Our newly elected trusted servants
        Here's a tip of the hat to our Harrisburg Area Intergroup officers who were elected at the February meeting.  Our former vice chairperson, Lee Ann C., of the Out of the Dark Group, who took over as chairperson mid-way last year, was elected to a full two-year term in the post. Bob H., Trudgers Group, was elected vice chair.  Gaining re-election were Georgia S., 19th Street Group, as secretary; and Craig P., Survivors Group, as treasurer.  Those who attend Intergroup meetings know the huge commitment that these jobs require and the enthusiasm that is necessary to keep things working smoothly as we carry the message to a lot of folks who never would receive it without the outreach that all of you make possible for Intergroup to provide.

$$ & sense
  Thanks to a larger than usual sale of literature, Intergroup made a slight gain in its balance at the end of January, compared with the previous month, but group contributions continue to lag.  At the beginning of the month, our balance---in addition to our $2,000 "prudent reserve"---was $2,470.84, compared to $2,848.52 at the end of the month, according to treasurer Craig P.  Our expenses for January included 98.58 for our telephone answering service, $135.38 to Verizon for our own telephones, $200 for rent and $773.88 for literature---a total of $1,207.84.  Income included $324.70 in contributions, $1,196.14 from literature sales. $52 from schedules, and $12.68 in interest---a total of $1,585.52, or $377.68 over expenses.

A 7th Tradition idea!
       Conversations with  members of many groups in the Harrisburg area reveal what seems to be a truth about making contributions to Harrisburg Area Intergroup: the sentiment unanimously supports such contributions, but it seems that often the groups neglect that part of their budget because they are simply pre-occupied with the other business of the moment. That being true, here's an idea that many groups have put to good practice.  And like all good AA ideas, it's simple.  Once a month, the Seventh Tradition basket is passed twice---once for regular support of the group and another time for Intergroup.  Some groups set aside the contributions of one meeting every month for Intergroup.  Simpler yet.  Any other ideas?  We'd like to hear them.  We're not willing to buy the notion that better than half our groups actually make a decision not to support the Twelfth Step activities of AA in the Harrisburg area.
        Intergroup thanks the three groups---19th Street, Hershey, and Fisherville---that have contributed a total of $324.70 so far this year.

Everything set for big night in Middletown
        The Trudgers and the Survivors groups of Middletown have tied up all the loose ends on their planning for a big event that they're calling "Happy, Joyous, and Free...An Evening with Polly P." It'll all start at 6:30 p.m. at Water & Union Streets in Middletown (Just open your ears, and you'll find it). And it's free!  No tickets needed;  the Seventh Tradition basket will be passed. Polly P., well known to many members in these parts, was originally scheduled to appear at last fall's "Shot of Enthusiasm" in Middletown, but had to cancel because of airline snafus.  This time she'll be loaded for bear with "Polly Pistol Talk," whatever that is.  There'll be other speakers, too, of course, and a "Traditions Skit"---something the Trudgers and Survivors picked up at Founders Day in Akron.  They promise there'll be a lot of laughs.  There'll also be lots of good food and snacks, but most of all, there'll be a lot of good AA fellowship.  Mark your calendar now.  This will be a good one.
 
 

Attendance picking up at Intergroup
    The following groups attended the February Intergroup meeting: It Works, 40th Street, Ain't You Had Enough?, Carlisle, Mid-City, There's More to Life, We Have a Choice, Serenity, Desire, Hershey, Winding It Up (Lykens), Fisherville, West Shore, Bridge Street, and many coordinators of special Intergroup activities.  Also attending were representatives of Fellowship House and District #36.  It's heartening to see more groups coming out---especially after the serious early-winter lull we experienced.

Pearl of the month

        "At this juncture, we can hear a churchman exclaim, 'They are making disobedience a virtue!' He is joined by a psychiatrist who says, 'Defiant brats! They won't grow up and conform to social usage!' The man in the street says, 'I don't understand it.  They must be nuts!' But all these observers have overlooked something unique in Alcoholics Anonymous.  Unless each member follows to the best of his ability our suggested Twelve Steps to recovery, he almost certainly signs his own death warrant.  His drunkenness and dissolution are not penalties inflicted by people in authority; they result from his personal disobedience to spiritual principles.

Speaker meetings and short stuff
   Speaking at the Bridge Street Group's Sunday 8 p.m. meeting will be, on March 4, David E, of the Up the Creek Group. The remainder are from Gettysburg: March 11, Lori; March 18, Kroll; March 25, Pete; April 1, Brad; and April 8, Ken J.  Speaking at the 19th Street Group's Friday 8:30 meeting will be Bob C., March 2; Irene, March 9; Keith S., March 16; and Bruce E., March 23.  All are 19th Street Group members.  April 30 is reserved for the group's anniversary meeting.  Hershey Group recently started an open speaker meeting  at 8 p.m. on the first Saturday of each month.  Speaking there will be Chet. A., of Carlisle, March 3; Jim, of Middletown, April 7; and Bob S., Hershey, May 5.
       The 4th annual Cape Cod "Pockets of Enthusiasm" will be held March 23-25 in North Falmouth, MA, for those who like to travel to New England when it's still miserably winter.  Call 800-255-3110 for more info.
       The 4th annual Sunlight of the Spirit Conference will be held August 17-19 in York.  We're reminding you early because space is limited, and there are a number of Harrisburg area members who like to attend.  You can get all the info you need at www.sosyork.org.
   "Arch to Freedom," billed as the "first international men's conference" will be held in St. Louis April 20-22.  You can get details at 314-962-3369.
 

Men's Spiritual Retreat set
        Most of the final planning is complete for the 3rd Men's Closed Spiritual Retreat, to be held August 3-5 at Precious Blood Spiritual Center (PBS) in Columbia.  Brochures will soon be available at groups throughout the area.The focus of this year's retreat will be the Twelfth Step and will examine all three parts of that step---our spiritual awakening, how we carry the message, and how we can better "practice these principles" in all our affairs.  This retreat has rapidly become one of the more popular in the area, and slots are limited, so you'll want to make your reservations early.  The superb food, modern accomodations, and beautiful surroundings all lend themselves to a terrific weekend.  If you want to guarantee your place right now, just make out  a non-refundable check for $20 to Men's Spiritual Retreat and mail it to Men's Spiritual Retreat, 3209 Earle Street, Harrisburg, PA 17109.  If you want more information, call Jim B. at 717-232-4180, Moses B. at 717-238-3924, Ed L. at 717-652-3801, or Bob S. at 717-761-6151.

Anniversaries
        Jim S., of Carlisle, celebrated 20 years of continuous sobriety February 20, and when he got to the There's More to Life Group meeting February 24, he had quite a surprise waiting for him. One of his sponsees, Bob H.,  presented him with a greeting card that carried congratulatory messages, along with pictures,  from some pretty prominent people---like Bill W. and Dr. Bob for starters.  The darned thing looked like it came straight from Hallmark, but as it turned out, it was made by Bob H. and his trusty computer.  Great!
        Celebrating eight years February 18 was Bobby McK., of Dillsburg.  Tom K., of Winding It Up Group, marked one year Feb. 6, and Derek K., who attends meetings at Fellowship House, chalked up 16 years.
       The Joy of Living Group had five anniversaries in February.  They were Douglas, 18 years; Tina H., three years; Roweena J., two years; and Don M. and Jamie M., both one year. Way to go!
    Another celebrant  was Margarite M., an old friend of many Harrisburg area AAs, who had 11 years on Feb. 18.  You can send her congrats at mjmccand@cfw.com.

Traditions checklist
        In the late 1960's, Grapevine published some questions for members to ask themselves as a sort of Tenth Step on how they are living up to the AA traditions.  We will reprint them here, in part and from time to time. Thanks to Ed H. for bringing them to us.
    Tradition One: Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon AA unity.
1) Am I a healing, mending, integrating person, or am I divisive?  What about gossip and taking other members' inventories?
2) Am I a peacemaker? Or do I plunge into argument?
3) Am I gentle with those who rub me the wrong way, or am I abrasive?
4) Do I make competitive AA remarks, such as comparing one group with another or contrasting AA in one area to AA in another?
5) Do I put down some AA activities as if I were superior for not participating in this or that aspect of AA?
6) Am I informed about AA as a whole? Do I support, in every way I can, AA as a whole, or just the parts I understand and approve of?
7) Am I as considerate of AA members as I want them to be of me?
8) Do I spout platitudes about love while indulging in and secretly justifying behavior that bristles with hostility?
9) Do I go to enough AA meetings or read enough AA literature to really keep in touch?
10) Do I share with AA all of me, the bad and the good, accepting as well as giving the help of fellowship?

Let's support new groups
        There was a time not too long ago when AAs would load the vans and head out to the hinterlands to lend their support to a new---and often struggling---meeting.  Frequently, that early shot of support meant the difference between the new group catching on in the area or dying on the vine.  Those members who made those trips of love usually found a lot of new friends in interesting surroundings and came home with that good feeling that they had done something constructive for another recovering alcoholic in order to stay sober themselves one more day.  Want to rekindle that good feeling?  Then you might want to load up the car (van, bus, motorcycles, bikes) and head out to the We Have a Choice Group's new open meeting on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. in Enola.  They're at 4685 Mount Zion Road, and if ya can't find that, call Ollie W. at 731-8942. He's probably out on the road looking for you right now.

    In case you forget how a little alcohol can  blur reality...

All kinds of meetings
        In the coming months, we'll list some non-traditional meetings---special interests, handicapped, on-line---for you to pass along to those who might be able to take advantage of them.  It's a long list, so we'll just include a handful of them at a time. Addresses are bold.
        OIAA (Online Intergroup of A.A.) intergroup-approval@world.std.com;
AA, martikin@gte.net; AA24hours, aa24hr@nic.fi; Aamen Online, owner-aamen@io.com; Aaonline @ aol, aamailbox@aol.com; AA Higher Power On Line, awritermsw@aol.com; AA Lesbians, aalesbians@aol.com; Australia, deloresb@powerup.com.au; Alfamail online AA, alfamail@eunet.no; AAWOL (AA Way of Life), lawrence @combdyn.com.  We'll do some more next time.  We haven't sampled any of these, so if you run across something that's obviously counter to AA traditions, please let us know.