Recovery During Crisis: “Come Together”

Alcoholics Anonymous All South Bay Central Office Newsletter Spring Issue 2020 1411 Marcelina Ave, Torrance CA 90501 | Email: [email protected] | Phone: (310) 618-1180 The Speakeasy is published by the All South Bay Central Office of Alcoholics Anonymous. Opinions expressed are those of the writers/ contributors and not of Alcoholics Anonymous as a whole or of Central Office. We welcome and need your input, opinions, humor and comments. Send them today. Recovery During Crisis: “Come Together”

Come together right now… Words from a even saw a post about someone speaking at a The other night, the Steering Committee of Beatles song, but it’s also what’s happening meeting in Germany which you could dial-in the South Bay Roundup met by web- amongst our AA community here and around to. conferencing. Planning continues. The theme the globe. For a group of people who could At the start of AA, people wrote letters to is “Roaring 20’s—Into Action”. How appropri- barely get off a bar stool or out of the gutter, the little office Bill had, to find a meeting ate, 2020 is roaring and we are into action!! we are making meetings happen like within a reasonable distance (100 miles may- It’s something we will all surely need when nobody’s business. be) or to find a member they could call. the time comes. So for now, the committee is With a very healthy attitude about this These early AAs were getting into action taking it one day at a time and continuing to virus, I took a stand right away and self- amidst the Depression and would even spend plan. isolated. Asking God how I can be of service, the night at a member’s house because the A saying from the 60’s comes to mind now the thought came: Having used web-based drive was so far. When I got sober, I used to but in completely different way. “Tune in, technology for work, it was a call to action to hear the old-timers talk about loading up a turn on, and drop out.” Let’s change it up for get a few meetings up and running. A call to a car and driving 70, 80, 90 miles to get to the current situation. Turn on—turn on your sponsee and we were on a roll. We hammered Bakersfield or San Diego to hear someone at a computer, tablet, or smartphone or… Tune out a make-shift format, she invited another speaker meeting. Today, however, we have a in—tune in to one of the many meetings friend to lead the meeting and we started meeting directory loaded with options, and taking place. And finally, DON’T drop out. sharing the invite. That night 28 sober people now in the midst of this world emergency we Instead, drop in. Drop in while sitting in your connected! All thirsty for a meeting and have even more options literally at our finger- living room, your backyard, even while sitting therefore patient, as we came up to speed. I tips. in your car and connect with other Alcoholics have to admit, I opened the meeting with a Although not physically together, our hearts around the globe. Our Central Office has links, very shaky voice with tears of gratitude for and energy are connected, virtual hugs are Los Angeles central office has links and lists, coming together in such a beautiful way. being given. Make no mistake, you can feel it. or just ask another member to help you. There was a palpable and very special energy To sit quietly in my little office and place my We need each other more than ever. felt right away. We had members from the hand over my heart and listen, really listen as Remember, “pause when agitated or South Bay, Long Beach, La Quinta and Chica- the 3rd step prayer or the Serenity prayer is doubtful”, and “…when all other measures go. We recognized birthdays, asked for new- said. It’s a whole different connection, and a failed, work with another alcoholic...” The comers and had some incredible shares. Our very powerful one. best way out of self is to help another, call friend from La Quinta was just back from I’ve found it amazing to “get to” a meeting someone you know is new, someone you New Zealand and self-quarantined and glad typically across town, but now it’s right in my know is struggling, a senior member of a for a place to go. We could see and hear each living room. To hear a woman who had meeting who you may have never spoken to other and it was magic. Some lying on a moved to Idaho re-connect with her home before. Get out your phone list, circulate a couch, some at a desk or propped against a group by conference call filled my heart! We picture of it, whatever it takes just do it. We headboard and maybe even in their jammies. are staying connected and there for each oth- got this South Bay!! Two prevalent feelings—gratitude and com- er, no matter what. What a miracle, and what —Chris R., Redondo Beach munity. There was a sense of hope. We can an opportunity to really lean into and truly do this! practice Steps 1, 2, and 3. INSIDE THIS ISSUE “Into Action” has never been more mean- Our very own South Bay Central office ingful. Meetings are being posted, texts flying (www.southbayaa.org) has been working Steps, Traditions & Concepts 2 with info, Zoom here, Zoom there, Zoom tirelessly. Pari L., the office manager hunk- Zoom everywhere. Morning conference calls ered down and is working hard. With amaz- Interview with an Old-timer 3 have been a great way to start the day. Raw ing volunteers at her side making certain the shares from newcomers, yes newcomers who web-based meetings are being linked to the Contributions to Central Office 4 really want it are dialing-in and connecting. on-line meeting directory, phone shifts are THEY are staying sober! We’re like a task being covered, phone lines transferred to Word Find 5 force or swat team on a life-saving mission. home. Wow, this bunch of drunks are nothing ASBCO Bulletin Board 6 All over the map meetings are happening. I short of Super Heroes in my book.

