(Rowland Hazzard brought the message to Ebby Thatcher who brought the message to Bill Wilson.) By Ron Ray, 9/24/92, from Bowling Green, KY After telling Rowland H. that he could never regain his position in society, Dr. Carl Jung the renowned Swiss psychiatrist was asked, "Is there no exceptions?" "Yes," replied Dr. Jung, "there is. Exceptions to cases such as yours have been occurring since early times. Here and there, once in a while, alcoholics have had what are called vital spiritual … [Read more...]
1944 A.A. Sponsorship Pamphlet
by Clarence Snyder This is the first pamphlet ever written concerning sponsorship. It was written by Clarence H. Snyder in early 1944. Its original title was to be "A.A. Sponsorship...Its Obligations and Its Responsibilities." It was printed by the Cleveland Central Committee under the title: "A.A. Sponsorship... Its Opportunities and Its Responsibilities." PREFACE Each member of Alcoholics Anonymous is a potential sponsor of a new member and should clearly recognize the obligations and … [Read more...]
THE STEPS OF A.A. – AN INTERPRETATION
Written by Clarence H. Snyder, January 1972 Alcoholics Anonymous is not a "booze cure" or a psychological means of controlling one's excessive or obsessive drinking. A.A. is a program, a life-changing program, and, in a great part, we owe our inception as a fellowship to our origin in the Oxford Group movement during the mid 1930's. The Oxford Group was designed as a Life Changing program- and we in A.A. have for our own uses and affiliation, modified their program, chiefly by designing … [Read more...]
Marty Mann and the Evolution of Alcoholics Anonymous
By Sally Brown Marty Mann is scarcely a household word today, yet she is arguably one of the most influential people of the 20th century. Marty's life was like a blazing fire, but was nearly extinguished by personal tragedy and degradation. She rose to a triumphant recovery that powered a historic, unparalleled change in our society. Through her vision and leadership, the attitude of America toward alcoholism was changed from a moral issue to one of public health. This was a tremendous shift, … [Read more...]
Emmet Fox and Alcoholics Anonymous
One of the very early recovering alcoholics who worked with co-founder Bill W. was a man named Al, whose mother was secretary to Emmet Fox, a popular lecturer on New Thought philosophy. When the early groups were meeting in New York, members would frequently adjourn after a meeting and go to Steinway Hall to listen to Fox’s lecture. To this day there are AA groups that distribute Fox’s pamphlets along with Conference-approved AA literature. An account sets forth in “Dr. Bob and the Good … [Read more...]
Grapevine
The AA Grapevine magazine has been going strong since 1944. And it's moved into this century with a fully digital version including a searchable archive of previous stories by topic. If you're interested in submitting your writing or photography to the Grapevine, the submission criteria are on this page too. You can explore the AA Grapevine at the link below. Click here to directly to the site! … [Read more...]
Daily Reflections
One of the great resources from AA.org that many don't know about is the online, searchable version of the Daily Reflections. From this site, you can catch up on the Daily Reflections, search for a phrase or concept, or share with friends. Click here to directly to the site! … [Read more...]
Bill Wilson: A Christmas Greeting
(From Bill and Lois Wilson) Dear Friends: As we stand together, looking back on 1957, we see among us a heartening growth in numbers and in spirit. Our global unity is something for wonder. The world around us is everywhere our friend. That we of AA can really have and hold such blessings in this time of great fear and conflict – this time when all men and women stand at history’s most fateful crossroads – is almost beyond belief. Nevertheless we do have these blessings. The sum of … [Read more...]
Timeline of AA Historic Events
1877 (July) – William D. Silkworth M.D. is born in Brooklyn NY 1879 (August) – Dr. Bob, AA’s co-founder, was born in St. Johnsbury VT 1881 (March 21) – Anne R., Dr. Bob’s wife, is born 1890 (August) – E.M. Jellinek, Ph.D., author of “The Disease Concept of Alcoholism” & creator of the “Jellinek Curve”, was born 1891 (March 3) – Lois W. is born 1893 (December 27) – Rev. Sam Shoemaker was born. He was head of the U.S. Oxford Group movement & minister of Calvery Church in … [Read more...]
Samuel M. Shoemaker: What The Church Can Learn From Alcoholics Anonymous
The following is offered for your study only because it was written in 1955 and presented by Samuel M. Shoemaker, a minister of the Gospel, a world-recognized Christian intellectual and an early friend of Bill W. and Dr. Bob. If you find it helpful, the next time somebody wants to change the program or its' purpose to further their ends, feel free to quote Dr. Shoemaker from the following or Bill W. who said, "Sometimes the good is the enemy of the best." "... God chose what is foolish in the … [Read more...]
Speakers: Funny Alcoholic Talks
** These recordings are pulled from YouTube and may contain advertising. If advertising is present, it does not mean that AA District 2 endorses any product or outside institution as prescribed in our 6th Tradition. … [Read more...]
Speakers: Famous Alcoholic Speakers
** These recordings are pulled from YouTube and may contain advertising. If advertising is present, it does not mean that AA District 2 endorses any product or outside institution as prescribed in our 6th Tradition. … [Read more...]
Speakers: Best of Clancy I.
** These recordings are pulled from YouTube and may contain advertising. If advertising is present, it does not mean that AA District 2 endorses any product or outside institution as prescribed in our 6th Tradition. … [Read more...]
Speakers: Joe and Charley Big Book Study
** These recordings are pulled from YouTube and may contain advertising. If advertising is present, it does not mean that AA District 2 endorses any product or outside institution as prescribed in our 6th Tradition. … [Read more...]
Speakers: Chuck C. New Pair of Glasses
To listen to Chuck C and "A New Pair of Glasses", click each audio button below. The program will download and play in your audio player. … [Read more...]