and o SOUTH COUNTY South Palm Beach County The H f AA Intergroup Association, Inc. Serving A.A. Groups in 561-276-4581 Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, 2 Delray Beach and Lantana 4 Hours a Day AAcaan NEWSLETTER 36 Years of Service ~ 1984-2020 S aainpalmbeach.org Volume 36, Issue 5 SEPTEMBER 2020

Recovery: Step 9 Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except ` when to do so would injure them or others.

Unity: Tradition 9 A.A., as such, ought never be organized; but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve.

Service: Concept 9 Good service leadership at all levels is indispensable for our future Functioning and safety. Primary world service leadership, once exercised by the founders, must necessarily be assumed by the trustees

Tradition Nine Check List: Do I try to “boss” things in AA? Do I ever resist formal aspects of AA because I see them as authoritative? Do I try to understand and use all elements of the AA program – even if no one makes me do so – with a sense of personal responsibility? Do I exercise patience and humility in any AA job I take? Am I aware of all those to whom I am responsible in any AA job? Why doesn’t every AA group need a constitution and bylaws? Have I learned to step out of an AA job gracefully – and profit thereby – when the time comes? What has rotation to do with anonymity? With humility?

THE 9TH STEP PROMISES If we are painstaking about this phase of our development, we will be amazed before we are half way through. We are going to know a new free- dom and a new happiness. We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it. We will comprehend the word serenity and we will know peace. No matter how far down the scale we have gone, we will see how our experience can benefit others. That feeling of uselessness and self-pity will disappear. We will lose interest in selfish things and gain interest in our fellows. Self-seeking will slip away. Our whole attitude and outlook upon life will change. Fear of people and of economic insecurity will leave us. We will intuitively know how to handle situations which used to baffle us. We will suddenly realize that God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves. Are these extravagant promises? We think not. They are being fulfilled among us—sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly. They will always materialize if we work for them. ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WITH A LITTLE HELP COVID-19 AND OUR SEVENTH TRADITION FROM HIS FRIENDS Dear Friends; Mid-summer, 1938, was a watershed period for the Without questions, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, writing of our Big Book—it almost did not happen! our Fellowship, including our organized service Donations from the Rockefellers, Charles Towns, structure, is facing enormous challenges. For the first and others were helpful, but Bill Wilson’s upcoming time in our 85 year history of our Fellowship, we are Big Book project remained on hold, even doubtful. navigating a lack of Face-to-Face meetings. While Bill W. had written two pre-manuscript drafts: we have found creative ways to allow for the vital THERE IS A SOLUTION (Chapter One) and interaction between one alcoholic and another with BILL’S STORY (Chapter two) during the late spring digital meetings, “How do we responsibly practice months of that year—Please notice the reverse self-support, our Seventh Tradition?” As we can not order. These chapters were only a beginning effort pass a physical basket at a virtual meeting, are we to publish a short book that could sell for a dollar working to find ways to support the Fellowship at all (about $18.00 today). Happily, Doctor Silkworth levels, from our Intergroups to our District, Area and added, THE DOCTORS OPINION that July. GSO? Bill had endured financial struggle for over a Twelfth Step services and operations have continued year and had become understandably discour- through this crisis; Intergroups are still stocking aged. By early fall he had not written anything for needed literature and fielding Twelfth Step Calls; three months—he finally stated: “I am not an they are paying their rents and utilities; and keeping author.” However, his partner, Hank Parkhurst, the office going with a paid Office Manager. convinced him that just a few more chapters were th The costs continue with or without 7 Tradition needed to justify the $1.00 price. Hank’s adaman- Contributions. cy was successful! Bill began writing the next two There are several ways to support your chapters, MORE ABOUT ALCOHOLISM and WE • Intergroup in addition to Group contributions: AGNOSTICS ON September 15, 1938. • Individual/anonymous Non-Group Contributions Thank God for Hank Parkhurst! I have always • Faithful Fivers considered Hank and Ebby Thacher as two unsung • Birthday Club heroes of AA history, although neither of them Groups and Individuals can go to our website: remained sober for timely periods. Bill may have www.aainpalmbeach.org to make Intergroup contri- made the touchdown, but Ebby handed him the butions; or mail in a check, or come into the office, Ball and Hank became his inspiring hard-driving which is open full time now. coach! Many Home Groups have had to continue paying Not to forget Jimmy Burwell who is given credit rent even when their meetings could not convene; for “God as we understood Him.” and some had added costs of digital platforms with associated costs as well. AA Groups are fully self- By December Bill had finished the manuscript supporting through their members’ voluntary contri- including HOW IT WORKS, INTO ACTION, butions. Without being able to pass the basket, many WORKING WITH OTHERS, plus four other of these Home Groups have had to establish ways to Chapters. Jim Scott helped write the Akron person- meet the needs of their groups first, before payng al stories and the NY stories were also included. their fair share to Intergroup or other Service entities. But in early 1939, Tom Uzzell, editor of Colliers Some Home Groups are now meeting in person fol- Magazine, reduced the manuscript dramatically lowing CDC guidelines, which may require additional and a Dr. Howard (perhaps an alias) changed the expenses as well. While all of these situations create tone from: “Thou must under pain of drunkenness, additional challenges for our A.A. community, we all “ to “This is what we did.” need to unite in one most important declaration of The finished book was published in April of 1939. our fellowship: It sold for $3.50. So, Bill was gifted with many helpful friends as When anyone, anywhere reaches out for help, he constructed marvelous life-saving book for us. I want the hand of A.A. always to be there. Thank you, God! And for that, I am responsible. Bob S, Richmond, IN Page 2 Office was open only 4 hours/day in July Welcome New Intergroup Reps! Relay Phone was answered by Just For Now Jules, Boynton Beach Beginners Intergroup Activity Log July 20 Dylan S, Just For Now 12th Step Calls 3 Franc N, Sobriety for Breakfast Calls to Office Manager Cell 89 George S, Freedom From Alcohol Walk-Ins 82 Kevin, 11th Step, Lantana QB Sales Receipts 141 Julia, Daily Grace. Page 3 TELEPHONE RELAY YOUR INTERGROUP OFFICE IS OPEN! The Hand of AA 24 Hours a Day! July - Thank you Just For Now! 9:00AM TO 5:00PM August - Boynton Beach Group MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY Sept: OPEN October: OPEN 10:00AM TO 1:00PM November: No Matter What SATURDAYS Page 4 FINAL MINUTES: DATES TO REMEMBER: Chair – Elizabeth B

