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Volume 32, Issue 12 DECEMBER 2016
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 Lantana32 Years of Service ~ 1984-2016
Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our tradi-tions, ever reminding us to place principles beforepersonalities.
Anonymity – The condition of being anonymous
This is the spiritual meaning of sacrifice. To putone’s needs aside for the greater good. Every mem-ber of the fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous helpsmaintain the fellowship and its growth. There are no“small roles” in Alcoholics Anonymous. We are equal… we are all in this together. Anonymity, however, isnot from Alcoholic to Alcoholic but rather to the out-side world.
For example, most of us find the world and all itsinhabitants frustrating and scary. Sometimes it is justtoo much for us alcoholics. We need comfort andunderstanding. Thus, we go to a meeting ofAlcoholics Anonymous. And do not forget about thenewcomer, confused, scared and at the end of theirrope … filled with guilt, shame and remorse. Theyfind in the meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous peo-ple who understand and more importantly are willingto help. That is why the “fellowship” is so powerful.You can come to a meeting and listen, maybe get aproblem off your chest knowing there is no need toworry. It is only shared from member to member.For everything that is said at a meeting stays in themeeting. If we are not confident that the shares arefor members only, we may hold inside what is both-ering us and that may drive us back to the bottle.For we truly are “sick as our secrets”.
Now some things should not be shared at a meetingof Alcoholics Anonymous … things that only a spon-sor or close advisor should hear. And, sometimeswe have to counsel a newcomer to this fact. But that
TRADITION 12is OK … we just smile and shake our heads, pointthem in the right direction trusting God will help themfind someone that they can share their entire story.
I do not go walking around wearing a T-shirt or havea bumper sticker that proclaims “Ex - homelessdrunk.” It serves no purpose. I share it in meet-ings in the hope that newcomers can say “If this guycan get sober, so can I”.
In the world I am simply a “worker among workers”. Itry to be the best person I can. No one has to knowI do this to stay sober. I do not think the people ofthe world would even care.
Principle before personalities is humility in action.Sure I can get along with my family and all myfriends, but what about the co-worker who will not dothings “my way” or that boss who singles me out, orthat person at the meeting who doesn’t’ know whatthey are talking about. If I walk around all day andsee nothing but fools, I better stop and take a look inthe mirror because that is where I will find the“biggest fool”.
Today it is not about being right or wrong, it is aboutbeing at peace. And I cannot do this by judgingeveryone. Alcoholics Anonymous fellowship mustcome first … not my feelings or ideas but “what can Ido to help”. I am here to be a servant and that is thehighest position you can obtain in AlcoholicsAnonymous. Because in the end the twelve stepsand twelve traditions simply remind us that it is aboutthe whole, not the individual. We are all traveling thisjourney together. Just a bunch of God’s kids learningas we go and trying to get home.
Love and service, Tommy B.
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.”
AlcathonDecember 24 - 25, 2016
Dec. 31, 2016 - Jan. 1, 2017
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Alcathon 2016 GuidelinesAs many of you are aware, South Palm Beach County Intergroup sponsors an Alcathon during the holiday season. There are meetingsevery 2 hours. The first Alcathon starts at 11:00 am on December 24 and ends at 11:00 PM on December 25th. The other event startsat 11:00 AM on December 31st and ends at 11:00 PM January 1st. Meetings are held at 12:00, 2:00, 4:00, 6:00, 8:00, 10:00, etc. Each participating group is responsible for two hours of service- Chairing a one hour meeting in a format of their choice and a onehour fellowship before the meeting. We ask each group to bring refreshments to share. Some groups bring cookies, and others bringentire meals. This is up to the Group Conscience of each participating group.There are a total of 36 meetings for these events and are individually facilitated by the many home groups in South Palm BeachCounty. It was suggested in 2012 by Central House that since Intergroup is using the Central House for the meetings, Intergroup should take onmore responsibility to set up and clean up for each of the events. Please review the guidelines that are suggested by Central Houseand are summarized below:A representative from Delray Central House and the Intergroup Representative will be responsible for each 2 hour time slot. Theyshould be in attendance for the entire two hour time period. If the intergroup rep is not available, he/she should have someone fromthat group cover for them. The Room Monitor will collect 7th Tradition and provide any materials (literature, chips, etc.) for the hostinggroup.Duties for each two hour time slot:Clean all tables of any remaining garbageSweep floor or pick up any garbage on floorCheck bathrooms for cleanliness and make sure they are stockedPush chairs in and get room ready for next time slotLeave room as your group found it, clean and neat.Each group holding a time slot should have two people in attendance:The person chairing the meetingThe intergroup rep to handle cleaning duties
The Connecticut AA AlkilineTwas the week before Christmas, and in each AA roomSome members were grumbling their stories of gloom.
