Intergrouper March 2019

Offi ce Hours Central Florida Intergroup Services, Inc. P (407) 260-5822 9-4 M-F 283 Live Oaks Boulevard, Building 6 F (407) 260-5604 10-2 Saturday Casselberry FL 32707 24 Hour Hotline Closed Sunday email: cfi @embarqmail.com 407-260-5408 web: http://www.cfl intergroup.org

PLEASE DON’T STOP TRYING, AND THE MAN IN THE BED

I am the opposite of a one-chip wonder. What should that be called, I wonder? How about this = deeply, wildly grateful.

My sobriety date is April 25, 2017. I had decided not to get a two-year medallion only be-cause last year I bought this nif-ty keychain medallion holder at Intergroup which allows me to read the Serenity Prayer on the back of my one-year medallion several times a day. Didn’t want to change a good thing. Plus, let’s face it, this is my 14th attempt at getting sober, and I’m a bit tired of all those medallions, sort of a Marie Kondo approach to AA.

But then my dear friend Al in-formed me he has a two-year medallion waiting for me which both touched me deeply and made me curious. Al said it’s special. Al is really smart and really, really funny. But most of all, Al is really, really, really kind. Sober 38 years. He’s also kind of quiet. Not taciturn exactly -- just not interested in filling up the air space with drivel.

Recently another member of the Greenhouse told me about a 12 Step call he went on with Al at the hospital maybe 18 months ago. I think there was a third AA man in the room and the guy in the bed. We all know that guy in the bed - sick, shattered, shaking, terrified, alone, humil-iated, in debt, cut off and apart from all that is good and sound and safe and whole. Profoundly perplexed as to why he drank AGAIN. I am a woman, but I am that man in the bed.

A couple of days later, I was co-incidentally at a Happy Hour meeting when the man in the bed attended his first meeting, with his wife and a cane. I have been attending AA meetings since February 1980 (and before that near Philadelphia in the 70s to see my mother get her medal-lions - there’s those darn medal-lions again!), and this was the most bereft and hopeless man I had ever seen at a meeting or seen anywhere in life. It was all there in his eyes. I think maybe the wife even talked for him. He was a shell. The day I saw the man in the bed the very first time was perhaps three or four days after his 12-Step call in the hospital. I cannot begin to think of the shape he was in then.

Anyway, on the 12-Step call the two AAs besides Al talked about the first step and powerlessness and Higher Power and accep-tance. They talked about hitting their own bottoms. They talked about how it’s a mystery really-- a profound and wonderful mys-tery -- about how and when it is your turn to get sober. Really. Get. Sober. Al said not a word. The other two guys made sure the wife had the meeting guide. They made sure the guy in the bed got all of their phone num-bers. Somebody made a joke. Nothing from Al. They eventual-ly got ready to leave. Somebody gave the man in the bed a Big Book.

The AA group started out the hospital door. Al brought up the rear. The man in the bed weakly said “Thank you” to the group. Al turned around, looked the guy right in the eye and said: “I hope it is your turn.”

I saw the man in the bed last month at our GreenHouse birth-day night. Eyes glowing. Skin rosy. Smiling. Please don’t stop trying. This program works.

Lisa H., The GreenHouse Feb. 2019

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AnniversariesAltamonte SpringsBrooke T - 19Brady - 6Gordon - 4Marcus - 3

Apopka Big BookCarol D - 10

Central OrlandoHeidi H - 32Dave W - 30Becky M - 29Michelle P - 27Beth L - 8Calvin H - 6Phil - 6Kathleen S - 4Melissa C - 3Jan B - 3Tyler H - 2John O - 1

Clean AirCherie W - 37Paul W - 35Peter H - 29Joe S - 27Marco P - 16Joan W - 5Virginia O - 5Karen S - 3Dafny H - 2

Dr. PhillipsMike B - 47Carl - 45Carolyn M - 39Fred V - 36Maureen H - 31Bob N - 24Kelly R - 17Nick J - 7Eddie T - 4Adam P - 3Victor - 3James G - 1Sara C - 1Joann M - 1

First Things FirstMaureen H - 31Bob N - 24Eddie T - 4Susan K - 1

Fortunate FewFrank T - 43Hugh H - 43Joe S - 27Tina J - 5Jeff P - 5Scott H - 1

Founders MobJimmy A - 22Karen K 10Melissa 6Camille S - 8Carolyn - 3Dafny H - 2Missy T - 2

GreenhouseBob K - 35Bruce R - 31Eric K - 21Peggy S - 19Maria S - 17Eddie F - 14Scot D - 13Nate B - 6Michael T - 1

High NoonTerry A - 30Jim B - 27Sharon M -27Michelle S - 13Shannon M -12Cory S -8Tammy M - 8Jamie A - 6Michelle C -5Rawlin J - 5Shelley F - 5Amy H -  4Kenneth W - 4Phil M - 4

