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sober NEWS Autumn 2014
sober NEWS New York Inter-Group Office 307 Seventh Avenue, Room 201 New York, New York 10001-6007 (212) 647-1680 (914) 949-1200 (212) 647-1648 Fax www.newyorkintergroup.org [email protected] The opinions expressed herein are those of the authors. They do not reflect those of NYIG, nor of A.A. as a whole. WANTED: Phone Volunteers! NYIG phone volunteers are an integral part of Alcoholics Anonymous. They are the voice of attraction to the new person calling for help. It may be their first step toward a new way of life in the program of A.A. Call or come by the New York Inter-Group office for an orientation. Editorial: Gabby W. Production: Michael B. Publication: Bill F. Autumn 2014 A LETTER FROM THE NYIG TREASURER Dear Alcoholic Anonymous, Thank you for your continued support of the Inter-Group Association of Alcoholics Anonymous of New York. Without your generous group and personal contributions, New York Inter-Group (NYIG) would cease to exist. Thank you also to the Inter-Group Delegates for all of your hard work. Thank you as well to those who have graciously offered their time to volunteer for NYIG. There truly is no experience like being the first person that an active alcoholic ever speaks to concerning A.A. and recovery. Those who have volunteered know how it feels to literally save someone’s life and it is an experience that we won’t want you to miss! The NYIG office answers calls from thousands of alcoholics each year including those active alcoholics fortunate enough to find a moment of courage to ask for help for the first time. We do not know how many thousands of lives have literally been saved simply by using your donations to pay the NYIG office phone bill. If you consider the fact that most of those new A.A. members will, over the years, help other alcoholics get 1 sober, who in turn will help more alcoholics get sober, NYIG’s impact is estimated to be in the many tens of thousands. But this is only a small part of the work that NYIG does. Among other things, NYIG: • Coordinates complex events including the Bill W. Dinner, Corrections & Treatment Facilities Committee Literature Fund Dinner, Old-timer’s Meeting, and the Big Meeting to name a few. • Provides groups and individuals a means to conveniently purchase literature and other A.A. items. • Donates literature to teams that bring the A.A. message directly to alcoholics in prisons and institutions. • Manages, organizes, and updates details for the thousands of meetings in the greater New York region and produces the New York Meeting List (hard copy and via NYIG website). • Finances and coordinates Area Forums and information sessions. • Manages the Faithful Fivers and Anniversary Club programs. Continued on Next Page A LETTER FROM THE NYIG TREASURER upcoming events brooklyn corrections & treatment facilities committee meeting 103 Quincy Street, Basement Btwn. Franklin & Classon Avenues Brooklyn, NY 11238 SEPTEMBER 27TH 1pm bridging the gap New York Inter-Group Office OCTOBER 8TH 6:30pm queens corrections & treatment facilities committee meeting Elmhurst Hospital, Rm. A115 79-01 Broadway Queens, NY 11373 OCTOBER 9TH 7pm Corrections & Treatment Facilities Literature Packing New York Inter-Group Office OCTOBER 11TH 10am Spanish Language Corrections & Treatment Facilities Committee Meeting Spanish Inter-Group Office 2234 First Avenue @ 120th Street New York, NY 10029 OCTOBER 11TH 3pm CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 In addition, the NYIG Steering Committee recently voted to allocate funds to revamp the NYIG website to make it more user-friendly, effective, and efficient. There will be more information to come on this subject in the coming months! Over the last several years, NYIG, under the helm of the Steering Committee and the Executive Secretary, has made significant improvements to the organization. The team has reduced expenses and streamlined processes to more effectively utilize your donations to carry the A.A. message. Approximately 80% of NYIG’s budget is financed via group and personal contributions. Each year rent, electricity, phone, internet, insurance, audit expenses, postage, and other operating expenses continue to increase. In order to meet budgeted expenses for the 2014-2015 fiscal year, NYIG must receive more revenue from group and personal contributions than it did last