2015 EDITION

The Happy, Joyous, & Free Press The Area 48 Newsletter, published since 1974, is to foster unity and provide communications among AA members, groups, districts & the GSO.

Tradition 11 Checklist AA Principles of the Month 1. Do I sometimes promote AA so fanatically that I make it seem unattractive? Step 11 - Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God, as we understood Him, praying 2. Am I always careful to keep the confidences reposed in me as an only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry AA member? that out. 3. Am I careful about throwing AA Tradition 11 - (long form) Our relations with the general names around--even within the public should be characterized by personal anonymity. We Fellowship? think A.A. ought to avoid sensational advertising. Our names 4. Am I ashamed of being a and pictures as A.A. members ought not be broadcast, filmed, recovered, or recovering, alcoholic? or publicly printed. Our public relations should be guided by the principle of attraction rather than promotion. There is 5. What would AA be like if we were not guided by the ideas in never need to praise ourselves. We feel it better to let our Tradition Eleven? Where would friends recommend us. I be? Concept XI - The trustees should always have the best 6. Is my AA sobriety attractive enough that a sick drunk would possible committees, corporate service directors, executives, want such a quality for himself? staffs, and consultants. Composition, qualifications, induction procedures, and rights and duties will always be matters of - Copyright © by A.A. Grapevine, Inc.; reprinted w/ permission. serious concern.

Concept 11 Checklist

1. Do we understand how the roles of nontrustee directors and nontrustee appointed In this Issue ….. committee members help serve and strengthen the committee ‘A Suggestion for Thanksgiving’ p. 2 system? Calendar of Events p. 3 2. How do we encourage our AREA Event Flyers: Nov. & January p. 3 special paid workers to Convention Help Wanted Ad p. 3 exercise their traditional “Right of Participation?” HMB Convention Registration Flyer p. 5 NERAASA 2016 Registration Flyer/Form pp. 6-7 3. Do we practice rotation in all our service positions? A Message from CDCO p. 8 A Message from your Newsletter Editor p. 8 - Reprinted with permission of A.A. September Treasurer Report p. 9 World Services, Inc. Area Reports pp. 9-12 AA History in November p. 13 Step 11 Word Search - Last month’s key p. 14 2016 Meeting Schedule Order Form p. 15 Hudson | Mohawk | Berkshire Area 48 www.aahmbny.org November 2015 Edition

troubles we have had, but none serious enough to An article by Bill W. about the Traditions test our adult strength. It’s not strange that we are a bit complacent and self-satisfied. Surely there need be no counsel of fear, not lack of faith, in the prediction that a far greater time of trial may yet be ‘A Suggestion for Thanksgiving’ ours. When we think our situation through, simple Grapevine, prudence and foresight will tell us that. November, 1949 The Twelve Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous are a distillate of our experience of living and working together. They apply the spirit of the Twelve The idea is in the air that AA might adopt recovery Steps to our group life and security. They Thanksgiving week as a time for meetings and deal with our relations with the world outside and meditation on the Traditions of Alcoholics with each other; they state our attitudes toward Anonymous. The friend who hatched this notion tells you why he thinks the idea good. I heartily agree with what he says and hope you will too. Yet many of us still take the basic unity of Alcoholics Anonymous for granted . . . Pre-AA, we alkies could sometimes achieve that dubious state called “sobriety, period.” How bleak They (the Traditions) deal with our and empty this alleged virtue is, only God or a relations with the world outside and with dried-up drunk can fully testify. The reason? Of each other; course every AA knows it; nothing has taken the place of the victim’s grog; he’s still a man of conflict and disunity. Come then the Twelve Steps of power and prestige, toward property and money. recovery, bringing to him a personality change. The They would save us from tempting alliances and shattered prospect feels reassembled; he now says major controversies; they would elevate principles he seems all one piece. We understand exactly far above personal ambitions. And as a token of what he means, for he describes the state of being this last, they request that we maintain personal at oneness; he is talking about personal unity. We anonymity before the open public as a protection to know he must work to maintain it and that he can’t AA and as proof of the fact that our Society intends stay alive without it. to practice true humility.

Will not the same principle hold true for AA as a For the information of the general public and for the whole? Isn’t it also a fact that the alcoholic is in no instruction of new AA members, the Twelve greater peril than when he takes sobriety for Traditions have just been released in a much granted? If vigilant practice of sound principle is a condensed “short form” which we hope will be as matter of life and death for him, why isn’t that widely read and understood as the Twelve Steps of equally so for the AA group, and for our far-flung recovery. Should this happen, our current growing Society itself? pains will be lessened and we shall commence to lay up a great store of insurance for the years ahead. Yet many of us still take the basic unity of Alcoholics Anonymous for granted. We seem to What then could be more appropriate than to set forget that the whole of modern society is on a aside Thanksgiving week for discussion of the dangerous and contagious “dry bender.” We practical and spiritual values to be discovered in evidently assume we are so different from other our Traditions? We could thus reinforce our faith in men and women that disintegration can’t hit us. the future by these prudent works; we could show Our unity appears as a gift of heaven; something to that we deserve to go on receiving that priceless be perpetually enjoyed by us AAs quite without gift of oneness which God in his wisdom has so effort. freely given to us of Alcoholics Anonymous in the precious years of our infancy. Criticism is not intended, because our present attitude is natural enough. It stems from the fact - “The Language of the Heart, Bill W.’s Grapevine that no society in its infancy has ever enjoyed more Writings” pp. 95-96.

