Wayne P. at the 1st Young Peoples Conference – 1987

About This Speaker Tape

1st Young Peoples Conference - 1987

A dry subject becomes a call to arms for the next generation. Wayne P. breaks down the labyrinth of AA's service structure—from the local group and the GSR to the General Service Board in New York—to demystify where the money goes and how the Big Book actually gets printed. He warns that the fellowship's survival depends on young people stepping up to do the 'unpopular' work of administration and logistics. Between the technical explanations of Class A trustees and the 12% price reduction on literature Wayne P. argues that while the drunks might want a 'law' to prove someone wrong the real power always resides in the group. He frames service not as politics but as a gritty responsibility to ensure the message remains available for the next alcoholic regardless of whether they are in Arkansas or Russia.

Topics

Timestamps

• 0:00 Wayne P. introduces the workshop on service and his background as a past Southwest Regional Trustee.
• 5:12 Explanation of the GSR (Group Service Representative) and the path from the group to the Area Assembly.
• 12:45 Discussion on 'Conference-Approved Literature' and why the 24-hour day book doesn't fit the criteria.
• 18:20 Breakdown of the General Service Board, including the role of non-alcoholic Class A trustees.
• 25:10 The logistics of printing the Big Book in Nashville and the use of public warehouses.
• timecode: 31:40 Laughter: The contradiction of members avoiding business meetings but complaining about new equipment.
• 38:15 The 'Reserve Fund' and the financial reality of self-support versus outside entities.
• 45:30 A blunt call to young people to get involved in service to prevent the fellowship from collapsing.
• 52:10 The story of 'Old Norm' from California and the irony of becoming the 'old bastards' you tried to replace.
• 58:00 Closing thoughts on the 'special quality' of long-term service workers.