Their trouble was settled quite firm in their heads;All they discussed were their horrible dreads.Others explained that it’s a program of hope,
That if properly practiced, allows one to cope.But regardless of this they continued to chatter,
About minor things that really don’t matter.These incidents, it seems, they have to rehash,
Thinking their world is going to crash.By repeating these stories of grief and despair
They think that good feelings will suddenly flair.When what’s really needed to get some reliefIs faith in the program and child-like belief.
In the strengths of the people who, one day at a time,With help from a Higher Power, got their lives into line.
“We want things to get better.” Is what they all yell.But time is what’s needed for the sick to get well.
Just practice the Steps in all that you doAnd God’s peace and serenity will be given to you.
John M. Trumbull
SPBCI Archives CommitteeArchives Committee Chair – Mike B.
Some Tips on Keeping YourHoliday Season Sober and Joyous
Line up extra A.A. activities for the holiday season.Arrange to take newcomers to meetings, answer thephones at a clubhouse or central office, speak, help withdishes, or visit the alcoholic ward at a hospital.
Be host to A.A. friends, especially newcomers. Ifyou don’t have a place where you can throw a formalparty, take one person to a diner and spring for thecoffee.
Keep your A.A. telephone list with you all the time.If a drinking urge or panic comes - postpone everythingelse until you’ve called an A.A.
Find out about the special holiday parties, meeting,or other celebrations given by groups in your area, andgo. If you’re timid, take someone newer than you are.
Don’t sit around brooding. Catch up on those books,museums, walks, and letters.
Don’t start now getting worked up about all thoseholiday temptations. Remember - “one day at a time.”
Enjoy the true beauty of holiday love and joy.Maybe you cannot give material gifts - but this year,you can give love.
“Having had a . . .” No need to spell out theTwelfth Step here, since you already know it.
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South Palm Beach County Intergroup - Profit & Loss - October 2016
OOffffiiccee VVoolluunntteeeerrssDennis, George, Hunter, Joe H., John B., Josh, Josh M.,
Marianne, Mike, Sarah R., Stan, Andrew H. Chris and Sarah S.
AANNNNUUAALL IINNVVEENNTTOORRYYA great big THANK YOU to my fellow AA’s for their service
completing the Annual Inventory for SPBCI office!
Intergroup Activity Log Oct 1612th Step Calls 1First Call to AA 0Meeting Inquiries 61Business Inquiries 109Walk-Ins 227QB Sales Receipts 223
All Aboard ~ Patrick D.Boca Steps and Traditions ~ Ryan L.
From Steerage To The Captain’s Table ~ David Z.Second Chance Women’s Group ~ Amber S.
Sober Sisters ~ Elizabeth B.
New Intergroup Reps.
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2016
AA HOTLINE – RELAY PHONEThe Hand of AA is Available 24 Hours a Day!