Will G - 3Alfred -2 Brady H - 2Michele K - 2Serena L - 2Tammy L - 2

Hope & CourageKimberly S - 11Stephanie S - 8Eric S - 4Ruben N - 3Philip D - 1

JaywalkersRay J - 23Brook F - 7Anne - 5Amanda H - 2

Miracles HappenJohn S - 26

OviedoBill B - 45Jack G - 44Sandra N - 44Kevin V - 40Dave K - 31Dave W - 30Burt B - 22John W - 16Jim H - 15Jennifer Y - 14James F - 13Armondo V -13John M - 11Bernard V - 11Bob M - 10Chuck C - 9Paul P - 9Cathy B - 7Scott G - 7Shari M - 7Moe - 7Tim G - 6

Doug S - 6Graham D - 5Kathy L - 5Rick C - 4James G - 3Chuck H - 3Paul A - 2Greg - 2Bob H - 2Harold H - 2Steve H - 2Ronnie -2Tripp C - 1Kenny K - 1Heather V - 1

Oviedo Women’sMichelle D - 7Betsy F -6Cathy L - 3Kim L - 2

Pathway to PeaceDennis W - 30Jaime A - 6

Pine Hills GraceDonna B - 30Joseph M - 27Angela J - 12Cole E - 7Rita M - 7Tina J - 5Richard L-4Adam H -2Benny W- 2Jeremy D - 2Johnny B - 1

Primary PurposeConnie K - 1

South SanfordTim Z - 5Catina Z - 4John W - 3Keller P - 1

Surrenderto WinDennis W - 30Shamous J - 3

The Herd InstinctWyman B - 5Steven K - 4

The Hope GroupBarbara I - 45Daryl J - 44Wolf K - 32Jill H - 28Many B - 27Patricia A - 25Irene R - 17Peter C - 2Joan M - 1

Wekiva BasicsMichele K - 2Ray B - 1

WekivaWomen’sLynn C - 16Laura N - 13Jenn S - 11Patti R - 4

Winter ParkLarry K  - 40Kevin V - 40Cherie W - 37Ann C - 35Nancy H - 34Dave G - 32Ralph R - 31Geri - 30Hank - 30Mike E - 28Crico M - 27Carrol G - 24Kathleen - 22Brian S - 19Greg R - 18Rob O - 12

Leigh T - 10Ken D - 9George T - 9Elena W - 8Stephanie S - 8Amy R - 8Jeff W - 8Cynthia M - 7Johnny A - 7Tom T - 6Kristen A - 6John F - 6Mark G - 6Ann H - 5Jeff P - 5PJ - 5Vel C - 5Steven K - 4John F - 4Eric S - 4Rick Y - 4Chelsea - 4Rob S - 4Reed M - 4Susan G - 4Casz S - 3Dafny H - 2Justin W - 2Linsay F - 2Scott B - 1Liz H - 1

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Carrying the Message Through

Social Media SPONSORED BY DISTRICT 9, NORTH FLORIDA AREA 14

Saturday, March 2, 2019 10am - 2pm Lunch Provided

Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church 1655 Peel Ave, Orlando, FL 32806

BIG BOOK WORKSHOP 12 STEPS IN 12 WEEKS TUESDAYS FROM 7-9PM BEGINS FEBRUARY 5, 2019

Hosted by the Hope & Courage Group with message carriers

Bruce B. & “California” Rob M.

A JOURNEY THROUGH THE PROGRAM OF RECOVERY AS

PRESENTED IN THE BIG BOOK OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WORKSHOP:

• Deeper Understanding of the AA Program • Common Misconceptions • Historical Perspective • Taking the 12 Steps • Sponsorship • And More!

SESSION 1 on 2/5

Introduction, History, Preface, Forwards

SESSION 2 on 2/12 Dr’s Opinion, Bill’s Story

(Step 1)

SESSION 3 on 2/19 There Is A Solution

(Step 2)

SESSION 4 on 2/26 More About Alcoholism

SESSION 5 on 3/5 We Agnostics

SESSION 6 on 3/12 How It Works (Step 3)

SESSION 7 on 3/19 How It Works (Step 4)

SESSION 8 on 3/26 Into Action (Steps 5, 6, 7)

SESSION 9 on 4/2 Into Action

(Steps 8 & 9)

SESSION 10 on 4/9 Into Action

(Steps 10 & 11)

SESSION 11 on 4/16 Working With Others (Step

12)

SESSION 12 on 4/23 These Principles (Step 12)

BRING YOUR BIG BOOK, 12 & 12, AND PENS TO:

THE REBOS CLUB 130 Normandy Rd,

Casselberry, FL 32707

CROSSROADS GROUP

This meeting is at the Crossroads Group5205 South Orange ave, Suite 204, Orlando  Saturdays at 10:00 am. This is an open meeting. All are welcome!

