Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Volume 29, Issue 11 NOVEMBER 2013
ScaanSOUTH COUNTY
AA NEWSLETTER
The Hand of AA
24 Hours a Day
561-276-4581
South Palm Beach CountyIntergroup Association, Inc.Serving A.A. Groups inBoca Raton, Boynton Beach,Delray Beach and Lantana29 Years of Service ~ 1984-2013
The 11th Tradition of AA is read at many meetings anddisplayed on the walls at most. As everyone knows, the shortversion reads:
Our public relations policy is based on attraction ratherthan promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymityat the level of press, radio, and films.
Simple enough, but widely misunderstood. The long formreads more directly:
Our relations with the general public should be character-ized by personal anonymity. We think A.A. ought to avoid sensa-tional advertising. Our names and pictures as A.A. membersought not be broadcast, filmed, or publicly printed. Our publicrelations should be guided by the principle of attraction ratherthan promotion. There is never need to praise ourselves. We feelit better to let our friends recommend us.
Despite this, not a month goes by that I don’t see a story inthe local paper where somebody’s full name is supplementedwith their membership in AA. Occasionally, this is even accom-panied by their picture!
It’s important to remember that we live in an area and anera where the media and politicians love to write stories abouttreatment centers on the beach, unregulated sober houses in resi-dential neighborhoods, noise, crime, littering, new street drugs,new “cures” for addictions, etc. In that sense, we are not toodifferent from the rest of the country, just more of a visiblepresence than elsewhere.
Although New York’s GSO (General Service Office ) andthe various PI/CPC (Public Information/ Cooperation with theProfessional Community) make efforts to educate the media, itis not their primary responsibility to maintain anonymity, butours. Their job is to publish a story.
AA’s Traditions are often dismissed as coercive rules, ran-domly imposed by busybodies and control freaks. Not that weknow anybody like that!!?? Rather, they are the result of thecollective experience of groups trying to keep it together inAA’s first ten years. Bill Wilson wanted to set guidelines onhow groups and members should interact with each other, thepublic, and AA as a whole. The Traditions were first publishedin the April 1946 AA Grapevine under the title Twelve Points toAssure Our Future and were formally adopted at AA’s First
THE STEPS & THE TRADITIONSSTEP 11 - “Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we
understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.”TRADITION 11 - “Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion;
we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio and films.”
International Convention in 1950. Our book, Twelve Steps andTwelve Traditions, was published in April, 1953.
Why anonymity? The old story is that if somebodyannounces their membership and publically relapses, the likelyreaction is: AA does not work. More significantly, it is a bridgeto attaining humility. Nobody is the star or head of any group, orAA as a whole. As Tradition Two reminds us, our leaders are buttrusted servants, they do not govern.
Fortunately, there are no penalties or demerits for anonymitybreaks. Nobody is thrown out of AA, unlike our days of beingasked to leave sometimes not-so-respectable drinking establish-ments. The violators mostly injure themselves by stunting theirspiritual growth, although our fellowship as a whole can sufferthrough almost any publicity.
Communication in the 21st century is largely conductedthrough social media, like Facebook and Twitter. Most of ushave our full name AND picture associated with our id. It is notuncommon for somebody to post “Five years sober today, thankyou God!” While some frown on even that practice, I have beenguilty of partaking and also of “liking” these posts of others.What is a clear violation of the tradition is saying “Two years inAA” or posting your easily recognized chip or medallion.
The collective voice of AA through our elected Area dele-gates and the General Service Board of AA even consideredamending the 11th Tradition to add “and other social media” tofollow “press, radio, and film.” Many of the groups around theUS voted on this suggestion over the last year. The 2013General Service Conference reiterated that the Internet andsocial media are implied in the tradition.
What to do when approached by media? Often, the topicbeing covered is actually an outside issue, such as the activitiesof a club, halfway house, or clinic. If your full name must beused, be sure to avoid mentioning any association with a partic-ular fellowship. Where the topic is in any way related to AA, itis clear we must avoid using a full name AND photo.
Somehow, Bill Wilson achieved over 35 years as co-founderof this marvelous life-saving fellowship without his full namebeing known of picture widely available prior to his passing inJanuary, 1971. Surely we as the next generation of members canfollow his example and pass it on.
