Volume 29, Issue 12 DECEMBER 2013

ScaanSOUTH COUNTY

AA NEWSLETTER

The Hand of AA

24 Hours a Day

561-276-4581

South Palm Beach CountyIntergroup Association, Inc.Serving A.A. Groups inBoca Raton, Boynton Beach,Delray Beach and Lantana29 Years of Service ~ 1984-2013

The 1998 Conference Literature Committee considered a pamphleton making Twelfth Step calls that was compiled and in use by Area 25(Kansas). Although Conference committee members felt this effort wasfine for local use, they emphasized the importance of the use of “How ItWorks” in the Big Book, as well as seeking guidance through sponsor-ship, the experience of older members and workshops.

One such workshop was held last spring by the Answering ServicesCommittee of the Elmira (New York) Area Intergroup. The area’s secondTwelfth Step workshop, developed its program along lines of theG.S.O.’s service piece “Suggested Workshop Format.” Out of the work-shop experience has come some suggested guidelines. Because theyhave proven so useful, the committee has shared them with G.S.O., asfollows, in the hope that others will be helped too:

1. Return calls ASAP. Call back immediately to listen, share andarrange a time and place to meet-but not at a bar. If you are called to abar, go there only to pick the person up and, preferably, to get him or herto a meeting.

2. Twelfth Step in pairs, with a same-sex member if possible.Twelfth Step calls can be intense, and there is safety in numbers.Besides, two heads are better than one. Be punctual and look your best.

3. Twelfth Step when the prospect is sober or fairly sober. Callson intoxicated alcoholics seldom work because of blackouts. Wait for theend of a spree or a lucid interval when the prospect is still jittery.

4. During home calls, separate prospect from family if you can(suggest AlAnon for family members). Too many people butting in toinfluence you about the “bad guy” can be disruptive. Learn from experi-enced A.A.s how to interact with family or significant others on the scene,and when it is wiser to leave than to stay:

5. Suggest detox/rehab if needed. If such is indicated, arrangewith family or significant others, with prospect’s permission if possible.

Should violence seem imminent, leave. If necessary, make the appropri-ate phone call.

6. Share how it was (your own drunkalog). Don’t moralize or lec-ture or brand prospects as “alcoholics.” That decision is theirs-even as totossing out alcohol they have on hand. Detail your own symptoms, drink-ing habits and other personal experiences with alcohol.

7. Share your understanding of the disease of alcoholism. Letthe person know that this disease is progressive and can end with insan-ity or early death. Describe the conditions of body, mind and spirit thataccompany alcoholism.

8. Share exactly what happened to you. The prospect will proba-bly want to know how long you have been in A.A. and how you got andstayed sober.

9. Share your A.A. experience. Share how A.A. has worked foryou and helped you to regain your sanity while maintaining sobriety, howit has led to being willing to believe in a power greater than self. Useeveryday language and avoid arousing prejudice against theologicalterms and conceptions.

10. Share how it is now-your recovery program and spirituality.Outline the A.A. program of action and emphasize that this isn’t thesomber end of something (preferably drinking) but the start of a challeng-ing, rewarding way of living based on spiritual principles.

11. Leave a meeting schedule, A.A. pamphlets and your phonenumber; and make one follow-up visit or phone call. Offer to returnfor further questions, and help with transportation to a meeting if possi-ble. Mention Al-Anon meetings available to family members and signifi-cant others.

12. Understand that success means YOU are still sober.Practical experience shows that nothing will so much insure immunityfrom drinking as intensive Twelfth Step work with other alcoholics.

How Do You Make An Old-Fashioned Twelfth Step Call?

THE STEPS & THE TRADITIONSSTEP 12 - “Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry

this message to alcoholics and to practice these principles in all our affairs.”TRADITION 12 - “Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our traditions, ever reminding

us to place principles before personalities.”

Special Events

HolidayOpen House

December 7, 2013

AlcathonDecember 24 - 25, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013 - Jan. 1, 2014

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2013-2014

South Palm Beach County Intergroup Alcathon

The annual SPBCI Alcathon will be held at Delray Central House on December 24 - 25, 2013and December 31, 2013 – January 1, 2014.

There are eighteen individual time slots for each two day event. The first meeting for theAlcathon will begin @ Noon on December 24 and the 18th meeting will begin @ 10:00 PM onDecember 25th.

The New Year’s Alcathon meetings will also begin @ Noon on December 31, 2013. The finalmeeting of the New Year’s Alcathon will be 10:00 PM on January 1, 2014.

Please join your fellow AA’s to carry the message and enjoy the fellowship of AlcoholicsAnonymous knowing you are not alone!

You are invited to the

South Palm Beach County Intergroup

HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSESaturday, December 7, 2013

10:30 – 1:30

Big Books for Beginners - Annual Sale

Raffle - “The Book That Started It All”

Shop for the Holidays!

Enjoy Refreshments and Fellowship!

Happy Holidays!!!

