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"Thank you, God, for teaching us how to laugh again, but let us never
forget the times we cried." Oh, the pain, the excruciating pain! I'll have
another drink and the pain might leave for a while. Then, after a time, the
alcohol no longer works. I have reached the point where I cannot live with
or without alcohol any longer.
When I entered the doors of Alcoholics Anonymous, I realized that I had
no choice but to admit that alcohol might be my problem or else, I felt I
would end up in an insane asylum. Even A.A. sounded better than that option!
When I first came to the meetings, I was filled with despair, shame,
self-hatred, self-pity, resentments galore and anger. I was advised to try
to live through just this day without alcohol and not to think about the
past, and that if I followed the suggestions and worked the steps at the
appropriate time, found a sponsor and did not drink one day at a time, I
could build a new life.
I wasn't sure if I really wanted this program. I only knew that I had
reached the point where I had to try something different in my life. I
started attending meetings, meetings, meetings, both speaker and discussion.
I was somewhat shocked at hearing people share and laughing about escapades
that were similar to my own. I was encouraged by the lack of
self-righteousness though, and the laughter that filled the rooms.
When I finally reached the point of doing a thorough fourth and fifth
step, I learned how much I played a part in my disease. I heard a woman
share at a meeting that when she was" in her cups," she had so many
personalities she could hold group therapy all by herself! Did I ever
identify with that! I had totally lost myself in my drinking days and used
to think to myself, "Will the real Betty please standup?"
I have found that God's grace and forgiveness is immense. I only had to
learn to forgive myself, forgive others, make amends and live these steps to
the best of my ability. Then I was no longer haunted by my sordid past. I
read once that the day we learn to laugh at ourselves is the day we grow up.
I now live in the shelter of my God, as I understand Him, and of
Alcoholics Anonymous. Life is good. Today, as I "trudge the Road of Happy
Destiny" I'm no longer ashamed and alone. (Reprinted from Alcoholics
Anonymous, p. 164, with permission of A.A. World Services.) -- Betty S.
The sadness and pain was so bad it doubled me over. Sometimes, out of
nowhere, it would hit, and I'd be brought to my knees. Exactly where I
needed to be.
The night before the last time I picked up a desire token, my beloved
husband told me I could call a friend or I could go to jail, but I wasn't
staying in our house another night. Thank God my sponsor (really in name
only, I hadn't been working any kind of program for years) answered her
phone, at 1:30 in the morning, and although I was nearly incoherent with
emotion, she said yes, you can come to my home.
For the next two months, I did whatever she suggested. I was afraid not
to. I wasn't afraid of her, I was afraid of myself. It was now clear to me
that I had no idea how to live an honest, appropriate life. But she did, and
she showed me how every single day I lived with her.
Being separated from my husband was very nearly unbearable. I didn't know
until then that spiritual and emotional pain could be so profound that it
would manifest itself physically, too. Realizing the consequences of my
actions doubled me over in pain and brought me to my knees again and again
-and that's exactly where God wanted me to be.
Even though I had not worked a single honest step in the first five years
I was involved in Alcoholics Anonymous, I knew the only way Could find any
relief from the pain was through those 12 steps. I knew I had to be willing
to follow my sponsor's suggestions. And I knew the process would be painful,
but I
didn't care - it couldn't be worse than what I was feeling already.
All my life, I'd avoided pain at every turn, without seeing that all
avoidance ever did was create more pain. I couldn't see how experiencing
pain, learning how to walkthrough it, would benefit me in any way -much less
be useful to others. As a result, I remained in darkness. Now, for the first
time I knowingly, willingly, walked toward pain, rather than trying to avoid
it, no matter what. For the first time, I understood that not doing what was
suggested would hurt worse than taking the action.
After a thorough fourth step and a gut-wrenching fifth step, I emerged
amazed at how quickly the pain eased. I was amazed, as well at how minor the
pain involved in taking those steps was, compared to the pain I remained in
by not taking them.
I realized I was in a place I'd always heard about in A.A. meetings but
had never been to. I was standing in the sunshine of the spirit. It's funny;
when you're there, you know it -without question. But having never
experienced that sunlight, there had been times when I thought I was in it,
but I know now I was deceiving myself. The depth of my talent for
self-deception is the most frightening aspect of alcoholism for me: How will
I know if that's what I'm doing?
One way I can know for sure I'm not living in a world of my own making is
by doing what's necessary to stay in the sunlight of the spirit. And I know
I can stay there by being willing to walk through pain.
Even in pain, even in great pain, I'm never alone. God is always with me,
giving me His sunshine. -- Anonymous
From the Valley of the Shadows Into the Sunlight of the Spirit Even if
you do not go to church regularly or are not a student of the Old Testament,
you know the words of the twenty-third psalm and especially the beginning of
the fourth verse: "Yea though I walk through the valley of the
shadow of death..." These words are from the King James Version of the
Bible that you hear so often at funerals. In actuality, the verse more
closely translated reads: "Even though I walk through the valley of deep
darkness..." I have used as my personal translation for years: "Even though
I walk through the valley of the shadows."
It was not until I came into A.A. that I understood that there really was
sunshine after the shadows if I were willing to go to any length to step
into that sunshine. It was also at that time that I realized that much of my
pain resulted from deep resentments. The Big Book tells us "Resentment is
the 'number one' offender. It destroys more alcoholics than anything else."
(Reprinted from Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 64, with permission of A. A. World
Services, Inc.) This tendency to hold onto resentments is actually the
context of the second half of the suggested topic for this month - "The
sunlight of the spirit." In context, the Big Book says:
It is plain that a life which includes deep resentment leads only to
futility and unhappiness. To the precise extent that we permit these, do we
squander the hours that might have been worth while. But with the alcoholic,
whose hope is the maintenance and growth of a spiritual experience, this
business of resentment is infinitely grave. We found that it is fatal. For
when harboring such feeling we shut ourselves off from the sunlight of the
Spirit. The insanity of alcohol returns and we drink again. And with us, to
drink is to die. (Reprinted from Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 66, with
permission of A.A. World Services, Inc.)
Thus, for this alcoholic, I found that if I was to step out from the
valley of the shadows into the sunlight of the Spirit, I had to do something
about resentments. I had to face squarely why some people made me so angry,
created such deep resentments, and seemed to keep me in the dark shadowy
atmosphere of despair. The Buddha said:" Holding on to anger is like
grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are
the one who gets burned." I was holding on to the hot coal of anger. I was
creating my own pain.
