Hi Area 72!! Donna here, your trusted servant from OSD III Sales.
I had an enlightened moment during the last Area Business Quarterly when I realized that our book, “Our Stories Disclose, Third Edition” (OSD 3) was discussed through 2017 and approved to be published by the 2018 Area 72 Assembly. After 5 years and delays because of Covid, we now have edition 3 available. However, because it has taken so long to publish, many members may not be aware of this book or the importance of it to our Area and maybe even your home group!
Some may know the history of AA from reading the ‘Big Book’, Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, A.A. Comes Of Age or Dr. Bob & the Good Oldtimers… yet may not know how our Area 72 fits into that history. For instance; that the first Area Delegate, Dale A. (panel 1) attended the first ever General Service Conference in 1951
In 1966 Past Area Delegate, Everett K. (along with a small committee of A.A. members in our Area) produced our first history booklet titled “The History Of Washington State Alcoholics Anonymous 1941-1966”. New information, unavailable to Everett at the time, resulted in a more accurate recounting of the stories during the earliest years of A.A. in our state. So, in 1987 the Washington Area published the first edition of ‘Our Stories Disclose 1941-1986’, and a secondupdated edition was published in 2004. Now comes the updated third edition, that even more completely tells the story about our Area history and some of the groups & people that were active in our growth.
Here are just a few of the important facts about this new book:
- “Our Stories Disclose… Third Edition 1939-2018.” is a 2-volume set that offers an in-depth exploration of the experiences, anecdotes, and pivotal moments that have shaped our vibrant community.
- Work on this third publication of Our Stories Disclose (OSD 3) began with approval at the 2018 Area 72 Assembly and more research into our history began. It has been compiled, researched, edited and published by Western Washington Area 72 archivists, historians, ‘Oldtimers’, groups and individual members. The 2-volume set includes corrected & edited information from the earlier books, as well as updated information from the early days of Alcoholics Anonymous in 1939 to 2018. This meticulously researched history spans nearly eight decades of the fellowship in our Area.
- It is the story of the growth of A.A. in Washington State and portions of Northern Idaho, SE British Columbia, SW Alberta, and small portions of Eastern Montana, and Northern Oregon…all served by the Washington Area at one time.
- It is also the story of many individuals and groups struggling to free themselves from alcoholism and to carry their message of hope to others. A struggle which was often waged against staggering odds, from one tentative group in 1941 to the current 1400 registered groups in our Area with over 4,000 meetings per week.
- It includes some very early letters written near the beginnings of A.A. by desperate alcoholics, their friends or family members to the New York office of ‘the Alcoholic Foundation” (now known as our General Service Office of Alcoholics Anonymous) and the replies and referrals from the New York office to recovering alcoholics in Washington State.
- It also includes not only the history of your Area (including the split from Eastern WA) but also the histories of the Area Standing Committees, the Districts and their Groups AND the Clubs, Halls, Intergroups & CSOs
- Districts 1 & 57 (our Hispanic districts) are printed in both English & Spanish.
- Bill W. once wrote, “Through Archives we are able to express A.A.’s collective experience, strength and hope gained through its rich heritage and renew our own sense of purpose.”
The 2 volume sets are $25.00 (discounts are available for purchase by Districts, Intergroups, CSOs Clubs & Halls for re-sale) You can purchase sets in the following ways:
- Check with your local Intergroup, C.S.O., Club, Hall or District Office (many have them available to sell)
- Online credit/debit card orders: https://area72aa.org/osd/sales (See QR Code Below*)
- Mail Order Form with check (can be found Online, in your Area Newsletter, or ask your DCM
- The Archives Repository is open for pick-up and sales (cash, check, money order) most every Friday from 10am to 3pm, and the 2nd & 3rd Sunday of each month from 11am to 3pm Located at 3905 Steilacoom Blvd SW Lakewood WA 98499
- OR by special arrangement! You can email me at osd3sales@area72aa.org
- I will have sets available to purchase at each Area Assembly, Area Business Quarterlies, and any conventions, workshops & AA festivities that I can get to.
With Love, In Service;
Donna H.
Archives Steering Committee / OSD 3 Sales
