aa today · 2017. 12. 2. · 2012. meanwhile the website aagrapevine.org, which was launched in...

AA TODAY ROCKFORD AREA INTERGROUP NEWSLETTER

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014 Volume 21, Number 5

Milestones (Double digit AA birthdays in multiples

of 5 years in September and October)

10 years: Mike R., Augury;

Diane B., Belvidere; Betty M,

HOW; Debra Ann P., HOW;

Amanda K., HOW, McFarland;

Bonnie Sue E., HOW; Chris M.,

HOW; Les H., HOW, Loves Park;

Greg M., Upper Room; Bernie L.,

Upper Room.

15 years: Karen B., Healthy

Solution; Rob T., Over Fifties.

20 years: Sandy W., Downtown,

New Attitudes; Carol C., HOW;

Craig C., Healthy Solutions.

25 years: Greg B., Fifth Avenue;

Bill H., Healthy Solutions; Kim

G., Upper Room; Tim D., Upper

Room.

30 years: Joe P., Downtown;

Elaine A., New Attitudes; Cecile

E., New Attitudes.

35 years: Dave Co., Augury,

HOW.

50 years: Alex S., Belvidere.

Did you know? � The 31st annual

Midwest Woman to

Woman Seminar was in

Rockford on Oct. 3-5 at the

Holiday Inn. The event

drew 365 women from

throughout the Midwest.

Rockford last hosted the

seminar in 2007. Next

year’s seminar will be in

Toledo, while the 2016

event will be in St. Louis.

� In March 1978, the

circulation of the AA

Grapevine reached

100,000. In June 1944,

1,200 copies of the first

edition were printed.

Circulation was 90,493 in

2012. Meanwhile the

website AAgrapevine.org,

which was launched in

2011, was receiving about

30,000 viewers monthly in

2012.

Anonymity

Will your obituary say you

were a ‘Friend of Bill W.’? Obituaries for loyal Alcoholics Anonymous members often run

without any mention of their recovery. Omission is either a choice

made by the surviving family members or the deceased AA members’

wish to not publicize their alcoholism and recovery. Sometimes it can

be merely an oversight during the hectic funeral preparations.

So, what will your obit say?

Here are some views from local AA members on the topic of

including mention of recovery in obits:

� John K. has told his wife that he wants his obituary to recognize

his association with AA -- whether it is listed as "Friend of Bill W." or

some other terminology -- and his years of involvement.

Continued on Page 6

®

Some families don’t include a recovery

reference because they believe it would

protect the deceased’s reputation. And in

some cases, not all family members know

the deceased was in AA. An active local AA

member died this past year and her family

didn't mention recovery in the obit because

they didn't want her grandchildren to know.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014 AA TODAY/ROCKFORD AREA INTERGROUP NEWSLETTER PAGE 2

Group Donations

Thank you to these

groups that contributed

for your generosity:

Downtown

Eastside H.O.W.

Healthy Solutions

Muddy River

Upper Room

Intergroup volunteers Thank you to these volunteers

who’ve given of their time in

handling afternoon office

responsibilities:

Nancy B. Steve C.

Maggie D. John E.

Gail N. Lori F.

Ray G. Don H.

Les H. Theresa K.

John M. Pete N.

Chris O’M. Lori T.

Jeanne M. Don Z.

Curt B. Happy Harry

Gary D. Denny S.

Kellie R. Traci E.

To volunteer, call 815-968-0333

Board of Directors Chair: Kevin D.

Vice-chair Marty C.

Secretary Becky M.

Vice-secretary Jo S.

Treasurer Patti S.

Vice-treasurer John B.

At Large Pat G.

At Large Linda W.

At Large Brett T.

Office Mgr Joyce K.

Newsletter

Editor Doug G.

