caan
S
SOUTH COUNTY
AA NEWSLETTER
South Palm Beach County
Intergroup Association, Inc.
Serving A.A. Groups in
Boca Raton, Boynton Beach,
Delray Beach and Lantana
32 Years of Service ~ 1984-2016
Volume 32, Issue 8
and of AA
The H
561-276-4581
24 Ho
ur s a Day
AUGUST 2016
A PERSONAL STORY
I would like to start by saying thank God for Alcoholics
Anonymous. The only reason I am alive and in recovery is thanks to
Alcoholics Anonymous. I know now I will need A.A. meetings every
day for the rest of my life. That is the only way I can live happy and
be a productive part of society not to mention be there for my son,
family and friends.
Five years ago when my life was completely out of control and
becoming unmanageable, I had no clue what to do or how to stop and
I just thought this is how I was going to be until I die. I started selling
my possessions, resigned from the country club but I would not cut
back on drinking because I didn’t have a problem. I hit bottom losing
my company, wife and step-children, my home, rental property, boat,
cars, country club and respect from the rest of my family and friends. I
did not know of any 12 step programs at the time and anyway, I didn’t
have a problem. That was the con my twisted mind was selling and I
believed it. It wasn’t until I was forty-seven years old when I was
arrested for the first time with a .18 BAC Aggravated DWI.
I thought it would be simple to stop drinking because I believed
that I really didn’t have a problem. I stayed sober for 17 months with
the help of A.A. until I believed I could do it on my own. It took less
than a year and I was back drinking six days a week again. I was
arrested for the second time with the exact charges from my first
arrest. For the first time in my life I surrendered completely. I put
myself in treatment away from Buffalo, NY down here in South
Florida. I did everything I was told in treatment and started going to
A.A. meetings on a daily basis. These meetings are now part of my
life as are the people in those meetings. Where I said earlier that I
need A.A. meetings every day, now I’m at the point where I look forward to and want an A.A. meeting every day. I will live in the moment
one day at a time. The support I received from my old and new sponsor, along with all my new brothers and sisters in A.A., has made my
life so much better.
We are not here merely to make a living and get by. We are here
to live God’s plan that He has for us, in order to enable the world to
live more amply, with greater vision, with a finer spirit of hope and
achievement. We are here to enrich the world, share our love, compassion and help those in need, especially our brother and sister
alcoholics still suffering from this disease. We never know when our
last day on earth will be. So, love with full sincerity, believe with true
faith, and hope with all your might. Better to have lived in truth and
sobriety and discovered life, then to have lived halfheartedly, drunk
and dead long before you ever ceased breathing.
Too many of my friends passed away in the last couple of years
way too young due to alcohol. I know that in life there will be sickness, devastation, disappointments, heartache – it’s a given. What’s
not a given is the way we choose to get through it all. As they say,
“You don’t have to live that way anymore.” If you look hard enough,
you can always find the bright side. Alcohol is not the answer and will
only make a bad situation worse.
I am determined to be cheerful and happy in whatever situation I
may find myself. For I have learned that the greater part of our misery
or unhappiness, at least mine, is determined not by our circumstance
but by our disposition. Healing comes from taking responsibility: to
realize that it is you – and no one else – that creates your thoughts,
your feelings and your actions. If I could kick the person in the pants
responsible for most of my trouble, I wouldn’t sit for a month. True
story.
For me, setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into
the visible. So many of our dreams at first seem impossible, then they
seem improbable, and then, when we summon the will, they soon
become inevitable. This is all possible thanks to sobriety.
Sometimes we will never know the value of a moment until it
becomes a memory. Make space in your life for the things that matter,
for family and friends, love and generosity, fun and joy. Without this,
you will burn out in mid-career and wonder where your life went. My
mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with
some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style. No
day is wasted in which I touch another person’s life in any positive,
meaningful way. And so it is that I enrich my days by giving something
of myself, whether through a warm smile, a kind word, a sympathetic
ear, a gentle embrace, or a helping hand. Things never go the way
you expect them to. That’s both the joy and frustration in life. I’m finding as I get older that I don’t mind, though. It’s the surprises that tickle
me the most, the things you don’t see coming. May all your walls
know joy. May every room hold laughter, and every window open to
great possibility.