December - Drunk SquadJanuary - Tuesday Men’s Solution
February - New BeginningsMarch - Boca Women’s Group
April - Boca BoyzMay - Delray Central House Group
FFAAIITTHHFFUULL FFIIVVEERRSSWWiitthh GGrraattiittuuddee ffoorr tthheeiirr ssuuppppoorrtt::
Michael G. and Linda P.
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 $1 for every year of sobriety.
If you would like a reminder notice next year, please fill out the address portionbelow or provide an email address.
Address City
State/Zip Email Page 5
Intergroup Business Meeting MinutesOctober 26, 2016
Chair: Cheryl S: The meeting opened with a moment of silence fol-lowed by the Serenity Prayer. Chair called for approval of lastmonth’s minutes; Bari W. made a motion to approve September 28,2016 minutes. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.Chair welcomed new group reps. Vice Chair: Billy R: I will continue to reach out to the committeechairs to offer any additional support.Treasurer: Gary K: For Sept 2016, we had net revenue of$(27,137). The reason we are showing negative net revenue for themonth is the $25,000 distribution that was made in accordance withthe motion passed at the August Intergroup meeting. We are alsoshowing negative for the year since the monies donated were theresult of funds, over and beyond the prudent reserve, that wereaccumulated over the past few years. Year to date Big Book salesand total sales are ahead of last year, contribution income is downless than 1%. Comparing September 2016 to September 2015,contributions from the groups are down. Big Book sales are ahead,an indication that we are carrying the message to more people.Group contributions received through the end of last month areincluded in this report. We remain transparent in our financialreporting. The P&L statement and group contributions will continueto be included in the SCAAN and are available online. Membersmay also stop into the Intergroup office anytime to review thereports.Secretary: Jay W: Please remember to sign in on the IntergroupRep rosters on your way in. Thank you!Office Manager: Jeannie G: Excused absence. THANK YOU to allmy fellow AA’s willing to do service for Alcoholics Anonymous. TheSPBCI Annual Inventory is scheduled for November 13, 2016.THANK YOU to all who have volunteered to do service. Pleasenote the office will be closed November 11 (Veteran’s Day) andNovember 24, 25 & 26 for the Thanksgiving Holiday.New Group Reps: Elizabeth B, Sober Sisters Group; Ryann L,Boca Steps & Traditions; David Z, From Steerage to Captain’sTable; Patrick D, All Aboard; Amber S, Second Chance Women’sMeetingCommittee Reports:Archivist: Michael G: No report. Excused absence. Archives: Mike B: We got a new bookcase to have more archiveson display in the office. We went through more donations and sort-ed different literature, pamphlets, and magazine articles. Continuedtransferring cassettes to MP3’s.Bridge the Gap: Bari W (women): This month I bridged one womanreferred to me by the Women’s 12 Step Committee. I urge anyonewho works in or is related to the treatment industry to inform theclients and staff of this service. Tom K (men): Materials have beenreceived from Intergroup’s former male chair, and they have beenreviewed. AA World Services Pamphlet 49 “Bridging the GapBetween Treatment & A.A. Through Temporary Contact Programs”has also been reviewed. Contact has been made with four treat-ment centers to make them aware of our function and services.Those treatment centers are: Transformations, Beachcomber,Watershed and Archstone. No calls for BTG assistance have beenreceived directly nor through the Intergroup office.General Service Liaison: Open position.Group Information: Jason W: Jason was elected this month! Reportto follow next month.
AA EVENTS
December 2 - 4Southeast Regional ForumLake Mary Marriott - Lake [email protected]
OTHER EVENTS
The Other Events listed below are presented solely
as a service to SCAAN readers, not as an endorsement
by SPBCI.
May 11-14, 2017Big Book Seminar, Boca Ratonwww.bigbookseminar.org
South Palm Beach CountyIntergroup Association, Inc.
2905 South Federal Highway • Building C, Suite 15-16Delray Beach, FL 33483
24-hours: 561.276.4581Email: [email protected]: 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 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tom K.
