Gratitude Gazette
October 9, 1999, Issue 4

Contents

Welcome to the October Assembly of Area 38. As has been our custom for a number of years, each October Assembly is a two-day event. The extra time available by scheduling two days allows us to present additional items that you may find informative and educational. Along those lines, a workshop chaired by Alternate Delegate, Ed M. will focus on the theme of the Fiftieth General Service Conference to be held next April.

Each assembly we hold builds upon the work of previous assemblies. Last January we presented to you a proposed Area budget for 1999 - 2000. In March you were asked to approve that budget, which you did, but not without considerable comment and discussion. Consequently, at the June Assembly, a sharing session was held on our financial situation, and many sound and practical ideas were brought forward. As a result of those suggestions and requests you will be asked today to consider two proposals that hopefully will address those concerns.

We have with us today two guests from the Western Area of Missouri, Area 39. They are Shirley R. (Delegate) and Beth M. (Area Chair). They will be participating in our assembly this weekend and sharing their experience, strength, and hope tonight at the open speakers meeting. If you see either of them lurking about please extend a warm welcome.

On a sadder note, our Area Recording Secretary, Karen H. has found it necessary to step down from her assignment. Her commitment and dedication to Alcoholics Anonymous will be missed. An election will be held at this assembly to replace her. Also, Harvey G., from District 17, has passed away after a long illness. Harvey was indeed the humble servant to AA and the still suffering alcoholic. For several years Harvey saw to it that an AA meeting was supported and held at the Farmington Correctional Center.

The conclusion of the assembly marks the mid-point in our term of service. May the coming year 2000 be as productive and informative as 1999. For those of you planning to go the Regional Forum in Lubbock, Texas we will see you there. For those of you who can’t may the coming holidays bring you peace, joy and serenity.

Mike F., Area Chairperson

Back to Contents

Everyone is talking about the Regional Forum---everyone should go, it’s a great opportunity

Just what is a Regional Forum? What’s it all about ?

Regional Forums originated at the suggestion of Dr. Jack Norris, in 1975. They are weekend sharing sessions designed to improve communication and participation among A.A. service workers in the region, the General Service Board, AA. World Services, Inc. , the Grapevine Corporate Board and staff and the General Service Office staff.

At the invitation of a region, four such Forums are held each year. Since the U.S./Canada service structure is composed of eight regions., A Regional Forum may be held in alternate years on a rotating basis.

The location and agenda for a Regional Forum are decided jointly by the Regional Trustee, Area Delegates and G.S.O. The responsibility for direct contact with the hotel is assumed by a local A.A. Host Contact working with the Regional Forums Coordinator and Regional Trustee. The Regional Forums Coordinator at G.S.O. distributes registration forms and invitations to groups and service workers through the region and, working with the Host Contact and Regional Trustee, coordinates the details of the Forum.

There is no registration fee for a Regional Forum. The General Service Board covers the expenses of meeting rooms, transportation and hotel rooms for its board and staff personnel.

In many places, area committees, districts and groups cover or defray the transportation and lodging expenses of the trusted

servants representing them at a forum.

Forums are intended to be sharing sessions, thus no formal actions result. Forums provide unique opportunities to share valuable experience, ask questions and spark new ideas. Regional Forums carry the A.A. message through service.

This year’s Southwest Regional Forum will be held in Lubbock. Texas, December 3-5, 1999. If you are interested in going please contact your District Committee Member.

Back to Contents

"A.A.’s Twelfth Step, carrying the message, is the basic service that our fellowship gives; it is our principal aim and the main reason for our existence. A.A. is more that a set of principals; it is a society of recovered alcoholics in action. We must carry A.A.’s message; otherwise we ourselves may fall into the decay and those who have not been given the truth may die." A.A. Comes of Age. P. 139

These few words certainly convey the spirit of our twelfth step. Yet, they say so much more. They outline our third legacy of Service, our reason for being. We are spurred into action as a society. We are warned against complacency and the decay that stagnation may bring…’those who have not been given the truth may die.’ This statement reminds us of the true nature of our malady and where it leads.

Many anonymous members came before us carrying this message of hope. Animated by the spirit of sacrifice, they had learned from taking action that it was truly better to give than to receive. Theirs was a singleness of purpose. They were charged with passing the message on, one to another. The fellowship of the spirit was aglow with the news of spiritual awakening so revolutionary that it was capable of changing lives. Sweeping across our nation, this message of Love and Service, Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, a true phenomenon.

Just yesterday, a young mother of two paid me a visit wearing a smile with a graceful demeanor that belied her recent decent into what some feared was a point of no return. She told me of joining a home group where I know that all 36 principles of A.A. are discussed. Her sponsor, too, knows of a spiritual rebirth that had come to her as a result of these steps. I’m sure that she will do her best to convey our heartfelt message to this newcomer.

After her visit, I felt a sense of joy and peace from the knowledge that one more soul had been lifted

out of that hopeless state of mind and body. It is truly a time of miracles.

Pass It On !

Ed M.
Alternate Delegate

Back to Contents

SOUTHWEST REGIONAL FORUM
Holiday Inn, Lubbock Plaza, Lubbock, Texas
December 3- 5, 1999
Contact your DCM for more information

59th Annual Alano Banquet
Regal Riverfront Hotel, St. Louis, Missouri
November 13, 1999
Banquet- 7:00p.m.
Guest speaker- Harold G., Baltimore, Md.
For more information call (314) 647-3677

District 5-1 Potluck Dinner w/ speaker
October 26, 1999
Grace Episcopal Church, Woodlawn and Argonne
Dinner at 6:30 p.m., Speaker at 7:30 p.m.

Back to Contents

At the June Assembly, Alvina s. Grapevine Chairperson read a letter from the Grapevine asking the membership if there was any interest in an audio version of the Grapevine. She had compiled a list of 3 questions for members to discuss with their groups and districts. They are;

1. Would a monthly audio form be beneficial to the groups and members?

2. Are AA members interested in purchasing a monthly audio cassette at the cost of approximately $8.50 a tape or $99 yearly?

3. How many possible audio subscriptions do you think members in your AA group would buy?

Please contact Alvina S. with any feedback from your groups. She would greatly aprpreciate it.

Back to Contents