Wayne B – another fast buck to be made!

From Perth (Australia) we quote:

“Hi all

Wayne B returned to Perth last week to host another of his "Big Book" study workshops and is speaking at the WAYPAA (Western Australia Young Peoples in AA) convention being held this weekend. Last night (05/12/2014) he delivered a talk on the history of AA and it's evolution from the Washingtonians, Emmanuel Movement and Oxford Groups which was informative but was constantly interjected with statements like "rumour has it" when defending himself and also made reference to aacultwatch. Methinks he doth protest too much and as the saying goes: 'where there is smoke, there is fire.'

For all his stated loved for AA and the 12 Steps, I doubt anyone attending last night (other than his inner circle) is aware of his efforts to monetize and trivialise the 12 Steps by means of his Life's In Session board-game (http://www.lifesinsession.com/Home_Page.html). This violates the spirit and the letter of Traditions Six and Eleven. A cursory glance at his Facebook profile also leaves one in no doubt that he is a member of AA, thus violating Tradition Eleven. Tradition Eleven was written well before the advent of Facebook but it is my opinion that it could be extended to cover social media along with press, radio and films.

He also proceeded to extol the virtues of his sponsor and his grand sponsor and his great grand sponsor who was an eminent personality in AA. So much for placing principles before personalities (Tradition 12). He stated that he was here 'on vacation' and that he had been invited to speak at the convention and was not being paid. When a person is invited to do service in AA, it is customary to cover the person's travel expenses so he is here on a paid vacation...a subtle but important difference. As for the issue of his remuneration, as the CEO and President of his Last Mile Foundation (http://www.thelastmilefoundation.org/) he is no doubt drawing a salary and it would be interesting to see if the entity received funds from WAYPAA or any of the groups here in Perth, something for the CSO to look into.

On that subject, he has operated several foundations and legal entities including Step'n Ahead and Emotional Sobriety 101 (http://emotionalsobriety101.com/) which is identical to the Last Mile Foundation website. Both websites are a single page affair, clearly done in haste and poorly written with a nebulous mission statement. Granted, both are still under construction but the only professional aspect of either is the PayPal link.

pp. please see the attached screenshot as evidence of his association with this abominable board game:” [edited]

Comment: And he likes Tom Cruise …. say no more! (see Scientology – now there's a business model for making money!)

Cheers

The Fellas (Friends of Alcholics Anonymous)

PS Our thanks to our contributor

AA Minority Report 2013 - Appendix 1k Wayne B

Appendix 1k Wayne B

The eleventh of fifteen appendices to the AA Minority Report 2013

The Last Mile Foundation aka Step'n Ahead aka Emotional Sobriety aka …. who knows what else!

Busy …. busy …. busy... No time to lose!...... So many addicts to 'save' and so much dosh to be collected.... how does Wayne Butler (president/CEO) find the time!

And so …..from Perth, Western Australia:

“Hi friends of AA,

It was wonderful to find your article on this Wayne B. and his company!

I live in Perth, Western Australia and I am a very concerned member of AA because of the same reasons written in your concerns!

You're correct …. he has been here often, got to the young members, how I have seen them change under him. They teach his words, follow like sheep!!

One of the most dangerous issues is they are preaching NO medication!!!!! I have had a young newcomer on the phone to me crying after his "Spons" had told him he was not to take any medication while coming off alcohol, this poor sweet young man had not one but two alcoholic seizures ending up in hospital, he could have died and almost did! The doctor treating him wanted the name of this sponsor from AA , this looks bad for the fellowship!! After being made to feel under the control of this "Spons" making many phone calls to AA members but not able to distance himself from this "group" he is missing/gone..

Yes he comes here to his "work shops" or using AA members not aware of his game to fund them!

The control over his followers here frightens me and many other AA members. They go out to our meetings promoting their next "Money Raising Event". And they have had many!! We were informed to have a group conscience meeting and add that we only announce changes to AA meetings or AA anniversaries. We do Not give medical advice at this meeting,please respect this in your sharing. Also if they do not, then do not ask them to share.

