January/February 2016 Volume 6, Issue 1

52nd District

“Passing It On” 500 South Broadway, Suite 114, Santa Maria, CA 93454

805-925-3782 Central Office Website: www.aa52centraloffice.org

District 52 Website: www.aadistrict52.org Alcoholics Anonymous Website: www.aa.org

Step 1

“We admitted we were powerless over alcohol – that our lives had become unmanageable.” “The principle that we shall find no enduring strength until we first admit complete defeat is the main taproot from which our whole Society has sprung and flowered.” (Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, p 22)

Step 2

“Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.” “True humility and an open mind can lead us to faith, and every A.A. meeting is an assurance that God will

restore us to sanity if we rightly relate ourselves to Him.” (Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, p 33)

Tradition 1

“Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon A.A. unity.” “Without unity, the heart of A.A. would cease to beat….” (Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, p 129)

Tradition 2

“For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority – a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern.” Disclaimer: AA and Alcoholics Anonymous, and the Big Book are registered trademarks of Alcoholics Anonymous World Services. AA Grapevine and The Grapevine are registered trademarks of the AA Grapevine. This Newsletter is not affiliated with the General Services Organization of Alcoholics Anonymous, or any particular AA group. (All material reprinted with permission of A.A. World Services, Inc.)

How and Why We Are We Called “Alcoholics Anonymous”

In Akron, before we were known as “Alcoholics Anonymous”, we were referred to as “The

Alcoholic Contingent of the Oxford Group.” In New York, we were referred to as “A

Nameless Bunch of Drunks.” So how did our Fellowship come to be called “Alcoholics

Anonymous”?

The name itself is attributed to a man named Joe Worden. He came to one meeting. During

that meeting there was discussion about what to name our new book (not yet printed nor

even completed, but it would be soon...). Several titles were bantered about, among them

“The Way Out.” “100 Men,” “The Empty Glass,” “Dry Havens,” and “The Bill Wilson

Movement”. Joe queried, “Aren’t you just a bunch of anonymous alcoholics?” and from

thence the name originated. It was discussed and flipped and eventually became the title of

our text.

As the name for our fellowship, the story is equally intriguing. Alcoholics were coming from

Cleveland to Akron for the meetings - meetings which were considered part of and largely

influenced by, the Oxford Group. A large portion of these Cleveland alcoholics making the

trek (a dozen or so), were Catholic.

(Continued on top of next page)

I AM RESPONSIBLE

The call came through Central Office on a

Friday afternoon. A frantic husband was

calling from the emergency room at Marian

Hospital. His alcoholic wife was in a fetal

position, barely conscious. The information

was given to one of our members on the 12

Step Referral list. She got in her car and

drove over to the hospital. She spoke

reassuringly to the family and to the

woman in the bed. She explained the

program and left literature. The outcome

is up to God but THIS is SERVICE.

Without Central Office, there would have

been no one for this family to turn to.

Without members in our AA community

willing to be there for others, this call

would have gone unanswered.

Call Vicki at 805-268-2397 and sign up

for the 12 Step Referral List or the

After Hours List. Someone out there

needs you!

ACCEPTANCE

Acceptance is the answer to ALL of my

problems today. When I am disturbed, it is

because I find some person, place, thing or

situation, some fact of my life, unacceptable

to me, and I can find no serenity until I

accept that person, place, thing, or situation

as being exactly the way it is supposed to be

at this moment. Nothing, absolutely nothing,

happens in God's world by mistake. Until I

could accept my alcoholism, I could not stay

sober; unless I accept my life completely on

life's terms, I cannot be happy. I need to

concentrate not so much on what needs to be

changed in the world as on what needs to be

changed in me and in my attitudes.

Big Book p. 417

The first 2016 Roundup Meeting will be

held on Saturday, January 16th at 10am

at the 1600 Club. This year’s Roundup

Chairperson is Kevin G. (805-332-0345)

Volunteers needed and all are welcome!

