For GSRs

Here is a summary of the Box 459 News and Notes (Spring 2026) newsletter:

Key Highlights

• First-Ever Online Forum for Deaf Alcoholics: Held on January 17, 2026, this special forum addressed severe accessibility challenges faced by deaf members. The initiative led to the creation of the Grapevine ASL YouTube Playlist and ongoing efforts to translate vital service literature, such as The A.A. Group, into American Sign Language (ASL).
• GSO Headquarters Reopening: The General Service Office in New York City fully reopened its 11th floor in April 2026 following a major retrofit project that consolidated all employees onto a single floor. In-person tours and the traditional Friday 11:00 a.m. A.A. meeting have officially resumed.
• Seventh Tradition Story Callout: GSO is inviting members to submit one-minute voice memos sharing how self-support and GSO services have impacted their recovery.

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Publishing & Product Updates

• Twelve Concepts Animated Video: A whiteboard-animation video explaining the Twelve Concepts for World Service is now available in English, French, and Spanish.
• Plain Language Big Book Audio: The audio version of The Plain Language Big Book: A Tool for Reading Alcoholics Anonymous is launching in mid-June 2026 on the AAWS webstore and major audiobook platforms.
• Souvenir Book Price Drop: The commemorative coffee-table book, A Book of Fellowship: 90 Years of Sharing Love and Service, has been discounted from $18 to $15 USD.

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Upcoming Events & Deadlines

• 2030 International Convention Themes: GSO is actively seeking theme suggestions for A.A.’s 95th Anniversary International Convention in St. Louis, Missouri (scheduled for July 4–7, 2030). Submissions must be emailed by October 9, 2026.
• 2026 Regional Forums:
  • Western Canada: June 12–14 (Saskatoon, SK)
  • Eastern Canada: August 21–23 (Boucherville, QC)
  • Southeast: September 18–20 (Raleigh, NC)
  • Pacific: December 4–6 (San Diego, CA)

Panel 76 GSR school.

GSR (General Service Representative) School is an introductory and educational forum hosted by District 04 MSCA 09 (General Service – Alcoholics Anonymous). It is designed for anyone who is currently a GSR, “GSR curious,” or any district member looking to understand AA’s service structure better.

Key Topics Covered

The school focuses on fundamental AA service concepts, studying the Service Manual, and understanding how the fellowship functions globally. Key topics include:

 • The Upside-Down Triangle: Understanding AA’s structure, where the groups hold the ultimate authority.  • District and Area: Learning about local and regional service bodies.  • Trustees: Dissecting the roles of those who serve on the General Service Board.

For the most current updates, please visit the delegate’s page on the area website (documents also in Spanish).

2026 Reports Post Conference

• Financial Picnic Table Slide
• Advisory Actions
• Grapevine and La Vina
• Report & Charter
• Public Information
• Inventory Implement
• CPC
• Corrections
• Treatment and Accessibility
• Policy and Admissions
• Literature
• Committee Considerations
• Finance
• Agenda

BACKGROUND MATERIAL
– CONFIDENTIAL –

• Final List
• Agenda Background
• Archives Background
• Corrections Background
• CPC
• Finance
• Grapevine \ La Viña
• Int’l Conventions and Regional Forums
• Literature
• Policy and Admissions
• Public Information
• Report and Charter
• Treatment Accessibilities
• Trustees
• Inventory

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Finance
76th
General Service Conference

The Everything AA app is one of the most popular, highly-rated mobile resources designed to support individuals navigating Alcoholics Anonymous and the 12-step recovery program. It acts as an all-in-one digital toolkit, combining essential AA literature, community trackers, and audio resources in a single interface.

The app is completely free, does not feature ads, and is available for both iOS and Android devices.

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Key Features of Everything AA

• Comprehensive Literature Library: It includes full text and audiobook versions of foundational recovery texts, including the Big Book, 12 Steps and 12 Traditions (12 & 12), and Living Sober.
• Daily Reflections: Users have instant access to the daily AA inspirational reading, complete with integrated text, audio options, and customizable font sizes.
• Meeting Finder: It features a built-in, worldwide online meeting locator. The app integrates with video conferencing platforms so you can tap a meeting and jump straight into an active virtual group.
• Famous Audio Tapes: The app hosts classic, multi-part speaker recordings like the famous Joe and Charlie Tapes, which break down the Big Book study in a practical, deeply informative way.
• Sobriety Tracker & Tools: It features a customizable day counter to track milestones, alongside active recovery tools like a shareable daily inventory and a gratitude list.

Recent Changes to the App

Originally built and maintained by an independent developer, Everything AA was recently acquired by A.A. World Services (AAWS), the official administrative body of Alcoholics Anonymous. While the app remains free and ad-free, the acquisition means that ongoing voluntary supporter subscriptions are redirected to support AAWS directly, and the app is continuously integrated with official literature and guidelines.

AAWS purchase of the Everything AA app brings a previously independent, community-driven resource under official central administration. Moving forward, the app is expected to transition into a subscription-based model and will exclusively feature GSO-approved literature, removing third-party materials like the Joe & Charlie tapes.

Here is a summary of the 76th General Service Conference MSCA 09 Delegate Notes from the meeting held in New York between April 26 and May 2, 2026.

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Key Floor Actions

• Delegate Expense Contribution: Passed a motion to increase the suggested area contribution for delegate expenses from $2,200 to $3,000 (down from an original proposal of $4,800).
• Final Conference Report (FCR): Approved a print version of the 2026 FCR for purchase (~$3.31/copy). If sales do not cover production costs, the print version will be discontinued after the 2027 conference.
• Language Update: Passed a motion to replace the word “Eskimo” in the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions (Tradition Eight essay) with a neutral, non-racial term.

Advisory Actions & Committee Decisions

• Literature updates: Approved the Fifth Edition of Alcoholics Anonymous (the Big Book) with minor editorial changes, including updating several appendices and removing the word “Eskimo” from Chapter 7.
• Discontinuing EDW: The Equitable Distribution of Workload (EDW) process will be discontinued following the 78th General Service Conference.
• AA Grapevine Support: Updated the Q&A text in the “Self-Support” pamphlet to suggest alternative ways groups can structurally support the publication (e.g., purchasing gift certificates, books, or supporting the Carry the Message project), as it does not accept direct financial contributions.
• Future Planning: Selected “Honoring Our Past, Embracing Our Future” as the theme for the 2027 Conference.

Financial Highlights (2025 Actuals)

• Self-Support Contributions: Reached $10.579M, which was down 6% from 2024 and 4% below the 2025 budget.
• Operating Expenses: Logged at $18.528M. Seventh Tradition self-support covered 57% of these overall operating costs.
• Publishing Profits: AA World Services (AAWS) publishing gross profits came in at $7.456M, down 2.4% from the prior year.
• Reserve Fund: The organization maintained 5.92 months of reserve coverage.

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