{"product_id":"1948-aa-southeastern-regional-convention-program-bill-w-lois-w","title":"Fourth Southeastern Regional Convention Program — Bill W. \u0026 Lois W. in Jacksonville, Florida | 1948","description":"\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eOffered here is an original program from the \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eFourth Southeastern Regional Convention of Alcoholics Anonymous\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, held in \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eJacksonville, Florida, in 1948\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThis is an especially interesting piece of early A.A. convention history from a period when Alcoholics Anonymous was still developing its regional identity, service structure, and broader public presence. Only thirteen years had passed since the founding of A.A., and the Fellowship was expanding rapidly throughout the United States.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThe convention was held at the \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eHotel George Washington\u003c\/span\u003e in Jacksonville and brought together A.A. members, guests, speakers, and representatives from across the region.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eBill W. on the Program\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eOne of the most significant features of this program is the appearance of \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eBill W., co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous\u003c\/span\u003e, on the official schedule.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eOn Friday afternoon, the program states:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e“Bill W. will deliver his message to all alcoholics.”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eBill was also scheduled to deliver the \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eprincipal convention address on Saturday evening\u003c\/span\u003e, making his participation a central part of the gathering.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003eThe program also documents a wide range of early A.A. activities, including meetings devoted to:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe Twelve Step Program\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe spiritual aspects of A.A.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEmployment and rehabilitation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWomen members of A.A.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNon-alcoholic guests and their relationship with A.A. groups\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEducation on alcoholism\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGroup delegate business\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA general meeting open to members and guests\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThe schedule also includes a ladies’ tea honoring \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eLois W.\u003c\/span\u003e, further connecting the program directly to the earliest generation of Alcoholics Anonymous.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eA Window into A.A. in 1948\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eWhat makes pieces such as this particularly collectible is the glimpse they provide into how A.A. conventions operated before the enormous international gatherings that would follow in later decades.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThis was still an era of hotel meeting rooms, regional gatherings, fellowship events, group delegates, public education efforts, and direct participation by many of the people who helped shape Alcoholics Anonymous during its formative years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThe inside program even directs members and guests to the local \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eAlcan Club Rooms at 121 East Forsyth Street\u003c\/span\u003e, where entertainment and additional fellowship were available after the regular meetings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThe back cover carries the familiar recovery expression:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e“But for the Grace of God”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eItem Details\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eEvent:\u003c\/b\u003e Fourth Southeastern Regional Convention\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOrganization:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Alcoholics Anonymous\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eYear:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e 1948\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eLocation:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Hotel George Washington, Jacksonville, Florida\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Original printed convention program\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eNotable Participants:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Bill W., Lois W., and other early A.A. members and speakers\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCondition\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThis original program remains in \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003egood vintage condition\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThe covers show general age-related toning, scattered spotting and foxing, light surface wear, and some creasing consistent with a paper item of this age. The interior remains clean and clearly readable, with the convention schedule and program information well preserved.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003ePlease review all photographs carefully for a complete understanding of the condition and appearance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eAn appealing piece of early Alcoholics Anonymous history, documenting a 1948 regional convention at which \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eBill W. delivered both a message to A.A. members and the principal convention address\u003c\/span\u003e, while Lois W. was honored during the weekend’s activities.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Sean McShane","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49876341227762,"sku":null,"price":295.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0328\/4625\/0120\/files\/FCB2F3D4-E6E6-48E3-9BE0-27ACB2A88DA1.jpg?v=1785780249","url":"https:\/\/recoverycollectibles.com\/products\/1948-aa-southeastern-regional-convention-program-bill-w-lois-w","provider":"Recovery Collectibles","version":"1.0","type":"link"}