NEWS & NOTES AREA 69

VOLUME1, ISSUE 3 SEPTEMBER 23, 2011

Carrying the Message to Native Americans - Rod B., Pacific Regional Trustee of the General Service Board

My name is Rod, I am a ten leading causes of death, four love and know the Great Spirit, en.. who help other men and women grateful alcoholic. It is my honor are directly connected to and then we will be and act to recover from alcoholism.” Many and privilege to serve as the Pa- alcoholism: accidents, cirrhosis, and live as He intends. tribal leaders are asked to consider cific Regional Trustee on the Gen- homicides and suicides. Black Elk, Manderson, S. D. this question when making a deci- eral Service Board. I have been “The Sacred Pipe” sion for their people‟s future, “how sober 27 years and been involved I believe that in fulfilling this re- Second: All Things will this affect the tribe for the next in General Service work for about sponsibility of “carrying the mes- are interrelated and an equal seven generations?” This is similar 23 of those years. I am Dineh, a sage to Native Americans” it is part of the whole, that we are to the question asked at the GSC, full blooded Navajo, born on the helpful to understand as much like drops of rain which will one “how will this affect the newcomer? Navajo Reservation, Tuba City, as possible about the culture, day return to the ocean, that How will this affect the future of which is in Arizona and is the tradition, and history of Native we are like candles lit by the AA?” largest reservation in size and people. This can be a very chal- fire of the sun, forever part of it. I want to remind you about population in the nation, parts of it lenging undertaking, especially - Steve Wall & Harvey Arden what happened at the board week- are in Utah, New Mexico and when you consider that there are 1990 (Wisdom Keepers) end last year during the introduc- Arizona. I was raised in northern over 500 tribes on the North And Third: tions . I introduced myself in this Utah. I have been asked to share American continent. This could ...everything on the earth has a way “I would like to introduce myself on “Carrying the Message to Na- mean over 500 different lan- purpose, every disease an the same way when attending a tive Americans.” guages, 500 different philoso- herb to cure it, and every per- sweat lodge. My name is Rod, I am I think that it would be phies and 500 different belief son a mission. This is the Indi- of the Dineh tribe, I am a full blood- fair to say that this is a topic we systems, trying to understand all an theory of existence. ed Navajo, My mother is of the Tow- know that 10 minutes is simply of that can be overwhelming. ~Mourning Dove, Salish, 1888- ering Rock clan and my father is of not enough time for, so I hope Perhaps it would be easier to 1936 the Edgewater clan. Then I said, that this sharing can begin some start with beliefs that are com- Another important “this is probably the first time words thoughtful reflection that could mon to all Tribes such as their commonality is the literal trans- like this have been spoken in this lead to more understanding and belief in the connection with lation of the names for many setting. “ I chose this way to intro- hopefully leading to sobriety for Mother Earth and that each tribe tribes. That is, the name of the duce myself as a way of bringing Native People and for all people. manifests those beliefs in cere- tribe usually translates to the these two circles together, because I First some demographics from mony and tradition. I have 3 Human Beings, Us or the Peo- believe both circles are about heal- “Working with American Indian/ writings that exemplify some of ple. For instance Dineh means ing and joy. I want to share with you Alaskan Native Clients: Perspec- these beliefs in the Mother the People and the original a reading by Black Elk, a medicine tives for Practitioners to start Earth connection: name for the Cherokee (tsis man for the Teton Dakota. He was with”: There are 555 Federal and First: We should under- tsis tsas) means the Human born in the moon of the Popping State recognized tribes, 208 not stand well that all things are the Beings. This leads to another Trees (December) 1863. recognized; Alcoholism rates works of the Great Spirit. We factor of understanding that He was related to the great chief, 579% greater, Suicide 212% should know that He is within all may help in carrying the mes- Crazy Horse, he knew Sitting Bull greater, homicide 41% greater things: the trees, the grasses, sage to Natives: how some and was at the Battle of the Little than national rates; About 2/3 of the rivers, the mountains and all cultural beliefs are similar to Big Horn. This writing comes from native people live off the reserva- the four legged animals, and the the principles of AA, such as his dictated autobiography in 1931, tion; The life expectancy is 59 winged peoples; and even more the way tribes believe in taking it is about the importance of the years old; Poverty rate is 3 times important, we should understand care of the safety and welfare circle and how fundamental it is in the national average; 1/3 of all that He is also above all these of the People, of each tribal Native philosophy. I hope it may outpatient visits to Indian Public things and peoples. When we do member; this is similar to the help in understanding how profound Health Services were related to understand all this deeply in our AA principle and I paraphrase“ I believe it is to join these two substance abuse; and in the top hearts, then we will fear, and a fellowship of men and wom- circles: You have noticed that everything an that history can affect a Native person now, whole time I drank, I didn‟t care about any of Indian does is in a circle, and that is be- today; how it can affect their ability to stay that. It wasn‟t until I started getting sober that cause, the Power of the World always works sober, let alone sober in AA. The Trail of I began to think about those things and saw in a circle, and everything tries to be round… Tears of the Cherokee, the Long Walk of the how important they are for me. Many natives Everything the Power of the World does is in Navajos were both forced relocations of the- have their culture first then AA. I had AA first a circle. The sky is round and I have heard se tribes and are symbolic of what all tribes then my culture and I am still learning. I be- that the Earth is round like a ball and so are went through as they lost their lands and gan to see how devastating alcoholism has the stars. The Wind, in its greatest power, their way of living. The confiscation of lands been to Indian people and to me personally, whirls. Birds make their nest in circles, for sometimes through treaties that some tribal this understanding of my culture and tradition theirs is the same religion as ours. The Sun leaders signed under the influence of alcohol has enhanced my sobriety and Alcoholics comes forth and goes down in a circle. The resulted in much distrust of this dominant Anonymous has enhanced my culture and moon does the same, and both are round. society and contributed to a basic distrust of tradition. Even the seasons form a great circle in their white people that may have led to the native I want to end with two readings that changing and always come back to where belief that this is a white man‟s program and show the similar miracle of sobriety for two they were. The life of a man is a circle from not for Indian people. Imagine your bottoms, different people, one a man and one a wom- childhood to childhood and so it is in every- remember the fear, frustration, anger, maybe an, one Caucasian and one native, one re- thing where power moves. Our tipis were you were suicidal. Now imagine that for a cently and one over 70 years ago. round like the nests of birds and these were whole race of people, believing that for 3 or 4 First: “My life is filled with honesty always set in a circle, the nation‟s hoop, a centuries. I believe that an today. ..I am In love and proud to be a Native nest of many nests where the Great Spirit understanding and awareness of these is- American. At an AA meeting on an Indian meant for us to hatch our children. sues can be helpful in carrying the message Reservation, I heard the words „Sobriety is Another factor to be mindful about to the Native Americans. I believe it is very traditional.‟ I stand at the top of the Sacred are the barriers in Carrying the Message to important to keep in mind that as we do our Mountain and I listen to the wind. I have a Native Americans. One of the biggest is the 12th step work that respect and honor trans- conscious daily contact with my Creator to- way many Indian people have suffered from late and transcends any language or culture. day, and He loves me.” discrimination, bias and racism, on an individ- In 1999, there was a special Forum From the story “Listening to the Wind” Alco- ual basis, from other groups, from the gov- in Window Rock, AZ on the Navajo Reserva- holics Anonymous, pg. 458 ernment and from society. Some members of tion. I remember there was a Native gentle- Second: “I felt lifted up, as though AA may believe that this is an outside issue man who told of his struggles to stay sober the great clean wind of a mountain top blew and yet I believe whatever may get in the and for many years he was unable to. through and through. God comes to most way of any newcomer‟s sobriety is relevant to The medicine man told him that alcoholism is men gradually, but His impact on me was our twelfth step work. The painful, tragic his- a white man‟s disease and requires a white sudden and profound. “ Bill W. Alcoholics tory of Indian peoples, some have even man‟s cure. Years later he came to believe Anonymous, pg. 14 called it genocide will need to be considered. that the medicine man was talking about AA. It isn‟t as important whether you believe that I was born on the Navajo Reserva- My name is Rod and I am an alcoholic, or not, what is important is that you are mind- tion but raised in the Salt Lake City area Thank you. ful of that history and then hopefully become away from my culture, language and tradi- more empathic and understanding of how tion. When I started drinking and during the

