Some Conference 'Firsts'

On Sunday, April 21, 1996, the Forty-Sixth Annual Meeting of the General Service Conference of Alcoholics Anonymous convened at the Crowne Plaza Manhattan Hotel in New York City. The 1996 Conference members included delegates from the ninety-two service areas, the members of the General Service Board of Trustees, the directors of the Grapevine Corporate Board, AA staff members of the General Service Office, and AA staff members of the Grapevine. The Conference was kicked off with a dinner and an open AA meeting on Sunday night. A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the fifteen-millionth copy of the Big Book to Ellie Norris, widow of Dr. Jack Norris. "Dr. Jack" served AA as a Class A (nonalcoholic) trustee for twenty-seven years.