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Sobriety News - August 2011
A Service of Harrisburg Area Intergroup

If you would like to add something to the Sobriety News, please send it to info@aaharrisburg.org


STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
The Sobriety News is a publication of the Harrisburg Area Intergroup of Alcoholics Anonymous. It is written, edited, and read by AA members, and those interested in the AA program of recovery from the disease of alcoholism, linking one alcoholic to another. Our desperation to find relief from the bondage of alcoholism has led us to this program as a new " design for living". Many members utilize meetings, sponsorship, self examination, amends, prayer, meditation, AA literature, service to fellow alcoholics, and many other tools to maintain their recovery. This publication is intended as one more tool to live a life of recovery. Because each AA member has an individual way of working this program, divergent views to recovery, within the concept of the Program of Alcoholics Anonymous, are welcome. An effort is made to print all viewpoints in this forum. Articles are not intended to be statements of AA policy, nor does publication of any article imply endorsement by AA or the Harrisburg Area Intergroup.

Calendar of Events

Aug 3 Wednesday 7:00 pm Into Action Group speaker meeting - Jennifer W - BBSG
Aug 4 Thurs 6:30pm Harrisburg Intergroup Meeting - 19th Street (1st Thursday of the Month)
Aug 5 Friday 8:30pm 19th Street Speaker Meeting
Aug 5-7 Fri-Sun Weekend 18th Annual AA PA State Convention - Harrisburg, PA
Aug 6 Saturday 8:00 pm Hershey Group Speaker - Armand S
Aug 7 Sunday 8:00 pm Bridge Street speaker meeting - Bart A - There's More to Life
Aug 8 Monday 6:30 pm District 36 Meeting -Fellowship House 19th St Harrisburg (2nd Monday of the Month)
Aug 10 Wednesday 7:00 pm Into Action Group speaker meeting
Aug 12 Friday 8:30pm 19th Street Speaker Meeting
Aug 13 Saturday 12:00pm Harrisburg Pennsypaa Bid Committee Picnic - Negly Park, Lemoyne - speaker Duke D - $5
Aug 14 Sunday 8:00 pm Bridge Street speaker meeting - Troy D. - There's More to Life
Aug 17 Wednesday 7:00 pm Into Action Group speaker meeting
Aug 19 Friday 8:30pm 19th Street Speaker Meeting
Aug 20 Saturday 12pm Cumberland Valley Intergroup Picnic - Carlisle
Aug 20 Saturday 12-5 2011 Harrisburg Area Intergroup Picnic - New Cumberland
Aug 21 Sunday 8:00 pm Bridge Street speaker meeting - Teague W - There's More to Life
Aug 24 Wednesday 7:00 pm Into Action Group speaker meeting - Jessica M - BBSG
Aug 26 Friday 8:30pm 19th Street Speaker Meeting
Aug 28 Sunday 8:00 pm Bridge Street speaker meeting - Gordon & Chet - Carlisle Group
Aug 31 Wednesday 7:00 pm Into Action Group speaker meeting
Looking Ahead

Sep 3 Saturday 8:00 pm Hershey Group Speaker - Becky W
Sep 18 Sunday 12-5 Dillsburg Group 7th Annual Pignic - Dillsburg
Out of Town

Aug 19-21 2011 Weekend PENNSYPAA 23 - (Young Peoples AA Conference) - Philly, PA  www.pennscypaa-xxiii.org
Oct 21-23 2011 Weekend 34th Annual Downingtown AA Young Peoples’ Conference - Pughtown, PA


New Meetings and Changes

PLEASE MAKE SURE to notify us via email at info@aaharrisburg.org if you have an update, addition or a cancelled meeting so that we can update the meeting lists.  THANKS



District 36 Unity Event Recap

I received two write ups on this amazing event from July 16th. I wanted to include them both!