2011 PACIFIC “ADDITIONAL” REGIONAL FORUM—KEITH M.

A.A. History – Boring or incredible spir- was the chance my home group would be the yarn. That a drunk in the Utah desert itual journey mentioned in Alcoholics Anonymous wrote the Foundation for an A.A. book. Comes of Age? Getting sober, he thought of the town ―Utah alkies who dried up in A.A. and drunk, his friend at Moab. He proceeded struck uranium in the process‖ Well, years later, after being elected as the there and the town drunk sobered up. So Panel 61 Delegate for Area 69 Utah and In early sobriety I would sit in meetings did some others. The public-spirited town reading Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of with the same home group member sharing drunk went out and took some pictures of Age again, the Utah alkies line jumped out the same, or at least very similar, stories of canyon walls, and scenery in general, at me. I am probably not the first newly recovery night after night and week after around Moab in order to impress one of the elected Delegate to become very emotional week. Occasionally, I would look around railroads, which contemplated building a during a reading of this beautiful history our local club house, the Triangle House spur through that country with the desira- book. Simply put, I cried my way through situated in downtown Moab, Utah, and my bility of passing through Moab on account our amazing past. After nearly two decades mind would wander. Gazing on the west of its scenery. Some of the film, on being of carrying our message of recovery to al- wall, I would read the raised-relief serenity developed, showed white flecks and mark- coholics, I felt a connection to all the pio- prayer and think about the autographed ing. The drunk sent for a Geiger Counter. neers and truly identified with the early portraits of Bill W. and Dr. Bob. Were The result was a uranium strike in which struggles to form and follow our principles. these photos simply mailed to our Moab the drunk cashed in and which revived the group or was there a connection between Back to the Utah alkies. My sponsor‘s defunct mining town. Now rich and influ- our Founders and our little group? During sponsor gave me a series of correspondence ential, the alcoholics took the place over, my first reading of Alcoholics Anonymous between Clyde G. a Panel 1 Delegate from one becoming Mayor, another Chief of Comes of Age, I was amused by the throw- Area 69 Utah and Bill W. Bill W. wrote to Police, etc. Such was the yarn that I had away line on page 26: ―… the Utah alkies Clyde after some very warm personal in- picked up somewhere. Bill W. who dried up in A.A. and struck uranium quires about Clyde‘s family. Bill needed April 13, 1954 in the process,…‖ My schooling as an an- information on the Utah alkies. The follow- thropologist specializing in archaeology, ing is from Bill‘s letter dated April 13, Clyde replied with a letter dated April 29, along with working in southern Utah, sug- 1954: 1954, which seemed to satisfy Bill‘s prima- gested the Utah alkies were most likely ry goal of fact finding about the story. As I remember it, this was the essence of either from Kanab or Moab. Wow, what Again, after some very pleasant personal

“Inclusiveness is challenging, Especially when working with those looking for an excuse not to be here.” Ward Ewing, Chairman of the General Service Board of A.A.W.S. 2011 PACIFIC “ADDITIONAL” REGIONAL FORUM—KEITH M. CONT’D.

inquires about both Bill and Lois, Clyde doubt, too, you have noted from news- Board of Adjustments for 10 years after wrote: paper accounts that the largest and rich- getting sober in the Moab A.A. Group. est uranium strike made in the world as Apparently, I am following my Moab …These facts I do know are true. One yet, is that recently made at Moab. Home Group tradition of public service. or two of the ex-drunks, or AAs, did However, I have no plans to run for play a major role in the finding of urani- These letters predated the publishing of mayor. um at Moab. The first drunk to get well the Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of through the AA program has been a ma- Age in 1957 and show a real and very jor of the town for the past six years, direct connection between my home and is still major. Another owns the group and our history. I am still trying newspaper, two or three own uranium to determine if Bill W. ever visited Mo- mines — in fact, the positions held in ab, but I know Clyde G. was a regular at that community by AAs are such that it the Spring Rally held numerous times would appear if you wanted to be of through the 1960s in Moab, since both high position in the community you Clyde and his wife signed the Moab must first qualify and then become a Group diary many times. On a personal member of Alcoholics Anonymous. No note, I served on the City of Moab