Step, Tradition & Concept All South Bay Central Office 1411 Marcelina Ave Step Torrance, CA 90501 “We admitted we were powerless over alcohol— Open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., M-F that our lives had become unmanageable.” 9 a.m.—7 p.m. Sat & Sun Web site: www.southbayaa.org Tradition Email: [email protected] Phone: (310) 618-1180 “Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends 1 upon A.A. unity.” Concept “Final responsibility and ultimate authority for A.A. world services Board of Directors 4th Tuesday of the month should always reside in the collective conscience of 6:30 p.m. our whole Fellowship.” 1411 Marcelina Ave Torrance, CA Phone: (310) 618-1180

Step Intergroup “Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves 4th Tuesday of the month could restore us to sanity.” 7:30 p.m. 1411 Marcelina Ave Tradition Torrance, CA Phone: (310) 618-1180 “For out group purpose there is but one ultimate authority—a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are

but trusted servants; they do not govern.” 2 District 1 Concept 2nd Thursday of the month “The General Service Conference of A.A. has become, for nearly every 7:30 p.m. Kiwanis Club practical purpose, the active voice and the effective conscience of our 2525 Valley Drive (at Gould) whole Society in its world affairs.” Hermosa Beach, CA Phone: (310) 740-2963

Newcomer’s Orientation: 7:00 p.m.

Step

“Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of District 3 God as we understood Him.” 2nd Tuesday of the month 7:30 p.m. Tradition Wayside Methodist Church “The only requirement for A.A. membership is a desire 25904 Cayuga Ave to stop drinking.” Lomita, CA Phone: (310) 971-8847 Concept 3 “To insure effective leadership, we should endow each element of A.A.— the Conference, the General Service Board and its service corporations, Hospitals &Institutions staffs, committees, and executives—with a traditional 3rd Tuesday of the month ‘Right of Decision.’” 7:00 p.m. South Bay Alano Club 702 11th Place Hermosa Beach, CA Phone: (310) 707-5606

ASBCO Financials Newcomer’s orientation 6:30 p.m.

Balance Sheet Summary as of December 31, 2019

Group Contributions $11,021.90 The General Service Office P.O. Box 459 Net Income 2019 $60, 557.30 Grand Central Station, NY 10163 Phone: (212) 870-3400 Total Equity $154,334.44

Complete financial reports may be obtained through your CSR or ASBCO.

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Interview with an Old-timer: “Getting Time”

