IAC Newsletter Summary — Fall 2003 (Issue No. 51)
- GaL-AA Newsletter Committee
- Dec 5, 2025
- 4 min read
IAC Newsletter Summary — Fall 2003 (Issue No. 51)
This issue provides a clear, updated explanation of what the International Advisory Council (IAC) is, details financial challenges and the need for 7th Tradition support, outlines the full list of representatives and service committees, describes current IAC activities worldwide, and includes extensive roundup listings for late 2003 and early 2004.
🌈 What Is IAC, Anyway? — A Fresh Introduction to the Council
(Page 1)
A restatement of the IAC’s foundational purpose and identity:
IAC serves gay and lesbian members of Alcoholics Anonymous.
Its purpose is to provide experience, strength, and hope when asked.
IAC works in the spirit of AA unity and service, not as a policy body.
It does not isolate itself from mainstream AA.
It is listed in AA Directories under Special Interest Contacts.
Although sometimes described as serving “gay and lesbian” members, it explicitly states it exists for “lesbians, gay men, and gay people in AA, regardless of how they choose to identify themselves.”
The IAC receives no financial support from GSO. All services are funded solely through 7th Tradition donations from individuals, groups, and roundups.
💰 “And Now, for the Tough Part” — Financial Realities
(Page 1, continued on Page 2)
This section openly discusses IAC’s financial challenges:
Annual operating budget for quarterly newsletters: ~$16,000
Every five years, the AA International Conference adds ~$25,000 in additional costs(mostly hospitality suite, dance, materials)
Dance ticket income helps, but does not fully cover expenses
Donations are down nationwide, and IAC is no exception
Prior Executive Committees kept services afloat but faced increasing strain
Some issues of IACTIVITY had to be delayed or skipped due to lack of funds
A clear call is made to the Fellowship: Include IAC in your group’s 7th Tradition. Encourage local roundups to do the same.
📋 Full IAC Representative & Contact List
(Page 2)
This issue includes one of the most complete rosters printed in any newsletter:
Executive Committee: Jim R. (Chair), Roberta “Kelley” K. (Deputy Chair), Chuck H. (Secretary), Stan L. (Treasurer)
Standing Committees: Roundup Liaison, Directory Editor, Tape Librarian, Loners Correspondence, Webmaster
Regional Representatives:
West Coast (Northern & Southern CA, OR, WA, NV)
Southwest (AZ, CO, KS, MO, OK, NM, TX)
East Central (IL, IN, MI, OH, WI)
Southeast (FL, GA, NC, SC, TN, VA, WV, Puerto Rico)
West Central (IA, MN, NE, ND, SD, WI)
Northeast (CT, DC, DE, ME, MD, MA, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI)
Canada (Western & Eastern regions)
United Kingdom
Denmark
The page encourages groups and roundups to designate IAC liaisons.
🤝 “What Can You Do for the A.A. GLBT Community?”
(Page 2)
A practical guide encouraging AA members, groups, and roundups to support IAC:
Groups:
Add IAC into regular 7th Tradition contributions
Roundups are encouraged to give a portion of speaker meetings or excess funds
Roundups can choose IAC as a beneficiary of their event giving
Individuals:
Donate $1 for every meeting you attend — as you do to your home group
Make birthday contributions ($5 or $10 per year of sobriety)
Fill out the included IACTION coupon with a donation or updated contact info
Why it matters:
The newsletter emphasizes that IAC is often the only support link for LGBTQ AA members in countries or regions where they face hostility, exclusion, or lack of LGBTQ-friendly meetings.
🛠️ Current IAC Activities — What the Council Does Daily
(Page 3)
This section provides one of the clearest operational overviews in any issue.
IAC’s Core Services:
1. Worldwide Meeting Directory
The most accurate global list of LGBTQ AA meetings
Available via mail or online
Suggested donation: $6 per copy
2. Group Needs Support
Helping groups start, grow, or resolve issues with intergroup offices or local AA structures.
3. Loners Correspondence Program
Supporting members who have no access to LGBTQ meetings, including:
isolated members
those in the armed services
those in correctional facilities
4. Newsletter (IACTIVITY)
Semi-annual to quarterly publication with:
news
editorials
service updates
roundup information
5. Roundup Liaison
Providing materials, rep lists, directories, and presence at LGBTQ roundups worldwide.
6. Tape Library
Containing 100+ LGBTQ AA speaker tapes.
7. Website / Virtual Office
The IAC website includes:
meeting directory
roundup database
history
group-starting guides
executive minutes
archives
speakers list (in development)
8. World Conferences
IAC Hospitality Suite and Dance drew over 8,000 visitors at Minneapolis 2000
Planning underway for Toronto 2005
🌍 Recent Examples of IAC Service (Page 3)
The newsletter lists real-world ways IAC has helped LGBTQ AA members:
Matched a lesbian in a Middle Eastern country with an online sponsor
Helped form two new groups in Europe
Assisted a newcomer at a roundup with immediate support
Provided guidance to a gay AA member in Moscow whose group rejected LGBTQ members
Helped a gay man relocate from Africa to Canada by connecting him to local AA
Worked with loners in deeply closeted or unsafe communities
Developed a growing LGBTQ speaker list
Maintained an international meeting and roundup directory
Assisted LGBTQ members in correctional facilities
Ongoing work toward Toronto 2005
The closing line is powerful: “Your IAC carries the A.A. message worldwide.”
📅 Roundups 2003–2004
(Page 4)
This issue includes an updated list of late 2003 roundups plus early 2004 events. Highlights:
November 2003
Philadelphia Freedom Roundup
Big Apple Roundup (NYC)
February 2004
Austin Roundup
Rehoboth Roundup (DE)
Southeastern Massachusetts Roundup
February 27–29, 2004 (Honolulu, HI)
Aloha Roundup
Later 2004 roundups
Houston
Others forthcoming on the IAC website
A Roundup Coupon invites organizers to submit details for publication.
IAC Newsletter Summary — Fall 2003 (Issue No. 51)
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