The passage from the Big Book above comes squarely in Bill W's writing
about doing an effective fourth step. At its heart, the fourth step asks
four questions: At whom are we angry? What offence (real or imagined) did
they commit against us? How did this offense affect us? Finally, Bill's
understanding of something very profound changed the landscape from shadows
to sunlight when he asked, what is our part in this sorry mess? Ah, the shoe
drops, as it so often does with a careful reading of the Big Book. Wilson
and those early drunks were able to see something so clearly in those days
that we often miss. We hold the key to rid ourselves of resentments. We can
look squarely at our defects of character and ask the God of our
understanding to take them away. -Anonymous
When one is new in recovery there is always that thought of "now that I'm
clean, life is going to be a bed of roses." Wrong! Now that I am clean and
sober I will be dealing with life's issues and learning how to do it in a
healthy way.
Since I've been sober, my Dad has been ill and in rehab, only to go back
out and start drinking after almost 2 years sober. One of my daughters has
gone through several surgeries. Another daughter (my still-sick daughter)
continues to struggle with life, and recently passed out and tore the skin
off the side of her face. Oh, and my car is messed up.
Yet on the blooming side of the garden, I still have my job after several
coworkers got laid off, I'm having a home built, I know that God is still in
control of things, and I have an inner peace that surpasses all of life's
obstacles.
There is a certain pain that comes with recognizing that life is going to
show up and
show out, especially when it strikes the ones you love the most (your
family). Yet I am thrilled that I'm available when they need me. I'm willing
to assist them when possible, and I always make a point of saying, "Look at
me today, after all the years of agony and destructive behaviors." I am now
a good example for them.
They see and acknowledge the changes in my life and have told me time and
again how proud they are of me. It's no mystery why I have been saved from
the insanity -everyday in some way, to someone, I get to tell how life can
change and things can get better. I always let them know that we each have a
part to play in this new way of living. We have to be willing to do things
differently, take the advice of those who walked before us and be of service
to those who need us.
After showers of pain come the flowers of a sober life. Pain will bring
newcomers into the rooms, and we who are here can plant our seeds of
experience, strength and hope, feed and care for the tender plants until
they bloom. So be it April showers or September showers we will always reap
the reward of flowers in the end.
Let it rain. Show the world the power of sobriety. -- Ellen S.
For me, A.A. is "the way out" of my pain. The Way Out is a title for our
Big Book that Bill W. was said to have favored at one time. While the Big
Book's instructions are always clear, my head isn't…
Someone told me once that my brain is trying to kill me. It would rather
get the euphoria alcohol promises (forgetting the pain that follows) and die
than be cut off from its drug. Such is the disease of alcoholism, and the
denial that tags along with it. Denial is not just the lie that I can drink
successfully, it is that the words in the Big Book do not mean what they
say, or that they apply to someone else, not me.
Take the line: "If we were to live, we had to be free from anger."
(Ibid.) Does that stop me from getting so mad I can't think straight, and do
stupid things? No. In traffic, when I don't like someone following too
close, I tap my brakes and keep moving. The quick flash of my brake lights
makes them hit their brakes, and I have a "There, I gotcha moment." Once
when I did that, the following-too-close driver skidded on wet pavement and
had an accident. It was a fender-bender only, thank goodness. I had joy
tapping my brakes, then guilt when it turned out badly. We must be free of
anger!
How many other times have I been angry? Not enough fingers and toes to
count them. More like grains of sand on the beach. The person I am angry at
usually doesn't even know it most of the time. My head is incapable of
thinking clearly, my digestive juices are churning, and I lash out at
others. As one guy said in my home group meeting, I set myself on fire and
hope the people around me die of smoke inhalation.
"Selfishness - self-centeredness! That, we think, is the root of our
problems. "(Reprinted from Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 62, with permission of
A.A. World Services, Inc.) How powerful is that? The Saint Francis prayer
tells us another way of living.
I looked for a long time to find what would bring me happiness-- to get
funding for my business, (couldn't pay it back - took bankruptcy), to get
that new car (wrecked the front end, fixed it, wrecked the back end, fixed
THAT, now it's a new car), and on and on." Could-a, would-a, should-a." They
should-a-done what I told them, they could-a been more tolerant of my
mistake, if only I had known, I would-a done something different."
Another thing that I didn't understand was that if I followed the plan
laid out in the Big Book, when I got through my fourth, fifth, sixth and
seventh steps, I would find a "way out" of depression, anger, and guilt. I
would know "anew freedom and a new happiness."
(Reprinted from Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 83,with permission of A.A. World
Services, Inc.)
How hard could that be?
A.A. is an action program, not only a thinking program. I try to remember
that my brain is what got me into A.A. My job is to do the next right thing,
to do what trusted AA's tell me, and not think myself into wrong actions
with that same brain that got me here. Since doing my steps, I have found
for increasing periods of time an overwhelming peace. I have at times "been
rocketed into a fourth dimension of existence of which I had not even
dreamed." (Reprinted from Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 25, with permission of
A.A. World Services, Inc.) I can walk in the sunlight of the spirit, knowing
that other people are not responsible for my happiness. They can't make me
mad, sad or glad. One guy raked me over the coals when I told him the "f"
word has no place in our program. When he was done ranting (you gotta let
them get done), I told him it was wonderful the way he was able to share
with me his innermost feelings. Of course, this could also get you killed!
Looking back I can now laugh at the ridiculous things of yesteryear. The
things that had no power other than the power that I gave to them. I can
make the pitfalls empty and meaningless, or make them a burden that I carry
with me f-o-r-e-v-e-r.
Getting through the April showers into Mayflowers is simply a matter of
making the right choices with the tools that the Big Book has laid out for
us. April, time to learn the principles. May, time to enjoy the fruits of
what I have learned and put into practice in my life.
I'll see all of you sometime, as we "trudge the road of happy destiny."
(Reprinted from Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 164, with permission of A.A. World
Services, Inc.) -- Joe S.
