{"product_id":"alcoholic-foundation-bulletin-7-aa-headquarters-1949","title":"The Alcoholic Foundation Bulletin No. 7 — August 3, 1949 — Early A.A. Headquarters Reorganization","description":"\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eAn important original bulletin issued by \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe Alcoholic Foundation, General Headquarters—Alcoholics Anonymous\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, dated \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eAugust 3, 1949\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eMarked \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e“CONFIDENTIAL TO MEMBERS OF AA AND NOT FOR PUBLICATION,”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Bulletin No. 7 announced a major reorganization of A.A.’s General Headquarters during a pivotal period in the Fellowship’s development.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe document explains Bill W.’s plan to withdraw from active participation in daily headquarters affairs, the appointment of a new General Service Committee, the retirement of longtime headquarters secretary Bobbie B., and the division of headquarters work into separate public-relations and group-relations departments.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThis is not a later account of A.A.’s service history. It is an original internal communication issued while the Fellowship was actively developing the structure that would eventually support its worldwide growth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eBill W. Steps Back from Daily Headquarters Affairs\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe bulletin opens with an important announcement concerning Bill W.:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e“For a considerable length of time, Bill has expressed a desire to withdraw from active participation in General Headquarters affairs. He has felt it imperative that he concentrate on additional writings, which he deems of great importance to AA as a whole.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe document explains that Bill had been spending two or three days each week in the office, making it difficult for him to devote the sustained attention necessary to writing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe bulletin continues:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e“We are happy to be able to tell you that at long last Bill’s wishes are about to be realized.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThis announcement reflects an important transition in A.A.’s history. The growing Fellowship could no longer depend indefinitely upon Bill’s direct daily involvement in headquarters administration. A broader and more durable service structure was becoming necessary.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eAppointment of a General Service Committee\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003eThe Trustees announced the appointment of a \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eGeneral Service Committee\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e consisting of representatives from:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe Alcoholic Foundation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWorks Publishing\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe A.A. Grapevine\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGeneral Service Headquarters\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe committee was created to serve as an advisory body to the headquarters staff on matters of policy and administration requiring immediate attention.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eAlthough this committee was not yet the General Service Conference established in the following decade, the bulletin documents A.A.’s continuing movement toward shared responsibility and a more representative service structure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe Retirement of Bobbie B.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eBulletin No. 7 also announces the retirement of \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eBobbie B.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, one of the important early workers at General Headquarters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe document states:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e“It has been necessary to reorganize at the top level in the Headquarters Office in view of Bobbie’s retirement because of a breakdown in her health.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eIt continues with a tribute to her service:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e“We feel, as all who have had contact with Bobbie must feel, that a tremendous debt of gratitude is due her for years of devoted service.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eHer retirement created an immediate need to redistribute responsibilities and establish a clearer administrative structure within the rapidly expanding headquarters operation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eTwo New Headquarters Divisions\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe bulletin explains that headquarters activities would be divided into two primary departments under the overall supervision of a Senior General Secretary.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublic Relations and Office Administration\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003eThis department would handle relations with:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe press\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRadio\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMotion pictures\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePhysicians\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMembers of the clergy\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOther public-facing contacts\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eIt would also oversee office management and personnel.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p5\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eMarian Mallett\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e was appointed Senior General Secretary, assisted by \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eAnn Lehman\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e and \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eLucy Pope\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eGroup Relations\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eA second General Secretary would oversee the Group Relations Division, responsible for maintaining closer relationships with A.A. groups throughout the country through correspondence and personal visits.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eRuth Breen\u003c\/b\u003e, described as one of the older A.A. members and particularly well known in the Southeast and Southwest, was appointed to this role. She was assisted by \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eVirginia Trigg\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e and \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ePolly Fordyce\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThese appointments provide a valuable contemporary record of the women who carried much of A.A.’s early administrative, correspondence, public-relations, and group-support work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eContemporary Financial Report\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe bottom of the bulletin contains a financial summary for 1949:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p5\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eBudget, January 1–December 31, 1949:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e $75,000.00\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eReceived through July 31, 1949:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e $31,834.49\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eBalance required by December 31, 1949:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e $43,165.51\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThis report illustrates the financial demands facing A.A.’s growing headquarters operation. The expansion of literature, correspondence, public relations, and group services required both a new administrative structure and continuing financial support from the Fellowship.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe bulletin closes:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e“We feel that the importance of these greatly increased activities in your General Headquarters office cannot be over-estimated. You will be hearing much more about them as time goes on. So watch your Bulletins.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eIt is signed in type:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p5\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eYour General Service Committee\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=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eIssuing organization:\u003c\/b\u003e The Alcoholic Foundation\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eHeading:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e General Headquarters—Alcoholics Anonymous\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eDocument:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e 1949 Bulletin No. 7\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e August 3, 1949\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eClassification:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e “Confidential to Members of AA and Not for Publication”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Single printed sheet\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eLocation:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Grand Central Annex, New York 17, New York\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eSubjects:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Bill W.’s withdrawal from daily headquarters affairs, appointment of a General Service Committee, retirement of Bobbie B., headquarters reorganization, staff appointments, group relations, public relations, and financial needs\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 bulletin remains in \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003every good condition\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e for an original internal A.A. communication from 1949.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe sheet shows general age toning, original horizontal and vertical mailing folds, scattered handling wear, and several small stains and marks. There is minor edge wear, including a small area of loss or disturbance near the upper-left corner and light wear along portions of the fold lines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe Alcoholic Foundation letterhead and typed text remain clear and fully legible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe reverse bears a handwritten name, address, and later date notation. These markings do not interfere with the printed content and form part of the document’s history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003ePlease review all photographs carefully for a complete understanding of the condition and appearance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eHistorical and Collector Significance\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eBulletin No. 7 documents a crucial transition in the development of Alcoholics Anonymous.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eBy 1949, A.A. had grown far beyond the small network of groups that existed when the Big Book was published ten years earlier. The Fellowship required specialized staff, clearer divisions of responsibility, closer communication with local groups, and an administrative structure capable of functioning beyond the direct daily supervision of its co-founder.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThis bulletin records that transition as it was being announced to A.A. members.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eIt captures Bill W.’s effort to step back from headquarters administration, honors Bobbie B.’s early service, identifies the women assuming major leadership responsibilities, and documents the emergence of a broader General Service structure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eA rare original internal bulletin from the period when Alcoholics Anonymous was beginning its transition from a founder-directed movement toward the service organization recognized today.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Sean McShane","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49869900742898,"sku":null,"price":1500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0328\/4625\/0120\/files\/DA77D5B4-96FD-4564-AEBB-BF760EAF52E1.jpg?v=1711483783","url":"https:\/\/recoverycollectibles.com\/products\/alcoholic-foundation-bulletin-7-aa-headquarters-1949","provider":"Recovery Collectibles","version":"1.0","type":"link"}