November/December 2015 Volume 5, Issue 6

52nd District

“Passing It On” 500 South Broadway, Suite 114, Santa Maria, CA 93454

805-925-3782 Central Office Website: www.aa52centraloffice.org

District 52 Website: www.aadistrict52.org Alcoholics Anonymous Website: www.aa.org

Step 11 “Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.”

“Prayer and meditation are our principal means of conscious contact with God.”... “We all need the light of God's reality, the nourishment of His strength, and the atmosphere of His grace.” 12 Steps & 12 Traditions, pp. 96, 97, 98

Tradition 11 “Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio and films.”

“The Fellowship of AA gains worldwide recognition by its various methods of publicizing its principles and its work, not by its individual members advertising themselves. The attraction created by my changing attitudes and my altruism contributes much more to the welfare of AA than self-promotion.” Daily Reflections p. 340

Step 12 “Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.”

“Here we turn outward toward our fellow alcoholics who are still in distress. Here we experience the kind of giving that asks no rewards.” 12 Steps & 12 Traditions, p. 106

Tradition 12 “Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all of our traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.”

“Who am I to judge anyone? ...That person over there, or the one right here, may be the one God has chosen to give me the message I need for today.” Daily Reflections, p. 365

Disclaimer: AA and Alcoholics Anonymous, and the Big Book are registered trademarks of Alcoholics Anonymous World Services. AA Grapevine and The Grapevine are registered trademarks of the AA Grapevine. This Newsletter is not affiliated with the General Services Organization of Alcoholics Anonymous, or any particular AA group. (All material reprinted with permission of A.A. World Services, Inc.)

This year’s 52nd District of Alcoholics Anonymous

“Recovery Rocks” Round Up Countdown was

1752 years, 3 months and 8 days!!!

We had 291 attendees and, with the help of your donations,

provided almost $900 in scholarships!

A Recovering Alcoholic’s Guide to the Holidays

1. Don’t drink! Don’t drink! Don’t drink!

2. Go to AA meetings and surround yourself with supportive people.

3. Keep a phone list with you and call when you’re feeling Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired

(HALT). Do not put yourself in difficult situations.

4. Get out of yourself and call a newcomer who’s struggling.

5. Avoid your triggers: people, places, events that link you to your drinking in the past.

6. If you go to a dinner or party, drive yourself and bring your own beverage in your own

container. Bring some candy as well.

7. No, you cannot have just a sip. No, you can’t have non-alcoholic beer or wine because

they don’t exist....no matter what the label says. They are triggers that you don’t

need.

8. Try alternative activities like helping at a homeless shelter, baking or buying some

goodies for an AA meeting, throwing a sober get-together for AA friends.

9. Remove expectations (we know where they lead); be gentle on yourself and others.

10. Write a gratitude list.

11. Have a Plan B if you have to go to a party where alcohol is served have an escape plan

and a place to go.

12. Family can be challenging especially during the holidays. Don’t focus on the past, be

grateful for your sobriety, and make time for sober, supportive friends.

HELP WANTED!!! Looking for a service commitment? Want to give back to fellow A.A.’s? Want

to enhance your Program? Here are some opportunities.

Bridging the Gap

Help new members in treatment programs or correctional facilities find meetings in the community. Introduce them to other AA’s, make sure they get phone numbers, and help them find a sponsor. For more info, call Steve K. at 818-433-0257.

Central Office Volunteers Needed

No experience necessary, will train. Answer phones, sell books and literature in Central Office. The following days and times are available.

Mondays 9am – 10:30am Tuesdays between 11:45am and 5pm Wednesdays between 11:45am and 5pm Thursdays 9am - 11am Fridays 9am-10:30am

Call Vicki at 805-268-2397

After Hours Phone Person Answer calls from alcoholics after hours in your home. Get their contact info and pass it on to someone on the 12 Step Referral List. Call Vicki at 805-268-2397.

12 Step Referral List Put your contact info on the 12 Step Referral List. Be there for fellow alcoholics in need. Call Vicki at 805-268-2397.

“I am responsible. When anyone, anywhere reaches out for help, I want the hand of AA always to be there. And for that I am responsible.”

VOLUNTEER!!! Intergroup Representatives Needed

For the Following Groups:

Back to Basics Group Golden Group

Lompoc Valley Group Pyramid Group

Solvang Men’s Stag Unity Group

An Intergroup Representative attends the Central Office IGR Meeting the first Saturday of the month and brings his/her group’s concerns, opinions, and vote on issues discussed during the meeting. Make sure your group is represented!

District 52 Positions Available . DCM (District Committee Member)

. Archives Chairperson

. Guidelines & Policies Chairperson

. PI/CPC (Public Info/Cooperation with the Professional Community) Chairperson . Webmaster All terms are for two years. Suggested sobriety for DCM is 4-5 years. Suggested sobriety for chairperson positions is 2 years. For further info contact Mark M. at 805-895-7224.

Also, if your group doesn’t have a GSR, become one & keep your group informed!!!

