Kentuckiana News

AREA 26 NEWSLETTER – THE VOICE OF KENTUCKIANA – SPRING 2011

 

Our Primary Purpose

 

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In This Issue:

*Upcoming Area Event

*Area 26 Contact Information

*On Point: Our Primary Purpose

*A Discussion of Concept IX with Darryl M.

*An Interview with Corrections Chair Cathy B

*Committee Chair Reports

 

 

The topic of our next issue will be “The Home Group:  The Heartbeat of AA.” Please submit articles about your experience, strength and hope regarding this topic by June 1, 2011.

 

You may email your contribution to kentuckiananewsletter@yahoo.com  Kentuckiana News is the Voice of Kentuckiana and needs your input to survive.

 

FREE SUBSCRIPTION:  Email your request to kentuckiananewsletter@yahoo.com

PAPER SUBSCRIPTION:  Send your name, address and a check for $5.00 to cover postage and printing costs to Kentuckiana News, P.O. Box 245, Berea, KY  40403.

 

To submit an article, you must be an alcoholic and your subject should pertain to the theme of the upcoming issue. If your article is not related to the theme, it will be archived for possible later use. By submitting an article, you authorize us to edit for traditions, length, and language.

Thank you for your support!

 

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UPCOMING AA EVENT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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On Point: Our Primary Purpose

 

            In the 1840s, there was a group of heavy drinkers who wanted to get sober.  In those days we were not “alcoholics,'” we were known as “drunkards.”  Calling themselves the Washingtonians, their primary purpose was to help themselves and others overcome alcohol dependence, and they had great success.  Using a faith-based paradigm and holding regular meetings, the group worked on an individual basis one drunk to another.  At its height, the Washingtonians boasted over 600,000 members across the country. Then they disappeared.  By the time Alcoholics Anonymous was founded, neither Bill W nor Dr. Bob had even heard of them. Why did the Washingtonians fold? Details are sketchy, but apparently their success led them to expand their focus. They wanted to address more aspects of social reform and they no longer adhered to their primary purpose.

            There is concern within our organization that we may be doing the same thing that destroyed the Washingtonians. Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety.  By doing what we do, others who are powerless over alcohol can have what we have. That helps us stay sober, too. But for some AAs, this is not enough.  If this has worked for us, they reason, why not expand our focus to include anyone with an addiction? The question is an old one, and has been around since Alcoholics Anonymous was founded.

            Many of us have several addictions. We drink, we smoke, we eat too much, and we get high. The difference between the dependencies is often hard to see. In our stories we hear how rarely alcohol stands alone.  Some of us even introduce ourselves as “alcoholic and addict.”  But I think this is wrong. It only serves to make one feel unique and special, and different from everyone else in the room. Our strength lies in what makes us the same, not in what makes us different. 

            Our true strength lies in our traditions.  What may bring us to the rooms is diverse.  Sometimes avoiding trouble is a stronger desire then sobriety.  Traditions and purpose may not be a strong feature in a newcomers mind.   But they are crucial, they are the key; they are Alcoholics Anonymous.  Watering down our message, expanding it to include all manner of ancillary issues detracts from our focus.  We don’t even know if AA will help us overcome dope, or sex, or whatever. What we do know is this system works for problem-drinkers who diligently adhere to the principles and traditions of AA.

            Our fellowship is not all encompassing. It never has been. For all we know it may do more harm than good for druggies, and alienate the true problem-drinkers coming to us for the first time. It is not our purpose to address every addiction. It is our purpose to address alcoholism. The steps are powerful, and should be made available to any and all who can benefit from them. Those who come to us with a desire to stop drinking should and will always be made welcome. They are one of us.  We are Alcoholics Anonymous!

 

                                                                                    By Amy B. & Gary P.

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“Our primary purpose is to stay sober and to help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety.”

 

            The first part has to be accomplished before I can attempt the second part.  Only after this disease had caused me to attempt suicide did the ultimate question become was I or was I not an alcoholic?

            As I lay in the hospital bed three wise men asked if I felt powerless over alcohol and was my life unmanageable?  I lay in that bed three days before I decided I was powerless; and another day seeing my life was unmanageable.  Carried into my first meeting it was suggested that I “Listen to learn and learn to listen.”  After about three months find a sponsor and work the Steps.  Today I know from this work, “I can’t, He can, and I think I’ll let him.” 