providential protection against temptation and Copyright © by A.A. Grapevine, Inc.; reprinted with permission. untoward happenings than has ours. Minor

2 Hudson | Mohawk | Berkshire Area 48 www.aahmbny.org November 2015 Edition HMB Area 48 Calendar of Events Date Event Host/location Central Cluster: District 8 November 6-8, 2015 HMB Convention (Districts 4 & 14) Western Cluster: District 12 November 14, 2015 Fellowship Day (& 9) Eastern Cluster: District 18 January 9, 2016 Inventory Day (1 and 2) Hosted by Area 31, Western February 26 - 28, 2016 NERAASA Mass., Held in Springfield, MA

To view all upcoming HMB Area 48 Event FLYERS and District event flyers, as well as directions and maps, please view the Area website: www.aahmbny.org.

UPCOMING DISTRICT EVENTS

District 5: Is hosting a ‘‘Traditions Study’ on the at 7 am, 9am, noon, and 3 pm. Dinner will be served from 1 - 4 pm. We are looking for monetary 3rd Friday of each month from 6:30pm - 7:30pm at and food donations Jonesville United Methodist Church, 963 Main St., Jonesville. Future dates: Nov. 20 & Dec 18. For District 18: Is hosting its 19th Annual Thanksgiving info contact: [email protected]. Alkathon from Wednesday, November 25, at 6 pm District 9: Hosting their ‘Annual Spiritual to Thanksgiving Day, Thursday Nov. 26, at 6 pm, Dinner’ themed ‘Sunlight of the Spirit,’ on located at the Blooming Grove Reformed Church, Saturday, November 14, at The Roselawn 706 Bloomingrove Drive, Defreestville, off Route 4. Restaurant, 446 Main Street, New York Mills. Coffee There will be 24 hours of AA and Al-Anon meetings & registration at 5:00, dinner is at 6:30 pm and two (starting on even hours), food, and fellowship. We speakers at 8 pm. There will also be live music and are looking for volunteers to help out and food a sobriety countdown. Tickets are $18.00. For more donations. info or tickets email [email protected]. District 14: Is hosting Thanksgiving Holiday at the District 16: Is hosting a ‘Gratitude Luncheon’ Clubhouse, 430 Cedar Street, Schenectady. Open Saturday, November 21, from 11am-3pm at the Wed., November 25, 5pm to 11pm with meetings at Reservoir United Methodist Church, 3056 Route 28, 7 and 10pm, snacks and finger food starting at Shokan. 11am Fellowship, 12pm lunch, 1pm 6pm. On Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 26 it Gratitude meeting, 2pm dessert. Pot luck, please will be open from 8am to 7pm with meetings at 10, bring a covered dish or desert to share. 1, and 5pm. A continental breakfast will be served in the morning and dinner will be served at 2:30pm. District 2: The Original Troy Group is celebrating its For donations or to volunteer please contact 71st Group Anniversary on Monday, November 23, Debbie P., Gregg V., or Jim F. at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 146 First Street, Troy. Food and fellowship start at 6 pm with a speaker District 1: Is hosting a Christmas and New Year’s meeting at 8 pm. Please bring a dish to share. Alkathon at the Pine Grove Methodist Church, 1580 Central Avenue, Albany. Starts at 6pm Is hosting a rom District 4: Thanksgiving Alkathon f December 24 - 6pm Dec. 25, and 6pm December 31 6pm Wed., November 25, through 6pm Thursday, to 6pm January 1, 2016. Need volunteers for set Thanksgiving Day, November 26, at the ClubHouse, up, kitchen, and clean up. Need groups to host 218 Kingsboro Avenue, Gloversville. There will be meetings. Please contact [email protected]. meetings every odd hour. On Thanksgiving Day breakfast served at 7am and dinner served at 3pm. EACYPAA XIV: We are looking for food donations or groups to bring Eastern Area Convention of Young People in AA in a meeting please. being held February 19-21, 2016 at the Grand Hyatt New York, 109 E. 42nd St., New York, NY 10022. District 7: Is hosting a Thanksgiving Day Alkathon Register and book hotel room online at eacypaanyc.org. and Dinner Thanksgiving Day, Thurs., November 26, Registration is $25, price goes up Jan. 4, 2016! Any at St. James United Methodist Church, 35 Pearl St. questions contact Adam L., Outreach Chair at (at Fair St.), Kingston. There will be AA meetings [email protected].

