NOVEMBER I am responsible 2020 when anyone, Volume 44, #11 anywhere, reach- es out for help, I want the hand of A.A. always to be there, and for that I am respon- sible.

life·line | \ ˈlīf-ˌlīn : 1. A rope or line used for life-saving, typically one thrown to rescue someone in difficulties in water. 2. A thing on which someone depends for a means of escape from a difficult situation. https://en.oxforddictionaries.com

In the Big Book of Alcoholics Few recovering alcoholics can ter what we ingested or how we Anonymous, where the 12-step claim to have led a very rational acted out, we still felt scared, lost program is outlined, Step 11 lifestyle or maintain they have and alone a good portion of the reads: Sought through prayer and taken a level-headed approach to time. meditation to improve our con- daily life when in the grips of sub- scious contact with God as we stance abuse. Just by the nature Entering into a new way of life – understood Him, praying only for of addiction, it is probable that recovery – we have already be- the knowledge of His will for us few of us carefully weighed the gun to learn some humility and and the power to carry that out. If pros and cons of our daily deci- acceptance of life on life’s terms. those words seem like a tall order sions, asked others for advice Whether this means coming to to any newcomer in recovery, rest and followed it, or spent much grips with the devastation our ad- assured that, like all the other time seeking answers from a diction created, accepting limita- steps, Step 11 can be practiced source of higher wisdom; we tions, or being willing to make at a very basic level to begin with. were way too busy hurtling from gradual progress, we have begun Many of us were perfectionists (or one crisis to another, desperately to grow spiritually. It may look dif- at least highly competitive) before seeking gratification from alcohol ferent for everyone, but whether coming into recovery, but the or whatever behaviors gave us we realize it or not, we have al- practice of Step 11 is a personal satisfaction. However, the chase ready started doing what Step 11 matter that is between the individ- was a futile one, because no mat- asks us to do: stop reacting to life ual and his or her , on autopilot, and start trying to not a competition or another task learn what the right path is and to cross off the to-do list. If we ap- then taking that path, even when proach Step 11 as a lifelong rela- we don’t understand it. tionship rather than a chore, we will understand that all relation- Tips for Practicing Step 11 ships have to begin somewhere… The great thing about the 12-step and be willing to put the time and program is that, since it’s spiritual effort into developing a closer and not religious, it doesn’t inter- bond with our higher self. fere with any way you may al- ready have of practicing the prin- A New Way of Life That’s Auto- ciples of prayer and meditation. matically Very Different from So, if you belong to a religion, you the Old might decide (continued on page 2) SOUTHERN MARYLAND INTERGROUP 1-800-492-0209 www.somdintergroup.org (cont.) to return to it with renewed vigor…or embrace something entirely new. The only requirement is that you be willing to practice what might be a very rusty or completely new skill! If we truly approach this step with willingness and humility, before long, we begin to experience hope, peace and fulfillment from seeking answers from a Higher Power or Higher Self, whatever you believe it to be.

Here’s how to begin practicing Step 11:

• Read the step on page 86 of the Big Book of . It gives concrete ideas and sug- gestions of what to ask yourself in the morning and at night. • Try to spend equal amounts of time praying – “Talking to your Higher Power” – and meditating – “Listening to your Higher Power”.

If meditation seems difficult, set the bar low: try to be still and focus on your breath for 2 minutes. If the si- lence makes you fidget, push past it, or try different forms of meditation, such as free guided medita- tions you can find online. As you begin to feel supported by your new practice of prayer and meditation, feelings of calm, strength and direction will begin to replace the cravings, doubts and fears that once dominated. Soon the feelings of belonging and connectedness we first experienced in recovery will be- come even stronger as we continue to draw closer to fulfilling our purpose in life, whatever that might be. https://renascent.ca/quick-guide-step-11-prayer-meditation-recovery/