August/September

office statistics Phone calls 126

Visitors 107

Meeting info 54

Literature/coin

sales visitors 53

12-step calls 11

Miscellaneous 87

Al-Anon calls 1

NA calls 0

Answering Service 66

Quote of the day "For thousands of alcoholics yet

to come, AA does have an

answer. But there is one

condition. We must, at all costs,

preserve our essential unity; it

must be made unbreakably

secure. Without permanent

unity there can be little lasting

recovery for anyone. Hence our

future depends upon the

creation and observance of a

sound group Tradition. First

things will always need to be

first: humility before success,

and unity before fame." AA Co-Founder Bill W.,

October 1947 "Traditions Stressed

in Memphis Talk"

6-MONTH FINANCIALS (in $)

PRUDENT RESERVE: $6,888 (end of September)

YOUR CONNECTIONS

TO ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS Rockford Area AA Intergroup,4040

Charles St., Suite 201, Rockford, IL

61108; 815-968-0333

Email: [email protected]

WEBSITES

Rockford Intergroup: rockfordaa.org

District 70: district70aa.org

District 71: aadistrict71.org

AA World Services: aa.org

April May June July Aug. Sept.

Starting

balance

3,442 3,384 3,640 3,000 3,235 3,325

Income 2,173 2,052 1,960 2,230 1,924 1,794

Disbursement 2,230 1,796 2,600 2,020 1,835 2,563

Prudent Res. 0 0 0 0 0 0

Balance 3,384 3,640 3,000 3,235 3,325 2,824


Making the Big Book Come AliveMaking the Big Book Come AliveMaking the Big Book Come AliveMaking the Big Book Come Alive From a 1976 Grapevine magazine

I have often heard in AA meetings that the example I set may

influence another. "You may be the only copy of the Big Book

someone else sees" is how I've heard it. That seemed

somewhat nonsensical until recently, when I went to Montana

for a weekend of fellowship at the state AA conference in

Butte.

In the convention hall for the Sunday morning meeting, I heard

an inspiring story from a priest who told of his battle with

booze and his triumphs after coming to AA.

During the talk, I watched some people who weren't aware

that I was watching them, and they showed me a little of the

meaning of "You may be the only copy of the Big Book

someone else sees."

I was moved to tears by this family. I had seen them together

the day before and noticed that they looked happy. They were

eating breakfast together. The father's badge told me he was

the alcoholic in the family. He was about forty-five; his wife,

fortyish; his daughter, seventh grade; the son, fourth grade.

After eating for a while, the son leaned over and asked his

father a question. He obviously knew that his father either had

an answer or could find one without putting him off with

"That's not important" or "Can't you see I'm busy?" The father

put his arm around his son's shoulder and gave his answer,

and the son looked up into his father's eyes, tilted his chin up,

and smiled with an "Oh, now I see" look.

I usually answered my children's questions with fists or big talk

to cover up my character defects when I didn't know -- those

actions that teach children to quit talking.

A while later, the daughter shared some idea of hers with the

mother and father, and you could tell how much that family

loved one another by the way they glowed.

In the convention hall that morning, the father wanted some

coffee, and he got up and went out and returned with a fresh

pitcher. On his way back, people at other tables would look up

with that empty-cup expression, asking for a refill. He

graciously filled cup after cup, and I was filled with a gnawing

worry -- he wasn't going to get any. Again, I read from his Big

Book. You see, when I go for coffee, come hell or high water,

my selfishness and insecurity prompt me to fill my cup first. I

now understand a little better why some people drift away

from me, leaving me with an empty, lonely feeling, one of the

feelings I used to appease with alcohol.

After the man had returned to his cup with the dregs and

enjoyed them for a while, he leaned over and whispered

something to his wife. She leaned her head over on his

shoulder for a moment, and looked at him with a loving smile.

And that family just sat there and loved one another's

company for the hour.

It was a beautiful chapter from their Big Book. -- Jim, Idaho

(Reprinted with permission of AA Grapevine Inc.)


AA COMMUNITY CALENDAR (To submit calendar items, call 815-968-0333)

OCTOBER

25: 21st NIA Big Book Conference,

Parkview Community Church, Glen Ellyn,

630-510-3069.

25: Halloween Party, MMAAC fundraiser,

Freedom, Faith & Fellowship group.

Concordia Lutheran Church, 7424 N.

Second St., Machesney Park. 5:30 p.m.

doors open. 6 p.m. food. 8 p.m. speaker,

Anne G.

