Scaan Volume 30, Issue 8 AUGUST 2014 SOME THOUGHTS ON TRADITION EIGHT AA NEWSLETTER. of AA SOUTH COUNTY

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1 Scaan SOUTH COUNTY AA NEWSLETTER South Palm Beach County Intergroup Association, Inc. Serving A.A. Groups in Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, Delray Beach and Lantana 30 Years of Service ~ The Hand of AA Hours a Day Volume 30, Issue 8 AUGUST 2014 SOME THOUGHTS ON TRADITION EIGHT There is a saying in AA that in order to keep it you must give it away The 12th Step says Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these Steps we tried to carry this message to others and to practice these principles in all our affairs. The 8th Tradition insures that anytime a newcomer reaches out for help in AA he or she will receive it free of charge. Members freely share their own experience strength and hope with the newcomer to help themselves in their own recovery in the process of giving it away in order to keep it. Step 7 says we are self supporting through our own contributions and Tradition 8 states that contributions can be used to employ special workers for literature for group conscience process from group to district from district to area from Area Delegate to GSO from GSO to AA worldwide. Today in modern society carrying the message is not only accomplished face to face or by telephone but online today technology does not hinder carrying the message to the alcoholic that still suffers it helps it. The 8th Tradition is so very simple but greed no matter how you try to see it is still greed I know today that nothing good comes from a negative action except a negative reaction and to be paid for our services by holding work shops to make a profit to an individual is not in AA s best interest. But paying someone for their services outside of twelfth-step work does not compromise AA s message it just gets other jobs done so the recovering alcoholic has the freedom to be there and reach out and help another alcoholic have the literature to give have meeting list printed etc. Those who work in service for us are worthy of their hire this very important Tradition is the very rock on which the freely given program of AA is built someone has to answer the phone while the rest of us get on with our regained lives. AA is not therapy when a professional in the alcoholism field even one who is in the fellowship does real therapy with a person who has not yet attended AA or hasn t completely dropped the rock of denial this is NOT paid 12th step work its paid professional work. It is all right for that AA member who is also a therapist to encourage attendance at AA or to discuss sobriety progress within the framework of the steps with the alcoholic within therapeutic sessions. Some self righteous and/or self appointed AA tradition police had to be reminded by an old-timer of a few of the choice words of Bill W in the Concept XII. There are not supposed to be any official or unofficial tradition vigilantes in AA. Of course what the full context of this Tradition is saying is that AA itself, as an organization doesn t hire any paid counselors to go out and do OUR usual twelfth step work AA says that we have to be friendly with our friends in the treatment community, even those who don t completely agree with our methods. Eighth Step Prayer Higher Power, I ask Your help in making my list of all those I have harmed. I will take responsibility for my mistakes, and be forgiving to others as You are forgiving to me. Grant me the willingness to begin my restitution. This I pray.

2 - NORTH International Convention of Alcoholics Anonymous July 2-5, Atlanta, Georgia The 2015 International Convention of Alcoholics Anonymous will be held July 2-5, 2015 in Atlanta, Georgia with the theme 80 Years Happy, Joyous and Free. A.A. members and guests from around the world will celebrate A.A. s 80th year at this event with big meetings held Friday night, Saturday night and Sunday morning in the Georgia Dome. Other meetings, scheduled or informal, will take place throughout the weekend in the Georgia World Congress Center and local hotels. We know many are excited about the International Convention and eager for detailed information. As the time gets closer, additional information about the Convention and Atlanta, our host city, will be provided. This Web site will be updated as more information becomes available. Also, watch for articles in Box that is mailed to the general service representative of every group in the U.S. and Canada listed with G.S.O. and is also posted on the Web site. Convention registration and housing reservations will open in fall All necessary information will be included in the registration packet which will be available in September This packet will list numbers to call for answers to specific questions about housing, the program, etc. The information will be mailed to A.A. groups, offices and contacts around the world and posted on the Web site. We look forward to seeing you in Atlanta! Page 2

3 South Palm Beach County Intergroup - Profit & Loss - June 2014 June 14 YTD June 14 June 14 YTD June 14 AA Phone Meetings One hour per week Six month Service Commitment aatelephonemeetings/home CONTACT INFORMATION Tim S. SVG - Active Steering Committee Member Office Volunteers Joe H., Randy, Kelly N., Bari, Caryl, Elizabeth, Ken, Petti, Michael G., Stan, Dennis, Andrew, George, Charlie, Alan, Caitlin, Chris T., Alexandra D., Luke, Carol, Joe A., Nancy, Linda S., Lisa M., Linette, Tom, Samantha, T.J., Peter, Yasmin and Dane Page 3