On Saturday, July 16, the General Service District #36, along with many of its member groups, sponsored a Unity Event. It started off with snacks, desserts and fellowship from 5:30 till 7 pm until the crowd grew to about 170. Our District #36 District Committee Member (DCM), Eric F, spoke for about a half-hour about the structure of the AA organization, and how it is designed to pass the wishes of our local member groups on the the General Service Conference. He spoke of how unity is essential to the survival of AA and ultimately - us. The main speaker, Sandy B, from Tampa, FL, spoke from an armchair like a fireside chat (without the fire). His spiritual message was not the same as his talks in recent years in our area, although certainly familiar. Through the process of his recovery he traced how unity and spirituality have been an integral part of his growth. He allowed time so that members of the audience could ask questions, which really capped off his delightful message. The event was recorded and CDs of Sandy's talk are available To get a copy of this memorable talk contact Fred M at (717) 712-3337. The price to cover production costs is $5. The efforts of Fred and others in making this recording are greatly appreciated. This event took able assistance from so many AA members, from many different groups; all are such great examples of how unity is alive and well in the tri-county area. - Submitted by Al D.

On Saturday July 16th, District 36 partnered with the New Cumberland and Middletown Groups to present "A Unity Event." It started at 5:30pm with a great display of fellowship that included many varieties of desserts and snacks and of course many AA's sharing their own personal adventures with one another, spreading the word and hope to one another through the power of friendship toward all in attendance. The event was held at the Trinity United Methodist Church 421 Bridge Street in New Cumberland, PA. Eric F who is the DCM for District 36 gave a fine talk at 7:00pm about Unity and Structure, and encouraged each group to send a GSR to the meetings held on the 2nd Monday of each month at the Fellowship house, so that their voices can be heard up the triangle to our delegate. The guest speaker and perhaps the man whom shared the most fellowship that night was Sandy B from who spoke at 7:30 to a packed house about the importance of unity in our fellowship, from the early days of Bill W and Ebby T all the way up to today, explaining to all in attendance in his own charming style, why and how Unity is key in allowing one alcoholic to help another alcoholic. Sandy also generously allowed the audience some time after he spoke to ask questions of him about unity, structure and service. Fellow members from as far away as Washington D.C. made the 3 hour trip to attend what they heard was "One of Pennsylvania's best events ". It was a night that I am sure all in attendance will never forget. - Submitted by Dave S.



PICNICS! PICNICS! PICNICS!



Harrisburg Pennsypaa Bid Committee will be holding a Picnic on Saturday August 13th at Negley Park in Lemoyne. Food and fellowship will start at 12:00pm. Duke D will be speaking at 4:00pm. $5 tickets are being sold, or you can pay at the door. Come out and have a great time and support this committee to bring PENNSYPAA to the Harrisburg area next year!!



The 2011 Harrisburg Area Intergroup Picnic will be holding their 26th annual picnic at the New Cumberland Borough Park on Saturday, August 20th. The picnic starts from 12pm and ends at 5pm. The speaker meeting will be at 3:30pm. They will be serving chicken, hamburgers and hot dogs on the grill. Please bring a side dish to share. Coffee, soft drinks and water will also be provided! Tickets are $5.00 and childre under 12 are free. Get your tickets from any Intergroup Rep. Families are welcome and encouraged to attend. Fun and games for all ages! Door prizes and 50/50 drawing. Flyer



The 2011 Cumberland Valley Intergroup Picnic will be holding their annual picnic at the North Middleton Park in Carlisle on Saturday, August 20th. The picnic starts from 12pm. The meeting will also start at 12:00pm, followed by a pot luck dinner. CVI will provide the burger and hotdogs. If you can bring a potluck dish that is great, if not, just bring yourself! And all of this will be followed by a white elephant auction: Wrap something you don't need or use as a gift all the Proceeds will go to the Cumberland Valley Intergroup. Families are welcome and encouraged to attend. Fun and games for all ages! Flyer



Check Out Old Copies of Sobriety News!