Bridging the Gap

Help new members in treatment programs or correctional facilities find meetings in the community. Introduce them to other AA’s, make sure they get phone numbers, and help them find a sponsor. For more info, call Steve K. at 818-433-0257.

12 Symptoms of a Spiritual

Awakening

1. An increased tendency to let things

happen rather than to make them

happen.

2. Frequent attacks of smiling.

3. Feelings of being connected with

others and nature.

4. Frequent overwhelming episodes of

appreciation.

5. A tendency to think and act

spontaneously rather than from fears

based on past experience.

6. An unmistakable ability to enjoy each

moment.

7. A loss of ability to worry.

8. A loss of interest in conflict.

9. A loss of interest in interpreting the

actions of others.

10. A loss of interest in judging others.

11. A loss of interest in judging self.

12. Gaining the ability to love without

expecting anything.

How and Why We Are Called “Alcoholics

Anonymous” (cont’d)

“Why,” you might ask, “would that have

anything to do with anything?” The answer is

that the Cleveland priests declared that

what their parishioners were doing at these

Oxford Group meetings (Protestant!) was

equivalent to open confession – a sin within

the Catholic Church. So our members were faced with a dilemma –

excommunication from the church or stop

attending meetings!

Yet one Cleveland member, Clarence S., had

the solution. Clarence called Dr. Bob one

May afternoon and advised that the

Cleveland alcoholics would not be making the

trip for the Akron meeting. In fact, he

continued, the Clevelanders were going to

have their own meeting of just alcoholics and

they were going to name it after our recently

published book, Alcoholics Anonymous.

Thus, the first group ever calling itself

“Alcoholics Anonymous” met for the first

time on May 11, 1939.

Pacific Regional Alcoholics Anonymous

Service Assembly – March 4-6, 2016

The purpose of PRAASA is to develop

greater unity among the members, groups

and Areas of the Pacific Region, to

encourage the exchange of ideas and

experiences, and to provide an opportunity

for members to discuss pertinent aspects

of AA. See last page for flyer!

Be Grateful for Everything!!!

Some 52’s Celebrating Anniversaries

11/2 Lyndi S. 18 years 11/2 Patrick S. 31 years 11/5 Angel G. 2 years 11/5 Sharon V. 4 years 11/6 Keith D. 35 years 11/7 Greggory W. 16 years 11/7 Larry E. 30 years 11/11 Cat 6 years 11/11 Joey M. 4 years 11/11 Kristin S. 2 years 11/14 Jackie R. 3 years 11/14 Robert T. 21 years 11/17 Brandi 5 years 11/18 Suci 26 years 11/24 April H. 7 years 11/24 Evelyn 1 year 11/24 Naomi 7 years 11/27 Luke V. 21 years 12/1 Steve K. 12 years 12/1 George M. 12 years 12/3 Felina S. 12 years 12/7 Gerry W. 5 years 12/10 Lee C. 28 years 12/13 Jeremiah H. 4 years 12/13 Joey C. 5 years 12/14 Mike C. 13 years 12/16 Shelly M. 3 years 12/20 Dean 1 year 12/21 Susan B. 2 years 12/28 Monic 1 year

Speaker Meetings

Freedom Group Speaker Meeting - 113 N. V St., Lompoc

(Friday, 8pm)

Happy Hour Group – 1600 Club, 324 W. Cypress (last Monday of the month, 5:30pm)

Lompoc Valley Group Unity Speaker Meeting - Lompoc Alano Club, 119 N. “D” St. (Sunday, 4pm)

Orcutt Speaker Meeting - Orcutt Presbyterian Church, 993 Patterson Rd. (Second Saturday of the month, 7-8:15pm)

01/09 Karl M. West Covina 02/13 Julie M. Los Angeles 03/12 Debbie D. Concord

South County Speaker Meeting - Arroyo Grande (1st Saturday, 8pm)