We have also stopped them announcing their "events" where you pay at the door, or prepay in our AA literature, this along with not being able sell their event to our members should stop the funding for his company from our true AA members!

The control is out of control!!!

God bless


….....
Perth”

and then... from Rochester, New York state:

“Hello -

It looks like the Emotional Sobriety folks are coming to my hometown for our annual fall conference. I am very glad to have come across your site, and the links back to their program. Something just didn't ring true. I certainly have no intention of attending!

http://www.rochester-ny-aa.org/ you'll find a link to the conference flyer on this page

….....”

(our edits)

Comment: Quite apart from the vicious consequences suffered by new AA members as a result of this commercial enterprise's irresponsible activities it would seem that the Rochester Area Intergroup is now complicit in promoting the very same! Now what was that tradition ….. the one about non affiliation.. And wasn't there another one about being self supporting through our own voluntary contributions? Nah! It's slipped our minds for the time being....... couldn't have been very important anyway..... could it?

Cheerio

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

PS Rochester Area Intergroup incidentally will shortly be receiving a link to the above!

Last Mile Foundation …... cashes in!

Extract from our forum: http://forums.delphiforums.com/aacultwatch under thread: “TLM in Alanon UK?”

“I don’t know the situation with Al-anon, but the Last mile Foundation is active in AA in South East England. The Last mile foundation also goes under the name of “Stepnahead” and “Step’n Ahead into Emotional Sobriety”. I was handed a “Step’n Ahead into Emotional Sobriety” workshop flyer, distributed in an AA meeting in Sussex. The workshop was in London, September 2009, with Workshop speakers Wayne B and Tina A. (Los Angeles, CA). Last year I acquired a 12 step workbook produced by the foundation called “We are… Step’n Ahead” from someone who was involved with Primary Purpose groups in the South East.

There’s something about a retreat in Scotland on the Last Mile foundation’s website, in a testimony by a guy called Lawrence D:

“My first 'in person' experience with the Step'n Ahead workshop was in Scotland, and it provided me with immense hope. When I attended the Scotland workshop, I was blown away with the information they espoused about The ISM Factor, the Faulty Emotional Dependency Syndrome……” https://thelastmilefoundation.org/Lawrence_D.html

Lawrence also says in his testimony: "I was six months sober when I left London England. I had completed the first 9 steps with my sponsor. I immigrated to Perth Australia. I started a new group at two years into my sobriety.....”

To follow the story of “Step’n Ahead” in Perth Australia, see this article on aacultwatch:

http://aacultwatch.blogspot.co.uk/2011/12/minority-report-ends-up-in-australia.html

On the last mile foundation’s website home page, it can be seen that it targets its business at AA members for them to refer other members, especially those who might be considering professional medical help or counselling, (in other words, the vulnerable) to the Last Mile Foundation’s business.

This is from the Last mile Foundation website’s home page:

“..We need your help on two fronts: Referrals and donations.

1] We want and we encourage AA members to refer alcoholics to us who fit

our demographic, especially those who are talking about going on medication or into a treatment program or talk therapy; most importantly, before they do so.

2] We want to ensure that those who suffer from symptoms of The ISM Factor in alcoholism in sobriety -- regardless of an ability to pay -- has an opportunity to attend Step'n Ahead.

In addition to our affordable fees, we will fund our program through tax-deductible donations from Friends of Step'n Ahead, small business owners, corporations, individuals, government grants, and other fund raising efforts.”

Links to the Last mile Foundation:

http://www.stepnahead.com/

https://thelastmilefoundation.org/Home.html

I don’t think having an opinion on this matter is breaking Tradition Ten. The opposite is true. These things have to be taken seriously. Tradition Ten is not the relevant Tradition, this is a matter of upholding Traditions Four and Six, and also the General Warranties of Conference (Concept 12, warranties Five and Six) It is a matter regarding the affiliation to, or endorsement of, related facilities or outside enterprises. In this case, where a business is operating in AA, to call it an outside issue is a misunderstanding of traditions. AA has to protect itself from businesses which attempt to merge their activities within AA. Traditions Four, Six and Concept 12, Warranties Five and Six are clear The AA name cannot be lent to any outside enterprise; they must be entirely separate. There is a responsibility for AA members to see this is done by actively upholding AA Traditions and General Warranties of Conference. (Concept 12) This is not having an opinion on outside issues; it is having an opinion on an outside interference in the affairs of AA. It is something which AA members need to address at all levels.

