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1
Monthly Newsletter, Hudson-Mohawk-Berkshire Area 48, District 4
June, 2013
A.A. GENERAL SERVICE OFFICE—GSO
Box 459 Grand Central Station New York, NY 10163
HMB AREA 48 Area Chair-Pat L. [email protected] Area Treasurer Box 114, Route 30 118 Polar Plaza Amsterdam, NY
HMB DISTRICT 4 PMB 159 61 Elmwood Avenue Gloversville, NY 12078 TRUSTED SERVANTS: DCM—Debbie W. (518) xxx-xxxx Cell: (518) xxx-xxxx Alt DCM—Hawk R.
Secretary—Aggie R.
Treasurer—Dave C. COMMITTEE CHAIRS: Answering Service-Debbie W.
Archives—Eric S.
Bridging The Gap– Marianne B.
Corrections-Kean T
CPC/PI-Kirsten P.
Functions-Anne R.
Grapevine-Sandra P.
Newsletter Editor-Bob B.
(518) xxx-xxxx
Records Keeper-
Hawk R.
Annual Summer Gathering
“QUEST” FOR PICNIC SITE
Neighborhood Watch:
A.A. MEETING SITE CLEAN-UP
Wikipedia defines a ‘quest’ in literature or mythology as a journey leading to a
specific goal which requires great exertion on the part of the hero. It demands
the hero to overcome unforeseen obstacles and travel widely. It results in show-
casing new locations and different cultures as it leads to an outcome of good
consequence.
When she saw the Wikipe-
dia definition of a “quest,”
Anne R., our Function’s
Chairman felt this surely
must be describing the
process of finding a place
for the upcoming District 4
summer picnic!
Last year many people,
(both those who attended
the picnic and those unable
to attend) expressed a pref-
erence to hold the 2013
event at site more conven-
ient to all of groups in the
District (particularly Cana-
joharie and Amsterdam).
There was also concern
about (Continued page 7)
Northampton Beach *
Shuttleworth *
*Wintergreen
PROSPECTIVE PICNIC SITES
Complaints have been voiced
from people attending meet-
ings at 76 Guy Park that out-
patients receiving pharmaceu-
tical drugs from the St. Mary’s
Outpatient Program have been
attempting to sell them to A.A.
attendees going to meetings.
Officials at St. Mary’s have
responded with resolve to
swiftly address this problem.
In addition to other steps, they
have asked that anyone seeing
inappropriate solicitations or
loitering by people not attend-
ing a meeting, to please notify
the Hospital’s liaison with Guy
Park A.A. Groups, Donnie D.
You can also contact DCM
Debbie W. at (518) xxx-xxxx or
All information will be passed
to the appropriate people confi-
dentially and without identify-
ing the source.
While announcing this situation
to the “Out To Lunch Bunch”
Group, it was also men-
tioned that recently several
items belonging to A.A.
groups have “disappeared.”
Hopefully the “Neighbor-
hood Watch will help clean
up these situations as well.
2
Call to Order; The May GSR Meeting held at St.
Mary’s Hospital, 3rd Floor was called to order by
DCM, Debbie W. who opened the meeting by read-
ing the Preamble of Alcohol Anonymous.
Approval of Minutes: Secretary notes were
read, Marianne B.motion to accept minutes,
Steve S. 2nd; all in favor.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Treasure report; Joe K. read the treasure re-
port, Hawk motioned to accept report, Steve S.
2nd; all in favor. Joe continues to work with
Dave C. to become more familiar with the posi-
tion.
Archives; Eric S. absent
CPC/PI; Kirsten P. absent
Corrections; Keen absent
Grapevine; Sandra P. absent
Bridging the Gap; Marianne reported that the
old BTG forms are obsolete, Ernie ( area chair)
is working on the new forms. If any clients need
assistance they are to contact Marianne directly
until this matter is resolved. Bob will put an ex-
cerpt in the Newsletter.
