The Lone Star

CoDA Courier

February 2017 Volume 13 Issue 1

CoDA Texas New Officers: Chair-Tonette M., Vice Chair-Marilyn B., Treasurer-Charlotte S., Secretary-Cindi S., Historian-Karen G. Texas Business If you have any comments, thoughts, ideas or questions please contact the Texas Board at [email protected] Home groups provide input to Intergroups or Voting Entities. We are also looking for a Jr. Delegate and Alternate Delegates to attend CSC next Fall in Minnesota. Alternate Delegates agree to attend CSC if the Jr. and Sr. Delegates cannot attend. CoDA Lone Star Courier If you would like to contribute a recovery-related article or have any CoDA events you would like published, please email Marilyn at [email protected] or call 281 782-8309. Also, if you would like to write a little something about your experience at Retreat, State Assembly or Campouts, feel free to email them to me. Mark Your Calendar – District, State and International Business Annual CoDA Retreat, March 17-19, 2017 at Camp Lone Star in LaGrange CoDA Texas Spring Board Meeting, April 15, 2017 at West Waco Library, 5301 Bosque Blvd. Waco Day Trip on the Texas State Railroad, April 29, 2017 at the Depot in Rusk CoDA Texas Website The CoDA Texas website URL is www.codatexas.org. E-mail [email protected] to post information/events.

CoDA Texas E-Mail and Mailing Lists Anyone who wants to be added to or opt out of the Texas e-mail list may email/write to [email protected]. To correct or change an address for the postal mailings or opt out of the mailing, send an e-mail to [email protected] or a letter to Dan W., 813 Rock Creek, Irving, TX 76039. Anyone who is interested in posting events should email the board at [email protected]. CoDA Texas Retreat News The CoDA Texas Retreat will be March 17-19, 2017 at Camp Lone Star in LaGrange. The Retreat Committee is organizing and working to make this retreat fun and enjoyable to all who attend, plus we decided to add in lots of free time to enjoy Camp Lone Star. The Retreat Registration is attached. If you register early, you will get a $10 discount. THIS IS THE LAST WEEK FOR EARLY REGISTRATION BEING ACCEPTED THROUGH FEBRUARY 20, 2017. Registrations after Feb. 20th will not get the discount. Sorry, there are no scholarships left! There will also be a Square Credit Card Device but you will still need to send in the $70 for preregistration so we can have a semi-accurate head count. Thanks to Calista M. in Tyler for agreeing to receive the Registration money and make the deposits for CoDA Texas!

Page 1 Texas 7th Tradition Donations According to the 12 Traditions, CoDA is self-supporting through its own contributions. Seventh Tradition donations help CoDA Texas send Delegates to CoDA Service Conference, provides seed money for the annual retreat, pays for the CoDA Texas web site, PO Box, provides seed money for State Assembly, and pays for postage to mail these newsletters! Suggested donations above prudent reserves are 60% to the city community, 30% to CoDA Texas, and 10% to CoDA World. Send Texas donations to: CoDA Texas, P.O. Box 300511, Austin, TX 78703-0009. Please provide the Meeting number and Group Name with your donation.

THANK YOU to all CoDA Meetings and Individuals Gracias a todos las reunions CoDA y los for the 7th Tradition contributions to CoDA Texas individuos por sus contribuciones de la 7ª tradución. From the CoDA Texas Treasurer, Charlotte S. De la Tesorera CoDA, Charlotte S.

TX009 – Houston St. Martin’s $116.54 TX459 – Austin Skyline $50.00

Total Contributions As of 2/15/2017 $166.54

Total 2016 Contributions as of 12/31/16 $1522.96 Total 2015 Contributions as of 12/31/15 $1130.02 Total 2014 Contributions as of 12/10/14 $2363.50 Total 2013 Contributions as of 12/31/13 $1483.20

CoDA World The 2017 CoDA Service Conference (CSC) will be held in the Fall in Minnesota and 2018 will be in San Diego.

CoDA Texas Welcome We have compiled a document attached that explains the various CoDA Texas Meetings. As a reminder, group Representatives are requested to attend their local Intergroup Meetings and anyone is welcome to attend the CoDA Texas Meetings.

Did You Know? CoDA groups all across Texas are desperately seeking male and female sponsors! If you are interested in sponsoring, please attend regular meetings in your area and offer to become a sponsor, even if it’s just temporary! It’s difficult to carry the message to others without adequate sponsors and newcomers need help and guidance. You can sign up on the www.coda.org website as a contact for Texas and you will receive phone calls and emails (probably when you need it most)! This is very rewarding for everyone. Texas 2017 State Assembly Greater Houston CoDA Intergroup will be hosting the Assembly in 2017. Linda, Lisa and others are working hard to put together a terrific State Assembly.

Page 2 CoDA Texas Events

Campout Committee If you like tent camping, please consider doing service work for CoDA Texas by joining the Committee in charge of the event. The committee needs people who are willing to help coordinate as a healthy service work opportunity.

SCHEDULED UPCOMING EVENTS, WORKSHOPS, AND GATHERINGS FOR CODA TEXAS CALENDARIO DE EVENTOS, CURSOS, Y CONGREGACIONES PARA CODA TEXAS

Month Event When Where Contact Mes Evento Cuando Donde Contacto

March CoDA TX Retreat Mar. 17-19, 2017 Camp Lone Star, LaGrange Marilyn B. April Spring Board Mtg. April 15, 2017 W. Waco Public Library Tonette M. April Train Ride Day Trip April 29, 2017 (Changed) TX State Railroad, Rusk TBD May Camping Trip May 13-15, 2017 Lake Tombigbee/KOA Marilyn B.

If you are interested in organizing or attending a campout, please contact: Marilyn B., 281 782-8309, [email protected]. The train trip was changed from April 1 to April 29 out of the Rusk Depot to be able to ride the vintage steam engine. Sorry about all the changed dates but we want to make this trip special for everyone who is interested!

Everyone must make their own reservations at 1 877 726-7245. Ask for the Standard Rate (but not open air) leaving the Rusk Depot on the Steam Engine.

Page 3 “Maintaining Balance in Recovery” CoDA Texas Annual Retreat March 17-19, 2017 Camp Lone Star, Johnson Retreat Center LaGrange, TX

Retreats are a time to get away from your normal life, relax, reflect, and work on your recovery while experiencing the fellowship of beautiful, loving, and accepting people in a relaxing environment.

Here is what this weekend is all about:

 Workshops & Speaker presentation, group activities, fellowship & love all set in a serene camp-like setting in the hill country with a scenic lake, canoes, gazebo, & walking trails. This is YOUR retreat – participate or relax as you desire; nothing is mandatory-the choice is yours!

 Space is limited to 80! Register early by Feb. 20th to receive a $10 discount! Credit Card Payments for the 2nd half of the amount accepted at the door. Registrations received after Feb. 20th will not get the $10 discount!

 Retreat is held in The Johnson Retreat Center –all workshops, activities, meals and guest rooms are in this building. Guest rooms are camp style with 1 bath per room. Please send registration together if you know whom you wish to room with. The following room layouts are available:

 Sleeps 6: 3 sets of bunk beds

 Sleeps 3-4: 1 queen & two twin beds

 Sleeps 5-6: 1 queen & two bunk beds

 Pillows, blankets, towels, and linens are provided in the room.

 Registration includes 3 hot meals on Saturday & 2 hot meals on Sunday. Coffee, Tea and Water provided at all times. Other beverages upon request. Bring snacks for Friday night, no meal provided.

 Special Dietary Needs will be the individual’s responsibility; a refrigerator & microwave are available.

 Please feel free to bring any snacks or drinks you desire. Refrigerated storage is available in the camp’s kitchen for your use.

Registration and Cost: $140 if registering before Feb. 20, 2017. Register early for $10 Discount by sending $70. Payment must be postmarked by the February 20, 2017 deadline. After Feb. 20th, the cost is $150. Please consider sending extra money for Scholarships.

Option 1: Entire Weekend: $140.00 if registered early, $150 for late registration.

Option 2: Saturday Only: 8 AM – 10 PM, includes Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner & Speaker Mtg., No Lodging: $70.00

Page 4 (Additional contributions are welcome for scholarships for those in need of assistance to attend, please see below.)

An information packet will be emailed to you after receipt of payment. Any questions, please contact Marilyn at [email protected] or 281 782-8309.

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Make Check Payable To: “CoDA Texas” (Include this Registration Form - Please Print) Mail To: CoDA Spring Retreat

10839 Oakdale Dr. Tyler, TX 75707

$______enclosed, plus $ ______Additional for Scholarships (Please mark on your check how much)

Option 1 or 2 Circle the one you want

Name: ______Cell Phone Number: ______

Address: ______

City: ______; State ______; Zip ______;

Email ______

Would you like to volunteer to assist with Registration or the Raffle? Circle Yes or No

1. 2017 CoDA Retreat Schedule 2. “Maintaining Balance in Recovery”

3. Friday night: 5:30 - 8:45 Registration, Name Tags, Picture Taking – Marilyn, Mavis, Brittany & Millette 7:30 - 8:30 Welcome, Introduce Staff/Committee, Guidelines Check-in - Get acquainted circle 8:45 - Till Create mailboxes or use previous ones, games (bring food & snacks to share)

Saturday:

7:30 - 8:00 Yoga Exercises (bring your own mat) - Millette 8:00 - 9:00 Breakfast 9:00- 9:10 Open with Prayer, Steps, Traditions & Promises

Page 5 9:15 - 10:30 Workshop – Tools to Maintain Balance, Theresa K. will share with the group a variety of tools to use in maintaining overall life/work/recovery balance.

10:30 - Noon Break/Fellowship Noon - 1:00 Lunch

1:10 – 2:10 Workshop – Trust/Love Balance, Linda F. will discuss how as a child, through love, we trusted our parents and put our whole trust in love which is present everywhere. See how CoDA teaches us to Trust God, Yourself, Others and Life.

2:10 – 3:30 Break/Fellowship

3:30 – 5:00 Workshop – Creating Emotional Balance, Ken S. will discuss how growing up in a dysfunctional family disrupts our ability to feel our feelings, self-soothe, and regulate our emotional response. He will demonstrate how this is present in our mind and body today and how we can restore balance.

5:00 - 6:00 Raffle (Silent Auction) & Dinner

6:00 - 7:10 Speaker Presentation – Delphine Z. will share her experience, strength and hope regarding maintaining Balance in Recovery.

7:15 - 8:30 Campfire, S’mores & Hot Dogs, Music & Singing – Cara R. 8:45 to 10:00 Men’s Group (David L.) and Women’s Group (Marcella R.}

Sunday:

7:30 - 8:00 Yoga Exercises (bring your own mat) - Millette 8:00 - 9:00 Breakfast 9:15 - 10:45 Affirmation Circle

11:00 -11:30 Letter writing 11:30 - 12:00 Closing Meeting & Candle Lighting Ceremony – Lisa C. 12:00 - 1:00 Lunch, then Clean Up, Pack and Go

The next newsletter (Volume 13, Issue 2) will be distributed electronically & by mail in May.

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