July 2026 Bulletin
Step 7
Step 7: Humbly ask God to remove our shortcomings.
What does humility mean to me? List people I know who possess this trait.
How am I humble? What can help me being more so?
What old behaviors get in the way of my being humble?
What defects am I ready to have removed?
Do I believe that my higher power can rid me of my defects? How do I know this?
Am I ready to ask my higher power to remove my defects?
How do I humbly ask my higher power to take my shortcomings?
Which shortcoming is causing the most trouble right now?
What benefits do I get from it?
What problems does it cause?
Tradition 7
Short Form: Every AA Group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.
Long Form: The AA groups themselves ought to be fully supported by the voluntary contributions of their own members. We think that each group should soon achieve this ideal; that any public solicitation of funds using the name Alcoholics Anonymous is highly dangerous, whether by groups, clubs, hospitals, or other outside agencies; that acceptance of large gifts from any source, or contributions carrying any obligation whatever, is unwise. Then, too, we view with much concern those AA treasuries which continue, beyond prudent reserves, to accumulate funds for no stated AA purpose. Experience has often warned us that nothing can so surely destroy our spiritual heritage as futile disputes over property, money, and authority.
Tradition Checks list from the the Grapevine:
Honestly now, do I do all I can to help AA (my group, my central office, my GSO) remain self-supporting? Could I put a little more into the basket on behalf of the new person who can’t afford it yet? How generous was I when drunk in a barroom?
How do I (or my group) support our International Journals of AA, Grapevine, and La Vina?
If GSO runs short of funds some year, wouldn’t it be ok to let subsidize AA groups in hospitals and prisons?
Is it more important for a group to get a big AA collection for a few people, or a smaller collection in which more members participate?
Is a group treasurer’s report unimportant AA business? How does he treasurer feel about it?
Does my group have a “prudent reserve”? If yes, do I know what the amount is?
If a family member, work colleague, or close friend who is no an AA member wants to make a financial contribution to my group, should the group accept it? What if my group is short on funds?
Service Board Minutes - June
Service Board Update
Carolyn H. was elected Vice Chair of the Service Board. We wish her well in her new position. The vote was exciting, and finally went to the hat. If you do not know what that means, ask a fellow AAer who has been involved in service work. They will probably know the rules around three legacies elections.
Bailey K. has volunteered to be the new Hotline Committee Chair starting next month.
Website Progress
The website continues to receive positive feedback, with ongoing fixes and improvements as issues are reported. Online ordering for pickup remains live, and is used often by people from outlying regions. Work continues to make reports, minutes, and group communication easier to access. If you have meeting information such as events or birthdays you wish to share on the website, please email central office at office@AANewOrleans.org and staff will be happy to provide the needed information.
Convention and Committee News
Big Deep South was well attended with over 800+ registered guests. Final numbers are still being calculated. Scott was appointed Chair of 2027 BDS.
DAAy in the Park will be starting its monthly planning meetings soon.
District and Office News
Time did not permit District Reports.
Full report Not Currently Available
AA Trivia
Our recovery history:
Who received the one millionth copy of Alcoholics Anonymous?
The importance of “helping another alcoholic” was not discovered by the Oxford Group or by our founders but, rather, by a different group which predates both. What was the name of that group?
Where, when, and my how many alcoholics was the above group founded?
What caused the disolution of the group? What are some examples?
Answers provided in next months bulletin.
Concept 7
Short Form: The Charter and Bylaws of the General Service Board and legal instruments, empowering the trustees to manage and conduct world service affairs. The Conference Charter is not a legal document; it relies upon tradition and the AA purse for final effectiveness.
Long Form: The Conference recognizes that the Charter and Bylaws of the General Service Board are legal instruments: that the trustees are thereby fully empowered to manage and conduct all the world service affairs of Alcoholics Anonymous. It is further understood that the Conference Charter itself is not a legal document: that it relies instead upon the force of tradition and the power of the AA purse for its final effectiveness.
Central Office Report
Central Office is running smoothly.
The Updated Website:
The webchair has transferred the bulk of the website responsibilities to Central Office and the new manager is learning how to process them. It mostly involves sending emails to people providing them a link to the new portal and the information to set it up. Central Office does still occasionally have to do things for meetings, but that is getting less common. There are still glitches on the website, so if you see something say something or email Central Office at office@AANewOrleans.org and it will be reported to the webchair.
Meeting List
We are in the process of reintroducing the meeting list. It will not be a book or anything fancy. It will just be an alphabetical list sorted by days of the week. It will be placed in newcomer paks and provided at the office for anyone who asks.
Central Office Sales at Big Deep South
Central Office sold $1,619.18 worth of goods and merchandise at Big Deep South, plus redeemed a $25 gift card for a total of $1,644.18. We also sold out of some of the key chains, specialty chips, stickers, and magnets. We do not plan to order more at this time, so if you would like anything like that please email the office so I can order them specifically.
Contact Email Address
Central Office contact information remains office@AANewOrleans.org. I do not know where emails set to office@NewOrleans.com go, but they do not come to us so please make sure you are using the correct email address when trying to get in contact with Central Office. Again, our email address is office@AANewOrleans.org Having the AA and the .org are very important in ensuring that we receive your email.