DELEGATE LIST UTAH AREA 69 1951-2011

Panel 1 Clyde G. 1951-1952 Salt Lake City Panel 31 Jess B. 1981-1982 Orem Panel 3 Rex H. 1953-1954 Provo Panel 33 Bryce P. 1983-1984 Salt Lake City Panel 5 Cliff R. 1955-1956 Provo Panel 35 Marion H. 1985-1986 St. George Panel 7 Bryant B 1957 Cedar City Panel 37 Terry A. 1987-1988 Salt Lake City Panel 7 Leo Q. 1958 Salt Lake City Panel 39 Patti W. 1989-1990 Ogden Panel 9 Cecil C. 1959-1960 Ogden Panel 41 Don H. 1991-1992 West Valley City Panel 11 Ruth M. Moab Panel 43 Gay W. 1993-1994 Ogden Panel 13 Bill C. 1963-1964 Kearns Panel 45 Tom F. 1995-1996 Ogden Panel 15 Ralph S. 1965-1966 Ogden Panel 47 Rod B. 1997-1998 Tooele Panel 17 Pete S. 1967-1968 American Fork Panel 49 Mickey H. 1999-2000 Springville Panel 19 Aurelia B. 1960-1970 Ogden Panel 51 Shirley O. 2001-2002 West Valley City Panel 21 George S. 1971-1972 Salt Lake City Panel 53 Jodi E. 2003-2004 Tooele Panel 23 Jack C. 1973 Salt Lake City Panel 55 Mike O. 2005-2006 West Valley City Panel 23 Ike B. 1974 Salt Lake City Panel 57 Julie S.2007-2008 LaVerkin Panel 25 Ike B. 1975-1976 Salt Lake City Panel 59 Monte S. 2009-2010 Ogden Panel 27 Jack W. 1977-1978 Ogden Panel 61 Keith M. 2011-2012 Moab Panel 29 Frank B. 1979-1980 Spanish Fork PAGE 5 NEWS & NOTES

Local Forums member shared her story with us. Saturday morning began with a Native American In October 2006, the concept of Local Forums was Panel. We learned the importance of CPC workers approved by the General Service Board. The pur- understanding how important respect and honor of pose of Local Forums is to bring Forum infor- different cultures is when working with Native mation to A.A. members in remote, sparsely popu- communities or tribal governments. lated areas, urban neighborhoods or underserved The next panel focused on Hard of Hearing and A.A. communities. Any A.A. community or service solutions to help members who are hard of hearing. entity may request a one-and-a-half or two day Lo- Some members have stopped coming to meetings cal Forum. Unlike Regional Forums, the responsi- because of their hearing. It was suggested we turn bility for Forum expenses such as meeting room off extra fans etc. Stand up when speaking and per- rental and miscellaneous expenses are assumed by haps a group inventory on ways to help would be the Local Forum Committee. The General Service useful. Board will send two participants, one from the After lunch, the Hispanic Women’s Panel, discussed Board and one from the General Service Office or ways to overcome cultural barriers Hispanic wom- Grapevine office and display literature at Board ex- en face when trying to start women’s meetings and pense. Like Regional and Additional Forums, Board participating in A.A. The idea of a workshop focus- participation in Local Forums requires the approval ing on ways to bring Hispanic women into A.A.; of the trustees’ Committee on International Con- reaching out to the female Hispanic alcoholic was ventions/Regional Forums. The Regional Forums discussed. Coordinator works closely with the Local Forum The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Panel on organizing committee to create an agenda that is Saturday afternoon wrapped up the panel presenta- responsive to local needs. tions. Members shared challenges facing their ef- As all Forums are intended to be sharing sessions, forts to get and stay sober saying that sometimes no formal actions result. Sharing at Forums is cap- they are ostracized, shunned and victimized by oth- tured in Forum Final Reports which are distributed er A.A. members. We were reminded that lack of to all attendees. Regional Forums Final Reports are understanding can be overcome through dialogue. available on G.S.O.’s A.A. Web site. Forums provide Our Pacific Regional Trustee, Rod B., was the last unique opportunities to share and exchange valua- speaker of the evening sharing his experience, ble experience, ask questions and spark new ide- strength and hope. as. Regional Forums and Local Forums carry A.A.’s I want to thank our delegate Keith M., for encour- message of love and service by improving commu- aging Shelleice and I to go to this Local Forum in nication at all levels of our Fellowship. Richland, Washington. It was the 5th Local Forum September 9-10, 2011 in Richland, Washington a ever held. Washington Area 92 is a beautiful place Local Forum was held in a gymnasium on the cam- to visit and the A.A.’s there pus of the Cathedral of Joy church. There were 5 appreciated the outside sup- panels, two speakers and lots of sharing from the port. floor. This Local Forum began at 6pm on Friday evening Thank you for my life and with the Spirituality Panel. It was mentioned that sobriety, A.A. is not a religion but members do practice the principles of the A.A. program religiously. Follow- Monte S. ing a question and answer session, Eva S., GSO staff VOLUME1, ISSUE 3 PAGE 6