year. If your group contributes regularly to NYIG, we thank you. We also kindly ask that your group re-evaluate its distribution proportions applied to excess funds and consider increasing the percentage that goes to NYIG. If you group does not yet contribute to NYIG, we respectfully request that you discuss making regular, recurring donations at your next business meeting. We also encourage you to make personal donations, join the Anniversary Club, and become a Faithful Fiver! Donating to NYIG is one of the best ways to help support A.A. work in the greater New York area and beyond. Thank you and we look forward to seeing you soon as we continue along this miraculous journey… Best regards, Matthew K. Treasurer, New York Inter-Group Steering Committee Bronze Anniversary Coins! Now Available from NYIG! Starting November 2014! Please Contact the New York Inter-Group office for details. 2 Faithful Fivers ! NYIG’s 7th Tradition Gratitude Plan Express your gratitude for sobriety, and for the fellowship. Make a voluntary contribution of $5 (or more) every month. Your contribution supports NYIG’s continued effort to carry the A.A. message of recovery and hope to alcoholics in the Greater New York Area who still suffer. For details, please contact the New York Inter-Group office. Counting Days in NYC By Matt S. I always knew that I lived somewhere special. AA taught me that it’s true. My therapist had been trying to get me to quit drinking, and go to A.A., for years. But, it wasn’t until that business trip to San Franciso that I finally made the decision to get sober. When I came home, I knew that I needed to find a meeting. So I scouted out meetings in the West Village, where I’ve lived for the last 16 years. On day 3, I went to a meeting at Perry Street. I was so uncomfortable with my newfound sobriety that my skin was crawling and my eyes couldn’t focus. When I raised my hand to share my day count, I felt so welcome when everyone clapped. 12th St Workshop, there is always a convenient meeting when I need one. My favorite meeting, ART, is on Sunday nights. I like it because I’m a writer, and the group focuses on sobriety related issues for creative types. Red Door is another great meeting in my neighborhood. I like some variety, so I also like to randomly open the meeting book and go exploring on weekends. Where could I else but NYC do this so easily? This is probably the first time in 25 years that I’ve put together 70 days. I never thought that I would be proud of my day count, but I am. The sound of the group clapping for me is the sweetest sound I’ve ever heard. That feeling of acceptance has continued as I’ve counted days and done my best to accomplish a 90 in 90. As of this writing I have 70 days and I’ve never felt healthier or more clear-headed in the past 25 years. I cherish my sobriety and I know that no one can take my days away from me. I listen to other members share their day count and I clap too, because I want to share this feeling with them. When people share their anniversaries of 1, 2, 5, 10, even 35 years, I smile because now I know where to set my sights. I am lucky to be getting sober in the West Village because there are so many great meetings around me. Between Midnite, Perry St, and The With so many meetings at my disposal, I know I can achieve a lifetime of sobriety. What greater gift could this city give me? 3 upcoming events Continued From Page 2 Group Relations Committee Meeting New York Inter-Group Office OCTOBER 14TH 6:30pm telephone volunteers committee meeting New York Inter-Group Office OCTOBER 15TH 6:30pm manhattan corrections & treatment facilities committee meeting New York Inter-Group Office OCTOBER 16TH 6:30pm Staten Island Area Forum Immanuel Lutheran Church 2018 Richmond Avenue Btwn. Rockland Avenue & Signs Road Staten Island, NY 10314 OCTOBER 16TH 7:30pm BRONX CORRECTIONS & TREATMENT FACILITIES COMMITTEE MEETING St. Nicholas of Tolentine Fordham Road & Andrews Avenue Bronx, NY 10468 OCTOBER 17TH 7pm 4th Edition 45 Solutions 7th Tradition A Day At A Time A Day At A Time-Astoria A New Person A Room of One’s Own A.A. Vet in the Bronx A.A. at Sunrise A.A. is Your Way A.A. Sunrise Group Brooklyn Abingdon Square in Chelsea Adventures in Sobriety Afternoon Workshop Alive Again Alive and Stepping Amazing Grace Amsterdam Another Alternative Army Plaza Artists in Recovery As Bill Sees It Astoria Group Astoria Topic