on the Rogue again Jackson County Central Office Newsletter

Jackson County A.A. Central Office 116 East 6th Street, Medford, OR 97501

(541) 732-1850 www.jccoaa.org aajacksoncounty@yahoo.com

Central Office News Board Members Donations

At the OFFICE (April 2017): Visitors 52

Calls 35

Meeting inquiries 7

Website 620

Chair – Joel S. Co-Chair – Office Manager – Al Z. Volunteer Coordinator – Bill S. Secretary – Beth M. Literature – Tom M. Treasurer – Fran Co-Treasurer – Sandy J. Special Events – Cheryl R. District Liaison – Wayne T. Newsletter Editor – Lois L. Website – Drew A.

Volume 23 Issue 5 May 2017

April 2017 Donations

Parkside $150 Ashland 9 AM $50 Ashland Sunday Morning $220.50 Medford Fellowship $100 Eye Opener Group $119 Phillip M $120 Ashland Group $95 Rebellous Dogs $40 Her Story $75 GET INVOLVED!

Please contact Bill S. to learn more

about volunteering at Central Office.

Birthday Celebrations—Celebrating a Birthday—or a friend or sponsee celebrating? Want to see it in print—notify us and with a small donation we will acknowledge in the Newsletter.

Editors Note VIRGINIA’S CORNER

The Gifts I Ask These are the gifts I ask of Thee, Spirit serene: Strength for the daily task, Courage to face the road, Good cheer to help me Bear the traveler’s load; And for the hours that come between, An inward joy in all things heard and seen. Spring is upon us and summer approaching—may you have a blessed summer and keep safe!

“There was NOTHING LEFT FOR US but to pick up the simple kit of spiritual tools laid at our Feet.” p.25

We publish for your enjoyment and information. Any mistakes you find are there for a purpose. We publish something for everyone, and some people are always looking for mistakes.

Do You Think You’re Different?

I like this pamphlet (P-13) because it covers

multiple religions, ethnicities, sexual orientations,

ages, careers and more. Thinking that we are

“different” is dangerous for us alcoholics. While I

may not have the same issues as my brother or

sister in the program, we share a sense of

desperation. We have all come to that point of

surrender, where we are willing to try anything to

recover. Many of us have been at deaths door.

Even worse, many of us feared we had lost our

very sanity. But we have survived the ship wreck!

I have found kindred spirits in the rooms of AA. As

the big book states, “we are people who would

normally not mix”. With the program and the

support of the fellowship, we have hope. We who

were once hopeless now have incredibly full lives.

I thank my Higher Power for AA and I thank AA for

my Higher Power.

HAPPENINGS

BE SURE TO STAY UP TO DATE & VIEW AVAILABLE FLIERS @ www.jccoaa.org www.medfordareaaa.org ROGUE ROUNDUP The 42nd Annual Rogue Roundup is coming to the Josephine County Fairgrounds in Grants Pass. For more information, including registration, head to their website. BBQ - FOUNDERS DAY June 10th, 2pm-5pm Medford Alano Club 1921 Elm St. Flyer Rogue Valley Women in Recovery Brunch June 17, 2017, 10am-230pm Rogue Valley Manor Seating is limited, Registration required Flyer All 12-Steppers Woman's Camp Out 2017 Sunny Valley RV Park & Campground Thursday, July 27th – Sunday, July 30th Check in at 2:00pm – Check out by 2:00pm Columbia River Round-UP An AA Convention in Portland, Oregon August 11-13, 2017 www.columbiariverroundup.com Flyer ROSE CITY GIRL STOCK 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous Weekend Study October 13th – 15th, 2017 LIMITED TO THE FIRST 300 PARTICIPANTS www.rosecitygirlstock.com

Please send your event flyers to webcoordinator@outlook.com. If you do not have a flyer - please provide details of the AA event so we can get it posted for you.

On the Rogue Again, is a monthly Newsletter of the Jackson County Central Office. It is about, by, and for the members of Alcoholic

Anonymous Fellowship. Opinions expressed herein aren’t to be attributed to Alcoholic Anonymous as a whole, nor does publication

of any article imply any endorsement by either Alcoholic Anonymous Jackson County Central Office, or “On the Rogue Again”.

(Exceptions: Quotations from the A. A. books or pamphlets and the 12 Steps and/or 12 Traditions are reprinted with permission of A.

