The Founders
This New York stockbroker co-founded A.A.
Who is Bill W.?
This Christian-based fellowship was a significant influence on A.A.'s early spiritual principles, especially the concept of one alcoholic helping another.
What is the Oxford Group?
This is the number of chapters in the main text of the Big Book.
What is 11?
This Tradition states that our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends on A.A. unity.
What is Tradition 1?
The first A.A. convention was held in this city in 1950, where the 12 Traditions were formally adopted.
What is Cleveland, Ohio?
An Akron surgeon, he was the other co-founder of A.A. and is known as "the man on the bed" in some early stories
Who is Dr. Bob Smith?
The first A.A. members were featured in a 1939 Liberty Magazine article, helping to spread the word about the new fellowship and attracting new members. This article was titled "Alcoholics and ..."
What is "Alcoholics and God"?
This is the name of the chapter in the Big Book that lays out the 12 Steps.
What is "How It Works"?
The only requirement for A.A. membership is a desire to stop drinking, according to this Tradition.
What is Tradition 3?
This is the location of the international headquarters of A.A., also known as the General Service Office (GSO).
What is New York City?
This is the year Bill W. and Dr. Bob first met in Akron, Ohio, marking the official start of A.A.
What is 1935?
The first A.A. meeting outside of Akron and New York was held in this Midwestern city.
What is Cleveland?
The foreword to the first edition of the Big Book stated this about the anonymity of the authors and their stories.
What is that the authors wished to remain anonymous?
This Tradition declares that every A.A. group should be fully self-supporting through its own contributions.
What is Tradition 7?
This physician, the first to successfully treat an alcoholic in a hospital using A.A.'s program, wrote the medical appendix for the Big Book.
Who is Dr. William D. Silkworth?
He was Bill W.'s close friend and sponsor, who, after a spiritual experience, introduced him to the Oxford Group.
Who is Ebby Thacher?
Published in 1939, this book contained the A.A. program and personal stories of recovery, giving the fellowship its name.
What is Alcoholics Anonymous (or the Big Book)?
This is the chapter in the Big Book that gives a guide to employers on how to work with an alcoholic employee.
What is "To Employers"?
According to this Tradition, A.A. is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization, or institution.
What is Tradition 10?
This person was the first non-alcoholic trustee on the General Service Board, providing a crucial outside perspective.
Who is Frank Amos?
Known as "Bill D.," he was the third member of A.A. and the first person to get sober in the fellowship after the founders.
Who is Bill Dotson?
A.A.'s first periodical, this magazine started in 1944 and is still in publication today.
What is The A.A. Grapevine?
This is the total number of personal stories in the first edition of the Big Book.
What is 29?
This Tradition states that A.A.'s primary purpose is to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers.
What is Tradition 5?
The first paid employee of the Alcoholic's Anonymous?
Who is Bernard Smith