High 'n Dry - MAY 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:
- I love Promises
- What in the World is she doing here ??
- Open Positions, Vice Chair
- Intergroup Activities, Service Opportunities and INFO
- Memorable Bits of Wisdom from my sponser
- From the Archives
- District News
- Group & Club Activities and info
- May Anniversaries
I love Promises
My folks always made me promises. The catch was that I had to work for them. On weekends they would promise me that if I’d make my bed, cleaned my room and cut the grass that I could go play with my friends the rest of the day. I’d moan and groan doing the chores but feel great to be free the rest of the day.
The promises many of us read at every meeting are wonderful. They are located on pages 83 and 84 in the Big Book just after we have worked Step 9.
Yet there are even more promises throughout the Big Book.
Look at STEP 5 Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. (Page 59*)
This may be a hard step to take, but look at the promises we can claim if we work this Step.
Once we have taken this step, withholding nothing, we are delighted. We can look the world in the eye. We can be alone at perfect peace and ease. Our fears fall from us. We begin to feel the nearness of our Creator. We may have had certain spiritual beliefs, but now we begin to have a spiritual experience. The feeling that the drink problem has disappeared will often come strongly. We feel we are on the Broad Highway, walking hand in hand with the Spirit of the Universe. (Page 75*)
Now those are some promises worth working Step 5.
These promises in Step 5 are followed by this suggested prayer:
We thank God from the bottom of our heart that we know Him better. (Page 75*)
*Alcoholics Anonymous 4th Edition
What in the World is SHE doing here?”
Tradition 5: “Each group has but one primary purpose – to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers.”
I had to laugh a few years back when Carl S. described what happened at a meeting he had recently attended: “There was a woman there who was drunk – she slurred her words, her clothes were wrinkled and dirty, her hair was not combed, she smelled of alcohol, she was generally obnoxious,” he said, and then in his slow, careful words Carl continued, “and I thought, ‘what in the world is she doing here?’” We all laughed, because each one of us has had those embarrassing moments when we forgot where we came from.
Of course Carl was joking, but he did so to make a point – that we can easily become so comfortable at our regular meetings – especially in our home group, that we are practically offended when someone we don’t know enters and “ruins” our meeting.
Every person we don’t know at a meeting may be a newcomer or may be someone With 25 years of recovery who is visiting from East McKeesport, Pennsylvania. That means that every single person I don’t know at an AA meeting has the potential to change my life and the lives of countless others. And the one thing that can make the difference is whether I extend my welcoming hand – and whether my group puts their highest priority on carrying this message to that one who may still be suffering. Is that the primary purpose of my group?
So what do I do when I see someone I don’t know at a meeting? Do I immediately look away when they try to make eye contact with me? Do I walk past the newcomer and look for a “regular” so I can catch up on the week news while leaving the stranger sitting by himself? Or if it’s an attractive young lady do I make it a priority to get to know everything I can about her, including her phone number and relationship status? Is my group’s primary purpose to carry the message to the alcoholic who is still suffering? Is it mine?
I ask these questions more of myself than of anyone else – too often my own answers are not flattering, and when I review my day I have to remember those times when I didn’t bother to reach out. And again I have to remind myself that I can’t keep this precious gift unless I give it away, and my group will not survive unless it remembers that everything else comes second to our primary purpose: to carry the message to that person who comes through the door seeking help. Maybe by writing this I can remind myself and my group of what’s important in our meeting. I hope so.
Tom M
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.
Part time position (25 hrs per week)
- Minimum continuous sobriety: 5 years
- People and computer skills required. Microsoft Excel, Word & Quick Books
Pay: over Minimum Wage
You can mail a resume to the office at 345 South Beville Rd., South Daytona, FL 32119.
STEERING COMMITTEE
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, duties and service requirements are shown on the following pages.
In addition to this openings, there are two Standing Committee positions newly vacant. A Special Events, deals with coordinating the work of dinners, picnics, and workshops. Group Service position open, Member Group Vital Statistics Records.
Positions of Vice Chair,
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.
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 April, 2007 meeting: (16) Adventures in Sobriety • Attitude Adjustments • Back to Basics-Deland • Came to Believe/Living Sober • Choice is Yours • Four Townes • Friday Night Men’s •Friday Noon Men’s Discussion • Last Call • Lest We Forget • Lifesavers • Pass It On-Deland • Peace of Mind • Riverbridge • Saturday Matinee • Step Sisters
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:
Marti S. $5 for 5 Years!
In Memory Donations this Month:
Harry F.. $44.50
Annonymous Donations were made in the following amounts:
$ 500.87
TOTAL Anonymous Donation for FEB: $500.87
Memorable bits of Wisdom that your Sponsor 1st imparted on you
When I first hit the doors of AA I wasn’t completely convinced I was supposed to be here and proceeded to compare the differences in my story. It wasn’t until my sponsor asked if after I picked up a drink could I safelt predict the outcome of my drinking experience. I couldn’t so it was made clear to me that I was alcoholic.
My Sponsor told me “The best thing about sobriety is that you get your feelings back, and the worst thing about sobriety is that you get your feelings back!”
The first thing my Sponsor told me was what he did to get Sobriety, not what I needed to do.
Send your “Sponsors Wisdom” to editor@aadaytona.org
From the Archives
The formation of the SeaSide Non-Smoking group was announced in the High or Dry in February 1992. This group was formed from the New Smyrna Beach group only because they wanted a smoke free meeting and the NSB group would not change to non-smoking meetings. Founders were John D., Katie V. and Bill C. The meetings were at 8 pm on Wednesdays at St. Peter the Fisherman Episcopal Church on Saxon Drive in New Smyrna Beach. It was a discussion meeting except on the last Wednesday of the month when it would be a speaker meeting. Early members were Mike and Ruth Ann W., Bess and Bob H., David M., Jan D., Cindy S., Bill T., and Rose.
