June 21, 2026

I motion that our district express concern regarding the process of the recent change to the upcoming Fifth Edition of the Big Book and request that the Area Committee and Delegate review the process by which the change was made, with particular attention to whether sufficient opportunity was provided for group conscience input.

Further, I motion that we recommend that future changes to A.A. literature, service materials, or other matters affecting the Fellowship and the A.A. message must be communicated to and discussed by the groups through their GSRs prior to delegates taking positions or casting votes whenever practicable, so that the group conscience remains the foundation of our service structure.

Problem of how quickly this decision
• The triangle of our service structure was flipped, no groups had a say in the matter
• Eskimo is not derogatory the way it was used here, more importantly why am I so focused on the wording rather than the message that is being carried? If we can’t get past the wording in this book, then that’s something I need to look at and do some inventory on, the message and principles of our program matter the most and I can’t let outside issues or my own personal sensitivities get in the way of that
• It’s not just about one word it’s about how this is going against aa’s principles and traditions and how there was action taken, changes made without approval
• Same thing with changing the preamble from men and women to people, this set a precedent, how far will this go?
• Why are we bringing outside issues in, outside influences are controlling internal processes
• Not to be drastic but changing these things will lead to AA’s collapse
• If it ain’t broke don’t FIX IT
• Second paragraph of preface “because this book has become the basic text for our society and has helped such large numbers of alcoholic men and women to recovery their exist strong sentiment against any radical changes being made in it”… this was stated in advisory actions in the past as well from GSO
• Also… last paragraph of forward to fourth edition: “While our literature has preserved the integrity of the AA message, sweeping changes in society is a whole are reflected in new customs and practices within the fellowship.“

In the 12 & 12, Bill writes that A.A. should avoid concentrating authority in any one person and that trusted servants are not governors. Changes to Conference-approved literature are therefore made only through the group conscience of the Fellowship, not by individuals.

• “The text in the book Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, written by Bill W., remain as is, recognizing the Fellowship's feelings that Bill's writing remain as originally published.”
• The concern is not primarily the specific word that was changed. The concern is that a change to our basic text appears to have occurred without meaningful discussion at the group level. Tradition Two tells us that ultimate authority rests in a loving God as expressed through the group conscience. Our first concept tells us that the final responsibility and ultimate authority for A.A. world services should always reside in the collective conscience of our whole Fellowship. When decisions affecting the Fellowship are made before groups have had an opportunity to discuss them, it raises concerns about whether our service structure is functioning as intended.