Volume 34, Issue 1 & 2 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018

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 Lantana33 Years of Service ~ 1984-2017

THE STEPS & THE TRADITIONSSTEP 1 - “We admitted we were powerless over alcohol - that our lives had become unmanageable.”TRADITION 1 - “Our common welfare should come first, personal recovery depends upon AA unity.”

STEP 2 - “Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.”TRADITION 2 - “For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority - a loving God as He mayexpress Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern.”

I love Bill’s story. A hopeless drunk, ready and willing to drinkhimself to death. Then in November of 1934 a childhood friendby the name of Ebby T. shows up at Bill’s door. Bill was excit-ed about his phone call … and, then his coming over … theycould drink and rehash the past. But Ebby was there to giveBill a “message” if Bill would have it. As it turns out, Ebbywas a worse drunk than Bill. Bill would say that if he everdrank as much as Ebby, he would quit drinking. But Bill soonlearned Ebby was sober and happy. And Bill was drunk andhopeless. Ebby sat across from Bill and said he was sober dueto the Oxford Group and that he had turned his life over to thecare of Jesus Christ. And he came to deliver this religious mes-sage to Bill W. They sat and discussed and even argued aboutthis topic. Finally, Ebby threw his hands in the air and told Billto find his own conception of God. No one realized at the time,but Ebby brought the “religious message” and it turned into a“spiritual message” … thus the seeds were planted.

Now let’s go back to 1933. Dr. William Duncan Silkworth wasthe director of Charles B. Towns Hospital, 293 Central ParkWest 89th Street. The hospital was founded in 1901 and was aplace for the rich to dry out. Dr. Silkworth explained to Bill W.the nature of alcoholism. In his opinion, it was an obsession ofthe mind and allergy of the body. This would become Step Onein the book, Alcoholics Anonymous, and the letter titled “TheDoctor’s Opinion” was included in the text.

In December of 1934 Ebby T. visited Bill W. in Towns Hospitaland Bill completed the Six Tenants of the Oxford Group; andBill had a spiritual awakening. Bill spent the next six monthsdragging drunks to the Oxford Group telling them about God.Needless to say, none of them got sober. Bill had decided thathe was going to quit trying to get drunks sober … it did notwork. He was then informed by his wife, Lois, it did workbecause Bill was staying sober. Bill visited Dr. Silkworth whotold Bill not to “talk God” to a drunk. Talk “drunk” to a drunk.Tell him your story and if they ask how you got sober, thenbring up God. Bill tried this method with Dr. Bob Smith in

Akron, Ohio in May thru June. It worked. Dr. Bob got sober.That July they brought the message to a man named BillDodson. Now they knew they had the problem, the solution andthe plan of action; which became the “164 pages” of our basictext contained in our book, Alcoholics Anonymous. The pow-erlessness is when I put alcohol in my body, I break out into acraving for more of the same. Therefore, I have an allergy toalcohol. Allergy – an abnormal reaction to food or beverage.My life becomes unmanageable when I try to get sober. I havea compulsion to drink and an obsessive mind that I need to getrelief from … thus setting the cycle in motion again. No alco-holic would be aware of this if not for the “Doctor’s Opinion”.

Came to believe that a power greater than ourselvescould restore us to sanity.

The sanity in Step Two refers to the unmanageability in StepOne. If I feel like drinking, I cannot play the tape through, if Iam an alcoholic. Because there is nothing in my mind that willdeter me from taking that first drink. I cannot throw logic at it… fear will not work … most of all reasoning. The insanethought “this time it will be different” always wins out. Or, Ihave what is called a “mental blank spot” … it is almost as ifthere is nothing that will prevent me from putting my hand on ahot stove. For the obsessive mind, if I am not drinking I amthinking about drinking. Obsession – idea or thought thatblocks all other thoughts to the contrary action.

