AA TODAY ROCKFORD AREA INTERGROUP NEWSLETTER

Transcription

1 AA TODAY ROCKFORD AREA INTERGROUP NEWSLETTER Milestones (Double digit AA birthdays in multiples of 5 years in and ) 10 years: Mike R., Augury; Diane B., Belvidere; Betty M, HOW; Debra Ann P., HOW; Amanda K., HOW, McFarland; Bonnie Sue E., HOW; Chris M., HOW; Les H., HOW, Loves Park; Greg M., Upper Room; Bernie L., Upper Room. 15 years: Karen B., Healthy Solution; Rob T., Over Fifties. 20 years: Sandy W., Downtown, New Attitudes; Carol C., HOW; Craig C., Healthy Solutions. 25 years: Greg B., Fifth Avenue; Bill H., Healthy Solutions; Kim G., Upper Room; Tim D., Upper Room. 30 years: Joe P., Downtown; Elaine A., New Attitudes; Cecile E., New Attitudes. 35 years: Dave Co., Augury, HOW. 50 years: Alex S., Belvidere. SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014 Volume 21, Number 5 Anonymity Will your obituary say you were a Friend of Bill W.? Obituaries for loyal Alcoholics Anonymous members often run without any mention of their recovery. Omission is either a choice made by the surviving family members or the deceased AA members wish to not publicize their alcoholism and recovery. Sometimes it can be merely an oversight during the hectic funeral preparations. Some families don t include a recovery reference because they believe it would protect the deceased s reputation. And in some cases, not all family members know the deceased was in AA. An active local AA member died this past year and her family didn't mention recovery in the obit because they didn't want her grandchildren to know. So, what will your obit say? Here are some views from local AA members on the topic of including mention of recovery in obits: John K. has told his wife that he wants his obituary to recognize his association with AA -- whether it is listed as "Friend of Bill W." or some other terminology -- and his years of involvement. Continued on Page 6 Did you know? The 31 st annual Midwest Woman to Woman Seminar was in Rockford on Oct. 3-5 at the Holiday Inn. The event drew 365 women from throughout the Midwest. Rockford last hosted the seminar in Next year s seminar will be in Toledo, while the 2016 event will be in St. Louis. In March 1978, the circulation of the AA Grapevine reached 100,000. In June 1944, 1,200 copies of the first edition were printed. Circulation was 90,493 in Meanwhile the website AAgrapevine.org, which was launched in 2011, was receiving about 30,000 viewers monthly in 2012.

2 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014 AA TODAY/ROCKFORD AREA INTERGROUP NEWSLETTER PAGE 2 6-MONTH FINANCIALS (in $) Starting balance April May June July Aug. Sept. 3,442 3,384 3,640 3,000 3,235 3,325 Income 2,173 2,052 1,960 2,230 1,924 1,794 Disbursement 2,230 1,796 2,600 2,020 1,835 2,563 Prudent Res Balance 3,384 3,640 3,000 3,235 3,325 2,824 PRUDENT RESERVE: $6,888 (end of ) Quote of the day "For thousands of alcoholics yet to come, AA does have an answer. But there is one condition. We must, at all costs, preserve our essential unity; it must be made unbreakably secure. Without permanent unity there can be little lasting recovery for anyone. Hence our future depends upon the creation and observance of a sound group Tradition. First things will always need to be first: humility before success, and unity before fame." AA Co-Founder Bill W., 1947 "Traditions Stressed in Memphis Talk" Board of Directors Chair: Kevin D. Vice-chair Marty C. Secretary Becky M. Vice-secretary Jo S. Treasurer Patti S. Vice-treasurer John B. At Large Pat G. At Large Linda W. At Large Brett T. Office Mgr Joyce K. Newsletter Editor Doug G. Group Donations Thank you to these groups that contributed for your generosity: Downtown Eastside H.O.W. Healthy Solutions Muddy River Upper Room August/ office statistics Phone calls 126 Visitors 107 Meeting info 54 Literature/coin sales visitors step calls 11 Miscellaneous 87 Al-Anon calls 1 NA calls 0 Answering Service 66 YOUR CONNECTIONS TO ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS Rockford Area AA Intergroup,4040 Charles St., Suite 201, Rockford, IL 61108; RockfordareaAA@gmail.com WEBSITES Rockford Intergroup: rockfordaa.org District 70: district70aa.org District 71: aadistrict71.org AA World Services: aa.org Intergroup volunteers Thank you to these volunteers who ve given of their time in handling afternoon office responsibilities: Nancy B. Steve C. Maggie D. John E. Gail N. Lori F. Ray G. Don H. Les H. Theresa K. John M. Pete N. Chris O M. Lori T. Jeanne M. Don Z. Curt B. Happy Harry Gary D. Denny S. Kellie R. Traci E. To volunteer, call