Judy Garland recorded the song April Showers in the 1940s, a lovely tune
that became very popular. But it was Al Jolson's recording of April Showers
in the 1930s that I always loved. "Life is not a highway strewn with
flowers. Still it holds a goodly share of bliss, When the sun gives way to
April showers, Here's a thought that we should never miss; Though April
showers may come your way, They bring the flowers that bloom in May, And if
it's raining, have no regrets, Because it isn't raining rain you know, It's
raining violets, And when you see clouds upon the hill, You soon will see
crowds of daffodils, So just keep looking for the bluebird, And listening
for his song, Whenever April showers come along." (April Showers, words &
music by B.G. DeSylva and Louis Silvers. Published by Harms Co., 1921.)
The big musical productions of the 30s and40s were fantastic -nice
fantasies -not real life. It never crossed my mind that the song was telling
me something basic. I had to get sober and stay sober long enough to
appreciate simple words in any kind of context. I had to learn how to live,
not just exist. I had to learn to live life and take both the good and the
bad. BUT I was taught to look for the good and I would find it. Isn't that
the value of the song? To me, it is. -- Kay G.
This morning, I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. But I've known
something's been wrong for a while now. And it would be a lie to tell you
that I haven't considered a drink in that time as a way of dodging the
physical and mental discomfort. And this is with nearly10 years of sobriety.
But thank God, quite literally, I KNOW that's not a solution.
For the two months of medical prodding and poking and the inevitable
waiting for results, it'd been difficult to focus my thinking on anything
other than my condition and myself. Reverting to that old self-centered way
of thinking, I'd managed to make myself absolutely miserable. I found myself
in the worst mental and spiritual shape I'd been in since getting sober.
Could I blame my spiritual condition on the cancer? Sure. Why not? I used
to blame my drinking on everything and everyone else but myself. But you
folks in A.A. taught me something. You taught me to look at my part in my
problems. Where had I gone wrong here? Certainly I had not caused my medical
condition. No, I didn't cause the cancer. But had I messed up my spiritual
condition, had I gotten lazy in my program? I had to answer yes to that.
I discovered one evening last week, while in prayer, that I had taken
control of my life again. I was blocked. I could hear the "hundred forms of
fear" knocking on my door.
(Reprinted from Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 62,with permission of A.A. World
Services, Inc.) I was so terrified that I couldn't formulate a simple
prayer. So I made an honest effort to just let go. Let God back in. Give up
and let Him in. And it began to work again BECAUSE there was no effort on my
part.
I do this on a regular basis, prayer, so why did it seem to work so much
better that night and most nights since? Probably because of this issue's
topic: Pain. I've been through enough trouble over the last two months,
enough pain that I was sincere about surrendering. Just like I had been10
years ago, when I really, really wanted to get sober. I meant it. I wanted
to not hurt any more. And I didn't want to hurt anybody anymore. It's the
same thing now. I'm tired of being physically, mentally and spiritually
sick. So I meant it. I just gave up and let God back in.
Amazing what happens when I mean it. Amazing what lengths I'll go to when
the pain gets bad enough to motivate me. And it's amazing the Sunlight that
God provides when I only look for it.
I'm OK now. And I will be in the coming days too. He'll see to that, I
know.
-- Anonymous
It's ironic that the topic at the meeting tonight was selfishness and
self-centeredness. I shared how hard my week had been and what a stressful
time I was having, when all of a sudden I got a text message from a friend
who was calling from the isolation unit of a local hospital. He had
contracted a dangerous virus that was attacking his liver. Wow! Took me out
of my problems quickly!
That phone call reminded me that when I first came into A.A., my sponsor
suggested I meet and greet people at each meeting I attended. This allowed
me to meet newcomers and old-timers alike, and got me into the practice of
reaching out to others regardless of whether I was hurting or not.
As I worked the Twelve Steps, I learned to keep A.A.'s spiritual tools
handy so I could pull them out as needed to keep me sober between meetings.
And my meet & greet habit was building a network of friends in A. A. Over
time I came to want to come to the meetings I had to attend in the
beginning.
So there I was in a meeting, complaining about being forced into early
spring-cleaning because the house I had moved into hadn't been cleaned
thoroughly, having to paint before I could get my stuff into the bedroom,
sleeping in the living room, and how the ice storm was causing me problems.
I was getting grumpier by the minute …then I got my friend's text message.
Now I am at peace knowing that because of the groundwork I laid early on,
God has seen fit to have those with real problems reach out for my help.
Suddenly I realize I haven't really had a bad week, instead I am having a
great day, just for today. -- Eddie G.
For my garden to flourish, it requires both rain and sunlight as well as
cool nights and warm days. Too much rain and the roots rot. Too many days of
sunshine, the ground dries hard and the roots die. A spell of cold weather
slows down growth and reduces the harvest. A hard freeze ends the show and
it requires anew planting.
I think of my sobriety as something alive, vital, branching out,
occasionally flowering and providing a harvest. Like any living thing, it
requires certain conditions, various types of elements to create a balanced,
healthy environment that supports life, encourages growth, offers a life the
chance for fulfillment.
As I look back over the last three years of sobriety, I see a bigger
picture than I did when I was new in A.A. weathering one storm after
another, many of them generated by global self-will and heated denial.
There is no doubt in my mind that the weather conditions over the last
three years provided the perfect environment to plant me in the right soil
and allow me to grow, even flourish. My part in the deal, having no control
over the weather, was to accept the April showers, cool it during times of
drought, and during fair-weather somehow keep my roots secure in the ground
during those days when pink clouds replace the white and nothing but blue
skies do I see.
It took the pain, the rain, the sunshine and moonshine to prepare me to
walk out into the sunlight of the spirit, not get sunburned, step over the
puddles when it rained and avoid getting too high and being snapped off in
the wind -- just the right amount of flex as rain and sunlight tempered and
restored my spirit.
The April showers and May flowers continue to come and go as I continue
to stay sober and grow, one day, then another, one season at a time.
Ed C.
When I first came to Alcoholics Anonymous, Could barely function or
string together a coherent sentence. Despite my sad condition, I was quickly
asked to help make coffee, clean ash trays and wash dishes. These were all
tasks that did not require thought or conversation yet were valuable service
opportunities that I did not even realize I was participating in.
I quickly got a sponsor and after a few months began chairing meetings
and participating in-group conscience meetings at my home group. I still did
not have a clue that I had been introduced to AA service work. I was
learning quickly about a new way of life, how to be accountable and most
important, how to be honest.
