JUNE 2020 I am responsible when anyone, Volume 44, #6 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

The three legacies of AA - recovery, were uncommitted, the whole field of which have brought us release from unity and service - in a sense repre- human ideas. morality and religion, one of the grimmest obsessions sent three impossibilities, impossibili- from which we could choose. known -- obviously, this spirit and ties that we know became possible, These have been the wellsprings of these principles of retaining grace and possibilities that have now borne the forces and ideas and emotions had to be the fundamentals of our this unbelievable fruit. Old Fitzmayo, and spirit which were first fused into unity. But in order to become funda- one of the early AA's and I visited the our Twelve Steps for recovery. Some mental to our unity, these principles Surgeon General of the United States of us act well, but no sooner had a had to be spelled out as they applied in the third year of this society and few got sober than the old forces be- to the most prominent and the most told him of our beginnings. He was a gan to come into play in us rather frail grievous of our problems. gentle man, Dr. Lawrence Kolb, and people. They were fearsome, the old So, out of experience came the need has since become a great friend of forces, the drive for money, acclaim, to apply the spirit of our steps to our AA. He said, "I wish you well. Even prestige. lives of working and living together. the sobriety of a few is almost a mira- Would these forces tear us apart? These were the forces that generated cle. The government knows that this Besides, we came from every walk of the Traditions of Alcoholics Anony- is one of the greatest health problems life. Early, we had begun to be a mous. but we have considered the recovery cross-section of all men and women, But, we had to have more than cohe- of alcoholics so impossible that we all differently conditioned, all so differ- sion. Even for survival, we had to car- have given up and have instead con- ent and yet happily so alike in our kin- ry the message and we had to func- cluded that rehabilitation of narcotic ship of suffering. Could we hold in tion. In fact, that had become evident addicts would be the easier job to unity? To those few who remain who in the Twelve Steps themselves for tackle." lived in those earlier times when the the last one enjoins us to carry the Such was the devastating impossibil- Traditions were being forged in the message. But just how would we car- ity of our situation. Now, what has school of hard experience on its thou- ry this message? How would we com- been brought to bear upon this im- sands of anvils, we had our very, very municate, we few, with those myriad's possibility that it has become possi- dark moments. who still don't know? And how would ble? First, the grace of Him who pre- It was sure recovery was in sight, but this communication be handled? How sides over all of us. Next, the cruel how could there be recovery for could we do these things. How could lash of John Barleycorn who said. many? Or how could recovery endure we authorize these things in such a "this you must do, or die." Next, the if we were to fall into controversy and way that in this new, hot focus of ef- intervention of God through friends, at so into dissolution and decay? fort and ego that we would not again first a few and now legion! who Well, the spirit of the Twelve Steps be shattered by the forces that had opened to us, who in the early days once ruined our lives? (continued on page 4)

SOUTHERN MARYLAND INTERGROUP 1-800-492-0209 www.somdintergroup.org I was at a meeting the other night and What Step Six Really Means the speaker was sharing on the 6th “Working the steps means just that step: “Were entirely ready to have God working.” remove all these defects of character.” I was chosen to share. Already in a bad mood, thanks to the remnants of a heartbreak and the permanent effects of my colorist [messing] up my hair, I just let loose, warning those in the meeting that what I would say might come off as blasphemous and offensive. I understand that AA evolved from the Christian-based but this idea that God is like some [freaking] wizard that plucks out your bad character defects is absurd. If you’ve had this paranormal experi- ence, well God bless you. Unfortunately most of what I’ve heard in the rooms, and this meeting was no ex- ception, was people’s endless prayers for patience and willingness but especially their frustration that cer- tain character defects would be removed for one day only to curiously emerge the next like a slew of stub- born blackheads. My sponsor, Jay W., is a very God-oriented and spiritual man. And if you’re ever lucky enough to be one of his sponsees, you better like writing because he requires a lot of it. For my 6th step, after I made a list of my character defects, defined them, made a list of their antonyms and defined them, there was still more. I was asked to give two examples of each character defect in action within the last six months and if I could not, then it was not considered an active or pressing defect and was taken off the list. I was also asked to list how each defect negatively affects intimate relationships and blocks recovery. When you see the high price you are paying for these defects, it is much easier to decide to let them go. Sure it’s nice to feel supe- rior or briefly relieved after you vent your rage, but once you get the bill, no thank you. And if there were character defects you were still not willing to let go of, the question was why and what you were gaining by holding onto them. Once this was all done, I made flashcards so that each day I could look for that defect and try to replace it with its opposite. It’s concrete. Not some loosey goosey, “God please remove my char- acter defects today…all 1,654 of them. Gracias.” I remember early on when I asked Jay if God was going to remove my character defects, he said “Well, I don’t have an intervening God, honey, do you?” And I answered “No.” And he replied “Then, sweetheart, you will have to do the work.” For me the idea that you can sit passively by while some does all the heavy lifting for you is the essence of this disease. In general, we alcoholics are lazy and we want people to fix it FOR us. I avoided AA for so long because I knew it would take work, tirelessly, daily. Before AA, I tried all these other “treatments” that allowed me to sit on my a** while somebody else fixed my problem: exorcisms, biofeed- back, acupuncture, therapy, shamans. I even went to a clinic in Tijuana where I got to kick back and play with my iPhone while they pumped amino acids into my veins in the hopes of rebalancing my brain chemis- try thus curing my disease. Guess what? It didn’t work. None of it. What has worked is working. Working the steps. Working at contrary action. Working to build a life that is worth staying sober for. Working to be self-supporting. One of my first sponsors once told me “You don’t have to be a good person. You just have to act like one. Nobody knows the difference.” And he’s right. We are judged on our actions, not our intentions. And the more you act a certain way, the more you become that way. Let me quote some great thinkers and writ- ers to back me up here: Plato said, “Character is simply habit long continued.” Aristotle said, “We are what we repeatedly do.” And, incredibly, this is now backed up by science. It turns out that you can change your neural pathways through repeated action. You don’t have to wait to feel a certain way. You can take the action and it will change the way you feel and eventually think. https://www.thefix.com/what-step-six-really-means SOUTHERN MARYLAND INTERGROUP 1-800-492-0209 www.somdintergroup.org 2 The following is an excerpt from the pamphlet “Going Through The Steps – A.A. Sponsorship Pam- phlet” by Clarence Snyder 1944:

In Step 4, we’re asked to take a searching and fearless moral inventory. We must find out what we’ve got, what we need to get rid of, and what we need to acquire. There are 20 character defects to ask about — the individual wrongs are not necessary to go over, just the defects that caused them. Going over the questions, you ask that the person be honest and admit his defects to him- self, to you, and to God (where two or more are gathered in His name, there shall He be.) By admit- ting, the person also takes Step 5. The inventory is of our defects, not our incidents. Here are the defects of character :

1. Resentment, Anger 8. Impatience 15. Insincerity 2. Fear, Cowardice 9. Hate 16. Negative Thinking 3. Self pity 10. False pride, Denial 17. Immoral thinking 4. Self justification 11. Jealousy 18. Perfectionism, Intolerance 5. Self importance, Egotism 12. Envy 19. Criticizing, Gossip 6. Self condemnation, Guilt 13. Laziness 20. Greed 7. Dishonesty 14. Procrastination

A Commonly Asked Question:

AA’s are often asked “What is the difference between ‘defects of character’ in Step Six and ‘shortcomings‘ in Step Seven?”

According to G.S.O.’s archives, Bill W. commented about his use of “Defects of Character” and “Shortcomings” interchangeably in the Steps in a personal letter he wrote dated March 7, 1963:

Thanks for your inquiry, requesting to know the difference between ‘defects of character’ and ‘shortcomings’ — as those words appear in the Steps. Actually I don’t remember any particular sig- nificance in these phrases. In my mind, the meaning is identical; I guess I just used two ways of expression, rather than to repeat myself. It’s just as simple as that.

In another letter, dated November 16, 1965, Bill again responded to a similar inquiry. His letter read, in part:

When these Steps were being done, I didn’t want to repeat the phrase ‘character defects’ twice in succession. Therefore in Step Seven, I substituted ‘shortcomings’, thereby equating ‘shortcomings’ with ‘defects.’ When reading most people do equate that way and there seems to be no difficulty. I used them as though they both meant exactly the same thing — which they appear to many peo- ple. https://www.aacle.org/defects-of-character/

WHAT DO WE WANT? Do we want more of what brought us to AA?... We were having trouble with personal relationships, we couldn't control our emotional natures, we were a prey to misery and depression, we couldn't make a living, we had a feeling of uselessness, we were full of fear, we were unhappy, we couldn't seem to be of real help to other people—was not a basic solution of these bedevilments more important ... ? 2nd, 3rd, and 4th edition Big Book page 52

