Pass It On Eastside Intergroup Newsletter January 2015

Transcription

1 Pass It On Eastside Intergroup Newsletter January 2015 Page 1 The Greatest Gift. by Dominique T. Page 2 Upcoming Sober Events and Meeting Updates Page 3 January Office Report by Nancy O. Page 4 Birthday Club Faithful Fivers Pink Can Contributions Page 5 Notes from the Archives by David C.. Page 6 Tradition 2 by Bill W. Page 7 I Gave It Away by John M. Page 8 Office Information Newsletter Volunteers Hotline Volunteers Contributions Page 9 Meeting Quotes of the Month Thank you to Attendees Page 10 Eastside Intergroup Pancake Breakfast & Speaker Meeting The Greatest Gift Hi! My name is Dominique and I am an alcoholic. It is my pleasure to write to you all. My sobriety date is February 23, Before I came to AA, I was very negative. My negativity took me to very dark places. Every morning when I woke up I was afraid and hopeless. I frightened my children and husband (late husband). All I knew how to do was fight. I fought with my words and my actions. I had always welcomed the idea of dying. I started drinking and using when I was 10 years old. My first treatment center I attended was at 11 years old. My history in treatment facilities was extensive. I had been to 30 treatment centers. I spend 12 years in and out of hospitals and institutions. When I attended my last treatment center almost five years ago, I knew something had to change. My family suffered enough. I got a sponsor through AA. I went to meetings, got a Home Group, got a service position at my Home Group, attendance at the business meeting, worked the steps, and give away what was freely given to me. I became a GSR (General Service Representative) for my Home Group and attended the district business meeting. I shortly after became the District 34 Treatment chair.. I took a traditions workshop and gave a few of my own. I was able to attend preconferences and assemblies. I also went to all the treatment quarterlies. One of my favorite experiences I have had through service work is to be able to go to the Pacific Alcoholic Anonymous Service Assembly. This is where I learned about my service position. It is so beautiful that there are so many people wanting to help alcoholics who still suffer. I will be going this March as well. I now am the Corrections Chair for my Home Group. I am so lucky to be working with other members of my Home Group to carry the message of AA. One of the greatest gifts I was given in AA was the ability to suffer the lost of my husband in a fatal dirt bike accident and not drink or be unkind. The program of AA lifted me and my boys up. The love I felt during that time was breathtaking. Everyone I knew in the walls of AA and outside lifted us up through such a painful time. AA gave me a new sense of direction and happiness that I never imagined. I have a piece of mind today that I thought would be impossible. I am still growing and learning new things everyday. AA didn t just save my life but also the lives of my loved ones.