“When we first come to the Program, we usually express a lot of things which seem to be A Step Down important wants and needs. As we grow spiritu- November and cold weather bring for me a ally and find out about a Power greater than time of being inside more often; inside my ourselves, we begin to realize that as long as home as well as more introspection. I use a our spiritual needs are truly met, our living prob- few simple tools of A.A.– such as prayer and meditation– to improve my conscious lems are reduced to a point of comfort. When contact with God. My willingness counts as we forget where our real strength lies, we quick- both an ingredient of sobriety and prayer, ly become subject to the same patterns of think- opening myself as a channel and allowing ing and action that got us to the Program in the the seeds to grow. In my early years of so- first place. We eventually redefine our beliefs briety in AA, I heard: ―Think of each Step not as a step up to sobriety, but rather as a and understanding to the point where we see step down to humility. In Bill W‘s story, he that our greatest need is for knowledge of God's says how important humility is as an ingredi- will for us and the strength to carry that out. We ent of sobriety. I have reached a conclusion are able to set aside some of our personal pref- that humility is closeness to God. Steps Ten, Eleven and Twelve are the mainte- erence, if necessary, to do this because we nance Steps: Steps to maintain the work, learn that God's will consists of the very things changes and spirituality that come as a re- we care most about. God's will for us becomes sult of the previous Steps. I heard, ―Use our own true will for ourselves. This happens in these tools in sobriety, ― much like wash- an intuitive manner which cannot be adequately cloths, polish and paint might be used to protect a wooden staircase I‘ve built with explained in words. We become willing to let quality lumber and great care. At meetings, other people be what they are without having to if I listen, I can hear the miracle and fulfill- pass judgment on them. The urgency to take ment of the Promise that God is doing for us care of things isn't there anymore. We couldn't what we cannot do for ourselves. ~Rick N. Dub- lin, Ohio (GV Nov. 09) comprehend acceptance in the beginning - now we can.” https://www.12step.org/the-12-steps/step-11/

SOUTHERN MARYLAND INTERGROUP 1-800-492-0209 www.somdintergroup.org 2 Alcoholics Anonymous' (AA) 12- of spirituality can be unfamiliar, greater than themselves, and they step program as described in the lost or rejected. If you seek solace have seen that power at work. "The Big Book," AA's guide for in a bottle or in bars, you may those recovering from , have other problems going such As members accept the "serenity" has many references to God and as a broken relationship or crum- principle that "Nothing, absolutely religious themes, and Step 11 is bling marriage, a criminal history nothing happens in God's world by no different. In a nutshell, Step 11 or generally, a life in turmoil. Even mistake", there is an acknowledg- says to discover the plan God, as for those who have had an up- ment of a higher power, and there you understand him, has for your bringing in a church, you may find is a plan for their lives. Through life and find the power to carry it that your experience was more prayer and meditation, members out. "religious" and prescriptive rather can attempt to raise their con- than spiritual. sciousness of that power and AA states it is non-religious but draw on it to continue their per- rather spiritual in design, and as For most who are earnest in work- sonal journey of recovery. its cornerstone, members should ing the 12 steps, by the time you find a higher purpose or higher arrive at Step 11 you may discov- How Does a Person Who Is power. God can be described as a er a measure of spirituality at work Atheist or Agnostic Pray? [One religious being, or for atheists and in your life. For many AA mem- suggestion is that] you can pray or agnostics, it can simply mean the bers, they say they have discov- meditate by being still, quiet, stop- group dynamic experienced as a ered their higher power and form a ping, reflecting and listening to member at an AA meeting or even better understanding of that pow- your thoughts. You can plan your another individual. er. day in an orderly way. Ask your- self, God, or a higher power for Review of Step 11: Prayer or Meditation for Guid- the right answers to get you Sought through prayer and medi- ance: The approaches and meth- through the day. In moments of tation to improve our conscious ods of prayer and meditation sug- confusion or unbalance, stop, ask contact with God as we under- gested in Step 11 vary, but the yourself or the higher power for stood Him, praying only for purpose of the step is to connect the right way to proceed. Under- knowledge of His will for us and with that higher power. Some pre- stand it, visualize it, go on. For the power to carry that out. fer to call the higher power "God," many this is self-reflection, for oth- others avoid the G-word altogeth- ers, this is asking God for guid- Spiritual Rather Than Religious: er. The point is AA members dis- ance. The end result usually turns For many in recovery, the concept cover through participation in the out the same. program that there is a power . https://www.verywellmind.com/a-study-of-step-11-69405