Did you know that we keep past copies of the Sobriety News? You can go to the SN-Past Issues link to view Sobriety Newsletters from as far back as 2000!!





Sobriety News Needs Your Help!



We need your articles, thoughts, write-ups of group events, or even dropping a line to let us know about events or even the names of speakers at regular speaker meetings. We need your help in keeping this publication going and up to date. Everything that's submitted is appreciated! Email your info to info@aaharrisburg.org



Children of Chaos Meeting



Like children? Need a service commitment? We need YOU! Join the “Children of Chaos” group on Thursday evenings from 6-7 pm. We meet at the Penbrook Church of God, 2733 Canby St, Penbrook, PA. The group is looking for individuals to watch the kids one Thursday a month. This service enables local individuals to get to a meeting that they would otherwise miss because they do not have help to look after their children. Getting sober is hard enough, why not help out a fellow AA by helping them get to a much needed meeting? If you are interested, please come to a meeting and let us know you are interested. Thanks! FLYER



Concept 90 Meetings Needs Speakers/Chairpersons

Concept 90 is a rehabilitation center located close to the Farm Show in Harrisburg. Harrisburg Intergroup is coordinating 2 people to visit the center to chair and speak at an AA meeting. Meetings are every 2nd and 4th Thursday at 7:00pm. If you are interested in chairing/speaking at this meeting please contact Armand at 717-439-9670 or you can email him at armandsill@yahoo.com.



Call Before You Pick Up Your Literature

Rich noted that he is open for business most Saturdays, but recommended that people phone him to make appointments to pick up literature - (717) 554-2382 (this is a his new cell phone number) .  If you would like to just order literature, you can email him at holtzman24@comcast.net).  Please note his email address is listed on receipts he prints out, and it is always best to call before stopping by unannounced just to be certain he will be in the office.  You can also stop by the first Thursday of the month (before the Intergroup Meeting at 6:30pm).



Keep coming back, it gets better
then it gets worse, then it gets real
then it gets different
then it gets real different




TRADITIONS CHECKLIST:
TRADITION EIGHT:Alcoholics Anonymous should remain forever nonprofessional, but our service centers may employ special workers.

1.Is my own behavior accurately described by the Traditions? If not, what needs changing?
2.When I chafe about any particular Tradition, do I realize how it affects others?
3.Do I sometimes try to get some reward-even if not money-for my personal AA efforts?
4.Do I try to sound in AA like an expert on alcoholism? On recovery? On medicine? On sociology? On AA itself? On psychology? On spiritual matters? Or, heaven help me, even on humility?
5.Do I make an effort to understand what AA employees do? What workers in other alcoholism agencies do? Can I distinguish clearly among them?
6.In my own AA life, have I any experiences which illustrate the wisdom of this Tradition?
7.Have I paid enough attention to the book Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions? To the pamphlet AA Tradition-How It Developed?
***Printed by permission. THE AA GRAPEVINE INC., PO BOX 1980, GRAND CENTRAL STATION, NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10163-1980

The biggest problem in the world could have been easily solved when it was small.




As Bill Sees It

Complete the Housecleaning
Time after time, newcomers have tried to keep to themselves shoddy facts
about their lives. Trying to avoid the humbling experience of the Fifth
Step, they have turned to easier methods. Almost invariably they got
drunk. Having persevered with the rest of the program, they wondered why
they fell.


We think the reason is taht they never completed their housecleaning.
They took inventory all right, but hung on to some of the worst items in stock.
They only thought they had lost their egoism and fear; they only thought they had humbled themselves.
But they had not learned enought of humility, fearlessness and honesty, in the sense we
find it necessary, until they told someone else all their life story.

Alcoholics Anonymous pp 72-73"



When I'm feeling lousy it's never about what I have done, it's about what I haven't done


We Are not a Glum Lot!


"Is this a Twelfth Step Call???"

