Stepping Stones Foundation (AA Co-founder Bill Wilsons Home) looking for a new Executive Director - Job Posted Jan 16, 2013

JR Harris's picture
Submitted by JR Harris on Wed, 01/16/2013 - 17:38

The Stepping Stones Foundation, Inc (EIN: 133031164) located in Bedford Hills, New York on 62 Oak Road is apparently looking for a new Executive Director in Westchester County for Stepping Stones (http://www.steppingstones.org/index.html), the marital home of Bill Wilson the co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous where he performed seances and used a Ouija Board to write the "12&12" and cheated on his wife with numerous women. They appear to need someone to protect this legacy in a residential area with very narrow roads that has tried to make it into a kind of museum and pilgrimage spot. Currently the Stepping Stones Compound is going through numerous zoning battles where the infrastructure of the area is just not set up to handle the traffic and the size of the events being planned by the foundation. The number of events and sizes of them are being limited by the zoning board which by coincidence just lost its Chairman (http://bedford.patch.com/articles/menken-steps-down-from-zoning-board-to...)

Posted Jan 16, 2013 at: http://asi.careerhq.org/jobs/5089120/executive-director

Job Description

Position Summary

The Executive Director Position is responsible for the operation, management and fundraising of the Stepping Stones Foundation (SSF) located in the Town of Bedford, New York.

Stepping Stones Foundation

The Stepping Stones Foundation strives to contribute to the understanding of alcoholism and its effects on family and society. Its mission is to maintain, operate and preserve Stepping Stones as a living museum for tours and special events. A National Historic Landmark, Stepping Stones was the home of Lois and Bill Wilson, co-founders of Alcoholics Anonymous. The Foundation has an operational mandate to preserve its historical archives for members of AA, Al-Anon, and those interested in alcoholism, and providing greater access to scholars and researchers. In addition, it develops, communicates and produces educational programming to bring the story of Bill and Lois Wilson to the public.

Position Areas of Responsibility

The Executive Director manages the day-to-day and long-term operation of the SSF. The position works with the Board of Trustees, its members and committees to develop and implement the foundation’s vision and strategic plans. The Executive Director is also responsible for managing financial resources in order to sustain long-term viability of the organization including sustainable fundraising.

· Staff Leadership and Management: Manages staff employees and volunteers including hiring, supervision, performance management, assessment and annual salary treatment recommendations. Manages and recruits consultants as needed with board approval. Interfaces with accountant and legal support.

· Operations Management: Ensures effective and improving operations and high quality visitor and program participant experience. Manages maintenance and security of physical assets. Manages archives and historic assets. Oversees key SSF initiatives. Develops and monitors annual budget and business plan.

· Program Development and Management: Develops, implements and supervises programs and services that are consistent with the SSF mission and strategic plan.

· Fund Development, Grant Oversight and Fiscal Management: Develops and manages the fundraising and financial strategies of the SSF.

· Communications and Community Relations: Develops and maintains effective relationships and acts as spokesperson and liaison to all communities of interest. Manages public relations and coverage nationally and locally. Supervises writing, editing and publishing of the SSF newsletter.

Scale of Operations

Stepping Stones operates with a full time executive director, half time administrative assistant, part time welcome center attendants, housekeeper, and maintenance assistant.

The annual operations budget is approximately $340,000, in addition to an historic preservation/capital budget of approximately $125,000.

Stepping Stones targets baseline fundraising of $170,000 to increase annually through business development efforts including gifts from individuals, grants, and proceeds from a small gift shop to supplement income from an endowment that funds about 75% of the operation.

A small cadre of volunteers provides guided tours, event support and outreach activities.

The Board of Trustees currently has eight members, and meets quarterly. An Advisory Council supplements the work of the board with expertise in specific areas.

For more information, visit the Foundation website at www.steppingstones.org

STEPPING STONES FOUNDATION
PO BOX 452
BEDFORD HILLS, NY 10507-0452
EIN: 133031164
Ruling Date: 08/1981
NTEE: -
ERI NTEE: T20 - PRIVATE GRANTMAKING FOUNDATIONS
Group Exemption Number: 0000
SubSection: 03 - Charitable Organizations

Year IRS Process Date Form Type Assets
2010 02/17/2012 990PF Initial Return $8,075,823
2009 11/26/2010 990PF Initial Return $7,371,130
2008 11/27/2009 990PF Initial Return $6,522,185
2007 12/02/2008 990PF Initial Return $8,385,284
2006 11/29/2007 990PF Initial Return $7,840,660
2005 11/28/2006 990PF Initial Return $7,330,441
2004 11/23/2005 990PF Initial Return $7,282,034
2003 11/30/2004 990PF Initial Return $7,095,804
2002 06/06/2003 990PF Initial Return $6,311,520

Background notes on Stepping Stones which was conned out of Helen Griffith who was a member of Alcoholics Anonymous by Bill Wilson and a Real Estate agent identified as Joan C. after the death of her husband. The house was purchased at a quarter of its price and the mortgage was paid by the Alcoholics Foundation stipend that Bill Wilson received from money donated by AA members and royalties on the "Big Book." Upon his death Bill Wilson transferred 10% of those royalties to his mistress Helen Wynn that he kept in Pleasantville, 15 minutes away and 90% to his wife Lois that he kept at Stepping Stones.

Comments

JR Harris's picture

JR Harris

Thu, 01/17/2013 - 06:22

Annah Perch Executive Director of Stepping Stones Audio on her vision of Alcoholics Anonymous and the Stepping Stones Compound of the Spiritualist Bill Wilson and his Swedenborg wife Lois (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swedenborg). It is unknown why this position is open at this time, but the zoning issues with the site may be an issue.

"Annah Perch, Executive Director of Stepping Stones, the historic home of Bill and Lois Wilson, joins us today. Annah shares about the history of Stepping Stones, and how the home is in the same condition as it was when Lois passed away in 1988. Annah emphasizes the spiritual foundation of Stepping Stones, AA, and Al-Anon, and how they are about turning your life over to the service of others."

http://www.steppinoutradio.com/files/database1502/SO+01082011+Anna.mp3

"Tradition 10 - Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the AA name ought never be drawn into public controversy." Please follow orders from the Interchurch Center if you are an AA member and don't comment.

DeConstructor's picture

DeConstructor

Thu, 01/17/2013 - 16:41

Gunthar? JR? Pennywise?

I think one of our people could do wonders. Sounds like a great job and if you dont have the credentials just make them up. It is expected in AA.

JR Harris's picture

JR Harris

Thu, 01/17/2013 - 18:20

If hired, I would bring back the "Spook Room" sessions every Saturday, Just like Bill Wilson! It would add to the realism of the Alcoholics Anonymous movement and where it came from.

Sometimes the Wilsons used a Ouija board. A flat piece of wood marked with two lines of the alphabet and two lines of numbers, with the words "Yes" and "No" printed at the corners and the words "Goodbye" at the bottom, the board was operated by a triangular piece of plastic or light wood with a small window in its center. Lois and Bill, or two or three of the other participants, rested their fingers lightly on the board, closed their eyes, and allowed the unconscious pressure from their fingers to move the triangular marker across the smooth surface. Sometimes it stopped on Yes or No; at other times it spelled out what seemed to be words.

Source (quote from "My Name Is Bill" by Susan Cheever): http://www.beliefnet.com/Entertainment/Books/2004/03/The-Spook-Room.aspx?p=2

Then I would prominently display Bill Wilsons extensive library of medical books, such as:

The Psychic manuals owned by Bill Wilson at Stepping Stones:

1.) “Judge John W. Edmonds of the New York Court of Appeals: A Psychic Sensitive” by Paul R. Lomaxe, 1945.
2.) “Psychic Life and Laws” by Charles Oliver Sahler, 1901. Inscribed “”With best wishes C.O. Sahler May 25th 1909 Kingslin on Hudson”
3.) “Challenge of the Unknown: Exploring the Psychic World” by Louis K. Anspacher, 1947. Inscribed “In Bill Wilson’s handwriting: “Dear Smits: A Merry Christmas to you. Bill Whoo, whoo! Dec/47″ In Lois Wilson’s handwriting: “I bought this at [Wilbur and Ruth] Smith’s garage sale after they had sold their house in Chappaqua – 9/77″
4.) “The Seven Purposes: An Experience in Psychic Phenomena” by Margaret Cameron, 1918.
5.) “The Psychic Stream” by Arthur Findlay, 1947. Inscribed “”To my Mentor and luminary, Bill-with Sincere Gratitude Clix [in pencil, separate hand: 'Berthoud']”
6.) “The Law of Psychic Phenomena” by Thomson Jay Hudson, 1913, Inscribed “”May Seter Smith 9-18, 1914″
7.) “What Do Spiritualists Believe?”, 1943 by Paul R. Lomaxe.
8.) “The Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius of Loyola”, 1950 by W. H. Longridge.
9.) “The Spiritual World and Our Entering It”, 1938 by William H. Mayhew.
10.) “Was Abraham Lincoln a Spiritualist?”, 1891 by Nettie Colburn Maynard. Inscribed “To Bill W. – The slaves you have helped to free were far more abject than those whom Lincoln freed – I, as one of them, bless you. Art F. June 18 – 1952″
11.) “The Presence of Other Worlds: The Psychological/Spiritual Findings of Emanuel Swedenborg”, 1974 by Wilson Van Dusen.
12.) “Spiritual Reconstruction” by Anonymous 1948. Inscribed “To Bill W. & Lois In happy memory of your visit to A.A. in London. From Gladys B. June 1950″
13.) “The Science Philosophy and Religion of Spiritualism” by Peggy Barnes unknown date.
14.) “The Secret Path: A Technique of Spiritual Self-Discovery for the Modern World”, 1942 by Paul Brunton. Inscribed “To: My Dear Son William G. Wilson From Mother June 1944″
15) “Natural Law in the Spiritual World”, 1890 by Henry Drummond. Inscribed “Belle DeW. Fuller 1892″.
16.) “What Constitutes Spiritual Living”, 1911 by John Goddard.
17.) “On the Phenomena of Modern Spiritualism”, 1855 by William B. Hayden. Engraved calling card, “Burnham” Handwritten: “L.S.B.”

For more on Bill Wilson and his extensive library at the Stepping Stones compound he conned out of the widow Helen Griffith, see - http://stinkin-thinkin.com/2011/10/06/bill-wilson-and-his-library-at-stepp...

I would also teach some remedial Latin so that the participants could understand what they were conjuring up during these sessions.....

One evening the message spelled out appeared in Latin. Not knowing Latin, Bill took the message to John D. Rockefeller's associate Willard Richardson, who studied it and said it appeared to be an account of early Christianity in Italy. In Nell Wing's version of this story, Willard Richardson was in the room while Bill was receiving the message, and the Latin turned out to be a sermon written by St. Boniface. "They were working away at spiritualism," says a friend who was often a visitor there. "It wasn't just a hobby."

Source (quote from "My Name Is Bill" by Susan Cheever): http://www.beliefnet.com/Entertainment/Books/2004/03/The-Spook-Room.aspx?p=2

"Tradition 10 - Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the AA name ought never be drawn into public controversy." Please follow orders from the Interchurch Center if you are an AA member and don't comment.

Pennywise's picture

Pennywise

Thu, 01/17/2013 - 18:46

Unfortunately Basket Landing was already booked for another venue, but thankfully I was able book an up an coming musician named Arnold ZeDville.

"Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid."

dave

Thu, 01/17/2013 - 19:24

I don't know anything about this place. Is it just a historical aa site? I went to the website and they don't seem to do much. There is very little info there.

live_free_or_die's picture

live_free_or_die

Sun, 01/20/2013 - 05:02

dave said: "They don't seem to do much". Yep, the Foundation don't do much dave.

Btw dave, do you have any idea where the $8,000,000 in assets came from? Most of these assets are liquid assets dave, meaning the bulk of the $8,000,000 could be turned into cash tomorrow.

Also, fyi, the assets of a private foundation are listed on the IRS Form 990 PF at fair market value. This accounts for the large fluctuation in dollars from 2007 to 2008.

Alcoholics Anonymous: MyNotGodHasItCovered®
http://www.expaa.org/
http://bereanresearch.com/
http://badrecovery.blogspot.com/
NOT AA:
Rational Recovery, SOS, HAMS
http://alcoholabusesolutions.com/

JR Harris's picture

JR Harris

Thu, 01/17/2013 - 20:29

No they do not display the Ouija Board, but they do display the kitchen table where Bill Wilson would hold seances and actually levitate the table when he was talking to dead spirits from beyond the grave. In fact the docents at Stepping Stones even let people sit at the kitchen table.

On evenings when they decided to use the table instead of the Ouija board, they gathered around it, each person with their fingers resting lightly on the table's sharp edge. They dimmed the lights. Bill's voice would often ask the questions. "Are there any spirits in the room?" he would ask. "Are there any spirits who have a message for us?" Breathing slowed. The spirits seemed to gather in the room's dark corners, above the shelf where Bill's violins and musical instruments were kept, or in the angle of the wall and ceiling near the window.

Then the people seated around the table would hear a soft, hesitant tap. Sometimes, if Bill had asked a direct question, the taps meant yes or no: one for yes and two for no. At other times the spirits had a longer message. If it tapped once, that meant the letter A, twice for the letter B and so on. In an evening the table might tap out a phrase or two. According to both Bill and Lois, on more than one occasion they succeeded in levitating the table a few inches off the floor.

Source (quote from "My Name Is Bill" by Susan Cheever): http://www.beliefnet.com/Entertainment/Books/2004/03/The-Spook-Room.aspx?p=2

As a side note, the famous Kitchen Table of Bill Wilson at his Stepping Stones compound came from 182 Clinton Street where the first know suicide from AA took place with Bill C., a Canadian lawyer..... which he made a martyr out of in the Big Book.

One poor chap committed suicide in my home. BB p.16, Bill's Story

"Tradition 10 - Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the AA name ought never be drawn into public controversy." Please follow orders from the Interchurch Center if you are an AA member and don't comment.

dave

Thu, 01/17/2013 - 21:13

stated that there were no employees making over $50,000 per year. None of the trustees were paid. They have a large portfolio in my opinion. I would call it an endowment.

JR Harris's picture

JR Harris

Thu, 01/17/2013 - 21:38

Unsure of your point here, But Annah Perch as the Executive Director of the Stepping Stones Foundation (SSF) in 2010 made $83, 500 in salary and $14,040 in a defined benefit plan (retirement). None of the other trustees made anything. I guess you can make the excuse that it is the going rate for someone guarding the legacy of an adulterer that talked to dead monks and sea captains or a wife that put up with his adultery so she could keep the house his cult conned out of a widow.

"Tradition 10 - Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the AA name ought never be drawn into public controversy." Please follow orders from the Interchurch Center if you are an AA member and don't comment.

dave

Thu, 01/17/2013 - 21:43

that high paying, but apparently the pay is better than in 2007. Comments were made above referencing the position. My comment was meant to be more informational.

JR Harris's picture

JR Harris

Thu, 01/17/2013 - 22:21

Question, why did you pick the 2007 Tax Return? That return shows that Annah Perch made no money during that year and was working for free to protect the marital home of Bill and Lois Wilson where 13th stepping originated and he cheated on his wife. Why not pick a later return? Did you have to search for the one where no money was made by the executive director protecting the home and legacy of an adulterer?

What about the 2006, 2005, 2004... tax returns?

"Tradition 10 - Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the AA name ought never be drawn into public controversy." Please follow orders from the Interchurch Center if you are an AA member and don't comment.

dave

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 07:52

It took me a while to find it. I saw a few listed and I just picked that one. I did not look at any others. I was really trying to find out what they did and I stumbled across the salary thing. They don't seem to do anything except sell some books, maintain the house and their portfolio. I have never had much interest in the place.

JR Harris's picture

JR Harris

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 08:37

Perplexing, look at the data from an analyst point of view. What is strange about it? Most analysts would have picked the most recent one, or the anomaly....

Year IRS Process Date Form Type Assets
2010 02/17/2012 990PF Initial Return $8,075,823
2009 11/26/2010 990PF Initial Return $7,371,130
2008 11/27/2009 990PF Initial Return $6,522,185 Loss of nearly $2 Million???
2007 12/02/2008 990PF Initial Return $8,385,284
2006 11/29/2007 990PF Initial Return $7,840,660
2005 11/28/2006 990PF Initial Return $7,330,441
2004 11/23/2005 990PF Initial Return $7,282,034
2003 11/30/2004 990PF Initial Return $7,095,804
2002 06/06/2003 990PF Initial Return $6,311,520

It is just not the one I would have picked to look at logically. I would have picked the latest or the one where a loss of assets took place to find out why....

"Tradition 10 - Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the AA name ought never be drawn into public controversy." Please follow orders from the Interchurch Center if you are an AA member and don't comment.

dave

Fri, 01/18/2013 - 20:42

I was not trying to do any analysis. I did wonder why their assets fluctuated so much. Do you know why? Logically I wanted to know what they were doing awhile ago also so I picked an older return. The site I found them on only had an option for three I think. This is not that important to me. I will not be drinking over it. It's all good.

JR Harris's picture

JR Harris

Sat, 01/19/2013 - 10:56

Well Dave, I realize you don't do it, but the reason I pointed out the discrepancy with claiming that the Executive Directory of Stepping Stones was a very low paying job is because Alcoholics Anonymous teaches many people devious debating techniques so that they con prospects for AA into praying to a "god of their own choosing" even when they are atheists or to pick a doorknob, etc.... One such technique is:

Lie By Omission and Half-Truths

This is also known as Suppressed Evidence.

This one is more subtle. It has the advantage that you can't get caught in a lie, because everything that you say is true. You just happily fail to mention all of those bothersome little facts that do not support your point of view. Should a critic point out one of those annoying undesired facts, you can at least feign innocent ignorance, or claim that the fact is really just an unimportant, trivial detail, not worth mentioning.

Read the entire source here: http://orange-papers.org/orange-propaganda.html#lie_omission

Now I do realize that you make a very good excuse for claiming that the position was low paid and why you would pick a 2007 tax return to check on what the foundation actually did. I am sure that the 2.5 million visitors a month to this site would have done the exact same thing.

Now to make sure that you do not fall into some of the tactics that other Alcoholics Anonymous members use deviously and to help you deprogram from the brainwashing they have put you through I would like you to read: http://orange-papers.org/orange-propaganda.html

It has a very extensive listing of the deception practices that identify every technique and I will call any AA member on any and all of them. Here is what it covers:

Tell The Truth
Lie
Lie By Omission and Half-Truths
Hide the Truth
Lie With Qualifiers
Lie With Statistics
Scream Accusations of Lies and Lying
Observational Selection
The Statistics of Small Numbers
Bury The Lead
The Big Lie
Reversal Of Reality
Projection
Make a Virtue out of a Fault
Unsupported Claims
Imaginary Evidence
Use Association
The Glittering Generality
Exaggerate
Confusion of Correlation and Causation
Reverse a Cause-and-Effect Relationship
Straw Man
Hypnotic Bait and Switch
The Either/Or Technique — Bifurcation — the Excluded Middle
False Dichotomy
The Enemy Of My Enemy Is My Friend
"Hobson's Choice"
Alternative Advance
"Somebody's got it worse"
Faulty Syllogism
Non Sequitur
Post Hoc, Ergo Propter Hoc — "It happened after 'X', so it was caused by 'X'"
The Norm of Reciprocity
Guilt Induction
Play On Emotions, Appeal To Emotions
Ad Hominem, Launch Personal Attacks On Opponents
Engage in Name Calling
Delegitimize One's Opponent
Deflect Criticism and Blame By Delegitimizing It
Delegitimize Criticism and Rebuttal in Advance
Spurious Delegitimization of Evidence or Criticism
Spurious Rejection of a Question
Demonize the Enemy
Apply Labels
Stroking Ploys
Offloading Blame
Blame A Scapegoat
Blame The Victim
Blame Somebody Else (Anybody Else)
Blame A Non-Factor
Claim That There Is A Panacea
Claim That There Is A Panmalefic
Flattery
Proof by Anecdote
Double-Talk
Unprovable Statements
Undisprovable Statements
The Language Trap
Vague, Undefined, Grandiose Language
Loaded Language, Euphemisms, and Redefined Words
Fluffy Phrases
Use Self-Referential Definitions — Define Something In Terms Of Itself
Deception Via Mislabeling or Misnaming Things
Misuse Words
Moving The Goalposts
Set Low Expections
Sliding Adjectives
Vague Adjectives
Undefined Terms
Pseudo-intellectual Bull
Confuse With Technicalese
Slogans: Simplistic Slogans and Though-Stopping Slogans
Oversimplify
Wrap Yourself In A Higher Power
Repeat Old Memes
Everybody's Doing It, Everybody Knows, and Everybody Says
Pomp, Ceremony, and Ritual
Humor and Ridicule
Assume The Major Premise
Assume Facts Not In Evidence (Petitio Principii)
Hidden Assumptions
Assume Futures or Future Results
Fallacy of Presupposition
Affirmation of the Consequent
Irrelevant Conclusion (Ignoratio Elenchi)
Confusion of Beliefs with Facts
Substitute Feelings For Facts
Confusion of Abstractions with Reality
Circular Reasoning (Circulus in Demonstrando)
Appeal to Evil
Appeal to Higher Principles
Appeal to Authorities (Argumentum ad Verecundiam)
Use Fake Credentials
Appeal to Force (Argumentum ad Baculum)
Appeal to Popularity — Appeal to the People (Argumentum ad Populum)
Appeal to Numbers (Argumentum ad Numerum)
Dismiss by Numbers
Appeal to Averages
Appeal to Fame
Dismiss by Lack of Fame
Appeal to Antiquity (Argumentum ad Antiquitatem)
Dismiss by Antiquity
Appeal to Novelty — Newness (Argumentum ad Novitatem)
Dismiss by Novelty
Appeal to the Exotic
Appeal to Tradition
Appeal to Poverty (Argumentum ad Lazarum)
Appeal to Wealth (Argumentum ad Crumenam)
Appeal to Common Folk
Appeal To Stupidity
Antirationalism
Appeal to Desperation
Appeal to Pity Ad Misericordiam
Exploit Wishful Thinking, and Tell Them What They Want To Hear
It Ought To Be True, So It Is.
It's Too Terrible To Tell
Argue from Adverse Consequences
Argue from Beneficial Consequences
Apply Time Pressure
The Real Scotsman Fallacy
Inverse Real Scotsman Fallacy
Inconsistency
Compare Apples To Oranges
Special Pleading
Self-Sell
Repetition for Emphasis (Argumentum ad Nauseam)
Antimetabole
Reification
Take Undeserved Credit
Create A Granfalloon
Spin Doctoring
The Semi-Attached Figure
Use Exact Numbers
Avoid Specific Numbers
Hide Behind Others
The Preacher's We
Put Words Into Other People's Mouths
Tokenism
Testimonials and Stories
The Fallacy of One Similarity
The Fallacy of One Dissimilarity
If It Looks Like X, Then It Is X.
A Distinction Without A Difference.
Sly Suggestions
Misleading Inference
Unsubstantiated Inference and Groundless Claims
Introduce Irrelevant Information as Supporting Evidence
False Analogy
False Equality
Double Bind
Project Future From Past
False Analysis Of History
It's Never Happened Before
I Didn't See It Happen, So It Never Happened
Argue Inevitability
Pollyanna's Ploy — Unbridled Optimism
Chicken Little's Pessimism
Generalize, and the Sweeping Generality
Take Quotes Out Of Context
Claim That Quotes Are Taken Out Of Context
Argue from Ignorance (Argumentum ad Ignorantiam)
Begging The Question
Meaningless Question
Play the Victim, and Self-Victimization
Claim to Have Special or Secret Knowledge
Bad Math
Use the Passive Voice
Use Slanted Language
Use Inflamatory Language

"Tradition 10 - Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the AA name ought never be drawn into public controversy." Please follow orders from the Interchurch Center if you are an AA member and don't comment.

dave

Sat, 01/19/2013 - 15:54

I am speaking at an AA meeting tonight. If I can get a copy tonight I can send it to you if you wish. You can then use your list to determine if I was using any deceptive practices. I will probably be talking about my relationship with god, my experience with sponsorship and aa literature and how I live today. I usually bring up some of my negative opinions about bill also. There are 2 reasons I may not be recorded tonight. My story is not that exciting and I am rarely that funny in my opinion and I called the recording guy a thief, which he is.

Pennywise's picture

Pennywise

Sat, 01/19/2013 - 19:41

Are there any newcomers in the theatre tonight?
Get 'em up against the wall!
There's one in the back chair
Now he don't sober to me
Get him up against the wall!
And that one looks agnositc
And that one's coerced
Who let all this riffraff be redispersed?
There's one posting on the Orange Papers!
And that one says its bunk
If I had my way
I'd have all of ya drunk!

"Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid."

causeandeffect's picture

causeandeffect

Sat, 01/19/2013 - 19:18

Pennywise, there's an old timer around here who used to go to AA in NY. He claimed they used to jack guys up against the wall and beat them up if they didn't admit powerlessness. It was to "save their lives." I shit you not.

Ahhhh, the good old daze.

Troll free AA critical forum
http://www.expaa.org/

"The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it." ~ Neil deGrasse Tyson

Pennywise's picture

Pennywise

Sat, 01/19/2013 - 19:42

Sounds like the good old haze...

"Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid."

live_free_or_die's picture

live_free_or_die

Sun, 01/20/2013 - 12:34

Bill W. supposedly was expelled from one of the colleges/universities he never graduated from for a haze.

Alcoholics Anonymous: MyNotGodHasItCovered®
http://www.expaa.org/
http://bereanresearch.com/
http://badrecovery.blogspot.com/
NOT AA:
Rational Recovery, SOS, HAMS
http://alcoholabusesolutions.com/

live_free_or_die's picture

live_free_or_die

Sat, 01/19/2013 - 07:22

Alcoholics Anonymous: MyNotGodHasItCovered®
http://www.expaa.org/
http://bereanresearch.com/
http://badrecovery.blogspot.com/
NOT AA:
Rational Recovery, SOS, HAMS
http://alcoholabusesolutions.com/

JR Harris's picture

JR Harris

Thu, 01/24/2013 - 06:14

June 1, 2013 ~ 62nd Annual Stepping Stones Family Groups Picnic, 12 noon-5pm

Join friends old and new as we continue Lois Wilson's annual picnic tradition, originated to celebrate the entire family in recovery. The picnic starts at noon. Lunch is bring-your-own; soft drinks are provided. At 2pm the open meeting starts with this year's A.A., Al-Anon and Alateen speakers, to be announced.

Parking is at 1 Railroad Avenue, Bedford Hills, NY. A shuttle will run continuously to bring you to and from the Stepping Stones property. Handicapped passes only will be honored at 62 Oak Road, Katonah, NY 10536. Buses are strictly prohibited on the roads surrounding Stepping Stones, so park the bus at 1 Railroad Avenue and use the shuttle, please..

Source: http://www.steppingstones.org/events.html

"Tradition 10 - Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the AA name ought never be drawn into public controversy." Please follow orders from the Interchurch Center if you are an AA member and don't comment.

dave

Sat, 01/19/2013 - 15:38

It's ok with me if you do all the research. The place holds no positive significance to me. When I view pictures of Bill and Lois's homes, I just think about Lois and the stuff she put up with. I'm not really a fan of Bill the person.

I did enjoy hearing when they were digging up old liquor bottles that Dr.Bob had burried around his house.

JR Harris's picture

JR Harris

Sat, 01/19/2013 - 15:58

You do realize that the average "coffee maker" at AA who many times ends up being a as General Service Representative (GSR), AA Chairperson and then a District Committee member (DCM) feel different about the "accomplishment" of Stepping Stones becoming a National Landmark? You do realize that many AA members make an annual pilgrimage to the compound of the adulterer and spiritualist called Bill Wilson?

As for Dr. Bob who described his Alcoholics Anonymous prospects as "pigeons" you do realize that he was duped by the Alcoholics Foundation and given very little money (well fellowship money was used to pay his house off)?

"Tradition 10 - Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the AA name ought never be drawn into public controversy." Please follow orders from the Interchurch Center if you are an AA member and don't comment.

dave

Sat, 01/19/2013 - 19:42

it as an annual pilgrimage for some groups. You do realize that you dont fully grasp the realities of general service. More than likely every GSR has been a coffee maker. In urban areas I would be surprised if 1% of the coffee makers ever choose to be GSR's.

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JR Harris

Sun, 01/20/2013 - 07:38

Exactly what don't I fully grasp about the "realities of general service?" In what country and Intergroup? That is the second time you have implied that you have special knowledge of the cult of Alcoholics Anonymous. Please enlighten me what this special knowledge is and what country it applies too.

Please also remember that the members, groups and Intergroups are autonomous groups and governed by no one. In fact the royalty of Alcoholics Anonymous currently roosting at the Interchurch Center continually say that. Please explain the long version of Tradition 9 of the cult of Alcoholics Anonymous without using any circular logic.

Tradition 9 (Long Form)

Each A.A. group needs the least possible organization. Rotating leadership is the best. The small group may elect its secretary, the large group its rotating committee, and the groups of a large metropolitan area their central or intergroup committee, which often employs a full-time secretary. The trustees of the General Service Board are, in effect, our A.A. General Service Committee. They are the custodians of our A.A. Tradition and the receivers of voluntary A.A. contributions by which we maintain our A.A. General Service Office at New York. They are authorized by the groups to handle our over-all public relations and they guarantee the integrity of our principal newspaper, the A.A. Grapevine. All such representatives are to be guided in the spirit of service, for true leaders in A.A. are but trusted and experienced servants of the whole. They derive no real authority from their titles; they do not govern. Universal respect is the key to their usefulness.

"Tradition 10 - Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the AA name ought never be drawn into public controversy." Please follow orders from the Interchurch Center if you are an AA member and don't comment.

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live_free_or_die

Sun, 01/20/2013 - 04:56

dave said: "You do realize that you dont fully grasp the realities of general service."

dave, you do realize that you have been duped by the original AA Dupor right? Don't feel bad, Dr. Bob was the also duped by Bill W. In fact, Dr. Bob was the first dupee of Bill W. dave, you seem to be in denial. That is reality.

I find it ludicrous that you should use the term reality in reference to anything to do with AA dave. The culty religious program of AA/12 steps has nothing to do with reality dave. You do realize that, right?

The AA/12 step program requires that one turn their life over to a supernatural being dave. AA insists that this supernatural being is a higher power, but we all know that this higher power is god.

Bill W. allegedly had a "conversion experience" while at Towns Hospital. Reality dave?

Bill W. allegedly had contact with, and received guidance from, a monk that died in 754 A.D. This monk, St. Boniface, allegedly helped Bill W. with writing the 12x12. Reality dave?

Bill W. was intrigued with the supernatural. In fact, Bill W. used the Ouija board to contact the other side. Bill W. held seances in the Spook Room of his house in Bedford Hills, now a historic structure. Reality?

Bill W.'s teachings require one to throw out logic, reason and reality.

AA is a faith-based program. In my big book of life dave faith is not reality.

Therefore, by logical conclusion, a GSR in the service of Bill W.'s new age religion is a dupee.

Alcoholics Anonymous: MyNotGodHasItCovered®
http://www.expaa.org/
http://bereanresearch.com/
http://badrecovery.blogspot.com/
NOT AA:
Rational Recovery, SOS, HAMS
http://alcoholabusesolutions.com/

dave

Mon, 01/21/2013 - 16:16

I agree that it's faith based to and extent. I can see a logical explanation stating that it's totally faith based and I would not argue against it.

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Pennywise

Mon, 01/21/2013 - 16:18

To Wilson's credit, I guess, he explicitly says over and over that AA is faith based.

"Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid."

dave

Mon, 01/21/2013 - 18:48

I didnt know he said that exactly.

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Pennywise

Mon, 01/21/2013 - 19:12

Big Book pg 53, for example:

Arrived at this point, we were squarely confronted with the question of faith. We couldn’t duck the issue. Some of us had already walked far over the Bridge of Reason toward the desired shore of faith. The outlines and the promise of the New Land had brought lustre to tired eyes and fresh courage to flagging spirits. Friendly hands had stretched out in welcome. We were grateful that Reason had brought us so far. But somehow, we couldn’t quite step ashore. Perhaps we had been leaning too heavily on Reason that last mile and we did not like to lose our support.

"Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid."

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Pennywise

Mon, 01/21/2013 - 19:16

Big Book pg 54:

We finally saw that faith in some kind of God was a part of our make-up, just as much as the feeling we have for a friend. Sometimes we had to search fear- lessly, but He was there. He was as much a fact as we were. We found the Great Reality deep down within us. In the last analysis it is only there that He may be found. It was so with us.

We can only clear the ground a bit. If our testi- mony helps sweep away prejudice, enables you to think honestly, encourages you to search diligently within yourself, then, if you wish, you can join us on the Broad Highway. With this attitude you cannot fail. The consciousness of your belief is sure to come to you.

"Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid."

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Pennywise

Mon, 01/21/2013 - 19:18

I could find many more similar quotes, but I think you get the idea.

"Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid."

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causeandeffect

Mon, 01/21/2013 - 19:29

Pennywise, isn't that excerpt from the ever-so-rigorously-honest bait and switch called We Agnostics?

Troll free AA critical forum
http://www.expaa.org/

"The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it." ~ Neil deGrasse Tyson

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Pennywise

Mon, 01/21/2013 - 19:32

That's right.

"Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid."

dave

Mon, 01/21/2013 - 19:29

That quote makes the point that aa is faith based. I didnt recall that quote and now I know why. It's in the chapter to the agnostics. That chapter kind of confuses me. At first I thought I was going to learn about agnostics, but as the chapter goes on I feel like I am supposed to be a complete believer. I havent read the whole book in a few years. I want to do it again because I think I will have a different perspective. If I recall correctly I think I thought it was a "bait and switch" tactic when I read it the first time. I think at the time I just dedided to forget it. I am more familiar with the book than I make it sound. I have read it at least 5 times in my first 7 years and I have read the step related stuff many more times.

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Pennywise

Mon, 01/21/2013 - 19:36

It's a confusing chapter because frankly Bill doesn't know what he's talking about. It's more of a collection of flowery quotes than a cogent arguement.

"Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid."

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causeandeffect

Mon, 01/21/2013 - 19:47

Flowery? Like this?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carrion_flower

Sorry, forgot how to copy images onto the OPF.

Troll free AA critical forum
http://www.expaa.org/

"The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it." ~ Neil deGrasse Tyson

dave

Sun, 01/20/2013 - 16:25

Intergroups are not part of the general service structure. Many new gsr's get confused about this. In some general service area's an intergroup may be allowed to vote, but often they will only have one vote in an assembly of 100-400 general service participants. In this case the intergroup is included for the purpose of unity in my opinion. Intergroups can make motions to be considered at the annual conference. These motions would usually go through the local general service area.

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JR Harris

Sun, 01/20/2013 - 17:01

I take it you are talking US based in your experiences. They call it Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. (AAWS) for a reason, it is Global. What is the stated role of AAWS currently inhabiting the Interchurch Center in New York? You know the one that claims they do not govern..... but publishes the many of the AA literature including the AA Service Manual (http://www.aa.org/pdf/products/en_bm-31.pdf) which covers the General Service Board of Alcoholics Anonymous, Inc. (GSB) that is often called the General Service Organization (GSO) because of the terminology in that manual?

Who has final say on what goes into the AA Service manual? AAWS, GSB or the individual autonomous groups and why? (hint, it is in the manual)

"Tradition 10 - Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the AA name ought never be drawn into public controversy." Please follow orders from the Interchurch Center if you are an AA member and don't comment.

dave

Sun, 01/20/2013 - 21:28

Who has final say on what goes into the AA Service manual? AAWS, GSB or the individual autonomous groups and why? (hint, it is in the manual)

I have seen changes in the service manual come from the fellowship and then get voted in at the conference. I don't know exactly what the manual says regarding this. In reality the GSB could do whatever it wanted.

dave

Sun, 01/20/2013 - 21:58

It talks about how the conference is not a legal entity, but in theory has clout. I do believe the entire service manual should be considered in it's entirety when looking at how aa does business.

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JR Harris

Mon, 01/21/2013 - 01:23

Again Dave, you answered the question in a deceptive manner and just had to add "suggest" to the answer as a way of making it a "sly suggestion" because if you are wrong you can just claim it is a "suggestion" and not what your answer is. We understand Dave, you have been brainwashed by the cult of Alcoholics Anonymous to answer all questions like this, you too can be saved. As for looking at the entire AA Service manual in its entirety, it is filled with circular logic and answers no questions, they are all "suggestions" and are meaningless. Please try to be rigorously honest, I understand it is very hard for a person who has been brainwashed by the cult of Alcoholics Anonymous, but please try...

Sly Suggestions

Plant sly suggestions. Do not make solid statements which can be proven wrong; rather, just suggest that your ideas may be true. Then, often, perhaps a little while later, you might suddenly start assuming that all of your suggestions are really true.

This technique is basically the old strategy of first just getting your toe in the door, and then later gradually working your way in. With this technique, the speaker first gets his toe into the door of someone's mind by merely suggesting that an idea may be true (which isn't too hard to accept, because it's only a suggestion that might be true), and then the speaker gradually pushes further in by assuming that the suggestion really is true.

For instance:

"You may be a winner..."
"You may have already won $10,000,000. Just subscribe to a bunch of magazines and see..."
"Your opinion may be worth $1000."
"This diet plan may be the one that works for you..."
"This cream may be a make-up artist's dream come true..."
"This get-rich-quick scheme may be the answer to all of your problems..."
"Science and astrology: Are they really at odds?"

Con artists who tout stocks on the stock market say of their latest "hot stock" that a "Big move could happen."
(Yes, but will the move be in the direction that you want? It might go down like the Titanic.)

"I am predicting, that this web site may be part of a major corporate buyout by Microsoft, Google, or Yahoo in the next 18 months."
(First it's a prediction, and then it's just a maybe.)

The back cover of Dr. Arthur Janov's ridiculous book "The New Primal Scream: Primal Therapy After 20 Years" advertises:
"Scientific Research World-Wide Proves Primal Therapy May Prolong Life by Reducing Stress".
Yes, and the discovery of the coelacanth PROVES that Nessie the Loch Ness sea monster MAY be real too, but it's extremely unlikely, for about a dozen good scientific reasons.4 I'm not holding my breath.

Notice the broken logic:
Scientific blah-blah PROVES that Janov's garbage MAY work.
You get an absolute certainty — proof — followed by a vague, uncertain, possibility.
And note that the opposite logic is equally valid:
Scientific blah-blah PROVES that Janov's garbage MAY NOT work.

Read the entire deceptive Sly Suggestion practices of minions of AA at: http://orange-papers.org/orange-propaganda.html#suggestions

"Tradition 10 - Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the AA name ought never be drawn into public controversy." Please follow orders from the Interchurch Center if you are an AA member and don't comment.

dave

Mon, 01/21/2013 - 15:22

a problem with any answer I gave.

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JR Harris

Mon, 01/21/2013 - 15:50

No, just non answers that contain disclaimers such as may, might, suggest, etc.. followed by generalizations. I'm a parent and I get to the truth real fast. There is no reason to add non qualifiers to statement meaning you don't know the answer but pretend you do. If a person claims to be an expert on something like the service structure of Alcoholics Anonymous and then belittles someone else saying they know little about it and uses statement like "I would suggest reading concept 7, it may apply" and then follows it with "I do believe the entire service manual should be considered in it's entirety when looking at how aa does business" as an answer it means:

"I suggest" - means you do not know
"it may apply" - means you don't know
"entire service manual should be considered in it's entirety" - means you don't know where the answer is.

That is called a non answer to the question. Sorry for the tough love, but you will thank me for it later. Can you try not to use non answers in your replies since you are a self proclaimed expert that claims to know more than me? You also realize that AA members are supposed to put "principles before personalities" and be humble?

"Tradition 10 - Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the AA name ought never be drawn into public controversy." Please follow orders from the Interchurch Center if you are an AA member and don't comment.

dave

Mon, 01/21/2013 - 16:09

finding problems with how I say things than you are with finding out the facts. There are plenty of facts in the service manual. For example the general service conference is not a legal entity. I never claimed to be an expert but I know more about the service structure of aa than most members. Most members dont care that much in my opinion, they are more concerned with the recovery part of aa. When you reference general service and the intergroup you sound very misinformed to me. You sound like a guy who has read a fair amount about it and came up with erroneous conclusions at times. Like I said before, I was initially (awhile ago) trying to help you state some minor points more correctly therefore making a better arguement. I now realize that does not interest you and that you are more interested in debating. If I recall my initial intent correctly, it was just to tell you that the intergroup was not part of general service.

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JR Harris

Mon, 01/21/2013 - 16:19

Often times the "Intergroup" is called the "General Service Office" in AA literature. Why do you suppose that is?

"Tradition 10 - Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the AA name ought never be drawn into public controversy." Please follow orders from the Interchurch Center if you are an AA member and don't comment.

dave

Mon, 01/21/2013 - 16:38

is called the general service office, but I'm not saying you are wrong, I would just have to see it. In the literature the words Area, Assembly Assembly and Area committee are used interchangeably and it's confusing. I think the pamphlet "Circles of Love and Service" illustrates this. Feel free to explain de facto and de jure to me and how it applies.

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JR Harris

Mon, 01/21/2013 - 16:57

Actually I have seen the Intergroup Identified as a General Service Office, but it is usually identified as a "Central Office." the confusion comes in when many GSRs and DCMs congregate around the Intergroup and do there business there and have the Intergroup advertize conferences and such.

The terms de jure means "in law" which in this case is the bylaws of the General Service Board of Alcoholics Anonymous, Inc. which controls the sub group of the GSO and the term de facto means "in practice", which is what actually happens. The Intergroups usually take on the main control of the groups underneath them because the GSRs, DCMs and delegates often congregate at them and help with any newspapers or flyers the Intergroup or Central office supplies. In essence the Intergroup is an office that they use to coordinate with the groups. This is of course dependent upon the the geographical area and what they are accustomed too. In non US countries they are different. I take it you are mainly US based in the Pacific Region. If you go to a non US country, where do you go to to meet the GSRs, DCMs and delaegates?

"Tradition 10 - Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the AA name ought never be drawn into public controversy." Please follow orders from the Interchurch Center if you are an AA member and don't comment.

dave

Mon, 01/21/2013 - 17:21

I know in some areas the commitees in "general service" will meet at the central office (intergroup). Sometimes the committee will even pay rent to the central office. You are describing a situation where the Intergroup and the Area (general service) get along well. In many places in the US this is not the case, Intergroups and Areas are at what seems to be a war. I think the culprit is often the general service people.

In our Area the Area committe meets in a church, the districts often meet in a church or alano club within the boundaries of their district. When the Area Assembly meets (All districts and area committee) the venue changes and could be in any location and not usually a church.

I believe most groups are much more supportive of their Intergroup(central office) by far than they are of their Area (general service).

I don't have much knowledge of where everyone meets in other countries.

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