1 Welcome to NEW AA Groups in Area 78 (Alberta/Northwest Territories) Bonanza Group in Calgary, District 80 (Re-activated) Cremona Group, District 85 (Unknown

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Welcome to NEW AA Groups in Area 78 (Alberta/Northwest Territories)

•Bonanza Group in Calgary, District 80 (Re-activated)•Cremona Group, District 85 (Unknown Status)•Dolphin Group in Edmonton, District 53•Elbow Park Group, in Calgary, District 75•Heads-Up Group in Vegreville, District 20•Ladies Freedom Group in Lethbridge, District 17 (Unknown status)•Memorial Park Men’s Group in Calgary, District 73•Noon Hour Brown Bagger Group in Yellowknife, District 35•Primary Purpose Group in Lethbridge, Dist. 17•Red Road to Recovery Group in Edmonton, District 46•Serenity Group in Cranbrook, District 24•Trochu Group, District 14

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Area 78 Committee MeetingYellowknife, NT

First time in the history ofAlcoholics Anonymous,

Area 78 held the Area Committee Meetingin Yellowknife, Northwest Territories

in May 2014.

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•Yellowknife Area Committee Meeting •Fort McMurray Round-Up •Monday Night group, in Grande Prairie•AA 79th Birthday Celebration Picnic, in Grande Prairie•Wednesday Night Live, Grande Prairie•Thursday Friendship, Grande Prairie•Dawson Creek Group•Grimshaw Camp-out •Strathmore Camp-out•District 18 June Meeting•Lethbridge Progress Group •Fort Macleod Group

Panel 64 Delegate visits the Groups In Alberta/Northwest Territories

(over 6000 km)

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•Sparwood Group •Crowsnest Pass Camp-out•Campbell River Round-Up•Wasa Lake Camp-Out•WRAASA Meetings in Calgary (2)•Lethbridge Progress Group (Membership Survey)•Lethbridge 12 X 12 Group•District 17 Meeting (Lethbridge)•Raymond Group•Area 78 Assembly, Red Deer

Panel 64 Delegate visits the groups in Alberta/Northwest Territories

(Over 6000 km)

THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME GIVE YOUR GROUP /DISTRICT THE DELEGATE’S REPORT IN 2014.

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64th General Service Conference 2014

Theme: “Communicating Our Legacies – Vital in a Changing World” Sub-Theme: Living in the Heart of AA

When: April 27 – May 3, 2014

Where: Rye Brook, New York, USA

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64th General Service Conference What I saw, heard, and felt

(See: Service Manual, pg. S52)

What it was like: The Preparation March 2014 Pre-Conference Assembly in Red

Deer

What Happened: The Conference Experience

What it’s like now: What next?

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PREPARATION:Reading of Pre-Conference background material and Conference Agenda Items

• Disseminating information to Area 78 Committee Chairpersons and Table Officers prior to March 2014 Assembly

• Using the committee system, we discussed and voted on each General Service Conference Committee Agenda Item

• Continuing to read material sent to me by the General Service Office

• Thank you for preparing me for the GSC!

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SAW, FELT, HEARD:The Conference is comprised of:• 93 delegates from Canada & USA

• (14 Delegates from Canada)• 15 staff members of the General Service

Office & Grapevine Staff• 4 Non-Trustee Directors (AAWS & GV)• 7 Class A Trustees (Non-Alcoholic)• 13 Class B Trustees (Alcoholic).TOTAL: 133 Members

Every Conference member has not only a vote --but a voice: Not only a right --but a responsibility to express his/her views

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SAW, FELT, HEARD:

• Felt nervous, excited, humble and happy

• Tears flowed when I heard God’s voice speak through these conference members when discussing the business of Alcoholics Anonymous at the General Service Conference!

**

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64th General Service Conference

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64th General Service Conference - 2014 What happened the First Day?

(Before the official start of the conference):

-Meet & Greet all Conference Members on Saturday afternoon

-Saturday afternoon Class A Trustee Honourable Judge Ivan L.R. Lemelle chaired an open meeting of A.A. and chose Panel 63 Delegates to briefly share about their experience last year!

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64th General Service Conference The Conference Experience:

“My Conference Buddy” Linda Mc., Area 49, Panel 64, (Southeast New

York) Linda was my “conference sponsor” and she

was there guiding me and was able to answer any questions that I had.