            After about a year and a half my sponsor suggested that it was about time for me to get involved in service work.  I had the audacity to ask him why?  He, not so gently, explained to me that it was the way to get “Out of myself” and contribute what had so freely been given to me.  He suggested that I make coffee, set the room up, clean ashtrays and meet people at the door.  I did this for six months.

           

           

            After this he suggested I “chair” meetings and become active in the group.  Again I asked why?  Again, he (not so gently) suggested that it was time for me to become a part of the solution and not the problem.  In my disease I was a taker,  now it was time for me to become a giver.

            I found contentment when I did as he suggested.  I have been my Home Group Treasurer, GSR, and currently serve as the District Recorder.  I also sponsor several young men, speak when asked and most important; treat others as I want to be treated.

            Today I know that I can help others achieve sobriety through my most important attribute, my example.  Today, with the help of my Higher Power, I am satisfied with who and what I am.  That is an alcoholic; and the only way I can stay sober is to help another alcoholic.  That is what I am responsible for and I am reminded of that every time I step into a room of fellow alcoholics.

 

By Stan B. 

 

 

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In our continuing series on the Twelve Concepts:

A Discussion of Concept IX

 

Good servants, together with sound and appropriate methods of choosing them, are indispensable at all levels of AA for our future functioning and safety. The Trustees of the General Service Board of Alcoholics Anonymous must necessarily assume the primary world service leadership that was once exercised by the founders of AA.

 

In my opinion, Concept IX deals with leadership at all levels of AA.  Some people don’t believe that they are leaders in their AA group. It has been my experience that all healthy groups have leaders; humble trusted servants. Most of the time these leaders don’t talk much in a group-conscience meeting, but when he or she offers an opinion, it is heartfelt, God-centered and good for all parties concerned.

 

When I got the opportunity to be of service to AA, a wise man asked me, "Do you understand ‘HOW?’"  He went on to say that “HOW” stood for an honest, open-minded and willing attitude.

 

Let’s talk about being honest in service. We all understand how honesty plays a vital role in our sobriety while working the steps. Honesty is as vital in service as it is in the steps. When we are involved in service, we have to take a long hard look at ourselves, "Why am I here, to feed my ego, or because I’m the most popular person in my group? Or have I earnestly prayed to my Higher Power that I might be of maximum service to Him and those about me? If I feel in my heart that what I am doing is good and right, then I am honest in service. Honesty takes other forms, too:  Do I report back to my group honestly or do I interject my opinions on what I am reporting?

 

Now let’s talk about being open-minded. If we ask our higher power to allow us to be open minded while working the steps, should we not ask Him to be as open minded in our group conscience? How many times have we sat in a group conscience and said, "This does not apply to me, I have no opinion?” Or sat there with indifference to those who have a genuine need?  I need to remember that I might have got me here, but we keep me here.

 

Willingness is vital in AA; the foundation of all we do is complete willingness. When I'm asked to be of service in AA, what am I willing to do without? Am I willing to go to my home group and open it up an hour before time just for that lonely drunk on the street? Am I willing to make that 12 step call? Not to the big house on the hill but the cardboard box in the alley? What about giving up your weekends with family and friends to drive three hours to listen to something that has no benefit to you that you can see? Yet you find yourself doing it every quarter, by attending an area meeting.

 

Being a leader in AA is far from the ego trip that some would lead you to believe. Some of my most humbling times were when I was giving freely of myself to this fellowship.

 

In writing this article, memories resurfaced of a time when I was given the opportunity to go to a Board Weekend in New York. It is hard to describe the truly selfless leaders that we have in place on our Board, from the regional trustees to the general manager to the non-alcoholic class A Trustees. They demonstrated to me true leadership through love for Alcoholics Anonymous. I often wonder how long our fellowship will survive. As long as we as a fellowship keep electing high caliber GSR's, DCM's, Committee Chair People, Delegates and Trustees, and allow our Board to make the decisions that are truly best for Alcoholics Anonymous, then we shall survive as long as God deems us necessary.

 

Yours in Service,

Darryl M.

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An Interview with Corrections Chair Cathy B

 

How did you get involved in service?