Bridge the Gap - Women . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bari W.
General Services Liaison . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . OPEN
Group Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jason W.
Hospitals & Institutions (W) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Natasha V.
Hospitals & Institutions (M) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Adam P.
Liaison to North County Intergroup . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kendall C.
Public Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dan M.
SCAAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . John T.
Telephone Relay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tony C.
Twelve Step Committee - Men . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Steve J.
Twelve Step Committee - Women . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Emily L.
Where & When . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sheryl M.
Public Information: Dan M: The Public Information role had a pro-ductive month. Delray Beach Library (Atlantic) did not have a BigBook so I donated one, checked a week later, and it was on theshelves. I was allowed to place 10 Where & When folders at theinformation counter. At the Hagen Ranch Library I placed Where &Whens and am not sure if they currently have a Big Book. At theBoynton Beach Library they have an English and Spanish versionof the Big Book. I placed Where & Whens at the information deskthere and also at the Boynton Beach Police Department.Hospitals and Institutions: Natasha V (women): Here in SouthPalm Beach County, we have 59 meetings in 22 treatment centerseach week. The H&I meeting list has been updated and added to a‘Google Doc’ to improve ease of use and access for volunteersmoving forward. Thank you for continuing to let us serve! A sign upsheet will be brought to the next Intergroup meeting for anyone whowants to sign up as a volunteer. Adam P (men): Thank you all forelecting me, it has been quite the journey. Natasha and I have beenworking together to update all the contact info and list of hospitalsand institutions involved in our program. I have been mentioningH&I publically and at meetings. I ask for volunteers who want to getinvolved in any way to contact me. I have found H&I servants whoare currently volunteering who were not on the list who have nowbeen added. We have a list of 1,000 volunteers to do service. Ihave been very impressed and inspired by the amount of volun-teers. New institutions have been added to the list to have meetingsbrought in as well. SCAAN: John T: Articles are always welcome and can be emailedto the Intergroup office.Telephone Relay: Tony C: Phone relay is covered through June.No issues to report.Where & When: Sheryl M: There will be no changes to the Where& When until February so groups have until then to bring toIntergroup any changes.12th Step Committee: Emily L (women): No report. Steve J(men): No report.Liaison to North County Intergroup: Kendall C: Hello there! Here’sthe tea on what’s happening with North Palm Beach CountyIntergroup. As you may already know the office manager has beenout due to medical issues. The volunteers helping in his absencehave been great but the office is still in need of some help. Theyare trying to hire a part-time Office Manager. In the meantime, ifinterested, please email your resume to Mark at [email protected]. The Bridge the Gap committee chair attended aspecial General Service Treatment Center committee meeting
December/January Service MeetingsDecember 11
District 8 General Service Business Meeting - Triangle Club4:00 PM: GSR/DCM SHARING
4:40 PM DISTRICT 8 BUSINESS MEETINGJanuary 18, 2017
SPBC Intergroup Steering Committee MeetingWednesday, 5:30 PM - SPBCI Office
January 25, 2017SPBC Intergroup Monthly Business MeetingWednesday, 7:00 PM - Delray Central House
where they discussed a treatment center liaison position mentionedin the literature, and how that position might look here in PBC. TheBig Book Ball is currently in the works but they need donation andvolunteers. You can purchase tickets now as well atBigbookball.org. They also elected a new alternate chair and theyare very excited to be of service. That’s a wrap for today, thank youfor letting me be of service!Old Business: Committee Elections: Election was held for Group InformationChair and our new chair is Jason W! Opening was announced forGeneral Service Liaison position.New Business: Alcathon: 36 time slots available. Each slot is for two hours, thehour before the meeting and hosting a meeting the second hour.Each home group that wishes to participate will draw times from abasket at the beginning of the Intergroup meeting next month. Next Business Meeting: November 30th, 2016
Closed meeting with the Lord’s Prayer.
Respectfully, Jay W.