THE 11th TRADITION AND YOU
Page 2
SOUTH PALM BEACH COUNTY 25th ANNUAL
Intergroup Gratitude DinnerAA SPEAKER MEETING, RAFFLES, DINNER & FELLOWSHIP
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2013 AT 7:00 PM
THE EMBASSY SUITES HOTEL, Boca Raton
Celebrating the Three Legacies of AA:
RECOVERY ~ UNITY ~ SERVICE
Tickets: $47.00/person or $470.00/table of 10
You are invited
South Palm Beach County Intergroup
HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSESaturday, December 7, 2013
10:30 – 1:30
Big Books for Beginners - Annual Sale
Raffle - “The Book That Started It All”
Shop for the Holidays!
Enjoy Refreshments and Fellowship!
p!p!pHappy Holidays!!!
Rollie Hemsley, Cleveland Indians’ catcher, called apress conference today to announce that he was“through drinking forever.”
“I’m telling all this because I’m sure I can help some-body else who can’t leave the bottle alone,” said the33-year-old player whose drinking had kept him in hotwater off and on since he joined the Pittsburgh Piratesin 1928.
Hemsley gave all credit to his reform to an organiza-tion known as “Alcoholics Anonymous,” to which hewas introduced by two Cleveland businessmen a yearago when he returned home under suspension as theresult of an all-night carousel on the Indians’ train enroute from Richmond, Va. to New York.
“These men did me the biggest service I have ever hadin my life,” he said. “After they talked to me I went toAkron and entered a hospital for a few days.”
“They told me what was wrong with my thinking. Ihave not had any trouble since then. I could sit aroundin bars all night without wanting a drink.”
“I haven’t had a drink in a year,” he said today, “so thatproved the thing to myself. I’ve been meaning to tellthis for some time and I guess Feller’s no-hit gameyesterday put me in the right frame of mind for it.”
FROM THE ARCHIVES . . .“I’m Through With Liquor,”
Says Hemsley
Page 3
South Palm Beach County Intergroup - Profit & Loss - September 2013
A special THANK YOUto Ron P. for the donation - 1996-1998
27 Issues of the Grapevine
November 11SPBCI Office closed - Veteran’s Day
November 28, 29 & 30SPBCI Office closed - Thanksgiving Holiday
Delray Central House
Thanksgiving Day Dinner EventNovember 28
Meeting 12:00 - 1:00 Double SpeakerDinner 1:30 - 4:00
Volunteers Needed! Donations Welcome!
Page 4
GR
OU
PC
ON
TRIB
UTI
ON
S: S
EPTE
MB
ER A
ND
YEA
R-T
O-D
ATE
2013
AAAA HHOOTTLLIINNEE – RREELLAAYY PPHHOONNEE
The Hand of AA is Available24 Hours a Day!
November - Men’s Roving Big Book Study
FAITHFUL FIVERSWith Gratitude for their support:
Stan R. - Just Before Dawn
Michael G. - Sobriety for Breakfast
BIRTHDAY CLUBSOUTH PALM BEACH COUNTY INTERGROUP
CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR ANNIVERSARY!Your donation goes to help the valuable services provided by Intergroup includingthe AA hotline, meeting schedules, 12 step work, literature inventory, SCAANnewsletter and hospital/institution meetings.
Name Anniversary Date
Home Group Contribution* $*Recommended contribution is $1 for every year of sobriety.
If you would like a reminder notice next year, please fill out the address portionbelow or provide an email address.
Address City
State/Zip Email
BIRTHDAY CLUBAnonymous - 10/27/03 - 10 yrs.
Rob W. - 9/23/92 - 21 yrs.