Functions; Anne R. absent, she called Deb and
reported that all is going well for the May as-
sembly, which is being held this Sunday 5/19/13
at Florida Town Hall. Les B. reported that due to
a function at the hall on the Saturday prior to the
event, that district 14 will have to set up the ta-
bles the day of the assembly. Les will be at the
hall at 7am Sunday.
Newsletter; Bob B. reported that the newsletter
went out as scheduled. Bob noted that there are
no one year anniversaries for the month of May, and he
encouraged GSR’s to contact him or Aggie as far as the
home group anniversaries for each month. Bob is look-
ing for an assistant newsletter editor to prepare the per-
son for the position when district 4 rotates committee
chairs.
Phone service; Roger W. took the book for the Pass it
on Group. Steve S. brought up the question as to what
happen to the black bag and the literature that is suppose
to accompany the phone book. Deb will look into it.
Records Keeper; Hawk had nothing to report.
Special Needs; Steve S. had Marianne report that all is
well.
Treatment; Dave C. reported that everyone who is do-
ing service work for treatment is doing a great job. Dave
reported that he talked to Sarah Luck and Judge
Gerodeno while attending the Fulton County Drug Court
graduation, and they are willing to let treatment speak
for ½ hour in July.
GSR REPORTS
Steve S. reported that The Great Sacandaga Lake Group
will be having their 40th anniversary on Saturday night.
Hawk reported that the Spring Fling dance t which
Open Arms sponsored went well.
OLD BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
Delegates Day Report: Keith W. will report on Dele-
gates Day at the May assembly. There will be two pro-
posals at the May assembly,1) Anonymity in the news-
letters, 2) Website guidelines. Deb encouraged GSR’s to
check out the information on the area web site. June 7-9
is the Northeast Regional Forum.
Financial Status of GSO: Hawk pointed out that the
GSO is in the red and suggestion was made that if eve-
ryone who celebrates an anniversary made contributions
to the GSO, this would eliminate any financial prob-
lems.
Page 2
A.A.’s ―Helping Hands‖ at Work:
District 4 Service Committee and GSR Reports
(Continued on Page 4)
3
Page 3 Page 3
District 4 GSR Meeting: Monday, June 10, 2013. The meeting begins at 7:00 PM.
All GSR’s and all Committee Chairpersons should attend. If the GSR cannot
attend, Groups should send their Alternate GSR.
A.A. Founder’s Day Celebration: Saturday, June 15, 6:00 PM-9:00 PM. Cele-
brate the founding of Alcoholics Anonymous, 78 years ago (June 10, 1935).
You are invited to attend the group anniversary meeting of the Glens Falls
Original A.A. meeting, celebrating 75 years as a group. Bill W. was one of
the founders of the group which started just three years after the founding of
A.A. Christ Church, Corner of Bay & Washington Streets, Glens Falls, NY
Feel free to bring a dessert.
New Your State Informational Workshop: Friday through Sunday, August 16-
18, 2013– Notredame Retreat House, 5151 Foster Road, Canadaigua, NY
14424. (585) 394-5700. Panels on Treatment, Corrections, CPC, PI, and Spe-
cial Needs.
HMB 2013 Convention: “A Design For Living” (November 1-3, 2013) Hotel
Utica, 102 Lafayette Street, Utica, NY 13502 (315) 724-7829 $99 Rooms
Nightly includes Continental Breakfast. Reservations by phone only.
[Mention HMB Convention for special rate.]
Upcoming Events:
Individual
Anniversaries
Heart to Heart Group:
Gloversville
6/11/66 7 Years
Tough Love Group:
Amsterdam (W. Charlton)
6/4/91 22 Years
Saturday Night Speakup:
Amsterdam 7 Years
6/1/88
GROUP
ANNIVERSARIES
IN JUNE
Thank you to Aggie R.
and Bev P. who maintain
our list of Celebrants.
Announcements:
SUNDAY ―TWELVE STEPPERS‖ TIME CHANGE: Beginning on Father’s Day, June
16th Sunday Step Meeting at 76 Guy Park will meet at 1:00 PM rather than at
12 Noon.
GALWAY GROUP MONTHLY POTLUCK ON VACATION ―ON HOLD‖: The Galway
Together Group is taking a break from having its monthly pot luck dinners on
the third Monday of each month. The group’s regular meeting on Mondays is
an open discussion meeting and starts at the group’s regular time of 7:30 PM.
