Key Changes and Literature Updates
The A.A. Preamble
Gender-Neutral Language: The conference approved updating the first sentence of the A.A. Preamble to replace the phrase “men and women” with the word “people”.
Books and Pamphlets
The Big Book: Approved the development of a Fifth Edition of the Big Book (Alcoholics Anonymous) and a Fourth Edition of the Spanish version (AlcohĂłlicos AnĂłnimos). Both will update personal stories to better reflect current membership while keeping the first 164 pages and core historical text exactly as they are. Additionally, a plain-language translation of the Big Book was approved for development to increase accessibility.
Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions: * Updated page 117 to change “a mate of the opposite sex” to “a partner” to be more inclusive, adding an explanatory footnote.
Revised page 66 to refer generally to the “deadly sins of anger, lust or gluttony” instead of using severe examples like “lustful enough to rape.”
Approved adding the Long Form of each Tradition to the end of its respective essay.
Sponsorship: Revised the pamphlet “Questions and Answers on Sponsorship” to shift away from suggesting sponsors and newcomers be of the same sex, replacing it with a recommendation to avoid sponsorship “whenever a romantic entanglement might arise.”
Inclusivity Updates: Ordered updates and fresh stories for the pamphlets “A.A. for the Native North American” and “A.A. for the Black and African-American Alcoholic”.
Structure, Policy, and Digital Expansion
Online Groups: The conference officially recognized online groups within the U.S./Canada General Service Structure, allowing them to participate and list themselves in their preferred districts and areas.
Digital Outreach: Approved the implementation of an A.A.W.S. LinkedIn page to provide information to professionals, the creation of an AA Grapevine Instagram account, and the production of official podcasts by the General Service Office (GSO) and Grapevine.
Language in Corrections: Recommended updating literature for members behind bars by replacing the terms “inmate” and “offender” with “person in custody.”
Directories Discontinued: Voted to discontinue the compilation and printing of the regional A.A. Directories (Canada, Eastern U.S., and Western U.S.).
