RECOVERY TIMESsfvaa.org/2016-11.pdfRECOVERY TIMES Vol. 50, No. 11, Nov. 2016 November is Gratitude Month: What are you grateful for? Every November, Central Office of Alcoholics Anonymous

RECOVERY TIMES Vol. 50, No. 11, Nov. 2016

November is Gratitude Month: What are you grateful for?

Every November, Central Office of Alcoholics Anonymous for the

San Fernando Valley asks local alcoholics to focus on gratitude.

And as we do that, we also reflect on the many volunteers who

keep Central Office running: answering the phones, providing

us with current directories to find meetings, updating every

group on both local and regional A.A. events, and providing the

service structure that helps us all to stay sober.

So what are you grateful for? Here’s an exercise that you

can do right now:

List 10 things that you are grateful for:

1.________________________________________2._______________________________________

3. _______________________________________ 4. ________________________________________

5. _______________________________________ 6. _________________________________________

7. _______________________________________ 8. _________________________________________

9. _______________________________________ 10. _______________________________________

Now, think back to the time before you found A.A. and list 10 things you don’t have wrong in

your life, now that you are sober. This goes back to Step 1 and the issue of unmanageability:

1. ___________________________ 2. ______________________________________

3.____________________________ 4. ______________________________________

5.____________________________ 6. ______________________________________

7. ____________________________________ 8. _____________________________________________

9. ____________________________________ 10. ____________________________________________

Gratitude is defined as: a feeling of appreciation for a kindness or favor received.

Since you’ve been sober, has anyone extended their hand to you? Welcomed you at a meeting? Introduced you

to others? Asked you to lead a meeting? Asked you to take a commitment? Offered to help you with an issue or

problem you were having? Shared with you what their experience was?

In honor of Gratitude Month, Central Office for A.A. of the San Fernando Valley asks you to give a little more:

whether it’s an extra donation to help keep meetings going or being of service to others. Remember the gift of

sobriety and what it means to you and those who love you. Happy Gratitude Month Everyone!

SAN FERNANDO VALLEY CENTRAL OFFICE: MINUTES FOR INTERGROUP MEETING:

OCTOBER 10, 2016:

OPENING: Brian H. Brian opened the meeting at 7:00 p.m. with the

Serenity Prayer, Sam read “The Twelve Traditions,” & Sandy R. accepted

a motion for approval of the September 2016 Intergroup Minutes.

TREASURER’S REPORT: Joel S. The Month to Date is <$3,897> and

YTD is <$16,463>, as compared with last year’s YTD which was <$2,880>.

Group donations for September were $3,400 less than September of last

year. In response to the deficit, Brian discussed the practice of passing a

separate can earmarked for Central Office alone.

EXECUTIVE SECRETARY'S REPORT: Bob F. Central Office

Volunteer numbers were down in Sept. Also, there are a few problems with the website which are being

resolved. Recovery Times is going well. Please submit any stories you wish to write to Editor Pat K. at:

[email protected]. Submissions can be up to 600 words and should be sent by the 15th of the month for

consideration in the next issue.

MEETING RELATED BUSINESS: Cheryl A.: There were two new Intergroup Reps this month:

Marie (Alternate), “Love and Care Women’s Group,” Saturdays at 12:30 p.m. in Reseda. Diane, “Hole in the Sky,” Sundays at 4:30 p.m. in Canoga Park.

SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES

General Service District 16: Daniel: Everything is going well. General Service District 1: Lee: The Area Assembly will be held in Simi Valley Nov 15-17. San Fernando Valley Hospital & Institutions Committee: Daniel: SFV H&I’s 35th Birthday Annual Dinner

and Fundraiser, Tuesday, Oct. 25, 6:00 p.m., at St. Innocent Church in Tarzana. Tickets are $12. San Fernando Valley 42nd AA Convention: Joel S: Will be held Jan 27, 28, and 29, 2017. “Acceptance

Was the Answer” is the theme. Website, www.sfvaaconvention.org, is up and registration forms are available. Hosting a Halloween Dance fundraiser on Oct. 22 at One Generation in Reseda. Planning meetings held the 3rd Tuesday of every month, 7:00 p.m., at 5657 Lindley Ave., Tarzana.

