July 13

July 13 – AM

Page xxii, Foreword To Third Edition (1976)

BY March 1976, when this edition went to the printer, the total worldwide membership of Alcoholics Anonymous was conservatively estimated at more than 1,000,000, with almost 28,000 groups meeting in over 90 countries.¹
Surveys of groups in the United States and Canada indicate that A.A. is reaching out, not only to more and more people, but to a wider and wider range.  Women now make up more than one-fourth of the membership; among newer members, the proportion is nearly one-third.  Seven percent of the A.A.’s surveyed are less than 30 years of age—among them, many in their teens.²

¹In 2002, over 100,000 groups, with A.A. activity in 150 countries.
²In 2002, one-third are women; about one-eighth, 30 and under.

July 13 – PM

Page 90, Working With Others, Chapter 7

When you discover a prospect for Alcoholics Anonymous, find out all you can about him.  If he does not want to stop drinking, don’t waste time trying to persuade him.  You may spoil a later opportunity.  This advice is given for his family also.  They should be patient, realizing they are dealing with a sick person.
If there is any indication that he wants to stop, have a good talk with the person most interested in him—usually his wife.  Get an idea of his behavior, his problems, his background, the seriousness of his condition, and his religious leanings.  You need this information to put yourself in his place, to see how you would like him to approach you if the tables were turned.