I started out in simple ways to serve. I emptied ashtrays after the meetings, put away chairs, and helped set-up and clean up for meetings. My first service position was treasurer for my home group, Promises Group. After a few years of sobriety, I served as GSR. Then I was elected as DCM of District 15 in the 1990's.

After my two year term as DCM was finished, I asked the District 15 DCM what they needed help with. Bryan, the DCM at that time, said they needed help with the Corrections Committee. I decided that I would need to become an active volunteer at the jail before I could become the Corrections Committee Chair. I didn't feel that I could be a committee chairperson without first having volunteered myself. I've been volunteering at the Fayette Co. Detention Center for 8-9 years.

I was asked to attend a meeting on the men's recovery unit to be a female role model for the men. I said yes on one condition, that a male AA member accompany me to the meeting. One of the volunteers was Keith C., who volunteered faithfully for over a year. Keith died in a motorcycle accident, just short of his 2nd AA birthday. I miss him dearly. I gained lots of courage and got over many fears while attending the AA meetings over the past years.

I still attend AA meetings at the Fayette Co. Detention Center. On Tuesdays, I visit the AA meeting men's recovery unit, and then I walk down the hall to the AA meeting on a women's unit.

Before Christmas 2009, Barbara F., our Area 26 chairperson, asked me to consider being the Area 26 Corrections Chairperson. She asked me to pray for one week to 10 days and then give her an answer.  Soon after that, my hometown of Mount Vernon was featured on the front page of the Herald Leader, with 75 arrested in one week for alcohol/drug related charges. That was my answer. I couldn't let down my own hometown.

Jason R. is now the District 15 Corrections chair, and he is doing a great job.

 

Why is service important to you and your sobriety?

It gets me outside of myself.  When I am helping another drunk, I'm not thinking about myself or about drinking. I also feel better and closer to God when I've helped someone.

When I am staying in the middle of a ship, I'm less likely to fall off into the water than when I am sitting on the side of the ship. When I am running with the herd, I am less likely to be separated from others in recovery than when I lag behind, to the side or in front of the herd.

Each person has their service responsibility at which they excel. For some it is giving rides, for others it is sponsoring people, making coffee, cleaning up after the meeting, serving at the district or area level, or attending a jail/prison or treatment center meeting.

Recent KY legislature passed into law a revision to the penal code. Incarcerated alcoholics will now be sent to treatment rather than remain incarcerated. The quiet, anonymous efforts of dedicated AA volunteers statewide must have had an influence on this decision, which reached the highest level of our state. We AA's changed history!

To quote Dr. Bob from the Big Book, page 181, "I do it for four reasons: 1.) Sense of duty, 2.) It is a pleasure, 3.) Because in doing so I am paying my debt to the man who took time to pass it on to me, 4.) Because every time I do it I take out a little more insurance for myself against a possible slip."

Dr. Silkworth also stated on page XXV of the Big Book, "The unselfishness o f these men as we have come to know them, the entire absence of profit motive and their community spirit, is indeed inspiring to one who has labored long and wearily in this alcoholic field."

 

What is the function of your committee?

An Area 26 Corrections Committee Chairperson:

*Coordinates the volunteers who carry the AA message into the jails and prisons.

*Answers letters from inmates sent to GSO for help. Requests may be for an outside AA pen pal, outside meeting schedules, or for someone to meet them upon their release to take them to a meeting on their first day out of jail or prison.

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Standing Committee Chair Reports

 

Archives – David W., Chairperson

 

     I want to thank all the Louisville Districts involved for all their hard work.  Thank you for your service.

 

      This last quarter I attended a Traditions workshop in Bowling Green, KY in November, as well as the Southeastern Regional Forum in Myrtle Beach in December. This was my first forum and I was very impressed with this event. It is a shame this only happens once every 2 years. Many of the main issues that face our fellowship were discussed among representatives from all over the southeast, trustees and GSO employees. Though Archives was not a subject covered at the forum this time, I found this an extremely instructive forum.

 

      I have been to the Repository every 3rd Sunday of the month, except this one for obvious reasons, and have had no visitors from our fellowship.

 

      Yesterday we had 7 people attend the Archives Committee meeting.

We discussed the role of Archives, in general as well as in keeping Area 26 records. The need for group histories & interviewing old-timers was discussed and the use of digital recorders for interviewing old-timers.

