A. A.'s Country-wide News Circuit

The Control Board of the Central Baltimore A.A. Group has asked each group to ask a member to report to The A.A. Grapevine each month. All members in the Tacoma, Wash., Group are "in the chips," carrying them in their pockets and purses instead of on the shoulder. A white chip given at the first meeting is exchanged for a yellow one after 60 days; the yellow for a red at the end of three months and the red for a blue at the end of a year of sobriety. At present Tacoma has four blue chip members with one holding three blues while over half have one or more red chips. These chips are felt to signify and symbolize an honest effort to live the A.A. program. Although founded only in January 1947 the members of the Tyler, Texas, Group have prepared a booklet entitled Slaves of Drink Find Peace of Mind. In addition to explanations of the A.A. program the booklet includes discussions of alcoholism as a public health problem, questions to determine whether the reader is an alcoholic and how to make A.A. work. Hamilton, Bermuda, A.A.s report a visit from Carla P. of the Manhattan Group who gave first-hand information on the Central Office, as well as a visit and talk from Rita S. of the Boston Group. Bill P. of Cape Cod and Horace B. of Manhattan are reported attending regular Wednesday meetings in Bermuda. A large bulletin board with group news, items and letters of interest is used by the Passaic, N. J., Group to save time usually taken up with meeting announcements. Passaic held a spring party during which 90 members enjoyed entertainment and refreshments.