God as we understood Him: Did this much misunderstood expression come from the atheist Jim Burwell? Jim said so. But Bill Wilson never confirmed that statement and for good reason. Long before there was an A.A. fellowship, Reverend Sam Shoemaker had written: “So they prayed together, opening their minds to as much of God as he understood.” (See Children of the Second Birth, pp. 47 and 25). Sam taught Bill’s sponsor Eb- by Thacher and Bill himself. And it is not surprising that, long before Jim Burwell got sober, Ebby told Bill to “Turn my face to God as I understand Him and say to Him. . . that I henceforth place my life at His disposal and direc- tion forever.” (See The Good Book and the Big Book, pp. 65-66). Bill followed that direction and said that at Towns Hospital, long before Jim Burwell got sober, “I humbly offered myself to God, as I then understood Him, to do with me as He would. I placed myself unreservedly under His care and direction.” (See Big Book, First Edition, p. 22; Third edition, p. 13). This simple idea from Sam Shoemaker was set forth in Anne Smith’s Journal and in writings: surrender as much of yourself as you understand to as much of God as you understand. These people (Shoemaker, Ebby, Bill, and Anne Smith) were all referring to our Creator as they understood Him. Not a lightbulb, a radiator, or Gertrude. https://mental-health-matters.com/quotable-quotes-for-aa-history-buffs/

SOUTHERN MARYLAND INTERGROUP 1-800-492-0209 www.somdintergroup.org 3 SOUTHERN MARYLAND INTERGROUP 1-800-492-0209 www.somdintergroup.org 4 AN UPDATE FROM THE CHAIR I want to remind everyone once again, that the SMIA will not change meeting in- formation unless it is submitted by GSR, SMIA Rep, the DCM for the respective county, or the Program Chair for the respective group or meeting.

As recently as last week, I had to change a group of meetings back to "Temporarily Closed" because the information I'd received about that meeting reopening was incorrect.

I suppose that is part of the responsibility of holding the web-master position for the SMIA, but any time a change is made, I have to update 4 separate plat- forms.

I have added an "I Agree" field to all group update forms with a decision box that the person submitting the information must select.

That will prompt them to enter their First Name and Last Initial, Phone Number, and E-Mail address. They are agreeing to be the point of contact should any questions arise about the information they have submitted.

This includes:

On-Line Meeting information - https://somdintergroup.org/ wwsearch.html#olmr New Group/Meeting Additions - https://somdintergroup.org/newsmia.html Current Group/Meeting Changes or Terminations - https:// somdintergroup.org/wwsearch.html#tempclose Temporary Closures - https://somdintergroup.org/wwsearch.html#tempclose Meeting Reopening - https://somdintergroup.org/wwsearch.html#reopen

I will not accept e-mails, text messages, or word-of-mouth notifications about the status of any meeting. I can literally go through any of the group maintenance forms in less than 5 minutes, so it doesn't seem to be a huge encumbrance.

Please pass this on to your District contacts.

Kind regards,

Bill L. Leftwich Chairman and Webmaster Southern Maryland Intergroup Association

SOUTHERN MARYLAND INTERGROUP 1-800-492-0209 www.somdintergroup.org 5

MEETING STATUS!

