PASS IT ON Eastside Intergroup Newsletter

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "PASS IT ON Eastside Intergroup Newsletter"

Shavonne Burke
5 years ago
Views:

1 PASS IT ON Eastside Intergroup Newsletter Issue 21 September 2018 The Solution to the Problem of Me Alcohol wasn't my problem, it was the solution to the problems with me. Page 1-2 The Solution to the Problem of Me Anonymous Page 3 Upcoming Events & Meeting Updates Page 4 Information Corner Page 5 Office Report Page 6-7 YTD Group Contributions Page 8 Birthday Club Faithful Fivers Pink Can Contributions Page 9 Office Information Newsletter Volunteers Hotline Volunteers Contributions Page 10 August Intergroup Meeting Attendance Alcohol eased or removed whatever was troubling me, at least temporarily. It eased my stress, fear, loneliness, boredom, and depression, and let me have fun and feel good. What if, when I first started drinking, I had paused and contemplated what discomfort, problem, stressor, or emotion, improved once the alcohol hit my bloodstream? What if I had the insight to write down those things, and begin a quest to find a solution, to those problems, by means of something that did not involve putting a chemical in my body, or engaging in other pleasure/comfort producing behaviors, such as; food, sex, spending money, gambling, pursuit of status/social standing, pursuit of power, justified anger, etc. Would I still have become an alcoholic? I don't know, but probably. Why? What is easier, finding a quick and convenient, albeit temporary, solution in a glass, or a lifetime of working to change, giving up control and placing it in the hands of a Higher Power, spending my time unselfishly helping others, carefully considering and reviewing my thoughts, actions, character flaws, and relationships, and making a lifelong commitment to change with the help and direction of others and God? Initially, a couple of glasses of wine at the end of a busy stressful day brought quick relief and returned me to a state of calm and contentment. By the end, I would seek out anything that offered the promise of bringing some pleasure, happiness, serenity or peace of mind. The things I sought to ease my discomfort were absolutely wrong, based on my own Conscience, and they eventually wrought pain and destruction. Furthermore, they stopped bringing the brief relief that they once did. And this conflict between my relief-seeking behaviors and my Conscience, created incredible pain, remorse, and shame, for which I only had an insane solution - Drink, die, or drink to die. A jumping off point (continued on pg 2.) 1

The Solution to the Problem of Me continued from page 1 Unfortunately, or fortunately, depending upon how you look at it, the solution and path to righteousness, recovery, and God, often cannot be

2 The Solution to the Problem of Me continued from page 1 Unfortunately, or fortunately, depending upon how you look at it, the solution and path to righteousness, recovery, and God, often cannot be sought until total hopelessness is reached. At some point during my drinking, I became incapable of seeing the lies and denial present in nearly everything I did. The extreme measure I had to take to have any chance, was to give up all power and control. Once my eyes began to open to the lies I had been telling myself and others, and to the blame and resentment that I was wallowing in, I was finally willing to follow a different path - A much more difficult path, much less frequently traveled, but one that is truly a pleasure to walk, despite the destination being unknown and not yet determined. What a gift it is to live a life of happiness and serenity, having hopeful anticipation of the unknown blessings still to unfold. And what a blessing it is to have a Higher Power, fellowship, and the inner peace, to have faith that I can weather any storm that comes my way, without using alcohol to numb the pain. All I need is God, others to help me, others for me to help, willingness, and at least enough action to overcome my inertia. I found the Solution to the problem of me in AA. - Anonymous 2

Meeting Updates September 6th: Eastside Intergroup Meeting at Bellevue Christian Reformed Church, 12221 148th Ave NE in Bellevue, 7:30pm to 8:30pm.

September 8th: ESIG 3rd Annual Eastside Intergroup at the Mariners against the Yankees at 6:10pm at Safeco Stadium.