... or do we want what practicing the principles of AA promises? If we are painstaking about this phase of our development, we will be amazed before we are half way through. We are going to know a new freedom and a new happiness. We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it. We will comprehend the word serenity and we will know peace. No matter how far down the scale we have gone, we will see how our experience can benefit others. That feeling of uselessness and self pity will disappear. We will lose interest in selfish things and gain interest in our fellows. Self- seeking will slip away. Our whole attitude and outlook upon life will change. Fear of people and of economic insecurity will leave us. We will intuitively know how to handle situations which used to baffle us. We will suddenly realize that God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves. Are these extravagant promises? We think not. They are being fulfilled among us—sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly. They will always materialize if we work for them. 2nd, 3rd, and 4th edition Big Book page 83 & 84

SOUTHERN MARYLAND INTERGROUP 1-800-492-0209 www.somdintergroup.org 3 (cont. from p. 1) This was the problem of the Third Legacy. From the vital Twelfth Step call right up through our society to its culmination today. And, again, many of us said: "This can't be done. It's all very well for Bill and Bob and a few friends to set up a Board of Trustees and to provide us with some literature, and look after our public relations and do all of those chores for us that we can't do for ourselves. This is fine, but we can't go any further than that. This is a job for our elders, for our parents. In this direction only, can there be simplicity and security. And then came the day when it was seen that the parents were both fallible and perishable and Dr. Bob's hour struck and we suddenly real- ized that this ganglion, this vital nerve center of World Service, would lose its sensation the day the communication between an increasingly unknown Board of Trustees and you was broken. Fresh links would have to be forged. And at that time many of us said: This is impossible, this is too hard. Even in transacting the simplest business, providing the simplest of services, raising the minimum amounts of money, these excitements to us, in this society so bent on survival have been almost too much locally. Look at our club brawls. My God, if we have elections countrywide and Delegates come down here and look at the complexity - thousands of group representatives, hundreds of committeemen, scores of Delegates - my God, when these descend on our par- ents, the Trustees, what is going to happen then? It won't be simplicity: it can't be. Our experience has spelled it out. But there was the imperative, the must, and why was there an imperative? Because we had better have some confu- sion, some politicking, than to have utter collapse of this center. That was the alternative and that was the uncertain and tenuous ground on which the General Service Conference was called into being. I venture, in the minds of many and sometimes in mine that the Conference could be symbolized by a great prayer and a faint hope. This was the state of affairs in 1945 to 1950. Then came the day when some of us went up to Boston to watch an assembly elect by two-thirds vote or lot a Delegate. Prior to assembly, I consulted all the local politicos and those very wise Irishmen in Boston said, "We're going to make your prediction Bill, you know us temperamentally, but we're going to say that this thing is going to work." That was the biggest piece of news and one of the mightiest assurances that I had up to this time that there could be any survival for these services. Well, work it has and we have survived another impossi- bility. Not only have we survived the impossibility, we have so far transcended it that there can be no return in future years to the old uncertainties, come what perils there may. Now, as we have seen in this quick review, the spirit of the Twelve Steps was applied in specific terms to our problems of living and working together. This developed the Twelve Traditions. In turn, the Twelve Traditions were applied to this problem of functioning at world levels in harmo- ny and unity. (10th GSC, April, 1960) https://silkworth.net/pages/ask_billw/question40.php

THE SPIRITUAL PRINCIPLE: WILLINGNESS The Spiritual Principle Willingness lies be- hind A.A.’s Step Six: “Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.” The defects of character, of course, refer to those defects which we admitted to in Step Five. Having done so, we’re ready to cast out those defects. The crucial aspect of Step Six is our willingness to let go of old behaviors. What is willingness? Most people would tell you that they know the definition of the word. But do they really?

If someone approached you with a check in your name for one million dollars and asked if you were willing to accept it and you said yes, does that make you willing? NO. Why you ask? Because you already want a million dollars! Will- ingness isn’t doing or accepting things that you would gleefully want to do or accept anyway; willingness is doing and accepting things you don’t want to do or accept. People often ask “don’t you have to want to enter treatment for it to work”? The answer is No. You have to be WILLING to enter treatment. Very few people wanted to enter treatment. But we were willing to enter treatment anyway. See the difference? Willingness only applies if you never wanted to in the first place. How does one become willing? They decide to become willing. It’s that simple. See, you can’t teach willingness. That makes it one of the rarest of the Spiritual Principles. You can teach people how to be humble, you can teach people how to grow closer to their higher power, you can teach people how to be or service. But you can- not teach willingness.

You can’t force willingness either. Just as you can’t force someone to seek treatment. You can however help them once they get there. As a wise man once said “you can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make him drink. You can salt his food though”. Treatment helps salt the food of an unwilling alcoholic, with the goal being for that person to find their inner willingness to make a change. Once that willingness is uncovered, the world literally opens up for people and they find the most important tools and principles they will ever need to succeed. https:// www.recoverybootcamp.com/thursday-spiritual-principle-willingness/

SOUTHERN MARYLAND INTERGROUP 1-800-492-0209 www.somdintergroup.org 4 WHAT’S UP WITH YOUR HOME GROUP? WE WANT TO KNOW! HOW DID ITGET HERE? WHERE DID IT COME FROM?