Thank you again Alcoholics Anonymous for being here, saving
my life and giving me a chance for a bright future. I am listening with
an open mind and can feel the sincerity from all of you. I just felt compelled to write this letter because I am so grateful to be sober thanks
to this program and the grace of God. It is only through His will that I
am still healthy, alive and blessed. May all of you live in peace, happiness and remember, God is good……. All the time.
Sincerely and soberly, Frank A.
THE STEPS & THE TRADITIONS
STEP 8 - “Made a list of all persons we have harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.”
TRADITION 8 - “Alcoholics Anonymous should remain forever nonprofessional,
but our service centers may employ special workers.”
Gratitude is the Heart’s Memory
“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into
enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into
order, and confusion into clarity. It turns problems into gifts,
failures into success, the unexpected into perfect timing, and
mistakes into important events. Gratitude makes sense of our past,
brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.”
-Anonymous
SPBCI – Archives
Mike B.
Story Solicitation for pamphlet
“Young People and A.A.”
In response to the 2016 General Service
Conference recommendation that the pamphlet “Young People and A.A.” be revised
to “better reflect the experiences of young
people in A.A. today,” the trustees’ literature
committee is seeking current sharing from
young people in A.A.
SPBCI encourages young members to write
their personal stories for possible inclusion
in the revised pamphlet “Young People and
A.A.” Stories should reflect “In a general
way what we used to be like, what happened, and what we are like now.”
Manuscripts should be 500-800 words, double spaced, in 12-point typeface. The words
“Young People and A.A.” should appear on
the top of the first page of the manuscript.
The author’s complete name, address and
email/telephone information should be
included with the submission.
Submissions can be emailed:
Literature@aa.org with “Young People and
A.A.” inserted in the subject line of the
message.
Alternatively, submissions can be mailed:
Literature Coordinator, General Service
Office, Box 459, Grand Central Station,
New York, NY 10163
Deadline for submission is December 30,
2016.
The anonymity of all authors will be
observed, whether or not his or her story is
selected for publication.
Page 2
South Palm Beach County Intergroup - Profit & Loss - June 2016
New Intergroup Reps.
Boca Men’s Recovery ~ Ross P.
Delray 11th Step Meditation ~ Julie H.
Inner Voice Candlelight ~ Maria L.
North Delray Step & Traditions Group ~ Mike C.
People With Time ~ Dara L.
Office Volunteers
Joe, Bonnie, Charlie, Linette, George, Stan R., Dennis,
Marianne, Sarah, Hunter, Mike B., Cecilia, Jim,
Tommy, Olivia, Jonathan and Aaron.
Intergroup Activity Log
12th Step Calls
First Call to AA
Meeting Inquiries
Business Inquiries
Walk-Ins
QB Sales Receipts
June 16
5
6
120
132
268
274
Page 3
Page 4
GROUP CONTRIBUTIONS: JUNE 2016 AND YEAR-TO-DATE 2016
AA HOTLINE – RELAY PHONE
The Hand of AA is Available 24 Hours a Day!
August - Young At Heart
October - Women With A Solution
November - Spiritual Awakenings
December - Drunk Squad
February - Boca Women’s Group
March - New Beginnings
April - Boca Boyz
FAITHFUL FIVERS
With Gratitude for their support:
Michael G. and Linda P.
BIRTHDAY CLUB
Jeri V. - T.G.I.G. Group - 8/9/89
Congratulations on 27 years of sobriety!
Jody K. - Downtown Delray Group - 6/2/12
Congratulations on 4 years of sobriety!
Laurie H. - Sunrise Beach Meeting - 4/15/13
Congratulations on 3 years of sobriety!
OTHER EVENTS
The Other Events listed below are presented solely
as a service to SCAAN readers, not as an endorsement
by SPBCI.
August 3 - 7, 2016
60th Florida State Convention
Palm Harbor http://60flstateconvention.com/
August 20 - 7:30 PM
Delray Central House Group
Chili Cook-Off andrewberzak@gmail.com
August 26-28
Women In Recovery Conference
Delray Beach Marriott
www.thewomeninrecovery.com
September 17 - 7:30 PM
Delray Central House Group
Bingo Night andrewberzak@gmail.com
October 27-30
Promises in Paradise - St. Thomas
www.promisesinparadise.com
May 11-14, 2017
Big Book Seminar, Boca Raton
www.bigbookseminar.org
AA EVENTS
September 8 - 11
20th Annual National Archives Workshop
Concord, Ca www.aanationalarchivesworkshop.com
November 3 - 6
Intergroup/Central Office/A.A.W.S./Grapevine Seminar
Kansas City, MO www.kc-aa.org
November 18 - 20
National A.A. Technology Workshop (NAATW)
Winston, Salem, NC www.naatw.org
December 2 - 4
Southeast Regional Forum
Lake Mary Marriott - Lake Mary
serfnfac2016@gmail.com
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
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 email address.
