LETTER from DON GODDARD of Pleasantville NY, an AA
General Service Trustee Don is a former Editor of the “Grapevine".
Dear Jack:
It should not have taken me so long to come up with this answer to your communication concerning the Concepts and the Recommendations. As a matter of fact there is a good reason: I did not trust my own first reaction and so have taken the liberty of a deeper study of the revised document. My first reaction is not only supported by further thought and study, it is strengthened
I heartily support the whole document nearly word for word. I should hope that it would eventually be accepted for publication and action, as being in the spirit of the very words all AA's affirm about their own faith, but that some are apt to sniggle about when they are asked to put that faith on the line.
What reservations I have as to the worlds themselves are quibbles and mere copy reading and would only delay discussion of the main issues. I would hope particularly that all AA's could put their faith to work in the changes suggested in revising the balance of the Board of Trustees to a majority of Alcoholic Members. This shall be the outward and visible sign of that spiritual maturity which places our dependence where it really belongs on God as we understand him. The non-Alcoholic trustees, it is to be hoped, will be able to do the same in helping AA to First-class citizenship. This is a most important step before the world; this affirmation of our faith in action. Not to take it would be not to believe in that growth we prate about so much as necessary to our spiritual fulfillment ... or perhaps just necessary to our day-to-day health. Not to permit it to be taken (if there be such a thought in any non-alcoholic mind) would be to treat AA like a nursery school filled with irresponsible children.
In this connection I should hope, nay, I should demand that a proper hearing be afforded this view and other views on this level concerning this vital coming-of-age.
Opposition to this ... to any ... kind of growth has emerged at every corner AA has turned. The membership group conscience has usually tipped the scales for growth. It will happen like this again as soon as the membership has the facts and the sooner the better if that leadership is to develop that will carry the message to suffering drunks to come. To say that AA can't run its own affairs with the help of a minority of our friends will only deny us the final recovery and reason for our faith.
I would hope also that such reservations as now exist which have only the effect of obscuring the issue, such delaying tactics and red herrings as one finds here and there strewn in the path of healthy change to bigger fields, would be smoked out and voted down as not worthy of a board of trustees that constantly protests it has only the best for AA at heart.
If we do not act, I would expect the movement to go ahead without us rendering the board as dead as a Dodo ultimately
Yours,
Don Goddard