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Volume IV Issue 8

Welcome to the August 2013 issue of the District 7 Newsletter. This month, there’s no particular theme, just more random gleanings from here and there. Thank you this month for contributions from Kevin H-B and Dan S. Keep in mind that some of this material is not Conference Approved and may not be found in the Big Book. In those cases, please feel free to disregard it. As we say, take what you need and leave the rest (which is also not in the Big Book).

Congratulations to our HMB Area Chair, Pat L., who was the first to correctly identify last month’s History Quiz picture. Congratulations, Pat! And thanks to all the other AA members/dog lovers...

Please consider writing a short (or even long) article that shares your experience, strength, and hope with the rest of the District 7 newsletter readers. Send your contributions, suggestions, and requests to be added to the distribution to:

District7Newsletter@gmail.com

– Jack S-O, Alcoholic Editor

Mission Statement: The District 7 Newsletter is published monthly and is distributed as an e-mail in an effort to be more eco-friendly, as well as to reduce postage and printing costs. Please feel free to forward this e-mail, because we are unable to reach all our District 7 members, especially at the group level. If you want your contributions to be included in the newsletter, please e-mail us at District7Newsletter@gmail.com The District 7 Newsletter committee will do its best to make this a valuable resource for communication, and to allow the members of our District to keep in touch with each other, further strengthening the unity of our fellowship.

Step 8 Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.

TradiTion 8Alcoholics Anonymous should remain forever nonprofessional, but our service centers may employ special workers.

ConCepT ViiiThe trustees are the principal planners and administrators of overall policy and finance. They have custodial oversight of the separately incorporated and constantly active services, exercising this through their ability to elect all the directors of these entities.

District 7 Monthly Business Meetings are held at 7:30 pm on the 2nd Wednesday of the month at Christ the King Episcopal Church, 3021 State Route 213 East, Stone Ridge, NY 12484. If you’re a Group Service Representative (GSR), please plan to attend and represent your group. If your home group is not represented by a GSR, why not volunteer to be GSR? Service is gratitude in action.

Copyright © 2013 All Rights Reserved HMB District 7A.A. and Alcoholics Anonymous are registered trademarks ® of Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.Some material reprinted from AA service materials with permission of A.A. World Services, Inc.

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I was not too well at the time, and was plagued by waves of self-pity and resentment. This sometimes nearly drove me back to drink, but I soon found that when all other measures failed, work with another alcoholic would save the day. – Bill’s Story, Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 15

District 7 Trusted Servants

District Committee Member (DCM)Ritch L. Alternate DCMMike C.

SecretaryBarbara W. TreasurerDan B.

TreatmentDennis M.

LiteratureKate S.

GrapevineRuth D. Cooperation with the Professional Community/Public Information(CPC/PI)William D.

Corrections: Guy K.

RecordsKevin B. Answering Service LiaisonPat D.

FunctionsJay T.

NewsletterJack S.-O. District7Newsletter@gmail.com

Service Opportunities:

• Special Needs • Bridging the Gap• Alternate DCM

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Did You Know? Every issue of this newsletter, as well as those of most other Districts in HMB Area 48, can be found on the HMB web site:www.aahmbny.org and click on the Newsletters tab.

Back issues of the HMB Area Newsletter are also available there, as well as details of upcoming Area events.

District 7 Meeting Notes July 10, 2013

Meeting began at 7:31 with the Serenity Prayer.

DCM (Mike C): HMB Convention in Utica in November. Will bring up again next month. Fellowship Day on 6/22 well-attended, talked about contributions and having people get involved in committee. Not very focused on solutions...Mike supplied coffee and will get a check back for that.

Secretary (Barbara): Minutes accepted “as is” from last month.

Treasurer (Dan): (See report on page 7.) Previous balance $1,250.68, 1$88.00 in contributions. No expenses, error last month noted on report. Will be sending in check to renew Grapevine. $1,500.68 less $500.00 prudent reserve, $1000.68 is current balance. District 16 answering service bill will be up next month for quarterly payment. Discussion re: contributing to Fellowship Day. Guy suggested making a donation since it is after the fact. Received a notice from Space Station that there will be an increase from $40 to $50/month for storage unit.