After several years of practicing these principals in all my affairs to
the best of my ability, service work is a critical part of maintaining my
sobriety. Service work allows me to give back in a small way to a program
that saved my life. Working with other recovering alcoholics teaches me
valuable lessons such as principles, compromise and working for the good of
the whole instead of the good of me under which I operated for so long! I
have had the opportunity to serve in a variety of service positions and
remember how confused I was at the beginning about service work and
committees.
If you are being encouraged to find service work here are just some of
the possibilities you might consider. All of these service positions have
more in depth descriptions or pamphlets available from the General Service
Office. All service positions also have recommendations on length of
sobriety you should consider before becoming a trusted servant.
Group Service Representative (GSR): You are the link between your home
group and other AA groups and services. As GSR you attend District and Area
meetings to represent the conscience of your home group. You also bring back
information from these meetings to your home group. Finally you coordinate
group conscience meetings of your home group.
District Committee Member (DCM): Acts as a link between the groups in the
District, the area and the delegate. The DCM coordinates and chairs regular
District meetings for GSR's and committee chairs. Helps coordinate workshops
or other functions and shares on the importance of service work to groups.
Treasurer: This service position can be at your home group, District or
area. The treasurer collects all monies from the seventh tradition basket,
pays all group expenses and sends money agreed upon by the group to the
District, area, GSO or Intergroup. The treasurer gives a report on
collection and spending. At the area level the treasurer keeps track of both
group and District contributions.
Secretary: This service position can be at your home group, District or
area. The secretary records all minutes from the meeting and presents to the
group at the next meeting. At the area level, the secretary assists with the
agenda and does roll call before the business meeting begins. The secretary
keeps the records of the group, District or area and passes on this
information to the next trusted servant.
If you are in a large District, there may be service committee chairs. If
not, these committee chairs are a part of the area.
Archives: The archives committee is responsible for storing historical
material on A.A.. The archives committee collects materials from groups,
stores materials safely and provides access to materials when requested. The
archives committee is a great way to learn more about AA in your area.
Public Information: The Public Information committee responds to requests
from the general public and provides accurate information about AA. This
committee also has discussions with newspapers about the importance of
anonymity to the well being of A.A. when required. This committee may also
be invited to give a presentation to a community event about AA.
Cooperation with the Professional Community: The Cooperation with the
Professional Community provides information and interacts with professionals
in a variety of fields such as doctors, lawyers and members of the clergy.
Information on AA is given to these professionals for their use in their
respective fields.
Treatment Facility: The Treatment Facility Committee coordinates the work
of carrying the message of AA into treatment facilities. Many individual AA
members and AA groups provide information and contacts to treatment
facilities in their areas. This is another avenue to share your experience,
strength and hope with newcomers.
Literature: The literature committee is familiar with information on the
AA website and the information and changes to written materials provided by
GSO. The literature committee provides literature to groups when needed,
encourages groups to purchase A. A. conference approved literature and
reviews proposed changes to literature.
Special Needs: The special needs committee provides information to
members and groups on accommodating a variety of special needs of AA
members.
Corrections: The Corrections committee provides information to AA members
and groups on how to carry a message into prisons. The committee also
collects information from members who would be available to write letters or
act as points of contact to inmates when released and coming back to an AA
community.
Kentuckiana Newsletter: This area collects articles from AA members in
Area 26 and published a quarterly newsletter. The newsletter is produced in
two formats, with staples for general use and without staples for treatment
and correction facilities. This is a great opportunity for someone to share
their experience, strength and hope in a written format.
As you can see from these descriptions, there are a variety of ways you
can be of service. From the beginner who makes coffee to the member who
loves literature there is a service position out there waiting for you.
James was not present and no report was given
No written report given
Thanks to Districts 15 and 28 for a good weekend and a nice facility and
hospitality. Busy last 3 months with all the holidays. Would like to thank
all the standing committee chairs that came down for our workshop in
December. Also thank Barbara F. for coming also they all were very
informative. Good time for all that were there - about 70 75. We also
need to fill some more standing committee chairs, hope we can find some
willing people to get in service work and receive the wonderful feeling of
working with others. Looking forward to the up and coming state convention
in Louisville. Most of our District people are very willing to help in any
way that they can. New year brings many new challenges and hopefully new
people and new blood in AA to help carry the message to alcoholics. Like to
thank all from District 3 for their support and involvement in area. Also a
new group in District 3 - Come as you are. Yours in Service. We had 125
people at our last eating meeting on January 16; 2009.Recently lost two from
our District with a total of 35 years sobriety.
District 4 -- DCM: Charles W. report by Donna D
First of all thanks to Districts 15 and 28 for hosting the area meeting.
We have had some major changes in our District since December 2008. At the
close of our December District meeting Bill R. stepped down as DCM due to
other commitments. We thanked him for his service and wish him the best!
Charles W. our Alt DCM stepped up to the plate and is our new DCM for the
remainder of the term. We thank you Charles! At our January District
meeting, Jill D. was nominated for the position of Alt. DCM - there were no
other nominations or volunteers. The unanimous vote was who else but Jill D.
she accepted graciously. We have had and continue to have in2009 wonderful
participation (GSR's, Alt's and visitors) at our District meetings. There
were no major concerns going on in any of the groups as of January 2009. We
did vote as a District starting January 2009 to hold our meeting only at the
Serenity Club in Elizabethtown. We will no longer rotate between the Alcohol
House in Brandenburg and Safe Harbor Club in Radcliff. We also voted to hold
our District meeting every two months instead of every month. Our next
District meeting will be held at the Serenity Club in Elizabethtown the
first Monday in March at 7 pm. Thanks again to Districts 15 and 28 for all
your hard work. Thanks for letting me be of Service
Thanks to District 15 and 28. The District 5 meeting was held at the
Coffee Club on January 14 at 1:30 pm. Joe thanked group for sending him to
Regional Forum. Attendance is up at most of the groups in our District
GSR attendance is down. I went to the groups to find out why. Several
groups promised to send their GSR to the February meeting. District 6 has
talked to Districts 18 and 35 about hosting the Area Assembly in October.
District 35 asked District 6 for help with AA workshop in January. District
6 decided it was too short of notice to get involved
District 7 -- DCM: Mitch M. report by Ben P.
(Alt. DCM)
I am the GSR for the Monticello Group and also temporary Alt. DCM for
District. I would like to thank District 15 and 28 for hosting this area
meeting. Our DCM Mitch M. is sick this weekend and I have been asked to fill
in for him. Our groups in District 7 seem to be growing but participation in
service work is not. Hopefully we will have a District meeting this quarter
and discuss some ways to get more people involved. We have a new GSR from
the Albany Group here today. I would like to welcome Jo
District continues to suffer from lack of involvement. Currently we have
two members carrying the message. I have personally turned it over to GOD.
Thank You
Thanks to District 15 and 28 for hosting this weekend. Anyone in Eastern
KY next Sunday February 1, we are having the 3rd Annual Super Bowl Party in
Prestonsburg. New club house for Magoffin County. Salyersville meetings have
moved to exit 134 on the Mt. Parkway, almost at the Mergan County line.
Intergroup has elected a new corrections chairperson Mr. Bob G. Annual
Christmas Party at the Allen Step Group. New Year party a small # of folk
who would stay up that late, so the invitation was extended to the other
fellowship to move their Wednesday meeting into another room at the church
and to join in games and fellowship after. We are grateful that singleness
of purpose was practiced and we were able to be friendly with our friends.
Staying Straight @ Big Sandy Group of AA is hosting a speaker meeting at the
end of February (last Saturday) with an outside and an inside speaker
Still meeting at the Care Center in Louisville, 1:30 on the 1st Sunday of
the month. Our meeting in January was attended by 11 people. A good turn
out. We have a new meeting started. Monday at 8 pm 35th & Rudd in
Louisville. Also a successful Send a Book to Jail Dance on November 29th .
We raised $300.00 and 37 Books for jail literature. The Louisville Districts
will host a Three Legacies Workshop on January 31 at the Care Center. We
will also have Corrections Workshop at the Care Center on March 7th. Yours
in Service
I would like to thank Districts 15 and 28 for hosting this area meeting.
Our last District meeting was held January 11, 2009. We had about 10 people
in attendance. When I was calling to get a meeting together there were
several changes. I ended up going to several meetings to find out who the
GSR was and to give them information on our District meeting and this area
meeting. It looks like out of our 17 home groups, we have about 6 new GSR's
hopefully our next meeting will have these new GSR's in attendance. District
11 discussed hosting a workshop in May on sponsorship. We have to finalize
this by our next area meeting and have flyers available. A new meeting is
looking for support on Wednesday at 6:30 it is a Women's Big Book / 12 & 12
Meeting. Terri Kelly who was a member of the Jeff Group passed away in
November. Terry was sober for 45 years and had been a member of the Jeff
Group which meets on Monday night. The group is 54 years old and went to no
smoking. The Clark County jail has opened up meeting again currently we have
3 men's meetings and 2 women's meetings
District 12 is doing well. At the start of December we had one of the
three annual events. We had a post Thanksgiving dinner and 2 speakers on the
legacy of unity Right now we are planning our Mardigras event that will
focus on the legacy of Recovery. We are excited that our number of GSR's
attending our meeting has increased. Along with the other Districts in
Louisville, we are hosting a 3 Legacies workshop at the Bells Lane Care
Center next Saturday. Thanks for following me to serve
I'd like to thank Districts 15 and 28 for hosting this weekend. District
13 has held 3 District meetings since the last area meeting. Our average
attendance has improved to 16 people per meeting. I'm very excited about the
enthusiasm currently being shown in our groups. District 13 is working with
5 other Louisville Districts to host the 3 Legacies workshop scheduled for
January 31 at the Care Center, flyers are available. Our treatment committee
is working with Louisville area Intergroup to get a full understanding of
what facilities are being served in our District. We have purchased 1 set of
50 back issues of the Grapevine for our GVR to distribute throughout the
District. Our trusted treasurer has reported that our group contributions
for 2008 were down almost $900 or 37% from 2007, a sign of the times?? We've
had one group close down on January 12, 2009. The Stop in Buechel group
which met on Monday nights is now inactive. On the upside, we have 2 new
groups starting, a Friday night candlelight at the Pigeons' Roost at 10 pm
and starting this coming week at 10 pm meeting on Tuesday and Thursday at
the Ice House. I've been asked by the KCYPAA to make an announcement. KCYPAA
will be having a conference in Louisville in November of 2009. They need
support from other locations outside the Louisville area. The KCPAA
committee meets every other Thursday at St. Paul's Methodist Church at 8 pm,
the same location as Louisville area Intergroup. Yours in Love and Service
Thank District 15 and 28 for hosting this meeting. November, December and
January have been great months. The Midway Group hosted a Sponsorship
Workshop with 34 in attendance and a panel of almost 100 years sobriety. The
question and answer session lasted for an hour. The panel did a great job.
Many thanks to the Midway Group for all of their hard work. Several groups
had holiday get-togethers along with marathon meetings. The Georgetown
Blue-chip Club had their New Years Eve Breakfast. Our last District meeting
was January 10th in Versailles. Our delegate, Barbara F. attended with her
report from the latest conference. Welcome to our new GSR from Midway Group,
Robin G. Also our new alternate GSR from the Frankfort Group, Andy D. We now
have an alternate DCM from the Frankfort Group, Jim M. Our next meeting will
be held in February prior to the KY State Convention. Looking forward to
seeing you there. Thank you for the opportunity to serve this past year. I
am looking forward to working with you as we approach a new year. Sincerely
Please take a moment of silence with me to acknowledge the passing 38
years ago of Bill Wilson (January 24, 1971) from this world to the BIG
MEETING in the SKY. From the beginning of planning for this event. I have
personally been almost totally uninvolved. So I wish today to express my
gratitude to the District 28 Committee for their dedication to the required
tasks and to members and groups in District 15 and other Districts who have
joined this effort to locate, organize and staff this event. As the new year
begins, District 15 has experience some new and exciting growth due in large
part to Carl B. who has never given up urging participation of Jessamine
County Groups. Some of our members attended a service work shop in Midway
hosted by District 14 and reported excellent attendance and a very
informative program. Thanks to the Bluegrass Intergroup for their continued
effort to keep the many Districts in this area informed of events in nearby
Districts. Attendance at our December and January meetings was much improved
and four new GSR's have stepped up to represent the Monday Night Faith
Group, Back Stretch Group, Nicholasville Group and the Saturday Morning Eye
Opener. It is heartening to know that groups who have been supporting our
District with their contributions are identifying trusted servants who
contribute so much to our District meetings. In addition a temporary
Secretary has been identified to help us keep records of or meetings. Our
Treasurer has helped us to begin a review of our financial guidelines. We
will continue that review at our February 8 meeting. Though not present at
our last District meeting, Drew L. has stepped into our H&I Chair He is with
us today. Don't miss Dwight D's Annual King Baby Event, February 15. Look
for ˝ sheet purple flyers in your home group or the Bluegrass Intergroup
Office
I would like to thank the Lexington Districts for hosting us. Our last
District event was held the beginning of December, we call this annual event
Thankmas and it was very successful. At our next District meeting we will
try and determine a schedule of events for this year. We are asking the
groups in our area for ideas and what they would like to participate in for
District events. We hope to hold at least one workshop this year so we can
continue to carry the message to alcoholics. At our last District meeting
the beginning of January, we had record attendance. Because of the success
of our last event we are finally able to begin building the prudent reserve
stated in our District structure. We are off to a great start of the new
year in District 16. Yours in service
I have been serving as a temporary DCM while the actual DCM for District
17 has been working out of town. It was suppose to be short term and I was
assured that at this time I would be back to doing nothing as the alternate.