3 Hudson | Mohawk | Berkshire Area 48 www.aahmbny.org November 2015 Edition

HMB Area 48 November HMB AREA 48 INVENTORY DAY Fellowship Day CREATING A SERVICE ORIENTATED ENVIRONMENT / ATTRACTION – OUR LEGACY Saturday, January 9, 2016 Saturday, November 14th Our Savior Lutheran Church 9AM – 3PM 1640 Genesee St., Utica, NY 13520 Bloomingrove Reformed Church, 706 Bloomingrove Drive, Rensselaer, NY (Parking behind church) Hosted by the Eastern Cluster (Districts 1,2, & 18) Hosted by District 12 and the Western Cluster Last Fellowship Day of 2015! 9:00 - 10:00 Meet & Greet with Coffee and Pastries 10:00 - 10:15 Introduction 10:15 - 10:30 Remarks from our Guide 10:30 - 12:00 Round table discussions on Inventory Topics 12:00 - 1:00 Lunch – 7th Tradition ! 1:00 - 2:00 Report out Tentative Agenda 2:00 - 3:00 Specific Actionable Items to take back to districts 9:00-10:00 - Meet and greet

10:00-11:00 D From - theCommittee South: Meetings 11:00-12:00 I Take the - HostI-87 N Panelramp toward du Jour Albany. R Take EXIT 31 toward Utica/I-790/ NY-8/NY-12. Area Inventory Facilitated by: 12:00-1:00 Keep left - Lunch to take the Genesee Street ramp to Downtown Utica. E Merge onto North Genesee Street 1:00-3:00 Go through - Area roundabout. Business Meeting and Reports Northeast Regional Trustee C 1640 GENESEE Street is on the right. T From the North: Rich P. FellowshipI Days are open to all members - A day of gathering as O Follow Route 12 South. an Area Take exit to towardshare Burrstone how the Rd/Utica message College. is being carried… N Turn slight right onto Burrstone Road. Turn Left onto Genesee Street. For moreS info contact [email protected] 1640 Genesee Street will be on theD left. From the North: All AAs are welcome!! From the South: I Take the I-87 N ramp toward Albany. R Follow Route 12 South. Take EXIT 31 toward Utica/I-790/ NY-8/NY-12. E Take exit toward Burrstone Rd/Utica College. Keep left to take the Genesee Street S ramp toward C Turn slight right onto Burrstone Road. Downtown Utica. T Turn Left onto Genesee Street. Merge onto North Genesee Street. Go through roundabout. I 1640 Genesee Street will be on the left. 1640 GENESEE Street is on the right. O Your destination is just past Derbyshire Pl. N If you reach Burrstone Rd. you've gone a little too far. S 2015 H M B C O N V E N T I O N H E L P W A N T E D Needed: Volunteers for the Hospitality Suite & Greeters.

Hospitality Suite: We need some people on Friday, at about noon, for the initial set up, after which the suite should have three people signed up for each slot. The slots are hourly, but we would encourage people to sign up for two or more hours. The duties would include; keeping the refrigerator stocked, putting out snacks, generally making sure there is plenty of everything out and available. Also, perhaps going to the store to replenish supplies as needed. Money will be made available.

Greeters: We need four Greeters per slot, two for the registration entrance and two for the main entrance. Again, encourage people to stay for at least two hours. The greeters duties include cheerfully greeting attendees and answering any questions they have. Volunteers will be thoroughly briefed and debriefed regarding their duties. OK, maybe not debriefed, and perhaps not so thoroughly.

How to Sign Up; Send me an email, [email protected], and I will provide access to the Google Drive document that is a two page spreadsheet to sign up for Hospitality Suite & Greeters. If you do not already have a Google account, follow the prompts to gain access after clicking on the link included in the email from Google. To sign up for a slot, e.g., from 2:00 to 4:00, enter a name in both the 2:00 AND 3:00 cells. It’s oh so simple. The Committee cannot thank you enough for your participation and hopes to see you the weekend of the sixth. Yours in Service, Gary C.

4 Hudson | Mohawk | Berkshire Area 48 www.aahmbny.org November 2015 Edition

HMB Area 48 Conventon November 6-8, 2015 “Celebratng LXXX Years of Unity, Recovery, & Service”

Holiday Inn Hotel Reservatons Online Reservatons: State Highway 23 Go to: www.htp://www.hioneonta.com/ Select dates (11/6-11/8) - Oneonta, NY 13820 Enter group code “HMB”

Conventon Room Rate: $99.00 plus tax per night Click “Submit” NOTICE: There are no rooms left at the Convention rate. By Phone: (800) 465-4329 Deadline for reservatons: October 6, 2015 When reserving rooms, use code “HMB” for Conventon Rate. Tentatve Program Friday - 11/6/15 Saturday - 11/7/15 Sunday - 11/8/15 Early Bird Meetng Panels and Workshops Spiritual Speaker Meetng Panel and Workshop Old Timers Meetng Speaker Meetng Banquet/Speaker Meetng Note: Al-Anon Partcipaton; Alkathon Entertainment Entertainment Meetngs throughout the weekend

You can register online @ www.aahmbny.org/2015hmbconventon Conventon Registraton Form - Pre-Registraton Deadline, October 23, 2015 (One Form Per Person)

Name: ______Conventon Registraton.………………..$20.00 Address: ______Banquet ….……….…………………………….$35.00 City/State/Zip: ______Check one: Broccoli & Cheese Stufed Chicken ( ) Phone: ______London Broil( ) Pasta Primavera ( ) Email: ______Special Dietary Needs (Please Specify):