Address
State/Zip
City
Email
Intergroup Business Meeting Minutes – June 29, 2016
Chair: John S.: The meeting opened with a moment of silence followed by the Serenity
Prayer. John called for approval of last month’s minutes, Bari W. made a motion to
approve the May 25, 2016 minutes; motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
John welcomed new group reps.
New Group Reps: Boca Men’s Recovery (Alt): Ross P.; Delray 11th Step Meditation
Group: Julie H.; Innervoice Candlelight: Maria L.; North Delray Steps and Traditions:
Mike C.; People With Time: Dara L.
Vice Chair: Cheryl S.: Elections for committee chair and steering committee will take
place in July, anyone interested in standing for a committee must attend the July business meeting, no experience is required. Descriptions of the positions are available in
the SCAAN as well as online in the By-Laws.
Treasurer: Elizabeth B.: excused absence, Jeannie read report: According to the 7th
tradition baskets were passed. Intergroup finances are doing very well. Intergroup had
net revenue of $2,497.00 for the month of May. Year to date net revenue $8,560.00;
comparable figure for 2015 is net revenue of $4,353.00. A detailed report is in the
SCAAN.
Office Manager: Jeannie G.: Thank you to the Office Volunteer Staff and all fellow AA’s
who continue to carry the message. Thank you to the Committee Chairs, Steering
Committee Chairs for their willingness to do service for Alcoholics Anonymous. Elections
for the Steering Committee and Committee Chairs will be held at the July Business
Meeting. Descriptions, copy/pasted from the SPBCI By-Laws, are available in the
SCAAN July 2016 and are also on our website (www.aainpalmbeach.org).
Committee Reports:
Archivist: Michael G.: Excused absence, no report.
Archives: Open position.
Bridge the Gap: Emily L. (women) and Gary K. (men): This past month we did not
receive any requests to Bridge the Gap. Copy of the Bridge the Gap message flyer will
be included with tonight’s meeting notes. Please share the message at your homegroups. We continue to look at additional ways to get the word out and welcome suggestions on how we can better reach those who may need us. Please see one of us at
the month business meeting, or contact the Intergroup office to obtain our information.
Page 5
General Service Liaison: Andrea D.: The GSR meeting was on June 12, 2016. The quarterly assembly will be July 15-17th, 2016 at the Boca Marriot. District 15 delegate reported that GSO contributions are down, encouraged groups to contribute what they can
afford. The corrections committee has an application for men who would like to correspond with inmates serving in New York. There is a “Grow your Grapevine contest” ,
groups are asked to submit the Arbor card in the recent issue of the Grapevine. The area
that submits the most cards will be featured in an issue of the Grapevine. The Special
Needs committee will be meeting the Area 42 chair, from Northern Nevada, to exchange
ideas, anyone interested in being of service: specialneeds@district8area15a.org.
Openings for DCMs, ACMs and Literature Chair, see me for qualifications. There are two
motions on the table for next month. There is a Traditions and Concepts event on August
28, 2016 at 5pm, held at the PBC Intergroup office, Steve O. will be talking on Traditions
1-4. The 60th Florida State Convention will be August 3-7th, 2016. The next district meeting is July 10, 2016. (For additional information contact the Intergroup office)
Group Information: Maria L.: Currently still being acquainted with the chair role and
responsibilities; and plans to attend local meetings not represented at Intergoup in the
upcoming weeks.
Public Information: Juan P.: Excused absence, no report.
Hospitals and Institutions: Carla S.: Currently, we have 51 meetings per week in 17 facilities. There have only been a few minor changes since last month’s report with the
changing of chairpersons at different facilities. I must take a moment to thank everyone.
We have received an overwhelming amount of support from individuals who are requesting to serve as Trusted Servants on this committee. . As soon a position is emptied it is
filled. If I have not been able to put anyone in a position please be patient and send me
continued emails or text messages. The H & I has no scheduled meetings for our subcommittee at this time. If anyone should have any questions or concerns that I cannot
answer I will definitely contact our intergroup Office in Delray. To carry the message in
this committee anyone with 1 year or more of sobriety that is interested in being of service please contact myself or Intergroup
SCAAN: John T: Articles are always welcomed and can be emailed to the Intergroup
office by the 15th of the month. We are in need of material, so if you or a friend have a
story to tell please submit.