Santa Clarita Valley AA Convention: Bernard: Will be held on October 21, 22, and 23 at the Valencia Hyatt. Registration at the door is $20. Pre-registration is closed.

OLD BUSINESS

Literature Sales are CLOSED on holidays and the last Friday of each month, but OPEN on weekends. Central Office doors remain open; phones are still answered.

Reminder for groups to report upcoming group events, and remove expired event flyers from literature tables.

Continue to send meeting changes IN WRITING to Central Office.

NEW BUSINESS - NO new business.

Service – Related Announcements: Hole in the Sky needs support: 21044 Sherman Way, Canoga Park. Brian

reminded group reps to bring at least 350 flyers for upcoming events so that each meeting can have at least 5

copies. Flyers must be for “AA-related events” (defined as “an event that includes an AA Meeting as part of the

event”).

Birthdays for October – 44 years of sobriety!

Sam, 15 years Laura, 10 years; Nancy S., 9 years;

Brian, 6 years; Jose J., 4 years.

VACANCIES ON BOARD - There are no vacancies on the Board.

CLOSING: Brian H.: A motion to adjourn was recognized and seconded. Meeting adjourned at 7:30 pm with

The Lord’s Prayer. Prepared and submitted by Sandy R., Recording Secretary.

SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES IN THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

San Fernando Valley Central Office Board Meeting: Dec. 7, 2016, 6:30 p.m.,

Central Office, 16132 Sherman Way, Van Nuys, CA 91406.

San Fernando Valley Intergroup Meeting: Dec. 12, 2016: Orientation for new

IGRs: 6:30 p.m., General Meeting: 7 p.m., St. Innocent Church., 5657 Lindley

Ave., Tarzana.

San Fernando Valley H & I (3rd Monday): Nov. 21, 7 p.m. Orientation, 8 p.m.

Bus. Meeting, St. Innocent Church, 5657 Lindley Ave., Tarzana.

General Service Dist. 1: (1st Wed.): Dec. 7, 2016: 6:30 p.m., 7552 Remmet,

Canoga Park.

General Service Dist. 2: (1st Tues.): Dec. 6, 2016: 6:30 p.m., 4011 Dunsmore,

La Crescenta.

General Service District 7: (2nd Sat.): Dec. 10 2016, 9 a.m., Women’s Club: 33201 Agua Dulce Canyon

Rd, Agua Dulce, CA.

General Service District 11 (1st Mon.): Dec. 5, 2016: New GSRs – 6:00 p.m., general meeting 6:30

p.m., 315 W. Vine Street, Glendale.

General Service District 16 (1st Mon.): Dec. 5, 2016: 6:00 p.m., 15950 Chatsworth, Granada Hills.

General Service District 17 (1st Mon.): Dec. 5, 2016. Orientation for new GSRs, 6:30 p.m., Business

Meeting: 7:00 p.m., 5000 Colfax, NoHo.

A.A. Central Office maintains 24/7 Phone Service for AAs. Go to: www.sfvaa.org to find meeting

info, upcoming events, service meeting info, or download a copy of Recovery Times. Want to be of

service? We are always in need of volunteers to answer phones, especially on weekends and holidays. If

you have a year or more of continuous sobriety, please call Central Office: (818) 988-3001.

Central Office is located at 16132 Sherman Way, Van Nuys, CA. (SW corner of Woodley & Sherman

Way, west of the Mobil Station) and remains open every day for book sales (including weekends) except for

holidays and the last Friday of the month for Inventory. Our large warehouse has all of the A.A. approved

literature and pamphlets that your group needs plus medallions and chips. Central Office is a legitimate

non-profit. Personal donations cannot exceed $3,000 per year and must be

from members of Alcoholics Anonymous, not from outsiders. For more info,

call: (818) 988-3001 or check out our website: www.sfvaa.org.

Public Info. Committee provides info to the public about what A.A. does

& doesn’t do. We need volunteers, especially young people and Spanish-

speaking AAs, for health fairs & to speak at schools & businesses. SF

Valley Hospitals and Institutions Committee (H & I): Temporary

contacts are needed to pair the alcoholic leaving rehabilitation, treatment

or jail with A.A. in their home community. Contact Central Office for info. H

& I also needs volunteers to carry the message of A.A. into hospitals,

prisons and treatment facilities to those who are unable to get to meetings.