Treatment (Dennis): All the meetings are covered. Detox good and the Darmstadt meeting is working sporadically. Mike received a phone call that person who was supposed to lead Sunday Detox meeting didn’t show up. Suggested to remind people who take the commitment. Guy mentioned Veritas Villa picnic coming up this Saturday at 10 AM.

Literature (Kate): Nothing to report

Grapevine (Ruth): Nothing to report. She will be going back to school and will need to give up commitment unless she can participate via email. Motion made and passed to allow Ruth to do by email.

Corrections (Guy): Getting cooperation from the Ulster County Jail. Need more people to attend orientation. Can contact Guy or Sally if interested. After orientation, AAs must attend 2-3 meetings before someone can take the meeting. Women’s meeting on Tuesday nights. Good news: have friends employed at DFY (Division for Youth) and they would like AA meetings; this will bring another service commitment - boys’ facility in Highland.

Records (Kevin): Passing around the book and asking for any group changes. Asked for someone to check prison meetings so Corrections desk at GSO can be current. Went to NERAASA and found out how they determine number of AA members, by numbers of members for each group. Asked to have people check

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the numbers for groups listed on meeting information sheets. Many groups have lists of their members. Wed. night BB group in Kingston hasn’t turned in their registration form. Pat stated that it is a workshop group. Also brought up that some women came to CTK tonight for a women’s meeting - apparently there is a web site with incorrect information.

Answering Service (Pat D): Has a new list rotating people on call. Sarah will meet with Family of Woodstock in the next few weeks. If people haven’t been called yet, probably been headed off by Family, which is what is supposed to happen. Suggested saving number as Family of Woodstock on caller ID.

Functions (Jay): Labor Day picnic coming up 9/2. Discussed sober movie night; would like to show Flight but don’t have a day set up yet and where. If not decided, will call a Functions meeting to set up. Mike stated that he spoke to Chris re: Benedictine auditorium and called but didn’t get a response. Jay said we could show movie at the Legion Hall - $90 on Saturday or by donation on Friday. Mike suggested choosing 2 nights - 8/9 and 8/16 and will see when Carl (projectionist) can come. Jay can let Jack know if it is prior to next meeting and will get a committee together to get refreshments, flyer, etc. Popcorn and water, suggested $5 donation for movie. No problem with securing permit for Labor Day picnic and Jay is hoping that movie night might help to offset cost. Discussion about putting information out on the internet and how to protect identity - Lisa had suggested advertising via Facebook to AA Facebook groups.

Newsletter (Jack): Not in attendance (and greatly missed!!!)

CPC/PI (William): Responded to Marlboro School District - catalogue to order literature. Called RNN and talked to them about showing a PSA and they requested download. Checked with GSO but they don’t have English speaking download app. William sent DVDs instead. Talked with YNN and they don’t have a policy now so couldn’t agree to PSA, but William will stay in touch. Called Public Access station but no response yet. Needs money for Ellenville Blueberry Festival in August $20, needs $22 literature packet and $20 mailing and 2 PSA DVDS. Requested $90 to cover these items.

New Business:

William requested $90 for CPC/PI - motion passed.

Dan went over procedure about pooling Functions cash and previous discussion about creating a separate line. Found out that there is a separate account for

My recovery is like perfume: it is better discovered, not announced. – Editor

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Note from your Alcoholic Editor: My stint as your newsletter editor will end after the December 2013 issue. I’ve become a big fan of the spirit of rotation, so this service opportunity will soon be available! Are there any interested writers/editors out there? Over the years, we’ve had newsletters produced by the talented Linda S., Bob M., Ritch L., and yours truly. Please let me know if you have any interest in this position - it’s a BLAST!!

Calling all ink-stained wretches!!

Functions that hasn’t been used since 2009. Has $627.00 cash that needs to be taken care of. Breakdown of Functions expenditures presented. New procedure proposed that Treasurer will put Functions money into separate account at M & T Bank.

Motion passed to extend meeting by 5 minutes.

Mike: Booker meeting clarification. Kevin stated that it was decided last year that this district would hold meeting. First one was 3 months ago and had about 8 people. Meeting tonight brought in 3 groups. Next meeting will be in October. Mike would like committee to make sure that word gets out and put into newsletter. Guy said that we need to be responsible for getting word out about booking meeting. After October meeting, it will be up to 3 DCMs to get together and decide if our district still wants to be responsible. Will table issue and bring back up in September.