Atlantic Group Attitude Adjustment Avenue B Clean and Dry Awakening Group Back to Basics Bagels and Big Book Bayside Group Bedford Beekman Place Belle Harbor Bergen Group Best of Times Better Way Between Shows Bk Women in Recovery Bleeding Deacons Breakfast Club Gratitude List The Following A.A. Groups Donated to New York Inter-Group in 2014 Breaking Through Bridge to Sobriety Bronxville Group Bronxville-Asbury Group Brooklyn Central Brooklyn Sober Agnostics Bushwick Madison Group Caduceus Cambria Heights Group Crossroads Group Crown Heights D.I.V.A. Daily Dozen Decker Step District 49 District 603 Down to Earth Dulces 24 Came to Believe Carlyle Group Carnegie Hill Group Castle Hill Catch the Spirit Caucus Central Awareness Central Group Central Park West Chapter 5 Chelsea Nooners Chinatown City Group City Island Classen Hall Clean and Dry Clinton Lafayette Group Clinton-Carroll Cobble Hill Group College Point Malba Common Solution Commuter’s Special Group Conscious Contact Group Co-op City Courage to Change (Brooklyn) Crescent Group Crestwood Gardens Dyckman Early Morning Sobriety Early Risers East Harlem East Meets West End of the Line Exchange Views Family Afterwards Group Fast Break Fellowship at Noon Fifth Avenue Step Fireside Group First Drink Group First Step Group First Things First Flushing Footprints Forest Hills Workshop Fort Tilden Feelings Friday Central Friday Downtown Friday Night Women’s Group Friday Nighters Gardens Group Gateway Getting Away With It Glendale Group 4 Gratitude List The Following A.A. Groups Donated to New York Inter-Group in 2014 Glenwood Group Gotham Group of A.A. Grace on Broadway Gramercy Grand Central Group Grateful Group Greater Recovery Green Steeple Greenpoint Just for Today Just Trying K.I.S.S. Kings Night Workers LAX Last Chance Learning to Live Lennox Hill Lex 80 Step Greenpoint Day Greenwich Village Greenwood Group Grupo Mi Salvacion Gun Hill Happy, Joyous and Free Harbor Island Group Hard Heads Reach for Recovery Have a Desire Hell’s Kitchen Group Helping Hand Group Helping Hand Group (Elmhurst) Henry Hudson Parkway High Noon High Noon at One Hilltop Hole in the Donut How It Works I Am All In In The Garden Integrity Into Action It’s Guaranteed It’s Possible to Live Clean & Dry Jackson Heights Jaywalkers Lighten Up Lighthouse Group Living Clean and Sober Living Now Living Room Living Today Lunch Bunch Lunchtime Beginner’s Meeting Mail Order Marble Hill Marine Park Group Men at Work Message on Metro Metropolis Men’s Group Mid-day Two for One Middle Village Midnite Group Morning Medicine Morning Reflections Morningside Heights Beginners Morrisania Never Had a Legal Drink New But West New Choices New Group New Hope New Leaf 5 New Life New Life in Sobriety New South Bronx New Way of Living Group Night Light Ninth Avenue Group of A.A. Now Matter What Group Noon Unity Not A Minute Too Soon Not Guilty Group Nu But West Nu Garden NYU: Now You Understand Oakland Gardens Old Flatbush Once Again One Flight Up Orchard Beach Oxford Group Park Bench Group Park Slope Womens Park West Pass It On---Brooklyn Basing the Bar Pelham Women’s Discussion Group Perry Street Workshop Plaza Hour Plug in the Jug Potpourri Power for the Hour Powerless Group Prime Time NYC Promises (SI) Promises Two fir One Prospect Group Queens Village Rainbow Room Group Reach for Recovery Reaching Out Reality Check Recover to Discover Recovery at 1 PM Gratitude List The Following A.A. Groups Donated to New York Inter-Group in 2014 Recovery Room Reliance Renewal West Renaissance Rhinelander Ridgewood Rockaway Big Book Rockaway Clean and Dry Rockaway Pavilion Group Spirituality in Recovery St. Albans Group St. Marks Big Book Brooklyn Starting Point SI Friday Night Big Book Statler at Noon Step Discussion Group Step Into Action Steps 3 and 11 Turning Point Twelve at Six Twelve to Life Twenty-Two Below Upon Awakening Uptown Big Book Workshop Village Sober (Over & Under 60) Walk-In Washington Heights Room for Improvement Rude Awakening S.O.B.E.R. Safe Haven Sane and Sober Saturday Beginners Seeing is Believing Serenity on Fifth Seven at Seven Seventy-Ninth Street Workshop She Found A Solution Sheeps by the Bay Sheridan Square Follies Show Up for Life Simply Saturday Slope Open Discussion Sober Feelings Sober Living Sober Sunday Sobriety on the Square Sobriety on West Tremont Sobriety With Love Soho S.O.S. South Jamaica Group Spiritual Solutions Steps to