Literature

Purpose:

The core purpose of a Gamblers Anonymous (GA) Literature Committee is to carry the message of recovery in written and digital form to the compulsive gambler who still suffers. Encourage the creation of new Gamblers Anonymous literature, as needed, as well as revise, edit and/or update existing Gamblers Anonymous literature, whether written or digital, that is developed through the collaborative input of the entire fellowship. 

Promote Literature:

Encouraging the reading of GA approved literature to enhance understanding and appreciation for books and pamphlets.

Preserve Integrity:

Ensuring that any literature created or recommended by the Board of Trustees aligns with Gamblers Anonymous guidance code, rule & procedures, and by-laws.  Conduct periodic audits to ensure that Gamblers Anonymous literature remains internally consistent, and that where one or more passages is duplicated across literature, that changes which may have been approved in past times have been uniformly applied in all literature in which the impacted language occurs. 

Guide New Literature:

Providing guidance and oversight for the development of new literary materials, whether for internal use or for broader distribution, ensuring quality and relevance. 

Support Recovery:

The Literature Committee may focus on providing members with tools for recovery, such as conference-approved literature and related materials.

Board of Trustees Chair Liaison: Steve F.

Chair of the Committee: Roxanne D. – Area 3D
Use this email address to contact the Chair of this committee committee.literature@trusteewebsite.com

The committee is open to additional members who would like to be involved with this process.

Committee members are listed below:

Beth Z., Area 2

Renee G., Area 8A

Paulette T., Area 6B

Literature approval process for new literature
As of Denver ’25

  1. Any item of new literature, regardless of format, that a member wishes to have approved by the Board of Trustees, as either GA approved or GA appropriate, must be placed on the Trustee agenda through established procedures. Any item for merit approval including but not limited to, documents, digital format, CDs etc. must be submitted to the agenda as an attachment in an editable format. Please check with the Literature Committee Chair prior to submission to determine if your document meets the required format.
  2. The proposed new literature, printed or digital, must be available to all current Trustees via the Trustee Website agenda as an attachment no later than the closing date of the next Trustee agenda, as outlined by the BOT.
  3. If the item is to be considered as GA approved literature, the Trustees will initially vote solely on the merit of proceeding with the proposed literature. Items to be considered as GA appropriate literature are exempt from this step.
  4. If the item is approved on merit, each Trustee will have 60 days from merit approval to advise the Literature Committee of any recommendations to improve the literature.
  5. The Literature Committee will prepare, in collaboration with the author of the item, suggestions to improve the item based on the submissions from the BOT following the 60-day comment period. Neither the author nor the Literature Committee shall be bound by BOT suggestions – these are only recommendations from individual members. In addition, all necessary spelling, punctuation and grammar changes for approved agenda items (other than merit Approved literature items) shall be made by the Literature Committee prior to inclusion in any Gamblers anonymous literature. The committee will decide on the final version of the piece to be submitted for the first vote.
  6. Once the committee has completed its work, it will be responsible for submitting the corrected item for inclusion on the Trustee agenda where it must go through two additional votes to become GA approved literature. There shall not be any changes made to the item between the first and the second vote.
  7. New proposed literature, either printed or digital, produced by a BOT committee will only undergo editing changes involving spelling, punctuation and grammar, providing the item passes the first of two votes.
  8. If new literature produced by a BOT committee is to be considered as GA appropriate literature, it must pass only one vote, after which the item will be submitted to the Literature Committee for editing changes involving only spelling, punctuation and grammar prior to printing and distribution.

Corrections of Literature

Literature committee may make spelling, punctuation and grammar changes to any approved or appropriate literature item to clarify or improve understanding of said item.

Literature Committee Comprehensive Updates for Existing GA Approved/GA Appropriate Literature

  1. The Literature Committee shall conduct periodic reviews of existing literature. Should the Committee feel that comprehensive updates are warranted (comprehensive updates to refer to multiple revisions which extend beyond spelling, punctuation, and grammar), the following procedure shall be utilized:
    1. The merit for the update shall be presented for merit vote via motion to the Board of Trustees.
    2. If so approved, the Literature Committee shall proceed with the updates and submit a draft for review to the Board of Trustee body no later than 90 days prior to the registration deadline for the Trustee meeting for which a first vote approval is intended. This shall allow for a 60 day review period (consistent with new literature) with an additional 30 days for follow-up review/collaboration between the Literature Committee and the Trustees.
    3. Any feedback received shall be evaluated by the Literature Committee and implemented at the discretion of the Literature Committee based upon discussion and collaboration from any/all Trustees who offer feedback for the proposed updates.
    4. The completed draft will be included as an attachment for first (and second, if initially approved) vote approval by the Board of Trustees.
    5. If the update is to be applied to GA appropriate literature, then, as with new literature, it must pass only one vote for Board of Trustee approval.