3 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014 AA TODAY/ROCKFORD AREA INTERGROUP NEWSLETTER PAGE 3 Making the Big Book Come Alive From a 1976 Grapevine magazine I have often heard in AA meetings that the example I set may influence another. "You may be the only copy of the Big Book someone else sees" is how I've heard it. That seemed somewhat nonsensical until recently, when I went to Montana for a weekend of fellowship at the state AA conference in Butte. In the convention hall for the Sunday morning meeting, I heard an inspiring story from a priest who told of his battle with booze and his triumphs after coming to AA. During the talk, I watched some people who weren't aware that I was watching them, and they showed me a little of the meaning of "You may be the only copy of the Big Book someone else sees." I was moved to tears by this family. I had seen them together the day before and noticed that they looked happy. They were eating breakfast together. The father's badge told me he was the alcoholic in the family. He was about forty-five; his wife, fortyish; his daughter, seventh grade; the son, fourth grade. After eating for a while, the son leaned over and asked his father a question. He obviously knew that his father either had an answer or could find one without putting him off with "That's not important" or "Can't you see I'm busy?" The father put his arm around his son's shoulder and gave his answer, and the son looked up into his father's eyes, tilted his chin up, and smiled with an "Oh, now I see" look. I usually answered my children's questions with fists or big talk to cover up my character defects when I didn't know -- those actions that teach children to quit talking. A while later, the daughter shared some idea of hers with the mother and father, and you could tell how much that family loved one another by the way they glowed. In the convention hall that morning, the father wanted some coffee, and he got up and went out and returned with a fresh pitcher. On his way back, people at other tables would look up with that empty-cup expression, asking for a refill. He graciously filled cup after cup, and I was filled with a gnawing worry -- he wasn't going to get any. Again, I read from his Big Book. You see, when I go for coffee, come hell or high water, my selfishness and insecurity prompt me to fill my cup first. I now understand a little better why some people drift away from me, leaving me with an empty, lonely feeling, one of the feelings I used to appease with alcohol. After the man had returned to his cup with the dregs and enjoyed them for a while, he leaned over and whispered something to his wife. She leaned her head over on his shoulder for a moment, and looked at him with a loving smile. And that family just sat there and loved one another's company for the hour. It was a beautiful chapter from their Big Book. (Reprinted with permission of AA Grapevine Inc.) -- Jim, Idaho