Santa Maria Golden Group – 500 S. Broadway, Suite 252 (Saturdays, 7pm)

Santa Maria Live – Bethel Lutheran Church, 624 E. Camino Colegio (4th Sat., Refreshments - 7:30pm, Speaker - 8pm)

Santa Maria Valley Group - 1600 Club, 324 W. Cypress (Sunday, 7pm)

Solvang Action Group - Solvang Alano Club, 320 Alisal Rd. (Saturday, 8pm)

Women’s Meeting – Freedom Group – 113 N. V St., Lompoc (4th Saturday, 10-11am)

Monthly Service Meetings

1st Saturday of month: 10:00am - Intergroup Committee (Central Office) 1600 Club 324 W Cypress Santa Maria 2nd Sunday of month: 10:00am - GSR meeting – location varies, Call Mark M. 805-895-7224 3rd Thursday of month: 6:45pm - No. S.B. H&I Committee Mtg. Freedom Group, 113 N. V St. Lompoc 3rd Saturday of month: 10:00am – Central Coast Roundup Committee, 1600 Club, 324 W Cypress Santa Maria

Five pots of chili were entered in the 2nd

Annual District 52 Chili Cook-Off. The

first place winner received the coveted

“Apron of Perfection” and a pound of

District 52’s Famous Billy N.’s Fudge. Mike

N. took home the top honors and is busy

fine-tuning his recipe for next year!

Coming in second for two pounds of Billy

N.’s fudge was Joe K. Joe’s become very

popular!

Thanks to the five entrants. All of the chili

was delicious!

.

Women’s Fresh Start Group Wins Most Popular Basket

Thanks to the following groups and individuals who donated baskets for the Gift Basket

Raffle at the 2nd Annual Chili Cook-Off: Action Group in Solvang, Anonymous (2), Be a

Blessing (2), Billy’s Fudge, Carmel, Central Office, Freedom Group, Golden Group, Happy

Hour, Robin, 6am Sickies, Women’s Fresh Start, and Women’s Golden Group.

Women’s Fresh Start garnered the most votes with 95. Their basket contained $110 worth

of gift certificates to local eateries/stores. The Central Office basket had 66 votes. That

basket had a beautiful afghan made by Merilyn G., as well as an orchid.

Golden Group Starts Veteran Meeting

If you’re a military veteran and would like

to attend an AA meeting for vets, the

Golden Group has started an open

discussion meeting on Friday nights at 7pm.

The Lompoc Freedom Group is discussing

starting a military veterans group. Stay

tuned for details!

52nd District Doings

The 52nd District manned a table at the

recent Stand Down. They gave out 40

meeting guides and several books to Vets.

Did you know that Big Books are the most

stolen books in libraries?

Did you know that our District will be

donating them to libraries, high schools, and

institutions?

Did you know that those books are paid for

by your donations!!!!

52nd District Positions Available

. DCM (District Committee Member)

. Archives Chairperson

. Guidelines & Policies Chairperson

. Webmaster

All terms are for two years. Suggested

sobriety for DCM is 4-5 years.

Suggested sobriety for chairperson

positions is 2 years.

For further info contact Mark M. at 805-

895-7224.

The 6am Sickies Rock!!!

The 6am Sickies recently donated 5

subscriptions of the Grapevine and 5 of

LaVina to the Vet Hospital. For some, that

is the only contact they have with AA. Way

to carry the message, folks! Thanks!

Central Office Board of Directors

Chairperson: Sylvia M. Co-Chairperson: Merilyn G. Central Office Coordinator, Literature & Chips: Vicki D. Fundraising: Sarah G. Secretary: Veroneka Treasurer: Terry S. Member at Large: Nancy N.

Thanks to the Following Folks Central Office Volunteers

Carmel A., Charles, Keith D., Janet G., Kristina S., Mary G., Susan M., Terry S., Tom W., Wade W.

Keith D. Keith D. recently donated another glass display case to Central Office. Keith has been a valuable part of the Central Office team for many years.

District 52 Central Office Accounting Snapshot

Donations 10/15 11/15 Group

As Bill Sees It ------ 25.00 Central Coast Round Up ------ 993.72 Freedom Group ------ 20.00 Golden Group ------ 162.36 Happy Hour ------ 100.00 Orcutt Wed. Men’s Stag 66.00 ------ Pyramid Group 84.00 ------ Santa Ynez Valley Action Grp 159.98 ------ 6 A.M. Sickies ------ 118.28

Wed. Night Mtg. of AA 27.00 ------ Total Group 336.98 1419.36

Individual

Anonymous ------ 20.00 Billy N. ------ 31.00 Brian D. ------ 100.00 Charles H. 10.05 ------ Chris 13.01 10.00 Keith D. 20.00 35.00 Terry S. ------ 62.05 Total Individual 43.06 258.05

Misc. & Change Donations 17.53 11.02 Total Donations 397.57 1688.43 Total Sales 462.15 709.04 Total Sales & Donations 859.72 2397.47

End of Month Balance 1704.89 2852.11

Central Office Stats

Oct/Nov Calls 49 Office Walk-Ins 99 Book Sales 102 Chip Sales 226 Directories 405 Pamphlets 18 Bumper Stickers/Bracelets 15

52nd District Central Office Happenings

Join the Central Office Board of Directors and Serve Our Community!

Volunteer for a position on the Central Office Board of Directors. Positions available in March are: Chairperson, Co-Chair, Central Office Coordinator, and Treasurer. Terms are for two years and Board meetings are held on the second Monday of the month. An election will be held March 5th at 10am at the 1600 Club.

Come to the IGR Meeting at 10am on the first Saturday of the month at the 1600 Club and learn more!

IGRs Needed For the Following Groups:

Back to Basics Group Golden Group Lompoc Group Pyramid Group

Solvang Men’s Stag Unity Group

An IGR attends the Central Office IGR Meeting the first Saturday of the month and brings his/her group’s concerns, opinions, and vote on issues discussed during the meeting. Make sure your group is represented!

Steering Committee Meetings

Freedom Group - 2nd Sunday of the month, Lompoc, 1pm Happy Hour – 1st Monday of even months, 1600 Club, 6:45pm Santa Maria Golden Group – 2nd Thursday of the month, 6:30 pm Santa Maria Valley Group – 2nd Wednesday of the month 6:45pm Santa Ynez Valley Action Group – 3rd Saturday of the month, Alano Club, 10am

What’s Happening???

January 1 1pm Potluck, 1600 Club, 324 W Cypress, Santa Maria

January or Spaghetti Feed Fundraiser February for Central Office. Check

your meetings for details!

January 23 Archives Repository All members invited 3031 West 5th St, Oxnard 10am to 2pm

March 4-6 PRAASA 2016 Spokane, Washington www.PRAASA.org See last page to Register.

In Memoriam

Crystal B. passed away on November 1st. She faced insurmountable obstacles with love and courage.

AA Meetings with Keith D.

Keith D. is undergoing physical therapy at Santa Maria Care, 820 West Cook Street. Keith has been a part of many of people’s recovery in our area. With 35 years of sobriety, he has given countless hours of his time to Central Office and the Newsletter. Sarah G. will be setting up AA meetings at the facility so that Keith can attend them during his rehabilitation. She can be reached at 805-266-0046 for further information. All are welcome to attend and brighten Keith’s stay!

Editor’s Corner

If you’d like the Newsletter e-mailed to you, send your e-mail address to Nancy N. at nancyakapink@gmail.com . If you don’t have a computer, ask your Meeting Secretary to get you a copy. It is also on the Central Office website... www.aa52centraloffice.org

As we move into 2016, remember.....

OOPS! Thanks for working at the Central Office table at the Roundup, Dixie F! We forgot to include you in our thank you list in the last Newsletter. Your service was appreciated!