Guy: 8/17-19 Information Workshop in Canandaigua, NY - in newsletter (See flyer on page 17.)

Meeting ended at 8:36 PM with Serenity Prayer

7/12/13 Addendum: Sober Movie Night has been confirmed for 8/16, flyer to follow! (See flyer on page 11.)

Service, gladly rendered, obligations squarely met, troubles well accepted or solved with God’s help, the knowledge that at home or in the world outside we are partners in a common effort, the well-understood fact that in God’s sight all human beings are important, the proof that love freely given surely brings a full return, the certainty that we are no longer isolated and alone in self-constructed prisons, the surety that we need no longer be square pegs in round holes but can fit and belong in God’s scheme of things... – Twelve Steps And Twelve Traditions, page 124

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AA History Quiz

Last month I asked you which of our early AA members had a dog named Roger? Pat L. correctly identified this good dog as Dr. Bob’s beloved pit bull. Good spot, Pat! Good dog, Roger! Here’s the same picture of Roger with young Smitty and Sue.

New Quiz

This month’s quiz comes out of the Big Book. In Bill’s Story, Ebbie is telling his old friend, Bill, how he got sober. The last full paragraph on page 9 says: “In a matter of fact way he told how two men had appeared in court, persuading the judge to suspend his commitment.” What were the names of the two men who appeared in court with Ebby?

If you think you know, send your answer to:

district7newsletter@gmail.com

First correct entry will get a mention here in the September newsletter. Good luck!

Willingness, honesty and open mindedness are the essentials of recovery.But these are indispensable. – Spiritual Experience, Alcoholics Anonymous

A.A. Step 12 from the Original Manuscript:

Having had a spiritual experience as a result of this course of action, we tried to carry this message to others, especially alcoholics,

and to practice these principles in all our affairs.

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HMB District 7 Treasurer’s ReportJuly 10, 2013

Beginning Balance $1252.68

Income Young and Young at Heart $40.00 A Vision for Youth $68.00 Just for Today $40.00 New Freedom Promises $40.00 Mathematic error from 6/2013 Treasurer’s Report +$60.00

Income subtotal $ 248.00

Expenses

Expenses subtotal $0.00

Ending Balance $1500.68

Prudent Reserve $500.00Available Balance $1000.68

Suggested Seventh Tradition Contributions:

(40/30/30)

40%HMBDistrict7P.O.Box1654Kingston,NY12402-1654

30%HMBAreaAssociationRt.30,#114118PolarPlazaAmsterdam,NY12010

30%GeneralServiceOffice(GSO)P.O.Box459GrandCentralStationNewYork,NY10163

ThesesuggesteddistributionpercentagescanbefoundinthePamphletF-3.Self-Support:WhereMoneyandSpiritualityMix,page13.

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Sometimes you climb out of bed in the morning and you think, I’m not going to make it, but you laugh inside — remembering all the times you’ve felt that way.

– Charles Bukowski

Gossip

The unity of Alcoholics Anonymous is the most cherished quality our society has.– Bill W. , Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions

I know this, but how often do I fall short of putting our common welfare before my own petty rivalries and jealousies?

The sick alcoholic in me loves to fault find and gossip. Of course I do. When my attention is focused on you, I can avoid looking at me. While I’m busy winging and moaning about another person’s behavior, I’m not on my knees asking for my defects to be removed and I’m not occupied with trying to pass the AA message on to a newcomer. The consequence of this is that my own spiritual health suffers. All of a sudden, it’s my behavior that’s off key and I become the focus of the gossip. As my sponsor once said to me “You can tell more about the accuser than the accused.” I know that to be true. When I’m not dealing with resentment and fear in my life, you are all at fault. I can bore my sponsor to death with all my gripes about what he’s done now and what she’s said.

Once I’m rid of these things, I start to become more tolerant and understanding. Comments from others are water off a duck’s back, and people’s actions aren’t deliberately intended to get at me. In fact, I’m not that bothered what everyone else is up to, because I’m too busy enjoying my own life!