the Stars Stick With the Winners Sugar Hill Sunday at Six Sunday Morning Sunday Morning Meditation Sunday Night Recovery Sunday Nooners Sunday on 70th Sunday Solution Sunlight of the Spirit Surrender Survivors Group T.G.I.F Group The Family Afterward The Maple Hill Group Thursday Niters Tightrope in the Slope Til Tuesday Top of the Hill Tremont Tribeca Triangle Group Trinity Tudor Turn It Over Way of Life We Can We Humanists West 58 Street Step Wholsale Miracles Williamsburg Morning H.P. Women in Recovery Women in the Spirit Women Living Sober Women Over 40 Women Together Women’s 11th Step Group Women’s Beginning Literature Woodhaven Group Woodlawn Women to Women Woodside Group Woodside Keep It Green Woodside Wisdom Woodside Women’s Meditation Yes Group Yorktown Heights Early Birds You Get What You Need Young and Old Young Brooklyn Young People in Recovery 6 Youth Enjoying Sobriety At eleven o’clock on the Saturday morning of June 7, 2014, a hundred alcoholics huddled together in the overly air-conditioned auditorium of P.S. 41 in Greenwich Village for the Quarterly Delegates Meeting. This was Bill B.’s last meeting as Chairperson of the New York Inter-Group’s Steering Committee. As such, there was a somber note in his voice as he opened the meeting with a Moment of Silence, followed by the Serenity Prayer. Then, Bill introduced the newly elected Volunteer Committee Chairperson, Michael P. Also introduced was the newly elected Manhattan Area Representative, Michael B. (no relation to this reporter). This was also Parker P.’s last meeting as Treasurer. Before giving his report, he introduced his replacement, Matthew K, whose term begins on July 1, 2014. Parker also reminded the delegates that he will stay on as an advisor to Matthew, in order to ensure a smooth transition. In general, the financial health of Inter-Group seems to be on the upswing. According to an Auditor’s Report for the year ending July 2013, NYIG is “financially strong, but less so than in 2012.” Then came the reports from the Area Representatives. Tom T., from Staten Island, announced the Staten Island Share-a-Day, to be held on July 21, 2014. Then, he reminded the delegates that elections for a new Area Representative will be held at the next area forum on June 19, 2014. Carl, from the Bronx, introduced Jonathan B. and Lorraine C., the Co-Chairs of the Planning Committee for the 2014 Bill W. Dinner, which the Bronx is hosting. The CoChairs presented the official flier for The Delegates Debrief By Michael B. the event (see page 9). Then, Carl reminded the delegates that the Bronx Area Forum will be chaired by Cynthia, from Serenity on Fifth. Saara, from Brooklyn, pointed out the need for informational workshops about NYIG, to be held within her borough, either at meetings or area forums. She then announced the Brooklyn Share-a-Day, to be held at Bishop Carney High School on June 21, 2014, from 8 am to 5 pm. Michael B., from Manhattan, introduced Kathleen Mc., the Chairperson of the Planning Committee for the 2014 Big Meeting, which Manhattan is hosting. Kathleen announced the three speakers for the event: Mike H., from Park West in Brooklyn; Amy Lynn, from Big Book Pioneers in Queens; and Mike S., from Midnite in Manhattan. Elyssa R., from Queens, announced the possibility of changing the date, time, and/or location of the next area forum. The goal would be to encourage participation by making it more convenient for delegates to attend the forum. On that note, she asked all the Queens delegates to confer with her after the meeting. After which came reports from the various sub-committees. First, Bill B. read a report from Chassie, head of the Corrections and Treatment Facilities Committee, who was not present. In this report, Chassie thanked all those who had attended the annual CTFC conference. She also reminded 7 the delegates about the upcoming CTFC Dinner Dance Benefit at Antun’s Restaurant on July 26, 2014. Dorothy D., chairperson of the Volunteers Committee announced that there are now captains for every night of the week, in order to help manage the schedule of volunteers. The goal, as always, is to make sure that someone is there to answer the phones. Liz J, chairperson of the Group Relations Committee, presented a slate of groups to be ratified by the delegates, so that they may be added to the meeting list. After a hearty discussion, the slate was accepted by the