 

      This was a small but very enthusiastic group. We talked a great deal about the importance of group histories and I shared my experience with gathering the information to do this, and the use of guidelines from AA.org website on group histories. We also discussed how to handle archival material and just what qualifies as archival, for groups, districts and the area. Everyone who attended yesterday’s Archives Committee Meeting please stand to be recognized.

 

     We also got off topic to discuss some of the issues that I found interesting from the Southeast Regional Forum. Anonymity in the digital age, lack of growth in AA membership over the last 20 years and singleness of purpose. 

 

      One other thing, at every Area 26 meeting someone will give me something for the Archives. I love receiving new items for the Repository. However, whenever you bring me items it would help if you could supply me with some information about the item offered. The more information I have the more meaning this submission will have for Area 26.

 

Thank you for allowing me to serve Area 26,

David W.

 

 

Cooperation with the Professional Community (CPC) - - Charlie S., Chairperson

 

      I would like to take this opportunity to welcome our new Linguistic District 36 and Alberto for his workshop on the history, struggles and service experience that this new District has gone through.  I am willing to offer my service to this District for any CPC information or workshops that they may need.  Again, thank you for your help and support of hosting this assembly.  I would also like to thank District 3 for the invite to participate in their workshop that they hosted.  Much like my experience of sponsorship, I believe I benefited more that I was able to give.  These workshops are much needed as a way of helping AA stay strong.  It is my understanding from the old timers that, years ago, these workshops were held on a more consistent basis and was used to help build the strong foundation on which we stand today.  I again offer my service to any District who wishes to conduct a workshop.

 

     At this time, I would like for all of those who attended the committee meeting yesterday to stand and be recognized.  It gives me a great sense of accomplishment when I see the same individuals showing up to this meeting and bringing back information of what they have been able to accomplish in their Districts because they took the time to learn more about CPC work.  Thanks to each and every one of you.  Also, I would like to thank those who were new to service and it is my hope that you were able to take away something that you will be able to use when doing service work.  It is your desire and interest that helps me do my job.

 

     One District reported their intention of taking literature into their doctor’s office on their next visit.  We discussed the possibilities of taking some old issues of the Grapevine to leave behind in the waiting rooms.  Also was discussed the possibilities of ordering from GSO the P.I. Literature Display Container M-46 for $3.30 to take to the doctor’s office.  We discussed ordering the piece of literature Members of the Clergy Ask About Alcoholics Anonymous P-25 for the cost of 25 cents.  This literature could then be placed in a collection basket during church service as a way of doing service work anonymously.  We learned from one member about their efforts in working with the local drug court on how they are dealing with the issue of signing or not signing court papers.  This information was disclosed in the piece of literature (Information on Alcoholics Anonymous for anyone new coming to AA and for anyone referring people to AA.)  On a local level, I was contacted and with the help of our local Central Office, I was able to assist a professional in the medical field that works with organ recipients find more contact information about A.A.

 

     I would like to report that GSO has contacted me about our Area CPC committee staffing an informational booth for the American Association of School Health convention to be held in Louisville.  This event will take place October 12^th through the 15^th, 2011.  I have received overwhelming response in a desire to help and I am looking forward to heading this event up.  I may need help in staffing the booth during the event, so if you are interested in helping, please see me after the meeting and I will put your name on the list.  I would also like to ask at this time that the bidding District for the Area Assembly, that is usually held in October, to keep the weekend of October 12^th open or at least consider it.

 

In Loving Service,

Charlie S.

 

Corrections - - Cathy B., Chairperson

 

            Thanks to Districts 1, 10, 11, 12, 13, 19, 22, 24 and 36 for hosting a great meeting. The food has been awesome.

            In the last quarter, I answered 2 letters requesting help for inmates who had written GSO in NYC, and 2 emails from the Area 26 website. I attended the Southeast Regional Forum in Myrtle Beach on Dec. 10-12, 2010.

            Here is my report: GSO's main concern is making our literature more available on i-Pods, Kindle formats, online, etc. This is necessary to attract young people.

            The Grapevine is having financial problems. The staff is committed to keeping the Grapevine financially solvent. This is a reflection of the fact that all magazines and newspapers are having a hard time financially due to our being in the digital age.

