District 7 sunbeam

March 2012 Page 1

Volume III Issue 3

Greetings: The February 2012 issue of the newsletter went out, and apparently did no permanent damage. I received a number of e-mails with positive feedback and generous thanks. I appreciate all your feedback, constructive criticism, and especially contributions to future newsletters.

Please consider writing a short article that shares your experience strength and hope with the rest of the District 7 newsletter readers. Send your contributions, suggestions, and requests to be added to the distribution to:

District7Newsletter@gmail.com

– Jack S-O, Alcoholic Editor

Mission Statement: The District 7 Newsletter is published monthly and is distributed as an e-mail in an effort to be more eco-friendly, as well as to reduce postage and printing costs. Please feel free to forward this e-mail, because we are unable to reach all our District 7 members, especially at the group level. If you want your contributions to be included in the newsletter, please e-mail us at District7Newsletter@gmail.com The District 7 Newsletter committee will do its best to make this a valuable resource for communication, and to allow the members of our District to keep in touch with each other, further strengthening the unity of our fellowship.

District 7 Monthly Business Meetings are held at 7:30 pm on the 2nd Wednesday of the month at Christ the King Episcopal Church, 3021 State Route 213 East, Stone Ridge, NY 12484. If you’re a Group Service Representative (GSR), please plan to attend and represent your group. If your home group is not represented by a GSR, be sure to ask about this unfortunate circumstance at your next business meeting.

Step 3Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.

Tradition 3The only requirement for A.A. membership is a desire to stop drinking.

Concept 3To insure effective leadership, we should endow each element of A.A. – the Conference, the General Service Board and its service corporations, staffs, committees, and executives – with a traditional “Right of Decision.”

Copyright © 2012 All Rights Reserved HMB District 7A.A. and Alcoholics Anonymous are registered trademarks® of Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.Some material reprinted from AA service materials with permission of A.A. World Services, Inc.

District 7 sunbeam

March 2012Page 2

District 7 sunbeam

March 2012

District 7 Trusted Servants

District Committee Member (DCM)Ritch L. rlecesse1@gmail.com Alternate DCMMike C. cahillmichael36@yahoo.com

TreasurerDan B. danbittner3@verizon.net

SecretaryBarbara W. bmwood0827@mac.com RecordsKevin B. kevin.barratt@gmail.com Special NeedsKim T. survivoronthehudson1959@yahoo.com TreatmentGuy K. guy11957@gmail.com Bridging the Gap (BTG) Michael retroeguy@hotmail.com

Cooperation with the Professional Community/Public Information(CPC/PI)William D. spiderbill3@verizon.net LiteratureJack S.-O. spyker.oles@gmail.com

FunctionsJay T. djayjt@gmail.com

Grapevine RepresentativeMoncho V. rwc21moncho@aol.com

NewsletterJack S.-O. spyker.oles@gmail.com

Answering Service LiaisonPat D. duffmetal@aol.com

Service Opportunities: Corrections, Literature

Here is a test to find whether your mission on earth is finished: If you’re alive, it isn’t. – Richard Bach

District 7 sunbeam

March 2012

District 7 sunbeam

March 2012 Page 3

An alcoholic has a hole under his nose that all his money runs into. – Thomas Fuller

District 7 Meeting Minutes 2/8/12

Meeting opened at 7:30 with the Responsibility Pledge.Introductions: Arlene GSR from Kerhonkson Primary Purpose Group, Sara GSR for Home Free District 17

Reports:

DCM: Ritch gave report; will be e-mailed to Jack (see page 7).

Alternate DCM: Mike is pleased to be working in this service position. Mentioned Sunday Freeman and the need to update the meeting list. Information to William to update meeting list.

Treasurer: Dan gave report (see page 5).

CPC/PI: William reports that committee is broke right now and unable to initiate anything. Check given to Catskill Shopper for 8 weeks was not enough, but they ran the ad anyway. William would like to get a holder for meeting lists.

Treatment : Guy K says that things are going pretty well with current treatment centers. Fresh Start is sending someone to Northeast Center for Special Care, as well as Just for Today group; Tue. 7 PM and Wed. 10:30 AM meetings need support. Got foot in the door at Darmstadt Homeless Shelter. They are interested in meetings, but require that AA leader must report any homicidal/suicidal suggestions. If we want meeting there, we must abide by these rules. Discussion – Jack said that usually AA meetings within institutions hold AA guideline. Kevin stated that meetings in institutions need to be very simple and focused on alcoholism. Shana suggested mentioning that point at the start of the meeting.

Special Needs: Absent.