THE CHANGING CULTURE OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS Forum Presentation by Jami S. Panel 60 Area 92 Aldous Huxley said: "Experience that pressure to weaken our Fifth our service to those places and be involved in service because is not what happens to a man. It Tradition and let anyone with any people who need Alcoholics it just politics and it saddens is what a man does with what ailment share their stories at our Anonymous by the translation of me that we will lose what that happens to him." meetings. The stories that heal our materials into many more person has to offer AA. Maybe us and bind us to each other's languages. We have also taken In order to briefly look they had a bad experience at a recovery can only be those of one steps to reach those who want to at the changing culture of AA, I home group or district meet- alcoholic talking to another alco- connect with us in the digital had to understand the meaning of ing, or maybe they have never holic. That is what makes us world. The Conference's ap- culture and of change. been to either. Whatever the excellent. proval of the Grapevine's request cause of the comment, our Interestingly, culture to develop a digital application The experience of the society, our culture needs the has many meanings, but the ones and use more digital channels for Washingtonians and the Oxford next generation committed to that struck me are: 1) the quality distributing the Grapevine and Group continues to show us the service in AA. This I believe is in a person or society that arises the books published by the danger of giving in to outside the most dangerous cultural from a concern for what is re- Grapevine will hopefully widen influence. For us, the continued change that I see. Too few garded as excellent; 2) the behav- our ability to reach the alcoholic adherence of our Fifth Tradition people do most of the work. iors and beliefs characteristic of a who uses their computer or smart is a matter of life over death. We Old timers refuse to rotate for particular social group; 3) the phone to interact with the world. must never forget that alcohol is fear the young person will sum total of ways of living built All of which allows us to be of one of the leading causes of death bring in new ideas. Without a up by a group of human beings service in ways not envisioned in in North America and the world: new generation to whom we and transmitted from one genera- 1935, to maintain our character- 100,000 deaths each year in the can pass on our way of life, the tion to another. istic behaviors and beliefs with a United States and over 2.5 mil- existence of AA will only be different face. Change: to make the lion deaths worldwide. Drug seen in the shadows of other form, nature, content, or future abuse claims about 280,000 If our AA culture is the societies that use our recovery course different from what it is or deaths in the world each year. sum total of ways of living built program and traditions. from what it would be if left This cultural change is one that up by us and transmitted from In 1977, Robert alone; to transform; to pass from we dare not allow. one generation to another, what Hitchins, past G.S.O. general one phase to another. is it that is changing? If our culture is defined manager warned us that if this I think that no one who as: the behaviors and beliefs char- Our shared experience Fellowship ever falters, it sits in this room would argue that acteristic of a particular social that we give from one generation won't be because outside issues AA hasn't changed since 1935, group, what are those behaviors to another encompasses our or members with 'other' prob- but has the culture of AA changed and beliefs, certainly our belief in whole society: our program of lems. "It will be because we to the extent that it appears to be a spiritual life, service to others, recovery, our traditions and the can't control our own egos, involved in at this time. taking responsibility for the inju- way we interact with each other, nor get along well enough with ry we have caused others, love even the way we are "not orga- each other…to hold AA to- If we define AA's cul- and tolerance in our relationships nized". gether." ture as that quality that arises with our fellow suffers and the When a new person Lao Tzu said: from our concern for excellence, rest of the world. Is this a cul- comes to AA, we offer them our "Knowing others is intelli- what it is that is excellent in AA: ture that is changing? Somewhat. certainly our program of recov- most precious gift: our story, our gence; knowing yourself is ery. It has been copied and used We have begun an experience, strength and hope. If true wisdom." in hundreds of other programs important journey to become the new person stays, it is be- If our society is to that treat human illness and dis- more accepting of all of the spir- cause he or she is able to identify survive the forces from outside ease. As George Vaillant, a Class itual paths that our members with our suffering and imperfec- and within for cultural change, A trustee said in 2002: "… walk. The General Service Con- tion. It is our ability to show the we must know ourselves well. mental health workers admire the ference has now twice approved newcomer that one can be healed We must be able to adapt to success and geographic availabil- literature to help reach out to the by that shared suffering and the good changes in our cul- ity of Alcoholics Anonymous, alcoholic who is Buddhist, Shinto, shared hope that has made us so ture yet have faith in and be they understandably wish to Hindu, Muslim, atheist or agnos- attractive to all who wish to be faithful to our primary purpose broaden its membership to in- tic: literature that will give those healed not just the alcoholic. while we find new ways to clude other substance abus- who consider us a religious or- However, if we don't reach the still suffering alco- ers." (Newsletter for Profession- ganization a truer picture of what pass on the shared experience of holic. als, AAWS, Fall/Winter 2002). our tradition of a spiritual life service in AA, our culture will The cultural change that affects means. surely die. I frequently hear the excellence that is our pro- We continue to expand people say that they don't want to gram of recovery is the precisely PAGE 7 NEWS & NOTES Grapevine Standing Chair Update News from AA Grapevine, Inc.: We are working to have the GrapeNet fo- rum up and running in August. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Grapevine is printing a new catalog (available in August). I hope to have the- se available at the Fall Assembly

New prices effective July 1, 2011: Grapevine Online $34.97 Grapevine Story (Digital) Archive $26.97 Audio Grapevine Magazine $21.97 Grapevine Print Magazine $28.97 Grapevine Digital Magazine $21.97 LaVina Print Magazine $12.00

Also, eCheck has been added for your convenience as a payment option. “100% of all Soon, you will be able to use PayPal as well. A.A.’s who participate in Two new books will be coming September 2011: General Service ―Step By Step‖ and ―Emotional Sobriety II‖. and don’t drink stay sober. “ Rod B., Pacific Grapevine relies on the Fellowship‘s financial support through subscriptions Region Trustee and item purchases. Please encourage each home group to purchase a mini- mum of two annual subscriptions per a 61st General Conference additional consideration. Grapevine has made several changes in the last 5 years in an attempt to accommodate the Fellowship‘s wishes. This process has a price tag and they are working vigorously to solve issues that need resolution. The fellowship says our meeting in print is important. It is up to each one of us to demonstrate that support. Two issues that have caused financial hardship are: 1) the sales are the only income because unlike other magazines, we do not sale ads to pay for our magazine and 2) monies are only used for sub- scriptions they have that month. When you purchase a subscription, your money is set aside and they only use the portion that it costs you for that month.

Question: Shall we continue to refer to Grapevine as our “meeting in print” now that we have aagrapevine.org? The roundtable on August 13 was unanimous that it should remain our ―meeting in print‖ whether in the form of a printed magazine or an online magazine. Please share this question with your groups/districts and we will discuss it more at the Fall Assembly. VOLUME1, ISSUE 3 PAGE 8

What can you do to make sure it’s there for all that want or need it? A speaker on August 14, shared about writing stories for the Grapevine. It was suggested that any topic you would share on in a meeting would be a great topic for a submission. Your sharing should be about 5 minutes long and just write like you would share at a meeting. You do not have to title your article but you can if you choose to. You can send your submission by mail or email. If you choose email, please send in Word format. It is our meeting in print and they need are articles to print. As a grapevine reader, you know that your sobriety is enhanced by the stories found in its pages. Grapevine is a tremendous help to others as well. The benefits drawn from your subscription are not confined to you or whomever you might share it with – but also it helps provide the resources to carry the message to others who don‘t have access or don‘t know that it exits.

Next Issues: Grapevine: LaVina: September 2011 – Dealing with Loss September/October – Relationships in Sobriety October 2011 – Relapse November/December – Realizing Dreams in Sobriety

Hundreds of AAs have not yet seen or heard of the Grapevine. Others query, who is it? What is it? What are its ideals? Bill W., 1946

Thank you for your willingness to carry the message. Treesa J Area 69 Grapevine Standing Chair