2 Upcoming Sober Events February 1st: Super Bowl XLIX at Hope Hall in Snoqualmie from 12p.m. to we win Hosted by Three Bridges Campout. February 7th: Bingo at Hope Hall in Snoqualmie from 10 p.m. to 12 am. Hosted by Three Bridges Gameout. February 7th: No Reservation Gratitude Dinner in La Conner at Swinomish Gymnasium at 5 pm. Speakers are AA Hector E. and Al- Non Amy T. February 8th: Gene Coulon Beach Bonfire Meeting in Renton from 2 pm to 5pm. The outdoor meeting takes place under the North Shelter around a huge fire pit. Rain or Shine! February 14th: Live at Pine Lake Speakers Meeting at 7 pm at Pine Lake Covenant Church th Ave SE, Sammamish. Doors open at 6:30pm. Speaker is Nicole from Redmond. (childcare available) February 14th: Clean and Sober Dance at Hope Hall in Snoqualmie from 7 p.m. to 1 am. The $5 will help for fundraising 3 worthy causes: Hope Hall, Three Bridges Campout and Alchohol & Drug Help Line. February 15th: GSR School hosted by Eastside Districts at Hope Hall in Snoqualmie from 10 a.m. to 2 pm. Pot luck lunch bring a dish to share. February 21st: District 39 Pancake Breakfast at Eastside Foursquare Church from 9 a.m. to 12 pm. Adults $6, Children $1. February 6th and 7th: Winter Holidays Imagine being Happy, Joyous and Free at St. Thomas Life Center in Medina. The cost is $80 for the entire weekend. Price goes up to $95 on January 9th. March 28th: Eastside Intergroup Pancake Breakfast/Speaker Meeting at Lake Sammamish Four Square Church,14434 NE 8th St. In Bellevue. 11am-1pm. breakfast, speakers, raffle, fun and fellowship! Conferences March 6th, 7th & 8th: PRAASA 2015 at the Davis Conference Center in Layton, Utah. PRAASA, the Pacific Region AA Service Assembly. Please go to to register. March 13th, 14th & 15th: The 21st Annual NW Pockets of Enthusiasm Round-Up at Mirabeau Park Hotel and Convention Center in Spokane Valley, WA. July 2nd to 5th: The 2015 International AA Convention in Atlanta, Georgia. Eighty years Happy, Joyous and Free. Meeting Updates NEW MEETINGS! Valley Girls Step Study Meeting Women s Only AA Meeting Friday mornings at 10:00 am Snoqualmie Valley Alliance Church Green Room SE Fish Hatchery Rd Fall City, WA Wednesday Willingness Speaker/discussion meeting 7pm to 8pm Wednesdays Lake Washington Christian Church th Ave. Kirkland SUPPORT NEEEDED Kirkland Study Group Open Step Study Meeting Saturday night 8 to 9 p.m. Rose Hill Presbyterian Church Kirkland Kirkland Thursday Niters 12 x 12 Book Study Thursday evenings 7:30 p.m. Kirkland Congregational Church 106 5th Ave, Kirkland MEETING UPDATES & CHANGES Kirkland Attitude Modification (KAM) Returns to the new Crab Cracker in Kirkland Saturday mornings at 9 am 505 Park Place Center Kirkland Todd s Crab Cracker across from the original Crab Cracker Bellevue Group (Mondays) & Overlake Group (Fridays) Both move back to Medina St. Thomas Episcopal Church 8398 NE 12th St., Medina

3 January Office Report What a month! The daffodils are already coming up and the sun is out! What a gorgeous January we had. And a lot of fun football! How about those Hawks!!! Office volunteers this month were: Leah W., Leslie G., Ted W., Marita M., Michelle W., Margo J., Terry O. and Jordan. Thank you everyone for your service! If you or anyone you know is interested in service work, please call the office and I would love to talk to you! Our Corrections Committee Chair Rick F. is rotating out and will be holding an Area 72 position now. We are excited to welcome Dan H. as the new Chair of the Eastside Intergroup Corrections Committee. Thank you Rick for the fantastic job you ve done with corrections for the Eastside Intergroup! We are excited to have Tim M. join us, filling the position of Treatment Committee Chairman. If you are interested in this committee he will be at the Bellevue Christian Reformed Church an hour prior to the Intergroup meeting on the first Thursday of every month. Nikole F. has been working with the Kirkland Police Department and was able to drop off 50 Newcomer packets for the inmates. Thanks Nikole! On January 25th, Leah and I attended the Newcomer Workshop hosted by the Duvall Sunday Morning meeting. I had been invited to talk about Eastside Intergroup as well as give a brief talk on our Hotline. It was a good experience. If any of you plan workshops and would like to have Eastside Intergroup present for any type of information, just let me know, I m happy to be of service! We ve been able to clean up the Hotline calendar and get our bill considerably lower. The Google Voice System however hasn t worked out. We had too many glitches so we ve decided to stay with the Answering Service. I ve been filling in as Hotline Coordinator since August and have trained nearly 40 new volunteers to where it will be easy for someone new to take over. If you are interested in this position or simply have questions, please give me a call so we can talk I hold a Hotline Training at our office on the 2nd Saturday of each month from 11:00am to 12:00pm. If you d like to volunteer to answer calls we d love to have you come in for training, it s really fun. Just a reminder we have our Pancake Breakfast coming up March 28th so mark your calendars! We have such a good time, a great breakfast, speakers, raffle & fellowship, you won t want to miss it. For those of you that haven t been to your Eastside Intergroup office recently, please stop in to see our great store. We have all of the General Service approved books and pamphlets as well as a wide variety of Grapevine Books. We carry all kinds of sobriety medallions, pamphlet racks, pamphlet rack extenders, Meetings in a Pocket, Wallet cards and much more. Thank you all for supporting Eastside Intergroup, we appreciate it! Nancy O.