4 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014 AA TODAY/ROCKFORD AREA INTERGROUP NEWSLETTER PAGE 4 AA COMMUNITY CALENDAR (To submit calendar items, call ) OCTOBER 25: 21st NIA Big Book Conference, Parkview Community Church, Glen Ellyn, : Halloween Party, MMAAC fundraiser, Freedom, Faith & Fellowship group. Concordia Lutheran Church, 7424 N. Second St., Machesney Park. 5:30 p.m. doors open. 6 p.m. food. 8 p.m. speaker, Anne G. 25: Children s Halloween Party, children ages 13 and younger. 2-4 p.m. Alano Club of Rockford, th St., Rockford. Alanoclubofrockford.org. 31-Nov. 1-2: Stronghold Spirit Retreat, Oregon. $90. Registration deadline Oct P.O. Box 419, Freeport, NOVEMBER 1: SOWANI (SOuthern Wisconsin And Northern Illinois), 5:30 p.m. dinner, 6:30 p.m. speaker, Rockton Community Center, 320 W. Main St. 1: Twelve Tradition workshop (part 2). Traditions 5-8. Noon to 2 p.m. Fifth Avenue Group, 1021 Fifth Ave., Rockford. Info: Janet C., : Fall Recovery Roundup, 10 a.m.-11 p.m., Salvation Army, 514 Sutherland Ave., Janesville, Wis. $5 donation. 6: District 70 meeting, 7 p.m., United Methodist Church, 4506 Highcrest Road, Rockford 8: Rockford Area Intergroup board meeting, 9 a.m., 4040 Charles St., Suite 201, Rockford (AA public invited) 21-23: 25th annual McHenry's Soberfest, soberfest.org : 47th annual Las Vegas Roundup, Riviera Hotel & Casino, lasvegasroundup.org DECEMBER 4: District 70 meeting, 7 p.m., United Methodist Church, 4506 Highcrest Road. 6: Twelve Tradition workshop (part 3). Traditions Noon to 2 p.m. Fifth Avenue Group, 1021 Fifth Ave., Rockford. Info: Janet C., : Rockford Area Intergroup board meeting, 9 a.m., 4040 Charles St., Suite 201, Rockford (AA public invited) 13: SOWANI (SOuthern Wisconsin And Northern Illinois), 5:30 p.m. dinner, 6:30 p.m. speaker, Rockton Community Center, 320 W. Main St : Western Area Conference of Young People in AA. Kona, Hawaii. wacypaa18.org JANUARY 3: SOWANI (SOuthern Wisconsin And Northern Illinois), 5:30 p.m. dinner, 6:30 p.m. speaker, Rockton Community Center, 320 W. Main St. Note: Flyers for many of these events are available for printing online at rockfordaa.org. NEWS AND NOTES New meeting: Healthy Solutions, 4215 E. State St., Rockford, has added a 5:15 p.m. Sunday meeting.