3 Meeting Updates September 6th: Eastside Intergroup Meeting at Bellevue Christian Reformed Church, th Ave NE in Bellevue, 7:30pm to 8:30pm. September 8th: Eastside Intergroup Hotline / Phone Training at ESIG Office Bel Red Rd. Suite B6, Bellevue from 10:00am to 11:30am. September 8th: ESIG 3rd Annual Eastside Intergroup at the Mariners against the Yankees at 6:10pm at Safeco Stadium. September 8th: Pine Lake Speaker Meeting at Pine Lake Covenant Church, th Ave SE, Sammamish, WA from 7:00pm to 9:00pm. Speaker is Judith R. from Bismarck, North Dakota. September 8th: Ice Cream Social & YPAA Workshop at First Baptist Church in Astoria, Oregon. September 15th: Sponsorship Workshop at Kirkland Congregational Church, 106 5th Ave., Kirkland, WA from 10:00am to 1:00pm. September 22nd: Just Not Drinking vs. Sobriety District 35 Workshop at Our Savior Lutheran Church, 745 Front St. S, in Issaquah from 10:00am to 1:00pm September 29th: Seattle Fall Conference Freedom from Bondage at United Evangelical Free Church, 1420 NW 80th St, in Seattle. Valley Young and Sober Mondays 7:30pm-8:30pm Eastside Fire & Rescue Station Tolt Ave. Carnation, WA Higher Powered at Gold Creek Wednesdays 7:00pm-830pm Gold Creek Community Church th St SE Mill Creek, WA Sobriety 101 Saturdays 7:00pm08:00pm Eastside Alano Club NE 8th St. Step Sisters Thursdays 6:30pm-8:00pm Duvall Visitor Center (Rose Room) Main St. NE Duvall, WA Defunct Meeting Mondays 7:00-pm-8:00pm Sammamish Sober Sisters Inglewood Presbyterian Church Sammamish, WA KIRBYPAA Meetings 2nd & 4th Sunday each month 4:00 pm-6:00 pm Eastside Intergroup Office Bel Red Rd. #B6 PSYPC Meetings 3rd Sunday each month 4:30pm Eastside Intergroup Office Bel Red Rd. Suite B6 3

4 Information Corner What is Love? Synonyms of Love: Charity, Unselfishly Helpful Sympathy: Feelings of sorrow for someone else's misfortune. Mercy: Compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm. Grace, Goodwill, Tenderness, Generosity, Kindness, Tolerance, Sympathy, Love is essentially the act of being unselfishly helpful. And if you can accept that Love and Spirituality are one in the same, then Spirituality is simply the ACT of being unselfishly helpful. We hear that the key to sobriety is Spirituality. Mercy, Charity: Generosity and helpfulness especially toward the needy or suffering. Grace: A Gift freely given. Goodwill: Friendly, helpful, or cooperative feelings or attitude. Therefore being unselfishly helpful is critical to sobriety. "What we really have is a daily reprieve contingent on the maintenance of our spiritual condition." BB Into Action, p. 85 Tenderness: Gentleness and kindness. Generosity: Showing unselfishness and forgiveness, especially toward a rival or someone less powerful than oneself. Kindness: Friendly, generous, and considerate Said another way, "What we really have is a daily reprieve contingent upon our being unselfishly helpful. " Tolerance: Acceptance, in particular of opinions or behavior that one does not necessarily agree with. -Anonymous 4

ESIG August 2018 Office Report During August we had the following volunteers working in the office: Al F., Cindy S., Cyndy Fahey, Jill M., Josephine R., Karen M. Kathy S., Leslie G., Natasha N.

Hotline / Phone Training Saturday September 8th from 10:00am 11:30am. Learn about Do s & Don ts in AA and how to help on the phones.

We currently have openings on the Hotline as well as in the office. If you are interested in volunteering, please call the office at 425-454-9192 or stop by and let us know what you are interested in.

5 ESIG August 2018 Office Report During August we had the following volunteers working in the office: Al F., Cindy S., Cyndy Fahey, Jill M., Josephine R., Karen M. Kathy S., Leslie G., Natasha N., Ben P. (Po), Sharon R., Steve B., Susan H., Ted W., Tim Q., Ulf W., and Wallene D. & Rick F. picked up schedules for us from the Seattle Intergroup office. Thank you all for your service! Hotline / Phone Training Saturday September 8th from 10:00am 11:30am. Learn about Do s & Don ts in AA and how to help on the phones. This workshop is for anyone wanting to be on the Hotline (outside of office hours) and for anyone wanting to volunteer in the office. We currently have openings on the Hotline as well as in the office. If you are interested in volunteering, please call the office at or stop by and let us know what you are interested in. And, if you are thinking about volunteering it would be helpful to come on Saturday to the Hotline training at the Intergroup office. We are at: Bel Red Rd Suite B6 Did you Know? Did you know that Bill Wilson thought of himself as a clairvoyant? Did you know Dr. Bob s nickname was Smitty? Did you know that at the end of his life, Bill Wilson wanted to be known for his work with Vitamin B3 therapy and depression and no so much as the co-founder of AA? Tidbits like these fill the pages of our Holiday Gift Set Pass It On and Dr. Bob and the Good Oldtimers. Hazelden Titles Now in Stock Great Gift-wrapped gift set for your sponsor or sponsee specially priced at $20.00/set. It s early, but mark your calendars we ve reserved the park for July 27th next year for our Annual ESIG Picnic. ESIG now carries over 35 books by Hazelden. Twelve Step Sponsorshiop, Mindfulness and the 12 Steps are newer titles but we carry classics like Drop the Rock and The Ripple Effect. Looking for a new daily reader? We have super selections of men s and women s titles. Shop soon for the best selection. Newsletter We would like to see how many people we can get signed up for our newsletter. If you are not signed up or know someone that doesn t get it yet please tell them to go on our website to the Newsletter Tab and sign up there. It only takes a moment. Keep up-to-date with what s happening in the Greater Eastside area. Thanks for allowing me to be of service! Nancy O Office Manager 5