delegates (see page 12). Liz also announced that she will be rotating out of her position at the end of June; although, so far, there were no candidates to take over her position (Editor’s Note: as of this writing, Bill F. is the new GRC chairperson). Lyle S., chairperson of the Bylaws Committee reminded the delegates that they should have all received the proposed changes by mail. Then, he asked the assembly if they wished to vote on the changes line by line, or in total. After a brief discussion, a motion to accept the changes in total was made and seconded. The delegates voted unanimously to accept the changes. Lyle thanked the delegates for their service. Bill B., then asked the delegates if there was any new business. He was then asked if it was possible to fix the scheduling conflict between the Bronx and Queens Exchange Meetings. Bill deferred to Elyssa, who said that they are still working on the issue, because it requires finding a new space. With no other new business to discuss, a motion to close the meeting was made and seconded. And so, for the very last time, Bill led the delegates in the Serenity Prayer. upcoming events Continued From Page 3 Manhattan Area Forum New York Inter-Group Office OCTOBER 21ST 7pm westchester corrections & treatment facilities committee meeting Grace Baptist Church 52 South Sixth Avenue Mount Vernon, NY 10550 OCTOBER 21ST 7pm brooklyn corrections & treatment facilities committee meeting 103 Quincy Street, Basement Btwn. Franklin & Classon Avenues Brooklyn, NY 11238 OCTOBER 25TH 1pm staten island corrections & treatment facilities committee meeting How Club 552 Port Richmond Avenue Staten Island, NY 10302 OCTOBER 27TH 6:30pm Orientation 6:40pm Meeting Old Timer’s Meeting New York Hilton Hotel 1335 Avenue of the Americas New York, NY 10019 NOVEMBER 1ST 1pm Meeting Begins 3pm Bill W. Video Presentation Being Young and in Recovery By Sarah F. Hi, my name is Sarah. I’m an alcoholic with an armored truck full of issues. I didn’t just want to stuff my feelings. I gave them weapons. never heard of, I simply asked for an explanation. At six months, just when I was starting to get into the swing of things, I lost my footing. When I first came into the rooms, I was nineteen. I could barely say I had been drunk a year. Relapse is a part of my story. I went out to do more research because I couldn’t identify; I COMPARED. I thought I could study my disease away. I bought, rented and borrowed every book I could get my hands on about the disease of addiction. The book was in this strange version of English that I barely could read. People were making references and allusions to so many things I’d never heard of. My first day back, I came into a meeting full of biker guys. I was scared to death of them but I was more scared of “out there”. So I stayed when every fiber of my being wanted to scream and run. I started to identify. When they talked of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, I didn’t know what they were saying. But I imagined it was the same concept as Bruce Banner and the Hulk. When they said words like Barleycorn or used American idioms I had I was trying to fast forward my recovery to the part where I knew how to clean and pay my bills. I wanted to be less socially awkward. I wanted to love myself. Today I realize ery doesn’t have a my favorite woman likes to say “Give that recovtimeline. As in recovery time, time”. I am still a socially awkward alcoholic who would much rather chat online, or read one of her many, many books. I still put bills in drawers unopened because I don’t think I can deal with them just yet. However, I am a skip, hop and a jump away from two years in sobriety and I have acceptance. I will grow up in recovery. All I have to do is stick around. Welcome to the Fellowship! Afternoon Delight Hazelden Building 283 West Broadway @ Canal Street New York, NY 10013 Fourth Step Sex Inventory FIRST & THIRD SATURDAY 12pm Big Book Thumpers Carroll Gardens Library Basement Auditorium 396 Clinton Street @ Union Brooklyn, NY 11231 Big Book Meeting Open to the Public WEDNESDAY 6:45 pm 8 2014 BILL W. DINNER “THINK: Thank Heaven I Now Know” By Trusted Volunteer The 2014 Bill W. Dinner will be celebrating the 80th Anniversary of Bill W.’s sobriety. The theme for the Dinner is “think” [Thank Heavens I Now Know]. It is on November 1, 2014 at the Hilton Hotel Grand Ballroom, 1335 Avenue of the Americas (between 53rd Street and 54th Street), New York, NY from 7pm until 2am. Net proceeds provide a portion of New York Inter-Group annual revenue which supports its 12 Step work. Bill’s sober date is December 1934 and AA was founded the following year, 1935. It is the only fund raising event that is sponsored by New York Inter-Group (NYIG), which was founded in 1946. Prior to the first Dinner in 1947, a group of Bill’s sober friends would take him to a restaurant in honor of his anniversary. NYIG was facing a problem to fund a gap between operating expenses and contributions from the meeting groups. Bill’s friends suggested that an annual dinner dance benefitting Inter-Group be held in honor of his anniversary and he agreed. New York Inter-Group has sponsored the Bill W. Dinner annually since 1947. Bill was a speaker at every Dinner until his death in 1971. The Bill W. Dinner Dance is a three speaker open meeting and dance. Doors open at 6:45 pm, dinner begins at 7. Tickets are $125 and are available at the New York Inter-Group office. Group table reservations must be paid in full by Wednesday, October 1, 2014. Dancing begins at 10pm with an orchestra and at 10:30 a DJ will be featured in a separate Ballroom. There will be continuous showings of various AA videos from 10:30 pm until 12:30 pm and the evening’s entertainment concludes at 2am. There is no dress code for the Dinner Dance, but some will choose to wear formal attire. The 2014 Bill W. Dinner Dance celebrating Bill W.’s 80th Anniversary promises to be a stunning event. If you have not attended previously, please buy your ticket as soon as possible. upcoming events Continued From Page 8 bill w dinner New York Hilton Hotel Grand Ballroom, Third Floor 1335 Avenue of the Americas New York, NY 10019 NOVEMBER 1ST 7pm Corrections & Treatment Facilities Literature Packing New York Inter-Group Office NOVEMBER 8TH 10am Spanish Language Corrections & treatment facilities committee meeting Spanish Inter-Group Office 2234 First Avenue @ 120th Street New York, NY 10029 NOVEMBER 8TH 3pm Group Relations Committee Meeting New York Inter-Group Office NOVEMBER 11TH 6:30pm queens area forum Queens Inter-Group Office 105-29A Metropolitan Avenue Forest Hills, NY 11375 NOVEMBER 11TH 7:15pm 9 upcoming events C, B, O, S & BB: What Does It All Mean? Continued From Page 9 BRIDGING THE GAP New York Inter-Group Office NOVEMBER 12TH 6:30pm queens corrections & treatment facilities committee meeting Elmhurst Hospital, Room A115 79-01 Broadway Queens, NY 11373 NOVEMBER 13TH 7pm By Gabby W. When I started in the rooms of Alcoholics Anonymous, I basically thought a meeting was a meeting was a meeting. I preferred the “B” Beginner ones, because there was a likelihood there would be people counting days as I was. I also understood there were meetings that would only have speakers and those were considered “O” for Open. But the rest were a blur. means. (Just my opinion, not an opinion from AA or NY Intergroup.) Time teaches us many things and I have grown to appreciate the difference between the meetings. Some groups are real sticklers on making sure each meeting adheres to its description. It’s very tempting to do a “what it was like, what happened and what it’s like now” qualification when asked to speak. But often that’s not what the meeting really wants. OD = Open Discussion O = Open Two or three speakers and no sharing from the floor. This meeting welcomes people who are curious about the program. Sometimes nursing students attend as part of their education. Westchester Booking Meeting Memorial United Methodist Church 250 Bryant Avenue Btwn. North & Mamaroneck Ave White Plains, NY 10605 NOVEMBER 15TH 6:30am Westchester Area Forum First Baptist Church, 456 North Street White Plains, NY 10605 NOVEMBER 15TH 9:30am Brooklyn Area Forum First Unitarian Chapel 121 Pierrepont Street Btwn. Clinton St. & Monroe Place Brooklyn, NY NOVEMBER 15TH 2pm One speaker gives a general qualification followed by sharing from the floor. C = Closed So if you are confused, here’s my take on what each meeting letter And now it gets interesting. Many groups make this like an Open Discussion (see above) with one qualification and sharing from the floor. However, my home group has one speaker who is told to share about what it’s like living today without 10 Continued on Next Page sentative, or GSR (and your group better have one!) for names of