The past two years the Seaside Group has joined with the New Smyrna Beach Group to put on a fish fry in the spring at Spruce Creek Park. Oak Hill Mike cooks the fish, there are lots of covered dishes and a great day is had by all.
The SeaSide Non-Smoking group still meets on Wednesdays at St Peter the Fisherman Church but the meeting time has been changed to 7:30 pm. There are 30 members on the book with at least 15 members attending the meetings on a regular basis. This is a strong group and a well attended meeting in the area.
by John D. and Allen L.
District News
DISTRICT 19: Open GSR Workshop 3rd Tuesday 6 p.m. 1st Cong. Church, 201 W. University, Orange City
DISTRICT 20: Annual Picnic, May 19th at Spruce Creek Park, 11:30 – 3:00, speaker, 50/50 raffle, hamburgers, hotdogs & drinks provided. Bring a covered dish or dessert to share.
DISTRICT 32: Picnic! June 3, 11am-2pm. Join us as we celebrate AA Founders Day at Magic Forest Park
Group & Club Activities and info
Almous Club: New Management, kitchen open daily. Open times available for new meetings.
Silver Dollar Club: Sunday June 10th Founders Day Celebration. Everyone please bring a covered dish & dessert to share. 1st Meeting at 12:30, Food served from 1:30 – 3:00 and 4:00 – 5:30. An Old Timers Panel at 12:30. Open meetings at 5:30 & 7:00. FREE to all A.A. Members and their families.
"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. "
MAY 2007 ANNIVERSARIES
9TH TRADITION Janet W. 20 05/02/87 ANY LENGTHS - ORMOND Tom P. 25 05/28/82 BEACHSIDE, NSB Gwen D. 25 05/08/82 Karen H. 3 05/13/04 CHOICE IS YOURS Cathy H. 1 05/01/06 Greg O. 1 05/05/06 Jay A. 1 05/10/06 Steve C. 1 05/11/06 John D. 1 05/31/06 DELTONA ENTERPRISE GROUP Mike J. 4 05/07/03 FOUR TOWNES GROUP Nick R. 34 05/15/73 Mickey G. 24 05/01/83 Lilly R. 14 05/05/93 Debbie S. 5 05/28/02 Jim C. 3 05/06/04 Janet R. 3 05/26/04 Virginia F. 2 05/06/05 April M. 1 05/21/06 FRESH START Fritz M. 41 05/07/66 FRIDAY NIGHT MEN'S Gary M. 16 05/11/91 Roy W. 4 05/15/03 Lee G. 1 05/20/06 FRIDAY NOON MEN'S DISCUSSION Lennie L. 18 05/23/89 Tom Mac. 17 05/14/90 GRATEFUL GROUP Kathy M. 18 05/17/89 Joan C. 9 05/05/98 JUST DO IT Pat P. 19 05/17/88 Cathy T. 4 05/28/03 LAST CALL GROUP Janet W. 20 05/02/87 Ronnie C. 16 05/03/91 Debra A. 10 05/21/97 Wendy W. 9 05/21/98 Greg R. 4 05/27/03 Randy H. 3 05/08/04 Dave B. 3 05/09/04 Win S. 3 05/15/04 Nikkale V. 3 05/17/04 Rodney H. 3 05/18/04 Aggie D. 2 05/10/05 Jennifer J. 2 05/16/05 David S. 2 05/19/05 Heather K. 1 05/15/06 LEST WE FORGET GROUP Lyle H. 27 05/28/80 LIFESAVERS Jerry K. 26 05/13/81 Pete D. 26 05/XX/81 Gwen D. 25 05/08/82 Denny R. 16 05/23/91 NEW DAWN Tom P. 35 05/14/72 Terry W. 23 05/17/84 ORMOND BEACH GROUP Edna A. 28 05/31/79 PASS IT ON - DELAND Steven F. 2 05/23/05 Rich C. 1 05/16/06 Becca R. 1 05/19/06 PEACE OF MIND Jerry K. 26 05/13/81 Tom C. 5 05/26/02 Debbie P. 3 05/10/04 Les W. 3 05/12/04 Tom C. 1 05/04/06 RIVERBRIDGE Melinda P. 5 05/01/02 Liz 4 05/25/03 Kathy M. 3 05/08/04 SATURDAY NIGHT BEGINNERS Billie 15 05/21/92 SHORT TIMERS Kenneth P. 6 05/22/01 Jose R. 4 05/11/03 SOBRIETY FIRST Frenchie M. 21 05/26/86 STEP SISTERS Sandra F. 23 05/15/84 Yvonne C. 12 05/12/95 Lonnie 5 05/09/02 SUNRISE Pat D. 26 05/07/81 Maryann C, 20 05/14/87 Bella S. 11 05/31/96 Rick O. 1 05/10/06 WEDNESDAY CLOSED Marty H. 26 05/20/81 WOMEN'S NEW BEGINNINGS Lynn 40 05/09/67 Sandy 23 05/15/84 Michele W. 1 05/20/06 WEDNESDAY WOMEN'S Wanda J. 19 05/28/88 Lynn F. 7 05/25/00 Candy S. 4 5-17-003 WOMEN'S WEEKEND Vicky G. 24 05/01/83 Sandy R. 9 05/05/98
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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