And, lastly, and most importantly I have a spiritual malady. AGod size “hole in my soul” that I tried to fill with other thingsbesides God. So, it is in Step Two that I can come to believe inmy hopeless state of mind and body. “We Agnostics”, a chapterin the Big Book, states clearly … God is everything or nothingat all. What is my choice to be? By choosing God, I choosehope. And, with this hope I can move on to Step Three.

Love and service,Tommy B.

A Look at Steps One and TwoWe admitted that we were powerless over alcohol – and that our lives had become unmanageable.

Page 2

Grand Rapids, Mich. Herald 1943A Suggestion for DrunkardAlcoholics Anonymous Have Helped Many by Barbara Van Dyke

Dear Miss Van Dyke: Recently I read an article in your column written by a woman who is married to an alco-holic.

I thought perhaps you might be able to help these people by referring them to a group of men here in the citywho call themselves “Alcoholics Anonymous.” Any minister, particularly Rev. Howard R. Carey, can tell themwhere they may contact this group.

However, it is necessary that the individual be willing to quit or the group will not accept him.FIRST HE MUST WANT TO STOPI have frequently suggested Alcoholics Anonymous to readers who asked what to do with an alcoholic.But Alcoholics Anonymous are not infallible. They cannot help a man who isn’t more than anxious to help

himself, and they do not profess to be able to do it. Another thing, the patient must have a religious [spiritual]belief – he must believe in a God who is able and willing to help him. He must learn to depend on a strength high-er than his own.

I may be wrong, but I can’t help believing that when a man really wants to stop drinking he can do it – and hewon’t stop until he sees himself as others see him, no matter who pleads with him.

“Cures” do no good to the man who isn’t sincerely anxious to stop. Some men may be so low physically thatthey need hospital care, but there must be an inner determination to lay off once and for all. A man who has oncebeen an alcoholic can’t expect to toy with the stuff after he has once stopped. It must be total abstinence forever forhim.

Archive Chair – Mike BSouth Palm Beach County Intergroup

There’s not a sober alcoholic I know who hasn’t had someversion of this happen to them in their recovery:

There you are, sitting in a meeting, and someone says some-thing — maybe not the speaker, maybe just in a regular oldshare, or while they’re taking a chip or something — and itopens you right up. It goes right into your heart — or yourhead, or your gut — with a little >Ping!< and shines a lightwhere a light needed to be shone. Maybe it triggers an insight,or maybe it just lifts your spirit, but regardless of how, ithelped you.

And although it did, it felt like a private little thing maybe, oryou were too shy to speak to whomever it was that said it, sothey don’t even know they did that — that what they had tosay was helpful to you.

That’s fine. That’s totally fine that you didn’t speak to themabout it. They probably weren’t looking for any feedbackanyway.

But the thing is, maybe now it’s your turn to say something; tosmash through your carefully manufactured distance or yourstudied, defensive aloofness, or your lovingly nurtured low selfesteem, or your acute (if somewhat common) fear of speakingup and speaking out.*

If you don’t hear what you need to hear in a meeting,for God’s sake, raise your hand and say it.

You’ll certainly help yourself, and you might even helpsomeone else — though you may never know it. If youdon’t hear what you need to hear in a meeting, maybeit’s your turn to say it.

*But also, let’s not pretend some of us didn’t have todevelop a stay-under-the-radar thing as a survivalmechanism somewhere along the way. I’m not mock-ing it, I’m just calling it out.

Page 3

South Palm Beach County Intergroup Profit & Loss - December 2017

OOffffiiccee VVoolluunntteeeerrss

Hunter, Dennis, George, Laura M., Harry K., Lara, Paritosh,Jason P., Kelley J., David T., Ryan, Adam, Joe H., Marianne,Chris R., Corie, Katerina, Stan R., David L. and Alexandra

Intergroup Activity Log Dec.1712th Step Calls 2First Call to AA 3Meeting Inquiries 110Business Inquiries 125Walk-Ins 179QB Sales Receipts 184

6,179.66 94,074.70

Page 4

GROUP CONTRIBUTIONS: DECEMBER 2017 AND YEAR-TO-DATE 2017

New Intergroup RepsCat N. ~ Women With A Solution

Ryan M. ~ Wine Into WaterDan R. ~ Five Time Losers

Janice P. ~ Freedom From AlcoholEllen N. ~ New Life II

Tyffany M. ~ Women With A Solution

FFAAIITTHHFFUULL FFIIVVEERRSSWWiitthh GGrraattiittuuddee ffoorr tthheeiirr ssuuppppoorrtt::

Michael G. and Linda P.