“Editing stories from prisoners has been the biggest event in my life.” Ami B., A.A. Grapevine Inc., Executive Editor Publisher PAGE 9 NEWS & NOTES Cliff D. Pacific ―Additional‖ Regional sion I felt, I thought of the all books in the future to be in Forum countless hours of service this format. work to insure the survival of August 19-21, 2011 There were presentations. AA and its principles. The ser- Special needs-Identifying Cur- Amazing!! vice to groups and members to rent changes, Right of Deci- continue to carry the message sion & Appeal-Concepts 3&5, of recovery from alcoholism. With a weeks notice I planned Why Not Be Self-Supporting a trip to Woodland Hills Cali- I understand why alcoholics Through Voluntary Contribu- fornia and walked into the serve AA, but I am amazed and tions? AA History-Boring or Orientation for first time at- grateful at the service and pas- Incredible Spiritual Journey, tendees 5 minutes late sion of class A Trustees (non The Changing Culture of AA, alcoholics). Varieties of Spiritual Experi- Amazing! ences. There was a video "Markings This was my first Forum. on The Journey" that was a There were presentations from There were 723 attendees and condensed history of AA. AAWS Board Director Andrea 373 of those were first timers Amazing. Bathwell and GSO Manager “A.A. has no dues Phyllis Halliday on finances. The first Forum was in 1975. Saturday there was presenta- or fees but They were called ―Mini Con- certainly is not tions from the GrapeVine There were facts and figures ferences‖ with the purpose of free. 55% of A.A. Board Director Nancy Haynes, on what it cost GSO to pro- improving communication vide services to each group. An groups GrapeVine Executive Editor within the fellowship, brining annual contribution in 2010 of contribute Ami Brophy and the La Vina the Conference experience to $6.29 per member or $137.10 $0.00.” Ken M., Editor Irene Donoso. They AA members through out the per group would have allowed Panel 61 stated that the GrapeVine will US and Canada. There are 8 GSO to be fully self support- Delegate Area 05 continue to be in print format regions in the US and Canada, ing. If we all practiced the Southern and not replaced with the cur- each region could schedule a Birthday plan would that California. rently available digital format Forum every two years. In would make us self supporting (A Rumor). The GrapeVine 2008 the ―Additional‖ Forum as well. Our primary purpose, has gone through deep staff was added to each region every to carry the AA message, con- reductions. There are 16 eight years. At the same time tributions are simply a means books, CDs and calendars ―Local‖ Forums were added, to accomplish this . up to 3 per year for cultural, available from the GrapeVine. accessibility and population The web site has had many I was made aware of the fact needs. new added features I was una- that AA lost the copy rights to ware of and I am a subscriber. the first and second addition of The beginning of the Forum New stories daily on home the Big Book. Copy rights are Friday there were introduc- page and search by topic. monitored very closely now. tions and presentations by There is an " I-Say" section GSO no longer opposes the Ward Ewing class A Trustee were you can start conversa- use of the AA Circle/Triangle (non alcoholic), Rod B. class B tions and make comments. Symbol. The GrapeVine does not ac- Trustee (alcoholic) and There was a Forum Workshop cept donations but does have a Adrienne B. GSO staff. on Inventory. Generating En- fund for subscriptions for those thusiasm for a Group Invento- During that first day I was just in need. Do our Corrections, ry, Inventory-Beyond the Indi- amazed at the selfless service CPC, Treatment committees vidual and Group, After Inven- and passion for AA service have subscriptions for their tory. our Trustees‘ and the GSO service work? There were workshops. Group staff have. The love and pas- E-Book should be out now and VOLUME1, ISSUE 3 PAGE 10

Inventory-Where‘s the Focus, District Newsletters/Bulletins in AA, All About Inventory-How When and Why, Home La Vina. Group-Maintaining a Welcome and Safe “The plateau in our Sunday there was an Ask-It-Basket and a Place, Rotating Leadership, The Twelve membership is a sharing from past Trustees and closing Concepts, AA GrapeVine-Today, Area concern and our remarks by Ward Ewing. Inventory-How When and What Happens vision is to effectively After, Twelve Traditions-Applying Princi- Amazing!! fulfill our mission pals to Local Matters, Anonymity in Digi- Cliff D. and purpose through tal Age-Impossible or Not, Carrying the the 12th Step.” Ward Message to the Elderly Community, Ewing Chairman of the General Service Board of A.A.W.S

Area 69 Communications—Kurt J.

This was a year of firsts for me – first GSO staff members, the chair of the tions for stimulating participation and year elected as an Area 69 chair, first General Service Board, the Grapevine finding discussion topics. It is good to PRAASA, and first Pacific Regional Fo- Board Director, the Executive Editor know we are not alone. Later on Satur- rum. What an incredible experience so Publisher of the Grapevine, and the La day, I attended the Anonymity in the far. Before being elected at the Area, I Vina Editor. I listened to all of the Digital Age workshop. There is a lot of was reluctant to travel for AA events. presentations followed by questions and confusion and many issues to discuss Now I am hooked on Area and Pacific answers. The presentations were detailed about anonymity online. The room was Regional service events. I hope I can find and rich. The questions were insightful packed. The discussion was lively and a way to next year‘s Forum. I already and the answers were direct. diverse. have a flight and a room for next year‘s There was an open AA meeting each day As with intergroup, district, and area, at PRAASA. :) at 7:00 am. The attendance was small so Pacific Regional service events I am The Additional Pacific Regional Forum that almost everyone could share. I real- grateful and humbled to be part of such was a fabulous event. Until the Forum, ly enjoyed the intimacy of the AA meet- an open, honest, and caring group of GSO, the General Service Board, Grape- ing. Of the 750 at the forum, 15 had a people. We are blessed in sobriety and in vine, and staff were just concepts to me, meeting each morning. service. Thank you for letting me be of imaginary people, helpful agents in New service. On Saturday, I attended the Group In- York. I can now confirm that yes, they ventory workshop. Like many groups, Kurt J really do exist… It was a privilege to my home group struggles with attend- Area 69 Communications meet and hear the manager of our Gen- ance at and participation in a group in- eral Service Office, one of our dedicated ventory. We all shared ideas and sugges-

“For not being in the AA program for very long, I was so excited to hear all the wonderful things I heard from the people. it made me want to come home and do what ever I can do to spread the word About how important it is to help this world know that there is help. I want to do what ever I can. Thank you “ Carrie B. PAGE 11 NEWS & NOTES

Anonymity in the Digital Age—Topic presented at Forum by Jim C. Traditions, Customs, Laws ple and straightforward, and to 62nd Conference theme: The other day we had a young be able to call the AA police on ―Anonymity: Our Spiritual Re- man who was visiting our group someone if they dared to violate sponsibility in the Digital Age.‖ from a rural section of the mid- one of them. Both the 11th and 12th Traditions west, and in his sharing he re- And that was just the beginning. are still very relevant in the digi- marked about how much he ap- My home group started a Step/ tal age. I believe the internet preciated our meeting compared Tradition study, and as I gained expands the opportunities to to meetings at home, which he some understanding, I started to reveal membership in AA at the described as being run with a realize that some of the practic- public level. This is complicated heavy hand by the old timers. es that I thought were Tradi- in part by a misunderstanding of That started me thinking about tions, were nothing more than the public component of social the Traditions, and how the fel- customs. networking sites along with ig- lowship functions with some When I was about two years so- norance of the Tradition. It also order without a well-defined, complicated by the belief of ber, I volunteered to be GSR for th enforceable set of ―Laws‖. my home group and nobody ob- some that the 11 Tradition is From the time I came into pro- jected. That was when the Tra- outdated. Just to scratch the gram, I have been fascinated by ditions took on a new, more surface of how public this access the Traditions. I was a typical practical meaning. One of the is: As of July 2011, Facebook has newcomer, and I didn‘t know Traditions that has helped me 750 million active users. An ac- the difference between the Tra- the most is the last half of the tive user is defined as a person ditions with a big ―T‖, and local 2nd Tradition – ―Our leaders are who has logged into the site in customs or what you might de- but trusted servants, they do not the last 30 days. However 50%, scribe as custom or tradition govern.‖ In the beginning I or 375 million of those active with a little ―t‖. All I remember thought that the way to become users log onto Facebook in any is that I was afraid that if I broke a trusted servant was to try to given day, with 250 million of or violated a Tradition, I might be a dynamic leader with lots of them using mobile devices. And get drunk, and/or be kicked out great ideas, be able to convince this is just one of the many so- of the program. Little by little, people I was right, be a convinc- cial networks, so I think it is fair I discovered that the 12 Tradi- ing speaker, and not make mis- to say that the internet is a pub- tions were not laws, and in fact takes. Instead I learned that a lic forum even though not eve- there were many interpretations trusted servant needs to be open rything is available to everyone. for each one. I also found out to ideas other than his own, pro- Just to give a little perspective that even if I could say for sure vide an environment where all about the expansion of AA in the that a Tradition had been violat- sides can be heard, be transpar- digital world: In 1995, as a ed, there was still no way to en- ent, and trust the process. newly appointed member of the force them. I don‘t know if I trustee‘s literature committee, I was more relieved, or shocked. A couple of other Traditions that have helped me relate to the was present at the general shar- I really wanted them to be sim- ing session during the July board VOLUME1, ISSUE 3 PAGE 12

