MISSION STATEMENT

It is the goal of your Central Office Steering Committee to monitor and improve upon the quality of services provided by the office and its workers.

The Steering Committee meets regularly to review Policies and Operations in order to improve its services to our A.A. Community.

www.aa-acadiana.org Email the Central Office at: centraloffice@aa-acadiana.org

Plug-in-Jug

News

Published Monthly by:

Acadiana Area Central Office, Inc.

Located at: 115 Leonie St.,

Lafayette, LA 70506 Phone: 337 991-0830

(24 Hours) Mail all

Contributions to: P.O. Box 52186

Lafayette, LA 70505

Office Hours: Monday—Friday 11:00AM-5:30PM Sat. 8:30-12:30

COPYRIGHT © 2014

Acadiana Area Central Office, Inc.

April 2014

COR Meeting Sunday, April 20, 2014

1119C Johnston Street

Lafayette, LA

6:00 PM

Want to contribute an item to the Plug-In-Jug? Email us at plug-in-jug@aa-acadiana.org, or send it to the Central Office, by the 4th Friday of the month.

To include a flyer with the Plug-In-Jug mail-out, please provide 100 copies and a $15.00 donation to defray postage expense to the Central Office.

COR AGENDA: Nominations and elections for Steering

Committee Positions.

Step 4: Made a searching and fearless

moral inventory of ourselves.

Tradition 4: Each group should be

autonomous except in matters affecting

other groups or A.A. as a whole.

Copyright © A.A. World Services, Inc. Reprinted with permission.

Copyright © A.A. World Services, Inc..

Reprinted with permission.

11th Annual LAKE AREA ROUNDUP

Friday April 25 — Sunday 27th

“It Works — It Really Does”

At the Lake Charles Civic Center

Jean Lafitte Room

Www.LakeAreaRoundup.org

Contacts: Chris E. 337-292-6943 Or Gina B. 337-842-1007

Big Book Study Charlie and Katie P.

From Austin, Texas Friday, July 18, 2014

7:00-9:00 PM Saturday, July 19, 2014

9:00 AM—4:00 PM St. Luke’s Episcopal Church

8833 Goodwood Blvd. Baton Rouge

More information 225-930-0026

20th Annual

Serenity by the Sea

“A Weekend of Fellowship, Food, & Fun”

May 2, 3, 4 2014

Grand Isle High School, Ludwig Lane

Contacts: Charlie (225) 413-3055

Jeannie S. (225) 413-1724

Keith (985) 856-3126

25th SOUTHEAST LOUISIANA SPRING ROUNDUP

May 24, 25, 26 Sponsored by The AA Groups in District 12

On the North Shore “The Clarion Inn & Suites”

501 N. Hwy 190 Covington, LA 70433

New Way Group Presents…

A NEW WOMEN’S A.A. BIG BOOK STUDY

Thursdays 6 pm

St. Francis Hall (middle bldg.) Room 5

Breaux Bridge, LA

T

-Shir

ts R

affle

COME VISIT OUR BOOK STORE! If you own a Fourth Edition of the

Big Book...You are missing

out!

As Bill Sees It

This collection of Bill's writ-

ings is a daily source of com-

fort and inspiration.

ACADIANA CENTRAL OFFICE NEEDS YOUR HELP! Nominations and elections for the following positions

will be held at the April 20, 2014 COR Meeting.

Chairman: 2 years continuous sobriety and previously served on Steering Committee

Vice Chair-at least 2 years continuous sobriety Secretary-at least 2 years continuous sobriety

Activities Chair-at least 2 years continuous sobriety.

Elections Committee: David R. 337-852-6724

Monique L. 337-523-4414 Luke F. 337-831-2819 Allen G. 337-990-1063

Officers should be familiar with A.A. Service Structures from groups to GSO,

along with a good understanding of the Acadiana Central Office By-Laws.

Young Drunks Wednesday Nights, 7 p.m.

First Baptist Church

1117 Lafayette St., Lafayette

The Single Adults Building, Upstairs

2

Stories From the Grapevine...

Submit groups history or your personal story to centraloffice@aa-acadiana.org or mail them to:

Acadiana Central Office 115 Leonie Street Lafayette, LA 70506

Naming the Negatives

Step 4 - Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.