But since I am giving this report and still the DCM is no where to be found
- I am starting to realize that slowly but surely I am being submitted into
this great position! With that being said. District 17 would like to thank
District 15 and 28 for hosting this meeting. All is well in District 17. The
same crowd shows up at all the business meetings, which is great because we
have a solid core of alcoholics that do attend. The only negative side is
that there are a few groups in our District that never attend, after asking
the GSR's that do show up monthly, everyone says attendance is very good at
their meetings. It seems that the "cold and drunk" season is definitely in!
We had a couple of dinner meetings that recently happened that turned out
very well and also our central office seems to be doing better financially
then it ever has! This is very good news to our District. Thank you
Thanks to District 15 and 28 for hosting. The last 3 months input from
our groups has been great! We communicate with letters and by committee
members visiting each group. The year 2008 was somewhat chaotic, early
change in DCM, a move to dissolve the District…Today interest at the GSR
group level is high, and 15-25 at most District meetings. We have put an
emphasis on CPC and corrections, committee people Kathy L. and Jeff R. are
doing a great job. We have not coordinated well at the area; we need to do a
better job from District level to area. The committee is inexperienced by
eager. We have one new meeting -my home group - After the shipwreck, we
average 50+ people. Thanks
Thank you District 15 and 28 for hosting this meeting. I know that it is
a lot of work and I appreciate you doing it. District 19 has been active for
many years. I have reassumed the position of DCM, not because I was elected,
but because I was the only one to show up. The last DCM for District 19, Jay
S., worked hard to invigorate the District. After visits to the meeting and
promises by those meetings to participate, nobody participated. After two
years, Jay was discouraged and retired. And here I am again. The Lowe Road
group elected Stacy to be their GSR and she is here. Maybe this is the start
of the rejuvenation of District 19. I hope so. Thanks
District 20 would like to thank Districts 15 and 28 for hosting this
weekends meeting. District 20 continues to update information about the
meetings in the District so that the Area directory, the Bluegrass
Intergroup directory and the Eastern United Stated directory all have
matching information. The Frenchburg meeting has made application to the
General Service Office to obtain a group number. Ron W. will serve as the
GSR for that group. The Into Action group in Morehead had a successful
holiday dinner in December with over 70 in attendance. A number of people
from groups throughout the District were in attendance. The message
continues to be taken to the West Liberty Prison on a monthly basis. Efforts
are being made to have a liaison between the Morehead Inspiration Center (a
rehabilitation facility) and the Into Action group in Morehead. Again, we
would like to thank District 15 and 28 for hosting this weekend's meeting
District 21 would like to thank Districts 15 and 28 for hosting this
meeting. District 21 is recovering from the holiday season. We have made
some changes necessary for our function. We now have a new treasurer Vonda
S. also a new secretary Susan S. with these positions filled with reliable
people; we are better able to perform our duty to others. We have 2 new
groups that are doing really good each have 20 to attend their meeting. We
are still collecting past issues of the Grapevine for distribution to the
jails and prison systems. If you have any send them to me - call
502-241-9701 for address. Thanks
Thanks to Districts 15 and 28 for hosting us this weekend and doing such
a great job. We are in the process of establishing chairpersons for service
committees and have elected Vonda as the Special Needs chairperson and Doris
as the Corrections chairperson. Doris is working with groups in our District
to carry a meeting into the Floyd County jail on Thursday nights. Several
groups have already expressed an interest in sharing the responsibility of
chairing the meeting each week. On January 18, we had a panel discussion
with four experienced AA members on the subject of Sponsorship that was a
huge success thanks to the committee and supporting AA members who
volunteered. We had 78 people in attendance at the event and received
terrific feedback about how the event helped people better understand the
sponsorship role and relationship. We will continue to have similar
workshops based on feedback we receive from groups in our District. Thank
you for the opportunity to be of service
District 23 -- DCM: Dave C. (representative)
Thanks to our hosts. It's been a pleasure to be back in Lexington and be
reacquainted with old friends and make some new ones. Efforts have been made
to hold District meetings and have been met with limited participation.
Meetings continue to grow, work to carry the message continues. The Serenity
group has been revived and replaces the Hope group at our local detox center
District 24 would like to thank Districts 15 and 28 for hosting this
meeting. District 24 meets in conjunction with District 29 and through the
combined energies have been very active. Along with Districts 1, 10, 11, 12
and 13 we have been busy preparing for a 3 legacy workshop planned for
January 31. It has been our mission to raise awareness of the 3 Legacies. We
hope to educate and generate interest to our membership so that they may
become more involved with service work. This we hope will increase
participation at the area level. All are invited and we have flyers
available for anybody who would like to attend. Our very own Darryl M. and
Lynda R. both have agreed to host a workshop along with Colleen Y. Dalton D,
District 29 DCM thought it was a good idea that we start our District
meeting with a presentation of one of the concepts. Tom M. presented the
first concept at our January meeting. I will present the 2nd at our February
meeting. District 24 and 29 has a lot of group participation at the group
level. It is through our group's suggestion that we bring before this body
the motion that is on the agenda to resend the website committee structure
change. It has been with careful thought and discussion that we think Area
26 would be best served if we were to follow GSO's structure and align our
committees accordingly. The groups also have made another suggestion that we
will be bring to this body at the next Area Assembly. At our last area
meeting a flyer was presented to the CPC committee (so the court sent you to
AA) to be use to explain what AA is and what AA is not. We voted not to use
the flyer until it could go before the literature chairperson to see if it
could be conference approved. Lynda R. has agreed to do this for us.
