High 'n Dry - FEBRUARY 2007
"The purpose of the High 'n Dry is to carry the message of Alcoholics Anonymous by providing a resource in print, where alcoholics can get information about the activities and meetings in Volusia County. "
from the High 'n Dry Guidelines, established February 2006
Contents:
- Lots of Reasons ......
- Service Oppurtunities & Thank You to a former Trustee
- Open Positions, Vice Chair, Secretary & Trustees
- Intergroup Activities, Service Opportunities and INFO
- Two Wolves
- From the Archives
- District News
- Group & Club Activities and info
- February Anniversaries
A Lot of Reasons Why I Don’t Drink
“How come you don’t drink anymore?” a renewed acquaintance from long ago asked me the other day.
“Anymore than who?”
“I mean any longer. How come you don’t drink anything these days?”
“Drink? I drink, coffee, milk, tea, soda, pop, water, fruit juices, ice cream frappes.”
“I mean drink,” he said, “you know, booze.”
“Oh, booze. No, I don’t drink booze anymore. I couldn’t trust it any more, it turned on me. Once my friend, it became my enemy.”
“Maybe you got a bad batch.”
“No the sauce is the same, I changed. I have the illness of alcoholism and my tolerance weakened. Alcoholism doesn’t come in bottles, it comes in people.”
“Sounds pretty confusing.”
“You think you’re confused, you should have seen me! I drank for happiness and became unhappy;
I drank for joy and became miserable; I drank to be outgoing and became self centered; I drank for sociability, and became argumentative and lonely.
I drank for sophistication, and became crude and obnoxious.
I drank for friendship and make enemies; I drank to soften sorrow and wallowed in self pity; I drank for sleep and awakened without rest.
I drank for strength, and felt weak; I drank to prove my masculinity and it sapped my potency; I drank medicinally and got sick; I drank because I thought my job called for it and I lost my job.
I drank for relaxation and got the shakes; I drank for confidence and became uncertain; I drank for courage and became afraid; I drank for assurance and became doubtful.
I drank to stimulate thought and blacked out; I drank to make conversation and tied my tongue; I drank for confidence and became uncertain; I drank for warmth and lost my cool; I drank for coolness and lost my warmth.
I drank to feel heavenly and came to know hell; I drank to forget and became haunted; I drank for freedom and became a slave; I drank for power and became powerless; I drank to erase problems and saw them multiply; I drank to come with life and invited death or worse.
I drank because I had the RIGHT and everything turned out wrong.”“Gosh,” my friend exclaimed, “that must have taken a bunch of booze to get you in that shape!”
“Just one,” I told him. “The first one. For me, one is too many, and a thousand is not enough.”
“So that’s why you don’t drink anymore?”
“Yep, I made it a rule; I DON’T DRINK WHILE I’M SOBER.”
Anonymous
Intergroup Service Opportunities:
We are still taking applications for a new Office Administrator at your Volusia County Intergroup Office. Anyone interested in applying please contact the Volusia County Intergroup office at
386-756-2930.
You can mail a resume to the office at 345 South Beville Rd., South Daytona, FL 32119.
We would like to thank Bill S. for the job he has done over the years at Intergroup. Bill stepped down from his position of Trustee, Group Relations chair, and Special Events chair; due to business obligations. Good luck Bill!!
STEERING COMMITTEE
There are 12 positions on the Steering Committee. Five are currently vacant. One position, a Member-at-Large, is a District appointment. The remaining four, as outlined in the Bylaws, are now to be appointed by approval of the Steering Committee. (See below). They are Vice Chair (term ends 9/08) - Secretary (term ends 9/08) – Trustee (term ends 9/07) – Trustee (term ends 9/07).
These vacant positions, like the rest of the Committee, were filled in October 2006 by election by the Intergroup Representatives. As they were vacated in mid-term, the Bylaws provide that:
Any vacancy of a permanent nature, whether for cause or resignation, shall be filled by appointment by the Steering Committee for the unexpired term. Art. II, Sec. 8
If you would like to be considered for Vice Chair, Secretary, or Trustee, duties and service requirements are shown on the following two pages.
