Dick B Remarks
at 1st Conference
2nd AA History Conference Aug 2003
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The First Nationwide A.A. History Conference Phoenix, Arizona February 21 to 23, 2003
click here Topic: God, Alcoholism, and Alcoholics Anonymous Speakers: Bob S., Nocona, Texas, son of A.A. Co-founder, Dr. Bob Smith “Living with Dr. Bob” (On the Early Years in Akron, and the Beginnings of Recovery) Ray G., Newton Falls, Ohio, Archivist, and Representative of Founders Foundation for Dr. Bob’s Home (With a trailer full of A.A. history items, and presenting a two hour slide show on our history) Dick B., Kihei, Maui, Hawaii, Author of Eighteen Published Titles on A.A. History (With several hours of presentations on: the two distinct origins of Alcoholics Anonymous; the six major Biblical roots of our Society; reading materials used; the 7 point “Program” in Akron of the 40 pioneers; the Big Book and 12 Step program developed by Bill W. in New York; and the great contribution of 20th Century A.A. to definitions of alcoholism, reliance on the Creator, and the fact of “cure.” What A.A. offers in the 21st Century to the seemingly hopeless and “medically incurable” alcoholics like those of 1930's). Q and A Panel with Location: La Quinta Inn, 2510 West Greenway Road, Phoenix, Arizona 85023 Regular Registration: $55.00; Early Registration by January 1, 2003 $45.00. Hotel Reservations to be made direct: Conference Registration Required: Mail to Specials: Heated pool and Jacuzzi
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Sitemap The First Nationwide Alcoholics Anonymous History Conference Phoenix, Arizona, February 21 - 23, 2003 Conference Theme God, Alcoholism, & A.A.
The Comments of Dick B. Writer, Historian, Retired Attorney, Bible Student
"Whenever a civilization or society perishes, there is
Paradise Research Publications, Inc., P.O. Box 837, Kihei, HI 96753-0837 Ph/fax: 808 874 4876; Email: dickb@dickb.comURL: http://www.dickb.com/index.shtmlCopyright 2003 by Anonymous This material is Copyright 2003 by Anonymous.
The First Nationwide A.A. History Conference Dick B.’s Comments [Part One] The Theme and Purpose of the Conference Each person attending, and each person speaking, might see a different theme, a different purpose, and a different agenda for this conference. But we can start with what it is: The First Nationwide Alcoholics Anonymous History Conference We’ve had lots of conventions, conferences, roundups, bashes, forums, flings, assemblies, archivist panels, and plenty of meetings, meetings, meetings. Of course, at St. Louis, many years back, we had a convention - historical in nature - and fashioned by Bill Wilson to show that A.A. had come of age. But for the most part, we have been focused on sharing experience, strength, and hope; telling stories; and adopting resolutions. As a result, until about 1990, most of us knew little if anything about the spiritual roots, history, and principles of this society.
First, therefore, this is a history conference - an event that will highlight our real roots.
Also, this history conference has a theme and title. It is: God, Alcoholism, and Alcoholics Anonymous
We will be exploring each in relation to the other - from the standpoint of our own great history.
The backdrop might be the following statement of M. Scott Peck in his best-selling Further Along the Road Less Traveled, in which that famous physician said this: I believe the greatest positive event of the twentieth century occurred in Akron, Ohio. . . when Bill W. and Dr. Bob convened the first Alcoholics Anonymous meeting. It was not only the beginning of the self-help movement and the beginning of the integration of science and spirituality at a grass-roots level, but also the beginning of the community movement. . . . which is going to be the salvation not only of alcoholics and addicts but of us all.
The real question here, however, is whether - almost seventy years after the founding of our society - we can say that we have developed a program of complete recovery (Let’s get bold and say, as Bill W., Dr. Bob, and Bill D. said it, a "cure") for those afflicted with alcoholism. The answer will depend on several factors: What is alcoholism? What is the meaning of "recovery" and "cure?" What were the ingredients of our original program? Was it dependent upon God? What God are we talking about? What answers were given by our founders and pioneers? What was the real success rate? How important is that history? Can we apply the answers to the cure of alcoholism in today’s A.A.
