SOBRIETY VARIETY PAGES Published by the Hill Country Intergroup 1825 Fortview Rd. Suite 104 Austin, Texas 78704 Volume 13, Issue 5 May 2016 Inside this issue: Sponsorship 1 May History 1 April Volunteers 2 HCI Birthday Club 2 April Donations 2 Lean on Him 3 AA Humor Section 3 Capital Of Texas 4 Old Timers Banquet 5 HCI Information 6 Upcoming Events 6 Our Mission WE WORK 24 HOURS A DAY FOR YOU! Information 12th Step Referrals Service Opportunities www.austinaa.org (512) 444-0071 Sponsorship In Alcoholics Anonymous, we talk about sponsorship a lot and how important it is to find a sponsor when you come into the program. The right sponsor can help the transition from no life to a life that is worth living. I have had a few different sponsors in my sobriety and have gone through the steps with each one to learn as much as I could about the program that saved my life. I think that a sponsor s job in AA is to take us through the Big Book and, through their experience, help us understand what it is saying. Some think, including me, it very important that you find a sponsor that has worked the steps with a sponsor and is currently working with a sponsor. The General Service Office puts out a pamphlet, Questions & Answers on Sponsorship, that is very helpful on this topic. It discusses whether the sponsor and newcomer should be as much alike as possible; and also discusses that a sponsor and newcomer do not necessarily agree on everything. In my case, this has been a process of learning open-mindedness as my sponsors have had different political beliefs and even different ways of how to do service. They have all had a sobriety that I have admired and I have been able to learn so much from them despite our differences. As members of Alcoholics Anonymous, we grow at different rates and with different interests in service. It may be helpful to have a service sponsor to help us through the maze that service can be and to introduce us to that secret Service Manual that really is not a secret, but how many of us know about it? We may have to change sponsors along the way, and that is OK as we may have a need that our current sponsor does not have experience with. Make sure you call your sponsor today! Robert C. MAY HISTORY (1944 Box 459 Opens to Receive Mail) About Your Central Office, a bulletin distributed to A.A. groups by the Alcoholic Foundation, announces As of May 1, 1944, our new address with be P.O. Box 459, Grand Central Station. Box 459 will become both the post office address and symbolic. (AA World Services Archives)
Page 2 Hill Country Intergroup Representatives Meeting: 2nd Monday Of the Month 6:30PM Covenant Presbyterian Church Education Bldg APRIL VOLUNTEERS Sobriety Variety Pages Office - Dan H, Claire C, Pat F, Tina C, Doug D, Marlene, Marty C, Jill, Bob R, John A, Murdo M, Rosi S, Charles M, Leslie Ann D, Sue L, Robert C Weekday Hotline - Terry S, Fred J, Smoky M, David S, Mary T, Robert C, Mark R, Allen B, Paula W Weekend Hotline - Whitehouse Group, Allandale Group, Suburban Group, Wimberley Group, Northland Group, HCIA Birthday Club BIRTHDAYS APRIL Brent B, Austin 25 Years MARCH DONATIONS 620 Peace Group - $30 Into Action, Lockhart - $25 Allandale Group - $519.45 The River Group - $25 Higher Power Hour - $579.32 Wimberley Group - $97.50 North Austin 24 - $25 Being Convinced - $125 Northland - $120.05 Lakeview Group - $430.79 Reading Rainbow - $56 Round Rock BB SS - $200 12@12 - $720 Phelan Road - $10 164 Page Winner - $150.00 A Vision For Us - $47.25 Bridge to Shore - $442.22 Desire to Stop - $25 Primary Purpose Group - $80.00 Westlake Group - $300 Lakeway Group - $60 Promises Group, Kyle - $50
Volume 13, Issue 5 Page 3 Lean on Him I forget sometimes that I have a Someone to lean on during all times of my life. It is easy to call on my Higher Power when I am down or hurting and do not know which way to turn. At those tough times I do, because that is what gets me through. I tell God, I know You will get me through this, I know that You know the best course, and I am in your hands. What I forget is that I am just as vulnerable when times are good, and there is just as much danger as when times are bad. When I feel good, I tend to make decisions based on self rather than seeking to help others. The truth might be that this is when I need to lean on Him even more. AA Thought For The Month We have entered the world of the Spirit. Our next function is to grow in understanding and effectiveness. This is not an overnight matter. It should continue for our lifetime. Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 84 My guard is up much more in the hard times. I need to train myself to lean on Him (God) so that it becomes a working part of my mind no matter what the situation is. He will guide me to grace. Robert C HCIA DEAF ACCESS AA HUMOR SECTION You Might Be An Alcoholic If: You buy a car pre-dented so no one will notice the ones you put on the car... Yard work is, raking up beer cans. You head butt the ATM machine because it wont give you anymore money...
Page 4 Sobriety Variety Pages Cling to the thought that, in God s hands, the dark past is the greatest possession you have the key to life and happiness for others. Capital Of Texas Conference 2016 Get ready for Austin s Conference. The third annual Capital Of Texas Conference will be held August 12-14, 2016. The committee chairs have been elected and are working to put together another great conference. If you are interested in serving as a Co-Chair of a committee, please come to the meeting. If you just want to come see what is going on or join a committee, please come and join us. The Conference Website Address: http://www.capitaloftexasconference.org Future Fundraising Events: Trudgefest: May 30, 2016 10-4pm Check the CTC Website for more information. Come visit our website. If you have any feedback, please email the Website Coordinator. webmaster@capitaloftexasconference.org The next committee meeting will be held May 22, 2016 at 2:00 PM at the Northland Group Big Room. THEME OF CONFERENCE IS: Your Imagination Will Be Fired
Volume 13, Issue 5 Page 5 OLD TIMERS WELCOME
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HILL COUNTRY INTERGROUP If you would like to help with the HCI Newsletter or to volunteer at the Intergroup office, please contact us at (512) 444-0071. There are many opportunities for service work. You can also sign up to be on the 12th step list. Volunteering through the intergroup is a great experience. D ON T FORGET TO CHECK US OUT ON THE WEB. WWW.AUSTINAA.ORG The Sobriety Variety pages wants to tell your story. We also want to print your experiences with sobriety and service. Please send in your stories to: hcieditor@hotmail.com Upcoming Events For May and Beyond May 1st - 8:00am-2:00pm Fellowship-in-Sobriety Golf League! May 11th - Lost Pines Group Literature Study Meeting! May 7th - Family Night at Northland! May 7th - 14th Annual Old Timers Banquet! May 14th - Newcomers Awareness Workshop! May 21st - Austin Citywide Meeting and Potluck! May 21st - East Austin Group 28th Anniversary! May 29th - Westlake Memorial Day Weekend Picnic and Potluck! May 30th - Trudgefest! June 24-26th - 70th Annual Texas State AA Convention! August 12-14th - 3rd Annual Capital of Texas Conference! For more information on these or any upcoming events go to the Hill Country Intergroup Website. www.austinaa.org You will find flyers with all the pertinent information for the events and a map to the location.