District 24 and 29 together did conduct an inventory and we are still
working on a way to condense it in a way that can be taken back to the
groups. The main idea that came from this inventory was the need to relay
and educate information from GSO, the Area and the groups. Respectfully
submitted
District 25 is in good shape. We have good attendance at most meetings.
All meetings are open. I don't like it. I think it must be Gods will. I
thank Districts 15 and 28 for hosting this meeting
We would like thank Districts 15 and 28 for hosting this weekend. Things
have been pretty quiet in District 26. The East End group is doing well and
has a new GSR - Bill E. we appreciate his willingness to be of service. The
Hungry Spirits group is doing well. We have had large attendance at meetings
at the Trilogy Center getting open. East End and Hungry Spirits hosted
Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years all together and everyone who could
attend enjoyed. The Cadiz group is doing well and continues to have good
attendance at their meetings. We have attempted to have several District
business meetings without success. Holidays and such had everyone busy so
hopefully we will pick back up on attendance. Thank you
I would like to thank District 15 and 28 for hosting this area meeting.
Lexington keep up the good work. Since our last area meeting in October
District 27 has been trying to get groups active in participation. We had a
Halloween dance with speaker hosted by the Hiseville, Group in Hiseville,
KY. We had approximately 70 people in attendance this function went very
well. Our last District meeting was November 2 at EB Terry Est. in Cave
City. We had 9 out of 17 GSR's in attendance the business went very well.
The Green River group in Brownsville, KY wanted to host a New Year's Eve
dance so we voted to let them do so. Next meeting 1/11/09 we had 9 out of 17
GSR's in attendance. Meeting went as normal we discussed District needs then
went on to discuss the New Year's Eve dance. It went fairly well, there was
low attendance, approximately 30 - 35 people but that was that many that
didn't have to take a drink that night or drive home drunk so all in all it
was a success. Marie from the Cave City 12 and 12 groups has started taking
a women's meeting into the Barren County jail, she is doing a great job. The
District voted to get her some Big Books to help her carry the message. We
discussed the need for a male for the Hart County - Barren County and Monroe
County jail. No volunteers as of this moment. Our next meeting is set for
March 15, 2009 at 2:30 EB Terry Est. Cave City Ky. I would like to thank
District 27 for letting me serve our District
District 28 has been extremely active this quarter. The most time
consuming activity has been hosting this area meeting. Thanks so much to the
host committee, Co-Chaired by Allie G., Charlie S., and Jack K. We've had
some changes with our standing committees; Thom C. is our new Group
Awareness Chair. He is busy going to each group and updating group
information to share with our Area Registrar and GSO. David P. has accepted
the Corrections Chair duties and Laine C. is our new PI Chair. A motion was
made last month to accept email as a legitimate means of sending out
minutes, with the understanding that last names would not be used.
Discussion lasted till the end of the meeting and the motion was tabled
until the next District meeting. The motion brought about by Districts 24
and 29 made regarding the webmaster committee was discussed. A sense of the
group was garnered. Our Treatment chair has been busy with the Schwartz
Center and the Ridge with Bridging the Gap. Thank you for allowing me to
serve.
District 29 would like to thank Districts 15 and 28 for hosting this area
26 meeting. All the District 29 groups met at the Token III Club in
Louisville and as Charlie S. reported, we combine our resources with
District 24 to help carry the message of AA. Over the past holidays, many of
our District 29 and 24 home groups chaired meetings at the 24hour alcathons
over Christmas Eve and New Years Eve. It was estimated that close to 1,000
alcoholics and visitors came to meetings on these holidays. District 29 is
co-hosting next Saturday's 3 Legacies workshop at the Care Center in
Louisville. We invite you all to come out and hear about recovery, unity and
service from Colleen Y., Lynda R., and Darryl M. Under new business on
Sunday's agenda, Districts 24 and 29 have moved to resend the motion making
the webmaster a standing committee. Our District conscience is that the
webmaster and area 26.net do an excellent job presenting the area public
information, and as such, we move that the area follow the committee
structure of the General Service Conference. Thank You
District 30, comprised of groups in Bracken, Mason and Fleming counties
in northeastern Kentucky, had one new meeting receive group number from the
General Service Office: the new Beginnings Group; the meetings at the
clubhouse merged into one, with a new name: The Daily Reprieve Group. The
annual picnic went less well than previous years. Costs at its Lake Carnico
location, which isn't in District 30, drained the 50-50 funds raised in past
years to host it. Planning began late and too few people got involved. There
in controversy over the "Bill Sees it" Group, which refers to itself as
"Fourth Dimension Group." We discussed whether the "Fourth Dimension" is an
outside affiliation. While many groups use non-conference approved
literature for discussion (like Hazeldon's "Twenty Four Hour a Day" book),
"Fourth Dimension" groups have their own website and affiliate with one
another. They endorse a specific approach to the steps, using outside
materials. After acting as its chairperson, secretary, treasurer and GSR for
twelve years, the group's founder moved. Over at least the last four years,
the group donated no money to the District, area, or GSO. When an accounting
of basket money and donations was suggested of all groups, "As Bill Sees It"
reported, "it's none of your damn business." Well, we replied, "If you want
to drink, that's your business. If someone wants to stay sober, it's ours."
Continuing discussion of our Seventh Tradition, the Daily Reprieve Group,
which meets at the clubhouse, made its very first contribution to the
District. This month, their GSR announced that the group was contributing
one dollar ($1.00). We know of no AAs on the clubhouse board who might
inquire of costs are keeping the Daily Reprieve Group from reaching out the
hand of AA beyond Forest Avenue, but there was a District CPC/PI request to
the clubhouse management to replace the large sign outside proclaiming,
"Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings" with the simple triangle in a circle. No
action has been taken. The Daily Reprieve group's GSR is the manager of the
clubhouse. District 30 has a great respect for our Fourth Tradition. We
respect group autonomy, except when it "affects other groups, or AA as a
whole." Some in District 30 wonder whether groups that benefit from AA, but
contribute little, are carrying the AA message. There are no AA police of
bleeding deacons; there is active discussion of these important issues.