INDOORS OUTDOORS CLOSED UFN MASKS/ DISTANCING/TEMPS REQUIRED. REMEMBER TO BRING A CHAIR STAY TUNED Beginner At Noon: Only ten Battled & Rattled: meeting *Kingston Creek CLOSED people per room: Mon. & Fri. at location regular time normal time and place. Lexington Park Big Book Basic Text: Regular time CLOSED Cove Point: Wednesday & Fri- and day at Immaculate Con- day, regular times. ception Church. Lexington Park Living So- ber Meeting CLOSED Early Bird: New Location - Blue Top Improv: John 46707 Shangri La. Dr. Lexington Park. Inside or out depending Lancaster Park 21550 Wil- Gents, Ladies & Dames on the weather, regular time and lows Rd. Lexington Park (GLAD) CLOSED day. Every day. 12 noon & 5:30pm *Almost Normal CLOSED Hollywood: Open inside,mask required and distancing required. Daily Reflections: (Lusby) *Early Risers CLOSED Calvert Marina 14485 Dow- KISS: Masks and distancing re- ell Rd. Dowell Md. 20629 *Emotional Sobriety Wom- quired. under the pavilion regular en’s CLOSED time and day. Laurel Grove: Tuesdays Christ Brown Bag CLOSED Church, Chaptico, Saturdays Dorsey Park: Tuesday (BB) regular meeting place. Masks Thursday (OD) 5:00pm. Clean Air CLOSED and distancing required. Regular times. 24275 Hollywood Rd. Leonardtown, Md. 20650 Charlotte Hall CLOSED Leonardtown: Maximum attend- Drunks ‘R’ Us CLOSED ance limited to nine people. Happy Destiny: Regular place out back by the fire pit, Monday Night Traditions *ODAAT Women’s: Same loca- regular time and day tion, time and day. Masks and (bonfire). CLOSED distancing required. Last Call: Regular place, Not Quite Right CLOSED *Solomons: Masks and distanc- time, and day. ing required; regular location Patuxent River CLOSED time and day. Lusby Big Book: Calvert Marina Location 14485 Dow- *Poplar Hill CLOSED Saturday Evening Serenity: ell Rd. Dowell Md. 20629 Masks and distancing required; under the Pavilion regular Rocky Roads CLOSED regular time and day. time and day. Saint Mary’s City CLOSED *Sisters In Recovery: 41665 More Will Be Revealed: In Fenwick St., Suite 13, Step Sisters CLOSED Leonardtown, Md. Masks and parking lot, regular time and distancing required. day. Masks and distancing. Tuesday Night Big Book CLOSED There Is A Solution: Masks and We Wuz Wurz: outside bon- distancing required, regular time, fire meeting regular day & Wednesday Night Women day and location. time. CLOSED SOUTHERN MARYLAND INTERGROUP 1-800-492-0209 www.somdintergroup.org 6 SUGGESTIONS ABOUT PRAYER AND MEDITATION FROM BB: (1) Make no requests in prayer for yourself only. (2) Never pray for your own selfish ends. (3) Select and memorize a few set prayers that emphasize the principles of the Steps. (4) Ask a priest, minister or rabbi about helpful books and prayers that em- phasize the principles of the Steps. (5) Be quick to see where religious people are right. (6) Make use of what religious people

https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Fi.pinimg.com%2Foriginals%2F6c%2F99%2F80%2F6c9980abc04d787363e8d664faeb5a78.jpg&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F%2Fpromotiontablecovers.blogspot.com%2F2018% 2F09%2F11th-step-inventoryworksheet.html&tbnid=zD_FE0ke9mG3UM&vet=12ahUKEwjq0q2_2rHsAhXehXIEHQhKDxAQMygFegUIARCuAQ..i&docid=L9cUSXZprBTg4M&w=600&h=777&q=step%2011%20aa% have to offer. (p. 87 BB) 20worksheet&ved=2ahUKEwjq0q2_2rHsAhXehXIEHQhKDxAQMygFegUIARCuAQ SOUTHERN MARYLAND INTERGROUP 1-800-492-0209 www.somdintergroup.org 7 Alcoholics Anonymous is a rather the ad? Who would be in the ad? curious Fellowship when it comes Who would pay for it? I know to attraction and promotion. Here firsthand what AA has done for we are, countless numbers of al- me, so why not let's advertise it? coholics now living happy and pro- When I share my experience, ductive lives, who have found the strength and hope, am I not doing greatest joy in helping the next al- just that? Why not announce on a coholic—and we aren't supposed How the Eleventh Tra- billboard that I was once a home- dition keeps one member to tell anyone? In the early days less bum and the victim of domes- off her soapbox. after the release of the first Big tic abuse, and now, thanks to AA, Book, AA was given a prodigious look at me? Even I know I would shot of publicity. Our co-founder, just him, but for AA as a whole. have never come to AA if I'd been Bill W., wrote about how kind and We alcoholics tend to be self- told that I should go or how happy generous the press was with AA. centered and full of grand I'd be. Truthfully, until I was at my Regarding Tradition Eleven, he schemes. Give one of us too much complete bottom, alcohol wasn't even said, “Our reputation is al- attention and who knows how long even my problem. But thankfully, ready so much better than our ac- we'd stay sober. But worse, put when I did hit bottom, AA was not tual character!” How many lonely the wrong man up on the screen hard to find. It's everywhere. Sure, alcoholics in the smallest of towns and who knows how many drunks I know that somewhere an alco- might have heard these gracious would be turned off! People might holic in need is waiting and pray- words in the press and been think … AA can't be for me—I'm ing for relief. What I can do is be saved? So why no advertising? nothing like that guy! Or … listen here for him, pray for him, and Alas, the greater good of AA is to this man telling me how to live! hope that he will find us. But what what's at stake. The basic princi- Even the idea of attempting to run I can't do is wave a banner and ple of humility. For one member to an actual ad campaign conflicts jump on a soapbox. It just wouldn't place himself as the poster child with the idea of the Traditions. be effective or appropriate. -- Anon- for AA could be a disaster for not Who would decide how we word ymous (GV NOV ‗13) WHEN TIMES ARE TOUGH ...THINGS stretched arms and said, "I believe I may have of- COULD BE WORSE fended you with my rude language and actions. I'm

sincerely remorseful for my inappropri- A young man named John received a parrot as a ate transgressions and I fully intend to do every- gift. The parrot had a bad attitude and an even thing I can to correct my rude and unforgiva- worse vocabulary. Every word out of the bird's mouth ble behavior."