The Fourth Step attracted me almost as I arrived at the doors of Alcoholics Anonymous. I came to AA full of guilt

and remorse for all the bad things I'd done--for example, being an unfaithful wife, not doing my job to the best of my ability

and still expecting the highest rewards, and being unresponsive to other people's needs. I was totally self-centered, while at

the same time I was thought of by others as being a good wife to a man who drank too much and ran around, being loyal to a

job for twelve years, and being so sweet (I never expressed an opinion!). But the way I was viewed by others was not the way

I felt inside.

I heard AAs talking about getting rid of the guilt of the past by taking the Fourth and Fifth Steps. I wanted to get rid

of my feelings of fear, frustration, and depression, and I became willing to go to any length to accomplish that. The first thing

to do was to make a decision that since I couldn't handle my own life (look at the mess it was in), I could find my own higher

power to which I could turn over my life and my will. After that, I'd be able to look at myself and take responsibility for my

past actions.

I certainly didn't know how to put names to my feelings because for years I'd practiced not giving information to oth-

ers about how I felt and what I thought. If I had problems, I was to solve them myself; hadn't I been taught to be self-

sufficient? As I went to meetings and heard others talk about their feelings, I came to recognize some of mine. I came to un-

derstand that my natural instincts "for the sex relation, for material and emotional security, and for companionship" need not

run my life in a negative way.

Early on, one of my ways of staying sober had been to write down my feelings and questions and new things I

learned. At the beginning of my sobriety I would ride home from a meeting on a bus. My small notebook in my purse was

there to write down any thoughts I'd had during the meeting I'd just left.

After about fifteen months (and a couple of journals), I went to someone with a good solid sobriety and asked for help

in turning my notes into a Fourth Step. He suggested that we meet and I arrived, notebooks in hand. He started me talking,

leading me in a discussion of my problems in the areas of sex, society, and security (as suggested by the Big Book). He sug-

gested that I look at pride, greed, lust, anger, gluttony, envy, and sloth. We talked for about three hours and covered every

area of my life I had problems in. I found I could put names to my negative feelings and see their source.

People talk about having a spiritual experience after taking the Fourth Step. What happened to me was that I learned

about the person I had been. I looked at my "emotional deformities" so I could "move toward their correction." I now had a

better sense of direction concerning what areas I needed to work on. As Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions explains, ". . . .a

brand-new kind of confidence is born, and the sense of relief at finally facing ourselves is indescribable."

Since that first inventory, I've taken many Fourth Steps. When my marriage was in trouble, I looked at my part in the

problem, at where I'd been wrong. I had no fear in looking at my behavior because I'd been trying in sobriety to be a good

wife and companion. I found that my dependence on someone I considered stronger was misdirected. I was frightened of life

and hadn't grown up; I felt dominated but in some areas I myself was the one who dominated. I put demands on another per-

son which couldn't possibly be met. I tried to manipulate my husband to meet what I thought were my needs, when I really

didn't know my needs.

A few years later, when my marriage had broken up and I'd met someone in whom I was interested, I took an invento-

ry of my relationships with the other men who'd been in my life (father, brothers, friends, lovers), whether causing trouble or

not. I didn't want to get into a relationship where I made the same mistakes over again. In this inventory, I found the same de-

pendencies growing out of fear, self-pity, worry, greed, possessiveness, anger, and a lack of confidence in myself.

Today, when a particular problem can't be covered by a daily Tenth Step, I find it natural to use the Fourth Step. I

start with the First Step and see where I'm powerless, I recognize that a Higher Power can help me, and I use the Third Step

prayer as a preliminary move toward the Fourth Step. After taking a Fifth Step, I use the subsequent Steps to help me handle

the problem.

The Fourth Step lets me look at myself, look into my fear of not getting something I want or of losing something I

have, get a perspective on my character defects, and move forward to try to establish true partnerships with other human be-

ings: all in order to be "one in a family, to be a friend among friends, to be a worker among workers, to be a useful member of

society."

Sherry G.

Riverdale, Michigan

Copyright © A.A. Grapevine Inc. Reprinted with permission.

(Excerpt)

3

Activities : Dennis B.

COMMUNICATIONS: For the month of March:

CONTACT: Yvonne A. reported that she did visit the Eunice Group promoting the Chili Cook Off and elections. Mass text when to CORs reminding them of upcoming meetings, events and elections.

