Back to Basics - The Beginners' Meetings

 

The B2B Book: Back to Basics - The Alcoholics Anonymous Beginners' Meetings: 

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' Meeting format. He said, 

". . . teaching the Twelve Steps is the sole purpose of an A.A. group".  

"Here are the Steps we took..." in Four One-Hour Sessions!!

The Beginners' Meetings of the 1940's
really worked.

    Here are some of the reasons:

  • "Sponsorship" consisted of a four-week commitment;
  • Newcomers and "Sponsors" took all the meetings together.
  • All of the Steps (with the exception of the 5th Step) were taken during the meetings.
  • For the Newcomers who were incapable of writing a 4th Step inventory, the Sponsor wrote it for them.
  • The primary written step for the Newcomer was the 11th Step; their guidance from the God of their understanding.

    In addition:

  • It was the "Sponsor's" responsibility to call the Newcomer during the month of sponsorship.
  • After completing the sessions, both the Newcomers and "Sponsors" moved on to "sponsor" others through the Beginners' Meetings.

After two years of research, Wally P., archivist, historian and author started conducting the Beginners' meetings as he envisioned they were taught in the mid-1940's. This publication is the end result of his research and teaching efforts.

Wally will take you through the Twelve Steps as they were taken in the early 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 occurred in the 1940's as the result of completing the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous in four one-hour sessions. In addition, you will learn how to become a "life changer" by bringing the original Beginners' Meetings to others.

 

 


The book Back to Basics - The Alcoholics Anonymous Beginners' Meetings - "Here are the Steps we took..." in Four One-Hour Sessions, has been dedicated to Dr. Bob, who endorsed these classes! His daughter, Sue Smith-Windows, has whole heartedly agreed, that her father was an absolute believer in the "Keep It Simple" principles detailed in this book.

Chapter 1 of Back to Basics is an accurate detailed account of the history of the Four One-Hour Meetings.

Chapters 2 to 5 are the dialogue of two A.A. home group members in the Fall of 1946, taking newcomers through the Twelve Steps.

  • 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".

The book tells all about why the A.A. 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!