4 GROUP CONTRIBUTIONS: JUNE 2014 AND YEAR-TO-DATE 2014 Page 4

5 AA HOTLINE RELAY PHONE The Hand of AA is Available 24 Hours a Day! August - Welcome Home in Delray AA Groups are needed for September, October and December 2014! FAITHFUL FIVERS With Gratitude for their support: Stan R. - Just Before Dawn Michael G. - Sobriety for Breakfast Bari W. - Welcome Home in Delray Linda P. - West Boca Friendship Group BIRTHDAY CLUB SOUTH PALM BEACH COUNTY INTERGROUP CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR ANNIVERSARY! Your donation goes to help the valuable services provided by Intergroup including the AA hotline, meeting schedules, 12 step work, literature inventory, SCAAN newsletter and hospital/institution meetings. Name BIRTHDAY CLUB Don A. - June 5, years Boca Men s Sharon B. - July 29, years Sunny Isles Group Congratulations! from SPBC Intergroup Anniversary Date Home Group Contribution* $ *Recommended contribution is $1 for every year of sobriety. If you would like a reminder notice next year, please fill out the address portion below or provide an address. INTERGROUP BUSINESS MEETING MINUTES JUNE 25, 2014 Chairperson: Ed T. Meeting opened with a moment of silence followed by the Serenity Prayer. Minutes from the May 28, 2014 meeting were approved. The Twelve Traditions were read. New group reps welcomed. Ed announced that there will be discussions regarding a need for a Serenity Scramble chair and a group to host the Gratitude Dinner during New Business. Ed also announced that elections for the new Steering Committee and Committee Chairs will be held at the July Business Meeting. Ed acknowledged Sarah for her years of commitment and service to Intergroup. New Group Reps: HP Breakfast Club- Frank M.; We Are Not Saints- Gary A.; Eastside Women s Group- Debra M.; Saturday Night Five-Harry S.; Downtown Delray Group- Sean S. Vice Chair: Sarah R. Sarah spoke on the election process and the requirements needed to stand for the Steering Committee and Committee Chair positions. She explained that anyone with a willingness to do service can stand for a position without prior experience. Descriptions of the Committee Chair positions are available at the Intergroup office, will be ed to Intergroup reps and can be found in the By-Laws. Office Manager: Jeannie G. Jeannie thanked the volunteer staff at the Intergroup office and announced that elections for the Steering Committee and Committee Chairs will be conducted according to Robert s Rules of Order and the SPBCI By-Laws. Treasurer s Report: John S.- excused absence. Sarah R. gave report. The financials can be found in the SCAAN. The price for this year s Serenity Scramble has been reduced. Archivist: Michael G.- excused absence. Archives: Derek L.- excused absence. Michelle gave the report. Media tapes are being transferred onto a digital format and will be available on our website. The committee needs volunteers to assist at the Florida State Convention, July 16th-20th to sit at the table. Bridge the Gap: Trish C.(women)- excused absence. No report. Jacob K.(men)- unexcused absence. General Service Liaison: Andy D.- excused absence. John P. gave report. Highlights from the District 8 meeting on June 8, 2014 is as follows: Tom M. welcomed new GSR s and announced that the next quarterly will be in Miami in July. Kevin D.(alt. chairperson) discussed the success of the Founder s Day dinner as well as Delegate Don F. reporting on the GSO conference at the Triangle Club on July 13th. Abby(South County Intergroup Liaison) is recruiting volunteers for the Serenity Scramble Golf Tournament and help for the telephone relay. Bebe B.(North County Intergroup Liaison) commented on recent nominations to chair positions and their Annual picnic on August 9th. Jay M.(Corrections Chair) is collecting Grapevines for distribution to state prisons and county jails. Alex A. is offering to host a Traditions and Concept skit. Susan D. and PICPC(PI/CPC) will be participating in a health fair at Forest Hill High School. Ashley O.(Grapevine) mentioned the website to register as a Grapevine representative at Contact her for any groups that want a grapevine display for an event. Marge S.(Literature) is helping new GSR s learn about service in District 8 using the new GSR toolkit. Allen S.(DCM coordinator) thanked Sharon R, DCM for subdistrict 14 for the overview of concept 6 and focused on the recruitment of GSR S, ACM s and DCM s. Casey K.(Website) noted that there is a login link on the website. The user name is district8aa and the password is district 8. All lower case. Group Information: Bari W. No report. Hospitals and Institutions: Phil P. and Kitty B. Kitty B. gave report. H&I has 47 meetings a week in 18 facilities. There have not been any changes since last month but they have a new request for 2 meetings a week at Lifescape Solutions in Delray and are currently looking for volunteers to chair the meetings. The next meeting will be held on July 19th at the Intergroup office at 2pm. Public Information: Linda C.- unexcused absence. SCAAN: Maryanne and John T. Articles are always welcome and can be ed to the Intergroup office. Telephone Relay: Willie B. Willie explained the importance of the 24 hour hotline. Groups are needed to volunteer to take the phone from September to December. Where and When: Kealy L. Danny L. has volunteered to co-chair the committee. The July edition of the W&W has gone to print and will be available soon. If any changes need to be made, contact the Intergroup office. 12th Step Committee: Sarah B.(women). The women s list is up to date. Volunteers are always needed. David C.(men)- unexcused absence. Liaison to North County Intergroup: Pam T. The NPBCI Annual picnic will be held on August 9th from 11am-6pm. There will be a Chili Cook Off and a Volleyball Tournament. If any groups are interested in participating, contact the office at Tickets are $7 in advance and $10 day of event. For further details of report, contact the intergroup office. New Business: Serenity Scamble: Elections for the Serenity Scramble were held. Sarge volunteered for the position. Gratitude Dinner: Members of the West Boynton Beach Group have volunteered to host the dinner. The group conscience will make a decision at their next business meeting on July 8th to determine if the Group will also sponsor the event. Address State/Zip City Respectfully submitted, Cheryl S. Page 5