RESEARCHING A.A. GROUP HISTORY The General Service Office Archives Department is frequently asked how A.A. Groups can write their group history. Listed below are some typical questions that the Archives Department uses when writing a group history. It is suggested that groups try to answer these questions and, as needed, contact both the General Service Office Archives and their local Archives for information. If groups are conducting an oral history, the G.S.O. Archives has prepared an Oral History Kit that can be used as a guide – experience has shown that many groups have found it to be helpful. The Oral History Kit is available on the Archives portal of G.S.O.’s A.A. website at www.aa.org. Service Material from the General Service Office

1. Who were the founding members of the group? 17. How does the group celebrate group member’s anni- versaries of sobriety? 2. Where and when was the first meeting held? In date order, list where later meetings have been held. In- 18. How has the group celebrated the anniversary of its’ clude city, state, building, residence, church, club- founding? house, etc. 19. Describe how the group has cooperated with profes- 3. Did the group list with the General Service Office at sional agencies (by signing court cards, supporting a the time the members first met? meeting in an institutional setting, taking regular phone duty at the Intergroup or Central Office, etc.). 4. What is the group’s name? Have there been any changes to the group’s name over the years? 20. Has the group participated in special local or regional A.A. functions, such as conventions, conferences, 5. What initiated the meeting: was it the offshoot of a round-ups, forums or workshops? For information on parent group; was there a split due to disagreements; how to contact your local Central, Intergroup Office or did a few A.A.s simply decide to start a hometown Area, go to the A.A. Near You portal of www.aa.org. group, etc. G.S.O.’s Archives Department can be contacted via 6. How did the founding members let the community their portal on the website or by calling (212) 870- know that a new A.A. meeting was forming? 3400. 7. How many members attended the group’s first meet- https://www.aa.org/assets/en_US/smf-169_en.pdf ing? 8. Describe member composition, for example, men on- ly, women, young people, etc. 9. How did the group experience growth over the years? 10. Are group inventories conducted regularly and have they been helpful? 11. Who were the early group officers? List, for example, GSR, Group Contact, Chair, Group Secretary, etc. 12. Has the group used a steering committee? 13. Have any group members participated in District, Ar- ea or other service to the Fellowship? (over) 2 14. How often were meetings held and has that changed over the years? 15. What meeting formats have been used – closed, open, discussion, etc. 16. Describe the group’s growing pains or controversies.

SOUTHERN MARYLAND INTERGROUP 1-800-492-0209 www.somdintergroup.org 5 Members of Alcoholics The Serenity Prayer and Anonymous have enthu- Twelve Step Recovery siastically Finding the Balance between embraced Acceptance and Change. the healing wisdom of 1930s and 1940s, and was later adopted and pop- this beloved ularized by and other prayer— Twelve Step programs. known as For many, the first verse of the Serenity Prayer the Serenity serves as a daily touchstone, reminding us that to Prayer— achieve serenity, we must approach each moment from the ear- with acceptance, courage and wisdom. The prayer liest days of perfectly expresses the central problem of alcohol- . the fellow- ism and prescribes a timeless solution. ship. In fact, The Serenity Prayer’s message about acceptance these 27 echoes insights from Bill W., co-founder of AA. In words are heard today in most every AA meeting the book Alcoholics Anonymous, published by AA because the prayer offers a simplified version of World Services, Bill described the core trait of al- the Twelve Step path to sanity and sobriety. coholics as self-centeredness—something he In many ways, the Serenity Prayer mirrors the spir- called "self-will run riot." He further portrayed the ituality, principles and practices of AA's Twelve alcoholic as "an actor who wants to run the whole Steps. And, although the origin is thought to be show; is forever trying to arrange the lights, the Christian, the wisdom of the Serenity Prayer is ap- ballet, the scenery and the rest of the players in plicable to daily life regardless of your religion, his own way." Bill's solution: "First of all, we had to concept of God or spiritual belief system. Several quit playing God." versions of the Serenity Prayer exist, each with What blocks some alcoholics and addicts from slightly different wording that various support achieving serenity is this intense desire to achieve groups have adopted. The full prayer text, shown a sense of absolute control—an impossibility for below, includes stronger religious overtones than human beings. This need for control has two as- the abbreviated version, which is most often recit- pects: First, the attempt to control the behavior of ed in AA groups. others, a strategy that alcoholics cling to despite There are conflicting accounts of the prayer's its repeated failure; and second, the attempt to origin. It has been variously attributed to an an- control feelings by medicating them by drinking. cient Sanskrit text; the Greek philosopher, Aristo- This strategy is doomed to failure. An alcoholic’s tle; the early Christian theologian, St. Augustine; quest for absolute control can lead to misery, the Catholic preacher and patron saint, St. Francis which may, in turn, contribute to other substance of Assisi; and other spiritual leaders. Many AA abuse problems. Ironically, the need to control members were first introduced to the prayer in may also be a response to the unmanageability 1948, when it was quoted in AA Grapevine, the fel- caused by the out-of-control use of alcohol. And lowship’s magazine. There, the prayer was credit- the vicious cycle continues until he/she is able to ed to American theologian (1892 accept that there will always be hardship in life and -1971). The Serenity Prayer spread through both external circumstances beyond our ability to Niebuhr’s sermons and church groups in the change. (continued on page 6)