See “Greetings from Delegate Chair”: (pg. 4) One of Linda’s responsibilities was to chair the

“Delegates’ Only” Meeting. Another Responsibility: Elections for 2015 Chair

and Alternate Chair

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63rd General Service Conference My Conference Buddy…Linda Mc, Area 49, Southeast New York (Panel 63)

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64th General Service ConferenceDelegate Exchange Highlights(Pg 56, See Final Report for Area 78 Highlights & a Remote Communities Report Involve

Inform

Inspire

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64th General Service ConferenceReport of the 2014 General Service Conference Inventory

(see Final Report Page 23-29)

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64th General Service Conference General Service Conference Inventory –

Part 2 (see Final Report Pg. 23-29)

1. Begin where you are2. Do what you can gracefully3. Step out in faith4. Expect God to help5. Encourage this year’s theme

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SAW, FELT, HEARD:The Conference is comprised of:• 93 delegates from Canada & USA

• (14 Delegates from Canada)• 15 staff members of the General Service

Office & Grapevine Staff• 4 Non-Trustee Directors (AAWS & GV)• 7 Class A Trustees (Non-Alcoholic)• 13 Class B Trustees (Alcoholic).TOTAL: 133 Members

Every Conference member has not only a vote --but a voice: Not only a right --but a responsibility to express his/her views

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64th General Service Conference Delegate Information:

Average age: 59 Oldest: 78 Youngest : 32 Sobriety: longest 41, Shortest 7

Largest membership: Area 9:Mid South California 60,000+

Members

Smallest membership: Area 85; NW Ontario, Canada, 1,000

Members

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Sunday: Orientation Opening Dinner

Sunday evening dinner with Barb K. (Trustee at Large/Canada) and all Western Canada Delegates and Guests.

It will be my responsibility next year to chair this meeting open AA meeting after the banquet.

AA & Trustee Speakers

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64th General Service ConferenceEvery morning during the Conference: Conference members were welcomed to

attend a 7:00 AM Open AA meeting called the “Serenity” Group

I was asked to sit on two Committees: 1) Conference Agenda Committee; 2) 2015 International Convention

Committee.

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64th General Service Conference General Service Board Report:

Board Chairman Terry Bedient (Class A Trustee – Non-Alcoholic)(see Final Report, page 30)

Directors’ Report: (See page 31) by Gary L., Class B Trustee

Finance (See pgs. 12-16 & 68-80) Made by David Morris (Class A Trustee

(Non-alcoholic) & Treasurer of GSB)

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64th General Service ConferenceBoard Report: Financial

Treasurer: David Morris (Class A Trustee) Contributions increased $350,000

HIGHEST EVER – Thank you Groups! $6.9 million (5% increase) Birthday/Individual Contributions remained

the same as 2013; down 4% from 4-5 years ago

Group Contributions Cover 72% of Cost of Services per member

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Communicating to the Fellowship about Finance Spiritual value of contributing Services Provided to the Fellowship Publishing Grapevine & need for subscriptions growth LaVina Transfer from Reserve Fund to Pension

Plan Liability Fund Humanize Reserve Fund Ownership

Not $15.3 m: $236.52/group; $11.01 per member

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Area 78 in 2012

Groups: 523Groups contributing to GSO: 241Percentage of Group Contributing: 46.1%Total Group Contributions: $75,566Membership: 8,694Contribution per Capita: $8.69Individual Members: 1154Memorials: 0Special Contributions: $4,254Special Meetings: $281Total Area Contributions: $81,254.81Area Contributions per Capita: $9.35

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GREAT NEWS about Area 78 in 2013

Groups: 539Groups contributing to GSO: 242Percentage of Group Contributing: 44.9%Total Group Contributions: $76,957Membership: 9001Contribution per Capita: $8.54Individual Members: 1481Memorials: 951Special Contributions: $5,367Special Meetings: $100Total Area Contributions: $84,856.92Area Contributions per Capita: $9.43

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Thank youto the groups/districts/

individuals who contributed to our

General Service Office!

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Area 78 Contributions to GSO in 2014

Area 78 Groups contributing to GSO: 113Total Group Contributions to GSO: $25,457.92 (to date)

A significant drop in contributions to the General Service Office; however, the year is not over!

