Well SFPW you are out of touch. In the UK this is a not only a ticket only event but there is seat allocation. The list from each congregation was vetted by the SS in London Bethel confirmation. To call this inclusive is ludicrous. I know of an 18 year old who commenced pioneering on the 1st October who was invited whilst people who have been in good standing for 50 plus years who were not.
The fact that this governing body (note the lack of capitals) chooses this exclusive (excluding) event to release something they consider of great value shows how hierachical this organisation or secret society is. There was no announcement, no letter read, simply the elders clumsily going round the hall issuing invitations to the lucky? ones whilst the others tried to appear unconcerned. So at the next meeting the favoured ones will be brandishing their new bibles whilst the other poor sods will sheepishly open their old ones.
Any one that says that everyone is the same before Jehovah is deluded. How can they organise anything they count as so important in such away that it is only available if you are:
American 100%, other English speaking maybe 60%, other language groups 0%.
The whole AGM thing seems to be aimed at bigging up the governig body. To me it seems ill judged and designed to be divisive. We seem to have a pattern. New light is spread to the few and gradually rolled out the many by rumour and gossip. They seem to be aiming to look more cultish by design.