From the Archives . . .FOUR PATHS

The path of recovery began with Dr. Carl Jung; fourVermonters followed it to an end - and a beginning - inAkron, Ohio on June 10, 1935; and from Akron and NewYork City. AA’s message spread around the world.

Rowland H. Ebby T.

Bill W. ••••••••••••••Dr. Bob

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South Palm Beach County Intergroup - Profit & Loss - October 2013

SPBCI OFFICE CLOSED

December 24 - 25, 2013

December 31, 2013 and January 1, 2014

General Service Office of AlcoholicsAnonymous

Opening for Nontrustee Appointed CommitteeMember for Trustees’ Committee on Public

Information – publicinfo@aa.orgApplications due by January 2, 2014

SPBCI Office will stock this book.

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AA HOTLINE – RELAY PHONE

The Hand of AA is Available24 Hours a Day!

December - The Tuesday Men’s SolutionJanuary - Delray Central House Group

FFAAIITTHHFFUULL FFIIVVEERRSSWWiitthh GGrraattiittuuddee ffoorr tthheeiirr ssuuppppoorrtt::

West Boca Friendship GroupBari W. - Welcome Home in Delray

Stan R. - Just Before DawnMichael G. - Sobriety for Breakfast

BIRTHDAY CLUBSOUTH PALM BEACH COUNTY INTERGROUP

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR ANNIVERSARY!Your donation goes to help the valuable services provided by Intergroup includingthe AA hotline, meeting schedules, 12 step work, literature inventory, SCAANnewsletter 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 portionbelow or provide an email address.

Address City

State/Zip Email

BIRTHDAY CLUBBetty T. - 9/19/05 - 8 yrs.

Margarita - 11/12/13 - 1 yr.

Congratulations!from SPBC Intergroup

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INTERGROUP BUSINESS MEETING MINUTESOCTOBER 30, 2013Chairperson: Ed T. Meeting opened with a moment of silence followed by theSerenity Prayer. Minutes from the September 25th meeting were approved. TheTwelve Traditions were read. New group reps welcomed.New Group Reps: Double Digits- Carolyn R.; Sober Sisters- Sarah L; Men OnTrack- Randy R.; Sobriety For Breakfast- Scott K.; Sobriety In The Wind- StevenS.; Lake Worth Young People’s- Liz E.- Just Before Dawn- George S.; Wine IntoWater- Kaely L.Vice Chair: Sarah R. Tickets for the Gratitude Dinner were handed out. Mealselections are required prior to receiving tickets. Tickets can be purchased atthe Intergroup Office. Eleven full tables are left as of tonight.Treasurer: John S. Financials can be found in the SCAAN. Contributions wereup since last month.Office Manager: Jeannie G. Thanks to all volunteers. Your service on a dailybasis allows SPBC Intergroup Office to carry the message. Volunteers areneeded for Saturdays.* The Serenity Scramble was a day filled with golf, fellow-ship and lots of fun. Thanks to all the volunteers and everyone who participat-ed.*Gratitude Dinner meal selection forms are being accepted for tables alreadypurchased. They can also be accepted at the Intergroup Office. EmbassySuites has requested a final “meal selection count” by November 20th.Archivist: Michael G. Excused absence.Archives: Dereck L. No report.Bridge the Gap: Jacob K. (men) - No report. Trish C. (women) - No report.Group Information: Bari W. No report.General Service Liaison: Kate M. Kate attended the October Area Assemblyin St. Petersburg. Workshops included a concepts and traditions panel, GSRsharing and service manual workshop. A vote was made to send the AreaArchives committee to the Archives Workshop in Winter Park, FL on February15th. A decision was made to send out the Area and Alternate Delegate to theSSAASA (Southern States AA Service Assembly). Kate attended the District 8meeting on October 20th. The DCM coordinator gave a presentation about the10th concept (service responsibilities) and impressed upon the great value of aservice sponsor. The treatment chair reported on the many H&I functions in thedistrict and specifically commended Phil P.’s efforts in SPBC. Motions were dis-cussed and votes were taken that enacted a new GSR orientation before thedistrict meeting, finalizing who votes at the district level, and raising the recordingsecretary’s budget. The next District meeting will be held on November 10th at5pm at the Triangle Club. The next Area Assembly will be held from January 3rd-5th in Ft. Lauderdale. Kate is stepping down from her position as chair to takethe position of GSR at her home group and has thanked SPBC Intergroup for thechance and privilege to be of service. Hospitals and Institutions: Phil P. Kitty B.- unexcused absence. H&I brings41 meetings a week into 16 facilities. Two new facilities have requested meet-ings: Good Futures, a teen rehab in Delray and Summit Detox in Boynton. TheSouth Bay Correctional Facility has not gotten back with us so if anyone wouldlike to volunteer in a correctional facility they can attend the NPBC Intergroup’sH&I meeting at 5pm on the first Sunday of the month at the Triangle Club.Volunteers are always needed. This month’s meeting was held on Saturday the19th. The discussion included the relationship between H&I and PublicInformation, since Linda C., the PI chair was in attendance.Public Information: Linda C. Unexcused absence. No report.SCAAN: Maryanne and John T. Excused absence. All articles are welcomeand can be submitted to the Intergroup Office.Telephone Relay: Willie B. The committee is asking groups to volunteer amonth to cover the after-hours phone line. Willie will attend any group businessmeeting to explain the phone procedures. Groups have volunteered to take thephone up until May.Where and When: Hannah F. The October W&W’s have been printed. If thereare any additions or changes to group meetings, please contact the IntergroupOffice.12th Step Committee: David C. (men)- Unexcused absence. No report. SarahB. (women)-The women’s phone list is up to date. Currently there are 41 womenvolunteers and the committee is always looking for more.Liaison to North County Intergroup: Pam T. NPBC’s Christmas Alcathon willbe held at the Triangle Club and The New Year’s Alcathon will be held in theIntergroup’s meeting room.*GSO has announced that they will accept pre-ordersfor the 75th Anniversary Edition of the Big Book which is now in production. Thenew edition will be a replica of the original. Pre-ordered books will be shippeddirectly to the purchaser in April 2014 and can be ordered directly from AAWS oryour local Intergroup Office.*The Bridge the Gap chair did a radio spot onRecovery Radio with Indian Bob and presented a brief summary of BTG