was rude, obnoxious and laced with profanity. John was stunned at the change in the bird's atti- John tried and tried to change the bird's attitude by tude. As he was about to ask the parrot what had consistently saying only polite words, playing soft made such a dramatic change in his behavior, when music and anything else he could think of to "clean the bird continued, "May I ask what the turkey did?" up" the bird's vocabulary. Finally, John was fed up and he yelled at the parrot. The parrot yelled back. http://www.aalondon.org/Humour3.html John shook the parrot and the parrot got angrier and even ruder.

In desperation, John threw up his hands, grabbed the bird and put him in the freezer. For a few minutes the parrot squawked and kicked and screamed. Then suddenly there was total quiet. Not a peep was heard for over a minute. Fearing that he'd hurt the parrot, John quickly opened the door to the freezer.

The parrot calmly stepped out onto John's out-

SOUTHERN MARYLAND INTERGROUP 1-800-492-0209 www.somdintergroup.org 8 http://www.temeculacentraloffice.org/gratitude-gazette/

A DECLARA- TION OF UNITY This we owe to A.A.’s future: To place our "YOU GET THIS ONE, NEXT ROUND IS "WHO'S GOT THE NEXT ROUND?" common wel- ON ME." (I haven't bought a round in almost 3 years, (We won't be here long enough to get but I am an expert at diverting attention.) fare first; to another round.) "I DON'T HAVE MY ID ON ME." keep our fel- "I'LL GET THIS ONE, NEXT ONE IS ON (I don't have a license since I got pulled over lowship YOU." and blew a .288 after my last visit here.) (Happy hour is about to end... beers are now united. For on a dollar, but by the next round they'll be $4.50 "I'M NOT USED TO THESE DARTS." a pop.) (I can't throw anything smaller than a pool A.A. unity de- cue when I'm this bombed.) pend our lives "WHAT DO YOU HAVE ON TAP?" (What's cheap?) "I'VE HAD LIKE 10 BEERS ALREADY." and the lives of (I've only had 3 but need an excuse to be- have this way.) those to come.

SOUTHERN MARYLAND INTERGROUP 1-800-492-0209 www.somdintergroup.org 9 ACROSS PROMISES 2. Are these ___ promises? 4. Help 11. Creator 15. Economic 16. Some- times quickly, sometimes ___ 18. Astonished 19. Greed 20. Distant 21. Meticulous 26. Searching 27. Circum- stances 28. Dread 29. Ego 30. Back- ground 31. Humans DOWN 1. We are going to know a new ___ 14. They will always ___ 33. Finished 3. Rapidly 17. Contentment 34. Feeling of uselessness 5. Instinctively 22. Proportion and _____ 6. Grasp 23. Understand 35. Uncertain- 7. Progress 24. Confuse ty 8. What we could not do for ___ 25. Deal with 37. Effort 9. Invariably 31. Stage 38. No ___ 10. Before we are ___ through 32. If we work for ___ how far 12. Are these extravagant ____? 33. Expect down... 13. Worthlessness 36. What we could ___ do...

SOUTHERN MARYLAND INTERGROUP 1-800-492-0209 www.somdintergroup.org 10 General Service Office of Alcoholics Anony- mous issued a notice regarding the COVID-19 (coronavirus) and in it suggests local meeting alternatives as well as some good practic- es from shared experience on how to address this issue. As you know, many meetings are temporarily closed and contingency plans may need to be considered including creating contact lists and keeping in touch by phone, email or social media, meeting by phone or online. Or try one of many online resources: • Online AA meetings – A.A. Online Inter- group • Speaker Tape websites – AA Speak- er, Recovery Audio • Speaker Tape apps – Google Play | iTunes • Big Book Ultimate Companion – Google Play | iTunes • Joe and Charlie – Google Play | iTunes • Tons of meetings here - http://aa- intergroup.org/index.php • Meetings in Spanish - https:// Grapevine and La Viña are here to es.groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/ help AAMensaje/info Due to the current changing health situa- tion, many AA meetings across the U.S. We have a mobile app! Go the and Canada are finding it safer to close. Google Play Store to get your copy! To help members during this time, we are giving everyone free access to all of our 2020 Grapevine and La Viña issues. (The audio to Grapevine’s stories will be available as well, so people can listen to the stories if they like.) Please share with your fellows. We have also included a link to our Youtube channel with some https://play.google.com/store/apps/ original audio stories as well as other im- details? portant information. To enter, vis- id=com.newandromo.dev359899.app6 it: www.aagrapevine.org/we-are-here-to- 08979 help