I wouldn’t be surprised if it is targeting Al-anon as well, it doesn’t make much business sense to only make money out of one fellowship when you can make it out of two.

I have seen a retreat business under a different name advertising retreats in the USA, Ireland, England and Scotland, targeting its business at AA, Al -anon, NA, and their families.

I think for a newcomer to be “blown away with information they espoused” as stated by Lawrence D, which excite feelings of euphoria followed by emotional attachment to the mission could be interpreted as brainwashing, especially if they are in a particularly emotionally vulnerable state which ought to be treated by a medical professional or counsellor instead.

I think the workbook is complicated and absolute nonsense in places. In some places I can't work out it out at all. If I'd had to work through it in early recovery it would have made me feel inadequate to the point of being neurotic.

I hope this info. helps

P.S. This edit applied 04/07/12 [US date order] . It appears Wayne has changed the wording on the Last Mile Foundation website from:

"1] We want and we encourage AA members to refer alcoholics to us who fit our demographic, especially those who are talking about going on medication or into a treatment program or talk therapy; most importantly, before they do so."

to:

"We invite referrals of alcoholics and abnormal drinkers (and their loved ones) to our workshop program who fit our demographics."

Maybe there's a higher power at work. All he needs to do now to respect AA Traditions is to remove all other references to "AA" and "Alcoholics Anonymous" which might give an actual or implied connection between his workshops, his book and the Alcoholics Anonymous program. “

Cheers

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

PS Later this year we will be adding a "Conference Questions" section to our forum to permit a more wide ranging (and less censored) discussion (and with a facility for members to message each other, which is currently unavailable on the AA GB forum)

The Last Mile Foundation – another firm cashing in!

Extract from our discussion forum:

“I don’t know the situation with Al-anon, but the Last mile Foundation is active in AA in South East England. The Last mile foundation also goes under the name of “Stepnahead” and “Step’n Ahead into Emotional Sobriety”. I was handed a “Step’n Ahead into Emotional Sobriety” workshop flyer, distributed in an AA meeting in Sussex. The workshop was in London, September 2009, with Workshop speakers Wayne B and Tina A. (Los Angeles, CA). Last year I acquired a 12 step workbook produced by the foundation called “We are… Step’n Ahead” from someone who was involved with Primary Purpose groups in the South East.

There’s something about a retreat in Scotland on the Last Mile foundation’s website, in a testimony by a guy called Lawrence D:

“My first 'in person' experience with the Step'n Ahead workshop was in Scotland, and it provided me with immense hope. When I attended the Scotland workshop, I was blown away with the information they espoused about The ISM Factor, the Faulty Emotional Dependency Syndrome……”

https://thelastmilefoundation.org/Lawrence_D.html

Lawrence also says in his testimony: "I was six months sober when I left London England. I had completed the first 9 steps with my sponsor. I immigrated to Perth Australia. I started a new group at two years into my sobriety.....”

To follow the story of “Step’n Ahead” in Perth Australia, see this article on aacultwatch:

http://aacultwatch.blogspot.co.uk/2011/12/minority-report-ends-up-in-australia.html

On the last mile foundation’s website home page, it can be seen that it targets its business at AA members for them to refer other members, especially those who might be considering professional medical help or counselling, (in other words, the vulnerable) to the Last Mile Foundation’s business.

This is from the Last mile Foundation website’s home page:

“..We need your help on two fronts: Referrals and donations.

1] We want and we encourage AA members to refer alcoholics to us who fit our demographic, especially those who are talking about going on medication or into a treatment program or talk therapy; most importantly, before they do so.

2] We want to ensure that those who suffer from symptoms of The ISM Factor in alcoholism in sobriety -- regardless of an ability to pay -- has an

opportunity to attend Step'n Ahead.

In addition to our affordable fees, we will fund our program through tax-deductible donations from Friends of Step'n Ahead, small business owners, corporations, individuals, government grants, and other fund raising efforts.”