The other problem with gossip is that when I do it in people’s absence, it’s a sure bet I will be talking about you when you’re not around. Any form of scandalous gossip is a major contributor to disunity, and flies in the face of Tradition One. Listening to it is just as dangerous to my spiritual health.

Without a doubt, issues and concerns need to be dealt with. However, I can deal with them in a much more effective and adult manner when I have taken care of my resentments and asked God for guidance.

Some members can’t help but nearly burst with enthusiasm about A.A. I may be tempted to ridicule them, but does it really matter. They have found God and they are happy - exactly what the Steps promise us. What’s more, they are sharing a message of hope and encouragement that the newcomer just can’t ignore.

We do talk about each other a great deal, but we almost invariable temper such talk by a spirit of love and tolerance. If I can do that, then I am doing my tiny part to help A.A. maintain the spirit of Tradition One. – Josephine P., Road to Recovery, Plymouth

Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends on A.A. unity.

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August Celebrations

8/1/13 Eva celebrates 12 years at Kingston Young People’s.8/1/13 Kellie celebrates 14 years at Kingston Young People’s.8/1/13 Thea celebrates 22 yeara at Kingston Young People’s. 8/6/13 Al McM. celebrates 32 years in Denver CO.8/27/13 Kim celebrates at Just for Today in High Falls.8/31/13 Amy B. celebrates 3 years at Saturday Morning After in High Falls.8/31/13 Martha M. celebrates 25 years at Saturday Morning After in High Falls.8/31/13 Jack S-O celebrates 26 years at Saturday Morning After in High Falls. Patty C. celebrates 3 years somewhere, sometime in August. Dan B. celebrates 8 years somewhere (Rebos?), sometime in August.

Meeting News

10/9/13 NEW! Ulster County booker meeting at 6:00 PM, before the District 7 business meeting at Christ the King on Route 213 in High Falls.

Quote of the Month

“For Every Nut in the Program, There Is a Bolt.”

When I first entered the rooms of recovery, I was a little taken aback by some of the strange characters that I heard share. Some had been to prison, some had lived on the streets, some had been prostitutes, some were ex-gangsters, and some were still pretty crazy. “These people have nothing in common with me,” I told my sponsor. “How are they going to help me get clean?” “Some of these people may not be able to help you directly,” he said. “But the fact that they can get this thing and stay sober shows that you can, too.” I saw his point. “Besides that,” he continued, “even if they don’t have the exact experience you’ve had, there will be someone else who will. No matter what’s going on with you, there will always be somebody who has the experience, strength and hope you’ll need.” Over the years, I’ve found this to be so true. One of the things I’ve learned to count on is that there is always someone who can help me, regardless of what I’m going through. This has taught me the value of everyone in the program - not just those that I can identify with. Now I know that there is a bolt for every nut in the program - even me!

Overheard at an anniversary meeting. Old-timer to celebrant:

Congratulations on doing what you should have been doing all along...

Ouch!

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The Grapevine Corner

“We AAs are the best listeners in the world -- that is, when we’re not talking!” In Our Own Words Maspeth, N.Y., May 1998 “The Best Listeners,” In Our Own Words: Stories of Young AAs in Recovery

“I asked, ‘Is this AA?’ One man said, ‘Yes, but we ain’t got no women.’ I said, ‘You do now,’ and sat down on the couch in the front of the room.” Lexington, Ky., November 2001 “The Seven-Day Test,” Voices of Long-Term Sobriety

“We made a lot of mistakes. On the basis of our mistakes, Bill W. put together the Twelve Traditions ... The early members brought us one Tradition at a time, in the long form – for our group conscience and vote. We discussed each one, took out anything that we didn’t want, made amendments, and then voted. I consider the Twelve Traditions to be the foundation of AA. There were a great many other things that contributed to this foundation, but this was the first really progressive step for our Fellowship.” Voice of Long Term Sobriety Lafayette, Calif., June 1995 “From Wagon Trains to Jets,” Voices of Long-Term Sobriety

In 2012, Grapevine launched a new free service for the fellowship. Every day, a new quote is published on: www.AAGrapevine.org and sent out as an email. Each quote is drawn from the deep well of classic Grapevine stories dating back to 1944. Start your day with an inspiring passage from Grapevine Quote. Don’t forget to tell your group and friends. Point your browser to: www.AAGrapevine.org look for the Daily Quote box, and click on the Sign up for the daily e-mail link.

http://www.aagrapevine.org/

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•Popcorn•BottledWater•AirConditioned!!