------------------------------------------------------------------

AA faker:"Since joining AA 3 years ago, I have not found it necessary to take a drink"

Newcomer: "Liar, I saw you not 2 weeks ago at Joe's bar and grill drunk as a skunk"

AA faker: "Yeah, but it wasn't necessary"

AA delivers everything alcohol promised.

Harrisburg Area Intergroup (HAI)
1251 S. 19th Street, Harrisburg, PA 17104
July 7, 2011 Meeting Minutes
www.aaharrisburg.org

Representatives Present: Al-Anon; Big Book Study Group; Bridge Street Sunday Night Group; Camp Hill Prison; Cumberland County Women's Prison; Cumberland Valley Intergroup; Children of Chaos; Dauphin County Men's Prison; Dauphin County Women's Prison; Desire Group; Dillsburg Group, District 36; Fellowship House; Harrisburg Men's Group; Hershey Group; Living Sober Group; Mid-City Group; Middletown Survivors Group; Middletown Trudgers Group; Out of the Dark Group; Pine Street Group; Serenity Group; Sobriety News; The Way Out Group; There is a Solution Group; There's More to Life Group; Sunday Night Bridge Street Group; Up the Creek Group.
The meeting was opened at 6:30 p.m. with The Serenity Prayer.
The Twelve Traditions were read by Armand S.
Secretary's Report was read and June minutes were approved.
Chairman's Report: Chairman Alicia S. welcomed new group representatives Dave B. from The Way Out Group and Sue Z. from Out of the Dark Group. Meeting attendees introduced themselves to help place faces with names/groups. Alicia attended the recent Cumberland Valley Intergroup meeting. She reported that HAI and CVI need to be working more closely together on several issues such as the hotline and web sites, where we can assist each other. Presently there is a lack of communication between the two Intergroups that has culminated in both organizations' picnics planned for the same date in August. Alicia will be working more closely with CVI chairperson Frank T. discussing Intergroup criteria and protocol, specifically as it relates to meeting schedules and other areas of obvious overlap and need. Alicia was unable to attend the June District 36 meeting but will attend in July. HAI is in need of a specific HAI/D36 liaison to regularly attend District meeting and bring back a reliable report.
Treasurer's Report: Joyce T. provided the June 2011 Financial Report. Intergroup members approved it as presented. Anyone who would like a copy of the financial report may contact the secretary (Ed P.) or go to the Harrisburg Intergroup website www.aaharrisburg.org and select the Sobriety News button to obtain one. The general checking account balance is 754.76, and with a prudent reserve of 2571.13 total cash in the bank totals 3326.54.
Central Office: The Women's Serenity Group has responsibility for the AA Hotline for the month of July. The following HAI Groups have volunteered to man the AA Hotline through December 2011.
2011 Group
July Women's Serenity
August Hershey Nooner
September Bridge Street (Sunday night)
October There is a Solution
November There's More to Life
December Out of the Dark
Sobriety News: Lisa K was unable to attend but dropped off hard copies of SN for Intergroup reps. Gary M. (Lykens Winding It Up Group) has volunteered to assist Lisa with Sobriety News. It was decided by the reps that SoberFest, which is not an AA specific event, cannot be advertised in Sobriety News. Please contact Lisa with any meeting or schedule changes. As always, contact www.aaharrisburg.org to report your group's information and upcoming activities to be included in Sobriety News.
Literature: Rick H. reviewed the literature purchases/disbursements for the month of June. Current on-hand inventory totals $4087.89. Literature sold in June was 253.30. Purchases totaled 938.75.
Public Information: Armand reports that the first meeting of the PI Workshop Committee took place June 20 and was well attended. He thanks all for their time and effort. The group came up with a $300 budget for the upcoming Treatment Facilities Workshop, to take place September 17, 2011, which was approved by the reps. The committee meets next on Monday July 11, 2011, 6 pm, at Fellowship House. Armand also reported that all libraries in Dauphin County have 2 copies of the Big Book; one to lend and one for reference. Armand is looking into the idea of making AA meeting lists available at area hotels and several hotels are interested. More research will take place and discussion was favorable.