SOUTHERN MARYLAND INTERGROUP 1-800-492-0209 www.somdintergroup.org 6 (cont. from p.5) The prayer points us to examine our Thanks to Bill L., our talented inner life and to understand that we can influence our feelings and our emotional health through the web wizard, SMIA now has a things we can control—our thinking and our ac- tions. By focusing on those two factors, we mobile application! A compact strengthen our capacity for courage, the final qual- ity promised in the Serenity Prayer. The Serenity version of the content availa- Prayer opens a wide door to spiritual growth and healing, one that embraces people of all faiths, ble on our website, it’s only backgrounds and beliefs about God. It offers spir- itual truths and practical wisdom to all. People available on the Android OS for who learn to live and breathe this prayer in their daily lives discover, in the balance between ac- now. However, it’s a work in ceptance and change, the precious gift of sereni- ty—a gift that is available to us with each new day progress, so please take a and enlightens our lifelong, spiritual journey. peek and if you have any sug- The Full Serenity Prayer God grant me the serenity gestions for improvements, To accept the things I cannot change; Courage to change the things I can; send them to: And wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time; [email protected] Enjoying one moment at a time; Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; Taking, as He did, this sinful world As it is, not as I would have it; Trusting that He will make things right If I surrender to His Will; So that I may be reasonably happy in this life And supremely happy with Him Forever and ever in the next. Amen. https://www.hazeldenbettyford.org/articles/the-serenity-prayer https:// play.google.com/ store/apps/details? id=com.newandro mo.dev359899.app 608979

SOUTHERN MARYLAND INTERGROUP 1-800-492-0209 www.somdintergroup.org 7 The history behind reading The A DECLARATION Lord’s Prayer at 12-Step meetings OF UNITY It is mentioned in Dr. Bob ways those who seem to that happens to the ob- This we owe to and the Good Oldtimers be offended by the intro- jectors is that they have that the prayer was used duction of any prayer to listen to it. This is A.A.’s future: To from the very beginning whatever into an ordinary doubtless a salutary ex- in the Fellowship, at least A.A. gathering. Also it is ercise in tolerance at place our as early as 1938 and sometimes complained their stage of progress.” common welfare 1939. In those days there that the Lord’s Prayer is As Bill’s 1955 letter indi- was no AA literature, so a Christian document. cates, recitation of the first; to keep our the early groups relied Nevertheless, this Prayer Lord’s Prayer at meet- fellowship heavily on existing pray- is of such widespread ings has clearly been ers, and on the Bible and use and recognition that controversial in some cir- united. For on Oxford Group literature, the argument of its Chris- cles almost since the be- for inspiration and guid- tian origin seems to be a ginning. The GSO has A.A. unity de- ance. Bill W. commented little far-fetched. It is also responded to letters on pend our lives several times in his cor- true that most AA’s be- this issue since the respondence about the lieve in some kind of god 1940s and 1950s. It is and the lives of early use of the Lord’s and that communication continually addressed in those to come. Prayer. He wrote a letter and strength is obtaina- articles in Box 459 and to a member in 1959 in ble through his grace. the AA Grapevine, and which he stated: “This Since this is the general has often been asked practice probably came consensus, it seems only about at the General Ser- from the Oxford Groups right that at least the Se- vice Conference. For ex- who were influential in renity Prayer and the ample, at the 1962 Con- the early days of A.A. Lord’s Prayer be used in ference, in one of the Ask You have probably noted connection with our -It Basket questions, this in A.A. Comes of Age meetings. It does not subject was broached: what the connection of seem necessary to defer “Question: What is the these people with A.A. to the feelings of our ag- procedure for dealing really was. I think saying nostic and atheist new- with individuals who re- the Lord’s Prayer was a comers to the extent of fuse to stand during reci- custom of theirs following completely hiding ‘our tation of the Lord’s Pray- the close of each meet- light under a bushel.’ er? Answer: Participation ing. Therefore it quite However, around here, –or non-participation-in easily got shifted into a the leader of the meeting recitals of the Lord’s general custom among usually asks those to join Prayer should be consid- us.” Bill also wrote the him in the Lord’s Prayer ered a matter of personal following in a 1955 letter: who feel that they would conscience and deci-

“Of course there are al- care to do so. The worst sion.” G.S.O. Archives

meetings - step - 12 - prayer - lords - reading - history

history/ - recovery/aa - program - step - 12 - addiction - - https://bigbooksponsorship.org/articles SOUTHERN MARYLAND INTERGROUP 1-800-492-0209 www.somdintergroup.org 8 IT HAPPENED IN JUNE... June 1946 - 24,000 plus members

June 1947 - "AA Preamble" first printed in Grapevine.

June 1949 - Capt. Jack C. formed AA Seamen's Club in NYC.

June 1953 - "Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions" published.

June 1, 1949 - Anne Ripley Smith, Bob's wife, died.

June 5, 1939 - New York Times favorably reviewed the Big Book.

June 6, 1940 - AA group founded in Richmond, Virginia.

June 7, 1938 - Bill & Lois have argument, 1 of 2 times Bill almost slips.

June 7, 1941 - AA group founded in St. Paul, MN.

June 8, 1941 - Group founded in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

June 10, 1935 - Dr. Bob has last drink (some say it may have been on

June 17 based on date of medical convention he attended.).

June 11, 1935 - Dr. Bob suggests he and Bill start working with other alcoholics.

June 11, 1945 - 2500 attend AA's 10th Anniversary in Cleveland, Ohio.

*June 15, 1938 - One of the first documented uses of the term Alcoholics Anonymous.(*see July 15)

*June 16, 1940 - Jim B helped Jim R start group in Baltimore. (?or June 13 or 15)

June 16, 1938 - date of Jim B's, "Vicious Cycle" from Big Book, last drink.

June 18, 1940 - Meeting held in first 'AA clubhouse', at 334½ W. 24th St, NYC.

June 19, 1942 - NY paper reports 6 cops sent to AA are sober. Police commissioner credits AA with "fewer suicides" on his files.

June 21, 1944 - The A.A. Grapevine established.

June 26, 1935 - Bill D, AA#3, had last drink before being admitted to hospital.

June 27, 1981 - AA Switzerland held 25th Anniv Convention.

June 28, 1935 - Bill and Dr. Bob visit Bill D, first "Man on the Bed." He becomes AA#3.

June 29-July 2, 1995 - 60th Anniversary of AA in San Diego.

June 29, 2000 - 65th AA Anniv. in Minneapolis, MN. http://www.a-1associates.com/aa/HISTORY_PAGE/significant_dates.htm

June 30, 1939 - Dr. Harry Emerson Fosdick favorably reviewed the Big Book.

June 30, 1941 - Jack C & Ruth Hock brought the 'Serenity Prayer' to Bill's attention.

SOUTHERN MARYLAND INTERGROUP 1-800-492-0209 www.somdintergroup.org 9 SOUTHERN MARYLAND INTERGROUP 1-800-492-0209 www.somdintergroup.org 10 Be a Part of the Picnic Tradition Wherever Your Are! 69th Annual Lois' Family Groups Picnic June 6, 2020, 1:00-4:00 p.m. Eastern (U.S. & Canada) Online Via Zoom Webinar

Click Here to Register or go to https://69thpicnic.eventbrite.com All who register receive the event login by email 1-2 days prior to the event. Please check your Inbox and Spam/Junk folder. To ensure email delivery, add [email protected] and the eventbrite.com domain to your address book and safe senders. Schedule (All times are Eastern) 1:00 to 1:15 p.m. Welcome & Stepping Stones Scenes & History 1:15 to 2:00 p.m. History Conversation & Audience Q&A: "About Ebby T. - The Man Who Carried A Recovery Message to Bill W." A relative of Ebby T. will be interviewed about Ebby's life, recovery, and family by Stepping Stones Executive Director by audience questions and answers. 2:00 to 2:15 p.m. Coffee Break and More Scenes from Stepping Stones 2:15 p.m. to 3:45 / 4 p.m. - A.A., Al-Anon Family Groups, and Alateen Speakers Advance registration is required for the online Picnic event. To receive the login information via email for the online event, visit this page in mid-May for registration details. To join the mail list send your full name, address, phone, and email address to [email protected]. Donations for self-support of the event are are welcomed. These may also support the operations and preservation of Stepping Stones historic site and archives. Nominate Picnic Speakers who knew or met Lois or Bill or nominate an Alateen by emailing [email protected]. Past speaker recordings are available for purchase by emailing [email protected] to inquire IGLC with Terry P. - Maryland General Service Treasurer/Chair DIAL IN #: (712) 775-7465; enter Participant Code 581955

Future Line Up and MGS events: (Subject to Change) June 6, 2020 Area Assembly (details below) June 14, 2020 District 18 Workshop "Freedom from Isolation" (flyer attached) July 6, 2020 - Cynthia T - Delegate Conference Report Back for the IGLC Conference Call

You are invited to attend the virtual, June Area Assembly and Delegate Report Back on June 6, 2020 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The virtual doors will open at 8:45 a.m. for fellowship. Please see the at- tached agenda. Our Delegate, Cynthia T. will also Report Back on the virtual 70th General Service Con- ference.

Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87849297985?pwd=Q25oU1RCMUhvanFBcU9oZ0Y1OHo5QT09 Meeting ID: 878 4929 7985 Password: 588722 One tap mobile +13017158592,87849297985#,1#,588722#

SHOUT OUT: Donna and I had the honor of attending the West Central Intergroup meeting this week. We were delighted to learn that district DCMs are included at the Intergroup meeting and are welcome to give a report. This is the only IG of our 10 that collaborates in this way to my knowledge. I very much appreciated the community spirit and willingness to showcase the multiple ways we can get active and provide service in A.A. Kathi K. Donna S. MGS Intergroup Liaison Chair MGS Intergroup Liaison Co-Chair 410-949-6456 410-227-1049

SOUTHERN MARYLAND INTERGROUP 1-800-492-0209 www.somdintergroup.org 11 SOUTHERN MARYLAND INTERGROUP 1-800-492-0209 www.somdintergroup.org 12 SOUTHERN MARYLAND INTERGROUP 1-800-492-0209 www.somdintergroup.org 13 General Service Office of Alcoholics Anonymous issued a notice regarding the COVID-19 (coronavirus) and in it suggests local meeting alternatives as well as some good practices 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 Intergroup • Speaker Tape websites – AA Speaker, 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://es.groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/AAMensaje/info

Difficult times come to us all. We must all help one another. We must stand with one another. We must be understanding of each other’s problems. We must share each other’s burdens. https://www.alcoholicsanonymous.ie/

Grapevine and La Viña are here to help

Due to the current changing health situation, many AA meetings across the U.S. and Cana- da are finding it safer to close. To help members during this time, we are giving every- one free access to all of our 2020 Grapevine and La Viña issues. (The audio to Grape- vine’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 original audio stories as well as other important information. To enter, vis- it: www.aagrapevine.org/we-are-here-to-help

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

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2 3 4 5 6 Donna Z., 23 yrs, Hunting- town Noon

7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Mike B., 3 yrs, Angie S., 7 yrs, More Will Be Lexington Park Revealed Big Book

14 15 16 17 18 19 20

21 22 23 24 25 26 27

28 29 30

SOUTHERN MARYLAND INTERGROUP 1-800-492-0209 www.somdintergroup.org 15 July 2020

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2 3 4

5 6 7 8 9 10 11

12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Susan B, 3 yrs, Keith H., 31 yrs, More Will Be Almost Normal Revealed

19 20 21 22 23 24 25

26 27 28 29 30 31

SOUTHERN MARYLAND INTERGROUP 1-800-492-0209 www.somdintergroup.org 16 SMIA Meeting Minutes - May 9, 2020 site. COVID 19-Updates to temporarily closed meet- ings are being made as he gets them. It was bought Opening: The meeting was opened by Bill L. with up about reimbursing people for Zoom costs. Board the serenity prayer. members don’t think SMIA should reimburse but groups or districts may reimburse members for New Members and Visitors: N/A costs. Board Members and Committee Chair Present: Corrections and Treatment: Calvert No Report St. Bill L. Chairperson, Janine G. Vice Chairperson, Mary’s No Report Charles Report – Janine – no Keenan Parliamentarian, Tressie F. Secretary. visitors allowed this time. Same for Calvert and St. Groups Represented: Paul Y. – Smoke Free So- Mary's. briety. PI/CPC: Calvert – No report Charles – No report SMIA Chair Report: This month’s meeting was held St. Mary’s – No report. online to abide with the governor’s order, state and Gratitude Dinner: No report local guidelines. No report at this time. We are hopeful we can resume to normal operations at Serenity Breakfast: No report some point. Next meeting – online or in person Picnic: No report TBD. Where and When: No report.

