Recovery During Crisis: “Come Together”
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Speakeasy 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 “For out group purpose there is but one ultimate authority—a loving Phone: (310) 618-1180 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. 2 Speakeasy | Spring 2020 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.