CONTACT
Pinellas County Intergroup 8340 Ulmerton Road Suite 220 Largo, FL 33771
727.530.0415 PH [email protected]
Monday - Friday 10am - 6pm
Bulletin 2
Unity Report 3
Events 4
District 1 5
Anniversaries 6
From our readers 7
Contributions 8
Inside this issue:
Plain & Straight Editor: Jen B. Email: [email protected]
2
KOALA Christ Lutheran Church 3451 30th Avenue N. St. Pete 33713 Tuesdays 8PM 12&12 w/ BB Study Beginners
NIGHTINGALE RECOVERY MORNING ROUNDS Mindworks Office 1260 S Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd Suite D Clearwater 33756
COMMON SOLUTION Allendale Methodist Church 3803 Haines Road N. St. Peter 33703 From: Room #204 To: Nursery 1st Floor Room Change Only G.O.Y.A. - WCA Serenity Club 631 Turner Street Clearwater 33756 Fri OTR 1st 6:00 pm OPEN DOOR St. Jerome's Catholic Church 10895 Hamlin Blvd. Largo 33774 OBB-OBD 8PM MONDAYS ODSt Outside Smokers 8PM TUESDAYS ODSt – Inside Meet 8PM TUESDAYS
NEW
MEETINGS
JULY
DELETED MEETINGS
CHANGED MEETINGS
July 1-3 1960 – 8700 attend 25th Anniversary of AA in Long Beach, CA. July 2-3 1955 – 5000 attend 20th Anniversary at our St. Louis Convention; Bill W. turns “the fellowship over to the fellowship” at 4:00 PM. July 3-5 1970 – 10,900 attend 35th Anniversary of AA in Miami; Bill W. gives his last talk to AA. July 3-6 1980 – 22,500 attend 45th Anniversary of AA in New Orleans; first true marathon meeting is held here. July 3-6 1980 – Gay AA’s have own program at 40th AA Anni-versary in New Orleans. July 8 1940 – First AA group formed in Dayton, Ohio. July 14 1939 – Blythewood Sanitarium; Dr .Harry Tiebout gives Big Book to Marty M. who promptly throws it back at him. 1979 – Dr. Ernest Kurtz publishes Not God, a history of AA. July 22 1980 – Marty M. early AA woman and founder of Na-tional Council on Alcohol-ism and Drug Dependency (NCADD) dies. July 23 1940 – Philly AA’s send 10% of kitty to Alcoholic Foundation, setting precedent. July 23 1943 – Esther C.’s sobriety date; she died sober Jan 15, 2005. July 24 1943 – L.A. press reports formation of all-Mexican AA Group. July 28-30 1950 – First AA Convention celebrates 15th anniversary of AA in Cleveland.
3
07/21/18 Attitude Adjustment
07/28/18 St. Pete Beach YPG
08/04/18 Power greater than ourselves
08/11/18 Serenity Seekers
08/18/18 Attitude Adjustment
08/25/18 TGIS
6/2/18 Today In Sobriety-NE St Pete @ Wes-ley United Methodist Church 301 37th Ave N @ 5:30pm (Monday thru Friday)
Stephanie "SD 5/1/13. AA saved my life & what saved me 100% was service work & com-mitments & I have to work every single step every single day."
Jerry "SD 4/22/14. I was so tense & mad at everyone & headaches & my whole body hurt & a lady at a mtg mentioned to get a mas-sage; Fear was my only God & I'm gonna do it afraid & ZEN after; thoughts from God 'you will ask T to be your sponsor, go to 5 mtg/wk & read that book' & my wife noticed immedi-ately I was relaxed."
6/9/18 Women's Daily Reflection-@10:30am Saturdays in St Pete @ Wesley United Meth-odist Church @38th Ave & 4th St N
Lindsay "SD 2/23/09. We read the Daily Re-flections. Live & Let Live helps me out in the road; Easy Does It, I'm too hard on myself; Perfectionist-we're not here to be perfect."
Sue "SD 10/23/06. Growing up, I always had a relationship w/ God, & since AA my relation-ship w/ God has got even better; if you do the steps & program to the best of your ability life will be great & I have a better day when I start my day w/ daily readings; Coffee w/ God."
6/16/18 Attitude Adjustment-Clearwater @ 7am Monday thru Saturday 6 days/wk @ Grace Community Church@1812 N Highland Ave
Glen "SD 7/22/10. Walking humbled me & I
don't mind walking now & when I try to stay in God's will today, the day goes smoothly."
Larry "SD3/24/96. If you got kids, tell them you love them. A sponsor aid if you do right, you can't do wrong; when I don't drink, I don't get in trouble; find a HP greater than your-self."
6/23/18 After Work Bunch-Safety Har-bor@5:30pm (Monday thru Saturday) 6:30pm Sundays @ First Pres Church@255 5th Ave South
Ray "SD1/1/16. The things we are taught in the beginning, we need to keep doing to stay sober & if you're not practicing & living the 12 steps, you're loitering."
Sabine "If you don't wanna be the person you were, don't do the things you did; I live every-day as though it's the greatest day in the world & I didn't get sober to live in fear."
6/30/18 At The End Of The Rainbow-Palm Harbor Saturday Mornings WOMEN'S Mtg w/ BABYSITTING @Grace Com. Church@2255 Nebraska Ave
Dana "Step 3 is important; without Him, I'm not honest w/ myself or anybody else."
Lauren "SD/19/13. The best thing rehab did for us was bring in meetings & take us to meetings."
Elizabeth "I've had more fun sober than I ever had drinking."
-Your Grateful Plain & Straight Reporter, Karen
4
Go to www.area15aa.org for more info / registration
Go to www.tampabayfallroundup.com for more info / registration
5
SERVICE COMMITTEE MEETINGS - NEW MEMBERS ALWAYS WELCOME!
ACCESSIBLITIES 3RD THURSDAY 6PM 8/16/18 Central Office 8430 Ulmerton Rd #220, Largo
ARCHIVES 3RD SATURDAY 130PM 8/18/18 Alano Club - Dolphin Village 4615 Gulf Blvd #112, SPB
CORRECTIONS 2ND MONDAY 630PM 8/13/18 Central Office 8430 Ulmerton Rd #220
DISTRICT 1 BUSINESS MTG
3RD TUESDAY 630PM 8/21/18
CHURCH OF GOOD SHEPHERD 10891 102nd Ave North, Seminole
GRAPEVINE 3RD WEDNESDAY 630PM 8/15/18 Central Office 8430 Ulmerton Rd #220
LITERATURE COMMITTEE 1ST WEDNESDAY 630PM 8/1/18 Panera Bread 10801 Starkey Road, Largo
PI/CPC LAST MONDAY 6PM 8/27/18 Central Office 8430 Ulmerton Rd #220
TREATMENT LAST SATURDAY 10AM 78/25/18 DeGeorge Plaza 12678 Starkey Rd., Largo
WEBSITE 3RD SATURDAY 10AM 8/18/18 Central Office 8430 Ulmerton Rd #220
For More Information on
these Committees, go to:
District1aapinellas.org
Hi, my name Is Geoff. My sobriety date is January 30, 2002.
I am the chairperson for the Treatment Committee in District 1. I got involved with Treatment because I liked to talk about myself.
The committee is most rewarding for me when I see someone at a meeting after seeing them in Treatment.
The Treatment Committee makes the people, friendships and passion the people in committee have for recovery makes a difference.
I would tell someone who wants to get involved with AA service work that you can make a difference in helping someone change their life. Plus, you feel useful!
6
Submissions must be received by the first Friday of each month to make it into the next issue.
Deadline for June’s issue is : Friday August 3rd 2018 - that is for the JULY anniversaries.
Thank you - Jessica S. , Anniversary Editor
Sunrise/Sunset Karen 1 Irwin W. 4 Dan G. 4 Betsy K. 21 Sallie K. 22 Turtle 31 Jackie 33 John Mc. 43 Today in Sobriety Lori 2 Mark 6 Lisa 11 Barb 32 Dave 33 St Pete Group Rick T. 1 Kevin B. 3 Larry D. 3 Kanita 3 Steve W. 10 Lisa T. 16 Jannett W. 29 Together We Can Michael D. 3 Linda W. 4 Bryan C. 19 Walsingham Larry 6 Missed Anniversaries: May Serenity Seekers Julie K. 5 Nicole E. 6 Sandra D. 12 Sunshine City Bruce R. 17 Together We Can Lisa 2 Ellen S. 27
2250 Group Stephen D. 1 Kimberly J. 1 Tammy C. 6 Russel R. 6 Lynn S. 8 Bert 24 Jill G. 29 Johnny A. 40 3rd Tradition Larry K. 6 Marilyn F. 6 Gary S. 10 Barbara B. 29 Pat T. 37 A New Start Magda S. 1 Cindy P. 3 Leslie A. 6 Dave G. 16 After Work Bunch Nic V. 1 Marco O. 1 Lisa O. 1 Blaine M. 1 Harry K. 26 Attitude Adjustment Kim 3 Tom 25 Russ 32 Dan 33
Abe’s Place Nikki 1 Joy J. 1 Kevin R. 5 Teri R. 5 Ray W. 5 Dale W. 5 David S. 6 Pamela S. 8 John Mc. 8 Fred P. 9 Chris N. 9 Bowie H. 9 Mark D. 10 John A. 12 Susan G. 18 John F. 28 Back Porch Lunch Bunch Sandrine 1 Bree 1 Bingo 3 Ray W. 5 Dennis H. 5 Christina S. 5 Bobby 7 Gordy S. 10 Kris P. 10 Wanda 10 Big Mike 13 Jimmy E. 28 Janet J. 30 Jack F. 30 Terry F. 31 Diana M. 32
Central Group John O. 18 Countryside Group Bob H. 16 Experience, Strength and Hope Parker S. 6 GOYA Sarah M. 7 Troy M. 7 Bruce H. 8 Lori R. 17 Christine 24 Jimmy V. 31 Highpoint Gerry L. 23 Elizabeth V. 28 Hopeful Group Bill W. 33 Into Action Karla H. 1 Lisa K. 12 Jean J. 30 Koala Mike S. 2 Scott Mc. 2 Gene S. 10 New Beginnings Women's Group Beth H. 1 Nina 4 Cat F. 7 Mojo 9 Oldsmar Group Rick 1 Jessica 2 Wendy 3 Libby 3 Linda A. 4 Max 6
JUNE 2018 ANNIVERSARIES
Palm Harbor Group Dallas W. 3 Sheri R. 20 Joan I. 38 R' Girls Group Tammy D. 5 Nancy E. 35 Saturday AM Women’s Big Book Carol 1 Mary 11 Seminole Group Jim McC. 3 Terri R. 5 Kevin R. 5 Tom McN. 14 Ray C. 14 Serenity Seekers Kathy A. 5 Kathy RH. 11 Ray S. 12 Deborah S. 33 Spirit Group Sandrine M. 1 Tega C. 1 Nina 4 Frank C. 7 Mojo 9 David J. 30 Nancy P. 32
7
Opinions expressed in Plain & Straight are not those of Alcoholics Anonymous, nor does the publication of any article imply endorsement or affiliation by Pinellas Intergroup or Alcoholics Anonymous. A.A. and the A.A Symbol are registered trademarks of Alcoholic Anonymous World Services, Inc.
On June 23, 2018, my wife of over 25 years and friend of almost 28 years lost her fight with lung cancer. As I have been going through her things, I found the following article she wrote for her Intergroup newslet-ter when she was less than six months sober. It was written on a typewriter with none of the word processing tools we have today. It has been captured using OCR technology. I corrected misreads by the software but I have left the Capitalization and punctuation as she wrote it: JUNE 9, 1987
When I was first led around the
program, I was very Grateful for the
feature of 'Anonymity'. I had already
taken the First Step but was Not About
to allow anyone outside the rooms to
know of my complete and utter
Failure and Defeat, Not ME who took
such PRIDE in APPEARANCE of a well
organized life.
I thanked My Higher Power for allowing
me to find the opportunity for HELP
that was SO Desperately needed. Hope
and Help, Before this dreadful disease
had caused me to lose the ability to
keep up that false front at work, at
church, and in the neighborhood. Help,
while some members of my family still
thought of me with respect.
I could wipe my brow with relief, and
describe myself as a "high-
functioning" alcoholic all that I
wished, but I knew that my existence
was like a beautiful tree, Appearing
well proportioned, strong, and alive
on the outside, but worm-eaten and
diseased within.
From my very first meeting, I knew
there was hope in a method to Quietly
begin to renew and rebuild that life.
Quiet? I was so "Anonymous" that I had
continued to leave the house every
evening for a week, with my only
explanation "I'M going 'OUT'." I
couldn't bring myself to admit, even
to the person I love most in this
world, that I had been beaten into AA.
Now that I am enjoying the benefits
and sheer joy of each sober day, I
find myself questioning just how anon-
ymous I want to be… I wonder how much
longer I could have suffered before I
found help, if a former co-worker had
been totally anonymous?
Sure, there had been times when I was
devastated and KNEW that alcohol was
in control of my existence, Sure, I
had copied down the phone numbers or
address of helping agencies, while
watching t.v. or radio, But I could
never bring myself to crawl to a
stranger for help. When I finally
cried out for help, it was to a
Real Person the former CO-worker.
While I feel certain that eventually
I would have found help, I truly feel
that so much more destruction could,
and would have occurred in the
meantime, Remember, like many
alcoholics, my main character fault is
False Pride!!
Of course I speak only for myself, but
have personally decided NOT to be so
totally anonymous that I hinder myself
from being a Reachable source of help
to those whose lives I touch.
I don't plan to make a public
announcement at the next staff meeting
but to those whom I am truly intimate
with, on other aspects of my 1ife, I
plan to be less secretive about my
activities, I will stop making phony
excuses when I decline a party or
celebration, I will be open about my
reasons.
I'm not advocating publicizing or
promotion, but I personally plan to
be 'available' for some suffering soul
who also, due to that Great Pride
cannot bring themselves to Go To
Strangers".
- Maria W. (Article submitted for
Intergroup publication June 9 1987)
I don’t know if it was ever published since I wouldn’t get sober for another three years. However, it does remind me of the fact that she always said she was attracted to the Traditions. The steps were not a surprise because she had heard their principles even as a child, but the Traditions were opposite the way any organization she knew worked. She spent the next 31 years trying to live up to the ideas she wrote in that article. I know this for sure because in her last hours when she was not responsive, she was visited by one of the nurses she had befriended earlier in the week. This nurse was no longer on her care team but came to see her because of the spirit Maria exuded in their talks, including her gratitude for her life and for AA. Even in death, my wife teaches me that it works, it really does. - Jim H.
8
A New Start 50.00
A Safe Place 50.00
AA By The Sea Group 100.00
After Work Bunch 363.15
Attitude Adjustment 35.75
Back Porch Lunch Bunch 100.00
Batman's Men's Meeting 386.00
Find Yourself 50.00
Free Spirits 55.00
Intergroup Meeting 71.00
KOALA Group 100.00
KOINONIA Group 150.00 Ladies' Beach Serenity Break Group 50.00
Ladies Night 90.00
Living Sober 500.00
Never To Late Group 40.00
Peace Group 10.00
Primary Purpose 12.30
Saturday Night Bonfire Group 33.00
Serenity Seekers Group 85.90
Spirit Group 28.25
St Pete Group 10.00
Steering Committee Meeting 12.00
Sunrise Sunset Group 459.20
Sunset Beach Group 270.00
What's Your Motive 33.20
Total 3,144.75
June 2018
CORRECTIONS
WOULD LIKE TO
THANK:
Jackie, Jerry B.,
Seminole Group, Oldsmar Group
FOR DONATING LITERATURE!
JULY
Daniel $5 Rick W. $42 Krista $30 After Work Bunch $67 (Joanne 33 Bill L. 32)
