{"product_id":"1951-southern-california-aa-program-bill-w-third-legacy","title":"A.A. General Meetings — Southern California Area Program — March 17–18, 1951 —  Bill W. and the Third Legacy","description":"\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eAn original program from the \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eAlcoholics Anonymous General Meetings of the Southern California Area\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, held in Los Angeles on March 17 and 18, 1951.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThis program comes from a vital moment in A.A. service history. The meetings were held only weeks before the first General Service Conference convened in New York, while Bill W. was traveling and speaking to groups across the country to explain the proposed Third Legacy structure and build support for its acceptance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eBill is listed as the featured speaker at two meetings, including a Saturday evening presentation devoted specifically to the proposed General Service Conference.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e“Will You Accept It?”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eOn Saturday, March 17, members and their families gathered at the \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eHollywood Legion Stadium\u003c\/span\u003e for a Third Legacy Meeting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe program explains the proposal:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e“This is a proposal to form ‘The General Service Conference of Alcoholics Anonymous’—a small body of State and Provincial A.A. Delegates meeting yearly, who could assume direct responsibility for the guidance of the A.A. General Service Headquarters at New York City.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe featured speaker is identified simply as:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eSpeaker “Bill”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eSubject: Will you accept it?\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe wording captures the uncertainty surrounding the plan. The Conference had not yet proven itself, and Bill was asking A.A. groups to support a new representative structure that could eventually assume responsibility for the Fellowship’s worldwide services.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eSouthern California Elects a Delegate\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe following afternoon, authorized group representatives met at \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003ePark View Manor\u003c\/span\u003e for a Third Legacy Delegate Meeting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe program called for:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eElection of one delegate to the General Service Conference\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eBill was scheduled to attend as a consultant.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThis makes the program more than an announcement for a speaking engagement. It records the Southern California Area participating in the practical work of organizing representation for the new Conference.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eBill’s Public Meeting\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe weekend concluded on Sunday evening with a public meeting at the \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eShrine Auditorium\u003c\/span\u003e for A.A. members and friends, again featuring Bill as speaker.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe three meetings brought together service education, delegate selection, and public outreach during an important weekend in the development of A.A.’s Third Legacy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe Third Legacy and the General Service Conference\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eBy 1951, Alcoholics Anonymous had expanded far beyond its early groups in Akron, New York, and Cleveland. Its continuing growth raised an essential question: how could A.A.’s central services survive without depending indefinitely upon Bill W. and a small number of early leaders?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe proposed General Service Conference was intended to provide an answer. State and provincial delegates would meet annually and share responsibility for guiding A.A.’s General Service Headquarters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe first General Service Conference convened in New York the following month, in April 1951. This Southern California program comes from the final weeks of preparation, when acceptance of the plan was still being sought directly from the Fellowship.\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=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eEvent:\u003c\/b\u003e A.A. General Meetings — Southern California Area\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eDates:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e March 17–18, 1951\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eLocation:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Los Angeles, California\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eFeatured speaker:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Bill W.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eMeetings listed:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Third Legacy Meeting, Third Legacy Delegate Meeting, and public meeting\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eVenues:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Hollywood Legion Stadium, Park View Manor, and Shrine Auditorium\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eSubject:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Proposed General Service Conference and Southern California delegate election\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Original folding printed program\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eAdditional content:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e The Twelve Steps printed inside\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCondition\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe program remains in \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003every good condition\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e for original A.A. meeting ephemera from 1951.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eIt shows its original horizontal and vertical folds, light age toning, scattered surface marks, minor staining, and general handling wear. There are small areas of creasing and wear along the fold lines and edges.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe printed text remains clear and fully legible, including the event schedule, description of the proposed Conference, Bill’s speaking appearances, and the Twelve Steps.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003ePlease review all photographs carefully for a complete understanding of the program’s condition and appearance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eHistorical Significance\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThis is a compelling original document from the weeks immediately preceding the first General Service Conference.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eIt records Bill W. presenting the Third Legacy proposal directly to Southern California members, asking whether they would accept it, and helping local representatives prepare to elect a delegate to the new Conference.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eNot a ceremonial souvenir or later historical account, but a working program from the period when A.A.’s future service structure was still being explained, debated, and built.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Sean McShane","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49869900808434,"sku":null,"price":1250.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0328\/4625\/0120\/products\/image_c9d0fc0f-5533-41b0-9313-f6afbb181467.jpg?v=1663750123","url":"https:\/\/recoverycollectibles.com\/products\/1951-southern-california-aa-program-bill-w-third-legacy","provider":"Recovery Collectibles","version":"1.0","type":"link"}