Records: Kevin said that directory has missing info from Bridging the Gap and others. Asked people to update records/make necessary changes, add contact info.

Newsletter: Jack put first issue out, a combination January/February. Has about 120 on distribution list. Got several thank you notes. Deadline for March issue before the last week of the month.

Literature: Jack said that HMB booklets came in. Literature position is open.

Functions: Jay has a couple of events penciled in. Will get a check for first picnic

(continued on page 4)

District 7 sunbeam

March 2012Page 4

District 7 sunbeam

March 2012

in the next few days so as to avoid losing pavilion. Suggested a movie night. Poughkeepsie is having one 3/9 and Jay would like to go to see how it works. Suggested having one here at Christ the King and possibly include a workshop.

Grapevine: Absent

Bridging the Gap: Michael starting school, so will miss District meetings, but can continue in job.

Answering Service: Pat D. is in contact with the Answer Phone. For our $230 the last month, we had 145 calls; 30 were operator assisted, 63 were under a minute, possibly hang-ups. 45 went through and selected something. Sent out 2 meeting lists.

Old Business:

Jack: How to distribute meeting booklets. Ritch stated 5 for every group in district. GSRs can bring to group.

Pat D: How to transition from Answer Phone to Central Office. Phone would be absorbed and would no longer have a bill. Discussed ability to keep current phone number and whether it would be detrimental to have to give more money from groups to Central. All in agreement about desire to change, contingent upon financial clarification. Motion made to invite Central Office rep to present at next meeting. Motion passed to start next month’s meeting at 7 PM (3/14) to allow for Jerry from Central Office to present answering service information.

New Business:

Deb D: Suggested giving money to William. Ritch made a motion to give $200 to William for CP/CPI; passed.

Motion made and accepted to have Barbara W. be new secretary.

Jay brought up a phantom booker meeting. Mike D. said that it is the same night as district meeting.

Meeting closed at 8:28 with Serenity Prayer.

(continued from page 3)Self-Support:

Where Money andSpirituality Mix

The A.A. groups themselves ought to be fully supported by the voluntary contributions of their own members. We think that each group should soon achieve this ideal; that any public solicitation of funds using the name of Alcoholics Anonymous is highly dangerous, whether by groups, clubs, hospitals, or other outside agencies; that acceptance of large gifts from any source, or of contributions carrying any obligation whatever, is unwise. Then, too, we view with much concern those A.A. treasuries which continue, beyond prudent reserves, to accumulate funds for no stated A.A. purpose. Experience has often warned us that nothing can so surely destroy our spiritual heritage as futile disputes over property, money, and authority.

– Tradition Seven (long form)

District 7 sunbeam

March 2012

District 7 sunbeam

March 2012 Page 5

7th Tradition Contributions: (60/30/10)

60%HMBDistrict7P.O.Box1654Kingston,NY12402-1654

30% HMBAreaAssociationRt.30,#114118PolarPlazaAmsterdam,NY12010

10% GeneralServiceOffice(GSO)P.O.Box459GrandCentralStationNewYork,NY10163

HMB District 7 Treasurer’s ReportFebruary 8, 2012

Beginning Balance $908.21

Income

Keep It Real $210.00 Saturday Morning After $198.00 Kingston Original $180.00 Young & Young at Heart $80.00

Income subtotal $668.00

Expenses

Verizon (1/10) $38.97 Judy’s (thank you cards) $3.77 Answerphone $230.87 Stamps & printer paper $11.02 Expenses subtotal $284.63

Ending Balance $1291.58

Prudent Reserve -$500.00 Available Balance $791.58

When life gives you a dilemma, make dilemma-nade...

District 7 sunbeam

March 2012Page 6

District 7 sunbeam

March 2012

Always do right; this will gratify some and astonish the rest. – Mark Twain

Quote of the Week

“My sanity today is directly proportional to my honesty.”

Before recovery it was hard to keep my story straight. As my drinking and using increased, my omissions turned into half-truths, and these turned into little white lies. After a while I couldn’t recognize the truth anymore and as I became disconnected from people and myself, my very reality changed and my sanity disappeared.

As I began to get sober, I started in on the overwhelming task of unraveling the massive knot of lies, stories and deceptive behavior I had engaged in. I felt shame, anger, and remorse as I painfully made my way back to the true self that had been buried beneath the disease of alcoholism.

The road back to sanity began with the words “rigorous honesty.” Although seemingly straight forward, the challenge I had was in coming to believe that of myself I was enough, and that if I spoke my truth I would be accepted. The miracle is that the truth actually did set me free, and today the more honest I am, the more peaceful and serene I become.