4 How Can You Help Support Your Intergroup in Addition to the 7th Tradition at your Meetings? Become a Faithful Fiver! Or Join Our Birthday Club! 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 January 2015 Faithful Fivers! 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 Birthday Club! Name Home Group Sobriety Date Daniel S. Pat H. Beth L. Contribution $ Colin R. Guy P. Ulf W. Get your name & home group in the newsletter! Steven C. Barbara M. Brigid R. Pat A. Nancy O. Terry O. JANUARY/FEBRUARY January/February 2015 Birthdays BIRTHDAYS Shelly N. Pam Z. Steven C. 2/20/85 30 Years! Monday Night Stag Yes! Please enroll me as a Faithful Fiver! Here is my contribution of $ for months Cheri A. 1/27/05 10 Years! Eastside Women Nancy O. 1/12/88 27 Years! 59 Minutes at Pine Lake Beth L. 2/8/01 14 Years! Reflections Terry K. 1/9/95 20 Years! Seven & Sober Name Address Ted W. 1/7/03 12 Years! Nameless Bunch of Drunks City State/Zip Return this form to: PINK CAN CONTRIBUTIONS Better Odds Sober Seven & Sober Eastside Intergroup Fresh Start Sober Seniors th Ave NE Suite 160 Living Sober Wake Up

5 Notes from the Archives By David C., District 38 Archivist Hello from the vaults of the District 38 Archives. This month I want to tell you about two new exhibits I will be revealing at Winter Holidays February 6-7. The first is The Clergy and AA. Our Fellowship holds a great deal of respect for Rev. Frank Buchman, founder of the Oxford Group, who without his organization s input we probably would not exist. Also Rev. Sam Shoemaker an OG leader, who helped Bill with our twelve steps. There was Fr. Ed Dowling, who taught Bill about Catholicism and whom Bill took his Fifth Step with. Many other members of the clergy influenced the early day of Alcoholics Anonymous. Emmet Fox a religious lecturer and writer had a great impact on early and present day members. Without the support of Dr. Harry Emmerson Fosdick, AA could have very well floundered in it s early years. He wrote and praised AA and brought legitimacy to the fledgling group. And there was Sister Mary Ignatia Gavin, who helped Dr. Bob recover over 5,000 early members. Her tireless devotion to AA helped us establish a foothold in the Mid-West. She also was the first person to give out medallions to persons who finished her treatment program. Lastly there were Fr. Ralph Phau who gave the golden books spiritual retreats, and Monsignor Fulton Sheen whom Bill took lessons from him on Saturdays, and later said I feel more like a Catholic, but think more like a Protestant. The second exhibit is How Doctors helped AA. Many members of the medical profession were instrumental in AA s early years. First and foremost was Dr. Bob, our cofounder, who brought the spiritual side to the Fellowship. Before him there was Dr. Carl Jung famed psychiatrist who helped Rowland Hazard, who helped Ebby Thatcher, who in turn brought Bill W. a new way of thinking. If it was not for Dr. William Silkworth, Bill might not have had his spiritual experience, and we would not be here. Dr. Foster Kennedy, a New York neurologist, who was outspoken in his endorsement of AA helped the medical community understand how the program worked and gained great strides with the AMA. Dr. Harry Tiebout showed the medical world that AA was more than just a bunch of drunks who stopped drinking. He was an early pioneer in coupling the principals and philosophy of AA with psychiatric knowledge of alcoholism. There were many more doctors who helped Alcoholics Anonymous, but you will just have to come see the display for yourself. More will be revealed. P.S I will be showing a large display at Winter Holidays Feb at St Thomas Church. Come on by and take a look. It s not I have seen the Archives, But. What s new in the Archives. Till next time