Dauphin County Men's: Moses B. reports that volunteers are still needed for men's prison meetings at DCP. Six (6) men are needed as soon as possible. Please pass this information on to your groups. Contact Moses B. for more information and necessary clearance forms.
Dauphin County Women's: Karen M. reported that meetings are going well. Terri Z. reported the newly formed Woodside Women's Work Release Meetings on Saturday mornings at 10:30 am are well staffed and going well. She also announced a NEW meeting just starting at the Women's Work Release Center on Thursday evenings at 8:30 pm. This meeting is in need of volunteers. Please contact Kris K. at 566-0147 for more information or to volunteer. No background checks or invasive volunteer protocol necessary. Great service work opportunity.
Cumberland County Men's: No report but meetings are said to be going well.
Cumberland County Women's: Lori R. reports that meetings are going well and that she will ask CVI for literature for the prison meeting since the meetings take place in that Intergroup's domain.
Camp Hill Men's: No report.
Activities: Mike F. has flyers and tickets ($5.00) available for the HAI Summer Picnic scheduled for August 20, 2011 at New Cumberland Borough Park. There will be a picnic planning meeting immediately following this Intergroup meeting, at 7:30 pm. Everyone is welcome to attend and help with the picnic.
Treatment Centers: Armand S. is looking into possible interest by Treatment Centers in Central PA for AA meetings inside their facilities. One specific TC, "Common Ground" requires stringent background checks including FBI and Child Abuse checks for which AA members must pay out of pocket. This issue will be taken to the individual groups in order to gauge interest and support.
District 36: Lori R. reported that D36 is still looking for HomeGroup inventories. Eric F. discussed June's Area 59 Meeting information relevant to our District. D36 will put on a skit at the upcoming PA AA Convention scheduled for August 5-7, 2011 in Harrisburg. Unity Day with speaker Sandy Beach is Saturday July 16, 2011 beginning at 5:30 pm at the Trinity United Methodist Church at 421 Bridge Street in New Cumberland.
Cumberland Valley Intergroup: Bob from Mount Holly Springs represented CVI this month. The lack of communication between the Intergroups was further discussed. Alicia will attend the next CVI meeting, which are held on the 3rd Tuesday of each month, in Carlisle, PA., at the Grace United Methodist Church, West & Pomfret Sts at 6:30pm. Please refer to www.aacarlislepa.org or call (717) 422-4888 (CVI hotline) for more information about the Cumberland Valley Intergroup.
Al-Anon: Evelyn reported on the Al-Anon State Convention held in June 2011 in Gettysburg, the purpose of which was educational in nature. The State Assembly is scheduled for August 20-21 at the Hilton in Harrisburg for the purpose of voting and general Al-Anon business. The annual District 21 Al-Anon Picnic will take place September 18 at Brightbill Park in Lower Paxton Township. New meetings schedules have been printed and are available. As always, check the Al-Anon website www.pa-al-anon.org for more information and meetings.
Old Business: (1) Donating to Stepping Stones was discussed as members had information brought back from their groups about giving Intergroup money to this organization. Several groups shared that their groups decided that donations would go against AA's Tradition 6, suggesting our Intergroup not endorse or finance any related facility or outside entity. Personal/individual contributions are, however, greatly encouraged. Donations can be made online at www.steppingstones.org Alicia will compose a letter to Stepping Stones and will share it with this group at the next HAI meeting.
New Business: Rick from the Literature committee proposed purchasing or creating a "Meeting In A Pocket" which includes much of the literature necessary to hold an AA meeting in a small, booklet form that can fit into a pocket. Discussion centered on whether HAI should offer this as part of the literature we carry for the groups. Moses will share a copy of a similar item used years ago by groups in this area. More information will be gathered and discussion will continue at a future meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:34 p.m.
Submitted in service by, Terri Z.



