Notes on the Origin of the Central Office Advisory Committee
[Many have asked about the Central Office Advisory Committee, what it is and how it came about. The following is taken from Roy’s taped conversation with another member 9-15-90.]
SA Trademarks
As has been previously announced, the SA logo (gender symbols on a circle) appearing on our literature is a trademark, registered with the U.S. Trademark and Patent Office. In future reprintings of SA literature and letterheads, the TM symbol will be changed to the R symbol, indicating the mark is now duly registered. Due to current legal issues and to safeguard SA’s principles and interests, the marks SA, Sexaholics Anonymous, and Essay have also been registered.
Report on the NY Legal Issue
One motion made in Oklahoma City suggested more communication between the Central Office (CO) and the fellowship. The sobriety issue is currently the top news in SA. Hundreds of SA members have received letters from New York City on the sobriety issue and the role of the Central Office in relation to NY Tri-State Intergroup. This has caused considerable confusion and misunderstanding.
On the IGC Committee
A bit of background: I asked for the IGC to be implemented in Bozeman in 1987; it was to be the beginning of a new attempt at self-responsibility in SA (we had tried it before in 1983). As of July 3, 1990, the IGC Committee has been stalled due to internal division within the Committee on the sobriety issue and other matters (refer to memo of the chair 3 July 1990 and my 27 August 1990 letter to the fellowship).
On the Sobriety Survey and Why It Was Not an IGC
By letter of 12 December 1990, I invited all SA groups to express themselves regarding the interpretation of SA’s sobriety definition. Although the letter was from me, it was written with and received the unanimous consent of the Central Office Advisory Committee on 8 December 1990. The actual wording of the statement was suggested by members of that Committee. (A brief sketch of the origin and service of the Advisory Committee is included in this mailing.)
Hazelden’s Decision to Sell SA Literature
Hazelden has just placed their first order for SA literature (all three of our books, plus brochure), to be listed in their April catalog. A couple of years ago, at the suggestion of members in the SA fellowship, the Central Office advised Hazelden of our new book Sexaholics Anonymous and provided copies of our literature.
Goodbye to Nan
On the 28th of January Nan bid farewell to her job of almost seven years as non-sexaholic secretary, then manager of the SA Central Office. Nan began her work at the Central Office (then Roy K.’s study) April 1, 1984 and quickly won a place in the hearts of many in SA for her conscientious efforts to get inquirers connected with the fellowship.
SA Conventions
The tenth European SA convention was held October 19-21 in Germany. Many of the attendees signed the beautiful card that was sent to the States (enclosed). Thank you, all our brothers and sisters in Europe, for this blessed gesture of love and solidarity!
S-Anon International Family Groups
It was brought to our attention that in the last issue of ESSAY there was a letter from the S-Anon group in Oklahoma City stating that, “to our knowledge, S-Anon International Family Groups has no publication of its own.” For future inquiries and information, we want to let you know that we do have a newsletter.
Caught in the Crossfire
When I was first introduced to SA several years ago, our group followed the literature, procedure, and sobriety definition as it stands in the white manual. I followed that wholeheartedly and, at times, even painfully. The result has been a long time sobriety.