SOUTHERN MARYLAND INTERGROUP 1-800-492-0209 www.somdintergroup.org 11 IT HAPPENED IN NOVEMBER...

Nov 1934 - Ebby T. carries message to Bill. Nov 11, 1934 - Armistice Day; Bill started drinking after dry spell, beginning of Bill's last drunk. Nov 1936 - Fitz M leaves Towns Hospital to become 'AA #3 in NY', with Bill W and Hank P. Nov 12, 1940 - 1st AA meeting is held in Boston.

Nov 1937 - Bill and Dr. Bob compare notes in Ak- Nov 13, 1939 - Bill wants to go to work at Towns ron. Count forty cases staying sober. Meeting of the Hospital, NY drunks want him to stay on as head of Akron Group to consider Bill's ideas for how to ex- the movement. pand the movement ... a book, AA hospitals, paid missionaries. Passed by a majority of 2. Nov 14, 1940 - Alcoholic Foundation publishes 1st AA Bulletin. Nov/Dec 1939 - Akron group withdrawals from as- sociation with Oxford Group. Meetings moved from Nov 15, 1949 - Bill W suggests that groups devote T Henry & Clarence Williams to Dr Bob and other Thanksgiving week to discussions of the 12 Tradi- members homes. tions.

Nov 1941 - "First Mass AA Meeting" in Nov 16, 1950 - Dr. Bob died. Oklahoma City, 8 present, 1 was drunk. Nov 18, 1946 - 1st Dublin Ireland group Nov 1945 - Bill's article called 'Those met. Goof Balls' published in Grapevine. Nov 21, 1939 - AA's in San Francisco Nov 1986 - Big Book published in paper- hold 1st California AA meeting in the back. Clift Hotel.

Nov 1, 1947 - 1st AA Group in Anchor- Nov 21, 1952 - Willard Richardson, past age, Alaska. Treasurer/Chairman of Alcoholic Foundation, dies.

Nov 1, 1963 - Reverend Sam Shoemaker dies. Nov 26, 1895 - Bill W born in East Dorsett, VT.

Nov 3, 2001 - J P Miller who wrote screenplay for Nov 26, 1939 - Dilworth Lupton gave sermon "Mr. "The Days of Wine and Roses" died. X and Alcoholics Anonymous". Became one of first pamphlets on AA. Nov 9, 1966 - President Johnson appoints Marty M to the 1st National Advisory Committee on Alcohol- Nov 28, 1939 - Hank P writes Bill advocating auton- ism. omy for all AA groups.

Nov 10, 1940 - 1st AA group formed in Minneapolis. Nov 28, 1943 - Bill guest speaker San Quentin Peni- tentiary. (sometimes dated Dec 2, 1943) Nov 10, 2001 - 1st of 400,000 4th Edition Big Books arrives in the mail. http://www.a-1associates.com/aa/HISTORY_PAGE/significant_dates.htm Tradition Eleven: Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio, and films.

1. Do I sometimes promote AA so fanatically that I make it seem unattractive?

2. Am I always careful to keep the confidences reposed in me as an AA member?

3. Am I careful about throwing AA names around--even within the Fellowship?

4. Am I ashamed of being a recovered, or recovering, alcoholic?

5. What would AA be like if we were not guided by the ideas in Tradition Eleven? Where would I be?

6. Is my AA sobriety attractive enough that a sick drunk would want such a quality for himself? (GV NOV, 87)

SOUTHERN MARYLAND INTERGROUP 1-800-492-0209 www.somdintergroup.org 12 How to Be Anonymous on Television

https://www.aa.org/assets/en_US/p-43_thetwelvetradiillustrated.pdf

SOUTHERN MARYLAND INTERGROUP 1-800-492-0209 www.somdintergroup.org 13

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Bill G., David K. 3 yrs, Begin- Pat S. 13yrs. Dai- ner's at Noon 36yrs. ly Reprieve Laurel John K. Grove Wayne S. 10yrs. 33yrs. Cove Point Mid Cities Group 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Peggy K. Bill L., 10 23yrs. Shelly yrs, Mt W. 7yrs. Harmony ODAAT

