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| The Founders |
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Bill W. and Dr. Bob Started Alcoholics Anonymous
A seemingly unplanned meeting in Akron, Ohio in 1935 between two men, both of whom were termed "hopeless" alcoholics, began a program of recovery that has helped millions find sobriety and serenity.
Bill W. was one of those men. In fighting his own battle against drinking, he had already learned that helping other alcoholics was the key to maintaining his own sobriety, the principle that would later become step twelve in the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous.
A stock broker from New York, Bill W. had traveled to Arkron, Ohio on May 12, 1935 for a shareholders' meeting and proxy fight, which did not turn out his way. Fighting desperately to maintain his sobriety, his immediate reaction was, "I've got to find another alcoholic."
A few inquiries lead him to a meeting with an Akron surgeon, forever to be remembered simply as "Dr. Bob," who had struggled for years with his own drinking problem.
The Founders Meet
The effect the meeting had on Dr. Bob was immediate, as he tells it in his own words and soon he too put down the bottle (June 10, 1935), never to pick it up again. The bond formed between the two men would grow into a movement that would literally affect the lives of millions.
Starting in an upstairs room at Dr. Bob's home at 855 Ardmore Avenue, in Akron, the two men began helping alcoholics one person at a time.
In took four years to get the first 100 alcoholics sober in the first three groups that formed in Akron, New York, and Cleveland. But after the publication in 1939 of the group's "text book" Alcoholics Anonymous, and the publication of a series of articles about the group in the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the development of A.A. was rapid. Membership in the Cleveland group soon grew to 500.
Alcoholics Anonymous Grows
The response was so overwhelming, the group found itself sending out members, who had only a short time in the program themselves, to work with other new members. This was a key point in the development of A.A. For the first time, the founders learned that recovery was something that could be "mass produced" and was not limited to the ground that they themselves could cover.
After a dinner in New York in 1940, given by John D. Rockefeller, Jr., to publicize the group, membership soon grew to 2,000. An article in the Saturday Evening Post in 1941 resulted in another growth period and membership in the United States and Canada rose to 6,000.
By 1951, Alcoholics Anonymous had helped more than 100,000 people recover from alcoholism and by 1973 more than one million copies of The Big Book had been distributed. Since that time the fellowship has continued to grow and has become worldwide. A number for Alcoholics Anonymous can be found in the white pages of virtually every local telephone directory.
Dr. Bob died Nov. 16, 1950 and Bill W. passed on Jan. 24, 1971, but the legacy they left behind continues to touch the lives of millions.
_____taken from About.com ___________________________________________________________________
AA members are distinctive in their acceptance of a suggested program of Twelve Steps designed for personal recovery from alcoholism. The Fellowship functions through more than 60,000 local groups in the U.S. and Canada and there is A.A. activity in more than 180 countries. It is estimated that there are now more than 2,000,000 members.
A.A. is concerned solely with the personal recovery and continuing sobriety of individual alcoholics who turn to the Fellowship for help. A.A. does not engage in the field of alcoholism research, medical or psychiatric treatment, education, or propaganda in any form, although members may participate in such activities as individuals. A.A. has adopted a policy of cooperation but not affiliation with other organizations concerned with the treatment of alcoholism.
A.A. and Other Organizations
A.A. is not affiliated with any other organization or institution. Our Traditions encourage cooperation but not affiliation.
How Do You Become an A.A. Group Member?
"The only requirement for A.A. membership is a desire stop drinking." (Tradition Three) Thus, group membership requires
no formal application. Just as we are members of A.A. if we say we are, so are we members of a group if we say we are.
The Difference Between Open and Closed A.A. Meetings
The purpose of all A.A. group meetings, as the Preamble states, is for A.A. members to "share their experience, strength
and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism." Toward
this end, A.A. groups have both open and closed meetings. Closed meetings are for A.A. members only, or for those who have a drinking problem and "have a desire to stop drinking." Open meetings are available to anyone interested in Alcoholics Anonymous' program of recovery from alcoholism. Nonalcoholics may attend open meetings as observers. At both types of meetings, the A.A. chairperson may request that participants confine their discussion to matters pertaining to recovery from alcoholism. Whether open or closed, A.A. group meetings are conducted by A.A. members who determine the format of their meetings. Members serving as "leader" or "chair" opens the meeting, using that group's format and selects a topic for discussion.
Coffee, Tea and Fellowship
Many A.A. members report that their circle of A.A. friends has widened greatly as the result of coffee and conversation before and after meetings. Most groups depend upon their members to prepare for each meeting, serve the refreshments,
and clean up afterward. You often hear A.A. members say that they first felt "like members" when they began making coffee, helping with the chairs, or cleaning the coffeepot. Some newcomers find that such activity relieves their shyness and makes it easier to meet and talk to other members.
What Do A.A. Group Members Do?
"I am responsible . . . when anyone, anywhere, reaches out for help, I want the hand of A.A. always to be there. And for that I am responsible." In short, when newcomers walk into our meeting rooms, we want A.A. to be there for them as it was for us?something we can do continuously only if we function as a group. But, for a group to keep going, all kinds of service must be done. It is through the combined efforts and ongoing commitment of group members that:
1. A meeting place is provided and maintained.
2. Programs are arranged for the meetings.
3. Seventh Tradition contributions are collected, and properly allocated and spent.
4. A.A. Conference-approved literature is on hand.
5. A.A. Grapevine/La Viña literature and lists of local group meetings are available.
6. Refreshments are available.
7. Assistance in finding A.A. meetings is given to alcoholics in the area.
8. Calls for help are answered.
9. Group problems are aired and resolved.
10. Continuing contact is sustained with the rest of A.A. locally, through the intergroup (central office), district and area's general service structure; and nationally and internationally, through the General Service Office in New York. Sponsors usually take the responsibility for helping newcomers find their way in A.A. Much help can be found in the A.A. pamphlet Questions and Answers on Sponsorship."
What A.A. Does Not Do
Tradition Ten: Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the A.A. name ought never be drawn into public controversy.
1. Recruit members or furnish initial motivation for alcoholics to recover.
2. Keep membership records or case histories.
3. Follow up or try to control its members.
4. Make medical or psychological diagnoses or prognoses.
5. Provide hospitalization, drugs, or medical or psychiatric treatment.
6. Provide housing, food, clothing, jobs, money or other such services.
7. Provide domestic or vocational counseling.
8. Engage in or sponsor research.
9. Affiliate with social agencies (though many members and service offices do cooperate with them).
10. Offer religious services.
11. Engage in any controversy about alcohol or other matters.
12. Accept money for its services or contribution from non-A.A. sources.
13. Provide letters of reference to parole boards, attorneys, court officials, schools, businesses, social agencies, or any other organization or institution.
A.A. and Alcoholism
Tradition Six: An A.A. group ought never endorse, finance, or lend the A.A. name to any related facility or outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property and prestige divert us from our primary purpose.
Information taken from The AA Group, Where It All Started pamphlet.
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