In addition to these four openings, there are three Standing Committee positions newly vacant. A Permanent Committee Chair, Special Events, deals with coordinating the work of dinners, picnics, and workshops. Group Services positions open are the Phone Army Coordinator (working with Hot Line volunteers) and Member Group Vital Statistics Records.
The position of Editor for Hi ‘n Dry is also open. The Editor, a non-voting ex-officio member of the Steering Committee, is responsible for assembling all submissions of our newsletter.
The Hi ‘n Dry Editor, all of the Standing Committees Chairs, and their Chairpersons are appointed by the Steering Committee Chair with approval by the Steering Committee. General requirements for all of the above positions, as stated in the Bylaws, are:
Candidates must have at least two (2) years of continuous immediate sobriety when placed in nomination. Art. II, Sec. 2
We recommend that not more than two (2) members of any one (1) group serve as members of the elected (or appointed) Steering Committee at any one time.
Art. II, Sec. 2
Any Steering Committee member who, without valid excuse, misses three (3) consecutive Steering Committee and/or Rep meetings shall be excused from the committee. Art. II, Sec. 4
It is recommended that any elected (or subsequently appointed) person on the SteeringCommittees not hold an office in the G.S.O. structure. Art. II, Sec.9
A copy of our Bylaws was given to each Intergroup Representative at the January 18th meeting. If your group was represented, then your group has a copy. Please ask your IGR to show you the Bylaws if you want further detail.
A form to use in submitting your application for any position is included in this issue of the High n’ Dry. Clcik here to print form.
The Vice-Chairperson: The duties and service obligations of the Vice-Chairperson include, but are not limited to:
- Chair Steering Committee and INTERGROUP Rep meeting in the Chairperson’s absence.
- Act as Chairperson, or appoint a Chairperson of a Group Relations Committee. This committee may operate in the following manner:
- Visit each AA group as often as practicable, but at least once a year, and explain the function of the INTERGROUP office.
- Maintain records of visits to groups by the Group Relations Committee members.
- Coordinate all committee information with the INTERGROUP Office Administrator.
- Attend all INTERGROUP sponsored events.
- Vote in all Steering Committee matters.
- Perform any other duties the Chairperson may request.
The Secretary: The duties and service obligations of Steering Committee Secretary include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Record minutes of Steering Committee and INTERGROUP Reps meetings.
- Present printed copies of past meeting minutes at the Reps meeting.
- Is responsible to see that all necessary material is made available at INTERGROUP meetings, such as sign-in sheets, prior minutes, prior Treasurer’s printed reports, current “High or Dry”, and copies of other visual or printed material necessary to illustrate points of discussion placed on the agenda. Office Administrator may assist with these tasks as requested.
- Vote in all Steering Committee matters.
- Attend all INTERGROUP sponsored functions.
- Perform other duties the Chairperson may request.
Trustees: The duties and service obligations of the three (3) Trustees include, but are not limited to the following:
- The Trustees of INTERGROUP Steering Committee shall have protective custody of all tangible property of the INTERGROUP that has not been otherwise provided for in this Constitution and By-Laws.
- The Trustees may cause to be audited, books of the INTERGROUP Treasurer annually and enclose a verification of the bank accounts to the INTERGROUP Reps.
- The Trustees shall see to it that only duly elected officers and authorized employees handle funds of INTERGROUP.
- Of greatest importance, the duty of the Trustees at all times is to protect the Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous in all INTERGROUP operations.
- Must be thoroughly familiar with the Twelve Traditions.
- Attend Steering Committee and INTERGROUP Reps meetings.
- Attend all INTERGROUP sponsored functions.
- Vote in Steering Committee and Reps meetings.
- Are available to members of the Steering Committee for advice.
- Evaluate all paid employees. There is an initial ninety day probation period and an annual evaluation for all paid employees. An employee evaluation is a written report with recommendations that is submitted to the Steering Committee.
