How does A.A. implement their Conference-Approved Literature Policy?
Here are some excerpts from document SMF-29 (Revised 11/17), a document from the A.A. General Service Office (G.S.O.). The entire document may be found at the following link. https://www.aa.org/assets/en_US/smf-29_en.pdf
“The term has no relation to material not published by G.S.O. It does not imply Conference
disapproval of other material about A.A. A great deal of literature helpful to alcoholics is
published by others, and A.A. does not try to tell any individual member what he or she
may or may not read.” – Reprinted from SMF-29 Conference Approved Literature, page 1, with permission of A.A. World Services, Inc.
“Central offices and intergroups do write and distribute pamphlets or booklets that are not
Conference-approved. If such pieces meet the needs of the local membership, they may
be legitimately classified as “A.A. literature.†There is no conflict between A.A. World
Services, Inc. (A.A.W.S. – publishers of Conference-approved literature), and central
offices or intergroups – rather they complement each other. The Conference does not
disapprove of such material.” – Reprinted from SMF-29 Conference Approved Literature, page 1, with permission of A.A. World Services, Inc.