High 'n Dry - JULY 2006
"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:
- Feature Article
- "Responsibility"
- Accessibility, Corrections & Treatment Service Opportunities
- Archives
- Intergroup Service Opportunities
- Humor
- July Anniversaries
Responsibility
Previously there was an article in this space addressing the financial responsibility we alcoholics have to AA, particularly through our contributions to Volusia County Intergroup. Another method of support to the alcoholic still looking for sobriety is through service. As you know, not drinking is not all there is to sobriety. Unless we make a concerted effort to change our very character, we’ll drink again. This change comes about slowly for most of us. By living the principles of all of our 12 steps, i.e. honesty, hope, faith, courage, integrity, willingness, humility, brotherly love, self discipline, perseverance, awareness of God, and service.
Service is anything and everything that we do to carry the AA message. It starts by deciding to help with no expectation of reward. It starts with a realization that there is not only a responsibility to give back what was so freely given to us, but it is also a duty. Service work benefits our sobriety more than anyone else’s.
Some examples of service work are: Coming early to a meeting to help make coffee, and staying a little later to help clean up and welcoming the new comer. Sharing our experience, strength and hope at meetings or chairing a meeting.
Volunteering or being elected to fill a service position in your home group. Volunteering for the phone army at Intergroup or sponsoring a new comer. Accepting an invitation to speak at a meeting or providing transportation. Listening to another alcoholic or taking a meeting to a jail, treatment center or mental health facility.
There are many more service opportunities available. Each of us has God given talents and abilities and if we don’t use them to carry the message, we in effect are telling God that we’re not going to do his will. Each of us has a job to do, and if we don’t do it, it won’t get done.
So the challenge then, is this: Determine what you’re good at and where your desires for service can be fulfilled. If necessary, try them all. Eventually you’ll find what you enjoy doing, and therefore, probably be good at it. For some this will be a step into the unknown, but because you’re sober you’ll be able to handle it. And you are not alone.
Part of the joy of sobriety is service work. For your own growth in sobriety and that of the alcoholic still out there, make service part of your journey. You will never know what might have been if you don’t try it.
This article was contributed by Ed M
DISTRICT SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES:
Enrich your Sobriety, Give It Away, Help is needed in taking meetings to Treatment Facilities! What an opportunity to serve! Leave name and phone number at the Volusia County Intergroup Office (756-2930) for Bob W.
The Accessibility committee is looking for volunteers for our “on call” list. If you are interested in bringing meetings to recovering alcoholics in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, homebound, etc., please contact the Volusia County Intergroup Office (756-2930). Leave message for Sharon R.
The Volusia County Intergroup is in the process of updating the Speakers List. Please call the Intergroup office if you are interested in speaking. Leave your name, phone number, city, and AA sobriety date. Thank You.
FROM THE ARCHIVES:
Recently John D. of New Smyrna Beach donated a medical book printed in 1822 to our Archives. The item of interest is in this book is a description of the symptoms and treatment of Intoxication in 1822. The entire article will be can be read in the Archives display at the Pasta Dinner but here is a brief excerpt.
“Intoxication: Symptoms.-like every other kind of frenzy, it comes with a burning redness of the cheeks…and a fiery wildness of the eyes. The tongue is considerably affected…
At first, only glib and voluble-then loud, and louder still-at length noisy and excessively disagreeable…
There is no complaint that effects patients so differently-some it makes so ridiculously loving …-others it kindles into such rage and fury, that they will frequently throw the bottles and glasses at the heads of their best friends…
The face puts on an air of great stupidity…and not infrequently…he sinks under the table…falls asleep among the dogs and cats.
Treatment:-…the patient should instantly be placed in an airy situation, the head and shoulders kept erect and neck-cloth and collar of the shirt unbound and copiously bled, if the situation seems alarming.
The next step is to provoke vomiting …such as tickling the throat with a feather or the finger. Cold applications to the head…of cold water or vinegar and water…will have the happiest effect; so will plunging the body into cold water."
From the Medical Companion or Family Physician By James Ewell pg 404 Published by E. Edes, Baltimore, Maryland 6th Edition 1822
Please check your old Grapevines for the following issues to help us complete a few more years in the Archives collection. Our collection starts with the year 1977, although we do have issues for Jan 1951, June 1955 and September 1958. Years completed: 1982, 1992, and 1995 thru 2002, 2004, and 2005. Single issues needed to complete the years: Apr. 1981, June 1994, and Dec. 2003.
Intergroup Service Opportunities:
Your Volusia County Intergroup is looking for a 12-Step Volunteer Coordinator. We need some one to help in updating our 12 step list and keeping it current. This is an easy job and can be done at meetings and from home. Call the office for more information.
After hours telephone Hotline is answered by AA members are home. If you are interested in joining our “Phone Army” or working the desk at Volusia County Intergroup during office hours, please call: 386-756-2930.