AA HOTLINE – RELAY PHONEThe Hand of AA is Available 24 Hours a Day!

February - Happy Hour Group

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 Page 5

Intergroup Business Meeting Minutes –November 29, 2017

Chair: Cheryl S: The meeting opened with a moment ofsilence followed by the Serenity Prayer. Chair called forapproval of last month’s minutes; Bari W. made a motionto approve October 25, 2017 minutes. The motion wasseconded and passed unanimously. Chair welcomed newgroup reps. Vice Chair: Billy R: Times slots were drawn for Alcathon.Treasurer: Gary K: Thank you to Jeannie for running thefinancials reports in QuickBooks and sending them to me.As of the end of October, our year to date net revenue is$934 which is about $4,700 behind last year after adjust-ing for the $25,000 distribution we made in September of2016 to GSO. For the year, our total group contributionsare $39,299, about 8% behind last year. Comparing thepast three years, Year to day, group contributions hasdeclined each year. Thank you to all those groups whohave contributed financials. All contributions receivedthrough the end of last month are included in this reportand the SCAAN. Big Book total sales for the year is$37,295, about $12,000 behind last year. Total salesincluding all books, literature, medallions and gifts for theyear is $69.954, about 18% behind last year. In additionto our prudent reserve of $28,000 and petty cash of $150,we have $18,479 in our operating account. Intergroup isin good shape and self-supporting. We remain transpar-ent in our financial reporting. The P&L statement andgroup contributions are always included in the SCAAN areavailable online. Please feel free to reach out to meshould you have any questions or suggestions.Remember, this is your Intergroup. Thank you for theopportunity to be your treasurer.Secretary: Jay W: Please remember to sign in on theIntergroup Rep rosters and double check that all of yourcontact information is correct, thank you!Office Manager: Jeannie G: SCAAN November 2017uploaded to website. Serenity Scramble 2017: $8,069income/$5,700.90 expense/$2,369.10 profit. 63 golferspaid $75 each, 70 golfers contract guarantee waived.2017 Gratitude Luncheon: $2,896 total income/$2,018total expense/$927.62 profit, 121 tickets were sold at $20each. DR-15 Florida State Sales Tax (October 2017) andFederal Form 941 (October 2017) processed. Processed& mailed Check #9055: $187.40 for FP&L. Processed &mailed Check #9052: $1,475 December 2017 rent New Group Reps: Cat N. from Women With A Solution,Ryan M. from Wine Into Water, Dan R. from Five TimeLosers, Janice P. from Freedom From Alcohol, Ellen N.from New Life II, and Tyffany M. from Women With ASolution!Committee Reports:Archivist: Michael G: Excused absence. No report.Archives: Mike B: Excused absence. No report.Bridge the Gap: Bari W (women): No report. Maverick C(men): Nothing to report.

AA EVENTS

April 6 - 8GSO Area 15 AssemblyBonaventure Resort Westonwww.area15aa.org

OTHER EVENTS

The Other Events listed below are presented solelyas a service to SCAAN readers, not as an endorsementby SPBCI.

May 10 - 13The 40th Big Book SeminarBoca Raton Marriott at Boca Centerwww.bigbookseminar.org

August 15 - 1962nd Florida State ConventionFt. Lauderdale Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spawww.FloridaStateConvention.com

SPBCI office would liketo express a great big

THANK YOUto our fellow “AA’s” for their

support of the Alcathon 2017-2018

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 - 1pm

STEERING COMMITTEEChair - Cheryl S. Vice Chair - Billy R.Treasurer - Gary K. Secretary - Jay W.