AA ____ Al-Anon ____ Other ______

Old-tmer with 25+ Years? (Circle One) Yes No Total Enclosed: $______

Special Needs (Please Specify - for example ASL, Translaton, etc ): ______

Make Checks Payable to: HMB Assoc/Conventon “HMB Area Conventon” PMB 161 61 Elmwood Avenue Info: [email protected] Gloversville, NY 12078

5 Hudson | Mohawk | Berkshire Area 48 www.aahmbny.org November 2015 Edition Neraasa 2016 Twenty–Fifth Annual NORTHEAST REGIONAL A.A. SERVICE ASSEMBLY "Celebrate Our Silver Anniversary in the Golden West" PURPOSE: The purpose of the Northeast Regional Alcoholics Anonymous Service Assembly (NERAASA) is for the GSRs, DCMs, Area Committee Members and Intergroup/Central Office Representatives of the Northeast Region to discuss General Service Conference related issues and concerns affecting A.A. as a whole, as well as pertinent aspects of recovery, unity and service common to all the areas of the Northeast Region.

2016 General Service Conference Theme: “Our Spiritual Way of Life: Steps, Traditions and Concepts”

February 26, 27, 28, 2016 Springfield, MA

REGISTRATION Online registration opens Sept. 1, 2015 at http://www.nerassa2016.org

Kickoff ‘Redball’ Meeting Thursday, February 25 at 8:00 pm

Onsite registration begins at 12:00 noon, Friday Feb. 26, 2016

Panel 1 begins at 3 pm

All A.A. members are welcome to come and join us! Hosted by Area 31, Western Massachusetts Pre-registration deadline: Jan. 27, 2016 “The Golden West”

Hotel reservations must be made through the hotel of your choice. Events will be held at both hotels. The Sheraton and the Marriott are located across the street from one another and are linked by a sky bridge. Room rates: $119 per night

HOTEL RESERVATION DEADLINE is Wednesday, January 27, 2016. Sheraton Monarch Place Springfield Marriott 1 Monarch Place, Springfield, MA 01144 2 Boland Way, Springfield, MA 01115 Phone: 413-781-1010 Phone: 413-781-7111 http://tinyurl.com/sheraton-neraasa2016 http://tinyurl.com/marriott-neraasa2016

6 Hudson | Mohawk | Berkshire Area 48 www.aahmbny.org November 2015 Edition

NERAASA 2016 PRE-REGISTRATION FORM: Online and Mail-In Registration Begins Sept. 1, 2015 Forms may be copied. Please use oneform for each person registering Credit cards will be accepted for online registration only (service fees apply) Event Registration is $20.00

NAME: ______AREA#: ______ADDRESS: ______NAME ON BADGE: ______CITY: ______STATE: ______ZIP: ______EMAIL: ______PHONE#: ______ I would like to participate in a panel I would like to record for a round table Current Service Commitment: I have attended NERAASA before GSR or Alt GSR I have been a NERAASA presenter before DCM or Alt DCM IwouldliketochairanopenAAmeeting CDMC or Alt CDMC District Committee Past Delegates: Central Office or Intergroup Area #: ______Panel #: ______ Area Committee Conference Committee: ______ Delegate or Alt. Delegate Iwouldbeinterestedinmoderating a round table session Other: (Please specify) ______

I have Accessibility Needs (Please specify) ______(Please look at the neraasa2016.org website for more information on the above) Translation request ASL Spanish French Other: ______ I would like my weekend agenda material to be in Spanish EVENT REGISTRATION (Please note that there are FEW local restaurants downtown, you are encouraged to consider the following choices) $______$20.00NERAASARegistration Banquet Seating $ ______$25.00 Friday Buffet Dinner Limited to first $ ______$20.00 Saturday Buffet Breakfast 400 guests $ ______$25.00 Delegate’s Luncheon (Current, Alt. & Past Delegates ONLY) $ ______$25.00 Saturday Buffet Lunch $ ______$40.00 Saturday Night Banquet (Choose ONE below, Deadline January 27, 2016) Beef Chicken Vegetarian $ ______$20.00 Sunday Buffet Breakfast $______TOTAL ENCLOSED - Check/Money Order made payable toNERAASA 2016

Mail completed form with full payment to: NERAASA 2016 P.O. Box 6602 Pre-registration deadline: Jan. 27, 2016 Holyoke, MA 01041