South Palm Beach CountyIntergroup Association, Inc.

2905 South Federal Highway • Building C, Suite 15-16Delray Beach, FL 33483

24-hours: 561.276.4581Email: southcountyaa@comcast.netWebsite: www.aainpalmbeach.org

Office HoursMonday-Friday: 9am - 5pm

Saturday: 10am - 3pm

STEERING COMMITTEEChair - Ed T. Vice Chair - Sarah R.

Treasurer - John S. Secretary - Cheryl S.Office Manager - Jeannie G.

COMMITTEESArchives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Derek L.Archivist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Michael G.Bridge the Gap - Men . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jacob K.Bridge the Gap - Women . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Trish C.General Services Liaison . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kate M.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 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . OpenTwelve Step Committee - Men . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . David C.Twelve Step Committee - Women . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sarah B.Webmaster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . David R.Where & When . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hannah F.

SPBC INTERGROUP EVENT CHAIRSIntergroup Gratitude Dinner (Nov 23) . . Sobriety for Breakfast

UPCOMING EVENTSDecember 7Holiday Open House

December 24-25 and December 31-January 1Annual SPBCI AlcathonDelray Central House

December Service MeetingDecember 8

District 8 General Service Business Meeting5 pm at Triangle Club, WPB

Office VolunteersSeptember

Joe, Jim, Bari, Caryl, Ken, Petti, Michael, Stan,Dennis, Joe B., Frank, Andrew, Zach, George, AlanG., Samantha, Gabe, Alyssa, Kelly, Jordan, Randy,

Jamie, Gary, Kaisi, Caitlin, Christine, Danny T.,Linda S., Carol, Mike, Elizabeth

Meeting Updates & ChangesNew Life Group - Church of Our SaviorMonday - 7:00 PM MCDTuesday - 7:00 PM OD

Thursday Night Big Book Workshop - Zion Lutheran ChurchThursday - 7:30-8:45 OB

Footprints in the SandPalmetto & A1A on the beach5:30 PM new time effective 11/17/2013

services.*The Today Newsletter can be emailed directly by request or can beprinted from their website.Serenity Scramble: Sarge. The Serenity Scramble was a huge success,both financially and in the spirit of unity. The Scramble made a profit of $5065which was possible only by the contributions of hole sponsorships by groupsand individuals, anonymous donations, support by the Steering Committee,Jeannie G., office manager, and the participants in the golf tournament andluncheon. Thanks and acknowledgement was also given to the professionalstaff at the Westchester Country Club.Gratitude Dinner: JC. The Gratitude Dinner will be held on November 23rdat 6pm at the Embassy Suites in Boca Raton. The theme is the ThreeLegacies: Recovery, Unity and Service. Sobriety For Breakfast volunteershave been working and getting everything organized for the dinner. By-Laws Ad-Hoc Committee: Bob M. The committee continues to meet andreview the by-laws. To clarify the committee’s position: The committee has nopower to make changes, only suggestions and the final decisions are up to themembership. Suggestions and comments from the membership are welcomedand can be sent to bob@aainpalmbeach.org or the Intergroup office.Old Business: The Alcathon: Ed asked for a sense of the body to deter-mine the level of participation in this year’s Alcathon. A majority of groupsvoted to participate and the decision to bring food will be according to theirgroup conscience. Groups bringing food need to also supply plates, utensils,napkins and beverages. Time slots will be picked at the next BusinessMeeting on November 20th.New Business: Kate M. has stepped down from her position as GeneralService Liaison chair.David P. was elected as the new chair.

The next Business Meeting will be held on November 20, 2013 due to theThanksgiving holiday week.Meeting ended with the Lord’s Prayer.

Respectfully submitted by Cheryl S.

HappyHolidays!