Office Manager - Jeannie G.

COMMITTEESArchives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mike B.

Archivist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Michael G.

Bridge the Gap - Men . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Maverick C.

Bridge the Gap - Women . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bari W.

General Services Liaison . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . OPEN

Group Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Andrea

Hospitals & Institutions (W) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Laura K.

Hospitals & Institutions (M) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tolbert D.

Liaison to North County Intergroup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jim S.

Public Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . OPEN

SCAAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . John T.

Telephone Relay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . David

Twelve Step Committee - Men . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chris

Twelve Step Committee - Women . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sherri

Where & When . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sheryl M.

General Service Liaison: Open:Group Information: Andrea D: Nothing to report otherthan need help for Boynton and Lake Worth.Public Information: Dan M: I made my library rounds. NoBig Books were given out, no restocked Where & When’s.Still no school activity. Will be resigning the position due towork conflict.SCAAN: John: Excused absence. Articles for the SCAANalways welcome! Please turn into the Intergroup office bythe 15th of the month. Hospitals and Institutions: Tolbert D (men): I have onetreatment center looking for a speaker at 2:00pmWednesdays or Fridays. Other than that, pretty quiet.Laura K (women): Nothing to report.Telephone Relay: David: Thank you to the No MatterWhat Group for their coverage of the phones during themonth of November. The Intergroup office was closed theThursday, Friday and Saturday of Thanksgiving and therelay phone was covered by the group during those addi-tional times. The relay phone will be handed off to TheTuesday Men’s Solution Group for the month ofDecember, and we thank them for their service, as well asthe Sunrise Beach Meeting Group and the Happy HourGroup for volunteering to cover the phones in January andFebruary respectively.Where & When: Sheryl M: Excused absence. Nothingnew to report.12th Step Committee: Open (women): Open (men): Liaison to North County Intergroup: Jim S: Unexcusedabsence. No report.Serenity Scramble: Sarge: We made over $2,000 at theevent it was a great success. I’d like to thank Jeannie andall the volunteers at Intergroup. I’d also like to thank all thegroups that sponsored holes, those who donated, and allof the Intergroup reps for getting the word out!Old Business: Gratitude Dinner/Fall Event: Thank you to the planningcommittee that assisted in this event. The revenue gener-ated was $3,066, costs were $2,018, and a profit of$1,047.62 was made.Alcathon: Times were drawn for groups that wanted toparticipate in the Alcathon. Elections: Elections were held for 12th Step Committee

February 2018 Service MeetingsFebruary 11,2018

District 8 General Service Business Meeting - Triangle Club4:00 PM: GSR/DCM SHARING

4:40 PM DISTRICT 8 BUSINESS MEETINGFebruary 21, 2018

SPBC Intergroup Steering Committee MeetingWednesday, 5:30 PM - SPBCI Office

February 28, 2018SPBC Intergroup Monthly Business MeetingWednesday, 7:00 PM - Delray Central House

men and women positions. Chris and Sherri were elected! AA Gift Items: A motion was made by Peter A. and wastabled last month. The motion was to only sell AAWSConference-approved items in the Intergroup Office. PeterA. amended his motion this month to remove “AAWS con-ference approved” to “only AA literature and merchandiseincluding AA Grapevine and SPBC Intergroup literatureand publications, medallions, and chips”. Gary K. second-ed the motion. Discussion followed. A vote was taken andthe motion was voted down 6-36. New Business:December Business Meeting: A motion was made by BillyR to not have a business meeting in the month ofDecember. The motion was seconded by Jeannie G.Discussion followed. The motion passed 27-5. No minorityopinion was offered.Next Business Meeting: January 31, 2018

Closed meeting with the Lord’s Prayer.

Respectfully, Jay W.