DISTRICT 13C: A flyer will be made and sent out with information on service work.

DISTRICT 13E: Luke F. announced Rhonda M. as the new Treatments Chair. He, also, reported on the upcoming work-shop on May 17, at the Clifton Chenier Center.

DISTRICT 9: Larry announced the Opelousas Group has a new BB Study at 5:00 pm. Bill U. reported that the district would like to plan a workshop, but not getting enough representation. Jeffery B. reported that the Eunice Solutions Group is do-

ing well with 18-20 people in attendance and the Basile Group (new group) has 5 or 6 people in attendance, but expects

more as the word gets out. He then reported that the Ville Platte Group has no COR, however they are working on it.

Acadiana Central Office COR Meeting

Minutes from March 16, 2014

STEERING COMMITTEE GROUP NAME COR/ALT.

Abbeville Area James B.

Chairman Jon M. Any Lengths. Josh S.

Vice Chair Pending Any Lengths Candi R. (alt.)

Treasurer David M. Faith Group Michelle P. (alt.)

Secretary Pending Freedoms Choice Kirk W.

Activities Chair Dennis B. Gulf Coast Group Chris M.

Contact Chair Yvonne A. Living Sober Marlon W.

Communications Chair Allen G. Reflections Julia S.

Office Manager Linda F. Scott Group Steve H.

Step by Step Sharon M.

OTHERS Sun Up Julie K.

13C DCM –Jamie G. Abbeville Area-Scott C. Surrender Shaunna C. (alt.)

13E Liaison-Like F. Abbeville Area-Adam M. Veteran's in Sobriety Larry/James G.

Scott Group-John L.. 12 at 12 Jeremy C.

Treasurer’s Report: David M. reported

Ending bank balance $ 3,122.41

Total Income $ 4,127.70

Total Expenses $ 4,005.29

Net Income $ 122.41

New Bank Balance $ 3,000.00

Prudent Reserve Transfer $ 122.41

Interest Paid to Prudent Reserve $ .24

New Prudent Reserve Balance $ 9,829.05

Office Manager’s Report: Linda F reported

12-Step Calls — office: 3

12-Step Calls — Ans. Svc: 2

Meeting Info Calls — office: 79

Meeting Info Calls — Ans. Svc: 34

Walk-ins: 56

Office Information: 6

Al-Anon Info: 3

Other Calls: 10

Meeting Lists Mailed: 1

Meeting Lists Faxed: 2

Internet Inquiries: 0

Sales of Merchandise: 47

PIJ Subscriptions: 4

PIJ Mailed: 36

610 visitors made 1209 visits to the website

Meeting List were downloaded 796 times.

Plug-In-Jug issues were downloaded 77 times.

The Events/Calendar page was viewed 137 times.

Total visits YTD in 2014: 1223

4

Central Office Steering Committee Meeting 2nd Saturday 10:00 am 115 Leonie Street—Central Office

Central Office Representatives (COR) Meeting 3rd Sunday 6:00pm 1119C Johnston St.

District 13E Business & Gen. Svc. Meeting 2nd Wednesday 6:00pm 300 E. Martial Ave.

District 13C Business Meeting 4th Sunday 4:00pm 210 8th St. - Turning Point

District 13C General Service Meeting 4th Sunday 3:00pm 210 8th St.—Turning Point

District 9 Business Meeting 1st Wednesday 6:00pm 206 N. Liberty - Opelousas

F.O.T.S. South Planning Meeting 1st Sunday 4:00pm 210 8th St. - Turning Point

C. C. C. Planning Meeting 3rd Sunday 3:00pm 210 8th St.—Turning Point

Acadiana Area District and Conference Business Meetings

Office Manager’s Report Volunteers for March 2014:

Gilbert W. (3rd Street Park) 15

Yvonne A. (Reflections) 24

Julie F. (Scott Group) 25,26,27,28

Nancy C. (Boulevard Group) 29

Daphne P. (Primary Purpose) 28,31

Candi R. (Scott Group) New Comer

Packets

“Your Service is Appreciated”

Linda F.