“Oh, recovery is so exciting,

And our disease is oh so frightening. And when I feel I’m going to blow,

I let it go, let it go, let it go!”

Some 52’s Celebrating Anniversaries

7/12 Nina 3 years

9/3 Albert C. 1 year

9/3 Keith R. 12 years

9/3 Yvonne 3 years

9/4 Gus 10 years

9/5 Yolanda 7 years

9/7 Chris J. 5 years

9/7 Tami B. 7 years

9/15 Lisa B. 11 years

9/19 Wade W. 11 years

9/23 “G” 29 years

9/23 Luis A. 14 years

9/30 Shay F. 11 years

10/2 Billy N. 31 years

10/6 Susan M. 1 year

10/6 Julie M. 1 year

10/7 Estella D. 15 years

10/7 George 2 years

10/7 Janey 24 years

10/7 Steve L. 8 years

10/11 Terry S. 17 years

10/12 Brian D. 34 years

10/15 Chuck L. 3 years

10/16 Julie M. 1 year

10/19 Jim R. 23 years

10/22 Andrea 11 years

10/22 Anne W. 27 years

10/25 Carmel 9 years

Speaker Meetings

Freedom Group Speaker Meeting - 113 N. V St., Lompoc

(Friday, 8pm)

Happy Hour Group – 1600 Club, 324 W. Cypress (last Monday of the month, 5:30pm)

Lompoc Valley Group Unity Speaker Meeting - Lompoc Alano Club, 119 N. “D” St. (Sunday, 4pm)

Orcutt Speaker Meeting - Orcutt Presbyterian Church, 993 Patterson Rd. (Second Saturday of the month, 7-8:15pm.

11/14 Carole M. Seal Beach 12/12 Tim W. Santa Barbara 01/09 Karl M. West Covena

South County Speaker Meeting - Arroyo Grande (1st Saturday, 8pm)

Santa Maria Golden Group – 500 S. Broadway, Suite 252 (Saturdays, 7pm)

Santa Maria Live – Bethel Lutheran Church, 624 E. Camino Colegio (4th Sat., Refreshments - 7:30pm, Speaker - 8pm)

Santa Maria Valley Group - 1600 Club, 324 W. Cypress (Sunday, 7pm)

Solvang Action Group - Solvang Alano Club, 320 Alisal Rd. (Saturday, 8pm)

Women’s Meeting – Freedom Group – 113 N. V St., Lompoc (4th Saturday, 10-11am)

Monthly Service Meetings

1st Saturday of month: 10:00am - Intergroup Committee (Central Office) 1600 Club 324 W Cypress Santa Maria 2nd Sunday of month: 10:00am - GSR meeting – location varies, Call Mark M. 805-895-7224 3rd Thursday of month: 6:45pm – No. S.B. H&I Committee Mtg. Freedom Group, 113 N. V St. Lompoc

The 2nd Annual District 52 Chili Cook-off

Fundraiser for Central Office

December 5th, 5 p.m.

$10 per person, Chili Entrants Free

Lutheran Church of the Savior

4725 S. Bradley Road, Santa Maria

Who will win the coveted Apron of Perfection by whipping up the tastiest chili? Who will

come in second and take home District 52’s famous Billy N. Fudge?

Don’t miss this awesome event....and if you’re the Chef Boyardee of chili making, enter your

prized chili for the chance to win bragging rights for the next year, as well as the official

Winner’s Apron.

Call Sarah G. at 805-266-0046 and let her know you’ll be entering your chili.

Did you know that....After nine years of painstaking and diligent work by three

local women translators, 1,200 copies of Alcoholics Anonymous were printed locally in

Twi, the language of Ghana. The book, with hand-sewn bindings, is now being used in

A.A. meetings throughout the region. Box 4-5-9, Fall 2015

Gift Basket Contest

Enter a gift basket created by yourself or your group in the Chili Cook-Off Basket Raffle.

(We’re expecting amazing baskets from our Solvang and Lompoc groups!) The individual or

group whose basket receives the most raffle tickets wins a Gift Certificate for $20 good

toward any merchandise at Central Office. Contact Sarah G. at 805-266-0046 for information and to enter your basket.

Central Office Board of Directors

Chairperson: Sylvia M. Co-Chairperson: Merilyn G. Central Office Coordinator, Literature & Chips: Vicki D. Fundraising: Sarah G. Secretary: Veroneka Treasurer: Terry S. Member at Large: Nancy N.

Thanks Central Office Volunteers!!!

Carmel A., Charles, Keith D., Janet G., Kristina S., Mary G., Susan M., Terry S., Tom W., Wade W.