Links to the Last mile Foundation:

http://www.stepnahead.com/

https://thelastmilefoundation.org/Home.html

I don’t think having an opinion on this matter is breaking Tradition Ten. The opposite is true. These things have to be taken seriously. Tradition Ten is not the relevant Tradition, this is a matter of upholding Traditions Four and Six, and also the General Warranties of Conference (Concept 12, warranties Five and Six) It is a matter regarding the affiliation to, or endorsement of, related facilities or outside enterprises. In this case, where a business is operating in AA, to call it an outside issue is a misunderstanding of traditions. AA has to protect itself from businesses which attempt to merge their activities within AA. Traditions Four, Six and Concept 12, Warranties Five and Six are clear The AA name cannot be lent to any outside enterprise; they must be entirely separate. There is a responsibility for AA members to see this is done by actively upholding AA Traditions and General Warranties of Conference. (Concept 12) This is not having an opinion on outside issues; it is having an opinion on an outside interference in the affairs of AA. It is something which AA members need to address at all levels.

I wouldn’t be surprised if it is targeting Al-anon as well, it doesn’t make much business sense to only make money out of one fellowship when you can make it out of two.

I have seen a retreat business under a different name advertising retreats in the USA, Ireland, England and Scotland, targeting its business at AA, Al-anon, NA, and their families.

I think for a newcomer to be “blown away with information they espoused” as stated by Lawrence D, which excite feelings of euphoria followed by emotional attachment to the mission could be interpreted as brainwashing, especially if they are in a particularly emotionally vulnerable state which ought to be treated by a medical professional or counsellor instead.

I think the workbook is complicated and absolute nonsense in places. In some places I can't work out it out at all. If I'd had to work through it in early recovery it would have made me feel inadequate to the point of being neurotic.

I hope this info. Helps”

Comment: None needed

Cheerio

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

The Minority report ends up in Australia!

“Hi there,

After writing the below I notice Wayne B gets a mention in your "A Minority report to conference 2012."

I went to his workshop last year, more than a few were on the verge of relapse after it. This group has become increasingly noticeable in Perth, Australia. Headed by Wayne Butler from the USA, his company through which this runs is The Last Mile Foundation …... Locally they brand themselves as having "Emotional Sobriety."

They breach lots of the traditions, and they have grow through local members not knowing or turning a blind eye to it.

They have their own "big book" and "12 step guide", known as the Step n' Ahead Workbook. They have a pyramid type sponsorship structure. All follow the same directions, HP is my sponsor and you're either willing or not. Never question your sponsor, no medication, no other therapists. They are told they have to have 5 sponsee's and actively recruit and target newcomers. Its very much an ego, personality type group that sees itself as the true AA. Most original members are those who were in AA, didn't work the program were about to leave/drink, then found this extreme version.

I personally have no issue if a member wants to go the extreme route, but it is the targeting of the newcomer that is the concern. The slanting and twisting of the big book, and the controlling cult like behaviour that goes on outside the rooms. ….......

many thanks”

An AA convention? We think not!

Cheers

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

(Our thanks to our reporter in Perth)

Wessex (cult) Intergroup Update and other sundry matters

Well it would seem that south west region are less than enthused by the new all-singing, all-dancing cult intergroup's bid to join the AA fold. The chairman of this new 'creation' was recently invited to put his case to region as to why this novel body (composed of two groups: Bournemouth Road to Recovery – part of the Visions/Road to Recovery cult franchise and Poole St Ann's Hospital, Thursday) should be allowed to participate in the AA service structure. Apparently his oratorical skills (up to this point mostly devoted to pointing out to the rest of us how wrong we all are – remember the cult mantra – We are ALWAYS RIGHT and you are ALWAYS WRONG!) failed him at this critical juncture, region were duly unimpressed and the vote went against Wessex; it would not receive the support of region. For those of you who are not fully up to date with this apparently unending saga the new 'intergroup' was formed (unilaterally of course) as a result of the repeated attempts by the Bournemouth cult group to join either Bournemouth IG or Poole IG. Both of these service bodies being fully aware of the cult's performance down in Plymouth ie. Plymouth Road to Recovery (the local branch of the same franchise), declined their advances pointing out to this rogue group their already established history of “controversial” conduct ie. bullying, abusive sponsorship, interference in medical matters etc. So what do you do when no intergroup wants you? Well you starts your own! It's obvious really when you think about it... Doh!!! Still we don't think a minor setback of being given the cold shoulder by south west region will make much of a difference here. Going by past performance the whole thing is something of a red herring anyway. Cult groups by and large only pay lip service to the notion of AA unity (something which they use as a way of manipulating AA members and groups and thereby diverting criticism). We fully expect them to continue in their efforts (no doubt whilst playing the martyr role to the hilt!) to undermine the fellowship by competing with the existing AA IGs in the area, and by the repeated promotion of their own perversions of the recovery programme (sponsorship idolatry, personalities before principles etc). Now talking of perversions we come to …....

…....the Plymouth Road to Recovery group. This troublesome little gang headed up by Wayne P (or that is until recently when his trousers fell down! Wayne incidentally is one of Clancy I's sponsees (Pacific Group) – a grouping many of whom seem to have similar problems with keeping their kegs in place!) together with his two cohorts Alexis K and Jon F (see Incident at Conference) is still busily breaking as many AA traditions as it can discover. The diary dates section of their prettily designed website contains adverts for the latest crop of celebrity circuit speakers to hit the UK. These include two operating under the banner of “Step N ahead into “emotional sobriety””. Step 'N Ahead operates under the auspices of yet another “Foundation” (a US based enterprise) which represents itself as having “non-profit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status from the IRS effective 29 July 2009”. This must be a substantial loss to the US Treasury since this organisation charges a pretty penny indeed for the privilege of attending one of its “workshops”, “conventions” etc together with all the associated paraphernalia of “workbooks”, “CDs” etc, that constitute the usual 'stock in trade' of the professional recovery 'broker'. Moreover the Foundation's website clearly states in a disclaimer that:

“Step'n Ahead into Emotional Sobriety®
Step'n Ahead at The Last Mile® and
Friends of Step'n Ahead®

...cooperate with but are not affiliated with AA or any alcoholism treatment program/process.

The mention of AA herein is not meant to imply or suggest affiliation with, endorsement by nor approval from AA regarding the posting or content of this site, and/or the presentation of the workshop itself. AA neither endorses nor opposes any causes.

The opinions expressed herein are those of the workshop leaders. They do not wish to imply nor suggest they speak as experts for or representatives of medicine, psychology, psychiatry, religion or talk therapy.”

Now we are distinctly impressed by this nifty side-stepping of the non-affiliation tradition, something that might even be contrived by a lawyer, and which brings us on rather neatly to one of the speakers at this heavily promoted event:

“S. D. Washington, D.C.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"This young and sober legal-eagle found himself spiritually defenseless and broken in sobriety as he attempted to argue and defend his own case of troubled emotions v. the world -- and lost; but he emerged victorious when he finally surrendered his case to the 'highest court' and plead for mercy."

together with yet another Wayne (but not our own “trouserless one”), Wayne B, who hails from St Petersburg Florida (also due to “headline” shortly in Terra Haute, Wabash Valley Intergroup, Indiana (US).

Anyways we'll leave it to you to hunt down this gang (we've given you quite enough clues after all!) Of more interest from our point of view (and in respect of non-affiliation) is the fact that the Derbyshire Intergroup have had their entire website link with the main AA (GB) website removed on the grounds that the IG site carried a link to Google maps (see Stop Press: 16/09/11 “Derbyshire AA Intergroup?”) Now the Plymouth Road to Recovery website (which has an indirect link posted on the same AA website) has been carrying promotional material for non-affiliated organisations for some time now (quite apart from advertising various “personalities” eg. the “Venerable” C (otherwise known as Clancy I) yet their website retains advertising space on the GB website. We pointed out this apparent anomaly to the General Service Office (York). It will be interesting to see what happens (or not as the case may be)!

Business as usual we guess!

Cheers

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

(our thanks to our local reporters for the info)