48th New Zealand Convention of Alcoholics Anonymous
January 21st, 22nd & 23rd 2011
"The wonderful old broad smile was on his face as he said almost jokingly, ‘Remember, Bill, let’s not louse this thing up. Let’s keep it simple!’"
‘What did the man do or say that was different from what others had done or said?
. . . he was the first living human with whom I had ever talked, who knew what he was talking about in regard to alcoholism from actual experience. . . he talked my language.’
‘If you still think you are strong enough to beat this game alone, that is your affair. But if you really and truly want to quit drinking liquor for good and all and sincerely feel that you must have some help, we know that we have an answer for you. It never fails if you go about it with one half the zeal you have been in the habit of showing when you were getting another drink.’
- Doctor Bob recounts his first meeting with Bill W.
Alcoholics Anonymous, pp.180-1
Bill W. at an AA Meeting
We aren’t bad people trying to get good; we’re sick people trying to get well.
Declaration of Unity
This we owe to A.A.’s future:
To place our common welfare first;
To keep our Fellowship united.
For on A.A. Unity depends our lives,
And the lives of those to come.
Printed with permission of A.A.W.S. Inc.