Anonymity in the Digital Age—Topic presented at Forum by Jim C. cont’d weekend. At that sharing session to have his picture on the cover personalities, or is it carrying we were given a demonstration of Time Magazine, would he things too far? At AA‘s Interna- of the then, relatively new phe- make the same decision about tional Convention, the speakers nomenon, called the World Wide Facebook? at the Big Meetings are not an- Web, including in that demon- This brings us to the spiritual nounced ahead of time. I re- stration was a look at what type responsibility component of the member some years ago, at an of information was already availa- theme, which I relate to the 12th Orange County Convention, the ble concerning Alcoholics Anony- Tradition. When I think of Ano- Convention committee made the mous and other twelve step pro- nymity and Spirituality, I am led decision not to list the names of grams. The official AA website to humility, which I believe is the convention committee chairper- was launched a couple of months essence of both anonymity and sons. Do you feel that your par- later, and the digital presence for spirituality. I certainly believe in ticipation is enough reward for AA began. attraction, but where does that the service you give? Since that time I have often won- line get drawn. Recently I ran How about speaker recordings? dered if the easier availability of across an interesting take on hu- Most of the companies that rec- th information about AA has attract- mility as it relates to the 12 Tra- ord speakers observe anonymity ed more people to AA and to dition. I know of at least two 12 at the public level, but not all. general service? It seems like it step fellowships that, according should, but our membership to their guidelines and policies, We all know that dynamic and doesn‘t seem to be growing very do not list the names (even first charismatic speakers attract new much, and there still seems to be name and initial) of the speakers members, whether it is to AA or the same small percentage of or workshop leaders at their con- their mega church. So are ano- members who are attracted to ventions. They feel that people nymity, spirituality, and humility th general service. So the 11 Tra- should choose to attend a work- still relevant in the digital age? I dition as it pertains to the digital shop because of the topic being am sure this coming year will age has become more complicat- discussed and not to hear a cer- ed, but to my mind it is still as tain person. Is this a meaningful bring many interesting discus- relevant as ever. Bill W. refused extension of principles before sions.

―There is a sobriety calculator on the A.A. Grapevine website.‖ Amy B., Grapevine, Inc., Executive Editor Publisher PAGE 13 NEWS & NOTES

Forum Experience—Walter C. , Area 69 Alternate Delegate

I was one of the proud members of the Van Pool from Utah. I thought maybe it would be long and boring. But it was anything but. For me it was like two big AA meetings, one meeting on the way there and another meeting on the way back.

When we arrive at the hotel, the Utah Area 69 Past Delegate Monte S. was there to meet us. What a wonderful thing to arrive and be greeted by a familiar face.

That night we ate dinner at a nearby restaurant with AA members from Utah and Alaska. Not only did I know who they were; they knew who I was. I am enjoying learning more about how AA works and I am enjoying getting to AA members from the pacific region.

Walter Curry

―There is a 90% increase in LaVina story submissions, 59 compared to 8 for the same period last year.‖ Irene D., AA Grapevine, Inc., LaVina Editor VOLUME1, ISSUE 3 PAGE 14