Sick Bay: Linda F. Scott

Jo C. Sun-Up

Ola B. Last Chance Acceptance

Claire W. Hub City

Danie B. Downtown Group

John H. Sun-Up

Jack B. Freedom’s Choice

Courtney M. Freedom’s Choice

Carlos B. Last Call Group

Bob C. Sobriety & Beyond

Jon M. Across the Tracks

TO VOLUNTEER AT CENTRAL OFFICE CALL LINDA F. (337) 991-0830

Monday-Friday 11:00am-5:30pm

Saturday 8:30am-12:30pm

“Things we CAnnOT ChAnge” IN MEMORIUM:

Thomas H. 8/24/91*

“Area Group of Breaux Bridge”

Francis B. 4/1/06*

“Abbeville Area”

Larissa T. 11/11/11*

“Abbeville Area”

*Sobriety Date

OLD BUSINESS: There are no nominees for the Steering Committee Secretary. If you have 2 years of continuous sobrie-ty and are interested please attend the April COR meeting.

New Business: Jon M. announced that he will be having knee replacement surgery on April 8th and he will not be able to

chair the elections. The following nominees will be voted on in April: Chairman — Yvonne A. (Reflections), Vice Chair —

John L. (Scott Group) and Gilbert W. (3rd Street Park Group-Crowley), Activities — Luke F. (Primary Purpose).

UMC has openings for AA meetings on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays at 1:30. If your group is interested contact your Dis-

trict’s Treatment Chairman.

A motion was made, seconded and carried to adjourn the meeting. Jon M. closed with the Load’s Prayer.

*****District 13C Officer Position Needed*****

District 13C is in need of an alternate D.C.M., If the D.C.M resigns or is unable to serve for any reason, the alternate steps in. The alternate D.C.M. assists the D.C.M with responsibilities at district and area meetings. 2 years of sobriety

is required; If you have any questions, please contact Jamie G. 281-782-6370

Office Data for March 2014:

12-Step Calls — office: 9

12-Step Calls — Ans. Svc: 2

Meeting Info Calls — office: 44

Meeting Info Calls — Ans. Svc: 26

Walk-ins: 54

Office Information: 5

Al-Anon Info: 3

Other Calls: 24

Meeting Lists Mailed: 2

Meeting Lists Faxed: 0

Internet Inquiries: 1

Sales of Merchandise: 83

PIJ Subscriptions: 4

PIJ Mailed:

5

The Acadiana Area Central Office, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation.

Your donations are tax deductible up to $3,000 per AA member per year.

Individual donations are accepted only from AA members.

Have you been able to stay away from a drink because of AA? Have you gotten your life back? How much is that worth to you? In the rooms, we AA members agree that our sobriety is an undeserved gift from a higher power. While the message is free, our Central Office has expenses to carry the AA message. For those of us who can afford it, it is our responsibility to put more than a dollar in the basket. Many of our members go beyond this! However, many more do not. Where we used to give $1, we must try to give $2. And those of us not giving at all, we must try giving something and have faith we will be taken care of for helping. It works, it really does. Are you giving more to the coffee chain on the corner than to the program that gave you your life? Part of spiritual growth is adapting to reality. The reality is the world is more expensive and a buck doesn’t go far enough. Let’s get real, let’s get sober and give a little more!

TWO BUCKS IS THE NEW DOLLAR!!