            The West Virginia past delegate, Kathy O', has been collecting money for literature for the Boyd County Detention Center in KY. GSO sent out letters to all registered groups, acknowledging contributions. Since some groups had not donated any money this year, a letter stating that fact was sent out to those groups. Some of these registered groups were correctional facilities groups.

            GSO apologizes to those groups, stating that they are not expected to make financial contributions. 

            In 2010, I attended: 4 Area 26 meetings; 1 International Convention (at my own expense); 1 Southeast Regional Forum; 1 Corrections dinner; 1 State convention; 5 Workshops; 2 leads given at 2 separate correctional facilities. In addition, I chair the women's AA meeting at Fayette Co. Detention Center on unit EE at 8:30 PM on Wednesday nights. Joy F., our delegate, has graciously shared her car and her hotel room with me on most of these trips. Therefore, I have not turned in very many expenses. I thank Joy for sharing with me and saving Area 26 a lot of money. 

            We discussed getting volunteers for the AA meetings at Eddyville, restarting an inactive meeting in Madison Co., crossing district lines to do service work in correctional facilities, and listening to 5th Steps in jail.  We discussed attending the Ky Jailers Association meeting in the spring. We voted to keep the PO Box for corrections, even though it is not being used very much at this time. It was set up for correspondence with inmates. Just to remind everyone, here is our P.O. Box:  Area 26 Corrections, P.O. Box 8026, Lexington, KY 40533-8026.

            There were 27 in attendance at the Corrections Committee meeting on Sat. Will all those who attended the Corrections meeting yesterday please stand. Thank you for allowing me to serve Area 26 and sending me to the Southeast Regional Forum.

 

With AA gratitude,

Cathy B.

 

 

 

Grapevine - - Joe O., Chairperson

 

            We had our meeting yesterday with 15 in attendance. We had a good meeting and had several Grapevine reps in attendance.

             I would like to apologize to Bowling Green for not being able to attend their Workshop.  I was in the Smoky Mountains that weekend on a trip my wife had planned. If she had not made those plans I would have loved to be at the workshop. I love going to workshops. I once was invited down to Louisville to do a workshop. They are serious there. They started the workshop at 8:00 in the morning and I showed up at 1:00 and it was going strong.

            Joy gave me the results of the Grapevine Survey. I thought she was going over it, but this is what I got out of it. Fifty percent of those surveyed like the Grapevine just as it is.  As far as the price is concerned, they thought that with the self-support, if more needs to be charged then more should be charged. 

      We went around the room and did a sharing session and everyone got to talk. Among the things we discussed was "losing a Grapevine."  That is, when you go into a place and you casually leave a copy of the Grapevine there. We discussed whether we were effectively promoting the Grapevine. After our discussion we came to the conclusion that we were informing AA’s about the Grapevine.  We talked about various topics and it was a good sharing. 

     Robin is the new Grapevine rep for District 28 since Rita is now the DCM.  Anthony is the Grapevine rep in our District and is very enthused about it. Camille is the Intergroup Grapevine rep in Louisville.   

     Another topic that came up is buying subscriptions to the Grapevine for your pigeons.  Have your home group buy two subscriptions, leave one on the table and one to hand out to read the Traditions and the Preamble. 

 

 

Kentuckiana Newsletter - - Amy B., Chairperson

 

Good Morning. I’m Amy B. and I am an alcoholic, currently serving as your Kentuckiana Newsletter Chair.  Let me first thank Districts 1,10,11,12,13,19,22,24 and 36 for their hospitality it’s been a great weekend.

This past quarter I attended the Southeast Regional Forum in Myrtle Beach.  The highlight for me was being able to take 3 people who had never attended a forum before.  All three are from my district, and, as you heard from Jason yesterday, participation and involvement is really growing. It is amazing to watch as people choose to serve in our district.

We had a wonderful committee meeting yesterday.  There where 7 people in attendance.  Will all those who attended the meeting please stand and be recognized?

The first item discussed was our budget and the current cost of the newsletter for this quarter which was $454.74. This is a print run of 550 newsletters with staples and 50 newsletters without staples for corrections.  The printing company we have been using has merged with another printer. Fortunately, nothing has changed but the location of the printer.