5 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014 AA TODAY/ROCKFORD AREA INTERGROUP NEWSLETTER PAGE 5 A.A. BIRTHDAYS (in years) AUGURY 18: Tim P. 10: Mike R. 4: Bill W. 35: Dave Co. 24: Dave C. 23: Melodie C. 1: Brandon E. BELVIDERE BRIDGE, TRAVELERS & STEPPERS Aug./Sept. 50: Alex S. 23: Gwen B. 14: Wayne C. 10: Diane B. 7: Brian F. 5: Anne W. 3: Dave T. 1: Bill B. 1: Jackie P. 56: Jim A. DOWNTOWN GROUP 30: Joe P. 29: Dallas B. 28: Vicki L. 17: Dave B. 12: Dave D. 3: Roger E. 1: Karmen P. 1: Charlie P. 1: Kat G. 27: Barb N. 26: Phil F. 20: Sandy W. 18: Tasha M. 12: Pat 2: Nora EASTSIDE H.O.W. 34: Barb A. 26: Daphne 26: Chris N. 24: Brian B. 21: Jim T. 20: Carol C. 19: Carolyn C. 19: Patrick F. 16: Amy K. 14: Bob M. 14: Pat K. 10 Betty M. 10: Debra Ann P. 10: Amanda K. 9: Mary W. 9 Kris B. 8: Dave B. 8: Leann N. 7: Mike N. 5: Anne W. 1: Ted M. 1: Harry T. 1: Ashley V. 35: Dave C. 29 Alexis M. 28: Mike L. 27: Jack P. 17: Reid C. 14: Guy G. 14: Bill S. 12: Pat Mc. 11: Brad B. 10: Bonnie Sue E. 10: Chris M. 10: Les H. 9: Mike P. 6: Rebecca F. 5: Dan P. 3: Ashley P. 3: Ashley S. 3: Susan G. 3: Mario L. 2: Jeff 2: Catherine M. 2: Darlene K. 2: D Dee J. 1: Rachael W. 1: Kristina M. 1: Shellie K. 1: Ted P. 1: Donna L-R 1: Danny A. 5 O CLOCK SHADOW 24: Denny S. 23: Gwen B. 12: Saul 18: Terry B. 3: Greg F. FIFTH AVE. 25: Greg B. 23: Lori F. 23: Will E. 16: Tony J. 16: Diane P. 14: Ziggy Z. 11: Eddie V. 9: Nancy B. 7: Scott P. 6: Tony I. 6: Mike M. 6: Jessica A. 2: Bill H. 1: Larry C. 31: Phil P. 24: Nancy R. 24: Bruce R. 12: Chip K. 11: Mike S. 8: Bonita C. 8: Jim S. 8: Alex O. 7: Jeff T. 7: LuAnn B. 5: Holly W. 4: Brad S. 4: Beth T. 2: Shane D. HEALTHY SOLUTIONS 37: Niles H. 28: Bev C. 28: Pat B. 28: Rick O. 24: Keith B. 23: Gwen H. 23: Tommy T. 17: Dan D. 15: Karen B. 12: Beth S. 8: Steve Mc. 8: Tom R. 8: Mark T. 8: Bill J. 6: Roger B. 6: Paul D. 4: Paul S. 4: Terry M. 2: Brandy B. 1: Ron M. 1: Susie B. 31: Phil P 28: Chuck P. 27: Jack P. 27: Rich Mc. 26: Chuck R. 25: Bill H. 24: Sandy T. 24: Steve L. 22: Clark L. 20: Craig C. 18: Greg P. 16: Danielle K. 14: Andy M. 13: Caryl B. 11: John A. 9: Rebecca M. 8: Jenny B. 7: Kevin R. 5: Skip T. 4: Bart T. 4: Mike M. 4: Julie M. 4: Mike M. 4: Dave S. 3: Zac 3: Steve A. LOVES PARK 21: Jim T. 11: Terry R. 10: Les H. Continued on Page 6

6 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014 AA TODAY/ROCKFORD AREA INTERGROUP NEWSLETTER PAGE 6 A.A. BIRTHDAYS Continued from Page 5 MCFARLAND GROUP 10: Amanda K. 4: Kevin D. NEW ATTITUDES 30: Elaine A. 3: Dean H. 3: Gordon P. 1: Kat G. 30: Cecile E. 23: Melissa H. 20: Sandy W. 17: Tim P. 17: Curt B. 9: Clay M. 7: Luana B. 6: Susan Q. 2: Shane D. 1: Becky O. NEW BEGINNINGS 2: Terri J. None OVER FIFTIES 29: Jean H. 19: Chuck P. 15: Rob T. None ROSCOE RECOVERY 31: Neil L. 24: Ron B. 7: Randy A. 6: Lonnie L. 3: Kim S. 31: Philip P. UPPER ROOM 25: Kim G. 25: Tim D. 21: Mark S. 11: Nancy O M 10: Greg M. 3: Susan McD. 26: Chris O M 18: Jeff R. 17: Curt B. 16: Danielle K. 10: Bernie L. 5: Skip T. 3: Gary D. 3: Doreen L. 1: Mike 1: Payton K. No Birthday Information Received from: Belvidere Alano Central Medina Muddy River New Horizons Pecatonica Primary Purpose Rainbow Recovery Obits Continued from Page 1 "The reason I feel so strongly about this issue is I want to give credit where credit is due. That is, God and AA changed me and my alcoholic behavior in a huge and positive way. I want people to know if they have noticed any change in the way I live and behave, it has to be credited to my association with Alcoholics Anonymous." Paul G. said if the family is familiar and educated enough about recovery that he would expect them to recognize the AA accomplishments of the deceased in an obit. "When I don't see someone being recognized for their recovery accomplishments by the family, I question how involved they were with that person and their recovery. I personally hope that my family will recognize my recovery and mentioned something when my time comes." Jim J. said the last message he may ever carry to the alcoholic who still suffers is the one he wants to carry in his obit. "That I have been a 'friend of Bill W.' for 34 continuous years tells others in AA code that 'it works if you work it.' My family knows what AA means to me and also to them. As I have been blessed with sobriety, it has served as a blessing in the lives of others, as well. "When I die I won't have to protect my anonymity. I alone have the right to break my anonymity. I do so when it may help someone else. Hence, the last time I break it will be for that reason. I don't feel it is necessary to mention AA by name. Code words are enough." Myron F. stresses that anonymity is a cornerstone of AA and must be respected, so one of these statements could be used: "Friend of Bill W. " (people in or close to AA get this) or "Active in the Recovery Community" (a little broader without crossing the line). "The main thing is to have your wishes made known to people who will honor them. One step better would be to write your own obituary or have someone write it and you review it." -- Doug G.

7 DISTRICT 70 presents 3 part TWELVE TRADITIONS Workshop Part 1 / Sat. 4th / Traditions & 4 rv Part 2 / Sat. November t" / Traditions & 8 rv Part 3 / Sat. December s" / Traditions & 12 Come to the Fifth Avenue Group Address: 1021 s" Ave., Rockford, IL Noon - %pm FREE Refreshments available..contac t Janet C. with any questions

8 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014 AA TODAY/ROCKFORD AREA INTERGROUP NEWSLETTER PAGE 8 IF NOT FOR THE GRACE OF GOD... (Real headlines for news stories from across the U.S in recent months) Driver Arrested For DUI After Hitting School Bus Head-On Police: 6 People Struck By Possible DUI Driver In Long Beach Family DUI: Father, two sons arrested at crash scene 'Bro, I'm a cop': Former officer gets jail time for DUI Texas father accused of fatally shooting DUI driver who killed his sons Auburn man suspected of DUI dies in holding cell Back-seat passenger guilty of DUI for grabbing steering wheel before crash Police say DUI suspect dragged tree down road Driver asleep at wheel in downtown Boise charged with DUI Mom arrested for DUI outside Midlothian bowling alley had 4 kids in tow Buffalo Bills cut DT Alan Branch, one day after DUI charge Police cruiser rear-ended by suspected DUI driver at checkpoint Clarence Hairston Suspected Of DUI, Letting 8-Year-Old Steer Car Driver charged with DUI after hitting student walking home from school Pantsless woman charged with DUI after West Knoxville crash injures 2 Greyhound bus driver charged with DUI Illinois party bus driver charged with DUI Driver accused of DUI found passed out in car after crash, police say DUI driver gets 18 years for wreck that killed his father Driver charged with DUI after flagging down officer to say 'hello' DUI suspect says he'll join ISIS and kill officer Man charged with DUI four times in two days Man gets 3-year sentence for 14th DUI Country star Lynn Anderson charged with DUI Skipper arrested on DUI suspicion after boat runs aground at Venice Beach Woman arrested for DUI with 7 kids in SUV Wrong-way driver gets DUI after dodging ambulance (To read these stories online, use Google.com and search for the headline) They Died Sober Local AA members who have died recently: None reported Note: To submit the name of an AA member who died sober in the past six months, information to rockfordareaaa@gmail.com. Faithful Fivers Help pay for the printing cost of the newsletter and other Rockford Area AA Intergroup expenses by enrolling in the Faithful Fiver program. By pledging at least $5 a month, you will provide much-needed financial help. You will get a copy of each newsletter in the mail or by . Call for information. AA humor A young newcomer attended an AA meeting where the topic was "to practice these principles in all our affairs." When the discussion came around to her, she said, "I have never had an affair, so I am going to pass." -- Lee S., Arizona November 2007 Grapevine