"Here
are the Steps we took..." in Four One-Hour Sessions!!
This
book has created a spiritual renewal by taking newcomers and
old-timers alike back to the original A.A. program that produced a 75%
recovery rate from alcoholism. The
first edition sold out in less than eight months. The second edition
was modified based upon the experiences of the first 100 Back to
Basics groups and an A.A. General Service Office review of the book.
In
1958, Bill W. commented on the Beginners' Meetings. He said:
"
. . . teaching the Twelve Steps is the sole purpose of an A.A.
group."
The
Beginners' Meetings of the 1940's really worked.
Here
are some of the reasons:
-
"Sponsoring"
newcomers through the Twelve Steps was a four-week commitment.
-
Newcomers
and "Sponsors" took all Twelve Steps together.
-
All
of the Steps (with the exception of the 5th Step) were taken
during the meetings. For the Newcomer who was incapable of writing
a 4th Step inventory, the Sponsor wrote it for him or her.
-
The
essential written step for the Newcomer was the 11th
Step--Guidance from the God of the Newcomer's understanding.
In
addition:
-
It
was the "Sponsor's" responsibility to call the Newcomer
during the month of sponsorship.
-
After
completing the sessions, both the Newcomer and "Sponsor"
moved on to "sponsor" others through the Twelve Steps.
Back to Basics is based two years of research, and more than one
hundred interviews of old-timers who found lasting sobriety in the
1940's. In this book,
Wally P., archivist, historian and author, will take you through the
Twelve Steps as they were taken in the "original" A.A.
Beginners' Meetings. You
will learn how to develop a direct two-way communication with the
"God of your understanding", and how to follow the
"Guidance" you receive. You will have the opportunity to
experience the life-changing spiritual awakening that occurs as the
direct result of completing the Twelve Steps in four one-hour
sessions. In addition,
you will learn how to become a "life changer" by bringing
the Beginners' Meetings to others.
The book Back to Basics--The Alcoholics Anonymous
Beginners' Meetings has been dedicated to Dr. Bob, who
endorsed this meeting format. His
daughter, Sue Smith-Windows, has whole-heartedly agreed that her
father was an absolute believer in the "Keep It Simple"
approach detailed in this book.
Chapter 1 of Back to Basics is an accurate
account of the history of the Four One-Hour Meetings.
Chapters 2 through 5 consist of two A.A. home
group members, taking newcomers through the Twelve Steps during the
fall of 1946.
-
Chapter 2 -- Session 1, Overview and Step 1.
-
Chapter 3 -- Session 2, Steps 2, 3 and 4.
-
Chapter 4 -- Session 3, Steps 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9.
-
Chapter 5 -- Session 4, Steps 10, 11 and 12.
Chapter 6 contains additional information on the AA program
of the 1940's and "How it worked".
This book shows why the Beginners' Meetings
were such an integral part of A.A.'s initial success!
Twelve Step Group or Treatment
Center/Institutional Special
Materials to Start a Group or Meeting
-
Back to Basics Meeting Leader Guide or Treatment Center Guide (please specify) = $25.00
-
10 Books (regular retail $15.00) = $70.00
-
Set of Four 1-Hr. Tapes for 12 Step Group or Treatment Center (please specify) =
$20.00
-
Shipping and Handling = $20.00
-------------
Total = $135.00
Order your materials now!