| Anonymous TimesPublished by North Orange County InterGroup Association of Alcoholics Anonymous Groups, Inc. (714) 773-HELP 1661 E. Chapman Avenue, Suite 1H Fullerton, CA 92831 www.aanoc.org |
|
|
|---|
STEP 9 Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. |
|
TRADITION 9 A.A., as such, ought never be organized; but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve. |
|
CONCEPT 9 Good service leadership at all levels is indispensable for our future functioning and safety. Primary world service leadership, once exercised by the founders, must necessarily be assumed by the trustees. |
|
9TH STEP PRAYER Higher Power, I pray for the right attitude to make my amends, being ever mindful not to harm others in the process. I ask for guidance in making indirect amends. Most important, I will continue to make amends by staying abstinent, helping others and growing in spiritual progress. |
|
| Myth: Dr. Silkworth was the first US Physician to call alcoholism a "disease".
|
|
Technically... The first American physician to call alcoholism a disease was Dr. Benjamin Rush. He was a member of the Continental Congress, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and Surgeon General of the Army during the American Revolution. He is often referred to as both the father of American psychiatry and father of the American temperance movement. In 1784, Rush wrote a paper titled "An Inquiry into the Effects of Ardent Spirits on the Human Body and Mind." He described habitual drunkenness as a "progressive and odious disease" and that total abstinence "suddenly and entirely" was the only effective treatment. In 1810, Rush called for the creation of what he called "sober houses" where alcoholics could be confined and rehabilitated. This was the forerunner of treatment centers. It's a bit ironic that Dr. Bob, during some of the worst years of his drinking, received his medical degree from Rush University which was named in honor of Dr. Benjamin Rush, as a pioneer in the treatment of alcoholism. |
|
|
|---|
9th STEP PROMISES If we are painstaking about this phase of our development, we will be amazed before we are halfway through. We are going to know a new freedom and a new happiness. We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it. We will comprehend the word serenity and we will know peace. No matter how far down the scale we have gone, we will see how our experience can benefit others. That feeling of uselessness and self-pity will disappear. We will lose interest in selfish things and gain interest in our fellows. Self seeking will slip away. Our whole attitude and outlook on life will change. Fear of people and of economic insecurity will leave us. We will intuitively know how to handle situations which used to baffle us. We will suddenly realize that God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves. Are these extravagant promises? We think not. They are being fulfilled among us-sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly. They will always materialize if we work for them |
|
| Pardon Me... Pardon me my long lost friend, there is something that I must do. I'm in a place at last in life, where I see how I've damaged you. I know you don't want to hear from me, after all I've put you through, I'm ready to own what I have done, and make amends to you. My words were the poison I forced you to drink, so you'd believe my lies to be true. I fought hard to break you down inside, then I stole the light within you. I'm sorry for these things I've done, some of which I can't undo. I want to heal all the pain inside, and kill the beast you believe to be true. I said you don't mean anything, that no one will ever love you. I pushed you over and over again, and then just laughed at you. I blamed you and shamed you, and watched as you cried when others took advantage of you. All of these things no longer reside, they were never a real part of you. Though all I've done is breed hate in your heart, and shattered your beautiful dreams, I am asking your pardon so I too can heal, as futile as it all seems. I am learning to live a sober life, transforming all that I see. I'm turning the darkness into a light, and becoming a much better me. Wherever I go I know you are there, it took me so long just to see, that thanks to your weakness I now have the strength, to forgive and to love me for me. R.C. |
|
|
|---|
2021/2022 NOCCO Service Board |
|
|
|---|
* Live email links embedded as permitted by NOCCO Service Board members |
|
|
|---|
Traditions Checklist Practice These Principles . . . These questions were originally published in the AA Grapevine in conjunction with a series on the Twelve Traditions that began in November 1969 and ran through September 1971. While they were originally intended primarily for individual use, many AA groups have since used them as a basis for wider discussion. Tradition Nine: AA, as such, ought never be organized; but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve. Do I still try to boss things in AA? Do I resist formal aspects of AA because I fear them as authoritative? Am I mature enough to understand and use all elements of the AA program – even if no one makes me do so – with a sense of personal responsibility? Do I exercise patience and humility in any AA job I take? Am I aware of all those to whom I am responsible in any AA job? Why doesn’t every AA group need a constitution and bylaws? Have I learned to step out of an AA job gracefully – and profit thereby – when the time comes? What has rotation to do with anonymity? With humility?