See meeting info above. (SFV H & I).

San Fernando Valley Convention Committee: Volunteers are welcome

to participate in the planning of the 2017 Convention. The meeting is the 3rd

Tues. of the month at St. Innocents, 5657 Lindley Ave., Tarzana.

San Fernando Valley Young People in AA: 1st Sunday of the month @ 1

p.m. at Unit A., 10641 Burbank Blvd., North Hollywood. (Regular weekly

meeting: Monday night at 8 p.m.).

San Fernando Valley Intergroup: Central Office holds a monthly meeting

for all Intergroup reps on the 2nd Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. for

orientation with the general meeting to follow at 7 p.m. It takes place at St.

Innocent Church, 5657 Lindley Ave., Tarzana. Intergroup reps provide an

important service to the group. IGRs share information on upcoming AA

events in the Valley. To serve as an Intergroup Rep, call: (818) 988-

3001. Please Support Your Central Office by sending a rep to the monthly

Intergroup meetings the 2nd Monday of every month at St. Innocent Church,

5657 Lindley, Tarzana. We would love to see you!

Celebrating an A.A. Anniversary? Please consider

making a $1.00 donation for each year of your sobriety

during your birthday month and we will list your name and

birthday year in the next issue. Thank you everyone

for your support! This month, we received donations

from the following: Ed C. – 12 Years, Carla R. – 29

Years, Mary Jane – 34 Years & Learning to Live Men’s Stag – 15

Men, 219 Years.

Deaths: None reported.

Has your meeting changed? Please provide meeting updates

in writing to: The Valley Central Office, 16132 Sherman Way, Van Nuys,

CA 91406. If you would like a copy of Recovery Times, please send us

your name, address and payment with $7.00 to cover cost & delivery. Also

include information on whether you want a new subscription, are renewing,

or if you are enclosing an additional contribution. If moving, please give us

your former address. Thank you~

FROM THE

FOUNDERS

“We are trying to

build up extensive

records which will be

of value to a future

historian...

“It is highly important

that the factual

material be placed in

our files in such a

way that there can be

no substantial

distortion...

“We want to keep

enlarging on this idea

for the sake of the full

length history to

come...” Bill W; 1957

“No prophet can presume

to say whether the world

outcome will be blazing

destruction or the

beginning, under God’s

intention, of the brightest

era yet known to

mankind. I am sure we

AAs well comprehend this

scene. In microcosm, we

have experienced this

identical state of

terrifying uncertainty,

each in his own life.”

AA Co-Founder, Bill

W., January 1962

THE RECOVERY TIMES would like to hear your story. Please keep it to 600 words and focus on sobriety.

Please include your sobriety date and an email or phone number then email Pat at:

[email protected].

Thank You Volunteers: Central Office appreciates all of the volunteers who handle phones each day. Without

them, alcoholics who need information might not know where to go. To become a phone volunteer, please

contact Central Office: (818) 988-3001. Central Office Website: Find meeting

schedules, back issues of Recovery Times, and lots of other helpful info:

www.sfvaa.org.

Shop at Central Office: Did you know that you can buy books, literature, medallions

and chips at the lowest price at San Fernando Valley Central Office? Please visit us at:

16132 Sherman Way, Van Nuys, CA. (SW corner of Woodley & Sherman Way, west of the Mobil Station).

Central Office’s hours are: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. M-F, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday & Sunday. (Literature closed last

Fri. of every month for inventory and on major holidays).

To reach our 24-hour telephone hotline and speak with a live person call: (818) 988-3001.

For more info, email us at: [email protected]

_____________________________________________________________

Romantic Delusions

An AA considers commercials selling beer and liquor

Do you find yourself still enjoying beer commercials? I do. I can't seem to get over the most interesting man in the world ones that tell the story of one man's life adventures.

Here's an example of one such commercial. "He once walked past the fountain of youth, did not drink of it, because he was not thirsty…His charm is so contagious, vaccines have been created for it…He bowls overhand... His blood smells like cologne… He is, the most interesting man in the world.” Then he says, "I don't always drink beer, but when I do, I prefer _______."