The pot luck dinners may resume in September. All are welcome.
BRIDGING THE GAP: Due to issues caused by obsolete forms, Marianne B.,
BTG Chairman is requesting that forms for new applicants be sent directly to
her. You can reach Marianne through contacting Debbie W., (518) xxx-xxxx
NEW MEETINGS TO CHECK OUT
NEW NOON MEETING—‖Pathway to Serenity‖ Group. Meets Tuesdays and
Thursdays at the Gloversville Club House, 218 Kingsboro Avenue. Newly
elected officers are: GSR: Anne R.; Alternate GSR: Paauline G.; Treasurer:
James; and Secretary: Glyn.
NEW MIDNIGHT MEETING: The ―Blurry Eye’d Bunch‖ Groupo started in May
with meetings held at the Clubhouse at 218 Kingsboro Ave. in Gloversville. It
meets every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 12:00 A.M.
Also: Dave M., 1 year
4 Page 4
A Message from Your Area Chair-Pat L.
Every year in August the
New York State Informa-
tional Workshop rotates
among the four Areas in
the State. This year the
event will be the weekend
of August 16 through the
18th 2013, in Canandaigua
New York.
Located south of Roches-
ter in the Finger Lakes Re-
gion we will be staying at
the Notre Dame Retreat
House on Foster Road in
Canandaigua. This is a
very casual weekend, featuring panels on Treat-
ment, Corrections, CPC, PI, and Special Needs as
the main panels. Each Area also schedules a cou-
ple panels of their choosing, on service topics.
There will be a speaker from GSO.
Meals will be communal in a large dining room,
and bedrooms will be typical of a retreat house.
Flyers are on the website and in the Area newslet-
New York State Informational Workshop
ter. All AA members are welcome to attend and are
invited to do so. Generally the number of rooms
available is limited. When our Area has hosted, we
have generally had 50 – 55 rooms available, and
these were always filled. Early registration is rec-
ommended. Hope to see you there.
In service, Pat L HMB Area Chair/Alternate Dele-
gate
Notre Dame Retreat House Overlooking Spectacular Canandaigua Lake
“Hey! Where’s the Beef?”
Galway Monday Night
Dinners to Resume in
September
Members of the Monday Night Galway Group
are announcing that they are ending their
monthly potluck dinners which were being held
on the third Monday of every month.
The Group plans to resume with the dinners in
September.
If you didn’t make it to any of the Galway Pot-
lucks, you missed good meals, great company,
and extraordinary meetings and anniversary cele-
brations. Put Galway on your calendar for the
third Monday in September!
Updating Bank Account Signature Authorizations:
Dave C. reported that in order to change the checking
account over the bank needs a signature card. Dave
made a motion to authorize Deb W. and Joe K. as sig-
natures for checking account. Hawk 2nd the motion, all
in favor.
Planning for the Summer Picnic: Dave mentioned
that functions needs to start focusing on the district pic-
nic for the summer, it should be addressed at the next
business meeting. Shuttle Worth Park should be con-
sidered for the picnic.
ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting was adjourned around 8:00 PM by Group
Consensus.
(Continued from Page 2)
District 4 GSR Meeting
5
Rotation insures that fresh ideas are brought to the
table and helps to bring about spiritual rewards far
more enduring than personal
fame. And, in the spirit of Tradi-
tion Twelve, rotation ever re-
minds us "to place principles be-
fore personalities." Terms for
most offices are usually two
years, but can be any length the
Group designates.
A number of District 4 positions
will be rotating at the end of
2013. If you are currently in one
of those positions, it is becoming
time to begin thinking about who
might be able to best fill your
shoes when your term expires. If
you would like to take on service
work for the first time or do ser-
vice in another capacity, now is
the time to let others know.
People rotating out are encour-
aged to make sure to help train your replacement.
Through training your successor, you can assure that
your positive contributions will carry forward.
