THE UNITY NEWS PROUDLY SERVING AREA 51 OF DISTRICT 12 APRIL, 2011 Letter from the District: Our Unity News is back in action! As a District, we would like to thank everybody for their donations and attendance at meetings and events, as none of this is possible without everyone s support and effort. Moving forward, we would like to encourage more individuals to attend the District meetings and continue sharing your ideas, thoughts, and concerns. Even if you cannot attend the meeting, please, pass along that information with your GSR. As a District, we eagerly anticipate more and more events coming about, in addition to continuous support with our traditional events such as Unity Day and Alcothon. Finally, we d like to encourages everyone to utilize our website and this newsletter more and more. Input for both is greatly appreciated, and we d love to see more stories and announcements made via both. Please don t hesitate to contact us with such information, and we look forward to seeing everyone at the next meeting! "I am responsible. When anyone, anywhere, reaches out for help, I want the hand of AA always to be there. And for that: I am responsible." WHAT S INSIDE? Announcements p. 3 Attendance and p. 2 Future Meetings Contact Information p. 5 Grapevine p. 4 Secretary s Report p. 3 District 12 Officers
DISTRICT 12 UNITY NEWS PAGE 2 MARCH 13, 2011 DISTRICT MEETING ATTENDANCE NAME GROUP POSITION Joe M. Valdese Discussion DCM Sam G. Primary Purpose Alt. DCM Dean H. Primary Purpose Treasurer Charles H. Viewmont Webmaster Bryan S. Come Alive Secretary David F. Basic Study Visitor Dana W. Newton Speaker Visitor Larry L. New Hope Alt. GSR Tonya S. New Hope GSR Bob S. Basic Study GSR John M. Keep It Simple GSR Scott N. Twin City Visitor Art M. Twin City GSR Larry S. High Noon GSR Deana M. Granite Falls GSR Steve L. Cookies On The Table CPC/PI Steve T. Forever Newcomers GSR Amy T. Forever Newcomers Visitor Shawn S. New Hope Visitor Aaron F. New Home Visitor John M. New Home Visitor Kyle H. New Home GSR Donna M. High Noon Grapevine Jenna N. Alt. GSR Upcoming District 12 Meetings: April 10 Queen Street Club 923 E. Union St, Hwy 70, Morganton NC 28655 May 8 Caldwell House 951 Kenham Place SW Lenoir NC 28645 June 12 Flynn Home 706 Main Ave SE Hickory NC 28602
DISTRICT 12 UNITY NEWS PAGE 3 SECRETARY S REPORT For the past few months, we have been discussing the financial obligations towards and alternative possibilities for our Hotline. Further research is being done and all opinions and ideas are helpful. We are currently operating with a version of a budget, so that we can better get an idea of both where our finances are going and where they ll need to be. In discussions about how to best revise, update, and make more information accessible via the website. The website committee is working hard at constantly improving the site. Grapevine still in need of more subscriptions. Continue to please verify and update all information pertaining to all AA Meetings; GSR/Alt GSR names, address and location, time, and day(s) of the week you meet. Please e-mail Registrar@ncd12aa.org and/or come to/send information to next District Meeting. Also please submit your (AA) birthday information to Publications@ncd12aa.org and/or at the next District meeting so we can mention birthday celebrations each month. AREA 51 SPRING COMMITTEE MEETING AND ASSEMBLY MAY 13 15, 2011 Hilton of North Raleigh 3415 Wake Forest Road Raleigh, NC ADVANCE HOTEL INFORMATION Deadline for Reservations: Thursday April 21, 2011 Group Code: A51 Group Name: Area 51 Assembly Room Rate: $93.00 + tax (up to 4 people) Phone: 919-872-2323
DISTRICT 12 UNITY NEWS PAGE 4 I WAS IMPRESSED at the British Columbia/Yukon Assembly in Kamloops, as I thought over the words--spoken by a trusted servant--"service is an opportunity, not a responsibility." I became aware of the opportunity so many of us have, by being willing to serve. During my early days in AA, I thought business meetings, assemblies, and anything to do with Traditions were all grousing sessions and a pain. I had to grow--first, with the love and understanding of the Fellowship, by accepting my illness, applying the Twelve Steps, trusting my sponsor (who got me involved at group level), answering phones at the intergroup