A. World Services, Inc.) On the Rogue Again reserves the right to edit submissions for clarity, proper language, length, contents that

violate A. A. Traditions, etc.

Pamphlet Highlights There are over 70 AA approved pamphlets. What ones have you read? Did one strike you in its content and would you like to share your experience from that pamphlet. We would love to hear from you! Submit your article to: EMAIL aajacksoncounty@gmail.com or submit online: WEB jccoaa.org/newsletter

Step 5 Admitted to God, to ourselves and to another human

being the exact nature of our wrongs.

I admit all I did wrong.

From the February 1969 Grape Vine magazine.

I APPROACHED the Fifth Step reluctantly. It was like swallowing a bitter pill. I knew that it had to be done, that it was best for me. But I didn't know why.

My choice of another person with whom to take the Step would be quite different now, because I feel that I have become a better judge of maturity and mental sobriety. But the person I chose at that time was a dear friend, at least on a superficial level, and we seemed to have much in common. It is true that she made it quite easy for me.

Afterwards, I still didn't know why I had taken the Step. But I had done it! I felt terrific relief, knowing that it was behind me and that it was one Step I could say had been taken. It was finished, I thought.

Then the woman with whom I had taken the Fifth Step seemed to have a relapse. While she didn't drink, she became quite erratic and frantic. All I could see, not having much maturity, was that she was not as pleasant and nice as she had been. One day she threatened me, in a veiled way, with the knowledge she had acquired when I took the Fifth Step with her. I could hardly believe it. My husband was present at the time, and all I had to do was glance at him to know that the threat wasn't in my imagination.

My first reaction was disbelief. Then a great sorrow and compassion flowed through me, that a human being could be so desperate for reassurance.

Only later did it occur to me that there was absolutely no fear within me because of what she knew about me or might possibly reveal. The mere fact of having taken the Step had washed away the hidden fear and the secret, exaggerated guilts I had lived with. I realized that simply by taking the Fifth Step my inability to see anything outside myself had been removed. I now was able to think in terms of another person.

Then I started to understand what this Step means: release from fear, in order that we may begin. For until this release from fear is effected we can't possibly find the freedom that is vital for progress in our new way of life. The Fifth Step isn't, after all, an ending. It is the beginning--of truth, of reality, of living in the present, rather than in the nightmarish past or frightening future.

-- J. V. Malawi, Africa

The Big Book says, “We must be entirely honest

with somebody if we expect to live a long or

happily in this world”. (PP 73-74

Concept V Throughout our world services structure, a traditional "Right of Appeal" ought to prevail, thus assuring us that

minority opinion will be heard and that petitions for the redress of personal grievances will be carefully considered.

Throughout our world services structure, a traditional "Right of Appeal" ought

Newcomers to A.A.’s General Service Conference are often surprised at the pains taken by the presiding officer to make sure

the minority has a second opportunity to present its views. Even after extensive debate on an issue, followed by a vote in

which a “substantial unanimity” is reached, those opposed are polled individually to see if they wish to speak further to their

minority view. In fact, numerous instances can be cited in which this minority view is so compelling the

Conference has then reversed itself. This is A.A.’s “Right of Appeal” in action, and Bill says the same principle should apply to

meetings of our area committees, trustee committees and boards. On an issue of grave importance, the minority has the actual

duty of presenting its views.

This “Right of Appeal” recognizes that minorities frequently can be right; that even when they are in error they still perform a

most valuable service when they compel a thorough-going debate on important issues. The well-heard minority, therefore, is

The Fifth Tradition Each group has but one primary purpose…to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers. Every newcomer learns (some of us the hard way) that the business of staying sober must have top priority. If we fail at that, we can’t succeed at anything else. The Fifth Tradition tells us that groups should remember their “one primary purpose. Holding Fast to Our Primary Purpose: I know that my continued life on the program and the very life of the Fellowship itself depend on that principle. It reminds me that I must present myself to the still-suffering alcoholic.

as an expert in one--and only one--thing: What I was like as a practicing alcoholic, what happened to me when I picked up the tools given to me by AA, and what I am like now. And as the newcomer begins to identify and see a way out of his personal nightmare, the miracle begins.