Our next issue comes out in April.  Our topic for April is “Our Primary Purpose” and the deadline for submissions is March 1st.  We have one article submitted already and Gary P. has done some great research on the history of Our Primary Purpose for an article we will be collaborating on.  The following issue will come out in July and the deadline for that issue will be June 1^st.  The topic for the summer issue is “The Home Group:  The Heartbeat of AA.”  Committee members have come up with two articles; one on how to become a group and the second on the difference between a group and a meeting.

We are continuing the discussion on how to meet the needs of our linguistic district, District 36.  After speaking with Alberto yesterday I think we might have come up with an idea that could work.  We will give it a try for the next issue and see if it is feasible or not.  Alberto is going to see if someone will be available to attend our committee meeting next time who can assist us as we go forward with providing the newsletter in Spanish.  We also discussed the possibility of an audio translation of the newsletter and posting it to the website.

We will continue with articles about the concepts.  Our next issue will include an article on Concept IX by Daryl M., and the next Committee Chair interview will be with our Corrections Chair Cathy B.

We were able to distribute newsletters to all but a few districts yesterday.  If anyone is here or lives close to these districts, and would be willing to take their newsletters to them we would appreciate it. 

Finally, please remember this is your newsletter and we want to hear your comments, suggestions and tips.  Please consider submitting an article for the newsletter and share your experience, strength and hope with us.

Thank you for allowing me to be of service. 

Amy B.     

 

 

  Literature - - George J., Chairperson

 

            We opened the meeting with the Serenity Prayer, followed by introductions.  Next we handed out service-related material that included a report from the Trustees Literature Committee meeting, two memos from the Literature desk, Preliminary Conference Agenda items for Literature, and Guidelines on the Literature Committee.

            Our first topic for discussion was the purpose and function of Literature and Literature committees.  This discussion transitioned into sharing about the process of developing a proposed piece of literature, as it becomes conference-approved. The recent Conference advisory action “to develop literature that addresses spirituality” was used an example. Not surprisingly,  the committee did have some discussion about the pros and cons for this piece. 

            Next, we briefly reviewed the preliminary conference agenda items as it relates to literature. Again, we saw interest in the pamphlets in review, particularly AA and Armed Services, Spirituality and AA members and other Medications.  In addition, members of the committee were asked to share their experience on the value and effectiveness of the booklet “Living Sober.” An enthusiastic response was heard with varying opinions, but over all positive and open minded.  Language updating is welcomed.

             I can’t find the words to express my gratitude for the people of this Committee who enthusiastically bring the voice of the Area 26 Literature Committee into being.

            I would like to thank District 1 and District 3 for asking me to participate in their Traditions Workshop, and Service Workshop, respectively.

 

In Service,

George J.

 

Public Information - - John A., Chairperson

 

     First, I want to thank those who attended yesterday’s meeting. We had a

 

total of 13 in attendance.  Would those who were there, please stand?  We ‘d also like to thank Districts 1, 10, 11, 12, 13, 19, 22, 24, and 36 for hosting us this weekend.

 

      At the request of the DCM in District 17, Lee S., I attended a health fair in Owensboro on Oct. 22, 2010.   Susan T. from District 17 who had just volunteered to be the Public Information Chair accompanied me

 

to the health fair.  It was a great opportunity to help Susan understand how to set up a display for a health fair (i.e. what literature to put out), how to protect her anonymity, and what to say to interested parties.

 

      On November 13^th, I went to an AA Traditions workshop in District 3.

 

      In December, I went to the Southeast Regional Forum in Myrtle Beach.   The weather was lousy outside, but the Forum more than made up for the weather.  I was most impressed by how many past and present delegates and trustees were in attendance.  It was amazing how much knowledge about AA’s service structure was readily available.

 

     Four topics of note were discussed in the committee meeting yesterday.  One - how to be anonymous in regards to newspapers, radio, film, and especially the Internet.  Two, was the difference between attraction and promotion.

 

      Tom B., the former Public Information Committee Chair, researched the last two items for me.  One involved an advertisement in the yellow pages that used the words, “Alcoholics Anonymous”.  I have reported the ad to the intellectual property administrator at GSO.  They usually send a strongly worded letter to the offending party, which will most likely be ignored.