Wow, this guy's done everything! Well, I've done some pretty interesting stuff in my time of drinking as well. As a matter of fact I turned these commercials into a real life story of myself. I now consider myself the most interesting man in AA.

The following are real life stories of what happens to me when I drink. I decided to explain it in the context and format of those famous beer commercials. This really did happen to me.

"One day in 1984, decided to strip in front of the Hubbard High School football team ... On the 4th of July in 1985, he once blew 27 firecrackers off in his teeth, woke up the next day in a tree with gun powder all over his face ... He was actually arrested twice in one day ... He is, the most interesting man in AA. I don't always drink beer, but when I do, I pee the bed…" Stay sober, my friends! —Mikey U., Chicago, Ill. (Reprinted with permission from the A.A. Grapevine)

Calendar of Upcoming A.A. Events:

Nov. 24 – 25, 2016: 26th Thank-A-Thon, Burbank Group, Winona Ave., Burbank

December 30 – Jan. 1, 2017: San Fernando Group AA Alcathon, Hubbard Street, Sylmar, CA

January 27-29, 2017: 42nd Annual San Fernando Valley A.A. Convention: Warner Center Marriott, Woodland Hills, CA

BEHIND THE SCENES

That meeting book in his hand did not magically appear

As my life got increasingly unmanageable during the last years

of drinking, I withdrew more and more and became isolated

from meaningful interactions with others. That this was happening in midtown Manhattan made life all the

more lonely. So it was with amazement that in early sobriety I discovered AA’s meeting book for our

greater metropolitan area.

While it was as confusing as a train schedule at first, I was like a kid with a new-found toy, running

around town to meetings in a great many unlikely places at all hours of the day and night. Here was a

listing that said a particular sort of AA meeting would be held at a certain time and place, and behold,

there it was—and run by drunks that I would guess hadn’t always been reliable for keeping commitments.

This world was a radically different place from where I’d so recently lived and drunk. A whole different set

of principles were guiding these mostly sober folks who, while they seemed pretty laid back and casual,

were well enough organized to be there when the meeting book said they would be.

A couple years later when doing a weekly stint as a telephone answering volunteer at our intergroup

office, I was able to see how the information was gathered, updated and regularly published. The meeting

lists hadn’t just happened miraculously. They were the result of well-organized effort and just plain hard

work. At last I came to understand that while AA itself must never be organized, there were some jobs in

AA that need to be well-planned.

As a member of our general service area, I found myself working on the planning committee for our

annual area convention, and saw how AA members find strength in getting together to enjoy the broadest

community aspects of our Fellowship. So our convention has become an annual custom that provides

much joy in living and sharing. It needs a lot of careful planning and organizing to make it happen and to

provide for the needs of an unbelievably diverse range of tastes, spirits and temperaments. The going was

not always as smooth as we planned as we did the necessary tasks, but the results were beyond our

wildest dreams. And we all stayed sober right through the Sunday morning meeting that closed the event.

We had created a committee directly responsible to those who need our services. —Boyce B., Brooklyn,

N.Y (Reprinted with permission from the A.A. Grapevine) (Note: The meeting directories in

the San Fernando Valley are organized, updated, and published by your Central Office of A.A.

for the San Fernando Valley.)

_____________________________________________________________________

A.A. Crossword Puzzle: Find the words by reading up, down, sideways and backwards (like

a ‘real’ alcoholic). “Heaven knows, we have tried hard enough and long enough to drink

like other people. Here are some of the methods we tried: Drinking beer only, Limiting

the number of drinks, Never drinking alone, Never drinking in the morning.”

V K N I R D S O S

E A D E C R A T F O

F R E W F A E R H M

B E E R W H L I K E

S R R H E A V E N A

R P J R N V N D D E

R E H T O E A D R O

A O S H U I D K I G

L P N E G N E N N A

O L F L H F I O K R

N E S R Y F L W I S

E M E T H O D S N U

I L I M I T I N G O

R E V E N U M B E R

O D R I N K S A D P

L G N I N R O M N I

Central Office of SFV

16132 Sherman Way

Van Nuys, CA 91406

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED