Editing Alcoholics Anonymous (section)

=== Creation of the General Service Conference (GSC) ===
In 1951, AA's headquarters in New York expanded its activities, including public relations, support for new groups, services to hospitals and prisons, and cooperation with agencies in the field of alcoholism. It also published standard AA literature and oversaw translations, while the ''AA Grapevine'' gained substantial circulation. Despite these essential services, they were managed by a disconnected board of trustees, primarily linked to Bill and Dr. Bob.<ref name=":1" />

Recognizing the need for accountability, delegates from across the US and Canada were convened, leading to the first meeting of the AA General Service Conference in 1951.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Rocky Road to the First General Service Conference of A.A. |url=https://www.aa.org/sites/default/files/newsletters/f-151_markings_fall06.pdf}}</ref> This successful gathering established direct oversight of AA's trusteeship by the fellowship itself, ensuring the organization's future governance. At the 1955 conference in St. Louis, Missouri, Bill W. relinquished stewardship of AA to the General Service Conference,<ref>''[[#pass-it-on|Pass It On]]'', 1984, p. 359</ref> as AA had grown to millions of members internationally.<ref name="AAFACTFILE" />