25: Children’s Halloween Party, children

ages 13 and younger. 2-4 p.m. Alano Club

of Rockford, 1210 11th St., Rockford.

Alanoclubofrockford.org.

31-Nov. 1-2: Stronghold Spirit Retreat,

Oregon. $90. Registration deadline Oct.

15. 815-262-2968. P.O. Box 419,

Freeport, 61032.

NOVEMBER

1: SOWANI (SOuthern Wisconsin And

Northern Illinois), 5:30 p.m. dinner, 6:30

p.m. speaker, Rockton Community Center,

320 W. Main St.

1: Twelve Tradition workshop (part 2).

Traditions 5-8. Noon to 2 p.m. Fifth

Avenue Group, 1021 Fifth Ave., Rockford.

Info: Janet C., 815-222-9009

1: Fall Recovery Roundup, 10 a.m.-11

p.m., Salvation Army, 514 Sutherland

Ave., Janesville, Wis. $5 donation.

6: District 70 meeting, 7 p.m., United

Methodist Church, 4506 Highcrest Road,

Rockford

8: Rockford Area Intergroup board

meeting, 9 a.m., 4040 Charles St., Suite

201, Rockford (AA public invited)

21-23: 25th annual McHenry's Soberfest,

soberfest.org.

27-30: 47th annual Las Vegas Roundup,

Riviera Hotel & Casino,

lasvegasroundup.org

DECEMBER

4: District 70 meeting, 7 p.m., United

Methodist Church, 4506 Highcrest Road.

6: Twelve Tradition workshop (part 3).

Traditions 9-12. Noon to 2 p.m. Fifth

Avenue Group, 1021 Fifth Ave., Rockford.

Info: Janet C., 815-222-9009

13: Rockford Area Intergroup board

meeting, 9 a.m., 4040 Charles St., Suite

201, Rockford (AA public invited)




320 W. Main St.

18-21: Western Area Conference of Young

People in AA. Kona, Hawaii.

wacypaa18.org

JANUARY




320 W. Main St.

Note: Flyers for many of these events are

available for printing online at

rockfordAA.org.

NEWS AND NOTES New meeting: Healthy Solutions, 4215 E.

State St., Rockford, has added a 5:15 p.m.

Sunday meeting.


A.A.

BIRTHDAYS (in years)

AUGURY

September

18: Tim P.

10: Mike R.

4: Bill W.

October

35: Dave Co.

24: Dave C.

23: Melodie C.

1: Brandon E.

BELVIDERE BRIDGE,

TRAVELERS

& STEPPERS

Aug./Sept.

50: Alex S.

23: Gwen B.

14: Wayne C.

10: Diane B.

7: Brian F.

5: Anne W.

3: Dave T.

1: Bill B.

1: Jackie P.

October

56: Jim A.

DOWNTOWN GROUP

September

30: Joe P.

29: Dallas B.

28: Vicki L.

17: Dave B.

12: Dave D.

3: Roger E.

1: Karmen P.

1: Charlie P.

1: Kat G.

October

27: Barb N.

26: Phil F.

20: Sandy W.

18: Tasha M.

12: Pat

2: Nora

EASTSIDE H.O.W.

September

34: Barb A.

26: Daphne

26: Chris N.

24: Brian B.

21: Jim T.

20: Carol C.

19: Carolyn C.

19: Patrick F.

16: Amy K.

14: Bob M.

14: Pat K.

10 Betty M.

10: Debra Ann P.

10: Amanda K.

9: Mary W.

9 Kris B.

8: Dave B.

8: Leann N.

7: Mike N.

5: Anne W.

1: Ted M.

1: Harry T.

1: Ashley V.

October

35: Dave C.

29 Alexis M.

28: Mike L.

27: Jack P.

17: Reid C.

14: Guy G.

14: Bill S.

12: Pat Mc.

11: Brad B.

10: Bonnie Sue E.

10: Chris M.

10: Les H.

9: Mike P.

6: Rebecca F.

5: Dan P.

3: Ashley P.

3: Ashley S.

3: Susan G.

3: Mario L.

2: Jeff

2: Catherine M.

2: Darlene K.

2: D’Dee J.