It sums up this way: have we really got something to share with others today? If so, what is it that we can share? And let’s start with what our own literature told us several decades ago: When Bill left Akron in late August 1935, there were four members–possibly five counting Phil, who might have been in the process of drying out. From that fall to spring, Bill helped Hank P. and Fitz M., among others, get sober in New York. He made a short visit to Akron in April, 1936, writing Lois that he had spent the weekend and was "so happy about everything there. Bob and Anne and Henrietta Seiberling have been working so hard with those men and with really wonderful success. There were very joyous get-togethers at Bob’s, Henrietta’s, and the Williams’s by turns." In September 1936, there was another visit, with Bill’s arrival "a signal for a house party, which was very touching," he wrote. "Anne and Bob and Henrietta have done a great job. There were several new faces since spring." In February 1937, another count was taken, and there were seven additional members in Akron, for a total of 12. Half of these had or would have some sort of slip, and at least one would never be really successful in the A.A. program thereafter. For most, however, the slip was a convincer. There were dozens of others who were exposed to the program up to February 1937. Some were successful for a time, then drifted away. Some came back. Others died. Some, like "Lil," may have found another way [DR. BOB and the Good Oldtimers. NY: Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc., 1980, pp. 108-09]. Word of Akron’s "not-drinking-liquor club" had already spread to nearby towns, such as Kent and Canton, and it was probably early 1937 when a few prospects started drifting down from Cleveland. In the beginning, it was in twos and threes (By 1939, there were two carloads) [DR. BOB, supra, p. 122] In November of that year [1937], Bill Wilson went on a business trip that enabled him to make a stopover in Akron. . . . Bill’s writings record the day he sat in the living room with Doc, counting the noses of our recoveries. "A hard core of very grim, last-gasp cases had by then been sober a couple of years, an unheard of development," he said. "There were twenty or more such people. All told, we figured that upwards of 40 alcoholics were staying bone dry." As we carefully rechecked this score, Bill said, it suddenly burst upon us that a new light was shining into the dark world of the alcoholic. . . a "chain reaction" had started, and "Conceivably it could one day circle the whole world. . . . We actually wept for joy," Bill said, "and Bob and Anne and I bowed our heads in silent thanks" [DR. BOB, supra, p 123]. "A beacon had been lighted. God had shown alcoholics how it might be passed from hand to hand. Never shall I forget that great and humbling hour of realization, shared with Dr. Bob," said Bill [RHS, p. 8]. The successes were confirmed by the careful investigation of Frank Amos and reported to John D. Rockefeller, Jr. in 1938. It was that glowing report of Dr. Bob and Akron’s Group Number One that had caught Mr. Rockefeller’s interest and had further encouraged the formation of the Alcoholic Foundation. And Frank Amos has left us with a detailed description of the program as it stood before the writing of the Big Book began. Bill began writing the Big Book in 1938. According to his secretary, Nell Wing, there were slightly more than 70 alcoholics that had achieved sobriety. There never were the "100 men and women" that Bill mentioned when the Big Book was published in the Spring of 1939. Of those who were sober, fifty percent had maintained continuous sobriety; twenty-five percent had achieved sobriety after relapse; and the remainder "showed improvement." By the early 1940's, records in Cleveland showed that 93 percent of those who came to A.A. never had a drink again [DR. BOB, supra, p. 261].
With that beginning, we’ll respectfully turn you loose on the questions we have posed and hope you enjoy such answers as we are able to provide . On the archive, tape, and literature tables are materials you may want to purchase. I will gladly inscribe my own books that are on sale. They are offered at half price for this conference. And you may simply leave cash or a check in the receptacle or see me for a form to use if you want to use your credit card or order other books.
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