6 ESIG YTD GROUP CONTRIBUTIONS NAME JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG YTD 59 Minutes At Pine Lake Minutes in Preston A Gift Grows Anchor Group Anonymous Any Lengths Group Bel-East Lunch Bel-Kirk Saturday Breakfast Bellevue Breakfast Bellevue Group Better Odds Sober Beyond Sobriety Big Book Stag Big Book Step Study Bill's Kitchen Came to Believe Clyde Hill Step Study Coal Creek Study Group Come as You Are Part District 34 Treatment District Downtown Stag Eastside Beginners Eastside Open Breakfast Eastside Women Essentials Five & Dime Fresh Start Friday Night Firehouse From the Hat Grace Rules Happy Destinies Heretics Haven Secular Home Group HOW Juanita Triangle Joy of Living Kenmore Big Book Kenmore Friday Nighters Kirkland Mens Kirkland Sobriety Headquarters Ladies Step Study Lifeline Living Sober , Main Street Saturday Maximum Service Mercer Island Thursday Monday Mumblers Moss Bay

ESIG YTD GROUP CONTRIBUTIONS Nameless Bunch Of Drunks 1,000.00 1,000.00 1,250.00 1,250.00 700.00 1,000.00 1,000.00 1,000.00 8,200.00 Newcomers 150.00 150.00 Newport Daytimers 660.00 660.

7 ESIG YTD GROUP CONTRIBUTIONS Nameless Bunch Of Drunks 1, , , , , , , , Newcomers Newport Daytimers The Nooners , North Bend Group OSAT , Overlake Pocket of Enthusiasm Raging On The River Recovery Through Honesty Reflections Sammamish Sober Sisters Serenity Break , , Serenity on Sunday Sermon on the Mount Seven & Sober 1, , , , , , , Sharing the Legacy Snoqualmie Friday Night Sober at Cottage Lake Sober on the Ridge Sober Seniors Sober Women Sobriety Life Line Southside Breakfast Steppin Up Steps to Freedom Sunlight of the Spirit That 12 & 12 Meeting Tons of Grace Totem Lake Tuesday Issaquah B Tuesday Night Solutions Tuesday Night Starters Wake Up , Woodinville Wed Fellowship Women's Big Book Women In Recovery Women in Sobriety Women's Saturday Steps TOTAL 44,

8 How Can You Support Your Intergroup in Addition to the 7th Tradition at Your Meetings? Join the Faithful Fivers What are Faithful Fivers? Faithful Fivers are AA members who graciously pledge to contribute $5.00 each month to support Eastside Intergroup in its efforts to carry the AA message of hope and recovery to those alcoholics who still suffer in the Eastside area. As a Faithful Fiver, your contribution can and will make our vital services possible. The Faithful Fiver idea came about when we remembered that we wasted much more than $5 each month during our drinking days. Contributions to Eastside Intergroup from AA members are limited to $3,000 per member per year and are tax deductible under Internal Revenue Code: 501(c)3. THANK YOU AUGUST FAITHFUL FIVERS! Mary B. Susan M. Howard D Barbara M. Sherre P. Garret V. Bob C. Nancy O Derek B.John K.. Dave W. Conor O. Join the Birthday Club Eastside Intergroup Birthday Club! Many of our members contribute to ESIG $1, $2 or $5 per year during their AA Anniversary month. We ll print your name, sobriety date and home group in our Newsletter. Your Birthday Club contributions directly support your Eastside Intergroup Office which provides a 24 hour phone line, literature, coins and more! Birthday Club! Name Home Group Sobriety Date Contribution $ Get your name & home group in the newsletter! AUGUST/SEPT. BIRTHDAYS Steve B. - PWAA Yes! Please enroll me as a Faithful Fiver! Here is my contribution of $ for months Name Address City State Zip Return this form to: Eastside Intergroup NE Bel-Red Rd. Suite B6 Cyndy F. NBD 9/1/98 20 Years! Mary B. Eastside Beginners 10 Years! AUGUST PINK CAN CONTRIBUTIONS Fresh Start Juanita Triangle Ladies Step Study Seven & Sober Wake Up 8

Office Information Thank You Hotline Volunteers! 13401 NE Bel-Red Rd., Suite B6 Phone: 425-454-9192 Anne W. Carmen A. Carrie W. Ginny K. Jessica D. Leslie G. Richard J. Sheldon A. Stephanie S.

