February 2015 E RV IC SE UNI AA TY T y p NATURE COAST JOURNAL RECOVERY Archives Corner February In AA History In 1971 Alcoholics Anonymous held a worldwide Memorial Service for Bill W. on Valentine’s Day. Bill had died in Miami the previous month on January 24th. To say that he became the darling of AA on his death would be inaccurate because he was already that for a long time. However the fact that Bill died sober, with continuous sobriety from the date of AA’s founding on June 10th 1935, elevated him to a special level in the hearts of everyone hoping for long term sobriety. It is easy to imagine people all around the world marching into AA rooms with a tear of gratitude in their eyes and a love for Bill in their hearts on Valentine’s Day 1971. Forty three years later we continue to remember Bill and Bob for their great sacrifices and it is hoped that this will never change. With Thanks and Gratitude Paula D. – DCM, Panel 63 Thank you, District 28, for allowing me to serve over the past two years as DCM (District Commi>ee Chairperson) for Panel 63. It has been wonderful experiencing the growth and service we have shared. I believe one of the best ways to be>er know yourself and others is to do service! As we started 2014, in Panel 63, the team of District 28 conMnued to carry the message to the sick and suﬀering alcoholic. Janet B. was forever distribuMng any Where and When she could get her hands on around the District. I think CMH’s ER was one of her greatest challenges that she overcame! Char S. held strong in carrying the message behind the walls to our sisters. Thank you Char for being there for those who came to outside meeMngs aWerward! I cannot thank Al M. enough for stepping up to help out men’s correcMons. You used your past experience, strength and hope to conMnue this much needed role. We introduced an Archives commi>ee during Panel 63. Denis S. has taped some of our Old Timers, organized memorable old pieces of literature that members have contributed and learned how to preserve District 28 history. The District 28 archive displays can be seen at workshops and other special events. The District conMnued to work with Nature Coast Intergroup during two events. The Founder’s Day Breakfast and the GraMtude Dinner were once again a success. I believe these events will conMnue on for many more years. The fellowship, food and speakers at these events is priceless. (con3nued on p. 2) 1 February 2015 Are you stealing from AA? (con3nued from p. 1) Steve N. Thank you to the NCI liaison (s), Paige B. and Toni T. for aiding in the communicaMon between the two enMMes. Thank you to our awesome oﬃcers of District 28! Thank you Jennifer for stepping in for the past few months as our Treasurer. Also, to our past treasurers of Panel 63, Debra S. and interim Paige B. P.J. O. was quick to “learn on the job” the role of Secretary. He has consistently produced detailed and accurate records of our meeMng. Paige, P.J. and Jennifer are coming back for more fun in Panel 65 to serve the District. In early sobriety I daily a>ended the Breakfast Club meeMng in Ocala. There were two old Mmers, Fred and George, who had founded the group when they moved from up in the New York area to Florida in reMrement. Both took me under their wings and spent countless Mme helping me to stay sober. They are a very big part of the miracle that saved my life. One day I asked why they were so intent on helping me. Now that I look back, one of the things they said really hit home. The two now deceased members told me that “if we are not giving back, then we are stealing from AA.” Another person you will see during Panel 65 is Steve N. He has been our Alt. DCM and my right arm over the past two years. He has a>ended Area 14 Assemblies, studied the TradiMons and Concepts of our fellowship and is teachable! He has been highly visible in our District and at the Area. Steve will be our DCM in Panel 65. It is with utmost conﬁdence, based on my knowledge of his experience that our District will be in very capable hands. They told me in tandem, “If you just come to AA and sit in meeMngs, don’t get involved in a home group, and don’t help other alcoholics, then you’re simply a taker – and that’s stealing from AA.” My saviors taught me that I am deﬁnitely responsible to give back what was freely given to me. How about you? One of my favorite workshops in 2014 was I am responsible: The TwelDh Step in ac3on. Dan E., one of our Area 14 past Delegates joined us to facilitate the workshop. He encouraged us to come up with innovaMve ways to reach the future members of our fellowship. I will conMnue to serve District 28 in any capacity that is needed. You are my family. Together we will conMnue to grow in service. Contribute to the Journal The Nature Coast Journal is looking for news items, quips, quotes, anniversaries and articles, so please email anything noteworthy to [email protected]. Deadline: 10th of each month for consideration in next issue. 2 February 2015 NATURE COAST INTERGROUP – DISTRICT 28 Gratitude With Service Form Riches to Rags to Riches Jimmy looked hot in his three-piece suit He had a fleet of cars and expensive loot He had a smoking hot wife and his kids were cute His life was sweet. He flew round the world to troubleshoot And to hoax investors - ain’t no dispute A handsome hunk and trés resolute The world was his. His downfall tho was Absolut In the pockets of his three-piece suit Flasks of vodka and of champagne brut Liquored up his distinguished snoot And worked like a charm until, dissolute He went on one last spectacular toot And lost it all. In looney bins and institutes No glasses, shoestrings, ties, or boots Dressed now in cheap pink paper suits Locked up with other drugged galoots Scary tattooed dreadlocked brutes Thought he was cute. Everything lost, his family flown All his goodies forever blown On the skids and all alone Living in a car he didn’t own No stocks, no bonds, no telephone Full of misery, shame and fear How did he get from there to here? He fell into the clutches of AA guys Who saw right through him, AA-wise He rights his wrongs and loses his fears And as gloom and misery disappears His Creator grabs him by the ears And rockets him into the stratospheres For keeps. Anonymous Return to: [email protected] or mail to P.O. Box 2634, Crystal River, FL 34423. All fields in form required. Date______________________ First Name_______________________________________ Last_____________________________________________ Address__________________________________________________ Phone___________________________________________ City_____________________________________________ State_______________ Zip________________________ Gender_______________Sobriety Date_________________________ Home Group_______________________________________________ email address____________________________________ Alt Phone________________________________________ Volunteer Service Opportunities 12th Step List Phones [] Weeknights [] Weekends [] Weekends [] Weeknights [] Weekdays Time Frame______________________________ [] Office Phone Volunteer [] Other Office Help Committees of Interest [] Public Information / Cooperation with the Professional Community [] Special Events [] Literature [] Newsletter [] Unity Committee [] Deliver A Meeting 3 February 2015 February Anniversaries Crystal River Group Debbie Lee 1 Jackie R. 5 Please resume sending your group’s anniversaries by the 10th of the preceding month to: [email protected] DISTRICT 28 - PANEL 65 (2015 - 2017) DCM—Steve N. Alt. DCM—Paige B. Secretary—PJ O. Treasurer—Jen B. INTERGROUP Chair—Rick T. Alt. Chair—Steve N. Secretary—Jen B. Treasurer—Paige B. Journal—Lynn G. Trustee—Janet B. Trustee—Denis S. Trustee—Sandy H. Trustee—Bill N. Contributions: Nature Coast Intergroup, Inc. PO Box 2634 Crystal River, FL 34423 District 28 PO Box 640914 Beverly Hills, FL 34464 North Florida Area Committee PO Box 291634 Port Orange, FL 32129-1634 AA World Services, Inc. PO Box 459 New York, NY 10163 ROAD TRIP! Beginning in January of 2015, District 28 DCM, Steve N., and Alternate DCM, Paige B., are on the road! The plan is to visit each and every group in District 28! For more information and the schedule of visits e-mail Steve or Paige at: [email protected] Go directly to JAIL, Do not pass Go! If you have over two years sobriety, please consider bringing the message of hope and recover to our incarcerated brothers and sisters. It’s just one meeting a month. Find out more by emailing: [email protected] An application is required. 4