office, sharing, and caring. Dependence on my sponsor and my group filled my small world for a while. Then boredom set in. Just in time, I was introduced to the larger spectrum of Alcoholics Anonymous--B.C./Yukon Area, General Service Office, general service representative, district committee member, area committee. With sponsorship, I was encouraged to study--the Big Book, the Twelve Traditions, The AA Service Manual, the Twelve Concepts, AA Comes of Age, and all other AA literature--and to listen, learn, and ask questions. (My sponsor says she has gray hair as a result.) Opportunities I have been given by serving in AA have enabled me to grow and to learn about myself. A friend says, "Serving in AA is giving your best on the committee you wanted to chair." The Traditions show us how to unite with one another, one-to-one or as a fellowship. Those "grousing sessions" have become learning experiences. Everyone in AA has a voice and is heard, no matter what the controversy. The end result is a loving God's expressing Himself in our group conscience. At present, I am general service representative (GSR), my group's link to the district committee member (DCM), who is the link to the area committee. With this opportunity, I have become a responsible person--to AA, myself, my family, my job, and society. I am no longer floundering in the depths of despair. I am learning to start at the bottom of the ladder and grow toward the top, instead of trying to start at the top and tumbling down. To receive fulfillment of the promises in the Big Book, we need the total package, all Three Legacies--Recovery, Unity, and Service. Accepting the opportunity to serve, you will receive benefits beyond your wildest dreams, meet people you will come to know and love. May I encourage anyone who wants to know the lingo-- get to know your trusted servants, your group's GSR, your DCM. Listen, ask questions, and attend workshops. Support your group and become a part of all AA by attending both regular meetings and business meetings, by finding out how AA operates worldwide, who our trusted servants are, and what their functions are. Not too long ago, I was feeling like running away, and a dear friend who has been around for a long time said, "You'll be what you want to be when you don't want to be it anymore." We must be willing to serve in AA and to put that first. K. P. - British Columbia GRAPEVINE OUR MEETINGS IN PRINT "... a magic carpet on which each of you can ride to the more distant reaches and watch new brothers and sisters emerge from darkness into light." Bill W., 1959, referring to the AA Grapevine. SUBSCRIPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE IN PRINT, DIGITAL, AND AUDIO FORMATS GRAPEVINE IS IN NEED OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, AND MAKES AN AWESOME GIFT GRAPEVINE * PO BOX 16867 * North Hollywood * CA 91615-6867 * www.aagrapevine.org * 800.631.6025 * 818.487.2091 AA GRAPEVINE does not accept group contributions. It is selfsupporting through the sale of the magazine and GRAPEVINE items.
DISTRICT 12 UNITY NEWS PAGE 5 NUMBERS & CONTACT INFORMATION BURKE COUNTY: 828-433-4440 CATAWBA AND CALDWELL COUNTY: 1-888-671-1262 DCM Joe M. 828-850-6541 DCM@ncd12aa.org Alt. DCM Sam G. altdcm@ncd12aa.org Secretary Bryan S. 336-337-7252 Secretary@ncd12aa.org Treasurer Dean H. 828-635-8332 Tresurer@ncd12aa.org CPC/PI Steve L. 828-228-4080 CPCPI@ncd12aa.org Grapevine Donna M. Grapevine@ncd12aa.org Webmaster Charles H. 828-315-1425 Webmaster@ncd12aa.org Publications Bryan S. 336-337-7252 Publications@ncd12aa.org CFC Steve S. 828-212-0697 CFC@ncd12aa.org DONATIONS When we meet and defeat the temptation to take large gifts, we are only being prudent. But when we are generous with the hat we give a token that we are grateful for our blessings and evidence that we are eager to share what we have found with all those who still suffer. (The Language of the Heart, p. 221) DISTRICT 12: 4531 Millersville Road Taylorsville, NC 28681 AREA 51: Treasurer PO Box 1351 Wadesboro, NC 28170 GENERAL SERVICE OFFICE: PO Box 459 Grand Central Station New York, NY 10163-0371 BE SURE TO INCLUDE YOUR INDIVIDUAL OR GROUP NAME. IF YOU WOULD LIKE A RECEIPT, PLEASE STATE SUCH, AND BE SURE TO INCLUDE A RETURN ADDRESS. THANKS IN ADVANCE!!