As many of you know, the 2026 General Service Conference in New York has concluded. You can see my full Conference Report Back by going to area34aa.org. There are just three things which I want to focus on in this short article; the 5th edition of the Big Book, the Everything AA App, and contributions.
** The draft 5th edition Big Book passed on the Conference Floor 125:9. I voted in the minority because I felt that controversy might arise within the Fellowship due to the imbalance (5 of 26 new stories) of demographics represented by LGBTQ+ authors. Please don’t get me wrong here. I fully support anyone regardless of race, religion, political affiliation or sexual orientation who walks through the doors of AA and wants to get and stay sober. However, the 2021 Conference Advisory Action clearly stated, “A Fifth Edition of the Big Book, Alcoholics Anonymous, be developed, including an update of stories to better reflect current membership…”.
I felt that goal was not achieved since there were just 2 stories by Hispanics, 1 by a black, and 1 by an Asian, and was concerned that some members of the Fellowship would take issue with this and ignite controversy/division within our membership.
A total of 40-50 Delegates shared their thoughts and concerns about the draft edition at the Conference, so it is safe to say that it was thoroughly examined. To those who may have an issue with this, and to all members of AA, I would like to share a portion of my Report Back at the May Area 34 Assembly in Gaylord as follows:
“I applaud the Trustee Committee on Literature and the subcommittee’s hard and often tedious work in selecting the 26 new stories for the 5th edition of the Big Book out of the nearly 3,000 submissions. Every draft story is well written, inspiring, and each has its own way of offering hope to not just the still suffering, but for those just finding their way in this amazing journey, and as reminders to those of us who have been here for a while of what our lives could be like again if we succumbed to that fatal first glass again. I especially like that there are 19 mentions of general service in the new stories. To those who have spent countless hours doing everything they know to get this manuscript right, I say, “Well done!”
I would encourage those who may take issue with the imbalance of demographics represented in this 5th edition Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous that, if you keep your eyes upon the message and not the messenger, you will find yourself within its pages, along with the very thing which brought all of us into this amazing Fellowship. That thing is hope.”
** Woohoo! As of May 1, AAWS is the owner of the Everything AA App. The Board felt confident that the app would pay for itself through voluntary contributions within 8 months, although there will always be maintenance fees and the like. The app is free to all, but you can help support it by clicking the “Support Us” tab.
** Speaking of support, did you know that there are 53,703 active groups in the US and Canada, but only 18,312 of them made contributions to the General Service Board in 2025? That’s just 34.10%. Last year’s group contributions dropped 6% from 2024. Our 5th Tradition says, “Each group has but one primary purpose – to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers.” Carolyn W., Past Class B Trustee wrote, “I once suggested we [the group] spend for something we didn’t strictly need and was promptly reminded that ‘it’s not our money, it passes through the group on its way to support A.A. service entities and carry the message.’ Among those things we don’t “strictly need” to spend our 7th Tradition money on are candy, pizza, bowling parties, etc. Separate collections should always be taken for those types of things. Carolyn went on to say, “I am inspired by the possibility of our service entities having more than the minimum funds required for them to survive. I believe that given the resources to do so, these entities can do more to carry our lifesaving message than I can even imagine. And as Bill Wilson once said, “Go heavy on the hat (basket).”
Carson W., Delegate – Area 34 Panel 76 – Conference Committee on Literature delegate@area34aa.org
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(Reprinted from the The Camel Courier, June 2026, a publication of the Northern Michigan Central Office.)