Today, my sanity truly is directly proportional to my honesty.

District 7 sunbeam

March 2012

District 7 sunbeam

March 2012 Page 7

Upcoming HMB Area 48 Events: 3/2-3/4 NERAASA3/24 Area day of Sharing3/30 - 4/1 EACYPAA4/14 Area Fellowship5/20 Area Assembly6/16 Area Fellowship7/20 - 7/22 New York State Convention8/17 - 8/19 New York State Information Workshop9/15 Fellowship Day10/13 Area Assembly11/18 Area Fellowship

HMB: Hudson Mohawk Berkshire

DCM: District Committee Member

DCM Report

GreetingstoAll:

Ifirstwanttowelcomeyoualltothestartofthenexttwoyears.Hopefullywewillallspendittogether.IwanttogivemyapologiesnowasIwillnotbeabletoattendInventoryDaythisweekend.Wewillbehavingmydaughterbaptizedandasweallknow...whateveryouputbeforeGod...youlose.IhavehadopportunitiestospeakwithsomeofyoutogetasenseofyourideasforDistrictServiceandwelcomeallsuggestions.IfIdonothaveyournumberande-mail...pleasemakesureIdobycloseofthemeeting.IplanasIstatedinanearliere-mailtoattendNERASSAinAlbanyandagainstronglysuggestthatallregisterandattendwithDistrict7.AswearethehostArea,agoodshowingfromthedistrictswouldbenice.ItwillalsohelpourincomingAreaDelegateKeithD.feelalittlemoreathome.LetusopenthismeetingwiththeResponsibilityPledge.

YoursinService,

RitchL.

District 7 sunbeam

March 2012Page 8

District 7 sunbeam

March 2012

NERASSA - Northeast Regional Alcoholics Anonymous Service Assembly

Please complete the form and mai l

to: NERAASA 2012

PO BOX 6328 ALBANY, NY

12206 Or go to:

WWW.NERAASA 2012.ORG beginning

October 1, 2011

ASL will be provided if a need presents itself

through pre-registration.

Service Commitments:

_____ GSR or Alt GSR _____ DCM or Alt DCM _____ DCMC or Alt DCMC _____ District Committee _____ Central Office or Intergroup _____ Area Committee _____ Delegate or Alt Delegate Panel _____ _____ Other _______________________

Past Delegates:

Area #: _____ Panel # _____

Conference Committee __________________

_____ I would be interested in moderating a round table session.

_____ I have special needs (please specify): ____________________________________________ ____________________________________________ Translation request: __ASL __Spanish __French __Other _____

_____ I have attended NERAASA before: _____ As a presenter _____ I would like to participate in a panel _____ I would like to record a round table

$ 20.00 Registration _______ Saturday Breakfast $20 _______ Saturday Lunch $30 _______ Saturday Night Banquet __Beef __Chicken __Vegetarian $44 _______ Sunday Breakfast $20 _______ Delegates Luncheon $30 (current, past & alts only)

$_______ Total Enclosed

Make check or money order payable to: NERAASA 2012

(Credit cards will be accepted for online registration only)

Mail completed form with full payment to: NERAASA 2012 PO BOX 6328

Albany, NY 12206

Comments, Suggestions & Requests (No guarantees, but we will take everything under consideration and do what we can to be accommodating): _____________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________

NERAASA 2012 Registration Form Forms may be copied. Please use one form for each person registering.

Mail-In and On-line Registration will be processed beginning October 1, 2011. Credit cards will be accepted for online registration only.

Hotel Registration Deadline: Friday, February 17, 2012 (Hotel prices are guaranteed until Feb 17 or until room blocks are filled.)

Event, Banquet & Meal Pre-registration Deadline: Friday, February 17, 2012

NAME:________________________________________ AA AREA#:_______(see front page map) ADDRESS:_______________________________________________________________________ EMAIL:____________________________________ PHONE # (with area code)________________

**Please indicate each individual meal desired on registration

form. Full payment is required at time of registration.**

March 2-4 2012

District 7 sunbeam

March 2012

District 7 sunbeam

March 2012 Page 9

For More Information Contact: Maya (845) 464-8557 Lawrence (518) 291-6647Jared (631) 553-9512 Mike (845) 661-1309 Jeff (518) 610-3478 Martial (845) 554-9188

HVYPAA: Hudson Valley Young People in AA

District 7 sunbeam

March 2012Page 10

District 7 sunbeam

March 2012

March 30 - April 12012

Cash or credit accepted.*fee applied to credit charges

Name:Email:Mailing Address: Sobriety Date:___/___/_____ Would you like to do Outreach for EACYPAA X?� Yes �NoPreferred Method of Contact: �Email �Snail Mail Do you have any special needs? Hearing Impaired � Wheelchair access � other �Translation Needed? �Yes �No (If Yes: Language____________________)Scholarship a newcomer? �Yes �No Are you a member of AL-ANON? �Yes �No

