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THE STEPS & THE TRADITIONSSTEP 8 - Made a list of all
persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them
all.
TRADITION 8 - Alcoholics Anonymous shall remain forever
nonprofessional, but our service centers may employ special
workers.
Volume 29, Issue 8 AUGUST 2013
ScaanSOUTH COUNTYAA NEWSLETTER The Hand of AA
24 Hours a Day
561-276-4581
South Palm Beach CountyIntergroup Association, Inc.Serving A.A.
Groups inBoca Raton, Boynton Beach,Delray Beach and Lantana29 Years
of Service ~ 1984-2013
In other words, who have you harmed? You will recall from
ourdiscussion of Steps 4 and 5, that a preliminary list of persons
wehad harmed is generated there. The list will now be refined into
apersonal amendment plan, which is the product of Step 8.Although
this step requires plenty of work, there is nothing fright-ening in
it. Amends are not actually made in Step 8. Instead, weplan for the
making of amends in Step 9, which follows.Listing the persons (and
institutions) we have harmed is simpli-fied if we break the list
into three sections: People you haveharmed since you sobered up,
and whom you might still beharming today. People who tell you that
you have harmed them,and they want restitution. All other persons
you think you haveharmed, especially those you feel bad about. On
the nature of harms. Our 1939 Webster’s second editiontells us that
harm is: injury, hurt, damage, misfortune, grief, pain,sorrow,
evil, wrong or wickedness. Have we brought about anyof these in the
lives of others? The Big Book and the 12&12 alsoare quite
specific about harm. Specific varieties are quoted in fig-ure
(1).
HARMS, IN GENERAL• Harm—the result of instincts in collision in
which we cause
physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual damage to people.
[12&12, page 83, line 1]
• (The alcoholic illness) ..brings misunderstanding, fierce
resent ment, financial insecurity, disgusted friends and employers,
warped lives of blameless children, sad wives and parents-anyone
can increase the list. [BB, page 18, line 7]
• Hurt [BB, page 76, line 30] • Smarts from our injustice [BB,
page 77, line 6] • Where we have been at fault, [12&12, page
79, line 6] • People [we have] hurt [12&12, page 79, line 23] •
Wretched conduct [12&12, page 81, line 3] • Damaged others who
were still happily unaware of being hurt
[12&12, page 81, line 10] • Injure others [12&12, page
84, line 3] • Disturb others [12&12, page 84, line 3] • He does
absurd, incredible things while drinking. [BB, page 21,
line 14]
PHYSICAL OR MATERIAL HARMS• Owe money [BB, page 78, line 14] •
Criminal offense [BB, page 78, line 26] • Short in our accounts
[BB, page 78, line 28] • Padding the expense account [BB, page 78,
line 32] • Unpaid alimony [BB, page 79, line 2] • Cheat [12&12,
page 83, line 5] • Miserly [12&12, page 83, line 13]
ANTI-SOCIAL HARMS• Discrediting [another person] [BB, page 80,
line 10] • Destroying the reputation of another [BB, page 80 line
12] • Disgrace...family [BB, page 80, line 17]• Discrediting
[another person] [BB, page 80, line 10] • Destroying the reputation
of another [BB, page 80 line 12] • Disgrace...family [BB, page 80,
line 17] • Ruinous slander [BB, page 80, line 23] • Given offense
[12&12, page 84, line 4] • Becomes disgustingly and even
dangerously anti-social. [BB,
page 21, line 20]
EMOTIONAL HARMS • [Extramarital]...affair [BB, page 81, line 10]
• [Putting others]...through hell [BB, page 80, line 15] • Broken
hearts [BB, page 82, line 25] • Dead relationships [BB, page 82,
line 26] • Affections uprooted [BB, page 82, line 26] • Selfish sex
conduct [12&12, page 83, line 8] • Callous [12&12, page 83,
line 14] • Cold [12&12, page 83, line 14] • Irritable
[12&12, page 83, line 14] • Critical [12&12, page 83, line
15] • Impatient [12&12, page 83, line 15] • Humorless
[12&12, page 83, line 15]
DISRUPTIVE HARMS• Selfish habits [BB, page 82, line 27] •
Inconsiderate habits [BB, page 82, line 27] • A home in turmoil
[BB, page 82, line 27] • Human wreckage left in [our] wake
[12&12, page 79, line 19] • Our behavior... has aggravated the
defects of others [12&12,
page 80, line 20] • Strain...[their] patience [12&12, page
80, line 21] • [Bring] out the very worst in [others] [12&12,
page 80 line 22] • Tempers are consistently bad [12&12, page
83, line 3] • Lie [12&12, page 83, line 4] • Irresponsible
[12&12, page 83, line 14] • Show favoritism [12&12, page
83, line 15] • Dominate others [12&12, page 83, line 16] •
Wallow in depression [12&12, page 83, line 20] • Wallow in
self-pity [12&12, page 83, line 21] • Make living with us
difficult and often unbearable [12&12,
page 83, line 22] • Incredibly dishonest and selfish [BB, page
21, line 26]
Amending harms done to others since you sobered up, andwhom you
might still be harming today. Step 8 is concerned
HOW TO WORK STEP EIGHT
(Contd. on Page 2)
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Page 2
South PalmBeach County Intergroup
SUMMER SALE
SPECIALTYANNIVERSARY MEDALLIONS
Retail Price $19July, August and
September Sale Price $15
10th Annual Serenity ScrambleSponsored by South PalmBeach County
Intergroup
To be Held at Westchester CCOctober 20th, 2013
8 AM Shotgun Start
You can get involved even if youdon’t play golf!
• Lunch-Only Option• Hole Sponsorship• Volunteers• Other
Donations
Phone 561.276.4581 • Email
[email protected] • Fax
561.274.2096
with harms of the past. Step 10 corrects harms of the present.
But,it is a good idea to make a few points about the nature of
harmthat we might bring upon others. If we stole while we were
practic-ing the drink profession, it’s time we stopped stealing.
Right now! Ifwe were insolent, demanding, sarcastic and critical,
especially tothose who tried to love us, we must learn to stop
hurtingthem–even when we think they deserve it. If we are careless,
andwe smoke in A.A. meetings, we should look at the fact that
sec-ond-hand smoke kills over 50,000 people in the USA every
year.Where does the Big Book say we have acquired a right to kill
ormaim our fellow alcoholics while we continue addictive
gratificationin public?
People who tell you that you have harmed them, and theywant
restitution. Sometimes others, notably the IRS, law enforce-ment
agencies, the phone company and recipients of alimony orchild
support are sure we have committed harm, and they want“justice”. We
might not agree with them. In any event, once wehave made adequate
use of mediation or the legal system, anyresidual claims against us
should be cleared up. We cannot live inpeace when we are being
hounded by creditors. Usually they willaccept a reasonable, but
steady, plan for payment over time.
All other persons you think you have harmed, especiallythose you
feel bad about. Now we are ready to get down to busi-ness with the
important list of past harms we have done whichmight be the source
of guilt within ourselves.
Amending harms you have done to yourself? We did not putyourself
at the top of the list, even though we hear all the time atA.A.
meetings that you should be at the top of your amends list.The
correct side of such a belief is the absolute truth that we
havebeen very cruel to ourselves. We certainly didn’t deserve all
theself-punishment we inflicted. And, assuredly, the sober you
doesnot deserve to continue being punished. Clearly, a major
benefit ofthe program of Alcoholics Anonymous is the fact that
ourlives–once we change our drinking matter, attitudes and
ways–doget better, the world is no longer battering down our doors,
and weare free of guilt. So, the amend we make to ourselves is that
weare in the program of Alcoholics Anonymous enjoying the rewardsof
a brand new way of living.
The alcoholic mind, however, is expert at twisting A.A.s program
ofrecovery into an opportunity for being self-serving. Suppose
thatyou had smashed up your favorite car in a blackout while
drinking.You were a person. Losing your car was a harm. You did
it.Therefore, you owe yourself a new car! And–if you listen to
thebleeding-hearts–getting a new car for yourself is right at the
top ofyour amends list, too! Right? We don’t need any more clever
gim-micks to get things our own way.
We dare not take the path of rewriting the BB and the 12&12
tomention door-mats or to include ourselves in Step 8. Our
foundersdesigned this step to correct our actions upon others, not
our-selves.
Writing: List the person harmed, the harm done, the nature of
theamend to be made (including the dollar amount, if any) and
theamendment priority or projected date. Leave two columns for
thedate completed and comments about their reaction to our
amend-ment.
Now that you have our list of persons you have harmed,
becomeready to make amends to them all. How will you know when
youare ready? The only true measure is to begin Step 9. You
don’thave to be ready to make all your amends before you make
thefirst one. Keep up the getting-ready and the amend-making
until
you are done. It helps, however, if you order your amends
listfrom the easiest amend to the most difficult. In this manner
youcan be half way through Step 9 in a short period of time, and
theprice paid, other than some wounded pride, will be
insignificant.You will feel very pleased that you are really taking
the steps.
A word of caution, again. Please do not commence Step 9 with-out
some guidance. You can possibly bring further harm to oth-ers or
needless inconvenience to yourself through premature orill
considered amends.Courtesy of The Big Book Bunch
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South Palm Beach County Intergroup - Profit & Loss - June
2013
IN LOVING MEMORYMATTIE RADICE
Sobriety Date - September 21, 1961
We will never forget you!
Sincere Gratitude for Many Years of Service in District 8
Rene L.Sobriety Date - June 13, 1986
You will be missed!
CONGRATULATIONS!August 4, 1976 - 37 years
Ken, our dedicated Wednesday afternoon volunteer
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Page 4
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AAAA HHOOTTLLIINNEE – RREELLAAYY PPHHOONNEE
The Hand of AA is Available24 Hours a Day!
Home Groups are Needed toAnswer the Phone!!!
Page 5
FAITHFUL FIVERSWith Gratitude for their support:
Stan R. - Just Before Dawn
BIRTHDAY CLUBSOUTH PALM BEACH COUNTY INTERGROUPCONGRATULATIONS
ON YOUR ANNIVERSARY!
Your donation goes to help the valuable services provided by
Intergroup includingthe AA hotline, meeting schedules, 12 step
work, literature inventory, SCAANnewsletter and
hospital/institution meetings.
Name Anniversary Date
Home Group Contribution* $*Recommended contribution is $1 for
every year of sobriety.
If you would like a reminder notice next year, please fill out
the address portionbelow or provide an email address.
Address City
State/Zip Email
BIRTHDAY CLUBBob M. - 6/4/1984 Jeri V. 8/9/1989
Arlene M. 7/21/2001Congratulations!
from SPBC Intergroup
INTERGROUP MEETING MINUTES – JUNE 26, 2013Ed T. opened meeting
with moment of silence followed by the Serenity Prayer.12
Traditionswere read. Ed read the Daily Reflection from June 24th.
Ed asked for all new group repsto introduce themselves: Amy from
Double Digits meeting Trish from Daily Grace. AllOfficers, Group
Reps, Committee Chairs and visitors were welcomed.Ed asked for
motion to approve minutes from last month’s meeting. Ira seconded
motionto approve the minutes. Motion passed unanimously. Ed
announced that the IntergroupElections would be held during the
July Intergroup business meeting. Ed read the sectionof Bylaws
regarding the committee chair requirements and election procedure.
Ed alsoreminded group reps that the committee chair descriptions
could be found online or in theoffice. Ed also mentioned the
possibility of streamlining the committee positions in thefuture,
but that this will be discussed after the elections. Ed mentioned
upcoming events:Serenity Scramble will be chaired by Sarge and the
Gratitude Dinner will be chaired byJ.C, Mike G, and the Sobriety
for Breakfast group.Treasurer’s Report: (report to be added by
John)7th Tradition baskets were passed. John gave update on
inventory and income.Reminder that group contributions are always
needed.Office Manager’s Report: Good evening and welcome to the
June 2013 Monthly BusinessMeeting for SPBCI. My name is Jeannie G.
and I am an Alcoholic and your Office Managerfor SPBCI. I wish to
extend a great big THANK YOU to Hannah, Committee Chair for
theWhere & When. The July 2013 Where and When is now available
at the SPBCI Office.Great job Hannah! In addition, a special THANK
YOU to Petti, our dedicated Wednesdayafternoon volunteer, for
donating an “Office Chair” for the Front Desk! Thank youPetti!THANK
YOU to ALL volunteers who continue to serve SPBCI Monday thru
Friday9:00 AM – 5:00 PM and on Saturday 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM and for
the service provided bythe RELAY PHONE volunteers when the office
is closed to insure the “hand of AA” isalways available! SPBCI
COMMITTEE CHAIR DESCRIPTIONS are included in the July2013 SCAAN.