6 Traditions On Tradition Two For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority A loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience." Editorial by Bill W. A.A. Grapevine, January 1948 Sooner or later, every AA comes to depend upon a Power greater than himself. He finds that the God of his understanding is not only a source of strength, but also a source of positive direction. Realizing that some fraction of that infinite resource is now available, his life takes on and entirely different complexion. He experiences a new inner security together with such a sense of destiny and purpose as he has never known before. As each day passes, our AA reviews his mistakes and vicissitudes. He learns from daily experience what his remaining character defects are and becomes ever more willing that they be removed. In this fashion he improves his conscious contact with God. Every AA group follows this same cycle of development. We are coming to realize that each group, as well as each individual, is a special entity, not quite like any other. Though AA groups are basically the same, each group does have its own special atmosphere, its own peculiar state of development. We believe that every AA group has a conscience. It is the collective conscience of its own membership. Daily experience informs and instructs his conscience. The group begins to recognize its own defects of character and, one by one, these are removed or lessened. As this process continues, the group becomes better able to receive right direction for its own affairs. Trial and error produces group experience and out of corrected experience comes custom. When a customary way of doing things is definitely proved to be best, then that custom forms into AA Tradition. The Greater Power is then working through a clear group conscience. We humbly hope and believe that our growing AA Tradition will prove to be the will of God for us. Many people are coming to think that Alcoholics Anonymous is, to some extent, a new form of human society. In our discussion of the First Tradition, it was emphasized that we have, in AA, no coercive human authority. Because each AA, of necessity, has a sensitive and responsive conscience, and because alcohol will discipline him severely if he back slides, we are finding we have little need for manmade rules or regulations. Despite the fact that we do veer off at times on tangents, we are becoming more able to depend absolutely on the long-term stability of the AA group itself. With respect to its own affairs, the collective conscience of the group will, given time, almost surely demonstrate its perfect dependability. The group conscience will, in the end, prove a far more infallible guide for group affairs than the decision of any individual member, however good or wise he may be. This is a striking and almost unbelievable fact about Alcoholics Anonymous. Hence we can safely dispense with those exhortations and punishments seemingly so necessary to other societies. And we need not depend overmuch on inspired leaders. Because our active leadership of service can be truly rotating, we enjoy a kind of democracy rarely possible elsewhere. In this respect, we may be, to a large degree, unique. Therefore we of Alcoholics Anonymous are certain that there is but one ultimate authority, "a loving God as he may express himself in our group conscience."

7 I Gave It Away by John M. When I was drinking I was also God Some of my actions were a lightening rod I didn t think much about my spiritual needs I was way too busy with my dubious deeds But then I got sober, which was hard to conceive And slowly, gradually I began to believe That a power existed even greater than me Are you sure this isn t some post-booze fantasy? Well, apparently it wasn t and I continued to grow And I began to reap what I had begun to sow The gifts keep flowing from my new higher power Something worth receiving each minute, each hour I am now on a journey that I don t need to control Because my Higher Power resides in a proper roll I gladly turn it over and rejoice in the gifting That comes to me when I believe... and do the heavy lifting