7 Hudson | Mohawk | Berkshire Area 48 www.aahmbny.org November 2015 Edition

A Message from the The November Issue’s special s e c t i o n f e a t u r e s s t o r i e s o n Capital District Central Office (CDCO) relationships in sobriety. Each November, we feature stories of www.aaalbanyny.org experience, strength and hope from our 518-463-0906 Grapevine Story Archive. This month's special section includes selections from our archive that were published in from our new book, Greetings from the CDCO, Forming True Partnerships, about the ways AA members use the program to improve Exciting news to share with you all, November is relationships in sobriety. the CDCO's 10 Year Anniversary and we are moving November 1st. What a great way to celebrate with a whole new atmosphere. All of us at the CDCO are very excited and look forward to A MESSAGE OF GRATITUDE FROM YOUR our new location at 11 Computer Drive West, Suite #100, Albany, NY. (This is just off Wolf Road, NEWSLETTER EDITOR taking a turn by Denny’s.) We look forward to It seems like yesterday when I was approached continuing to assist Districts 1, 2, 14, 17, and 18 by our Area Chair and asked if I would like to be with our 24/7/365 live hotline number which will the Area’s Newsletter Editor, okay … maybe he remain the same, 518-463-0906. told me I was going to. I was so enthused. A new The CDCO has also become incorporated this past light went on. I had no idea what I was getting month so we are listed with the NYS Department of into but I knew it would be interesting, Corporations and have our EIN. rewarding, and a huge growing experience, not necessarily a fun growing experience, but one There are many exciting changes coming and we nonetheless. look forward to support from our groups and their members. We have some service positions open I had a wonderful and knowledgeable Newsletter at this time. They are listed on our website: Committee: Pat L., our Delegate, Kevin H-B, our aaalbanyny.org. We are always in need for day/ Area Records Chair, and William T., Past Area evening office volunteers and night owls to answer Editor. So if anyone had an issue with the our phone when the office is closed. newsletter, please feel free to take it up with We will be having a combined Anniversary them! Thanks very much for being a part of this Celebration and an Open House to welcome all of experience. I could not have done it without their you to come see our new office. Since our HMB watchful eyes and suggestions. And thank you Area Convention is the first weekend of November, for the privilege to be allowed to serve Area 48 in and I will be attending that, CDCO is setting this this capacity. double celebration date for Saturday, November 21, from 12 to 4 pm. We will have refreshments and I would like to congratulate and welcome our snacks, and an anniversary cake, so come visit us incoming Newsletter Editor, H. Kevin McN., the and see our new office. current Newsletter Editor for District 18. We also wanted to advise you that our hours will be God Bless and Happy Holidays, changing on November 1st. The office will be open Linda A. to the public from 10am to 6pm Monday thru Friday, instead of the current 11am to 7pm. Weekend hours remain the same. FROM THE Alt. DCM of District 18… Our Business Meetings are the third Tuesday of Please note, there is a CORRECTION to Page 16 each month. All are welcome and encouraged to attend. The next Business Meeting is Tuesday, of the October Edition “The Happy, Joyous, & Free November 17 at 6pm. Press” in the DISTRICT 18 REPORT. The District regrets the inaccurate statement regarding a Yours In Service, group in our District. We appreciate and support Trish M. the ‘Set Aside Group’ as they carry the AA Acting Chair for CDCO message.

8 Hudson | Mohawk | Berkshire Area 48 www.aahmbny.org November 2015 Edition

HMB Area 48 Monthly Treasury Report GROUP TREASURERS & MEMBERS, September 2015 PLEASE MAIL CONTRIBUTIONS FOR AREA 48 Beginning Balance $19,227.64 & the GENERAL SERVICE OFFICE to: Income Area Contributions $4,466.29 Advances Returned $49.32 A. Grateful Group Total Income $4,515.61 36 Principles Way Serenity, NY 61935 Expense Archivist $59.15 HMB Area Association Corrections Facility $308.14 Ship and Copy 118 Polar Plaza, #114 Cooperation with Prof Community $137.20 Amsterdam, NY 12010 Public Information $118.82 NERF $693.84 NYS Info Workshop $961.92 A. Grateful Group Area Assemblies $491.83 36 Principles Way Serenity, NY 61935 Archive Storage Fees $76.50 Mail Box Service $31.79 Newsletter Printing $199.25 General Service Office Total Expense $3,078.44 P.O. Box 459 Grand Central Station New York, NY 10163 Net Income $1,437.17

Balance $20,664.81 The Deadline for submissions into the Winter Edition of Prudent Reserve -$7,000.00 “The Happy, Joyous, & Free Press” has not been decided. Districts please continue to forward upcoming Holiday Available Funds $13,664.81 NOTE event flyers to [email protected] and they will be Report Prepared by Pat C. PLEASE distributed via the Newsletter email list. Many thanks… [email protected] Prepared by Pat C. [email protected] AREA REPORTS

night. • Area CHAIR ——————— In October, we held our Assembly out in Florida again – Dear Fellow Trusted Servants, a big thanks to the Districts in the Central Cluster Fall is upon us and soon the new year will come – and which hosted us. In addition to the 2016 Budget we since we had elections this year, that means the rotation also discussed and voted on proposals for updating our from the Panel 64 Trusted Servants to Panel 66 will Area Service Manual (Big “Thank You’s” continue to go soon occur. To help all of the new people, Area 48 has out to the members of that ad hoc committee). We our Orientation at the November Assembly in Utica. I also debated and voted on a proposal from our really urge everyone to attend! In addition to our Alternate Chair to review the June Fellowship Half-Day. regular business meeting, we will hold meetings for the The result is that we now have a full day meeting in June DCMs and Alternate DCMs, and Committee Chairs. that will be titled ‘Joy of Service.’ This is also our time to thank all of our outgoing friends, I managed to travel up to Lake George for District 13's in particular, we will give a BIG THANK YOU to Pat L., Business Meeting and had a good time with that great our outgoing Delegate. We will also have an bunch of trusted servants. A few days later I went on to opportunity to say hello to our new incoming Chair District 4's meeting in Amsterdam and did the same. Don S. – and I get to pass on the ceremonial Timer and Gavel to him. And, since you will be in town, we can all And now I would like to take this opportunity to thank stay and take part in District 9’s Spiritual Dinner that everyone who steps up into District and Area Service - 9 Hudson | Mohawk | Berkshire Area 48 www.aahmbny.org November 2015 Edition

