( Design - 1945 )   GOD & AA - YOU'RE THE 'DOT' IN THE MIDDLE :-)
The idea and design of an AA pin was dreamed up by a New Jersey member who had 100 run off by hand and presented them to friends in the movement and to all sincere incoming members in his group.  That was about 1945.  Eventually, the supply ran out, but the idea of an AA pin intrigued members everywhere, and the demand for more persisted.  So the design was copyrighted, and distribution of the pins was undertaken by Alanon Association, 384 Seventh Ave., Newark, N.J., which is comprised exclusively of members of Alcoholics Anonymous in good standing in their respective groups. ( Side note:  NA meetings now held there also. )  Next, a custom was started among many groups of presenting a pin to each member as he or she achieved three months of continued sobriety.  In a little ceremony, the group chairman made the presentation or the sponsor, at the start of the meeting with the admonition to "Wear It With Honor." This means, simply, that in case of a "slip" the member is honor bound to leave off wearing the pin until he or she has again achieved three months of unbroken sobriety.
The manufacture and distribution of the pin is entirely in the hands of AA's.
This is direct copy of a leaflet provided by: Alanon Association**, 384 Seventh Ave., Newark, NJ - 07107
** Note: They are not affiliated with Al-Anon.   Alanon is spelled in the same manner as the Clubhouse uses it.
We are in no way affiliated with either.