Smooth, well-planned transitions and training of suc-
cessors are hallmarks of dedicated leaders who put
their organizations first.
Yours in service and unity,
Debbie W., DCM
Page 5
GSO Guidelines for Rotation of Service Positions:
A Message from Your DCM-Debbie W.
12 Stepper’s Time Change
Blurrt Eted Griyo 0 Names of
Officers
Hello, everyone. If you haven’t floated away in the
heavy rains or been blown away by the wind,
you’re probably enjoy-
ing the pleasant
weather we’re experi-
encing between our
summer storms. Our
prayers and thoughts
are with the less fortu-
nate people living in
tornado zones.
I like the summers but
they are never quite
long enough. That
will be true this year
also. Seasons rotate,
and they rotate for a
good reason. The earth
renews itself through
its daily rotation and
through seasonal rota-
tion of the climates.
A.A. renews itself through rotation of its trusted
servants. The GSO guidelines and A.A. experience
over many years suggest that things seem to work
best when service position within A.A. rotate peri-
odically.
Why have rotation at all? Rotation of service posi-
tions keeps A.A. members from becoming frozen in
office. It also ensures that group tasks, like nearly
everything else in A.A., are passed around for all to
share.
―The burden I can bear but the
constant rotation makes me dizzy.‖
Beginning Father’s Day (June 16th), the
Sunday 12 Stepper’s Group will move its
meeting time from 12:00 to 1:00 PM.
The “key issue” behind the time change
is,..well…er ….KEYS!
To open the 76 Guy Park Building,
someone must go to St. Mary’s Hospital
Sunday Meeting Time to Change to 1:00 PM
“Twelve Stepper” Group Addresses Key Issue and sign out the door keys. Keys are available
after 11:00 AM.
Many of the people with cars also go to church
services. Picking up the keys is a burden be-
cause they have to leave Church early. Hope-
fully this time change will help address the is-
sue of “who can get the keys.”
6
The Treasurers Corner
For April and May, 2013
Group Donations to District 4
APRIL:
Gloversville “Pass it on Group” $50.00
Gloversville Friday Night Group 50.00
MAY:
Gloversville Friday Night Group $75.00
Celebration Donations
Come on, Folks. Honor your Sponsor’s
Anniversary or Your Own with $1.00/year.
Thank you for your contributions.
Joe K. Treasurer, HMB District 4
Thank You, Volunteers for a Job Nicely Done!
HMB Area 48 May Assembly Outcomes
The May 19, Area Assembly hosted by Districts
4, 8, and 14 was a successful and fruitful event.
The morning was devoted to hearing a compre-
hensive report from our Area Delegate on the
2013 General Conference.
Many of the items were routine such as minor
changes to Conference Approved Literature.
Two items however, were of great interest to
most people at the assembly.
First, it was de-
cided by GSO
to publish a
commemorative
reprint of the
1st Edition of
the Big Book.
It will be avail-
able sometime
during 2014.
A second item
being followed
my many peo-
ple pertained to
the change in
Is your Group’s
mail going to the
right person?
If your group has changed
GSR’s or other trusted ser-
vants, please be sure to no-
tify Hawk at (518) xxx-
xxxx, (518) xxx-xxxx or re-
cords.district4 @gmail.com
verbiage to the “Blue Card” for “Open Meetings.” The
outcome of the GSO vote was that the Blue Card will re-
main the same.
The success of the H-M-B–Area 48 Assembly was attrib-
uted to the splendid work by volunteers in District 4.
Anne R., was Functions Chairperson. She credits Aggie
R. for helping her “putting it all together” insofar as what
to do next. Aggie also prepared much of the food.
Greeters and people working registration were Debbie
W., Donna D., and Fran B. Sue served as event secre-
tary and she and Adam provided help with soda and wa-
ter. Hallie, Carrie T., Terry T., James, and Antique Jim
made “g...good stuff to eat”! As in the past, Les B. ar-
ranged for the facility and did the lion’s share of the set-up
and take down. We are deeply indebted to these people
for making the event a success! Thank you.