 

      The last item we discussed was speaking to the Kentucky Jailers Association when the attendees are paying a fee for continuing education.  I wanted to make sure we were not breaking Traditions 6 & 10.  It turns out that GSO has been inviting doctors to GSO for many years to educate them about AA.  Problem solved.  Although, we missed that opportunity it looks like we might get another chance to talk to the jailers this spring.

 

Respectfully submitted,

John A.

 

 

Registrar - - Chris T., Chairperson

 

      I would like to thank the multitude of Districts here in the greater Louisville area that have come together for the purpose of hosting this Area Meeting.

 

      Over the past quarter some misinformation has been circulating through the Area concerning group status situations. First allow me to state the fact that no one outside of the General Service Offices in New York ever can or does adjust the status of any group within the AA community.

 

     There are basically only five status classifications that directly involve the groups.

1. Active or pending active

2.Inactive or pending inactive

3. Merged

4. Unknown

5. Incomplete

Classifications one, two and three are pretty self-defining.

 

        The designation “Unknown” means that the group does not have a GSR or primary contact listed on the records in New York.

 

     “Incomplete” means that there is some information missing on the group’s data sheet.

 

     When a group appears as an “Unknown” status after a certain length of time, without any contact from that group or the Area concerning that group, I believe that the GSO then transitions that group to “Inactive” status. This is following some investigation completed by the records department in New York.

 

     Again, let me emphasize to ya’ll:  Only GSO in New York can change the status of a group!

 

     Currently we have three groups listed as Unknown within Area 26.

Those three groups are: (1) Central Avenue Group in Campbellsville; (2) District 5, Chapter Five Men’s Group in Bowling Green and; (3) District 3, Monday Grapevine No Smoking Group in Louisville District 24.

 

      Again if you can provide me with any information concerning these groups I will forward it to New York on Monday.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Chris T.

           

 

Special Needs - - Debbie C., Chairperson

 

      I’m Debbie C., currently serving as your Area Special Needs Chair. I would also like to thank the Louisville area districts for the great efforts they have made to host us this weekend.
            Thanks goes out to my home district, District 3, for inviting me to participate in the Traditions Workshop they put on in Bowling Green back in balmy November.   Preparing for this workshop took me back through the history of Alcoholics Anonymous, something I have not studied since my early days in the program. I learned a lot doing this.
             I would also like to thank the Area for allowing me to attend the Southeast Regional Forum in Myrtle Beach in November. I had heard over the years from a fellow home group member about these events, but that did not properly prepare me for the event. Having the opportunity to meet with fellow AA’s from all over the Southeast and networking with them and with staff and trustees from GSO’s about the challenges we face carrying the message of recovery was a real treat.   Julio was also a real treat!
             Thanks goes out also, to my sponsor Nancy B., for her work in refurbishing my display. She did a great job of showing in that display what the Special Needs Committee’s mission is.
            Our meeting yesterday was the biggest group I have had in my tenure as Special Needs Chair. I really appreciate all those who attended and would like those who are still here today to stand and be recognized. These are the members of your districts who can help you meet some of the challenges you may encounter in carrying the message of recovery to drunks who may be physically challenged. Please seek them out for solutions.
            Betty M., the Special Needs chair in District 3, along with the help of Ed C., is beginning a Meeting on Wheels program. Thank you to the Louisville Intergroup for paving the way with your program, and to Joann M. for reporting on that in our committee meeting.
            I am working with District 36 to facilitate the start of Hispanic AA groups in Bowling Green and in Franklin. This is a work in progress and I have high hopes for it. I also had a member of AA come to me yesterday to ask what is available to help the mentally ill alcoholic. He is carrying a meeting in to the U of L Psych ward. What an amazing act of service! Thank you Pat G. for this effort, I will be contacting GSO and will get back to you with any information I can find. Perhaps Julio can help me!
            Again, I appreciate the opportunity to serve AA.  I owe AA my life.
 
Respectfully,

Debbie C.

 

Treatment Facilities - - Brian S., Chairperson

 

       I would like to thank the districts involved in preparing this meeting for us and for their hospitality as well. Also, thanks to the area for the opportunity to serve as your treatment chair.