A Forum Experience: top-of the cake‖…having the honor and sharing information and points of interest privilege to meet a new a.a. friend with in specific matters of importance in the Recovery, Unity, and Service six months of sobriety---full of willingness Fellowship and the continued function and to step outside of a comfort zone that welfare of our General Service Structure. Renae H. made my earlier reservations pale in com- Presentations included topics such as: It‘s often funny how we hang onto certain parison! A service Twelve-step call I ―The Grapevine Director‖ presented by things while in recovery that we‘re not wouldn‘t have wanted to miss. What a gift Nancy Haynes, A.A. Grapevine, Inc., really aware of or think may still be a our new friend gave to all of us ―roadies‖! Grapevine Board Director; ―The A.A. character defect until the time when it And all of this occurred before we even Grapevine‖ by Ami Brophy, A.A. Grape- shows up in unexpected situations. In all arrived at our final destination. vine Inc., Executive Editor Publisher; ―La Vin~a‖, Irene Donoso, A.A. Grapevine, of the various A. A. service events I‘ve Once at the Hotel, the buzz of excitement Inc., La Vin~a Editor; ―The A.A.W.S. had the opportunity to attend, I‘ve been and anticipation was almost tangible. So Director‖---Andrea Barthwal , A.A.W.S. fiercely independent in making my own many people smiling and laughing all at Inc., Board Director; ―A.A. Finances‖ travel and lodging arrangements---I want the same time, knowing that each of us presented by Phyllis Halliday, General control over all of my circumstances and shared a common bond of recovery, unity, Service Office, General Manager; ―Full my comfort zone. This way, I don‘t have and love for Alcoholics Anonymous that Forum Workshop on Inventory‖---Rod to feel dependant upon anything or any- brought us all together in Service to our Betonny, Pacific Regional Trustee; ―Right one; I can have solitude and privacy pre- Fellowship through participation at this of Decision & Appeal---Concepts Three cisely when I choose it. No worries---no Forum. There is no way anyone could and Five‖; ―Generating Enthusiasm for a risks---no vulnerability to circumstance possibly feel isolation, loneliness, or not Group Inventory‖; ―Inventory---Beyond and peers…isolation. Sounds a lot like my being a part of, after hearing the humble active alcoholic behaviors before I came the Individual and Group‖; ―After Invento- and inspiring opening remarks given by ry‖; ―Why Not Be Self Supporting into A.A.! Ward Ewing, Class A (nonalcoholic) Trus- Through Voluntary Contributions‖; ―A.A. tee and Chairman of the General Service When an opportunity arose to attend the History---Boring or an Incredible Spiritual Board of Alcoholics Anonymous. 2011 Additional Forum in Woodland Journey‖; ―Special Needs---Identifying Hills, CA joining our Area Delegate and 6 If you have not attended a General Service Current Challenges‖; ―Varieties of Spiritu- additional A.A. members on a 900+ mile Board Forum, I enthusiastically encourage al Experience‖; and ―The Changing Cul- road trip with a willingness to share space everyone to try to do so. The countless ture of A.A‖. and quarters with another person(s), my hours of time and energy given by our Workshop Topics included: ―Group In- fears and anxieties rose up quickly and Staff , Directors and Trustees at GSO/ ventory---Where‘s Our Focus?‖; ―District screamed loudly ―No, you can‘t possibly A.A. World Services Inc., and the Grape- Inventory---How, When and Why?‖; do that…it‘s not in your nature…you will vine Inc., to present such a clear historic ―Home Group---Maintaining a Welcoming have no control!‖ While a meeker voice and comprehensive picture of the overall and Safe Place‖; ―Rotating Leadership‖; said ―But you really do want to go and services provided, financial records and ―The Twelve Concepts‖; ―A.A. Grapevine maybe, just maybe, you might grow a budgeting objectives and goals---is down- ---Today‖; ―Area Inventory---How, When little bit and enlarge your spiritual condi- right mindboggling to me. I can‘t help but and What Happens After?‖; ―Twelve Tra- tion---not to mention the learning experi- think where A.A. would be today with ditions---Applying Principles to Local ences you know you will gain from at- out the acts/efforts of such commitment Matters‖; ―Anonymity in a Digital Age--- tending the Forum and will be able to and dedication? Where would I be today if Impossible or Not?‖; ―Carrying the Mes- share with others.‖ This ―meeker voice‖ it weren‘t for A.A. being around for me sage to the Elder Community‖; tends to be the one of reason, often the when I needed it, and more importantly, ―Newsletters/Bulletins in A.A.‖, and ―All reasoning of my Higher Power. I stepped for those generations yet to stumble into About La Vin~a‖. If anyone is looking for into recovery and chose the ―broad high- our rooms? A Forum shows me how it things to talk about in our local Assem- way‖, ―happy destiny‖ bus headed for Cali- works, why it works, and most important- blies, Workshops, and even Home Group fornia. ly, that it is paramount that each of us meetings or business meetings, the forgo- have the responsibility to, and must, pre- What a blessing! The laughter and the joy ing is an absolute buffet for all! that I got to experience with my A.A. serve this gift of sobriety in order to keep friends, the sharing of stories and experi- giving it away. All throughout the sessions, opportunities to share and ask questions at the micro- ences of recovery, the comradery of unity Friday evening and all day Saturday were phone were given, and ―Ask-It Basket‖ and purpose, and the finishing ―cherry-on- full of panel presentations and workshops PAGE 15 NEWS & NOTES

A Forum Experience: Recovery, Unity, and Service - Renae H. cont’d questions were answered. The Sunday straight from the heart of the messages home, again, sharing our newly gained morning session is definitely my favorite they are delivering. I find it incredibly and past experiences in an environment part of Forums and PRAASAs, in which inspiring and reaffirming to the recovery that could only be created through a we glean so much experience and I so desire for myself and others. willingness to be a part-of something knowledge from the ―Sharing from Past bigger---by stretching my self-imposed

Trustees‖ panel. Wow, what spiritual limitations and fears, in order to have giants in my opinion. Each gives such a We boarded the ―Happy Bus‖ around such a wonderful and fulfilling experi- personal and knowledgeable touch noon on Sunday and began our trip ence District 11— Kristen E. , DCM

I had the privilege of attend- were there for the first class B trustee. When the ing the ―Pacific (additional) time. The room we were in Class A trustee got up and Regional Forum in Wood- had a bunch of tables with shared his passion in Alco- land Hills, Ca. When get- different A.A. material on holics Anonymous and that ting there I was over- them. Things like the big he was a retired reverend whelmed and felt like a fish book in Braille, pamphlets my ears opened up to his out of water. When I looked on anything that you can story. He made the remark down the hall and saw Mon- think of. What caught my that sent chills down my te. It was at this point I was eye was the table with the back. He said ―The 12 steps “99% of all A.A. able to relax. There were Big Book translated in many of Alcoholics Anonymous material is people from all over. The different languages. It was are one of the best spiritual available in 3 cool thing is we all had so real. This thing is so tools he has ever experi- languages; French, Spanish, English. something in common, Ser- much bigger than this little enced‖ This is one of those We express our vice to Alcoholics Anony- state I live in. moments that I will carry deepest gratitude mous. with me in my heart. to A.A. groups for I was able to put helping to make Friday night started names to faces and under- In Service this happen.” out with a small meeting to stand the difference be- Kristen E. Phyllis H., General welcome the people that tween a class A trustee and a Manager GSO District 11 Bridging the Gap National Workshop periences with Corrections and Bridging the Gap. Report

I heartily recommend listening to the CD of the Deputy My name is Pete and I am an alcoholic. I had the privilege of Commissioner for Adult Parole Hearings. It dramatically attending the National Bridging the Gap Workshop held in exemplifies the growing opportunities that will come about Sacramento, Ca. on September 9th thru 11th. Area 7 North- as Corrections looses the battle of the budgets. She states ern California Interior was host for this event. This was the that 80% of the potential parolees have a drug or alcohol 21st Annual Bridging the Gap Workshop. problem but either won‘t admit it or simply don‘t know about options. There was emphasis on providing profession-

al-looking presentations to officials which simply spell out The District 10 BTG Coordinator, Andy B. was also able to what we can do. Never over-emphasize our intentions or attend this event in order to bring more information back for capabilities. Area 69. There were many alcoholics representing Califor- nia – either Area 7, 6, 5, 9 and 8 (which is a straight); Arizo- na, Colorado, Texas, Chicago, Minnesota, New York, Mis- The Director of Adult Institutions echoed this approach to souri, Hawaii, Canada, Nevada and Utah. Overall, there getting contacts within facilities. Most importantly, when a facility will not let you in for a scheduled meeting, be gra- were over 90 registered attendees including GSO Treatment Staff Member Mary D. and Area 7 Delegate Melodie T., and cious and simply say a prayer for them. Never cause a fuss Nancy H. – General Service Trustee. or threaten to go over their heads; it is their facility and they follow their rules.

