IAC Newsletter Summary — January 1994
- Steve N.
- 7 hours ago
- 3 min read
IAC Newsletter Summary — January 1994
This issue of IACTIVITY (Issue No. 27) opens the new year with leadership reflections, a new series on the AA Traditions, historical context for the formation of IAC, and extensive community updates.
📣 Message from the Deputy Chair
David B. shares updates and encouragement as IAC enters 1994. Key points include:
Gratitude for the opportunity to serve as Deputy Chair after several years as Treasurer and Regional Representative.
Announcement that IAC will hold its 1994 Spring Council Meeting during the Vancouver Round-Up.
Early discussions about participating in the 1995 AA International Convention in San Diego.
A personal highlight: touring GSO Archives in New York, reflecting on the importance of AA’s history and encouraging members to visit if possible.
Introduction of a new series on the AA Traditions, authored by Chair Reilly K.
📘 The First Tradition: “Our common welfare should come first…”
This article focuses on unity as the foundation of personal recovery. Highlights include:
AA groups thrive when members view the group's welfare as primary.
The article contrasts behaviors that harm unity (gossip, competitiveness, rigidity, ego) with behaviors that strengthen unity (patience, humility, listening, service, participation).
Emphasis on placing principles before personalities, respecting differing viewpoints, and upholding the Traditions so that groups remain safe and functional.
💬 We Get Letters
The newsletter shares a letter from Dan L., an American living in Sevilla, Spain, who has not been able to find any gay/lesbian AA meetings locally.
Dan invites others in the region to reach out so they can build fellowship and possibly establish a meeting.
IAC offers to forward any correspondence to him.
🌍 Regional Representative Updates
The newsletter lists current IAC trusted servants and a full roster of Regional Representatives across the U.S. and Canada. Key reminders:
Members should know their Regional Rep and keep them informed of meeting changes.
Regional Reps serve as vital communication bridges between groups and the IAC.
Note of remembrance: passing of Tom (Cal) C., IAC’s Secretary in 1993.
🏳️🌈 Lambda in History — “How IAC Happened”
A major historical feature by Nancy T., tracing the origins of the International Advisory Council. Highlights from the story:
Nancy became involved after her home group helped create the early pamphlet “The Homosexual Alcoholic.”
She began informally collecting and distributing information on gay and lesbian AA meetings worldwide.
This grassroots effort grew into a network of people corresponding and sharing directories long before online resources existed.
Nancy describes:
Her contact with GSO
The challenges of naming and structuring an inclusive national service body
The early days of publishing directories and maintaining international lists
How the first organizing meetings (1980–81) took place, particularly during the Washington, DC gay/lesbian roundup
The article offers a vivid, personal look at how one member’s service work evolved into what became the International Advisory Council.
💵 Donations & Financial Notes
The newsletter expresses gratitude to all groups, individuals, and roundups whose contributions make IAC possible.
A full listing of 1993 donors across the U.S., Canada, and abroad is provided (pg. 7).
Final income/expense details for 1993 will appear in the second-quarter 1994 newsletter.
🎉 Roundups & Events — 1994
A wide range of local and regional roundups are listed, including:
Vancouver Round-Up (site of the spring Council meeting)
Florida Round-Up
Boston BGLRU
Hotlanta Round-Up
Living Sober (San Francisco)
Numerous 1994 events across the U.S., Canada, Australia, and Denmark Event listings include locations, contact names, hotel information, and early-registration prices.
IAC Newsletter Summary — January 1994
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