Acadiana Central Office

2014 FINANCIAL REPORT

FINANCIAL SUMMARY — March 2014

Group Donations March YTD

Total Regular Income $2,005.40

Total Sales Income $2,766.32

TOTAL INCOME $4,771.72

Total Regular Expenses $2,489.88

Total Sales Expenses $1,679.99

TOTAL EXPENSES $4169.87

NET INCOME $601.85

Checkbook Balance $3601.85

Prudent Reserve Transfer Amount -$601.85

New Checkbook Balance $3,000.00

Prudent Reserve Starting Balance $9,829.05

Prudent Reserve Transfer $601.85

Interest Paid to Prudent Reserve $.24

New Prudent Reserve Balance

$10,431.14

12 at 12 Group $0.00 $52.00

3rd Street Park $0.00 $0.00

A Design For Living $0.00 $125.00

A Vision For You $0.00 $661.11

Abbeville Area $0.00 $0.00

Acadian Gr. $0.00 $0.00

Any Lengths $0.00 $0.00

Back to Basics (N.I.) $0.00 $0.00

Beginning AA New $0.00 $0.00

Boulevard Gr. (Opelousas) $0.00 $73.56

Brown Baggers (Morgan City) $0.00 $0.00

Dry Dock $0.00 $0.00

Eunice Solutions Gr. $0.00 $0.00

Faith $0.00 $0.00

Freedoms Choice $0.00 $0.00

Hang In There (Scott) $0.00 $0.00

Hub City $247.00 $247.00

Kitchen Table $0.00 $282.00

Last Call Group $0.00 $20.00

Last Chance Acceptance $0.00 $0.00

Living Sober $0.00 $0.00

Mamou Group $0.00 $10.00

Morgan Avenue Group $100.00 $100.00

New Way (Breaux Bridge) $0.00 $600.00

Northside Gratitude $0.00 $0.00

Opelousas Group $10.00 $20.00

Primary Purpose $0.00 $219.62

Progress Not Perfection (Laf.) $0.00 $0.00

Rayne Group $0.00 $0.00

Reflections $0.00 $150.00

Scott Group $58.00 $210.00

Serenity Group Church Point $0.00 $0.00

Serenity (N.I.) $100.00 $100.00

Sisters In Sobriety $0.00 $0.00

Sober Chicks $0.00 $0.00

Solutions (Ville Platte) $0.00 $0.00

Step By Step $0.00 $0.00

Sunday Morning Fellowship $0.00 200.00

Sun Up $381.36 $1020.56

Surrender $0.00 $42.95

The Gulf Coast Group $0.00 $100.00

Veterans in Sobriety $0.00 $2.00

We Agnostics $0.00 $0.00

Willing To Believe (Duson) $0.00 $0.00

Young Drunks $0.00 $0.00

Total Group Donations $896.36 $4,045.80

May 2014 Birthdays Years of Sobriety

6

Anniversaries are based on group registration dates as recorded by the A.A. General Service Office

Want to update your sobriety date? Call Central Office 991-0830 or e-mail us at centraloffice@aa-acadiana.org.