Friday Evening Sessions consisted of introductions and agen- da overview, a speaker from the Placerville area, a review of It was a full morning. the BTG kit handed out at the Workshop, a discussion of the possibility of a Grapevine Issue being published with a Bridg- The Afternoon Session consisted of presentations on the ing the Gap theme and a review of the Guideline Revisions Contact Program from Area 36 (Minnesota), BTG in Cana- being presented for ratification. da, BTG and Treatment in Arizona, Starting BTG in your

Area or District from a California Gapper, and a BTG It was a long day. Grapevine Discussion conducted by Trustee Nancy H. who has had an assignment to the Grapevine in the recent past.

The Saturday Morning Session highlighted the array of ser- vices offered from our GSO in New York. This information A note on some of the topics of this session include the on- was presented by GSO Staff Member assigned to the Treat- going discussion and desire to publish a Grapevine issue fo- ment Facilities desk – Mary D. Included in this presentation cusing on BTG. If we want it, they will do it but we must was copies of the contact sign up sheet that are just being give them articles and stories to publish. This session includ- printed. I grabbed copies of this and made black and white ed information regarding Bridging in Canada and the effect copies that are available here. I would like to offer the color legislation can have on our efforts. Recent laws passed in drafts that I have to Standing Chairs and Bridging the Gap Canada have dramatically changed the options we have for Coordinators if you want to take these and get color copies. Bridges in Canada. I thought it was interesting that this Ca- The pamphlets will be available from GSO in about 4 weeks. nadian Area (83) had 3 Districts in the U. S. A new term I heard during this presentation was ‗Voluntold‘.

The second portion of the morning session consisted of a Treatment Panel featuring three Treatment Professionals Sponsorship in Treatment Facilities, How to Volunteer for from California. In addition to these professionals, BTG Corrections Service and various examples of successful im- servants from Missouri and Texas shared their experience, plementation of BTG opportunities were shared. I feel the strength and hope to complete this panel. primary theme for the afternoon session was that there was no ‗cookie-cutter‘ solution that fits every situation. Autono-

my was stresses again and again, especially for the Districts – The third portion of this morning session involved a Correc- which I feel is echoed strongly in Area 69. tions featuring the Director of the Adult Institutions (Ca.), the Deputy Commissioner of the Board of Parole Hearings and two BTG servants (Ca. and Illinois) sharing on their ex- The Saturday night speaker was Mary D. – GSO Treatment Staff. She really stole the show. will be the host for the 2013 BTG Work- shop. A presentation on AA‘s structure was giv- An inquiry was made to have the 2014 en by Melodie T. – Panel 60 Delegate event in St. Louis. It was quickly decided representing Area 7. It was very well that this body had no power to choose the done, emphasizing the upside-down trian- host site for 2014. gle and the fact that the groups are the governing body in AA. In light of the au- 2012 BTG Workshop wll be held in dience, the question was broached as to Bloomngton, Minn. This is the same ho- whether or not we can have a Conference tel that hosted the 2010 event. Area 36 is Committee on BTG. The question was the host Area for 2012. asked ‗Do the groups need a Committee on BTG‘. The two final points consisted of A) The Trustees do not govern. B) Finances: A preliminary financial report The Conference does not direct nor do was given for this years BTG Workshop. “I am not an they operate the groups. Over 90 registrations for this event. A.A. member. I There were 22 volunteers for the local haven’t paid

Districts. Registrations plus the 7th Tradi- the dues all Sunday morning consisted of gathering tion came to $3100. Expenses included y’all have.” additional information on the BTG web- web domain fee, postage, airfare for web Ward Ewing site. The BTG website has a new face and master and coordinator with the total cost Chairman of the it is very professional looking. Cheri – of $2803. General Service the webmaster – re-iterated the fact that Board of the web site wll always be a work-in- A.A.W.S progress. All information contained in I purchased the CD set for the entire the digital library is in unprotected PDF event which will be taken from the Treat- format so that it can be copied to your ment budget. Copies of this are available word processor or spreadsheet for modifi- for anyone who desires a set. You will cation. need 9 CD‘s.

Note: The Digital Library will be de- I want to take this opportunity to express activated for a time until an anonymity my appreciation to the Area for the issue can be resolved. Stay tuned for fur- chance to attend my second BTG National ther details. Workshop and for the defrayment provid- ed for this event. I whole-hearted support

any District willing to defray their BTG The existing library of all the documents coordinator to go to this event. available for our use were placed on a CD for each attendee. Please contact me for copies of anything that your District may Pete G. be interested in. Area 69 Panel 61 Standing Chair for Treatment Facilities/Accessibility/Special Special Note : Some of the information Needs on the Digital Archive is already translated to Spanish. Area 69 is currently in the process of translating our BTG workbook to Spanish and this CD will be made avail- able to this committee in the hopes it can be useful.

Host Site Selection: Schaumburg, Illinois VOLUME1, ISSUE 3 PAGE 18

Ask It Basket Question: What does the loss of copyright on AA literature mean to A.A.? Answer: The impact is minimal due to the profound loyalty of our member- ship!

Editor’s Note: In Area 69, GV subscrip- tions slipped from 571 in 2009 to 545 in 2010. The 93,000 GV and 8,000 La Vina subscriptions are read by an average of 2.5 people per month resulting in a monthly audience of 250,000 people. W E’ RE ON THE W EB! Upcoming Events U TAHAA. ORG November 5-6, 2011 Fall Workshop District 12 December 3, 2011 Area Committee Meeting District 3 February 25, 2012 Area Committee Meeting District 9, Moab March 2-4, 2012 PRAASA Bellevue, WA

MESSAGE FROM MONTE How do you give back what was freely given to you? emailed and include the writers‟ contact information. How do you spread the message of hope, recovery and Submissions may be signed with first name and last unity to those beyond your home group? Are you ready initial. Anonymous submissions will be published but to be of service on an area level? Contributing to the the author‟s contact information must be included. The Area 69 News and Notes publication is a rewarding editors reserve the right to edit contents for length, clar- way to be of service and to share with fellow members ity and their relation to the Twelve Traditions of Alcohol- around the state. Simply contact your newsletter editor, ics Anonymous. An effort will be made to contact the with your article or photo by emailing : area69immedi- author regarding content changes. This email/ [email protected] Newsletter including any attachments are confiden- Area 69 News and Notes newsletter is published by tial. Please respect the anonymity of others when shar- Area 69. Opinions expressed are those of the writer ing this publication. and not necessarily those of A.A.W.S., nor does publi- Thanks to those that contributed to the writing, editing, cation of any article imply endorsement or affiliation by and production of this edition. A.A.W.S. or Area 69. Monte S. Contributions from A.A. members are welcome and will be printed as space allows. Submissions must be