Congratulations!from SPBC Intergroup
Page 5
INTERGROUP BUSINESS MEETING MINUTES-SEPTEMBER 25, 2013
Chairperson: Ed T. Meeting opened with a moment of silence fol-lowed by the Serenity Prayer. Minutes from the August 28th meetingwere approved. The Twelve Traditions were read. New group reps wel-comed. Baskets were passed according to the 7th Tradition.New Group Reps: Women’s BBSS Delray- Kate N.; Just For Now-Brad A.(alt.); People With Time- Maryanne B.; Downtown BoyntonGroup- Curt E.; Downtown Boynton Group- Jonathan K.(alt.); BoyntonBeach Group- Ginger A.; Boca Men’s Recovery Group- Donny V.;Serenity Hour- Ruth A.; New Life II- Adrienne B.; All Aboard- Marl M.;Big Book Adventure Group- Sarge.Vice Chair: Sarah R. Gratitude Dinner tickets went on sale at theBusiness Meeting. Sarah explained the procedure for ticket sales andmeal selection to group reps. Individual tickets can be bought at theIntergroup Office.Treasurer: John S. Financial report can be found in the SCAAN.Office Manager: Jeannie G. Thanks were given to all volunteers. TheRegistration Form for the Serenity Scramble, scheduled for October 20that the Westchester Country Club is available on line, in the OctoberSCAAN and the Intergroup Office. Archivist: Michael G. No report.Archives: Derek L. Michael G. and the Archives committee will puttogether an exhibit on “Dr. Bob” which will be displayed at the GratitudeDinner. Michelle set up an Archives display at the Intergroup Office. Bridge The Gap: Jacob K. No report. Excused absence. Trish C. Noreport. Excused absence.Group Information: Bari W. No report.General Services Liaison: Kate M. Does your group have a GSR?Your group’s voice is a vital part of the fellowship and too few groupsmake sure they are represented. You can view the pamphlet “GeneralService Representative: May Be the Most Important Job in A.A.” athppt://aa.org/pdf/products/p-19gsr.pdf. Does your group have aGrapevine Rep? Visit www.aagrapevine.org/GVR for information.Upcoming events: Area 15 Quarterly in St. Petersburg, FL on October11-13th. SSAAA: the Southern States AA Service Assembly in BatonRouge, LA on November 1-3rd. Archives Workshop in Winter Park, FLon February 15, 2014.Hospitals and Institutions: Phil P. and Kitty B. H&I brings 40 meet-ings a week into 15 facilities. A new treatment facility, Good Future Inc.contacted Phil about bringing meetings into the facility. Good Future isa teen facility (13-18 years old), so it would be good to have youngervolunteers. H&I is waiting to receive the applications for South BayCorrectional Facility to start the background check process before theybring meetings into the facility. The H&I meetings are held the 3rdSaturday of the month at 2pm at the Intergroup Office. Volunteers arewelcome to attend.Public Information: Linda C. No report.SCAAN: Maryanne and John T. Excused absence. Cheryl S. gavereport. All articles are welcome and can be submitted to the IntergroupOffice.Where and When: Hannah F. The new W&W’s will be available inmid-October. Please submit any changes before September 30th.12th Step Committee: David C. and Sarah T.- excused absence.Men’s: Three men have been added to the 12th step list. Women’s:Cheryl S. gave report. The phone list is up to date and has 40 womenavailable for calls. Three names have been added to the list.Liaison to NPBC Intergroup: Pam T. The NPBI Business meetingwas on September 11th. The Annual Pot Luck Dinner will be held onOctober 19th at the Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Lantana. Tickets are$8.*NPBC Intergroup is holding their Alcathon at the Triangle Club onDecember 24-25th.*Public Information participated in Pathways toWellness Event at the South Florida Fairgrounds on September 15th.They will have a table at the Delray Beach V.A. Stand-Down Event inPompey Park in Delray Beach on September 28th. If anyone is interest-ed in a detailed report, contact the Intergroup Office.Serenity Scramble: Sarge. The Volunteer Committee met onSeptember 7th and all assignments were filled. 17 holes have been spon-sored. Prizes are as follows: 1st Place: Foursome at Del Aire Country
South Palm Beach CountyIntergroup Association, Inc.
2905 South Federal Highway • Building C, Suite 15-16Delray Beach, FL 33483
24-hours: 561.276.4581Email: [email protected]: www.aainpalmbeach.org
Office HoursMonday-Friday: 9am - 5pm
Saturday: 10am - 3pm
STEERING COMMITTEEChair - Ed T. Vice Chair - Sarah R.
Treasurer - John S. Secretary - Cheryl S.Office Manager - Jeannie G.
COMMITTEESArchives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Derek L.Archivist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Michael G.Bridge the Gap - Men . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jacob K.Bridge the Gap - Women . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Trish C.General Services Liaison . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kate M.Group Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bari W.Hospitals & Institutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Phil P.Hospitals & Institutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kitty B.Liaison to North County Intergroup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pam T.Public Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Linda C.SCAAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Maryanne & John T.Telephone Relay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . OpenTwelve Step Committee - Men . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . David C.Twelve Step Committee - Women . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sarah B.Webmaster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . David R.Where & When . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hannah F.
SPBC INTERGROUP EVENT CHAIRSSerenity Scramble Chair (Oct 20) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SargeIntergroup Gratitude Dinner (Nov 23) . . Sobriety for Breakfast
UPCOMING EVENTSNovember 17Delray Central House - 2:00-4:00 pmTradition Workshop - Traditions 10, 11 and 12Three Keynote SpeakersFood and Refreshments provided
November Service MeetingsNovember 16
SPBC Intergroup H&I Business Meeting2 pm at the Intergroup Office
November 10District 8 General Service Business Meeting
5 pm at Triangle Club, WPBNovember 17
SPBC Intergroup Steering Committee Meeting9 am at Intergroup Office
November 20SPBC Intergroup Monthly Business Meeting
7 pm at Delray Central House
Office VolunteersSeptember
Joe, Jim, Bari, Caryl, Ken, Petti, Michael, Stan,Dennis, Joe B., Frank, Andrew, Zach, George, AlanG., Samantha, Gabe, Alyssa, Kelly, Jordan, Randy,
Jamie, Gary, Kaisi, Caitlin, Christine, Danny T.,Linda S., Carol, Mike
Meeting Updates & ChangesNew Life Group - Church of Our SaviorMonday - 7:00 PM MCDTuesday - 7:00 PM OD
Thursday Night Big Book Workshop - Zion Lutheran ChurchThursday - 7:30-8:45 OB
Club; 2nd Place: Foursome donated by the Westchester Country Club;Men and Women’s Longest Drive and Men and Women’s Closest to thePin: $50 P.G.A. store certificate. Hole in One prize: $10,000. Theevent needs golfers and donations for raffle prizes. If anyone is inter-ested, please contact Sarge or the Intergroup Office. The next volun-teer meeting is on October 12th at 11am at the Intergroup Office.Gratitude Dinner: JC. The Dinner is scheduled for November 23rdat the Embassy Suites in Boca Raton. The theme is the 3 Legacies:Recovery, Unity and Service. Special thanks were given to Jeannie, Edand Sarah from the Steering Committee and Michael and Susan fromSobriety for Breakfast. The committee is accepting donations for rafflebaskets. Tickets are $47 and can be purchased at the Intergroup Office.By-Laws Ad Hoc Committee: Bob M. The committee met with theSteering Committee on September 21st at the Intergroup Office. The committee is independentof the Steering Committee and will review the By-laws and presentrecommendations to the membership. Comments and recommenda-tions from the membership are welcome and can be emailed [email protected] or the Intergroup Office. New Business: Elections for Telephone Relay Chair was held andWillie B. volunteered and was elected for the position. Intergroup RepReview: Ed gave a brief overview of the roles and responsibilities ofan Intergroup Rep. Alcathon: Ed went over the requirements that eachhome group has for taking a time slot at the Alcathon which can befound in the October SCAAN on page 2. The reps were asked to takethem back to their groups and vote on whether (1) they want to committo the responsibility (2) have the Alcathon and carry the 3rd and 5thTradition and not serve food or (3) wish not to have an Alcathon. Avote will be taken at the October Business Meeting.
Meeting ended with The Lord’s Prayer.
Respectfully submitted by Cheryl S.
SERENITY SCRAMBLE 2013
Sarge, Committee Chair for the Serenity Scramble 2013, andSouth Palm Beach County Intergroup would like to express ourgratitude for the service commitment of ALL VOLUNTEERS!Sixty seven golfers and eight family and friends enjoyed the dayof golf and a delicious lunch. A special THANK YOU for thesixteen “prize donations” including the anonymous donation ofthe I-Pad.
We remain grateful to the AA Community ofSouth Palm Beach County!