8 Office Information Address th Ave NE Suite 160 Bellevue, WA Phone: hours Office Hours: Mon.-Fri. 10:00am-6:00 pm Website: Intergroup Meeting First Thursday of each month 7:30-8:30pm All members welcome! Bellevue Christian Reformed Church th Ave NE, Bellevue Directions to ESIG Office Heading north on 156th Ave NE, go past Crossroads Shopping center and make a U- turn at NE 15th St., then use the following directions. Heading south on 156th Ave. NE, go past McDonalds and turn right (Piedmont Apartment sign) at NE 13th Pl.. Go over one speed bump and immediately turn left. We are half way down on the left in Suite 160 Group Contributions Thank you January Hotline Volunteers! Bill R. Bob B. Carmen A. Chelsea O. Chuck M. Eddie T. Elton B. Eric B. Eric C. Fred M. Ginny K. Guy P. Holly B. Jim R. Newsletter Contributors Publisher...Alma O. Editor Sandy B. Archivist....David C. Personal Story.Dominque T. Office Report.Nancy O. Meeting Quotes John M. Joe Mc John B. John R. Keith S. Leslie G. Mark J. Matthew M. Merrill G. Mike S. Sara K. Sheree P. Ted W. Tina B. Thank you to our Hotline volunteers!! They ensure that when someone reaches out for help by calling Alcoholics Anonymous, the caller always reaches a real per- Thank You January Office Volunteers! Leah, Leslie, Michelle W, Roger B., Ted W. and Marita M., Terry O. & Jordan. District, GSO & Area Info Thanks to the following groups for sending contributions to the Eastside Intergroup office in the month of January Group contributions enable us to pay the rent and bills for your Intergroup Office, maintain our phone lines 24 hours a day 7 days a week, publish a monthly newsletter, provide a meeting directory, 12 & 12 Fellowship Hall A Way Up AA Team Any Lengths Group Big Book Step Study Bills Story Come As You Are Duvall Sunday Morning Eastside Beginners Eastside Men s Group Grace Rules H.O.W. Lifeline Living Sober Nameless Bunch of Drunks Newport Daytimers OSAT Serenity Break Seven & Sober Sunday Share the Legacy Thursday s Unbridled Up The Creek Wake Up Women s Saturday Steps Eastside Intergroup: Eastside Intergroup th Ave. NE, #160 Bellevue, WA Western WA Area Kentucky St., #535 Bellingham, WA General Service Office (GSO) P.O. Box 459 Grand Central Station New York, NY District 34 Bellevue, Redmond, East Lake Sammamish, Mercer Island District 34 P.O. Box Bellevue, WA District 35 Issaquah District 35 P.O. Box 442 Issaquah, WA District 36 Snoqualmie Valley, Duvall, North Bend District 36 P.O. Box 1963 North Bend, WA District 38 Kirkland District 38 P.O. Box 322 Kirkland, WA District 39 Bothell, Kenmore, Woodinville

9 Meeting Quotes of the Month Send the quotes that you ve heard around the rooms of AA and in your meetings to: The Big Book will transform your Life You can always restart your day Make sobriety your priority Make Friends with reality God can turn anything into something useful Live Life Raw Thoroughly have we seen a person fail who has rarely followed our path The feeling of having shared in a common peril is one element in the powerful cement which binds us Coffee makers make it Glance but don t stare in the past Thank you for your attendance at the January 8th Intergroup Meeting Andy G. - Hope on Cougar Mountain Bill D. Thursdays Unbridled Bob R. Pocket of Enthusiasm Charlie C. ESIG Web Committee Dan H. Pine Lake Stag Dave C. District 36 Liaison Deleu J. Essentials Elton B. Anchor Group Finn S. Wake Up Holly F. A Women s Way Jeff B. Big Book 12 Step Study Jen T. Sobriety Lifeline Jennifer P. Seven & Sober JoAnn P. Eastside Sunday Breakfast John B. District 36 BTG/ GSR Duvall Candlelight John M. Joy of Living John W. District 34 Jon K. - Friday Nite Firehouse Kathy H. Women of Worth Kerry A. Reflections Kiera E. District 35 Rep Kristi G. Issaquah Tuesday Night Margo Sober Women Mary B. Diustrict 38/GSR Bellevue Breakfast Mary B. Eastside Beginners Matthew M. Mike S. ESIG Web Chair Norine N. Any Lengths Group Paul A. District 35 Alt IG Rep Rick F. ESIG Corrections Chair Robbie D. Better Odds Sober Sandy B. FNSH Steve E. Maximum Service Tim B. Tim M. A Way Up/ Newport Hills Study Todd G. Juanita Triangle Geoff G. Happy Destinies

10 Mark Your Calendars! Eastside Intergroup Annual Pancake Breakfast and Speaker Meeting March 28th 11:00am 1:00pm Breakfast includes: Pancakes Scrambled Eggs Bacon/Sausage Juice Coffee ~ Tickets - $7 ~ Children under 12 - $2 WHERE: LAKE SAMMAMISH FOURSQUARE CHURCH NE 8 TH ST. BELLEVUE TICKETS AVAILABLE THROUGH YOUR INTERGROUP REPS OR ESIG OFFICE WE WOULD APPRECIATE RAFFLE DONATIONS!