Acadiana Groups Celebrating Anniversaries in May

13-C 5/13/80 1980 34 yrs. Northside Gratitude Group Lafayette

Al B. 5/7/83 Faith Group 31 yrs

Aline S. 5/11/10 Back To Basics New Iberia 4 yrs

Amy G. 5/12/09 Reflections 5 yrs

Angie C 5/7/07 Sun Up 7 yrs

Ann F. 5/15/85 Kitchen Table Group 29 yrs

Ann Mc F. 5/18/94 Sun Up 20 yrs

Archie H 5/27/74 Sun Up 40 yrs

Ashley T. 5/27/05 The Gulf Coast Group 9 yrs

Blane W. 5/24/12 Any Lengths 2 yrs

Bob H. 5/16/10 Kitchen Table Group 4 yrs

Bob L. 5/12/02 Hub City 12 yrs

Bobby P. 5/31/02 Living Sober 12 yrs

Brian H. 5/7/03 Abbeville Area 11 yrs

Brian P. 5/24/97 Abbeville Area 17 yrs

Bridgette S. 5/25/12 Twelve At Twelve 2 yrs

Bubba (Wayne) 5/21/08 Primary Purpose 6 yrs

Buddy P. 5/12/96 Abbeville Area 18 yrs

Carl C. 5/14/97 Abbeville Area 17 yrs

Carlos B. 5/15/11 Sun Up 3 yrs

Charlie M. 5/23/87 Serenity Group N.I. 27 yrs

Chris C. 5/16/11 Hub City 3 yrs

Chris L 5/20/08 Reflections 6 yrs

Crystal W. 5/1/03 Primary Purpose 11 yrs

Cuz D. 5/16/93 Serenity Group N.I. 21 yrs

Dale T. 5/21/81 A Vision for You 33 yrs

Dana D 5/22/09 Kitchen Table Group 5 yrs

Daniel C. 5/5/08 We Agnostics of Acadiana 6 yrs

Danny C. 5/15/72 Any Lengths 42 yrs

Dave B. 5/2/03 Living Sober 11 yrs

David H. 5/9/08 Sobriety & Beyond 6 yrs

Debbie B. 5/28/01 Serenity Group N.I. 13 yrs

Deryl V. 5/1/89 Faith Group 25 yrs

Donna B 5/9/86 Sun Up 28 yrs

Donna D. 5/3/92 Sun Up 22 yrs

Donna F. 5/26/95 Abbeville Area 19 yrs

Elizabeth Y. 5/2/99 The Gulf Coast Group 15 yrs

Eugene Sr. 5/18/86 3rd Street Park Crowley 28 yrs

Geraldine M.B. 5/16/08 Primary Purpose 6 yrs

Gloria T.L. 5/21/95 New Way 19 yrs

Guy C. 5/29/97 Scott Group 17 yrs

Jack B. 5/5/86 Freedoms Choice 28 yrs

Janet H. 5/5/07 Reflections 7 yrs

Jeana S. 5/22/86 Last Chance Acceptance 28 yrs

Jeannine 5/20/09 Scott Group 5 yrs

Jermaine G. 5/8/00 Truman Group 14 yrs

Jessica H. 5/11/13 Primary Purpose 1 yr

John L. 5/25/05 Acadian 9 yrs

Jordan Y. 5/27/11 Sun Up 3 yrs

Joy S. 5/22/08 Sun Up 6 yrs

Joy T 5/21/08 Sun Up 6 yrs

Karen M. 5/17/11 Sun Up 3 yrs

Kathy D. 5/14/01 Abbeville Area 13 yrs

Kay D. 5/4/12 Primary Purpose 2 yrs

Kelly A. 5/13/11 Reflections 3 yrs

Ken M. 5/16/03 Abbeville Area 11 yrs

Kenneth M, 5/16/03 Abbeville Area 11 yrs

Kevin H. 5/26/11 Sun Up 3 yrs

Kevin M. 5/8/05 Living Sober 9 yrs

Kevin S. 5/22/06 3rd Street Park Crowley 8 yrs

Kitty N. 5/19/11 Primary Purpose 3 yrs

Lisa O. 5/16/88 Primary Purpose 25 yrs

Mary Ann H. 5/3/10 Sisters in Sobriety 4 yrs

Meredith B 5/8/10 New Way 4 yrs

Merrill P. 5/19/03 Courage To Change 11 yrs

Mitch D. 5/26/02 Sobriety & Beyond 12 yrs

Neal B. 5/27/08 Dry Dock 6 yrs

Norma F. 5/9/00 Sun Up 14 yrs

Pam B. 5/18/07 Surrender 7 yrs

Pamalia M. 5/5/95 3rd Street Park Crowley 19 yrs

Pete W. 5/22/12 Hub City 2 yrs

Richard S. 5/2/08 Scott Group 6 yrs

Ricky A 5/8/08 New Way 6 yrs

Ricky P. 5/13/11 Sun Up 3 yrs

Robert M. 5/8/88 Faith Group 26 yrs

Rusty A. 5/8/07 Faith Group 7 yrs

Scott S. 5/1/02 Living Sober 12 yrs

Steve M. 5/4/09 Sun Up 5 yrs

Steve S 5/20/04 Reflections 10 yrs

Suzy L. C. 5/6/87 Surrender 27 yrs

Tara J. 5/21/10 Sun Up 4 yrs

Tari V. 5/17/02 Courage To Change 12 yrs

Tim B. 5/3/08 Scott Group 6 yrs

Todd A. 5/14/10 Any Lengths 4 yrs

Tom D. 5/17/10 Sun Up 4 yrs

Tommy G. 5/1/82 Sun Up 32 yrs

Tony K 5/3/09 Sun Up 5 yrs

Trevor T. 5/2/12 Twelve At Twelve 2 yrs

Vanessa M. 5/27/96 Reflections 18 yrs

Wayne B. 5/21/08 Primary Purpose 6 yrs

Wayne S. 5/10/83 Abbeville Area 31 yrs

Why I threw the pie A Fourth Step list reveals reasons for past bad behavior

FROM the day I attended my first AA meeting I knew that the key to my survival was that I had to change, both attitudes

and actions. My original home group's format was a three-week rotation of Step, Tradition and discussion. Keeping in mind that

I needed to change, I started working on the Fourth Step. I wrote my inventory with absolutely no fear; this was going to be an

investigation of my behavior that would be used to keep me from repeating my pattern of being just "between drinks."