Thank you groups/districts/individuals for

contributing to our General Service Office!

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Groups Contributions to Area 78:(as of May 2014)

$25,202.22

Thank you groups, districts & individuals

for contributing Area 78 (Alberta/Northwest Territories)!

Groups Contributions to Area 78 in 2014

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64th General Service Conference Board Report: Financial

Employee Pension Plan (see Final Report, pg. 74 – Note 3)

Benefit Obligations: $27.6 million Fair Value of Plan Assets: $24.8 million

Funded Status ($3,569,738)Accrued pension cost recognized in consolidated

statement of financial position• Plan for 2013 Benefit Obligation at Dec. 31: $5,664.481• Benefits paid: $212,166• Benefit Cost: $664,903 (See Note 5, page 75)

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Board Report: GrapevineChair: Nancy H. (Class B Trustee)

• 2013 was profitable, cutting expenses; $315,205 profit, up $100,000

• Celebrated 70th Birthday of Publication Grapevine collecting audio stories. New Book: “Daily Quotes” from Grapevine

on sale for $10.99 US

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64th General Service ConferenceBoard Report: Grapevine• Subscriptions continue to decline 2013: Declined 6,100 Last 5 years: 24,000 Print Online +5,000..• GROUPS/DISTRICTS:

Please consider buying a Grapevine subscription of our “AA Meeting in Print”

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La Viña

Additional Considerations: A New business plan to reduce the LaVina deficit (Cost of Service) be developed by the Grapevine Board to bring back in 2015.

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64th General Service Conference Attended Conference Committee Meetings

for Conference “Agenda Committee” and 2015 International Convention Committee

Lunch Meetings with Western Regional Delegates: Kim C. (Area 91 Saskatchewan); Carolyn W. (Area 79, BC/Yukon); Clint M. (Area 80 Manitoba) Barb K. (Trustee-at-Large/Canada)

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Our General Service Office is the Building on the right!(Picture taken from Central Park.)

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GSO Office Entry and Welcome

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64th General Service ConferenceWorld Wide Big Book Translations

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64th General Service ConferenceArchives: Our Founders

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64th General Service ConferenceArchives: Early Public Information

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64th General Service Conference Watched & Witnessed Trustee Elections:

Eastern Canada Trustee, Richard B. Pacific Region Trustee – Joel C.

Both Candidates were drawn from the Hat!

(See Final Report, page 9, for Slate of Trustees, General Service Board)

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64th General Service Conference General Service Board:

Chair: Terry Bedient (Class A Trustee) First Vice Chair: Honourable Ivan L.R. Lamelle (Class A Trustee) 2nd Vice Chair: Nancy H. (Class B Trustee) Treasurer: David Morris, Treasurer, (Class A Trustee) Secretary: Albin Zezula (Class A Trustee)

NOTE: The General Service Board will operate short one Class B Regional Trustee.

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64th General Service Conference Conference Committee Actions

Advisory Action

No Action

Additional Consideration

Floor Actions

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Conference Committee Actions AGENDA:

Theme: for the 2015 General Service Conference is “Celebrating 80 Years of Recovery, Unity & Service – The Foundation for Our Future”.

Sub-Theme: “Our Common Welfare Through Gratitude in Action”

Presentation/Discussion Topics: a) Diversity in AA – Our Heritage of Inclusion b) Safety & Respect – Practicing the Principles Begins in our Home Group c) Safeguarding our Traditions through the Evolution of Technology d) Inventory – Looking Back to Move Ahead

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Conference Committee Actions AGENDA:

Conference Evaluation Form: To be available in English, French & Spanish beginning in 2015

The description of the Conference Agenda Committee in Chapter 8 “Conference Committees” in the 2013-2014 edition of the AA Service Manual be revised to read:“AGENDA (trustees’ committee: General Service Conference): Reviews and approves the overall format and content of the agenda for the annual Conference meeting; Considers proposed Conference themes , presentation/discussion topics and Conference Evaluation Questionnaire.”

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Additional Committee Considerations

Advisory Action 40 of the 1990 General Service Conference states: “Items discussed but no action taken or recommendation made, as well as committee recommendations which are not adopted, be included in a separate section of the Final Report.” All items listed by committee are as follows:

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Additional Committee Considerations AGENDA:

The Committee reviewed the GSC Evaluation Form and made no changes. The Committee discussed providing the GSC Evaluation Form in a digital format and agreed that was not appropriate at this time.