SATURDAY HELP NEEDED
Do you use the Volusia Intergroup Office on Saturdays? If so, do you want to continue to do so? We are again facing the possibility of having to cut back Saturday hours due to a lack of volunteers. We do not want this to happen, call the office and volunteer. Thanks to the folks who have helped us keep the weekend doors open.
HUMOR
A Morning Prayer"So far today, God, I've done all right. I have not gossiped, I have not lost my temper,
I have not been greedy, grumpy, nasty, selfish, or over indulgent.I'm very thankful for that.
But in a few moments, God, I'm going to get out of bed.
And from then on, I'm going to need a lot of help."
There are two kinds of people:
Those who say to God ‘Thy will be done’
& those to whom God says, ‘All right then, have it your way.’
5:30 Group Jeff H 15 07/07/91 Jim N 14 07/01/92 Sally M 11 07/19/95 Rob P 8 07/05/98 Bob V 8 07/19/98 Donna S 6 07/03/00 Maryanne O 6 07/31/00 Mike H 4 07/16/02 Kenneth F 1 07/04/05 Cathy G 1 07/16/05 Any Lengths, Deltona Don W 31 07/25/75 Gloria 9 07/26/97 Big Book Study, HH Yvonne N 7 07/23/99 Donald C 3 07/04/03 Boulevard Group Frank H 17 07/29/89 Frank R 5 07/25/01 Alexia B 3 07/02/03 Glenn 3 07/27/03 By the Sea Betty C 26 07/18/80 Deland Group Martha W 14 07/28/92 Velda J 8 07/19/98 James P 4 07/00/02 Friday Night Men's Bernie T Jr 28 07/01/78 Bernie T III 15 07/18/91 Mike O 10 07/19/96 Butch 5 07/04/01 Mike H 4 07/16/02 Steve C 3 07/11/03 Friday Noon Men's Discussion John G 35 07/11/71 Mike S 20 07/03/86 Barry N 15 07/19/91 Craig 2 07/16/04 Grace Group Carole B 15 07/12/91 Grateful Group Bette H 32 07/25/74 Vera W 23 07/18/83 Kathy H 18 07/27/88 Had Enough Carol 7 07/19/99 Ladies Tuesday Night Kelly S 6 07/08/00 Last Call Artie N 3 07/14/03 Jim D 3 07/28/03 Edward W 2 07/04/04 Raoul P 2 07/07/04 Sherri S 2 07/12/04 Dana Y 2 07/25/04 Gloria 1 07/04/05 Tom C 1 07/11/05 Jackie C 1 07/15/05 Mark K 1 07/20/05 Donny S 1 07/30/05 Lest We Forget Bob McG 15 07/08/91 Marilyn K 12 07/03/94 Lifesavers Glenna K 32 07/05/74 Adrian O 26 07/03/80 John M 16 07/19/90 New Birth Group Stanley M 9 07/01/97 Daniel N 8 07/07/98 New Dawn Group Karen J 23 07/12/83 Charlene G 18 07/14/88 Birdie H 6 07/28/00 Jim B 2 07/04/04 Audra 1 07/17/05 New Smyrna Beach Group Eugene S 7 07/10/99 Ruth B 6 07/08/00 John L 6 07/22/00 Claire A 1 07/03/05 OB Big Book Step Study Ginny H 4 07/29/02 Ormond Beach Group Hal M 60 07/01/46 Allan D 17 07/06/89 Ann D 15 07/02/91 Marty O 13 07/19/93 Scott F 7 07/07/99 Pass it On Jeff R 5 07/02/01 Sam W 4 07/12/02 Glenn D 3 07/25/03 Cathy C 1 07/15/05 Peace of Mind Andrea B 20 07/23/86 Charlotte S 16 07/01/90 Wesley 16 07/07/90 John S 16 07/17/90 John M 16 07/19/90 Doug S 14 07/21/92 Nanette K 5 07/13/01 Karen S 1 07/19/05 Ron 1 07/31/05 Primary Purpose Betty C 26 07/18/80 Cecil 4 07/06/02 Gary P 3 07/07/03 Dan G 1 07/18/05 Road to Recovery Craig T 36 07/09/70 Bill I 30 07/04/76 Ken T 17 07/05/89 Saturday Night Beginners Dale B 19 07/21/87 Yvette M 2 07/28/04 Short Timers Thomas P 8 07/07/98 Randy D 4 07/09/02 Michael A 1 07/08/05 Step Sisters Lynne 4 07/28/02 Sunrise Group Debra L 17 07/16/89 Jim N 14 07/01/92 Carol D 14 07/02/92 Richard W 14 07/07/92 Bob M 12 07/20/94 Ashley H 5 07/20/01 Turn the Page Peter L 7 07/11/99 Linda 6 07/30/00 Wednesday Closed Pete C 27 07/19/79 Women's New Beginnings Carol 3 07/12/03
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
Copyright© 2003- 2006 Volusia County Intergroup Services