Interviewer: What would you tell a you get real.’ When I was in Year-6, a lot of gry because of something someone said, newcomer about getting time if they people went out that I came in with. Years or something someone else did in and out asked, ‘How do I get sober time, I keep 6 and 7 were the most uncomfortable of the rooms. Maybe I’m being too judg- going out?’ years for me as I was becoming very mental, but I go—’What is that about?’ Roxanne P.: I would tell them not to aware of my defects of character in a way Roxanne P.: Old-timers who are angry focus on time at all, only today—just for I had never experienced before. I contin- usually are not working a program. Un- today get to as many meetings as you ued to build a yet stronger foundation derstand that life happens but as I walk need to, reach out to newcomers, grab a with a solid network of friends in the fel- through life’s many challenges, some very phone list and call people you haven’t lowship. The first 164 pages of the Big painful, I find that there isn’t anything I seen in a while to see how they are doing, Book of Alcoholics Anonymous has a de- can’t take into the Steps and come out take an old-timer, newcomer or disabled sign for living without alcohol and if better than I went in. Peace and serenity person to a meeting. Take each day as it you’re not using all the tools, you’re not come from leaning into my higher power comes and focus on what you can do to- only short-changing yourself you could be when things get tough, doing the work day to stay sober and carry the message setting yourself up for a relapse. We can and carrying the message. to someone who might be struggling more so easily slip back into our old way of Interviewer: Is there really a way to than you. thinking and behaving which is where the prevent relapse? Once you've picked up Interviewer: Did you ever imagine that disease wants us—alone, angry and vul- some time, what is the best defense, in you’d have 31 years? nerable. I watched it happen over and your opinion, against the first drink? Roxanne P.: Not at all. I never even over again, in my family and in the fellow- Roxanne P.: The only way I know of to thought about getting time I just stayed ship. prevent relapse is simply to not pick up focused on each day, especially in the first Interviewer: Does that mean you rec- that first drink “NO MATTER WHAT” and 10 years. When I took my 10-year cake I ommend doing the Steps over and over “no matter what” WILL show up. How I couldn’t even wrap my mind around it. each time there is a major spiritual upset? handle “no matter what,” will depend on Every day sober is a miracle in my book. I Roxanne P.: The time I came into the my spiritual condition. The keys to survived on the serenity prayer for years program the talk around the rooms was continuing that spiritual conditioning are: before I would truly live in the 3rd Step that you only do the Steps once. But I disa- 1) don’t pick up the first drink no matter Prayer (still a work in progress). I contin- gree. The Steps have always met me right what, 2) go to meetings daily, 3) surround ue the work of uncovering, discovering where I am spiritually and have trans- yourself with people who are committed and discarding each day through Step 10. formed me with new awakenings each to sobriety and 4) make your primary Serenity is the fruit of using the tools we time. purpose to carry the message of AA to have been given in the program to keep Interviewer: I’m curious what you say those who are still suffering and are des- doing it one day at a time. about old-timers who seem to be angry or perate for a way out of the insanity of the Interviewer: I’ve heard different theo- who seem to cause or be a part of continu- disease. Keep your own house in order ries around the rooms about certain peri- ous conflict. I’ve come across a lot of peo- through daily work in Steps 10 - 12. Stay ods of time, like people tend to go out at ple in the rooms who seem to have been focused on this day and ask yourself each ‘x’ amount of time or like every seven sober a long time, but they seem to lose day, ‘what am I willing to do today to help years there is a spiritual upset that could their peace and serenity constantly over the alcoholic who is still suffering.’ take you out. Can you comment on that? everyday stuff. I’ve seen everything from Roxanne P.: Oh, yes, I’ve heard about all resenting a sponsee calling, to getting an- —Roxanne Polk, Torrance (31 years) of that. The theory that resonates with me the most is that with each year of sobriety, you might find yourself working the prin- ciple in the step that correlates with that year. So, in the first year of sobriety, you Got a story to tell? might struggle with the First Step— surrender, powerlessness and unmanage- We are looking for 250 to 750– word articles (about 1-2 pages typed, single-spaced). ability; Second year—Hope, Sanity vs In- Share your experience, strength and hope. Tell us how your meeting got started or sanity; Third year—commitment, making send stories about your personal triumphs/struggles in sobriety. Humor is welcome! a decision, trusting your higher power, etc. Recommitting and reinvesting in the program each year is what is important. I We welcome your contributions via E-mail: [email protected] asked myself each year, ‘Am I really one Go Paperless and get the Speakeasy Online at: www.southbayaa.org hundred percent in?’ I’ve also heard ‘at five years life gets real and at ten years

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Contributions to Central Office

Date Group Name Amount Donated Payment Type 1/28/2020 CSR $52.00 Cash 1/24/2020 570 11th Step #2 (1 Hr) $240.00 Check 1/23/2020 397 Women's Childcare $175.00 Check 1/23/2020 036 Attitude Adjustment (1 Hr) $120.00 Check 1/23/2020 006 Sapphire St. Bch Group $164.00 Check 1/23/2020 591 Wed 1 O'clocker's $300.00 Check 1/23/2020 282 Peninsula Women's Group $37.50 Check 1/10/2020 037 Att Adj Birch Mon $10.00 Check 1/10/2020 487 Newcomers AA Meeting $162.00 Check 1/10/2020 264 Attitude Adjustment (1 Hr) $30.00 Check 1/10/2020 134 South Bay Men's Spk/Disc $195.00 Check 1/10/2020 592 90266 Women's Step Study $120.00 Check 1/10/2020 055 Torrance Women's Daytime $60.00 Check 1/10/2020 558 Torrance Women's Winners Circle $60.00 Cash 1/10/2020 700 Friday Favorites (1 Hr) W/ Medit $60.00 Cash 1/10/2020 324 There is a Solution $60.00 Check 1/10/2020 192 Surrender to Win Memorial Mtg $180.00 Check 1/10/2020 193 Beach Cities Big Book Study Grou $300.00 Check 1/10/2020 274 Rolling Hills Women's Group $592.80 Check 1/8/2020 728 Veteran's Meeting $125.00 Cash 1/6/2020 497 Gardena Big Book Study $40.00 Cash 1/5/2020 616 Men's Stag 12 & 12 $100.00 Cash 1/5/2020 SBAC Hermosa Bch Mens Stag $80.00 Cash 1/2/2020 669 Helping Hands $50.00 Check

$3,313.30

At last, acceptance proved to the key to my drinking problem. After I had been around A.A. for seven months, tapering off alcohol and pills, not finding the program working very well, I was finally able to say, “Okay, God. It is true that I—of all people, strange as it may seem, and even though I didn’t give my permission—really, really am an alcoholic of sorts. And it’s all right with me. Now, what am I going to do about it?” When I stopped living in the problem and began living in the answer, the problem went away. From that moment on, I have not had a single compulsion to drink. And acceptance is the answer to all my problems today. When I am disturbed, it is because I find some person, place, thing, or situation—some fact of my life—unacceptable to me, and I can find no serenity until I accept that person, place, thing, or situation as being exactly the way it is supposed to be at this moment. Nothing, absolutely nothing happens in God’s world by mistake. Until I could accept my alcoholism, I could not stay sober; unless I accept life completely on life’s terms, I cannot be happy. I need to concentrate not so much on what needs to be changed in the world as on what needs to be changed in me and in my attitudes. (Big Book, 4th Ed, pp. 416-417) 4 Speakeasy | Spring 2020

Word Find

R D I R E C T I O N P H I G H E R P O W E R R M

Y L F A I T H E C N E I R E P X E D A P C Z S T

V W G J Y M Y I B H P T A T E C I V R E S K Z S

Q Z I K R R K R U L J I E W E W I I W A A T F N

T E F J W Q E Y I L S H R W D P M E I Y S E U H

R F T Q C M H T D D V O N U L A A L T P L B B T

E E O D U Y U I H Q T B Y M R G I I S L V E D H

T V F P O W Q N X A X N F Y N N L E O J S O T E

C P D E Y U I E E J B Y P O T I L W M T U Y H T

A G E A R E B R J M Y U S O M F S M S N O T E W

R C S C O K C E Y H R T A U S H H H D F H I R E

A D P E F V R S B P I C H U I E T O K U O R E L

H O E N N E H W O C T L P P K W G P D H N G I V

C G R R O G K S S I F P M C V E N E F V E E S E

P D A I I A E A O L O K Q P L G E H Z F S T A S

X Y T Q S R O N L R M A N R S U R Y K V T N S T

F D I A I U S K T C C Y K I E G T X X N Y I O E

J Y O Q V O U I D B O X I E A C S M M W D I L P

V L N D A C N F W L E H W C W H O A N X A V U S

M V W R M G W N O Y A V O I O A U V E P E Q T V

B C P J W D H J S E P T O L K I S O E J M X I H

Z D D R V S N M E Q D T J L I G V O D R B W O Q

E V F P S S E N G N I L L I W C R U J S Y I N V

O J V K D R A W R E T F A Y L I M A F E H T J T

PRIMARY PURPOSE SELF-SUPPORTING RECOVERY FELLOWSHIP GIFT OF DESPERATION ALCOHOLIC STRENGTH EXPERIENCE HUMILITY COURAGE LOVE SERVICE HONESTY WILLINGNESS INTEGRITY HOPE FAITH PEACE DIRECTION GOD CHARACTER CREATOR A VISION FOR YOU SERENITY

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ASBCO Bulletin Board

Connecting Online During Crisis

Our fellowship is important and necessary for our well-being and we need to protect it. To create a safe and supportive environment for all AAs participating in online meetings particularly those meetings utilizing Zoom or video, here are few suggestions.

Tips for Meeting Hosts:  Turn off Screensharing so that only the HOST can screen share.  Turn off the ability for Participants to Unmute themselves (located in the bottom of the Participants window).  Have an “Unmuter” commitment holder who will help the Secretary run the meeting by unmuting Readers and Speakers throughout the meeting flow. Participants will need to use the Raise Hand feature and/or post in chat window that they want to participate.  Turn off the ability for Private Chatting amongst Participants (in the chat settings menu in the chat window.  Remove anyone who is disruptive in the chat.

Tips for AA members wanting to protect anonymity while meeting online:  Use the RENAME feature in your image menu to display a more generic name.  Use the Virtual Background to avoid the ability to display any location specific info.  Turn off video if you want your image to be protected.

VISIT US ONLINE AT SOUTHBAYAA.ORG TO EXPLORE OUR NEWLY RENOVATED WEBPAGE! There you will find meeting info, literature holdings, info on upcoming events and more. Find out what’s happening with AA in the South Bay!

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