The committee reviewed and discussed their Composition, Scope, and Procedure and agreed that point #3 of the current scope which is to consider “The Conference Agenda and where appropriate to make suggestions for improvement to the trustees’ Committee on the Conference,” is ambiguous.

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The committee reviewed and discussed their Composition, Scope, and Procedure and agreed that point #3 of the current scope which is to consider “The Conference Agenda and where appropriate to make suggestions for improvement to the trustees’ Committee on the Conference,” is ambiguous.The committee requested that the trustees’ Committee on the Conference explore the potential role that the Conference Committee on Agenda might play in the selection process of Agenda items in the future and provide a report to the 2015 Conference Agenda Committee..

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The committee requested that the 2015 Conference Agenda Committee be provided with a report regarding the current and historical process of Agenda item selection.

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Conference Committee Actions INTERNATIONAL

CONVENTIONS/REGIONAL FORUMS: Anonymity-Protected Photograph:

It was recommended that an anonymity-protected photograph of the flag ceremony be taken at the 2015 International Convention.

Internet Broadcast of Flag Ceremony: It was recommended that an encrypted, anonymity-protected Internet broadcast of the 2015 International Convention Opening Flag Ceremony be approved.

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Additional Committee Considerations INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION/

REGIONAL FORUMS: The Committee discussed ways to encourage interest in

Regional Forums and attract first-time attendees, and some of the suggestions were:

Having the Forum Flyer professionally designed so that it would be attractive, perhaps could be used as a table topper;

Sharing ideas among areas in a region or region-to-region;

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Additional Committee Considerations INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION/

REGIONAL FORUMS:

Encouraging those who have attended Regional Forums to share their enthusiasm about their experience – word-of-mouth sharing is really powerful;

Bring information about the Regional Forum to every district and area event.

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Conference Committee Actions COOPERATION WITH PROFESSIONAL

COMMUNITY: “If You are a Professional…” pamphlet:Be revised to read as follows:

Referrals from Judicial, Health Care, or Other ProfessionalsToday numerous AA members come to us from judicial, health

care, or other professionals. Some arrive voluntarily, others do not. AA does not discriminate against any prospective member. Who made the referral to AA is not what interests us – it is the problem drinker who elicits our concern.

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Conference Committee ActionsProof of attendance at meetings. Sometimes a referral source

asks for proof of attendance at AA meetings. Groups cooperate in different ways. There is no set

procedure. The nature and extent of any group’s involvement in this process is entirely up to the individual group.

Some groups, with the consent of the prospective member, have an AA member acknowledge attendance on a slip that has been furnished by the referral source. The referred person is responsible for returning the proof of attendance.

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Conference Committee Actions LITERATURE COMMITTEE:

“Many Paths to Spirituality…” pamphlet:

It was recommended that the pamphlet on spirituality with the title “Many Paths to Spirituality” be approved.

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Conference Committee Actions LITERATURE COMMITTEE:

“Circles of Love and Service” pamphlet:

It was recommended that the revised pamphlet “Circles of Love and Service” be approved.

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Additional Committee Considerations LITERATURE:

The committee discussed a suggested change to the first paragraph in the section on Concept XII in the pamphlet “Twelve Concepts for World Service Illustrated” and took no action. The committee noted that the Report and Charter Committee was discussing a similar proposal.

The committee discussed multiple suggestions for changes to the pamphlet “Questions and Answers on Sponsorship” and took no action, noting the current language in the pamphlet is adequate.

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The committee discussed a suggestion to reconsider the use of the circle and triangle as an unofficial AA service mark on Conference-approved Literature and agreeing with past Conference Advisory Actions, took no action.

The committee discussed a suggestion to create a pamphlet for alcoholics with mental illness and took no action. The committee agreed that this subject is adequately addressed in current AA literature.

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64th General Service Conference Literature:

Floor Action: (That did not result in Conference Advisory Actions) The Conference consider the use of the circle and triangle on Conference-Approved literature as a historical reminder of A.A.’s Three Legacies of Recovery, Unity and Service.

(Conference voted not to consider.)

