WHY ARE YOU DOING THESE THINGS?

A BRIEF (BUT ACCURATE) HISTORY OF NA LITERATURE

AND INCIDENTS IN WORLD SERVICE NOT GENERALLY KNOWN

DATES ARE APPROXIMATE (FROM MEMORY) ACTIONS ARE EXPLICIT

Following WSC '79

Work on "Our Book" begins as a project of the Fellowship...by the World Literature Committee (members were members just by being willing to help). This was not the WSC Literature Subcommittee, that we know today but something called the World Literature Committee. Any NA member could be a part-of.

First World Literature Conference; World lit. held first conference, wrote first literature handbook.

Following WSC '80 Work on Basic Text continues...WLC-2 decides to frame chapters from little White Book...

Memphis Feb.'81- WLC-3 THE CONCEPT: POWERLESS OVER THE DISEASE - IDENTITY-very simply AN ADDICT...AND...THE 1ST DRAFT OF OUR Basic Text - THE GREY BOOK ...are developed by World Literature Committee

Memphis Mar."81- Grey Book distributed to every known NA Group (free) for review and input.

Santa Monica April '81

WLC-4 Fellowship responds with lots of input. Edit by committee, factoring-in all input begins. WLC membership swells into the hundreds - no NA member is ever denied membership. Book is becoming outgrowth of fellowship.

WSC '81

Obvious battle between WSO & WSB. 1st real WSC - most of the fellowship is represented.

Warren June '81, Miami Sept. '81

Basic Text finalized by committee despite irresponsible, political new chairperson who eventually resigns. Strong, directly- responsible, open committee survives to serve in spite of inadequate trusted servant.

Memphis Nov.'81

WLC elects its own new chairperson, distributes Approval Form of Basic Text to the Fellowship. Every known NA group receives a copy. Policy committee (WSC) enlists help of World Lit members to help draft a new service manual reflective of current fellowship practices- including reformation of WSO, Inc.

WSC '82

Book is approved by the fellowship through the WSC. WSO instructed to produce hardcover by September. Price of book established at $8.00 until office "gets on its feet," then will be lowered - perhaps to $4.50 or less...

Mid-winter '82/'83

No book published by WSO. Most of fellowship copies approval form for use by members till hardcover is out.

WSC '83

"1st Edition" is altered from form approved by fellowship.

Justification used was that some few members feel changes are appropriate. Fellowship demands book returned to approved state by a reformed WSO, Inc.-->2nd Edition

Motion passed WSC by 2/3 of voting participants that RSR'S ONLY VOTE AT WSC. CHAIRPERSON CALLED MOTION DEFEATED BECAUSE NOT 2/3 OF TOTAL REGISTERED VOTING PARTICIPANTS.

WSB MAKES EMOTIONAL APPEAL BASED ON (PROBABLY SOLICITED OR FRAUDULENT) LETTER FROM GROUP IN NEVADA TO 'POLL' FELLOWSHIP DURING A 90 DAY-PERIOD REGARDING CHANGES TO THE CONCEPTS OF 4TH, AND 9TH TRADITIONS REPRESENTED BY DELETIONS IN 1ST EDITION. FELLOWSHIP REPORTEDLY RESPONDS IN AFFIRMATIVE, THOUGH DOCUMENTATION NOT AVAILIBLE TILL 1991. --->3rd Edition

"Original 13" pamphlets approved.

'83-'84

Fellowship Report, originated as open fellowship-wide communication, becomes increasingly (and unnecessarily) detailed and exclusive in tone. WSO, Inc. initiates "Newsline," presenting Office's views to every NA group world-wide, free.

Price of Basic Text is still $8.00 (printing cost reported to be $1.45).

WSC '84

NA WAY magazine taken from the fellowship and given to WSO, Inc.

World convention incorporated as a profit making venture administered by WSO, Inc.

WSC Finance committee disbanded.

World service communication persuades fellowship to accept concept of "vote of confidence" for RSR's.

WSC '84 con't....

WSC committee membership begins to close, eventually becomes small controllable groups of like-thinking members.

WSC '85

-Little White Book revisions passed... Lit. sub-com. will factor into basic text --->3rd Edition Revised

Motion passed to allow WLC to do "minor editing of Basic Text for tense, verb agreement, etc." Office hires professional editor to do lit committee's work resulting in many changed concepts -->4th edition.

WSC '86

Fellowship tells world services "no more professional writers." However, WSC takes it upon themselves without fellowship direction to re-edit Basic Text as committee of the whole -->5th edition [allowing no fellowship review/input and ignoring established fellowship Approval process]

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THESE ARE SOME OF THE REASONS WHY MANY OF US MAINTAIN THAT THE 2ND EDITION WITH THE REVISED LITTLE WHITE BOOK SECTION ARE THE LAST AND ONLY "FELLOWSHIP APPROVED" BASIC TEXT