Telephone Relay: Taylor G.: Excused absence, Cheryl read report: The phone is covered
through April of 2017. A big thank you to Men’s Romance & Finance for stepping up and
taking the phone last minute for June! If your group is interested in getting involved in
service and would like to take a month commitment with the phone please contact
Jeannie at the Intergroup Office, or see me at the regularly scheduled business meeting.
Where & When: Dave R.: So far, there have been 3 requests for W&W activity received
since the April printing; these changes will be included in the next W&W printing. No
additional changes have been requested since my last report. The next printing of the
Where & When is expected for fall publication in October. All meeting update submissions should be communicated through the Intergroup office.
12th Step Committee: Bari W. (women): Women’s list is up to date. This has been a
great year of service. Thanks for helping me stay sober. Stephen J. (men): Excused
absence, Bari read report: Called a large portion of the men’s 12th step list to make sure
it is still accurate. I have also been announcing the list at meetings and have five men
that would like to be added to the list. I am going to take their completed forms to
Intergroup this week. Thank you for allowing me to serve.
Liaison to North County Intergroup: Laura K.: The North County Intergroup meeting took
place on June 8, 2016. Jasine passed away in her home the day after the May meeting.
She was a kind lady who looked out for Central House with flyers and announcements
for me to bring back here. A Bonsai was purchased in her memory by the office. North
County Intergroup will be closed July 4th. Archives will have 2 tables at the upcoming
GSO quarterly in Boca. Luiz with the 12 step committee is looking for volunteers, if interested call NPBCI. Jen with phone relay is looking for volunteers. She is proposing using
a single phone that can be passed from person to person, similar to what we have
because it’s frustrating to verify and follow up with scheduling. Elections: Bridging the
Gap: Rhonda; Today Editor: Randy; and Website: Kim.
Old Business:
Annual Intergroup Donations: Due to excellent support over the past few years the
Intergroup finances are in good standing, and we are in a position to donate. As mentioned last month the committee has a donation recommendation. Based on the current
year to date with a conservative projection on year end, the steering committee recommends to donate $25.000, without putting the SPBCI in financial jeopardy; this is separate from the $28,000 prudent reserve. As suggested by our literature, the donation
breakdown would be: 40%/$10,000 to District, 30%/$7,500 to Area, and 30%/$7,500 to
GSO. This is only the recommendation from the Steering committee, all reps will need to
discuss with their groups, and in August a vote will be held to determine how the body
chooses to donate the funds. Please contact the Intergroup office with any questions
you may have prior to the August vote.
New Business: None
Next Business Meeting: July 27, 2016
Closed meeting with the Lord’s Prayer.
Respectfully submitted, Sarah B.
South Palm Beach County
Intergroup Association, Inc.
2905 South Federal Highway • Building C, Suite 15-16
Delray Beach, FL 33483
24-hours: 561.276.4581
Email: southcountyaa@comcast.net
Website: www.aainpalmbeach.org
Office Hours
Monday-Friday: 9am - 5pm
Saturday: 10am - 1pm
STEERING COMMITTEE
Chair - John S.
Vice Chair - Cheryl S.
Treasurer - Elizabeth B.
Secretary - Sarah B.
Office Manager - Jeannie G.
COMMITTEES
Archives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lisa M.
Archivist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Michael G.
Bridge the Gap - Men . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gary K.
August Service Meetings
Bridge the Gap - Women . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Emily L.
August 14
District 8 General Service Business Meeting - Triangle Club
4:00 PM: GSR/DCM SHARING
4:40 PM DISTRICT 8 BUSINESS MEETING
Group Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Maria L.
August 27
SPBC Intergroup Steering Committee Meeting
Saturday, 9:00 AM
August 31
SPBC Intergroup Monthly Business Meeting
Wednesday, 7:00 PM - Delray Central House
General Services Liaison . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Andrea D.
Hospitals & Institutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Carla S.
Liaison to North County Intergroup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Laura K.
Public Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Juan P.
SCAAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . John T.
Telephone Relay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Taylor G.
Twelve Step Committee - Men . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Stephen J.
Twelve Step Committee - Women . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bari W.
Where & When . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . David R.