Copyright © The A.A. Grapevine, Inc. |
|
|
|---|
An Important Message from the Outreach Committee |
|
|
|---|
Earlier this month, the North Orange County Intergroup Association launched new technology to manage information on live, hybrid and virtual meetings in our community. We were able to combine multiple meeting lists into a single resource containing all meetings. The NOCCO meeting database is now linked to the “Meeting Guide App”, a free of charge meeting finder for iOS and Android that provides meeting information in an easy-to-access format. If you don't have the app, you can get it on Google Play or download from the App Store. |
|
| This new tool is only as good as the information it holds. To ensure we have correct information to guide newcomers and visitors alike, we are asking that YOU review the meeting information for your groups. Have you moved from a virtual to a hybrid meeting? Has your meeting reopened in a new venue? You can provide us with updated information by clicking on the button below, submitting changes directly from the page of your listing, or by clicking on the icon from the home page of the www.aanoc.org website. Your input is needed and truly appreciated. Outreach is an important part of what we do at NOCCO and this is the first step in carrying the message to those still suffering. |
|
|
|---|
NOCCO Hotline - (714) 773-HELP (4357) We are available 24/7. All calls are confidential. Phones answered by sober volunteers. |
|
25% Discount for SEPTEMBER! A VISUAL HISTORY OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS |
|
|
|---|
| Originally developed as the souvenir book for the 2020 International Convention in Detroit, this colorful, gift-sized volume serves as both a lavishly illustrated tour through A.A.’s history and a lively celebration of our Fellowship. Powerful images — some never before published — and short descriptive texts walk us through the people, places and things integral to A.A.’s early growth, and forward to today’s vibrant, international Fellowship. Also included is a highlight on the Virtual 2020 International Convention, a special focus on A.A. in Detroit, and updated coverage of recent
digital innovations in A.A. group life. |
|
$14.95 + plus tax Regularly $19.95 NOCCO can take orders over the phone and ship anywhere. Call us at (714) 773-4577 for all of your A.A. literature needs |
|
|
|---|
NOCCO's Neighborhood Notables |
|
|
|---|
September Birthdays It works if you work it, One Day At A Time. -------- Christina W - 09/09/2015 -------- We want to start acknowledging yearly milestones in sobriety each month. Email rikki@aanoc.org with your month and date and we will add your annual birthday to our list. |
|
Faithful Fivers Thank you for your August contributions of $5 to NOCCO. To join the Faithful Fivers club, go online to https://www.aanoc.org/7th-tradition. Every time you buy NOCCO a cup of coffee, an angel gets her wings! - (or something like that). Geraldine W., Faith, Kirk, Scott N., Rose W., James S., Michael V., Greg, W.D.G., Cheryle D., Cliff, Karen, Debby, Nicki, and our monthly Anonymous benefactor. |
|
| September 2021
Camp SpiritFire Idyllwild, CA
AOCPAA RolleRAMA Angels vs Devils Orange, CA
Women to Women Conference San Diego, CA
Kern River Valley Soberfest Campout
69th Annual Southern California AA Convention Rancho Mirage, CA
Workshop for UNDERSERVED Communities San Diego, CA & Hybrid Event
National AA Technology Virtual Workshop Online Event
29th Annual Foothill Roundup Online Event
October 2021 NOCCO Halloween Bingo Event, OC CA November 2021 GIVING Tuesday, National Event Please check the www.aanoc.org website regularly for more upcoming events. |
|
|
|---|
2022 Women's Banquet Brunch Save The Date Sunday, March 12, 2022 |
|
| To the Women’s Banquet Committee and the supportive Women of Orange County, We recently received your generous contribution of $800.00 and wanted to personally thank you. You are truly making a difference and North Orange County Intergroup Association of Alcoholics Anonymous truly values your support. Our staff and volunteers have been working hard carrying the message of sobriety to all corners of North Orange County. We continue to answer the phones 24/7 and have remained open every day in 2020 and 2021 when the rest of the state closed down due to COVID-19. Alcoholics Anonymous is the ultimate essential worker and we stayed open so people would not die during the pandemic. With this contribution, we are one step closer to acquiring the point of sale system needed to efficiently run our little bookstore and frees us up to engage in the one-on-one support that helped each of us get sober. We appreciate each and every woman who contributed to the success of the 2020-turned-2021 Women’s Banquet. North Orange County Intergroup Association 2021/2022 Board of Directors Wes, Mark, Cheryle, Christina, Don, Randy, Paul and Scott |
|
|
|---|
Do you have something special to report for our monthly neighborhood notables? Please email birthdays, celebrations, sober activities and other odds and ends to rikki@aanoc.org. |
|
|
|---|
| InterGroup Meeting - Sept 8 @7:30pm Please join us at the next NOCCO InterGroup Meeting. InterGroup Meetings are held the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 7:30 pm. |
|
|
|---|