people he or she knows in SENY. SENY (full disclosure, I am currently an alternate GSR) is loaded with people who know about the Traditions and love to speak about them. These AAs make the best speakers at Tradition meetings. C, B, O,S, & BB: What Does It All Mean? By Gabby W Continued from Previous Page BB = Big Book alcohol. No drunkalogues. Just honest sharing about what it’s like staying (not necessarily getting) sober. This is my favorite kind of meeting. These meetings can run the gamut. Often, a few pages are read aloud and there’s sharing from the floor. Sometimes, the meeting may be run by one or two individuals, who will read a few sentences and then offer their opinion on what was just read. Attendees are invited to chime in too. It might take an entire meeting to get through a paragraph. It would be my suggestion to shop around for a Big Book meeting format you like and are comfortable with. S = Step Many groups read the Step around the room. The speaker speaks on that Step. Speaking on a Step is different than telling one’s story. Of course, personal stories will play into it, but it should be about doing that Step. People come to Step meetings to learn about doing the Steps. Period. There are meetings that, in lieu of getting a speaker, may do a reading from “As Bill Sees It” or “Living Sober” followed by sharing from the floor. That distinction is often found in the meeting’s listing in the meeting book. T = Tradition. Groan. It’s that last week of each month when someone talks about the Traditions. The thing is that Tradition meetings can be very interesting and inspiring if the speaker is carefully chosen. Here’s a hint if you chair a Tradition meeting. Ask your General Service Repre- The great thing about NYC is that there are so many meetings, all shapes and sizes. Enjoy the hunt! Welcome to the Fellowship! Felices en Sobriedad 1 East Post Road, 2nd Flr White Plains, NY 10601 Closed Discussion Spanish Speaking SUNDAY @ 7pm TUESDAY - FRIDAY @ 8pm Humanists Too Church of St. Thomas More 65 East 89th Street Btwn Madison & Park Aves New York, NY 10128 Closed Discussion MONDAY 6:15pm 11 upcoming events Continued From Page 10 Bronx Area Forum Westchester United Methodist Church 2547 East Tremont Avenue Btwn. Silver St. & Lurtig Ave Bronx, NY 10461 NOVEMBER 15TH 2:30pm westchester corrections & treatment facilities committee meeting Grace Baptist Church 52 South Sixth Street Mount Vernon, NY 10550 NOVEMBER 18TH 7pm staten island corrections & treatment facilities committee meeting How Club 552 Port Richmond Avenue Staten Island, NY 10302 NOVEMBER 24TH 6:30pm Orientation 6:40pm Meeting Brooklyn corrections & treatment facilities committee meeting 103 Quincy Street, Basement Btwn. Franklin & Classon Avenues Brooklyn, NY 11238 NOVEMBER 29TH 1pm Welcome to the Fellowship! sober NEWS wants YOU! YOUR STORIES! YOUR GROUP HISTORIES! YOUR LETTERS! YOUR ARTWORK! STORY SUBMISSIONS: Articles should be about 200-500 words. Topics include: YOUNG AND SOBER SOBER FOR THE HOLIDAYS CHAT WITH AN OLDTIMER HISTORY OF YOUR HOME GROUP ART SUBMISSIONS: All artwork must be submitted as .jpeg files. No .pdf’s please. ALL SUBMISSIONS VIA EMAIL: [email protected] Please send as attachements only. Also please indicate if you wish to have your name and home group printed. First Things First Presbyterian Church Washington Hall 705 South Street @ Washington Street Peekskill, NY 10566 RotatingFormat WEDNESDAYS 6:30pm. Men’s NYC Big Book Step Study Philomathist Center, 2nd Floor 1285 Madison Avenue @ 92nd Street New York, NY 10128 Men’s Meeting WEDNESDAY 7pm Pathway to Sobriety BB Study St. Peter’s Church 127 North Division Street Peekskill, NY 10566 Big Book Meeting FRIDAY 6:30pm Simple Solution Step Workshop United Methodist Church 525 Ashford Avenue Ardsley, NY 10502 MONDAY & FRIDAY 1pm Staten Island Agnostic Group YMCA Counseling Services 2nd Floor 3911 Richmond Avenue @ Amboy Road Staten Island, NY 10312 Closed Discussion Meeting SATURDAY 3:30pm This Ungodly Hour Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church Basement 275 North Eight Street, Btwn Havemeyer Street & Meeker Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11211 Agnostic Meeting FRIDAY 11pm A Very Special Thank You: 12 To Scott I. (Alternate Chairperson of the Steering Committee) and to all the wonderful volunteers who gave freely of their time to paint the New York Inter-Group Office.