Finally, two groups have not attended District meetings for well over a
year: Mt. Olivet and Ewing. We heard grumbling about their withdrawing from
the District, but have seen no action. Subject to discussion at our next
meeting, these groups will have no vote until a GSR, voted upon by a group
conscience, attends at least five of the next six District meetings. This
will avoid the sudden naming of GSR's to voting groups, who could then
unduly influence a quorum. We welcome comments and shared experiences from
other Districts and groups. Call me or please attend our District meetings
every second Friday of each month, 9:00 pm, Church of Nativity, Hunter Hall,
Third and Limestone, Maysville, KY. In service and fellowship
No Report given
District 32 thanks Districts 15 and 28 for hosting this Area 26 meeting.
Our District meeting is the 1st Tuesday of each month at the Walton
Methodist church at 6:30 pm. There are approximately 33 groups in our
District yet only about 5-6 GSR's attend each meeting. We continue to
support the correction facilities (a total of 7) in our District. Our
District corrections chair Tony T. is continuing to solicit volunteers for
taking meetings into jails. At present we are trying to restart meetings in
the men's side of the Grant County Jail. The corrections fund raiser dinner
sponsored by our Intergroup will be held January 31st at the Cold Spring
Baptist Church. The proceeds help buy Big Books for the Northern KY District
jails. We received 5 cases of Big Books last year from this dinner alone.
The Carrolton group announced a new Big Book Study meeting to be held at the
Carrolton Christian church Wednesday and Friday 2-3 pm. Our District has
decided to not have Sober Spring Break again this year, due to poor
attendance in the past. We are in the process of discussing ways to raise
money for the purchase of more BIG BOOKS and other literature for our
District. Thanks for allowing me to be of service
I would like to thank the Districts hosting this Area 26 function, for
their hospitality and the terrific job they have done. Much has happened in
District 33 since I last appeared before this reported with much sadness
that he would have to step away from his service position of DCM for the
District due to family illness and pressing business affairs. Serving as
Alternate DCM, I was elected to serve the remainder of his term as DCM and
Ray L. was elected to serve as Alternate DCM. In our District meeting held
on January 17th by the Benton/Fairdealing, group 9 of 11 GSR's were present.
I was informed by several of the GSR's…..that until their groups see their
contributions on the financial statements, they will cease all funds sent to
Area 26. Attendance is up in all the groups and none of the groups reported
any problems. Ray B. was elected to serve as corrections committee chair.
Our 1st Annual Golf Off for corrections was large success and along with the
Chili Cook Off we have been able to purchase several cases of literature for
3 different facilities. I am honored to report that one of these facilities
is the maximum security prison in Eddyville KY known as the "Castle on The
Cumberland". It has been more than 20 years since anyone from the outside
has been able to carry the message into this facility. God enabled us to do
so on December 11th of this past year. The inmates expressed their sincere
gratitude for this opportunity and would like to registrar their group with
NY GSO. We are in constant contact with the prison and are striving to make
this happen for those suffering behind these walls. On February 14th - 6
members of District 33 will share their experience; strength and hope with
the New Recovery Facility locate in Glasgow, KY. It will be the 1st Annual
Sharing at the Well held in Sulpher Well KY. I would like to thank District
33 for this opportunity to serve
District 34 is doing well. Once again the Greenville Group is moving its
meeting place. As of the first of February the Greenville Group will meet in
what was the Health Spa behind Malone Lumber Co. It will meet on Thursday at
7:30 pm. The Bremen Group (aka the Secret Meeting) will host its 22nd Annual
Anniversary meeting on February 17, 2009. Finger foods will be served at
7:00 pm, followed by the speaker meeting at 7:30 pm. As always thank you for
letting me serve you, my District and Area 26.
A lot has happened within our District since the last Area 26 meeting. I
want to first apologize if I do anything incorrect, I was introduced to the
service structure of AA only 6 months ago. If I knew then what I know now I
would have probably said no when ask if I would be willing to be the
alternate GSR for my home group. I have talked to some people in AA
including my sponsor that have assured me that I can do this, so I am here
to serve my District with the best of my ability. Our former DCM served our
District secretary wine at his home. Many people were unhappy within our
District. The Area was contacted and it was suggested that all involved
resign per tradition 10 because of the controversy inflicted. Our DCM did
turn in his resignation over the phone to one of our GSR's. He also emailed
the Area Delegate. Gary F. was our Alternate DCM and took over. I was
elected Alternate DCM. Since Gary F. is also the Area Treasurer he couldn't
be the DCM. I was asked to be the DCM and accepted. At our last District
meeting the GSR's voted 1 yes to stay, 5 no to resign, and 1 abstain for the
secretary to resign. He did resign and we voted for Karen T. to be our new
District secretary and Jessica G-R will be Alternate Secretary. We planned a
Grapevine workshop for March 14, 2009. Jeff N. from Area has planned to
attend. Our corrections chairperson Gary F. has stepped down and Tommy H.
was elected to take his place. Chris L. was elected Treatment Chair, JR was
elected Literature Chair, our CPC chair Jeff J was not present, and PI Chair
position is still empty. Our next meeting will be held February 2nd at 6:30
pm. We were planning another "What AA is" workshop for professionals for
January 30th but its not coming together. Gary F. was talking about
postponing it for a couple of weeks. Will be discussed
May 22-24-09 at The Hilton Frontenac,
1335 South Lindbergh Blvd.
St. Louis, Mo. 63131.
Hilton: (314) 993-1100
John S. (314) 413-5939
Email: shomaker1@aol.com
Website: www.Springflingstl.com
August 13-16, 2009
Riverview Plaza Hotel, 64 South Water Street
1-866-749-6069, 1800-922-3298, (251) 438-4000
www.riverviewmobile.com
November 13-15, 2009
KY Dam Village State Park, Gilbertsville, KY
Greg H. (270) 556-9575, Bob T. (270) 994-8661
Margie D. (270)-836-8138
May 22-24, 2009
Holiday Inn University Plaza & Sloan Convention Center
Bowling Green, KY
1-800-Holiday or (270) 745-0088
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