| Group Contributions - August 2021 To help support local essential services, the General Service Conference suggests that individual groups, through an informed group conscience, adopt a specific contribution plan. Click below to see all of the Group Contributions from last month. |
|
|
|---|
| NOCCO Profit & Loss - August 2021 Each month, NOCCO provides accounting detail of income and expenses to indicate net profit or loss over the last month. This information is available to any group or member. Click below to see the financial detail from last month. |
|
|
|---|
Where Does the Money Go? On occasion, we have members inquire about the 7th tradition and what is being funded with the contributions. According to the Self Support: Where Money and Spirituality Mix pamphlet (F-3), "the local intergroup and central office may provide phone service for Twelfth Step calls and other inquiries; coordination of group activities; A.A. literature sales; institutions work; public information and cooperation with the professional community activities". We provide open and honest accounting of the monthly income and expenses at NOCCO with links to our financial statements found above. We show the good, the bad, and the huh?? that comes along with running our little company bookstore. Below is the latest profit and loss statement from August. |
|
The Bottom Line "Now that we are sober in A.A., the word 'support' has to do with sharing, people, self-respect, gratitude, and what we are privileged to give - not take - in material terms." While the Fellowship has always faced problems of money, property, and prestige in one form or another, through the wisdom of the Seventh Tradition we have never been diverted from our primary purpose of carrying the message to the alcoholic who still suffers - wherever he or she may be. This is the fundamental work of Alcoholics Anonymous, and to ensure that the hand of A.A. will always remain outstretched, money and spirituality must continue to mix. And for that, we are ALL responsible. Faith B. - Executive Director email: faithb@aanoc.org |
|
|
|---|
NOCCO Appreciates Your 7th Tradition Support Even though meetings, 12-step services and operations have shifted to a hybrid environment, expenses continue as we navigate the re-opening of meetings, which underscores the importance of practicing the Seventh Tradition. We still stock literature, handle 12-step calls around the clock, and assist those with a desire to stop drinking. Your generous support is critical and appreciated. |
|
|
|---|
General Service Announcements www.aa.org |
|
Follow Grapevine and LaViña on Instagram |
|
| Dear A.A. Friends, Thank you for your participation in our Seventh Tradition with your contributions to the General Service Board. Our co-founder Bill W. posed the question, “Where do A.A.’s services fit into our scheme of things and why should we provide these functions with money?” His answer was simple and still holds true today that “Every single A.A. service is designed to make more and better Twelfth Step work possible, whether it be a group meeting place, a central or intergroup office…or the world service Headquarters.” It is in this spirit that the General Service Office (G.S.O.) supports your efforts to carry the message of hope to the still-suffering alcoholic. |
|
Contributions GSO Contributions year to date are $4,976,316. With a 2021 budget projections of $9,725,000, GSO is at 51%Contributions of the 2021 budget. |
|
Literature Sales GSO gross literature sales year to date are $5,735,705 - (65% of the 2021 budget of $8,865,000) - $837,572 over last year, same time. |
|
Publishing As we have previously experienced, recent events have arisen that are affecting the timely printing of A.A.W.S. literature. Communications have been delivered to Intergroups and Central Offices and posted on the webstore. Earlier this month we learned that a dramatic rise in COVID-19 outbreaks have befallen at least two of our key printers. These tragic consequences and serious impacts have caused ongoing disruptions to the manufacturing and printing of our A.A.W.S. literature and other items. |
|
What's Coming in September - “Hispanic Women in A.A.” new pamphlet
- “Our Experience Has Taught Us: An Introduction to Our Twelve Traditions” new pamphlet
- “Your S.O. and AA Grapevine” new video on DVD
- Sample text portions for the Plain & Simple Big Book will be submitted for review
|
|
Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous - 72 translations, 73 languages total
- 27 languages pending at various stages of completion, including 19 new translations (currently in progress) and 8 revisions/re-translations
|
|
Reserve Fund On June 30, 2021, the GSO's Reserve Fund balance was $12,537,739. No additions or withdrawals have been made during this year. The current balance covers 8.41 months of expenses calculated based on the original expense budget for 2021. |
|
|
|---|
I am Responsible. When anyone, anywhere, reaches out for help, I want the hand of AA always to be there. For that, I am responsible. |
|
|
|---|
Thanks to all contributors who support NOCCO. |
|
|
|---|
© Copyright, 2024, North Orange County InterGroup Association of Alcoholics Anonymous Groups, Inc. • 1661 E. Chapman Avenue - Suite 1H, Fullerton CA 92831 |
|
|
|---|
|
|