Yes, we know miracles in AA, and it is easy for many of us to believe that AA has a monopoly on such metaphysical delights. We may have tried other ways to escape our drinking trap, and so perhaps we look with a jaundiced eye at any other attempt to help the alcoholic. We've been that route, we say. We tried the priest, the minister, the rabbi. We tried the social agencies. We tried the doctors, the psychologists, the psychiatrists. Nothing worked! So why do we need to cooperate now? Isn't it true that AA can fix any drunk? Co-founder Bill W.'s answer can be found in "Let's Be Friendly with Our Friends" (reprint of a 1958 Grapevine article). He encourages us to develop a strong and constant attitude of cooperation, to "work alongside all these projects of promise to hasten the recovery of those millions who have not yet found their way out." So our history as a fellowship, our Traditions, and our plain common sense clearly suggest to us that we need to preserve most zealously what we are--a worldwide fellowship of men and women who help each other stay sober--yet at the same time, that we lend a helping hand to the others wishing to make a contribution in this perplexing and complex field. And as long as we hold fast to our Traditions, no force on earth can diminish the value or hinder the happy progress of our Fellowship.

-- F. P. Spokane, Washington (Excerpt from GrapeVine, March 1984 Edition)

Alcoholics Anonymous was founded on June 10, 1935, when Bill Wilson and his friend Dr. Robert

Smith set out to find the best way to reform alcoholics, and AA was born.

Bill was in dire straights and found himself in the lobby of the hotel where he was staying in Akron,

Ohio. He was on a business trip. His business deal had gone awry and he was in trouble, financially,

physically, emotionally & spiritually. He had learned from his friend and sponsor Ebby Thatcher that

in order to stay sober he HAD TO help another alcoholic. So, instead of walking into the hotel bar –

he picked up the telephone (the greatest tool in our toolbox) and was put in touch with Dr. Bob. And

the rest - as they say, “Is history”.

Our history is rich with success and turmoil. This history is our legacy. It is said that if we forget

where we came from we are bound to repeat the same mistakes over and over again. I have been

learning about and studying AA's history and have been an archivist for over 15 years. It has enhanced

my recovery in ways I never knew possible. I have a gratitude for our founders, (imperfect people that

they were) that surpasses my own desires.

The 82nd Founder's Day Celebration will have a 5 person panel of old-timers with over 35 years, a

BBQ and an open sharing session. We will also have a 50/50 raffle as well as plenty of opportunities to

be of service.

The Medford Fellowship Groups' Archives Committee in conjunction with the Activities Committee

are happy to put on this event with the gracious participation of the Medford Alano Club, (1921 Elm

Ave. Medford) on June 10, 2017 from 2 pm to 5 pm. Founder's Day happens to fall on a Saturday this

year so it is a perfect alignment.

This kind of event cannot occur without the help of our community. We are asking volunteers to

provide side salads of all kinds as well as desserts. The MFG will be providing hamburgers (beef and

vegetable) with all the fixins, as well as drinks for only $5. Everyone gets a raffle ticket upon entry.

BUT, The best part is that our old-timers get in FREE!

Old-timer means 35 years of sobriety or more.

OUT of the ARCHIVES Submitted by Laurie H.

82nd Founder's Day

Birthdays are for Giving

A friend and I were discussing AA birthdays and their importance, or lack of it,

and we decided that birthdays were important only if they accomplished some good.

The more I thought about the subject, the sillier it seemed. Saying, "Hey, I've been

sober one year" sounds like a person who has recovered mental health saying,

"Hey! I've been sane one year." Taking pride in acting in a normal manner seems

presumptuous.

But knowing that the founders of AA didn't include anything in this program that wasn't necessary, I

began to search for the reasons behind birthdays. The answer I came up with is this: Birthdays are

for giving.

Birthdays give proof to new members that the program works. They give reassurance that sobriety is

within the reach of everyone. They give hope to recovering alcoholics. Birthdays are celebrated, not

for the person, but for the well-being of the fellowship of AA.

On the Road to -Epigrams "Wit and Wisdom" spoken in the rooms of AA all over the world.

It’s not just a belief in God, it is a reliance on God.

Worry is like a rocking chair, it gives you something to do but you never get anywhere.

AA is hard by the yard, by the inch it’s a cinch!

The road to sobriety is a simple journey for confused people with a complicated disease. Before you say: I can't ............say I'll try

Hear something clever, witty, or even profound at a meeting? Send it to: aajacksoncounty@gmail.com