AA can't do it without you! II. Announcements - Convention Committee: looking for volunteers, In Fellowship and In Service, especially speakers on treatment, special needs, public information, cooperation with the professional Bill W. community, and unity. Band Saturday night, DJ Friday, Area Chair Sign-up sheet for hospitality, greeters. Registration forms are available. Also looking for actors for a play ______on Sunday morning. Looking for money and/or goods from districts for the hospitality suite. • Area SECRETARY ——-———— - NERAASA 2016 website is up. Book your room, in either hotel, early; there are a limited number of The following minutes were approved at rooms available. The Area Assembly, T/Florida -Stand Down event for homeless veterans in Latham. October 11, 2015: If you have extra meeting schedules please donate them for this event. There is also a similar event in Minutes, HMB Area 48 Election Assembly Poughkeepsie. Saturday, September 12, 2015 Troy, NY III. Election of Committee Chairs within the committees Hosted by the Eastern Cluster: IV. Business meeting Districts 1, 2, & 18

Meeting called to order at 10:00 by the Chair with the Delegate – (see attached) New pages at aa.org with Serenity Prayer. more information with resources for trusted servants, including committee packets and Welcome to Newcomers. guidelines. GSO asking that items for next year’s conference are requested to be submitted by I. Election of Area Officers December 15, and preferably in time for the Elections conducted by the Delegate. The list of November meeting of the General Service Board. eligible voting positions was read. The voting GSO service desks are rotating as of September 14. procedure was read. Total number of eligible voters There is a new staff position, Communications was 55. A quote from Concept 9 was read. Services. Area Chair – Recalling our area inventory last January - Chair/Alternate Delegate – job description/duties and the new elections process which came out of was read. After asking all to stand, and those who that. Thanks to our local host, especially Denise are not qualified and/or self-select to not run to who worked very hard today. NYS Informational then sit down, there remained 4 candidates. Third Workshop in SENY was successful and useful. Will Legacy procedure was read. After 5 rounds of be visiting 3 more districts. Available to assist with voting, Don S. (District 19) was elected. district elections if needed. Also others on the area - Alternate Chair - job description/duties was read. committee. After asking all to stand, and those who are not Secretary –June minutes accepted with amendment. qualified and/or self-select to not run to then sit down, there remained 4 candidates. After 3 Treasurer – see attached. rounds, Hawk (District 4) was elected. Alt Secretary/Registrar – Please get group updates to registrar as soon as possible to be included into - Secretary - job description/duties was read. After asking all to stand, and those who are not qualified 2016 meeting book. and/or self-select to not run to then sit down, Alt. Treasurer – 2016 meeting book order forms are now there remained 2 candidates. After 2 rounds, Kevin available. H-B (District 16) was elected. Webmaster – Committee met today. Elected Thea new - Treasurer - job description/duties was read. After chair, and Adam from District 5 as Alternate. It’s asking all to stand, and those who are not qualified an exciting time to be involved with the evolution and/or self-select to not run to then sit down, of online communications in AA. there remained only one candidate. Tammie E. Newsletter – Position is rotating. If you’re interested, (District 9) elected by acclamation. please see Don. If your district is having an event Alternate Secretary/Registrar, Alternate Registrar, or anniversary, please let the newsletter know. Alternate Treasurer, Newsletter Editor, Webmaster, Please share your experiences from the Web Chair, and Archives will be appointed by the International Convention in our newsletter. incoming chair. If you are interested in one of these Deadline for next newsletter is October 17. positions, please let that be known. Archives – The committee met today. Wyatt will be