District 36 Meeting Minutes
July 11, 2011

Meeting opens at 6:30pm with the Serenity Prayer.
Attendance: Eric, Ellen, Kevin, Casey, Erin, Albert, Deb, Lori, Amy, Alicia, Ken, Mike, Parker, Steph, Newt, Jared and Mike.
Concept 7 read and commented on by Newt, and involves the balance of power between the General Service Board and the Conference, who controls the money.
Group concerns and summaries: The Big Book study group will become a babysitting meeting.
Secretary's report passed with the amendment that Parker's Spaghetti Dinner that he attended was for PENNSCYPAA.
Treasurer's report was passed.
ADCM: no report from Newt.
News from Intergroups: Harrisburg Area Intergroup had a PI meeting, and will be holding H&I and treatment facilities workshop on Sept. 17 from 9-2 in New Cumberland. Refer to Sobriety News for Fliers and dates/times of upcoming events. Lisa has a new helper for the Sobriety News. Donations for Stepping Stones were voted against, because it breaks the seventh tradition, but private donations from individuals are welcome. Work is being done to connect the Harrisburg and Cumberland Valley intergroups.
Unity Event: Let's try to get as many people as possible involved. Motion passed to give money to Lori for supplies. Eric will speak about unity and structure. The unity event was recorded.
Outreach Committee: Parker assures us it is in the works, he will have packages to give to groups soon.
Inventory: time to review returns. We are still accepting them until the day they pick to go over the returns. Members of the committee to review are Lori, Newt, Eric, Albert, and Casey.
State Convention: we need to pick a play, Lori will lead up the group and we'll meet next week for practice. Debbie mentioned that they need money specially designated for sponsorships for the convention.
New Business: Jared would like a donation for an event based on the history of AA that will be held in Elizabethtown. A donation of $200.00 was passed. The event will be October 8th and is free, and is on the area calendar.
DCM Report: Eric sent out AA World Service info to us via email, updated calendar, and check out the read only folder.
7th Tradition: AA should be fully self supporting declining outside contributions.
Archives: Dave's archives won't include PENNSCYPAA because they have a lot themselves already.
Meeting ended at 8pm with the Responsibility Pledge.

DONATIONS - The addresses for group mailings of local contributions are as follows. Please make a note on your check (bottom left memo line) of "Contribution," or "Literature", or whatever other purpose the check is for, so the Treasurers can apply it to the correct account.
Harrisburg Area Intergroup - 1251 S. 19th Street,  Harrisburg, PA. 17104
District 36 -  PO Box 5325, Harrisburg, PA. 17110
Eastern PA General Service Area 59 - Payable to: EPGSA - Mail to: Area Treasurer, 23 Pancoast Ave, Aston PA 19014
General Service Office -  Box # 459, Grand Central Station, New York, NY 10163

SOBRIETY NEWS is published monthly, and is usually available the day before the first day of each month, so paper copies can be printed and distributed to Reps at the monthly Intergroup meeting. You can locate this newsletter, as well as lots of other stuff that would interest members of groups belonging to the Harrisburg Area Intergroup, at http://www.aaharrisburg.org 

SOBRIETY NEWS SUBSCRIPTIONS Sobriety News is e-mailed monthly to free subscribers who have indicated a desire to receive it. You may subscribe simply by sending and email to info@aaharrisburg.org. It is emailed by BCC (blind copy) to protect the anonymity of recipients. You need to notify us if you change e-mail addresses, and you may not receive it, if your computer or internet service provider screens out mail that does not have your name in the To: box.

REMOVAL If you wish to be removed from the Sobriety News mailing list, send an email to info@aaharrisburg.org and asked to be removed and you will promptly be deleted from the list.

PAST ISSUES OF SOBRIETY NEWS The Sobriety News has been in existence since 1983!! Click on the link to get past issues.