1: Rachael W.

1: Kristina M.

1: Shellie K.

1: Ted P.

1: Donna L-R

1: Danny A.

5 O’CLOCK SHADOW

September

24: Denny S.

23: Gwen B.

12: Saul

October

18: Terry B.

3: Greg F.

FIFTH AVE.

September

25: Greg B.

23: Lori F.

23: Will E.

16: Tony J.

16: Diane P.

14: Ziggy Z.

11: Eddie V.

9: Nancy B.

7: Scott P.

6: Tony I.

6: Mike M.

6: Jessica A.

2: Bill H.

1: Larry C.

October

31: Phil P.

24: Nancy R.

24: Bruce R.

12: Chip K.

11: Mike S.

8: Bonita C.

8: Jim S.

8: Alex O.

7: Jeff T.

7: LuAnn B.

5: Holly W.

4: Brad S.

4: Beth T.

2: Shane D.

HEALTHY

SOLUTIONS

September

37: Niles H.

28: Bev C.

28: Pat B.

28: Rick O.

24: Keith B.

23: Gwen H.

23: Tommy T.

17: Dan D.

15: Karen B.

12: Beth S.

8: Steve Mc.

8: Tom R.

8: Mark T.

8: Bill J.

6: Roger B.

6: Paul D.

4: Paul S.

4: Terry M.

2: Brandy B.

1: Ron M.

1: Susie B.

October

31: Phil P

28: Chuck P.

27: Jack P.

27: Rich Mc.

26: Chuck R.

25: Bill H.

24: Sandy T.

24: Steve L.

22: Clark L.

20: Craig C.

18: Greg P.

16: Danielle K.

14: Andy M.

13: Caryl B.

11: John A.

9: Rebecca M.

8: Jenny B.

7: Kevin R.

5: Skip T.

4: Bart T.

4: Mike M.

4: Julie M.

4: Mike M.

4: Dave S.

3: Zac

3: Steve A.

LOVES PARK

September

21: Jim T.

11: Terry R.

October

10: Les H.

Continued on

Page 6


Obits Continued from Page 1

"The reason I feel so strongly about this issue is I want to give

credit where credit is due. That is, God and AA changed me and my

alcoholic behavior in a huge and positive way. I want people to know

if they have noticed any change in the way I live and behave, it has

to be credited to my association with Alcoholics Anonymous."

� Paul G. said if the family is familiar and educated enough

about recovery that he would expect them to recognize the AA

accomplishments of the deceased in an obit.

"When I don't see someone being recognized for their recovery

accomplishments by the family, I question how involved they were

with that person and their recovery. I personally hope that my family

will recognize my recovery and mentioned something when my time

comes."

� Jim J. said the last message he may ever carry to the alcoholic

who still suffers is the one he wants to carry in his obit.

"That I have been a 'friend of Bill W.' for 34 continuous years tells

others in AA code that 'it works if you work it.' My family knows what

AA means to me and also to them. As I have been blessed with

sobriety, it has served as a blessing in the lives of others, as well.

"When I die I won't have to protect my anonymity. I alone have

the right to break my anonymity. I do so when it may help someone

else. Hence, the last time I break it will be for that reason. I don't

feel it is necessary to mention AA by name. Code words are enough."

� Myron F. stresses that anonymity is a cornerstone of AA and

must be respected, so one of these statements could be used:

"Friend of Bill W. " (people in or close to AA get this) or "Active in the

Recovery Community" (a little broader without crossing the line).

"The main thing is to have your wishes made known to people

who will honor them. One step better would be to write your own

obituary or have someone write it and you review it."

-- Doug G.

A.A.

BIRTHDAYS Continued from Page 5

MCFARLAND GROUP

September

10: Amanda K.

October

4: Kevin D.

NEW ATTITUDES

September

30: Elaine A.

3: Dean H.

3: Gordon P.

1: Kat G.

October

30: Cecile E.

23: Melissa H.

20: Sandy W.

17: Tim P.

17: Curt B.

9: Clay M.

7: Luana B.

6: Susan Q.

2: Shane D.

1: Becky O.

NEW

BEGINNINGS

September

2: Terri J.