Being Catholic, I understood the benefit of confessing my sins, so I started a

laundry list of bad attitudes and bad actions. Among these was the definite example of a

really bad attitude and somewhat messy action--I'd thrown a pie in my brother-in-law's

face. Thinking that examples like this were all that was necessary to complete the

Fourth Step, I felt that I was making remarkable progress and was all ready to take my

Fifth Step

.

But before I announced to my sponsor that I was ready to sit down and tell her

my list of "sins," I had one of those "light bulb" moments. The Fifth Step wasn't confes-

sion as I used to do it: confess, be absolved and then feel free to do it again. This was

the time to analyze the "why" of the action. It's not that I threw the pie; it's, why did I

throw the pie?

Utilizing the honesty I was learning day by day, I saw clearly that I had thrown

the pie because I resented my brother-in-law. He knew an alcoholic when he saw one,

and I was so busy keeping it a secret that I feared he would share his opinion with the

whole family (as if they didn't know). Having this fear and resentment only brought on

tremendous self-pity: "Oh, poor me, why do I have to put up with this miserable indi-

vidual?" Resentment, fear and self-pity: these were "the exact nature" of my wrongs.

Finally understanding the purpose of this Step allowed me to review everything on the

list and examine the motive behind each action or attitude.

I had heard that if I didn't take the

Fourth and Fifth Steps I could get drunk

again. Now I understood; if I didn't take

those Steps, I'd never get that personality

change necessary for recovery.

Carol K.

Sarasota, Fla

Concept IV: At all responsible levels, we ought to maintain a traditional “Right of Participation,” allowing a voting representation in reasonable proportion to the responsibility that each must discharge.

7

NOTES FROM AROUND THE WORLD...

TRADITION FOUR CHECKLIST Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or AA as a whole.

1. Do I insist that there are only a few right ways of doing things in AA?

2. Does my group always consider the welfare of the rest of AA? Of nearby groups? Of Loners in Alaska? Of Internationalists miles from

port? Of a group in Rome or El Salvador?

3. Do I put down other members' behavior when it is different from mine, or do I learn from it?

4. Do I always bear in mind that, to those outsiders who know I am in AA, I may to some extent represent our entire beloved Fellowship?

5. Am I willing to help a newcomer go to any lengths-his lengths, not mine-to stay sober?

6. Do I share my knowledge of AA tools with other members who may not have heard of them?

8 Want to add an A.A. event to the Central Office Calendar?

e-mail us at: plug-in-jug@aa-acadiana.org

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

2

District 9

Business Meeting

6pm 205 N. Liberty

Opelousas

3 4 5

6

FOTSS Planning

4pm Turning Point

7 8 9

District 13E

Business Meeting 300 E. Martial

6 pm

10

11

12

La. Area Assembly

Baton Rouge

13 La. Area Assembly

Baton Rouge

14 15

16

17

18 19

20 CCC Planning

3pm

Turning Point **************

COR

6pm (elections)

Pink Building

21 22 23

24

25

April 25th-27th

Lake Area

Round-up

Lake Charles, LA

26

27

District 13C

Gen. Ser. 3 pm

Business 4pm Turning Point

28 29 30 May 1 May 2nd-4th

Serenity by the Sea

Grand Isle, LA

Apr

il M

ay

2014

2014

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2

May 2nd-4th

Serenity by the

Sea

Grand Isle, LA

3

4 5 6 7

District 9

Business Meeting

6pm 205 N. Liberty

Opelousas

8 9 10 AA Fish Fry

Many Harbour Group

Gene J (409) 625-3504

11

12 13 14

District 13E

Business Meeting

300 E. Martial 6 pm

15 16 17 District 13E

Workshop

Clifton Chenier Center

***********************

Gulf Coast Anniversary 150 Rue Fontaine

Workshop and Dinner

Bubba & Helen R.

18 CCC Planning

3pm

Turning Point **************

COR

6pm

Pink Building

19 20 21 22 23

May 23rd-25th

S.E. Louisiana

Spring Roundup

Covington, LA

24

25

District 13C

Gen. Ser. 3 pm

Business 4pm Turning Point

26 27 28 29 30

May 30 - June 1

Annual Azalea

City Jamboree

Mobile, Al.

31