Method of Payment: � Cash � Credit � Money OrderTotal Paid: $15 +_________= __________ Payment Collected by:_______________ Scholarship (Host Committee Member Initials)

Send money order to:EACYPAA XP.O. Box 191

Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

www.eacypaax.org

“The spir i tual l

i fe is

not a theory, we have to l ive i t .”p. 83

Pre-register for only $15

Saratoga Springs, NY

Can we pass your info onto the next host committee �Yes �No

Holiday Inn

518-584-4550

232 Broadway, Route 9

EACYPAA - Eastern Area Convention of Young People in Alcoholics Anonymous

District 7 sunbeam

March 2012

District 7 sunbeam

March 2012 Page 11

July20-22,2012“Anonymity: Our Spiritual Responsibility in the Digital Age”

189 Wolf Road

Albany, NY 12205 onnon Roo Ra 1100 l a n

ol Raon

nln aooolalalbny-albany-ao

D Pon Nb (518) 58-8

Toll F (800) 3-8952

Wn n oo,

od AAAAA fo onnon Ra

There is NO SMOKING anywhere within the hotel. Designated smoking areas are conveniently located near the exits on all sides of the hotel

Na __________________________________

Add _________________________________

ySaZ ____________________________

Pon __________________________________

Eal ___________________________________

AA ____ Al-Anon ____ ________________

ld- 25 Ya (l n) Y No

Sal Nd

an Alaon Rd Y No

San Tanlaon Y No

ASL Y No

(Pla Sfy) _____________________

________________________________________

_______ onnon nly 2000

_______ onnon and an 5500

BqtChc(PSctONE)

_____ kn Mdanan

_____ Fla Ion Sak

_____ Glld ala Vabl

Sal Day Nd (Pla Sfy)

________________________________

Aon Enlod ___________________

Checks Payable to:

al estao o a Check to: HMBD4P.O.Bx494chcdy,3

-P-(One Form Per Person)

Friday - 7/20/12 • • • ttt

Saturday - 7/21/12 • PsWoshos• s• • ttt

Sunday - 7/22/12 • tNote: Al-AAl

HbyHBA48

http://www.aagrapevine.org/

District 7 sunbeam

March 2012Page 12

District 7 sunbeam

March 2012

District 7 sunbeam

March 2012

District 7 sunbeam

March 2012 Page 13

A

S

AL P

U

H

O

B

P

E T

These are some of the acronyms I’ve heard at meetings the last few weeks. Have you heard any good ones? What are your favorites?

AA Alcoholics Anonymous Attitude AdjustmentAAA Admit, Accept, Act ABC Accept, Believe, ChangeASK Ass-Saving KitDENIAL Don’t Even Notice I’m LyingGOD Good Orderly Direction Group of Drunks Great OutdoorsHMB Hudson Mohawk BerkshireHOPE Hearing Other People’s Experience

Acronym: n. A word formed from the initial letters of a name, such as WAC for Women’s Army Corps, or by combining initial letters or parts of a series of words, such as radar for radio detecting and ranging.

District 7 sunbeam

March 2012Page 14

District 7 sunbeam

March 2012

Contest Corner

How well do you know early AA history? This month the Contest Corner asks the following questions:

• Who is shown in these vintage photos? • In what decade were these pictures taken?• What page in the Big Book describes the start of this adventure?

If you think you know, send your answers to district7news@gmail.com If you send in the correct answers with the earliest date/time, your name will be suitably honored on this page next month...

This early Harley Davidson model was painted olive drab with red trim. They only came in one color in those days. It featured a stick shift, no rear suspension, spring forks and no front brake.

District 7 sunbeam

March 2012

District 7 sunbeam

March 2012 Page 15

Page 2 February, 2012 Maui Serenity Gazette STEP 1

We admitted that we were powerless over alcohol - that our lives had become unmanageable. I have been sober going on 8 years now and have always thought that the Step states "that our lives were unmanageable" or that "life is unmanageable". Maybe I've heard it stated that way many times at meetings. I've heard so many times that life IS unmanageable, uncontrollable and therefore I must seek God's help in managing my life. But the Step does not say that it IS unmanageable; it says "HAD BECOME unmanagea-ble".