15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Dino 9 yrs, Early Bird

22 23 24 25 26 27 28

Freddie S. Becky B. 15yrs. Blue Top Kayla B. 11yrs. Improv Noon 4yrs. Lo- Poplar cation Hill Zoom Kathy R. private Boom 3yrs. ODAAT Boom

29 30 Katherine L. 6yrs. Jamie J. 8yrs. ODAAT

SOUTHERN MARYLAND INTERGROUP 1-800-492-0209 www.somdintergroup.org 14 December 2020

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SOUTHERN MARYLAND INTERGROUP 1-800-492-0209 www.somdintergroup.org 15 SMIA Meeting Minutes Corrections and Treatment No the topic. A motion was made to report continue having in person meet- October 10, 2020 PI/CPC No report ings and also having people at- Opening Bill L. opened with Se- tend on Zoom. The motion was renity prayer. Phone report Melissa – issue with seconded and the motion was ac- people not responding to calls. Visitors None cepted. One reason being was She actually responded as the that groups are open and we need Board Members present Bill L., phone chair once the person did to be able to supply the groups Chair and Website, Keenan W. not get a response from 10 differ- with literature and chips. Parliamentarian and Bookstall, ent people and was able to get her Cora W. Treasurer. Tressie F. help. Working on improving the Meeting Adjourned at 11:00 with the Lords Prayer. Secretary and Janine G. Co-Chair response to calls. Emme is help- attended via cell phone. ing with the transition. August – 1 Group Represented & Commit- call: September – 7 calls (4 for St. Mary’s and 3 not specified); and tees Rebecca – Mount Harmony, Pat P. – North Beach, Joyce S. – October 2 calls. District 36/Alt. DCM, Cathy R. – Gratitude Dinner Canceled Bookstall, John - visiting. Picnic Canceled SMIA Chair Report Bill – no re- Serenity Breakfast No report port. Where and When Pat P. – Co-Chair Report No Report reached out to Annapolis to re- Secretary Report Tressie F. read move our meetings. Bill is doing Secretary’s report. The Secretary good job sharing information. Report was accepted as read. Old Business Cora W. - article Treasurer Report Cora W. gave has been filed with state of Mary- Treasurers Report the report was land. accepted as read. New Business Cathy from Area Committee Reports: 29 called in and gave report. She Archives No report attended the ICSO of AA confer- ence (nationwide) and it was in- Bridging the Gap, No report formative. There was representa- Bookstall Cathy R. is the new tion from all 11 intergroups includ- Bookstall chair. Keenan will sup- ing a Spanish speaking intergroup port her during transition. Bill will (Area 13). COVID-19 is having set up a session to do online train- financial impacts and the 2020 ing for the database inventory. GSO budge has to be reforecast. Also 8th floor renovations are being Lifeline Keith H. mentioned that done, which we have financial ob- Ray B. had passed away. He is ligations. See report. working with Wally to write an arti- cle about Ray’s service to AA over For the Good of the Order the years. Keenan opened up a discussion Website Bill L. gave report – 3813 about whether the SMIA meeting visitors. There are 36 online should resume meeting in person meetings and 84 meetings have or having a Zoom meeting instead. reopened. After all who attended spoke on

SOUTHERN MARYLAND INTERGROUP 1-800-492-0209 www.somdintergroup.org 16 SOUTHERN MARYLAND INTERGROUP 1-800-492-0209 www.somdintergroup.org 17 WHERE DO WE SEND OUR CONTRIBUTIONS?