The COMMITTEE CHAIR ELECTIONS will be held during the July
2013Monthly Business Meeting. The SERENITY SCRAMBLE is scheduled
for 10/20/13 @Westchester Country Club. The Gratitude Dinner will
be held at The Embassy Suites on11/23/2013. Sarge, Chair for the
Serenity Scramble, and Sobriety for Breakfast, GroupChair for The
Gratitude Dinner are busy planning these Fund Raising Events. I
remaingrateful to each and every member of Alcoholics Anonymous.
The opportunity to serveSPBCI is an honor! Love and prayers,
Jeannie G. – Office ManagerCOMMITTEE REPORTSArchives: Vaux F.
Unexcused AbsenceArchivist: Michael G. Excused AbsenceBridge the
Gap MEN: No Chair Bridge the Gap WOMEN: Bennett- No ReportGeneral
Service Liaison:Kate M.- District meeting was held June 9th.
Traditions andConcepts committee is looking for updated versions of
the Traditions Skit. If you have newversions of the skit, email
them to [email protected]. Grapevine askinggroups to
purchase group subscriptions and have Grapevine Group Reps.
Seewww.aagrapevine.org/gvr for more information. Delegate’s
luncheon to me held July 21,2013 at the Triangle Club at 2pm. Free
Lunch and come hear about the Delegate’s partici-pation and
experience at the 63rd General Service Conference this past April
in NEWYORK. The next area 15 assembly will be July 12-14 in Sanibel
and the next district 8business meetng will be july 21st at 5 pm at
the Triangle Club. All are welcome.Group Information Bari W.
Excused AbsenceHospitals and Inst. Phil P.Currently there are 14
facilities that H&I brings meetings into. There are a total of
36 H&Imeetings per week in SPBC. Phil contacted Broward county
regarding the meetingrequested by Renfrew E.D. clinic in south
broward county. Broward H&I only brings meet-ings into
locked-down facilities and Renfrew is not a locked facility. Phil
set up 2 womento bring the first AA meeting into the facility and
it was well received. Though Renfrew isan Eating Disorder TC, many
clients identify as Alcoholic as well and they requested an
AAmeeting. Phil is arranging a meeting schedule with volunteers.
Willy B. has volunteered tobe Coordinator for Fair Oaks and
organize the meeting dates and times.June H&I meetingwas held
6/15/13. Rosters were updated, new chairpeople were given
commitments andpackets. Questions about H&I were answered. We
were contacted by South BayCorrectional about volunteers to speak
at facility. Approval process for volunteers will beaccelerated.
Phil contacted North PBC H&I and they would like our help in
supplyingspeakers. July monthly H&I meeting will be July 20th
2pm @ intergroup office.North PBC Liasion: Ted K.Financials: They
had a surplus for the month of $235.48. Overall financials are
strong.Committees: Only a few committee reports. Nothing
significant.Unfinished Business: Alternate Chair Position Filled –
Linda RPhone Volunteer Committee - OpenThe motion that has been on
the floor for the past 2 months to discontinue the monthlycommittee
chairs meeting has PASSEDNew Business: Nothing to ReportUpcoming
Events: Picnic Saturday July 27th, 2013 at Carlin Park in Jupiter;
tickets on salenow. Fun, food, live music, and fellowship. Tickets
are $8. 11a-6p. Always visit their website for great information
and upcoming events: http://www.aa-palm-beachcounty.org/Public
Information: Brian C. – Sent out more emails to guidance counselors
in PBC,but no response yet. New Subcommittee meeting scheduled for
July 7th to discussupcoming presentations and continuing email
project. No new updates on Sheriff app forcell phones. No calls to
Intergroup office regarding PI this month.Telephone Relay: Zach T.-
AbsenceTwelve Step Committee:Cary A.- Unexcused AbsenceWhere and
When: Hannah F.- The July Where and When has come out! It took a
lotof work and time. I want to especially thank Jeannie for her
help throughout this process. A
(Contd. on Page 6)
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South Palm Beach CountyIntergroup Association, Inc.