“ANONOMITY FIRST”
GROUP’S MEETING ADDRESS
This group meets at 7:00 PM every Wednesday
Night at 292 East Main Street, Amsterdam
7
For nearly 65 years, the United Presbyterian Church in
Amsterdam has served as ―home‖ for the original
―Amsterdam Group.‖ Group members are extremely sen-
sitive about fire because a little over 10 years ago, the
existing Church Building burned to the ground. A.A. had
been the last group to use the building before the fire.
It was quickly determined, how-
ever, that the fire had been
caused by a boiler explosion of
the Church’s heating system.
On Thursday night when the cof-
fee makers arrived, Alarms were
going off. After a brief scare and
call to officials, it was learned
that alarms had been triggered by
a massive bolt of lightening which
struck the church earlier that af-
ternoon. The lightening was wit-
nessed by several firemen from
their Fire Station who immediately
went to the church. There was
no fire, however the mechanical-
room electrical system and tele-
phone switching system are still
not yet completely functioning. It was reminiscet of the
April, 2011 fire when lightening struck the church’s bell
tower and the entire church burned beyond repair.
The Original Amsterdam Group will celebrate its 65th An-
niversary in November. At it’s Monday Night business
meeting, the group decided to celebrate the event with a
special program to commemorate the early history of A.A.
(Continued from Page 1)
Quest for Picnic Site
the $8.00 per car “day use” fee charged at North-
ampton. Some people felt that this fee kept a
number of people from attending last year.
The goal is to find a “fun location” with full ac-
commodations. People like to play volleyball,
croquet, bocce ball, board games, cards, swim,
and canoe or kayak.
To feed over 100 people, we need guaranteed
pavilions, electricity, and restrooms, all available
on dates which are not in conflict with similar
events of other organizations.
Input is being sought from all GSR’s, Committee
Chairpersons, and others regarding their prefer-
ence of sites. Thus far, three locations have been
suggested:
Herbert L. Shuttleworth Park
1-22 Crescent Park Ave., Amsterdam, NY
12010 (518) 843-1893
Wintergreen Park
100-199 Wintergreen Park Road
Canajoharie, NY 13317 (518) 673-3112
Northampton Beach Campground
328 Housman Street, Mayfield, NY
12177 863-6000
Church Steeple Draws Huge Bolt of Lightening
First Presbyterian Church Unscathed
(...almost.)
View of the Church
Steeple from the
parking lot of the
Amsterdam Fire
Station.
Anne R. will be seeking further input from
GSR’s at the upcoming Monday Night GSR
Meeting. Additional research will be completed
on the sites and hopefully the place for this
year’s picnic will be chosen. Be sure to attend
the meeting so your group’s voice can be heard.
“Pathway to Serenity” at Club 24
New Noon Group: Tuesdays & Thursdays
District 4 is proud to have another
new group in its midst.
The new group, “Pathway to Seren-
ity” meets at the Clubhouse 218
Kingsboro Avenue, Gloversville
every Tuesday and Thursday at 12
noon. The group is highly organized
with a newly elected slate of officers.
Anne R. is the GSR; Pauline G. the
Alternate GSR; Glyn is Secretary; and
James is the Treasurer.
8
(This page of the June newsletter was left blank in the newsletter mailed to snail mail recipi-
ents. After it was printed, however, the information below became available. It was included
in this location ONLY on the email versions of the newsletter:)
A.A. Founder’s Day
FROM THE HMB Area Chair’s Report
In the Area Newsletter:
In June we celebrate the founding of Alcoholics Anonymous, 78 years ago on June 10, 1935. What is
significant for the month of June in our Area is the group anniversary celebration of the Glens Falls
Original
They are celebrating 75 years as a group; Bill W was one of the founders of the
group. Imagine the history of this group, started just three years after the founding of Alcoholics
Anonymous itself.
The anniversary celebration will be June 15, starting at 6 pm with refreshments, then the speakers meet-
ing at 8 pm. The location is Christ Church Methodist, Bay and Washington streets, Glens Falls NY.
Please feel free to bring a dessert.