9 Office Information Thank You Hotline Volunteers! NE Bel-Red Rd., Suite B6 Phone: Anne W. Carmen A. Carrie W. Ginny K. Jessica D. Leslie G. Richard J. Sheldon A. Stephanie S. BACKUPS: Travis S. Sheree P. Bill J. 24-Hours a Day esig@eastsideintergroup.com Website: Office Hours: Monday-Friday 10 am-6 pm Chuck M. Elton B. Erica M. Fred M. Mark B. Mark J. Matt D. Mike S. Syrianah V. Ted W. Tracy A. Cindy S. Eric C. Syrianah V. Nancy O. Coordinator: Travis S. Office Manager: Nancy O. Nancy@eastsideintergroup.com Newsletter Contributors Thanks Office Volunteers! Intergroup Representative Meeting First Thursday of each month 7:30 pm-8:30 pm at: Bellevue Christian Reformed Church th Ave NE All members welcome! Publisher...Steve B. Editor...John M. Personal Story...Anonymous Office Report..Nancy O. If you want to write your story for the newsletter, send it to: newsletter@eastsideintergroup.com Al F. Cindy S. Cindy F. Jill M. Josephine R. Karen M. Kathy S. Leslie G. Natasha N. Ben P (PO) Sharon R. Steve B. Susan H. Ted W. Tim Q. Ulf W. Wallene D. Rick F. (picked up Literature) THANKS ALL! Eastside Intergroup, Districts, General Service Office & Area 72 Information Eastside Intergroup Eastside Intergroup NE Bel Red Rd. #B6 Western Washington Area Kentucky St. #535 Bellingham, WA General Service Office (GSO) P.O. Box 459 Grand Central Station New York, NY ESIG District Addresses: District 34 Bellevue, Redmond, East Lake Sammamish, & Mercer Island PO Box Bellevue, WA District 35 Issaquah P.O. Box 882 Issaquah, WA District 36 Snoqualmie Valley, Duvall, North Bend P.O. Box 1963 North Bend, WA District 38 Kirkland P.O. Box 322 Kirkland, WA District 39 Bothell, Kenmore, Woodinville P.O. Box 1695 Bothell, WA

August Intergroup Meeting Attendance Thank You! Andy G. Core Relations Barbara S. Ladies Night / 5 & Dime North Ben F. (PO)- Juanita Triangle/ Accessibility Chair Bett A. Women of Worth Bill D.

10 August Intergroup Meeting Attendance Thank You! Andy G. Core Relations Barbara S. Ladies Night / 5 & Dime North Ben F. (PO)- Juanita Triangle/ Accessibility Chair Bett A. Women of Worth Bill D. The Shack Bob C. ESIG Board / Eastside Men s Group Brendan O. 59 Minutes at Pine Lake Carrie S.B. ESIG Treatment Chair Charisse B. Eastside Women Cindy S. Mercer Island Serenity/Mercer Island Thursday / ESIG Events Co-Chair Conor O. ESIG Board Secretary Derek B. ESIG Board Co-Chair / Maximum Service Eileen L. Bellevue New Group Evan M. Moss Bay Garret V. ESIG Board Chair Janine B. ESIG PI Chair Liesa S. A Woman s Way Lisa J. Joy of Living Lisa M. Any Lengths Maggie S. Sober Seniors Mary B. ESIG Board / Eastside Beginners Michael Issaquah Big Book Step Study Nancy O. ESIG Office Manager Ray H. District 36 Intergroup Rep Sheree P. ESIG Board / Lifeline Steph K. Issaquah Tuesday Night Steve E. Maximum Service Terry M. Living Sober Val F. Serenity Break Vicki J. Pine Lake Speaker Meeting Virginia M. ESIG Treasurer Willy H. Tiger Mountain Stag Joanne K. Ladies Step Study John K. ESIG Board Jon S. ESIG Board / District 39 Liaison Laura Sobriety Lifeline Ken T. Redmond Recovery What does an Intergroup Representative do? An Intergroup Rep is elected at his/her Home Group and attends the Eastside Intergroup Meeting on the 1st Thurs-day of each month from 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm. You represent your home group at the monthly meeting and hold a vote for your group. Because Eastside Intergroup covers five Districts and is a central clearinghouse for local AA activities and information, you become a vital link between the Intergroup office, the Districts, and your home group. The Intergroup Rep keeps his or her home group informed about work being done, activities going on, etc. You be-come a part of the networking between Eastside Intergroup and the groups. 10

PASS IT ON Eastside Intergroup Newsletter

PASS IT ON Eastside Intergroup Newsletter Issue 23 November 2018 From Fear to Freedom Page 1 From Fear to Freedom Anonymous Page 2 Eastside Intergroup Holiday Book Sale Flyer Page 3 Upcoming Sober Events