Publication of The Plain Language Big Book, A Tool for Reading Alcoholics Anonymous became an Advisory Action at the 74th General Service Conference. We can expect it to be ready by the end of the year. What follows is a 1-minute speech from the floor of the 74th General Service Conference presented by a Delegate in favor of the PLBB:
Plea for the Plain Language Big Book
Think of our responsibility statement.
Now imagine a person struggling to swim.
Better yet, imagine that it is you in the ocean, near a pier, but you are caught in a riptide.
You are being pulled out to sea.
You are not going to make it!
Then you see, on the pier, a person with a floatation device.
You wave frantically and scream, “Throw it to me!”
The person on the pier yells back, “NO, the strap is broken, it’s not good enough.”
The person on the pier walks away… You drown.
We are dealing with life and death.
We know people in custody.
We know people for whom English is a second language.
We know people who struggle to read.
We know there are people alone in the far corners of the earth, struggling to stay afloat, reaching out for help.
The hand of AA must always be there!
Give them the Plain Language Big Book!
Keep them afloat until we can reach them in our rowboat and bring them safely back to shore.
Service is where the fun starts!
Warren G., Area 56 Delegate, Panel 74, SW Ohio
Conference Committee on Literature
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