2905 South Federal Highway • Building C, Suite 15-16Delray
Beach, FL 33483
24-hours: 561.276.4581Email: [email protected]:
www.aainpalmbeach.org
Office HoursMonday-Friday: 9am - 5pm
Saturday: 10am - 3pm
STEERING COMMITTEEChair - Ed T. Vice Chair - Sarah R.
Treasurer - John S. Secretary - Cheryl S.Office Manager -
Jeannie G.
COMMITTEESArchives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vaux F.Archivist . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Michael
G.Bridge the Gap - Men . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . .Bridge the Gap - Women . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . Bennett H.General Services Liaison . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kate M.Group Information .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bari
W.Hospitals & Institutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . Phil P.Liaison to North County Intergroup . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ted K.Public Information . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brian C.SCAAN . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Maryanne &
John T.Telephone Relay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . Zach T.Twelve Step Committee . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cary A.Webmaster . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . David
R.Where & When . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . Hannah F.
SPBC INTERGROUP EVENT CHAIRSSerenity Scramble Chair (Oct 20) . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SargeIntergroup Gratitude
Dinner (Nov 23) . . Sobriety for Breakfast
UPCOMING EVENTSAugust 7Principles & Promises - “AA Meeting
Turns Four”Come Join the celebration!6:00 PM Food (Pot Luck)7:00 PM
MeetingThe Venue 220, 220 NE 11th Street, Boca Raton
August 16-18“Women in Recovery - Sectrets, Steps & Skills”
at theDelray Beach Marriott Hotel. Registration and
informationat:http:://thewomeninrecovery.com
August 16-182013Southeast “Additional” Regional ForumCharleston,
West VirginiaAdditional Information - [email protected]
August 3158th Florida State Convention Planning Meeting9:30 -
11-30 at Broward County Water & WastwaterTreatment Facility’s
Training Center-Bldg 2Additional information -
[email protected]
September 5-8Senior in Sobriety - 8th International
ConferenceTown & Country Resort Hotel, San Diego,
CA800-772-8527.More info - email: [email protected] or
visittheir website www.aasis2013.org or phone: 855-713-2300
September 6-8Sisters By the Sea - Naples,
FLwww.serenityclubswfl.org
October 25-2727th Annual Promises in Paradise Caribbean
ConventionSt. Thomas, USVIgo to www.PromisesInParadise.comfor
current information
August Service MeetingsAugust 11
District 8 General Service Business Meeting5 pm at Triangle
Club, WPB
August 17SPBC Intergroup H&I Business Meeting
2 pm at the Intergroup OfficeAugust 24
SPBC Intergroup Steering Committee Meeting9 am at Intergroup
Office
August 28SPBC Intergroup Monthly Business Meeting
7 pm at Delray Central House
Office VolunteersJuly
Stephanie, Hannah, Joe, Jim, Matt, Bari, Caryl,Ken, Petti,
Michael, Stan, Dennis, Joe B., Alan,
Frank, Bart, Andrew, Zach, Brent, Linda, Tommy,Danny, Margarita,
George, Melissa, Shanna,
Natalie Q.
Meeting Updates & ChangesSaturday Night Live@5 - New Meeting
LocationFirst United Methodist Church - 625 NE Mizner Blvd.
Serenity on the Beach - Updated ScheduleSunday - 7:30 AMFriday -
7:00 AM
few things have changed from the previous printing, besides the
updated meetings. Wedecided to take out the couple pages on the
Intergroup office and added one page display-ing the 9th Step
Promises and another page with the Responsibility Pledge,
Declaration ofUnity, and the Preamble. The back page now has more
room for adding names and phonenumbers. If there are any mistakes
that need to be corrected, please let the Intergroupoffice know as
soon as possible, so it can at least be updated on the website. A
newWhere and When will most likely come out in another 3 months.
But for now, feel free topurchase them at the Intergroup office or
here tonight.OLD BUSINESS:Bridge the Gap (Men) Committee Chair
position still open. Position description was read;call for anyone
interested to stand. No volunteers. Twelve Step (Women) Committee
Chair position still open. Position description was read;call for
anyone interested to stand. No volunteers. Intergroup Committee
Chair Elections will be held at Intergroup Business Meeting on
July31st, 2013 at Delray Central House at 7pm. Motion to Close.
Second. Meeting closed with the Lord’s prayer.