October

None

OVER FIFTIES

September

29: Jean H.

19: Chuck P.

15: Rob T.

October

None

ROSCOE

RECOVERY

September

31: Neil L.

24: Ron B.

7: Randy A.

6: Lonnie L.

3: Kim S.

October

31: Philip P.

UPPER ROOM

September

25: Kim G.

25: Tim D.

21: Mark S.

11: Nancy O’M

10: Greg M.

3: Susan McD.

October

26: Chris O’M

18: Jeff R.

17: Curt B.

16: Danielle K.

10: Bernie L.

5: Skip T.

3: Gary D.

3: Doreen L.

1: Mike

1: Payton K.

No Birthday

Information

Received

from:

� Belvidere

Alano

� Central

� Medina

� Muddy

River

� New

Horizons

� Pecatonica

� Primary

Purpose

� Rainbow

Recovery

DISTRICT70

presents

3partTW

ELVETRADITIONSWorkshop

Part

1/

Sat.

Oct

ober

4th

/Traditions

1-2

-3&4

rv

Part

2/

Sat.

Nov

embe

rt"

/Traditions

5-6-7&8

rv

Part

3/

Sat.

Dec

embe

rs"

/Traditions

9-10-11

&12

Com

eto

the

Fifth

Ave

nue

Gro

up

Address:

1021

s"Ave.,

Rockford,

IL61104

Noo

n-%pm

FREE

Refreshments

available

..con

tac

tJan

etC.w

ithan

yqu

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ns...

815-

222-

9009


IF NOT FOR THE GRACE OF GOD ... (Real headlines for news stories from across the U.S in recent months)

� Driver Arrested For DUI After Hitting School Bus Head-On

� Police: 6 People Struck By Possible DUI Driver In Long Beach

� Family DUI: Father, two sons arrested at crash scene

� 'Bro, I'm a cop': Former officer gets jail time for DUI

� Texas father accused of fatally shooting DUI driver who killed his sons

� Auburn man suspected of DUI dies in holding cell

� Back-seat passenger guilty of DUI for grabbing steering wheel before crash

� Police say DUI suspect dragged tree down road

� Driver asleep at wheel in downtown Boise charged with DUI

� Mom arrested for DUI outside Midlothian bowling alley had 4 kids in tow

� Buffalo Bills cut DT Alan Branch, one day after DUI charge � Police cruiser rear-ended by suspected DUI driver at checkpoint

� Clarence Hairston Suspected Of DUI, Letting 8-Year-Old Steer Car

� Driver charged with DUI after hitting student walking home from school

� Pantsless woman charged with DUI after West Knoxville crash injures 2

� Greyhound bus driver charged with DUI

� Illinois party bus driver charged with DUI

� Driver accused of DUI found passed out in car after crash, police say

� DUI driver gets 18 years for wreck that killed his father � Driver charged with DUI after flagging down officer to say 'hello'

� DUI suspect says he'll join ISIS and kill officer

� Man charged with DUI four times in two days

� Man gets 3-year sentence for 14th DUI

� Country star Lynn Anderson charged with DUI

� Skipper arrested on DUI suspicion after boat runs aground at Venice Beach � Woman arrested for DUI with 7 kids in SUV

� Wrong-way driver gets DUI after dodging ambulance (To read these stories online, use Google.com and search for the headline)

They Died Sober Local AA members who have died

recently:

� None reported

Note: To submit the name of an AA

member who died sober in the past six

months, email information to

[email protected].

Faithful Fivers Help pay for the printing cost of the

newsletter and other Rockford Area AA

Intergroup expenses by enrolling in the

Faithful Fiver program. By pledging at least

$5 a month, you will provide much-needed

financial help. You will get a copy of each

newsletter in the mail or by email. Call

815-968-0333 for information.

AA humor A young newcomer attended an AA

meeting where the topic was "to practice

these principles in all our affairs." When

the discussion came around to her, she

said, "I have never had an affair, so I am

going to pass." -- Lee S., Arizona

November 2007 Grapevine

aa today · 2017. 12. 2. · 2012. meanwhile the website aagrapevine.org, which was launched in...

Documents