SMIA Vice Chair Report: Janine G. – has a catalog Old Business: SMIA bylaws were signed by board available. Working on website for Charles county. members. Discussion on rent for SMIA location was tabled. Secretary Report: Tressie F. gave the Secretary’s New Business: Discussion around reimburse for for April 2020. Zoom costs mentioned above. Treasurer Report: Bill L. provided treasurers re- Good of the order: N/A port. Treasurer moved $1000 from prudent reserve and net assets are $6312.61 (see report online). Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned around Reminder people can contribute online. Contributing 10:45 am with the Responsibility Pledge. a $1 to GSO or SMIA for every year sober was men- Submitted by Tressie F., SMIA Secretary tioned. Committee Reports Archives: No Report Bridging the Gap: No Report Bookstall: Dave T. is the new chair but could not attend. Keenan now has a complete inventory. Bill offered to enter the inventory into the database. Dis- cussed details of going live with online ordering. It will also be sent to board members for approval to go-live. Telephone: Janice – the current 800 number goes to a pain clinic. Will remove number from website and reach out to Sherri and Emme to address issue. Lifeline: Keith H. was absent. Lifeline available online but not printed due to closed meetings. Website: Bill L. There were 5793 visits to the web-

SOUTHERN MARYLAND INTERGROUP 1-800-492-0209 www.somdintergroup.org 17 Southern Maryland Intergroup Association Inc. Treasury Report

Southern Maryland Intergroup Association Inc. Southern Maryland Intergroup Association Inc. Statement of Financial Position Yearly Statement of Activity May 1, 2020 - May 24, 2020 May 1,2020 - May 24, 2020 Assets Revenue Primary Business Checking 892.75 Donations 171.00 Prudent Reserve 5,000.00 Bookstall Petty Cash 99.52 Total Revenue $ 171.00 PayPal 218.24 Bookstall Cash on hand 100.00 Assets Total Assets 6,310.51 Primary Business Checking 892.75 Prudent Reserve 5,000.00 Expenses Petty Cash 99.52 Phone Answering Service 120.20 PayPal 218.24 Bookstall Inventory 3/ 15,470.50 Web Hosting Fee 8.71 Bookstall Cash on hand 100.00 P.O. Box 92.00 Total Assets $ 21,681.01 Total Expenses 220.91 Net Assets as of Apr 24th 6,089.60 3/ Bookstall inventory has been updated and all items are current. Expenditures Bank Fees Bookstall IRS Filing Costs Liability Insurance Lifeline Printing Misc. Office Supplies & Software www.somdintergroup.org/donate.php PayPal SMIA, P.O. Box 767, Charlotte Hall, Md. 20622 Phone Answering Service 120.20 Picnic PO Box Rental 92.00 Postage/Money order Rent & Lease Unitel 1-800 Number Web Hosting Fee 8.71 Website Maintenance 220.91 Where & When (21,460.10)

SOUTHERN MARYLAND INTERGROUP 1-800-492-0209 www.somdintergroup.org 18 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 19 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 Prince Frederick, MD DISTRICT 36 - ST. MARY'S COUNTY District 1 Trust Fund District Meeting: 6:30 PM PO Box 234 2nd Tuesday Barstow, MD 20610 @ Hollywood Rescue Squad Bldg., www.calvertaa.org PO Box 1334, California, MD 20619 Please send any up- dates for the Where & When to:

smia.whereandwhen @somdaa.org. The next meeting of the SMIA will be held on-line at: Current meeting guides are available at https://zoom.us/j/99982597908? the monthly SMIA meeting on a limited pwd=QzVLcUZrVHdacFIrYUNZN21t basis. dkluQT09 on June 13th at 10:00 AM

SOUTHERN MARYLAND INTERGROUP 1-800-492-0209 www.somdintergroup.org 20 "The RECOVERY. good we do today You must be becomes present the happi- to win. ness of tomor- row." SMIA TEAM: ~ William James Chair: Bill L. Vice Chair: Jeanine W. SMIA PHONE REPORT - MAY 2020 Secretary: Tressie F. Treasurer: Cora W. PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT THE HOT- Parliamentarian: Keenan W. Where & When: Pat P. LINE IS UNDERGOING SOME TECH- Lifeline: Keith H. NICAL REVISIONS - WE’RE WORKING Telephone: Sheri M. TO HAVE IT BACK AVAILABLE ASAP. Website: Bill L. Bookstall: Dave T.

THE DEADLINE FOR ALL LIFELINE SUBMISSIONS IS THE 27th The Lifeline is an unofficial 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 21