- Initiate an annual inventory to be taken with the Treasurer and Office Administrator at the end of the fiscal year.
Intergroup Activities, Service Opportunities and INFO:
12-Steppers Wanted
Our 12-Step call list is increasing (slowly). But, we still need more volunteers! Calls into the help line are answered 24/7. Intergroup maintains a list of persons willing to help another alcoholic get introduced (or re-introduced) into sobriety through one-on-one contact. As calls for help come in at all times of day and night, and current volunteers are not always available, we still need more Twelve Steppers. If interested in participating as a Twelve Step volunteer, please complete the form (please print) and send or drop off at Volusia County Intergroup Office.Should you have any questions, please call Intergroup at 386-756-2930.
INTERGROUP REPRESENTATIVES MEETING - Intergroup reps attend the monthly meeting and then bring back to their group items of vital interest to the group, present items and motions on behalf of the group, and are eligible to vote on motions and for officers of the Intergroup Steering Committee. If interested, please attend or call 756-2930 for details.
Groups represented at January 2007 meeting: Adventures in Sobriety, Back to Basics-Deland, Came to Believe/Living Sober, Choice is Yours, Friday Noon Men's Discussion, Life Savers, New Dawn, New Smyrna Beach Group, Pass It On-Deltona, Primary Purpose, Riverbridge, Road to Recovery, Saturday Night Alive, Step Sisters, Sunday Sunrise, Three Legacies, Thursday Night Men’s, Tomoka Group, Turning Point, Wednesday Closed & Wednesday Women’s.
That's only 21 groups out of the 100 plus served by Intergroup.
Was your group represented?
The Volusia County Intergroup financial sheet is now available at the office. It is also available through your Volusia County Intergroup Representative. If your group is represented at the monthly Intergroup Reps Meeting, then your group has a copy. Ask your IGR to show you the financial's.
Celebrate your anniversary with an act of gratitude that will help your Volusia County Intergroup Office continue to carry the message to the still suffering alcoholic. Make a commitment to send a dollar (or whatever amount you wish) on your anniversary, for every year sober.
Anniversary Donations this Month:
Olga R. $ 32.00; Carolyn C. $ 27.00
Annonymous Donations were made in the following amounts:
$ 10.00, $ 50.00, $ 100.00, $1,800.00 & $ 1,000.00
TOTAL Anonymous Donation for DEC: $2960.00
Two Wolves
One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people.
He said, "My son, the battle is between two "wolves" inside us all.
One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.
The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith."
The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather:
"Which wolf wins?"
The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."
From the Archives
A current project in the Archives is making copies of all the newspaper articles about alcoholism, alcoholics and related topics that have been collected over the years. All this material is being put into a notebook and will be included with the other items in the Archives display at Intergroup events.The items include a Newsweek article “To Topers…With Love and Respect” and is from the June 27, 1960 issue. It is a brief account of the contents of the book “The Commonsense Book of Drinking” by Leon D. Adams. Another interesting piece from that era is titled “Current Definitions of an Alcoholic”-“Everyone Drinks Too Much But Thee, Me” by Dorothy Roe and appeared in the Orlando Sentinel. There are several articles which appeared in The Globe and Mail, Toronto, Canada in July 1965. Wasn’t that the year of the International in Canada?
The local articles include one about the drive to start Serenity House in 1975/1976. An article from the Accent section of the News Journal, December 24, 1980 is titled “AA Groups Planning Holiday ‘Alkathons’.” Is that the first year of the Alkathons at the Almous Club?
The “Newspaper Clippings” notebook will also have a section with as many of the obituaries of members who have died in the area as we have been able to collect.
This work in progress is available in the Archives Room at Intergroup.
Carolyn C.
District News
District 32:Thanks to the panel and all who attended and presented the District 32 Traditions Workshop on January 6th. There were 44 people in attendance.
Group & Club Activities and info
Silver Dollar Club: Presents Friday Night at the Movies, 7 pm on the last Friday of every month. The Silver Dollar Club will show classic movies on alcoholism & addiction. Big Screen TV---popcorn included. This Month, “Chalk Talk” by Father Martin, plus Step One – Don’t Miss this “A MUST”
Club YANA: Bike Week BAR-B-Q at Club YANA, Saturday, March 10th, 1:00 PM till 4:00 PM. Celebrate sobriety and visit with friends old and new. Great food, 50/50 raffle. Lots of FUN
“Experience demonstrates that a club can live in harmony with the AA community and serve a very useful purpose for those who find a club helpful. "
FEBRUARY 2007 ANNIVERSARIES
5:30 GROUP Len F. 26 02/22/81 Lori L. 12 02/18/95 Pat L. 12 02/27/95 Susan L. 11 02/11/96 ANY LENGTHS - DELTONA Rafael M. 10 02/22/97 Deborah 2 02/28/05 ANY LENGTHS - ORMOND Tom G. 18 02/12/89 BACK TO BASICS, DELAND John S. 19 02/28/88 Al B. 9 02/19/98 Billy W. 7 02/07/00 BIG BOOK STUDY-HH Dusty F. 14 02/12/93 BOULEVARD GROUP Dave N. 23 02/02/84 JJ. J. 9 02/09/98 BY THE SEA Mike P. 26 02/06/81 Eileen W. 11 02/25/96 CAME TO BELIEVE Doc B. 21 02/03/86 CHOICE IS YOURS Truck 17 02/12/90 Bill A. 2 02/15/05 John T. 2 02/??/05 DONUT GROUP Dianne G. 21 02/05/86 FOUR TOWNES NOON Liz M. 23 02/08/84 Frank M. 11 02/01/96 Mike M. 9 02/05/98 Bill G. 6 02/26/01 FRIDAY NIGHT MEN'S Steve Mc. 19 02/06/88 FRIDAY NOON MEN'S DISCUSSION David T. 36 02/16/71 Scott M. 13 02/19/94 Donnie C. 7 02/01/00 GRATEFUL GROUP Sherry N. 37 02/11/70 Art A. 26 02/03/81 Janet M. 24 02/28/83 Steve N. 4 02/22/03 Dawn P. 1 02/20/06 LAST CALL GROUP Jean R. 25 02/18/82 Vivian O. 3 02/17/04 Bruce F. 3 02/19/04 Frank A. 2 02/23/05 Greg B. 2 02/01/05 Bev R. 1 02/22/06 LEST WE FORGET GROUP Olga R. 32 02/01/75 Bob P. 20 02/14/87 Marty S. 16 02/21/91 NEW DAWN Mary R. 6 02/14/01 Michelle 4 02/20/03 Vivian 3 02/17/04 NEW SMYRNA BEACH GROUP Dick R. 27 02/20/80 Linda M. 4 02/25/03 PASS IT ON John S. 26 02/03/81 Lisa L. 8 02/01/99 Thomas 2 02/01/05 PEACE OF MIND Guy W. 13 02/20/94 ROAD TO RECOVERY, DELTONA Jimmy O. 26 02/14/81 SHORT TIMERS Samuel H. 5 02/13/02 Steven S. 1 02/16/06 SOBRIETY FIRST Bill B. 30 02/18/77 STEP SISTERS Linda M. 5 02/25/02 SUNRISE Chuck C. 18 02/17/89 Tom M. 13 02/15/94 WAY OF LIFE Juan 22 02/12/85 Dennis 21 02/06/86 Treasa 5 02/14/02 WEDNESDAY CLOSED Michelle McG. 8 02/22/99 WEDNESDAY WOMEN'S Trish A. 28 02/09/79 Jean R. 25 02/17/82 Cathy M. 17 02/20/90 Marcia T. 2 02/14/05 WOMEN'S WEEKEND Maria 16 02/01/91 Sue M. 10 02/22/97 Debroah B. 2 02/28/05
If you would like to submit an article for publication, or have an idea for something you would like to see in the High 'n Dry, you may contact the editor at: editor@aadaytona.org
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