Chairperson welcomed all meeting participants. Welcomed Sept 21: SPBC Intergroup Steering new group reps and announced the results of the Committee Meeting elections. 6:45 pm at the Intergroup The new Steering Committee Officers are as follows: office Chair – Rick G Vice Chair - OPEN Sept 30: SPBC Intergroup Business Treasurer – Dylan S. Meeting Secretary – Amy M. 7:00 pm To be determined if in Dylan S asked if he could stand for treasurer at the person or on Zoom meeting The body was polled and no one opposed. Oct 31: Spooky Serenity Scramble Dylan S was elected treasurer. All other positions are open and can be stood for at the Westchester County Club next meeting. More information coming soon…. Elizabeth gave a report on her tenure as chair. (see below)

New Intergroup Reps – Jules, Boynton Beach Beginners; Dylan S, Just For Now; Franc N, Sobriety for Breakfast; George S, Freedom From Alcohol; Kevin, 11th Step, Lantana; Julia, Daily Grace.

Vice Chair George – Absent. He asked that all committee chairs return any materials they may have used back to Intergroup to be redistributed Hooray! Treasurer John S – The financials for June were back in th the black, $1800. The landlord decreased the rent in half Our 15 Annual for the month of June and July which need to be taken into consideration. The online contributions were good. SERENITY SCRAMBLE Members can contribute through Zelle or Venmo. He will Is being planned! give Pam the P&L it can be posted online. Chaired by our very own Secretary Diane S -All minutes are up to date Sarge of Boca Raton!

Office Manager Pam T – The office is open. Reported AT WESTCHESTER COUNTRY CLUB that sales have picked up and thanked our members for OCTOBER 31ST the individual’s contributions. A SPOOKY SERENITY SCRAMBLE Chair Report Elizabeth B (outgoing chair) - Reported COSTUMES OPTIONAL on the amazing highlights of the last steering committee More information to follow soon! including upgrading the relay phone, the new and updated website including the ability to now make purchases and New Where & When’s!!! 7th Step contributions as well as group inventories. You have all been asking us for them, so we will Intergroup Office - The office is now re-open for business. Please stop by to say hello, grab a coffee and be print limited quantities in August – with the purchase your books and medallions. The volunteers are current information at the time of print; and we eager to see you all. will continue to update the printed W&W’s as needed until all our groups are meeting in per- Relay Phone - At this moment, the phone is open for the son again! month of September and October. With the office now reopened, the commitment is now back to the normal schedule. If you would like to volunteer your group, please We do have some new virtual groups that may call the Intergroup office. be continuing after the end of this pandemic – and we will include then in our W&W as well. Amy M SPBC Intergroup Secretary

Page 5 It’s time for “Rotation” at South Palm Beach County Intergroup. We held our first virtual business meeting Things we cannot change… on July 29th, and attempted to vote by email Dennis Bliden (of West Boynton Beach Group) prior to that business meeting. There was a very And 12 year Volunteer at the Intergroup office. small percentage of people who responded, and we still have several positions open. Waid Wrege (of Delray Central House) Additionally, it was discovered that there was a And always willing to lend a hand for our tie for the Vice Chair position, so we will hold a Intergroup events. run-off vote between Cheryl S. and Michelle T., and vote for the open Standing Committee …….you will be missed…. positions as well. FAITHFUL FIVERS Our next Business meeting will be held With Gratitude for their support: th Bari W. • Charles R. on Zoom - August 26 at 7pm. Please consider Jason P. • Lisa J. standing for these OPEN positions and all Group Reps should be prepared to vote. Each This is a monthly/quarterly/annual commitment to your Group get one vote. Intergroup office. Please visit: aainpalmbeach.org to set up your contributions, or mail into the office. South Palm Beach County Thank you so very much for your support! Intergroup Association, Inc. 2905 South Federal Highway • Building C, Suite 15-16 JOIN THE BIRTHDAY CLUB! Delray Beach, FL 33483 Celebrate your sobriety by sending $1 per every 24-hours: 561.276.4581 Email: [email protected] year sober to your local Intergroup to show your Website: www.aainpalmbeach.org gratitude and a way to give back once a year. Office Hours (Birthday Listings are not contingent upon contri- Monday-Friday: 9am - 5pm butions….we just like to celebrate sobriety and Saturday: 10am - 1pm recognize your special day…So let us know STEERING COMMITTEE your Sobriety Date and we will print in SCAAN) Chair - Rick G. Vice Chair - OPEN Treasurer - Dylan S. Secretary -Amy M. BIRTHDAY CLUB Office Manager - Pam T. Mona B - 44 Years COMMITTEES Elizabeth B - 33 Years Archives ...... OPEN Leo S - 28 Years Archivist ...... Rita P. Bridge the Gap - Men ...... OPEN Bridge the Gap - Women ...... Bari W. IRTHDAY LUB B C General Services Liaison ...... OPEN SOUTH PALM BEACH COUNTY INTERGROUP Group Information ...... OPEN CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR ANNIVERSARY! Hospitals & Institutions (W) ...... OPEN Your donation goes to help the valuable services provided by Intergroup including the AA hotline, meeting schedules, 12 step work, literature inventory, SCAAN Hospitals & Institutions (M) ...... OPEN newsletter and hospital/institution meetings. Liaison to North County Intergroup ...... OPEN Name Anniversary Date Public Information (W) ...... OPEN Public Information (M) ...... OPEN Home Group Contribution* $ *Recommended contribution is $1 for every year of sobriety. SCAAN ...... OPEN. If you would like a reminder notice next year, please fill out the address portion Telephone Relay ...... OPEN below or provide an email address. Twelve Step Committee - (W) ...... OPEN

Address City Twelve Step Committee - (M) ...... OPEN Where & When ...... Craig S. State/Zip Email