SponsoredbyHMBDistrict7FunctionsCommittee

Sober Film Night

Friday,August169pm–12pm

$5SuggestedDonation

MarbletownCommunityCenter

3564MainStreetStoneRidge

In this action-packed mystery thriller, Academy Award winner, Denzel Washington stars as Whip Whitaker, a seasoned airline pilot, who miraculously crash lands his plane after a mid-air catastrophe, saving nearly every soul on board. After the crash, Whip is hailed as a hero, but as more is learned, more questions than answers arise as to who or what was really at fault and what really happened on that plane?

www.rottentomatoes.com

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AA History in August

Aug 11943 - Washington Times-Herald (DC) reports on AA clubhouse; to protect anonymity, withholds address.Aug 31954 - Brinkley S. gets sober at Towns Hospital after 50th detox.Aug 41987 - Your alcoholic editor goes to his first A.A. meeting in Ithaca, NY.Aug 81879 - Dr. Bob born in St. Johnsbury, VT.Aug 91943 - LA groups announce 1,000 members in 11 groups.Aug 111938 - Akron and NY members begin writing stories for Big Book.Aug 151890 - E. M. Jellinek is born, author of The Disease Concept of Alcoholism and the Jellinek Curve.Aug 161939 - Dr. Bob and Sister Ignatia admit first alcoholic to St. Thomas Hospital, Akron, OH.Aug 181988 - 1st Canadian National AA Convention in Halifax, Nova Scotia.Aug 191941 - 1st AA Meeting in Colorado is held in Denver, CO.Aug 251943 - AA group donates Big Book to public library in Quincy, MA.Aug 261941 - Bill writes Dr. Bob to tell him Works Publishing has been incorporated.Aug 281944 - Your alcoholic editor is born in The Hague, The Netherlands.1954 - 24 Hours a Day, written by Richmond W., is published by Hazelden. Some 8 million copies have been sold.

Other significant events in August for which we do not have a specific date:

1934: Rowland H. and Cebra persuade court to parole Ebby T. to them.1937: Bill and Lois stop attending Oxford Group meetings.1939: Dr. Bob wrote and may have signed article for Faith magazine.1939: Dr. Bob and Sister Ignatia (in charge of admissions) started working together at St. Thomas Hospital in Akron, Ohio.1941: 1st meeting in Orange County, CA held in Anaheim.1981: Sales of the Big Book passes 3 million.

Richmond W., author of the 24 Hours a Day meditation book.

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HMB Area Registrar Report - August 2013

Hi Folks,

The Mid-year Directories have been emailed out for updates, as well as a fresh set of Group Records for each District. Updating the Group Record Sheets, especially the meeting Data, will be vital for producing an accurate meeting book for 2014.

We have a few new groups in the Area, of which some have sent forms directly to GSO to register them. This way of registering a group works, but produces extra work for GSO Staff, and myself. The New Group forms, we download from GSO’s web site, do not ask for all of the required data to have the meetings listed on our meeting listing web site. The forms do not ask if the meeting is open, or closed, nor do they ask the meeting types. Also, when GSO enters a new group, the record gets “frozen” for 30 days, and can’t be edited. During this period, when I extract the meeting data to send to Kate, for the web, the meeting information does not show up. The simple solution is to email all New Group forms, downloaded from our Area Web site at: http://aahmbny.org/Forms.html, or information in the text body of an email to me, and I will register the group, and get it on the web right away.

To register a new Group, the required data is:• At least one contact’s full name (Phone and email, if available)• Is the contact the GSR, or just a mail contact?• Group’s Name• Number of members (Two or more)• Meeting type (Open or Closed)• Meeting time and day• Meeting format ( M-Men, W-Women, SP-Speakers, D-Discussion,

B-Beginners, ST-Step, BB-Big Book, T-Traditions, LS-Living Sober, LIT-Literature, GV-Grapevine, H-Accessible, ABSI-As Bill Sees It, -Format Varies- Alternating format, week to week)

• Meeting Location - Address

With this information, I can register a new group. Once registered, I will email the Contact, District Record Keeper, and DCM, the GSO record for the New Group.

There are some things GSO must do, which Registrars can’t. One of these things is to change a city. GSO staff must do this. If your group moves to another town, please get the changes in ASAP, so we can make sure it

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Before AA - not guilty.After AA - guilty. – Roger D.

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Upcoming HMB Area Events: 8/2-4 Burning Desire Bonfire VI Saugerties, NY 8/16-18 NYS Informational Workshop Canandaigua, NY 11/1-3 HMB Area Convention Utica, NY

(Flyers are on following pages.)

gets into the new meeting book. The wait, due to backlog at GSO records Dept. may make it unlikely to show up in our database, if we wait too long. Another thing GSO must do is to change a Group Name. There is a research process required for “Naming” a group.

GSO must also make a group “Active” again. If a group goes without a contact, and the meeting is reported inactive, to reactivate the group, from “inactive” to “active” status, it requires a group contact. A group can’t become active again if it is in an “unknown” status. (No Contact).

So, there are some “rules” in A.A., despite popular opinion. :-D

Thank you all for my Sobriety!

In Grateful Service, Kevin B., HMB Area Registrar

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The assistance you need will be provided by the universe assoon as you convert your readiness to willingness. – Wayne Dyer

I heard this story in a meeting recently: A man was sharing that his first home group always had a can of beans sitting on the chairman’s desk. Every week, there was that can of beans, just begging the question. The man finally got up his nerve and asked one of the group members why that can of beans was there every week. With a wry smile, the group member explained:

= et ff our ss

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GratitudeinAction

As I approach my next AA anniversary, I’m so grateful that I found this wonderful program and have found it unnecessary to take another drink, one day at a time.

I’ve been taught that I have to give it away to keep it, and I’m able to do that in a number of ways. Service to my home group, sponsorship, bringing a meeting to a local detox, and sharing my experience, strength and hope from the heart are all ways I can do that.

Another way I give back is through a Birthday Contribution to GSO. According to the inside flap of the birthday contribution envelope: “…Some members customarily contribute a dollar a year for each year of sobriety, others give a penny a day for each day of sobriety – some give more, not to exceed $3,000 per year…”. So far I’ve managed to stay under that annual giving limit.

So for my 26th anniversary, I will contribute a penny a day for my first year ($3.65) plus a dollar for each year of sobriety ($26) for a total of $29.65. That’s the way one of my early sponsors suggested I do it. If I use the penny a year plan, it works out to 365 x 26 x .01 = $94.90. And of course the dollar a year plan would be $26.

For years I’ve used the birthday envelope to make my little gift. You can order FR-5 with your next literature order from GSO. They’re free! And now, in the digital age, you can even make the donation online at www.aa.org and click the large A.A. Member Contributions Online button. You can pay for the gift from your credit card or by an electronic transfer E-check directly from your checking account. You can even credit the gift to your home group. Just ask your GSR for your Group’s Service Number. Your home group does have a GSR, right?

Again, according to the inside flap of the envelope: …”All contributions are welcome! It is the still-suffering alcoholic who ultimately benefits from your generous spirit…” – Jack S-O

When life gives you more than you can stand, kneel... – Internet

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HVYPAA:Hudson ValleyYoung Peoplein AA

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Loneliness, insomnia, and change: the fear of these is even worse than the reality. – Mignon McLaughlin

Area 47 is hosting the 34th NYS Informational Workshop

Panels of speakers from each area of NY

A speaker from GSO

Food and entertainment

August 16-18, 2013

The Notre Dame Retreat House

5151 Foster Rd. Canandaigua, NY 14424

Register by July 31st – Room availability based on first come first serve

See reverse for registration and details For questions please email: altdelegate@aacny.org

...for love cannot be far behind a grateful heart and thankful mind. – A Course in Miracles. M, 55

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HMB:HudsonMohawk

Berkshire

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WORKING WITH OTHERS – TWELFTH STEP REWARDS “PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE shows that nothing will so much insure immunity from drinking as intensive work with other alcoholics.” (Alcoholics Anonymous p. 89) One of the paradoxes of Alcoholics Anonymous is we “give it away to keep it.” (“The Professor and the Paradox,” Alcoholics Anonymous 2nd Edition p. 341.) “In order to keep whatever it is we get in A.A., we must go about giving it to others.”