March 02 Rash of Anonymity Breaks, Traditions Took Persuasion

March 09 Medicine Takes an Interest

March 16 GSO Services Expand, Birth Of the Conference

March 23 Delegates Encouraged to Question

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Addresses to send 7th Tradition Contributions to A.A. Entities:

District 9PO Box 560064Orlando, FL 32856

District 10PO Box 547853Orlando, FL 32854

District 11PO Box 141571Orlando, FL 32814

District 18PO Box 162855Altamonte Springs, FL 32716

NFAC (North Florida Area Conference)P.O. Box 10094Jacksonville, FL 32247

The General Service OfficePO Box 459Grand Central StationNew York, NY 10163-0459

Central Florida Intergroup Services, Inc.283 Live Oaks BlvdCasselberry, FL 32707

AA’s Twelve Steps are principles for personal recovery. The Twelve Traditions ensure the unity of the Fellow-ship. The Twelve Concepts for World Service provide a group of related principles to help ensure that various el-ements of A.A’s service structure remain responsive and responsible to those they serve. Step Three: “Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him..” Tradition Three: “The only requirement for A.A. membership is a desire to stop drinking..” Concept Three: “As a traditional means of creating and maintaining a clearly defined working rela-tion between the groups, the Conference, the A.A. Gen-eral Service Board and its several service corporations, staffs, committees, and executives, and of thus insuring their effective leadership, it is here suggested that we en-dow each of these elements of world service with a tradi-tional “Right of Decision.”

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North Florida Area ConferenceArea Assembly

Not Just for GSRs

Workshops - Fellowship

Got Questions? - get themanswered here.

Make reservation by 3/4/2019Renaissance World Golf Village Resort500 S. Legacy TrailSt. Augustine, FL 32092Phone: 904-940-8000 aanorthflorida.org

April 5-6-7, 2019

Saturday - 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM

Friday - 8:00 PM Discussion MeetingSaturday - 8:00 PM Speaker MeetingSunday - 9:00 AM Business Meeting

Traditions / Las TradicionesService Manual / Manual de Servicio

Workshops:ArchivesAccessibilitiesCooperation with Professional CommunityCorrectionsGrapevineIntergroupLiteraturePublic InformationTreatment

Bring your group’s voice about the important

issues coming to the

General Service Conference

in May

New Meeting

“LETTING GO”

MARCH 30TH 11AM - 3PM

ALL ARE WELCOME

“Some of us have tried to hold on to our old ideas

and the result was nil until we let go absolutely”

11:30 Lunch12:00 Opening12:15 Speaker Panel

1:30 Group Activity2:30 Guided Meditation2:45 Closing

FROM THE HEART GROUP CHRIST CHURCH UNITY 771 HOLDEN AVENUE ORLANDO

BABYSITTING AVAILABLE

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2019 PRE-CONFERENCE AGENDA WORKSHOP

PRESENTED BY ANNETTE D., AREA 14 DELEGATE, PANEL 69

WHEN Saturday, March 30, 2019 9:30am - 11:30am

WHERE St. Stephen Lutheran Church 2140 FL-434, Longwood, FL 32779

SPONSORED BY NORTH FLORIDA AREA 14 DISTRICTS 9, 10, 11, 18, 31

For more information contact group’s GSR, your district’s DCM or

Central Florida Intergroup 407-260-5822

SAMPLE AGENDA ITEMS:

Progress on LinkedIn Page Pamphlet Revision

Establishment of National Facilities Database

Literature Revisions

Book Topics for 2020 Content Review

Pamphlet Revisions

PSAs Review 2019 Media Plan

Pamphlet Review Military Inclusion

130 Normandy Rd, Casselberry, FL 32707

We are sponsees(s) and grand-sponsees(s) of Grace and Clarence S.

Clarence S. was one of the 1st 40 members of AA and helped write the Big Book.

His story, “The Brewmeister” is in the first 3 editions of the Big Book.

Come find out how we CAME TO BELIEVE!

March 2019 * An asterisk indicates information is available in the newsletter

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 2 Carrying the Message thru Social Media*

3 4 5 6 7 8 9

10 11Intergrouper deadline for submissions

`12District 186:30 pmLongwood

13 14 15 164th Step Workshop*

17 18District 117:00 pm Orlando

19 20Service Committee, 6:30 pm CFI

21 22 23

24 25District 106:30 pm Winter Park.

26District 96:30 pm Orlando

27 28 29 30Pre-Confer-ence Agenda Items*

“Letting Go”*

“How to Chair a Meeting*

31Delegates Meeting11:30 am Orlando

I am responsible. When anyone, anwhere reaches out for help, I want the hand of AA always to be there. And for that I am responsible!

Dist. 9 meets at 6:30 p.m. on the 4th Tuesday at Crossroads Group, 5205 S. Orange Ave, Ste. 204, Orlando Dist.10 meets at 6:30 p.m. the last Monday at the Winter Park Group, 5407 Lake Howell Rd., Winter Park Dist.11 meets at 7:00 p.m. the 3rd Monday at East Side Club, 2017 N Golden Rd., Orlando Dist.18 meets at 6:30 p.m. the 2nd Tuesday at St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church, 2140 W. S.R. 434, Longwood Delegates meet at 11:30 a.m. the last Sunday at Central, 310 E. Colonial Dr., Orlando Service Committee meets at 6:30 p.m. at Intergroup on the Wednesday 10 days before the Delegates’ meeting.

Save the DateApril 5-7: North FL Area Conference, St. Agustine*Apr. 20 Golf Tournament, Live Oaks Group*

24 Hour Hotline (407) 260-5408

* in the calendar indicates there is information in the newsletter about the event.