The Pigeon Newsletter covers events and happenings in Area 36, financial reports for the Area, agendas for upcoming meetings as well as minutes from past meetings and a whole lot more. Check out the contents of the June edition:
Trusted Servant Leadership Conference Flyer
Contact Information
District Meeting Locations, Past Delegates, etc
Area Officer Reports
Financials
Area Committee Reports
Other Trusted Servants
District Committee Members (DCM) reports
Minutes from February 4th Area Committee Meeting
Minutes from April 8th Area Assembly
Minutes from May 6th Area Committee Meeting
Proposed Inclement Weather Prodedure
Area 36 Maps & How to Submit Material to the Pigeon
The primary purpose of the Recovery, Unity & Service Conference is to attract members to general service, inform new GSRs, and develop strong future servants. Through presentations and sharing of the selected readings based on the chosen theme, the Recovery, Unity & Service Conference fosters the growth of the Area Committee members, and integrates the General Service Conference theme into our Area service work.
General Service Conference Delegates Intergroup and Central Offices International General Services Offices
Date: February 15, 2023
Warm greetings – we hope that this letter finds you well. We are writing today to inform you of an upcoming price increase affecting our English, Spanish, and French books, booklets, and pamphlets. The new prices will go into effect on April 3, 2023, and generally reflect a 20% increase on books and a 30% increase on pamphlets (with rounding and some minor adjustments).
Some of you have indicated that you anticipated the need for an increase. For historical reference, the last price increases were made in 2014 (18.75%) and 2009 (33.3%). The decision to raise prices in 2023 resulted from prudent fiscal planning with the goal of longer-range stability. Alcoholics Anonymous is not immune from the changes that are impacting all businesses, and one of the greatest to us has been a notable drop in the margins associated with the sale of our literature. To be specific, prior to the SARS-CoV2 pandemic, the costs associated with the production, material, warehousing, and shipping of literature, collectively known as the cost of goods sold, hovered between 31-34% of sales. These same costs have fluctuated from 42-56% of sales in the last two years, resulting in a revenue loss that is greater than $1.2 million each year. We do not expect this change in the cost of goods sold to resolve in our favor, and the impact is great when considering that the General Service Office is supported through both voluntary contributions and this revenue associated with the sale of literature. We continue to monitor and trim expenses where possible, being mindful of the immense significance of each ‘nickel in the basket’ sent to the General Service Board.
Because we appreciate that there may be high demand in ordering leading up to the increase, we will be taking steps to ensure that purchasing not be monopolized by large buyers during the transition. We will maintain the reduced shipping charges schedule that was adopted in 2022 and the mixed-title quantity discount schedule that was adopted at the close of 2022. The new pricelist, which can be found here will be reflected on the online store as the increase goes into effect. We anticipate issuing a revised and updated literature catalog in digital and print versions in the coming months.
With gratitude as we await spring,
Deborah K., Bob W, AAWS Board Chair General Manager of the General Service Office
The Pigeon Newsletter covers events and happenings in Area 36, financial reports for the Area, agendas for upcoming meetings as well as minutes from past meetings and a whole lot more. Check out the contents of the December edition:
Greetings all, we are happy to announce that registration is now open for the 2023 District 14 Service Evolution Workshop. The District committee is hard at work planning and preparing for the workshop. The workshop will be held Saturday March 25th from 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM. Coffee and lunch will be served and you will hear from several speakers on service in AA from the first day in the rooms of AA and positions in groups, to District service, to Area Service, all the way to GSO.