District 52 Central Office Accounting Snapshot

Donations 08/15 09/15 Group

6 AM Sickies 101.50 111.50 52nd District AA 15.00 ---

Happy Hour 100.00 --- Orcutt Group 45.00 --- Santa Ynez Valley Action Grp 116.72 --- Wed. Night Mtg. of AA 60.00 --- Women’s Fresh Start 30.00 --- Total Group 468.22 111.50

Individual Anonymous --- 321.12 Danelle W. 20.00 20.00 Terry & Diane S. 25.00 --- Keith D. 15.00 20.00 Chris J. 109.37 --- Jim R. --- 25.00 Tom W. 8.00 --- Total Individual 177.37 386.12

Misc. & Change Donations 3.39 10.05 Total Donations 648.98 508.12 Total Sales 432.18 750.51 Total Sales & Donations $1081.16 $1258.63 End of Month Balance $2449.96

Central Office Stats

Aug/Sept Calls 50 Office Walk-Ins 78 Book Sales 96 Chip Sales 160 Directories 259

52nd District Central Office Happenings

You Can Now Special Order These Through Central Office – Quick Delivery

Tri-Plated Medallions - $13.50 each

Bi-Plated Medallions - $10.50 each

Now Available at Central Office

Ebby, the Man Who Sponsored Bill W. by Mel B., published by Hazelton.

See last page for review by Peter B.

Many thanks to Keith D. for organizing, and to the following people who worked at, the Central Office table at the Round Up: Carmel A., Charles, Janet G., Kristina S., Mary G., Polly S., Susan M., Tom W., Veroneka R., Virgie V., and Yolanda M. Great job, everyone!!!

Steering Committee Meetings

Freedom Group - 2nd Sunday of the month, Lompoc, 1pm Happy Hour – 1st Monday of even months, 1600 Club, 6:45pm Santa Maria Golden Group – 2nd Thursday of the month, 6:30 pm Santa Maria Valley Group – 2nd Wednesday of the month 6:45pm Santa Ynez Valley Action Group – 3rd Saturday of the month, Alano Club, 10am

Just Hitched!!!

Congratulations to Lee C. and Joey N. who were married on September 27th. Wishing you many, many years of sobriety and happiness!!!

What’s Happening???

11/06-08 San Bernardino, CA, 28th Inland Empire Convention www.ieaac.org

11/08 2015 Area 93 Longtimers Event, 8956 Vanalden Ave, Northridge, call Dustin at 858-207-7357 for info

11/15 Area Assembly Golden Valley High School, Bakersfield

11/26-29 49th Annual Las Vegas Roundup www.lasvegasroundup.org

12/05 2nd Annual District 52 Chili Cook-Off with Basket

Raffle (see pg. 5 for details)

“Come as You Are”

“A number of times in sobriety I have been in a bleak place, whether due to too much sugar, stress, work or simply the debilitation of “alcoholism”, and have come to a place that, though not suicidal, I would think I may as well be done with my life, I have wasted it, and am not measuring up to the person I could be.

When I have reached that place in the past, and arrived at “I may as well be done with my life” a little voice inside has always said “Are you sure?”. When I have answered “Yes” the little voice inside has always said “Can I have it?”.

I have always said “yes” to that voice and immediately my life is transformed into an adventure in which I am a participant, pressing burdens are lifted, and the One whose little voice it is assures me I am safe with my life in the care of that One.”

Billy N., Santa Maria

EBBY, The Man Who Sponsored Bill W.

What drew me to this book was my gap in the understanding of AA history. In my travels, I’ve visited Bob’s Akron house, the Mayflower Hotel, and the Smith’s graveside. I heard Bob S. Jr. speak about Mother’s Day 1935, the parade of drunks that Bill and Bob were trying to get sober, and the roots of Al-Anon (of which Bob S. was a member).

I was aware of Roland Hazard, the Oxford groups and Sam Shoemaker. I’d read letters exchanged between Dr. Jung and Bill W. before Dr. Jung’s death. What this book did for me was to draw these pieces of history together.

It clarifies how Ebby got in touch with Bill, the roots of the Oxford Group in the creation of AA, Ebby’s treatment in Dallas, and the relationship between Ebby and Bill through the years. It is an easy and informative read.

Written by Mel B. and published by Hazelton, this book is not conference approved material.

Peter B., Los Alamos

In Memoriam

The following members passed away in September and October:

Kay M. passed away on September 7th..

Rick M. of Lompoc and Santa Maria passed away on September 12th.

Suzanne M. passed away on October 1st.

Thank you for sharing your joy and laughter, your ups and downs, and especially your recovery and words of wisdom. We will miss you all....

Editor’s Corner

Wishing everyone a warm and peaceful holiday season and New Year. Thanks for the privilege of bringing you the Newsletter! If you’d like the Newsletter e-mailed to you, send your e-mail address to Nancy N. at nsagg98@yahoo.com . If you don’t have a computer, ask your Meeting Secretary to get you a copy. It is also on the Central Office website... www.aa52centraloffice.org

80th Int’l AA Convention The recent Convention in Atlanta attracted 57,000 members, family and friends. Four thousand volunteers greeted guests and were later joined by 1000 more from 33 countries.

Meetings were held in English, French, Spanish, Italian, German, Japanese, Russian, Polish, Portuguese, Finnish, Lithuanian, Swedish, and ASL (American Sign Language). A world map and push pins were available in the Int’l Hospitality Area for guests to mark their hometowns.

Today is a Gift! Happy Today!