6 MEETING UPDATES Delray Central House Group Sunday - 2:30 PM (New Meeting) OD UPCOMING EVENTS August The Women in Recovery Conference Delray Beach August th ICYPAA - San Antonio 56th.icypaa.org August Pass It On - Stage Production Crest Theater - Delray Beach Contact September 13 The Third Annual Friends of Crossroads Club Dinner Contact September Southeast Regional Forum Isla Verde, Puerto Rico September Intergroup/Central Office/A.A.W.S./Grapevine Seminar, Chicago wwwchicagoaa.org October th National AA Archives Workshop Philadelphia October th Annual Caribbean Convention - Promises in Paradise St. Thomas July 2-5, International Convention of Alcoholics Anonymous Atlanta, August Service Meetings August 10 District 8 General Service Business Meeting - Triangle Club 4:00 PM: GSR/DCM SHARING 4:40 PM DISTRICT 8 BUSINESS MEETING August 16 SPBC Intergroup H&I Committee Meeting Saturday, 2:00 PM - SPBCI Office August 23 SPBC Intergroup Steering Committee Meeting Saturday, 9:00 AM - SPBCI Office August 27 SPBC Intergroup Monthly Business Meeting Wednesday, 7:00 PM - Delray Central House South Palm Beach County Intergroup Association, Inc South Federal Highway Building C, Suite Delray Beach, FL hours: southcountyaa@comcast.net Website: Office Hours Monday-Friday: 9am - 5pm Saturday: 10am - 1pm STEERING COMMITTEE Chair - Ed T. Vice Chair - Sarah R. Treasurer - John S. Secretary - Cheryl S. Office Manager - Jeannie G. COMMITTEES Archives Derek L. Archivist Michael G. Bridge the Gap - Men Jacob K. Bridge the Gap - Women Trish C. General Services Liaison Andy D. Group Information Bari W. Hospitals & Institutions Phil P. Hospitals & Institutions Kitty B. Liaison to North County Intergroup Pam T. Public Information Linda C. SCAAN Maryanne & John T. Telephone Relay Willie B. Twelve Step Committee - Men David C. Twelve Step Committee - Women Sarah B. Webmaster David R. Where & When Kaely L. Where & When Danny L. SPBC INTERGROUP EVENT CHAIRS Serenity Scramble (October) Sarge Gratitude Dinner (November) West Boynton Group