That's a big difference to me. Of course I don't believe that I can control everything that happens in life. No way, not even close. And indeed, I do admit that my life had become more unmanageable due to my al-coholism. But I can manage my own life to a certain extent. I did so before I quit drinking to a certain extent and accomplished some important things during those years. I also screwed up sometimes during those years and even managed to ruin my life a couple times due to my alcoholism. But it wasn't all bad.

Now that I have been sober for a while I trust myself to manage my life, at least so far as any life is man-ageable. Of course, "things" happen on a daily basis that are beyond my control. Recently, I was diagnosed with cancer. That certainly was not part of MY plan but I can live my life such that I am generally going in the right direction. I also have a certain amount of control over what I choose to do about the cancer. There are many treatment options and I can choose the one I feel will best help me be cured. I was told that my choice has an 80% cure rate. Can I control the outcome in an absolute way. No, but I can still control MY treatment plan. I also Accept that even though I cannot control everything, I have quite a bit of control over my Attitude toward uncontrollable things now so I don't have to let them agitate me or trigger me to drink.

Sure, much of what happens in the universe is unmanageable. In fact, I have a sign on my refrigerator that says "Abandon All Hope". What that means to me is that I should not Expect everything to go the way I want it to in life. If I curb the expectations, while continuing to reach for the goals I want, I can still move in the right direction but not be devastated if I don't get the results I want.

I deplore efforts to denigrate human intelligence. Sure, we make mistakes but I believe that we have intelligence in order to help us survive, i.e., to manage our lives. I try to take the responsibility and the blame for what happens in my life

I am no longer powerless over alcohol as I once was. I am able to leave it alone even though others around me are drinking. Will I slip one day? Maybe. I'm not saying I am perfect and will never drink but, for now, the obsession has lifted. I am done drinking. Maybe tomorrow; but today, I have no desire for it.

Now my task is to work on me and my obstacles and my faults. I actually love that process and look forward to starting that task on a daily basis. It is my spiritual path. As I become better able to fit and function in the world, my life has become more manageable.

Now let me knock on wood for good luck before I begin my drive home.

Rich H,

Kihei

New Wine for Seniors A single glass of wine before going

to bed could mean a peaceful, uninterrupted night's sleep.

California vintners in the Napa Val-ley area, which primarily produce Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir and Pinot Grigio wines, have developed a new hybrid grape that acts as

an anti-diuretic.. It is expected to reduce the number of trips older people have to make to the bathroom during the night. The new wine will be marketed as

PINO MORE

Used with permission from the February 2012 Maui Serenity Gazette.

Spoiler Alert!! thiS iS A joke!

Spo

ile

r Al

er

t!! th

iS iS A jok

e!Spo

ile

r A

le

rt!!

th

iS iS

A jo

ke!

District 7 sunbeam

March 2012Page 16

District 7 sunbeam

March 2012

Meeting News

The Sober Today Group that meets in the Rondout Valley Methodist Church on Schoonmaker Lane in Stone Ridge on Sunday has changed its meeting time to 3:30 - 4:30 PM.

“When,  by  such  simple  devices,  we  have  placed  ourselves  in  a  mood  in  which  we  can  focus  undisturbed  on  constructive  

imagination,  we  might  begin  like  this…”      

BRAND NEW  

Alcoholics Anonymous

11th Step Meditation Meeting

Sunday evenings 6:00 p.m.  

Hurley Reformed Church 11 Main St. Hurley, NY 12443 Off Rte. 209, behind StewartÕs

 

End  the  day,  start  the  week  improving  conscious  contact,  because,  hey,  it’s  your  higher  power!  

   

       

{Join  us.  Spread  the  word.  Help  this  meeting  go  viral.}  

– Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, p. 100

“If you are depressed, you are living in the past. If you are anxious, you are living in the future. If you are at peace, you are living in the present.” – Lao Tzu

District 7 sunbeam

March 2012

District 7 sunbeam

March 2012 Page 17

Anniversaries & Celebrations

March

3-23 Richard M. 26 years at Young & Young at Heart3-23 Nancy P. 26 years at Young & Young at Heart3-25 Tara C. 16 years at Alive Again3-26 Barbara W. 24 years at Kingston Women’s Group3-26 Nancy K. 26 years at Kingston Women’s Group3-28 Kevin H. 20 years at Keep it Real3-30 Dave D. 33 years at Young & Young at Heart3-30 Donna P. 27 years at Young & Young at Heart3-13 Amy G. 4 years at Morning After Group

April

4-26 Kerhonkson Primary Purpose Group 5th group anniversary 6:30 eating meeting, 7:30 beginners’ AA Meeting

Some AA chips and medallions that have been used over the years: