790 --> 00:12:30,970 And then the other stream of revenue is contributions. 259 00:12:30,970 --> 00:12:33,595 We accept contributions only from AA members. 260 00:12:33,595 --> 00:12:37,060 - What about AA entities? Like AA groups or districts? 261 00:12:37,060 --> 00:12:40,720 - Right, so there is no limit to AA groups, conferences, 262 00:12:40,720 --> 00:12:44,890 areas, districts, assemblies, events. 263 00:12:44,890 --> 00:12:47,470 We also receive contributions as long as we know 264 00:12:47,470 --> 00:12:51,340 that they're all from AA members and that has no limit. 265 00:12:51,340 --> 00:12:53,620 The only other limit there is is for bequest, 266 00:12:53,620 --> 00:12:56,530 which is anyone leaving money to us in their will. 267 00:12:56,530 --> 00:12:58,540 There's a $10,000 limit to that. 268 00:12:58,540 --> 00:13:00,820 - So how can you tell if a contribution is 269 00:13:00,820 --> 00:13:01,840 coming from a member? 270 00:13:02,830 --> 00:13:05,890 - So we have a couple of different methods that we use 271 00:13:05,890 --> 00:13:10,780 to try to navigate all of the contributions that we receive. 272 00:13:10,780 --> 00:13:13,600 We receive more than 4,000 physical checks 273 00:13:13,600 --> 00:13:15,520 to the office on a monthly basis. 274 00:13:15,520 --> 00:13:17,410 - Wow. - 20% 275 00:13:17,410 --> 00:13:20,110 of our contributions comes from online and online. 276 00:13:20,110 --> 00:13:21,910 Everybody can put in all the information, 277 00:13:21,910 --> 00:13:24,670 but as soon as you go in, the first thing that it asks you, 278 00:13:24,670 --> 00:13:26,440 are you an AA member? 279 00:13:26,440 --> 00:13:28,750 Once you click that, then you can move on 280 00:13:28,750 --> 00:13:30,700 to the next steps in giving the contributions. 281 00:13:30,700 --> 00:13:32,770 But we don't have that feature when we receive 282 00:13:32,770 --> 00:13:35,020 that physical checks to the office. 283 00:13:35,020 --> 00:13:37,510 If there is no information on the check, we look 284 00:13:37,510 --> 00:13:39,910 to see if they've done a contribution in the past 285 00:13:39,910 --> 00:13:43,720 to see if we have history of this person in our system. 286 00:13:43,720 --> 00:13:45,610 And then if we can't tell at all 287 00:13:45,610 --> 00:13:46,930 and there's just no way of telling, 288 00:13:46,930 --> 00:13:49,840 we actually return the contribution with a letter 289 00:13:49,840 --> 00:13:52,210 and the return envelope asking, you know, 290 00:13:52,210 --> 00:13:53,620 this is what we're doing. 291 00:13:53,620 --> 00:13:57,400 We're sending it out to ask if you're a member of aa. 292 00:13:57,400 --> 00:13:59,410 And then once they tell us and 293 00:13:59,410 --> 00:14:01,840 and they can return the check, then we'll actually go ahead 294 00:14:01,840 --> 00:14:03,370 and put it into the system. 295 00:14:03,370 --> 00:14:06,160 We've returned hundreds of thousands a year, 296 00:14:06,160 --> 00:14:09,160 and that's kind of hard, you know, as an non AA member 297 00:14:09,160 --> 00:14:13,480 to see a check in front of you and you have to return it. 298 00:14:13,480 --> 00:14:18,070 But I stopped feeling that way because it works. 299 00:14:18,070 --> 00:14:19,300 It just works. 300 00:14:19,300 --> 00:14:21,790 - So in essence, this is exactly what we mean 301 00:14:21,790 --> 00:14:23,020 by self-support. 302 00:14:23,020 --> 00:14:26,200 - Absolutely. It's just declining outside contributions, 303 00:14:26,200 --> 00:14:29,170 just accepting contributions from AA members. 304 00:14:29,170 --> 00:14:30,490 - But financially speaking, 305 00:14:30,490 --> 00:14:32,350 it seems like AA could really benefit from 306 00:14:32,350 --> 00:14:35,500 outside contributions or lifting the max amount. 307 00:14:35,500 --> 00:14:37,060 Why is it so important to maintain this 308 00:14:37,060 --> 00:14:38,560 tradition of self-support? 309 00:14:38,560 --> 00:14:40,780 - It's important to maintain the integrity 310 00:14:40,780 --> 00:14:42,340 of the organization. 311 00:14:42,340 --> 00:14:45,850 If one person, or you know, multiple people 312 00:14:45,850 --> 00:14:48,820 contribute vast amounts of money, it's definitely gonna try 313 00:14:48,820 --> 00:14:50,440 to influence the program, 314 00:14:50,440 --> 00:14:52,705 and that's not something that we accept. 315 00:14:52,705 --> 00:14:53,960 - And why don't we accept that? 316 00:14:55,460 --> 00:14:58,730 - Because it interferes with the primary purpose, which is 317 00:14:58,730 --> 00:15:01,430 to help alcoholics achieve sobriety. 318 00:15:01,430 --> 00:15:04,280 Self-support is something that I didn't know about 319 00:15:04,280 --> 00:15:06,920 before working for the program of aa. 320 00:15:06,920 --> 00:15:08,090 I didn't understand it. 321 00:15:08,090 --> 00:15:12,770 I didn't know the reason for it or why it even existed. 322 00:15:12,770 --> 00:15:15,170 It didn't make any sense as an accountant. 323 00:15:15,170 --> 00:15:18,050 'cause I was just hired for my skills. That's it. 324 00:15:18,950 --> 00:15:20,510 So I had to learn a lot. 325 00:15:20,510 --> 00:15:24,530 But working at the office, interacting with visitors, 326 00:15:24,530 --> 00:15:27,530 definitely reading the literature 327 00:15:27,530 --> 00:15:31,940 and just working on a daily basis here really, 328 00:15:31,940 --> 00:15:36,440 really taught me a lot about why the program is the way 329 00:15:36,440 --> 00:15:39,110 that it is and why it works. 330 00:15:39,110 --> 00:15:41,570 - Thanks, zani. - Thank you, Nathan. 331 00:15:48,320 --> 00:15:51,890 - In this podcast, we respect the anonymity of AA members. 332 00:15:51,890 --> 00:15:55,580 Last names are shared only for those who are not in aa. 333 00:15:57,830 --> 00:15:59,660 For more information on Grapevine 334 00:15:59,660 --> 00:16:03,500 and Lania, including the magazines podcast, Instagram 335 00:16:03,500 --> 00:16:06,985 and apps, please visit aa grapevine.org 336 00:16:06,985 --> 00:16:08,805 and aa levina.org. 337 00:16:11,660 --> 00:16:14,270 - Well, I think we're off to a pretty good start. 338 00:16:14,270 --> 00:16:17,570 We've talked about what alcoholism is, the history 339 00:16:17,570 --> 00:16:20,900 of Alcoholics Anonymous and how AA supports itself. 340 00:16:20,900 --> 00:16:25,900 Now, a big question remains, who is sailing the ship? 341 00:16:26,000 --> 00:16:29,960 Who runs this thing? Does AA have a president or a CEO? 342 00:16:30,860 --> 00:16:35,360 No, it does not. There is no one leader of aa. 343 00:16:35,360 --> 00:16:40,100 So who's in charge? Who keeps this boat afloat? 344 00:16:40,100 --> 00:16:43,460 The answer is all of us. 345 00:16:43,460 --> 00:16:47,330 The great fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous. 346 00:16:47,330 --> 00:16:48,770 Here's how it works. 347 00:16:48,770 --> 00:16:51,710 So first, you gotta imagine the structure 348 00:16:51,710 --> 00:16:55,700 of a typical organization as a triangle, standing tall 349 00:16:55,700 --> 00:16:57,380 with a tiny pointy top 350 00:16:57,380 --> 00:17:00,410 where a select few folks hold all the power. 351 00:17:00,410 --> 00:17:03,020 They're the decision makers calling all the shots 352 00:17:03,020 --> 00:17:07,130 for everyone else down below the wide base of the triangle, 353 00:17:07,130 --> 00:17:09,860 who are mostly just along for the ride. 354 00:17:09,860 --> 00:17:11,720 Well, the general service structure 355 00:17:11,720 --> 00:17:15,440 of Alcoholics Anonymous flips that triangle on its head. 356 00:17:15,440 --> 00:17:17,960 The pointy top is now on the bottom. 357 00:17:17,960 --> 00:17:22,730 The broad base is on top and is now the final authority. 358 00:17:22,730 --> 00:17:26,420 That final authority is the AA groups. 359 00:17:26,420 --> 00:17:27,950 An AA group is two 360 00:17:27,950 --> 00:17:31,370 or more, sometimes many more people who come together 361 00:17:31,370 --> 00:17:33,290 to help each other stay sober 362 00:17:33,290 --> 00:17:35,360 and to share this program of hope 363 00:17:35,360 --> 00:17:38,420 and recovery with other problem drinkers. 364 00:17:38,420 --> 00:17:39,830 That's the only goal 365 00:17:39,830 --> 00:17:43,850 of an AA group recovery from alcoholism. 366 00:17:43,850 --> 00:17:45,170 Anyone who wants help 367 00:17:45,170 --> 00:17:50,070 with a drinking problem is welcome in aa, and it's free. 368 00:17:50,070 --> 00:17:53,850 There are no fees or requirements of any kind. 369 00:17:53,850 --> 00:17:56,700 The collective opinion of an AA group is known 370 00:17:56,700 --> 00:17:58,620 as a group conscience. 371 00:17:58,620 --> 00:18:01,320 There are hundreds of thousands of groups in the US 372 00:18:01,320 --> 00:18:02,520 and Canada that choose 373 00:18:02,520 --> 00:18:05,160 to participate in this service structure. 374 00:18:05,160 --> 00:18:09,060 Their collective opinions affecting AA as a whole are heard 375 00:18:09,060 --> 00:18:11,850 and funneled all the way down to the bottom point 376 00:18:11,850 --> 00:18:13,590 of our upside down triangle, 377 00:18:13,590 --> 00:18:17,940 which is the General Service Board of trustees. 378 00:18:17,940 --> 00:18:19,740 How does it get there? 379 00:18:19,740 --> 00:18:22,500 The service structure of Alcoholics Anonymous in the US 380 00:18:22,500 --> 00:18:27,150 and Canada is divided into 93 areas once a year. 381 00:18:27,150 --> 00:18:30,630 Elected representatives from those 93 areas known 382 00:18:30,630 --> 00:18:34,050 as delegates, bring those collective opinions with them 383 00:18:34,050 --> 00:18:37,530 and come together here in New York City to consider, 384 00:18:37,530 --> 00:18:39,750 discuss deliberate debate 385 00:18:39,750 --> 00:18:44,430 and vote on these matters of importance to AA as a whole. 386 00:18:44,430 --> 00:18:49,020 This event is called The General Service Conference. 387 00:18:49,020 --> 00:18:52,290 What kinds of decisions are made at the conference? 388 00:18:52,290 --> 00:18:55,650 All kinds. Should we publish a new book 389 00:18:55,650 --> 00:18:57,510 or other piece of literature? 390 00:18:57,510 --> 00:18:59,520 Should we create a podcast? 391 00:18:59,520 --> 00:19:03,150 These are decisions made at the conference level. 392 00:19:03,150 --> 00:19:06,810 Now, how are the actions implemented? 393 00:19:06,810 --> 00:19:08,280 The answer to that 394 00:19:08,280 --> 00:19:10,980 and much more is exactly 395 00:19:10,980 --> 00:19:14,550 what we'll be exploring in this podcast. 396 00:19:14,550 --> 00:19:19,200 We'll explore the many ways GSO supports the AA fellowship 397 00:19:19,200 --> 00:19:21,120 to carry the message of hope 398 00:19:21,120 --> 00:19:25,350 and recovery to the suffering alcoholic, which is 399 00:19:26,280 --> 00:19:27,750 our primary purpose. 400 00:19:41,665 --> 00:19:43,110 - To find a meeting near you 401 00:19:43,110 --> 00:19:44,550 or a meeting online, 402 00:19:44,550 --> 00:19:47,370 download the Meeting Guide app on your mobile device. 403 00:19:49,740 --> 00:19:52,620 - One of the best parts of working at GSO is getting 404 00:19:52,620 --> 00:19:54,990 to meet visitors from around the world. 405 00:19:54,990 --> 00:19:57,030 - Hi, I'm Danielle. 406 00:19:57,030 --> 00:20:00,510 I'm an alcoholic and I am 10 months 407 00:20:00,510 --> 00:20:02,670 and three days sober. 408 00:20:02,670 --> 00:20:07,670 I drank for almost 20 years, 409 00:20:07,710 --> 00:20:09,030 pretty much constantly. 410 00:20:09,030 --> 00:20:10,800 If I wasn't at work, I was drunk. 411 00:20:11,700 --> 00:20:15,360 And I finally found myself in the rooms of AA 412 00:20:15,360 --> 00:20:19,200 because I tried everything else to get sober 413 00:20:19,200 --> 00:20:21,120 and nothing else worked. 414 00:20:21,120 --> 00:20:24,150 So I thought that I would just try aa. 415 00:20:24,150 --> 00:20:29,150 I finally went to my first AA meeting. I got a sponsor. 416 00:20:29,610 --> 00:20:33,210 My sponsor wanted me to get a home group. 417 00:20:33,210 --> 00:20:34,866 It's part of the, you know, the, 418 00:20:34,866 --> 00:20:38,670 the triangle is unity Service and recovery. 419 00:20:38,670 --> 00:20:41,160 You know, an important part of that is the unity part. 420 00:20:41,160 --> 00:20:45,240 So I joined a home group and it was a women's group, 421 00:20:46,380 --> 00:20:51,010 and I was kind of advised by my sponsor 422 00:20:51,010 --> 00:20:53,350 and some other people that I knew in the program 423 00:20:53,350 --> 00:20:55,240 just to jump in. 424 00:20:55,240 --> 00:20:57,580 So I became GSR for my home group. 425 00:20:57,580 --> 00:20:59,950 - That's the general service representative. 426 00:20:59,950 --> 00:21:02,830 You were elected to represent your group at district 427 00:21:02,830 --> 00:21:04,150 and area assemblies? 428 00:21:04,150 --> 00:21:07,000 - I can't say no. That's what I used to do was just say no 429 00:21:07,000 --> 00:21:10,780 to everything and everyone and just drink. 430 00:21:10,780 --> 00:21:13,250 Now, when people ask me to do things in aa, I, 431 00:21:13,250 --> 00:21:16,390 I always agree because it, it just keeps taking me to bigger 432 00:21:16,390 --> 00:21:18,250 and better things. 433 00:21:18,250 --> 00:21:20,085 And so 434 00:21:20,085 --> 00:21:21,085 - Here you are at GSO. 435 00:21:21,940 --> 00:21:24,220 - Here I am at GSO. 436 00:21:24,220 --> 00:21:26,050 You know, it's a beautiful area 437 00:21:26,050 --> 00:21:28,780 and everyone who works here has been really nice. 438 00:21:28,780 --> 00:21:30,790 And we kind of got to meet some people. 439 00:21:30,790 --> 00:21:33,940 We got shown like all the different departments, 440 00:21:33,940 --> 00:21:36,370 the shipping and mailing room also, which was cool 441 00:21:36,370 --> 00:21:40,510 because they had like the big book in every single language. 442 00:21:40,510 --> 00:21:43,390 So that was, that was pretty cool to see that 443 00:21:43,390 --> 00:21:48,250 actually being here in GSO makes me feel 444 00:21:48,250 --> 00:21:50,140 even more connected 445 00:21:50,140 --> 00:21:52,210 and even more a part of 446 00:21:53,230 --> 00:21:58,030 the people in GSO are just, are just like anyone else 447 00:21:58,030 --> 00:21:59,770 that you would find at a meeting. 448 00:21:59,770 --> 00:22:01,780 They're just regular people. 449 00:22:01,780 --> 00:22:05,530 You know, there was a, a young woman that, you know, I I, me 450 00:22:05,530 --> 00:22:08,860 and her kind of connected right away. 451 00:22:08,860 --> 00:22:12,250 I mean, she has a neck tattoo, which is great. 452 00:22:12,250 --> 00:22:15,730 I mean, you know, there's people in the office of, you know, 453 00:22:15,730 --> 00:22:20,110 all ethnicities, all age ranges. 454 00:22:20,110 --> 00:22:23,560 And it's really cool that there's a meeting here. 455 00:22:23,560 --> 00:22:27,460 There's like a conference table and we just sit there 456 00:22:27,460 --> 00:22:28,810 and just have a meeting. 457 00:22:28,810 --> 00:22:32,680 And it was, it was a really, it was a really good meeting. 458 00:22:32,680 --> 00:22:34,030 I'm so grateful for aa, I mean, 459 00:22:34,030 --> 00:22:35,620 I owe a, I owe my life to aa. 460 00:22:35,620 --> 00:22:38,440 I honestly, I honestly do like it's real for me. 461 00:22:44,800 --> 00:22:45,910 - Thank you Danielle, 462 00:22:45,910 --> 00:22:48,550 for sharing your experience, strength, and hope. 463 00:22:48,550 --> 00:22:50,920 And thank you listener for sharing your time 464 00:22:50,920 --> 00:22:53,650 and attention in this our inaugural episode 465 00:22:53,650 --> 00:22:55,570 of our primary purpose. 466 00:22:55,570 --> 00:22:57,370 We are just cracking the surface of 467 00:22:57,370 --> 00:22:58,960 what we have in store for you. 468 00:22:58,960 --> 00:23:02,080 So be sure to subscribe so you can keep coming back. 469 00:23:05,200 --> 00:23:07,960 - Thank you for listening to our Primary Purpose, 470 00:23:07,960 --> 00:23:11,470 a podcast produced by the General Service Office on behalf 471 00:23:11,470 --> 00:23:14,290 of the Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous in the US 472 00:23:14,290 --> 00:23:15,123 and Canada.