10 Hudson | Mohawk | Berkshire Area 48 www.aahmbny.org November 2015 Edition

the incoming chair. District 11 – Brought new member from the district. Grapevine – Fred, new alternate. New Grapevine book, District has developed a budget and will vote on it “Forming True Partnerships” about relationships. next month. Changed district meeting format Available on aagrapevine.org. If interested in around and it ran much more smoothly and quickly. writing in the Grapevine, looking for: old-timer District 12 – Preparing for Fellowship Day in November. stories by October 5. Relapse stories by November Did a display table at a street festival in Rome, 10. Involvement in general service stories by handed out a lot of literature. December 5. District 14 – 29 groups. A new group has a GSR and an Public Information – Committee met today and elected alternate. Held Unity Day in August. Alkathon on Jeannie S. to be the next chair. Thanksgiving and Christmas. Cooperating with the Professional Community (CPC– District 16 – Alternate chair will rotate in. Many Elected Peggy as new chair. Committee conference positions are also rotating. 24 groups. Held picnic calls have been well-attended and districts have in August with speaker from area. Gratitude Lunch made headway. in November. Prudent reserve is back up. Corrections – Elected Mark Q. (District 11), and Brenda District 18 – DCM and alternate working closely as alternate. Hosted Fifth Tradition in Corrections together. 22 groups. Have lots of open positions. Workshop in Kingston, attended by over 50. District meetings now 1 hour long, working more Meeting with Oneida DoCs to hold workshop to get efficiently. Upcoming Halloween Dance and applications filled out and moving along. forward Thanksgiving Alkathon. to working together with BtG and Treatment. Raffled off 2 Grapevine subscriptions. Bridging the Gap – New BtG chair – Kathy R., alternate Leah M .(District 8). Have been getting emails and Meeting closed at 2:55 pm with the straightened out the snail mail situation. Serenity Prayer. Special Needs – met with SN from District 7, working on a flyer to show what needs can be met by the ______committee. Will share the flyer with other districts in case they want to use it. Encourage each district to have a SN committee. Sally volunteers to be the • Area CORRECTIONS —— new chair. In Area 48 the Corrections Committee continues to Treatment – Committee met and elected Joe M. from move forward in the process of getting AA meetings to District 1 as new chair. Veterans “Stand Down” those behind the walls. In the Western cluster, three event, October 3 in Loudonville. more volunteers have completed applications, been fingerprinted, and attended the orientation to be DISTRICT REPORTS: approved to take meetings into Marcy, Midstate, and Mohawk Correctional Facilities. In the Adirondack District 3 – Had nominations at last district meeting. Cluster, earlier this year, it looked like the door was shut Discussion of changing the district election process to mirror the new area process. Appointed on AA going into Washington County Correctional committee for alkathon. Facility. However, recently through another community District 4 – Getting ready for Thanksgiving alkathon. resource, AA may have another opportunity to resume Elections in November. the process to get AA meetings to those behind the walls in that facility. District 5 – Voted to start a convention committee for the 2016 convention, as part of the host cluster. Traditions study meeting, 3rd Friday of the month in Volunteers are always needed to provide this crucial Jonesville. service of taking AA meetings to those behind the walls in correctional facilities. If you could picture yourself in District 7 – Electing DCM, treasurer, secretary, etc. No jail or prison (When I share with inmates, I say the only Booze Cruise tonight in Kingston. Just held Labor Day picnic. Gearing up for Thanksgiving dinner and difference between me and them is that I didn’t get holiday alkathon. Active CPC/PI committee. caught!), you might understand how much it means to Discussing district inventory. September 18 – get to one AA meeting a week. Also, this is a great orientation at Ulster County jail. opportunity to do twelfth step work and to potentially District 10 – Lake Placid is celebrating 50 years at the change the course of an inmate’s life for years to come. end of the month. District held elections in Sometimes the process to get AA meetings started in a September so that new DCM can begin rotating in facility seems to take a long time, but the biggest and meet with the other new DCMs at the deterrent is the lack of AA volunteers to step up. In November Fellowship Day. particular, volunteers are especially needed for the 11 Hudson | Mohawk | Berkshire Area 48 www.aahmbny.org November 2015 Edition

following facilities: Franklin County Correctional Facility, using the P.O. Box as a return address.). If any District Essex County Correctional Facility, Clinton Correctional would like me to come to one of your meetings to Facility, Warren County Correctional Facility, explain BTG and/or bring BTG forms, please feel free to Washington County Correctional Facility, Great email me at [email protected]. I may also reach out to Meadow Correctional Facility, Rensselaer County those Districts that currently have no BTG Chairperson. Correctional Facility, Greene County Correctional Facility, and Dutchess County Correctional Facility. The I wish you a happy, healthy, and sober Thanksgiving. We first time I took an AA meeting into a correctional in AA truly have much to be grateful for! facility, I was full of fear. Then I realized this is one of the Kathy R. safest places to take an AA meeting because of the rules Bridging the Gap Committee Chair and safeguards, and the presence of correction officials nearby. I am continually amazed at how rewarding this ______work is, and how grateful I am to be able to take these meetings in to the alcoholic who still suffers. • Area ARCHIVES —————— — I am hoping that many of you will be attending the HMB This is a tribute to Charlie C., who is rotating Area 48 Convention in Oneonta on November 6 thru 8, 2015. There will be a panel on Corrections that I out as our Area Archivist. Charlie is from Cooperstown, believe will be both informational and that may entice and has done Service work for over 25 years at the you to get involved with corrections service work. I District and Area Level, including being the Past Area look forward to seeing many of you there! Delegate Panel 48. He became our Area Archivist in 2011, and did a tremendous job in preserving our Kathy R. Archives. In 2011, Tropical Storm Irene & Lee brought Corrections Committee Chair heavy rains and flooding to New York and New England. ______At the time, our Archives were kept in a storage facility that was flooded. It was Charlie, along with Keith D. and Deb D., who rescued the Archives, dried out what was • Area BRIDGING the GAP Chair -— salvageable, and moved everything to the present In Area 48 we have a distinct Bridging the Gap storage facility that is secure, climate controlled, and on Committee (two other Areas include Bridging the Gap higher ground. Our Traveling Archive Displays were put under Treatment). This service offers an opportunity for together by Charlie, with exhibits on the Co-Founders individuals who are being discharged from a treatment of AA, The McPike Farm, Marty Mann, Ebby T. and other facility or released from a correctional facility, to plan notable milestones in AA History. I consider Charlie ahead by completing a form to request a “bridge” upon one of my best friends, a spiritual mentor to myself and re-entering the community. AA volunteers who serve other AA’s. We really enjoyed doing Service work on District Bridging the Gap (BTG) committees are together, and it was always lots of fun and laughter. But crucial to effectively implement this important service. don’t worry folks, Archivists just don’t go away, and A “bridge” would help a person to get to AA meetings Charlie will still be in Cooperstown during the summer initially, to get involved in the AA fellowship, and to meet months. Congratulations Charlie, for all your Service other sober alcoholics. For those individuals who have Work in AA, and best wishes on enjoying your been involved in AA meetings while in a facility, this retirement! helps them to transition back to the community, and Now, I’ve accepted the demotion to be the next Area may help them to successfully continue their journey in Archivist. It’s quite a responsibility and will be sobriety. Volunteers in localities need to be available challenging, but I’m so honored and grateful to have the when a request for a “bridge” (male for male/female for opportunity to serve the HMB Area 48. Praise God! I’m female) comes through the Area 48 BTG Chair, and this currently preparing for the Archive Exhibit for the is where District BTG committee members are vital. upcoming Area Convention in Oneonta, and will also be the Moderator for the Panel on AA History in our HMB Since July 29, 2015, I have received 11 BTG request Area 48. Hope to see y’all there. forms, either through email or from the P.O. Box in Amsterdam. I have spoken to some of you about Love in Service, specific individuals, and others that are not being released until 2016 (for those individuals, I am Wyatt W., corresponding to them to introduce the BTG service Area Alt. Archivist 12 Hudson | Mohawk | Berkshire Area 48 www.aahmbny.org November 2015 Edition

AA Histry in November (Grattude Mont)

November 1: East Dorset, VT to Gilman and Emily Griffith 1947 - 1st AA Group in Anchorage, Alaska which Wilson in the middle of a snowstorm and took shape because a prospector out in the behind the bar of his grandparents' hotel. wilds found an AA book in an old oil drum. 1939 - Rev. Dr. Dilworth Lupton preached sermon "Mr. 1963 - Reverend Sam Shoemaker dies. “The early X and Alcoholics Anonymous” at the First AA got its ideas of self-examination, Unitarian Church in Cleveland, Ohio. Mr. X was acknowledgement of character defects, Clarence Snyder. This became one of the first restitution for harm done, and working with pamphlets on AA. Clarence’s story, "Home others straight from the Oxford Group and Brewmeister” is in the first, second & third directly from Sam Shoemaker, their former editions of the Big Book. leader in America…” AACOA p. 39 2001 - J.P. Miller, died, who wrote the screenplay November 28:! for "The Days of Wine and Roses" which AA 1934 - Ebby Thacher visits Bill and tells him his story. cooperated on. 1936 - Fitz M. leaves Towns Hospital to become 'AA #3 November 9:! in NY,’ with Bill W. and Hank P. 1966 - President Johnson appoints Marty Mann to 1937 - Bill and Dr. Bob compare notes in Akron. Count the 1st National Advisory Committee on forty cases staying sober. Meeting of the Akron Alcoholism. Group to consider Bill's ideas for how to expand the movement ... a book, AA hospitals, paid November 10:! missionaries. Passed by a majority of 2. 2001 - 1st of 400,000 4th Edition Big Books arrives 1939 - Akron group withdraws from association with in the mail. Oxford Group. Meetings moved from T. Henry & Clarence Williams to Dr. Bob and other November 12:! member’s homes. 1940 - 1st AA meeting is held in Boston, founded by Paddy K. Even though he had slip after 1939 - Hank P. writes Bill advocating autonomy for all slip he was amazingly successful in carrying AA groups. the AA message. He died of alcoholism. 1943 - Bill guest speaker in San Quentin Penitentiary. November 14:! 1940 - Alcoholic Foundation, now known as The Other Events in November with no Specific Dates: General Service Board, publishes 1st AA Bulletin. 1941: ”First Mass AA Meeting" in Oklahoma City, http://westbalto.a-1associates.com/LINKS/ 8 present, 1 was drunk. first_aa_bulletin.htm 1986: The Big Book is published in paperback. November 15:! 1949 - Bill W. suggests that groups devote Thanksgiving week to discussions of the Taken from Dr. Bob's Farewell Talk on Sunday, Twelve Traditions. July 30, 1950, at the First International A.A. Convention, in Cleveland, Ohio November 16:! 1950 - Dr. Robert Holbrook Smith, “Dr. Bob,” co- “…And one more thing: None of us would be here founder of AA, dies of cancer in Akron, Ohio today if somebody hadn't taken time to explain November 18:! things to us, to give us a little pat on the back, to 1946 - 1st Dublin Ireland group met. take us to a meeting or two, to do numerous little kind and thoughtful acts in our behalf. So let us November 21:! never get such a degree of smug complacency 1939 - AA's in San Francisco hold 1st California AA meeting in the Clift Hotel. that we're not willing to extend, or attempt to extend, to our less fortunate brothers that help November 26: which has been so beneficial to us.” 1895 - William Griffith Wilson, “Bill W.,” born in

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STEP 10 - OCTOBER WORD SEARCH SOLUTION

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