      Since our last quarterly meeting, I've had the opportunity to attend and participate in the District 3 workshop in Bowling Green. I appreciated the invitation to attend. I also was a panelist with Lynda R. at the Sister Ignatia Group in Louisville. There was an "Ask-it Basket" panel with many interesting questions. The questions ranged from the Traditions to historical to dating in AA. I also attended the Southeast forum in Myrtle Beach. I have to say that the entire region seems to be dealing with the same issues that Area 26 is. Most of the hot topics centered on money and singleness of purpose. Most of what was discussed has already been discussed here in Area 26 and I attribute that to the good work of our delegate.

       At the treatment facilities meeting we had a total of 14 people in attendance. Although this is a little less than previous meetings, we found no shortage of topics to discuss.

       We spent time on the topic of having a current statewide AA contact list. There was some discussion as to how to facilitate this. Currently, as the treatment chair, when I receive an inquiry I refer to the area directory and turn it over to the DCM for that particular area of the state. This seems to have worked so far, so it appears that at least for this quarter I will continue handling referrals in the same manner. I cordially ask all DCMs this quarter to develop a list of volunteer contacts from their district so we can merge that information into 1 list.

       Again we had plenty of discussion regarding AA’s “Singleness of Purpose”. This is a topic for the ages. As far as I can tell, this has been debated for at least the last 70 years. Excerpts from the “Treatment Workbook” and the pamphlet “Problems Other Than Alcohol” were read to address some of the comments. I did get a sense that some of our newer members gained some knowledge from AA literature and the committee’s shared experience. That seemed to clear the air a bit.

       I again supplied printed service material to the group. These service pieces were sample letters to treatment facilities. These letters outline an initial contact with administrators to offer AA services to a facility, which currently may not have an AA presence. Also, presentation guidelines on “what AA is and what AA is not” were circulated. I have extra printed material for anyone here who would like copies.

       In closing, AA Traditions and Singleness of Purpose remain AA’s responsibility. A simple exclusion of “just this once” can easily be multiplied around the globe, and the cumulative effect of these exclusions can be possibly devastating to a new drunk walking in. Moreover, what effect will it have on the fellowship we all love so dearly? When we “Carry this Message,” let us all examine the message we’re carrying.

 

 

Website - - Jon S., Chairperson

 

            I would like to thank Districts 1-10-11-12-13-19-22-24-29 for hosting this meeting. We had 12 people besides me at our workshop yesterday.

            We talked about a whole lot of stuff such setting up group websites, anonymity on the internet, raising our placement on search engines, the purpose of our website and the website guidelines we’ve been working on for months. Though we only addressed two sentences on the guidelines we thought we had a great workshop. We also found another great candidate for our web team.

            Please check your email for a letter I send to check everyone’s email address. Please remember to check your junk mail boxes. Forwarded email is more likely to end up in your junk mail box.

            Also make sure your email personal email box is not full if we are forwarding your email.  I checked all the boxes last night, and the one closest to being full was 72% full. If your mail is bouncing it may be your personal box that is full.

            Most email software does not remove the mail you delete. It just moves it to your trash or deleted file. You have to go to that file and purge or empty the file to remove it and reduce the email in you box. If you are using your area26.net email please let me know so I can stop forwarding. If you would like to use your area26 email just go to our site and click on Check Your Email, DCM's & Area Committee Chairs & Officers and follow the prompts. If you don’t know your password please let me know.

            Meeting Updates:  I have not received much email at all for our registrar, so if you need your meetings updated please let me know. Meetings are probably the most important thing on our site and are useless if they are not correct.

            Someone asked me to attend a workshop to address ‘Anonymity on the Internet.’  I am looking forward to that because that’s what we Committee Chairs do for little or no cost to you.  You just pay for the place.

            Would those we were at the website committee workshop yesterday please stand and be recognized?

            From June 26, 2010 00:05 to January 14, 2011 our website has had 10,860 distinct visitors.

 

 

Welcome to Service Workshop – Darryl M., Alternate Delegate

                         

            I would like to thank the Area for allowing me to attend the Forum

at Myrtle Beach. It was very informative. By giving me this opportunity, it was pos-

sible for two other alcoholics to attend their first Forum.

            I was asked at the last Area meeting to take over the Welcome to Service Workshop. I’d like to thank Lynda for setting it up. There were 41 people in attendance.

There were a lot of questions, and some of them were answered.