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64th General Service Conference Literature Committee:

General Service Conference Members received a Commemorative75th Anniversary Edition of the First Edition, First Printing at the General Service Conference.

160,000 books sold to date!

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Primary Purpose Card or Blue Card

THIS IS AN OPEN MEETING OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS

This is an open meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous. We are glad you are all here – especially newcomers. In keeping with our singleness of purpose and our Third Tradition which states that “The only requirement for A.A. Membership is a desire to stop drinking,” we ask that all who participate confine their discussion to their problems with alcohol. Nonalcoholics are welcome to attend open meetings as observers. (DEFEATED)

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A.A. Anonymity (Announcement for reading at AA Meetings)

Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio, and films.

Anonymity breaks on the Internet, social media and all other forms of public communications are contrary to our Tradition of personal anonymity at the public level. When we break our anonymity at the public level, we may inadvertently break the anonymity of others, and adversely affect A.A. as a whole.

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In keeping with this spiritual principle, A.A. Speakers and A.A. Members ought not be photographed, video recorded, or identified by full name on audio recordings, and in published or broadcast reports of our meetings, including on-line resources accessible by the public.

The assurance of anonymity is essential in our efforts to help other problem drinkers who may wish to share our recovery program with us. And our Tradition of anonymity reminds us that “A.A. Principles come before personalities.”DEFEATED

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The Committee discussed a suggestion to create a pamphlet for alcoholics with mental illness and took no action. The committee agreed that this subject is adequately addressed in current A.A. Literature.

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Literature prices on the rise but shipping costs to go down effective October 1, 2014!

Literature prices help to cover costs for services provided by the General Service Office. As we strive to become more self-supporting, it is necessary for Board to raise prices to maintain the level and quality of those services and the financial health and stability of the office.

A.A.W.S. Board has voted to decrease our shipping and handling charges at the same time the literature price increase goes into effect October 1, 2014.

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Alcoholics Anonymous (4th Edition) B-1Current Price: $8.00 New Price: $9.50

Daily Reflections (B-12)

Current Price: $8.25 New Price: $10.25

Twelve & Twelve (B-2)Current Price: $7.40 New Price: $8.90

As Bill Sees It (B-5)Current Price: $8.00 New Price: $9.00

SOME EXAMPLES:

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Call to Action

Welcome the newcomer in your home group. Make him/her feel like they have ‘come home’.

Lead by example in ‘Giving in Gratitude’, both with groups and the Birthday Plan. Make it a Double!

Encourage your Home Group to have a group subscription to the Grapevine, start small, 3-5 subscriptions!

Encourage discussion of Tradition11, and Anonymity in All Public Media both in meetings and as a sponsor.

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64th General Service Conference Thank You Area 78 and AA for

preparing me for a journey I shall never forget!

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64th General Service Conference Post-Conference Experience

As you know, I’ve been visiting group in our Area this summer!

Please know I’d love to come to your group/district/committee meeting to give the Delegate Report, a service talk or share my experience, strength & hope with you this year!

November 1: Fort Macleod Round-Up

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2014 Membership Survey

The following groups participated in the survey for Area 78:

•Westgrove Group, Edmonton•Okotoks Monday Night Group•Northlanders Group, Calgary•Progress Group, Lethbridge•Our Place Group, Edmonton

Thank you to those members who took the time to complete the survey!

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Visit to Stepping Stones

May 3, 2014

I was blessed to play Lois’ piano while Panels 63 and 64 delegates roamed throughout Bill and Lois’ home,

feeling God’s presence and the generous love that was so freely given to us all!

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Area 78 hosts WRAASA in Calgary

February 27, 28, March 1, 2015

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International Convention

Alcoholics AnonymousAtlanta, Georgia

July 2 – July 5, 2015

Corlis Burke, Class A Trustee, proudly presented Eva S., International Convention Coordinator, our Area 78 “Roll of Toilet Paper” encouraging the efforts of the International Convention Committee.

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Thank you for my life & for Area 78 preparing me so well so that I may

serve you at the64th General Service Conference!

Thank you, God,of my understanding, who trusted

me to serve Area 78 and who always makes things possible!

Documents

1 Welcome to NEW AA Groups in Area 78 (Alberta/Northwest Territories) Bonanza Group in Calgary, District 80 (Re-activated) Cremona Group, District 85 (Unknown