The reason the SA International Central Office sells the White Book at a 300 percent markup [see Essay, Dec. 1996] is because not enough groups and individuals are sending an adequate amount of money to Central Office. Most of the meetings in our area pass around two baskets at 7th Tradition time.
The new Interfellowship Committee will communicate with other “S”-fellowships. A member of each of the other “S”-fellowships will be invited to attend the SA Today meeting at the next International Conference.
An article in the December 1996 issue of the Essay mentioned that while it only costs three dollars to publish a copy of the SA White Book, we charge ten dollars in order to raise enough funds to keep SA operating.
As requested in the March 1997 issue of the Essay, below are some ideas for increasing the distribution of the Essay.
The following information comes from the meetings of the SA Board of Trustees, the General Delegate Assembly, and the SA Business Meeting (called “SA Today” at the conference; audio tape of the same name available from Glenn K Audio Tapes):
Invariably I find Essay to be a very helpful series of personal sharings. In the last issue [Dec. 96], the article, “How I Deal with Romantic Lust” was one that helped me considerably. J.R., who wrote it, made an excellent contribution to the basic understanding of our deadly disease.
Many of our members tell us that it was several months before they became aware of the Essay. Once a person finds the Essay’s inspirational articles and heartwarming stories of recovery, that person is likely to subscribe and become a regular reader.
Terms of office were set for the first Delegate Assembly so that only half of the Assembly would be elected at any one time. Lots were drawn to decide whose term would be two years and whose term three years.
The Board of Trustees met on Thursday, July 11, and again on Friday with the General Delegate Assembly. Several housekeeping issues were settled first, dealing with the length of service for trustees and delegates. In order to comply with the pending Bylaws, several members resigned dual positions to make room for more representation.
Several years ago the Central Office Oversight Committee decided that the Essay newsletter, which used to be mailed without charge to everyone on the Central Office mailing list, should be put on a “self-supporting” basis, in accordance with the principle underlying the Seventh Tradition. Members were asked to subscribe if they wished to continue to receive the Essay; the charge was set at $7.00 per year for 4 issues.