Dr. Bob, our cofounder, stated in his story “Doctor Bob’s Nightmare,” “I spend a great deal of time passing on what I learned to others who want and need it badly. I do it for four reasons: (1) Sense of duty. (2) It is a pleasure. (3) Because in so doing I am paying my debt to the man who took time to pass it on to me. (4) Because every time I do it I take out a little more insurance for myself against a possible slip.” (Alcoholics Anonymous p. 181.) The solution in Alcoholics Anonymous is a lifetime endeavor. The work with other alcoholics allows me to receive spiritual awakenings and an opportunity to live in the sunshine of the spirit. None of us have the same experiences. My work with others gives me more understanding of myself and how God directs my day-to-day living. Today, meeting other alcoholics at the door of A.A. and offering the hand of friendship is essential for me to live a spiritual life. I believe the primary purpose of sponsoring in A.A. is taking a person through our steps of recovery. Nothing gets me closer to God than hearing a member’s Fifth Step. Sharing their experience and my experience back and forth brings us closer and closer. The two of us knowing and sharing the fears, resentments and other defects of our characters, as only alcoholics can understand, brings a true understanding of fellowship and love. “Until we had talked with complete candor of our conflicts, and had listened to someone else do the same thing, we still didn’t belong.” (Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions p. 57.) I need the new member as much as he needs me to be able to sense God. Steve L., who spoke at the Shoestring Roundup this summer, sums it up best: “Every time I listen to a Fifth Step, I feel the presence of God”. As long as I continue to do this deal, God will stay in my life. For an alcoholic, this action is vital. Without it, I might or might not drink, but my purpose for living will be gone. Dan S., Prescott Valley, AZ

Dry Drunk:

. . . one that abstains from alcohol, but is still grappling with the emotional and psychological maladies that may have fueled their addiction to begin with, and continues to have a strangle hold on their psyche. – Psychology Today

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Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 Keep coming

back, it works if you work it.

2 Stick with the winners.

3 To thine own self be true.

4 Nothing is so bad, a drink won't make it worse.

5 We are only as sick as our secrets.

6 Keep an open mind.

7 Sponsors: have one use one be one.

8 It works it real-ly does! Pg. 88 Big Book

9 Willingness is the key.

10 You either are or you aren't.

11 Before you say I can't, say I'll try.

12 Don't quit be-fore the miracle happens.

13 Some of us our sicker than others.

14 We're all here because we're not all there.

15 Practice an attitude of grat-itude.

16 The road to so-briety is a simple journey for con-fused people with a complicated dis-

17 It takes time.

18 19 Don't drink, read the Big Book, and go to meet-ings.

20 Make use of the telephone therapy.

21 When all else fails, follow di-rections.

22 Let go of old ideas.

23 Try to replace guilt with grati-tude.

24 What goes around, comes around.

25 Take the cotton out of your ears and put it in your mouth.

26 Sick and tired of being sick and tired.

27 It's the first drink that gets you drunk.

28 To keep it, you have to give it away.

29 Take what you can use and leave the rest.

30 Fear is the darkroom where negatives are de-veloped.

31 Around A.A. or in A.A.?

August 2013

Stay in the main tent, and out of the sideshow.

are

disease.

Formula for becoming an old-timer: • Don’t drink.• Don’t die.

– Unkown

“If you are going to pray, then don’t worry. And if you are going to worry, then don’t bother praying. You can’t be doing both.”

– Sister Alice Martin Omega Institute

Speaking of Old-Timers

At the International Convention in San Antonio in 2010, 40 years of sobriety were needed to even place your name in the hat for the Old-Timer’s Panel. 742 old-timers applied. Ten were picked.

It was recently reported at the Old Timers Panel during the Kentucky State Convention that the required years of sobriety will be bumped to 50 to be selected to speak at the Atlanta AA International. Our delegate confirmed that it has been “board approved.” – Various Sources