1)All contributions can be made online: www.somdintergroup.org/ donate.php

2) Or they can be mailed to the appro- priate office: General Service Office P.O. Box 459 Grand Central Station New York, NY 10163

Maryland General Service Inc. PO BOX 8043 Elkridge, MD 21075

Southern Maryland Intergroup (SMIA) P.O. Box 767 Charlotte Hall, MD 20622

District 1 Trust Fund (Calvert) P.O. Box 234 Barstow, MD 20610

District 35 (Charles) P.O. Box 1981 La Plata, MD 20646

District 36 (St. Mary’s) P.O. Box 1334 California, MD 20619

ATTENTION GROUP TREASURERS: *Remember to include the 6-digit GSO Group Number on all correspondence to Maryland General Service. SOUTHERN MARYLAND INTERGROUP 1-800-492-0209 www.somdintergroup.org 18 District 35 will be holding their business meetings Password: 121212 online until Stay at Home orders for Maryland are Join Zoom Meeting lifted. We have service positions available! The District meets the first Thursday at 7pm before the https://us02web.zoom.us/j/435977547?pwd=az St. Charles Step meeting. ZOOM meeting info is as BSYnAva2I5Tno3b2IQRVB0QWhJZz09 follows: Dial In: 833-302-1536 Meeting ID: 435 977 547 District 35 does not currently have a website.

DISTRICT 35 - CHARLES DISTRICT 1 CALVERT COUNTY COUNTY OPEN SERVICE POSITIONS: • Hospitality Chair • Communications Chair • Grapevine Rep

District Meeting: 7 PM, 1st Thursday District Meeting: Peace Lutheran Church Waldorf MD 7 PM, 3rd Monday PO Box 1981, La Plata, MD 20646 St. Paul’s Episc. Church

DISTRICT 36 Prince Frederick, MD

ST. MARY'S COUNTY District 1 Trust Fund PO Box 234 PO Box 1334, California, MD 20619 Barstow, MD 20610 www.district www.calvertaa.org 36mdaa.com

Please send any up- dates for the Where & The next SMIA Meeting will be held on When to: November 14th, 2020 at 10:00 AM.

smia.whereandwhen@ There will be two options to attend: somdaa.org. Join us in person @ Immaculate Conception Church, 28297 Old Village Road, Mechanicsville, MD Current meeting guides 20659 are available at the monthly SMIA meeting Or online via Zoom @ https://zoom.us/ on a limited basis. j/99982597908? pwd=QzVLcUZrVHdacFIrYUNZN21tdkluQT09 SOUTHERN MARYLAND INTERGROUP 1-800-492-0209 www.somdintergroup.org 19 Reach Out and Help Someone! RECOVERY. Haven't seen Mary Kay or Jimmy Dean lately? We used to see them at meetings. Sometimes You we’d run across them on Zoom. Where did they must be go? We’re sure they’d love to hear from one of us. Especially now, with the pandemic, in- present person meetings are difficult to find or get to, to win. and not everyone enjoys or even likes the on- line meetings. If you’ve saved some of these folks in your phone contacts, take a few minutes to try and reach out to them. See how you can be of service to them. Maybe they need help finding meetings. Perhaps they’d just like to talk SMIA TEAM: for a while. Even mailing a Grapevine issue would be helpful!! Let them know we have not Chair: Bill L. forgotten them. Remember our legacies; Unity, Vice Chair: Jeanine W. Service, and Recovery. Let them know we care Secretary: Tressie F. during this difficult period. Treasurer: Cora W. Parliamentarian: Keenan W. “Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion Where & When: Pat P. on outside issues; hence the AA name Lifeline: Keith H. ought never be drawn into public contro- Telephone: Melissa W. versy.” Website: Bill L. Bookstall: Cathy R.

THE DEADLINE FOR ALL LIFELINE SUBMISSIONS IS THE The Lifeline is an unofficial 27th OF EACH MONTH. newsletter published by South- ern Maryland Intergroup Associ- Our primary purpose is to help ation, Inc. Any opinions ex- “Our leaders are but the still suffering alcoholic. SMIA trusted servants, they is committed to this principle and pressed are those of the writers. provides a 24x7 Telephone Ser- They are not endorsed by do not govern.” vice. We need phone volunteers! SMIA, any group or AA as a Go to our website, www.somdintergroup.org. Click whole. Group secretaries and on the Phone List link, complete individuals are encouraged to the online form - this is a secure send group news, anniversaries method to add your name to the and events. Material may be ed- 12-Step Call List. This protected information is only shared with ited for space and content. the Phone Committee Chair. You Please send all Lifeline corre- will be amazed before you’re half spondence to: somdlife- way through. [email protected] SOUTHERN MARYLAND INTERGROUP 1-800-492-0209 www.somdintergroup.org 20