New Editor for SN
        Al D., of the Middletown groups, has graciously agreed to take over the editorship of Sobriety News, beginning with the July issue.  The current editor, Bill C., is stepping down just because he thinks these jobs should rotate throughout the fellowship as much as possible.  It's too easy, he says, to develop "ownership" of something we're only entrusted with.  We wish Al well in his new service venture and look forward to what surely will be a fresh approach to getting out the word in the Harrisburg area.

PENNSCYPAA picnic...the ultimate!
        Here it is!  The picnic that will give new meaning to outdoor fun!  PENNSCYPAA---the Pennsylvania State Conference of Young People in AA---will hold its last pre-convention fun(d)raiser June 23 at Veterans Memorial Park in Susquehanna Township.  That's on Elmerton Avenue right across from the State Police headquarters.  Tickets are eight bucks each, but that includes more than eight bucks could buy anywhere else.  There'll be hot dogs, hamburgers and soda the day long; two big meals, all kinds of fun and games, two 50-50 drawings, and raffles---13-inch color TV, women's roller blades (size 8), CD player with changer, a whole mess of recovery-related items, and lots more.  There are tennis and basketball courts if that's your thing, and if your kids have a preference for some game they play at home, bring it along.  PENNSCYPAA (it's not just for the young in years, but the young in spirit as well) has been staging a round of exciting events to finance the statewide convention, which they will host here.  Give them your solid support.  It's truly refreshing to have their enthusiasm permeate our ranks the way it has for the past couple of years.

Mechanicsburg Serenity Group anniversary set
        Mechanicsburg Serenity Group will mark 20 years of unity, service and recovery with big doings from 6 to 9 p.m. August 13 at the Mechanicsburg Presbyterian Church, 300 East Simpson Street, Mechanicsburg.  The guest speaker---a really good one, from what we hear---will be Fran H. from New York City. The celebration is open to the whole family.  There'll be lots of good food (you can bring a dessert) and lots of good fellowship.  Mark it down now.  Group anniversaries are important.  They remind us that a lot of people who walked the path ahead of us made it possible for us to be sober today.  And without them...who knows?
 
 
 
 
 
 

Speakers and other stuff
        On the program at the Bridge Street Sunday 8 p.m. meeting  are Bob S., 16th Street Group, June 10; Tom M., Pine Street Group, June 17; Joel M., Attitude Adjustment meeting, June 24; and Tom B., Up the Creek Group, July 1.
        Speakers at the 19th Street Friday 8:30 p.m. meeting will be Joe W., June 8; Christine S., June 15; and Linda M., June 22.....The 19th Street anniversary meeting is held the last Friday of each month.....Here's a note you should have gotten months ago:  The Perdix meeting has moved to 301 N. High Street, Duncannon, Wednesdays at 8 p.m....A new 7:30 p.m. meeting started June 6 at the Newberry Church of God.  Take exit 13 off I-83 South and go past Rutters.  The church is on the left and there's parking in back which you will find if you take a left at the first street beyond the church and then make another left until you see the lot in back of the church.   The Back to Basics Group is looking for support for its Friday 7 p.m. closed discussion at the  Yocumtown Church of God, 160 Red Mill Road, Etters....Seen on the front of a pickup truck at Fellowship House: "This too shall pass." That message probably took on a whole new meaning to anyone who saw it  in a rear-view mirror as it approached from the rear....The Elizabethtown Group will mark its 26 anniversary June 14 at Christ Lutheran Church, 75 E. High Street, E'town.  Things will get underway with food and fellowship at 7 p.m. At 8 p.m. Harry R. will share his experience, strength and hope.

Drop by...see what's cookin'
        Even if you're not an intergroup rep, you can get a taste of the big picture of recovery in the Harrisburg Area just by sitting in on an Intergroup meeting or two.  Nowhere else will you find people pitching in to carry the message more eagerly than you'll find right here.  And lately there's been a heightened aura of excitement surrounding the meetings.  Attendance is up and some extremely important developments are in the works, so come on out---the first Thursday of every month at Fellowship house,  6:45 p.m.

Thanks for the bucks!
        Contributions for May totalled $577.15  from six groups---19th Street, 40th Street, How It Works, Women's Serenity, Survivors, and Concordia.  That brings the year-to-date total to $2,036 and it looks like things are getting better.  Thanks much to those who have contributed---some of them more than once. If your group hasn't contributed this year, Intergroup would appreciate your giving it some serious thought. There are lots of coffee cans with money in them sitting on shelves in meeting rooms, and where better to spend it? Perhaps your group hestitates to send anything in because the members think the amount they can afford would be insignificant.  Not to worry!  Every penny counts, and every penny is used to carry the message to some alcoholic who might not otherwise hear it.
        Remember, if your group is sending a contribution to Intergroup, make sure the check legend tells us that. Checks should be mailed to HAI, 1251 S. 19th St., Harrisburg, PA 17104.
        On another note, there's a little piece of literature making the rounds to try to boost AA contributions.  It makes a good point---several good points: In 1960 a "Coke" was priced at 10 cents; now it's as high as a buck.  Coffee was a dime; now it's a buck or more.  In 1960 cigarettes were 25-50 cents; now they're edging near $4.  And where has the dollar outlay remained constant---or, shall we say, stagnant? AA, of course.  Someone figured that back in 1960, contributions averaged about a buck.  And 41 years later?  Still a buck.
That's pretty funny in a fellowship whose program is based in large part on getting in touch with reality.

Ah, yes... We remember so well!
        The memories were rich, the chicken was barbecued to a tasty turn, the speakers were inspiring---that's an understatement---the weather turned out just fine, and more than a few tears were shed as we remembered our dear friends who have died in sobriety.  In short, the Memorial Day weekend at Fellowship House was everything anyone had hoped for, and then more. Woven through all the events was the 50th anniversary of the formation of Alanon Association, Inc., the corporation that was formed to build Fellowship House.
        The festivities got underway at 8 a.m. Sunday with Sam P., of Dover, sharing his experience about his early days of sobriety at Fellowship House and what the "clubhouse" means to him.  Like the other speakers, Sam had a strong word to say about why he keeps coming back to share.  "I hear some old-timers say they just don't have time to do this sort of thing," he said. "I don't think that's fair.  Thank God, the old-timers were around when I got here.  I'm not sure where I would be, if anywhere, had they not been here.  So I make sure I'm there for other newcomers. Emma G., of York, and Bill F., of Maryland, echoed his words as they told their own stories.  Each speaker meeting was preceded by a five minute presentation on the history of Alanon Assoc. Inc. Great stuff all of it.
    At the Memorial Tree Sunday, about 50 members got together to say thanks to those who were here for them but aren't around anymore. We're going to list them here---the ones who are gone, that is.  If you know someone who died in sobriety but isn't on the list, let us know---through your Intergroup rep or the 19th Street Group. Here they are: Bill W., Dr. Bob, Ed H., Ed C., Lucy H., Kier E., Bob "Stony" S., Robert "Spanky" S., Betty G., Peggy W., Paul Sm., Don "Cabby Don" K., Keith B., Jimmy, Bill M., Greg K., Jim P., Joe B., Wally M., Joyce, Mick N., Emil L., Jerry L., Bruce O., Frank M., Mike M., Stan L., Billie, Jeremy C., Ray Y., Brevard S., June N., "Ponytail" Bruce, Allen R., Winnie B., Joe C., Jimmy C., Ollie, Dick P., Jay Heim, Margaret S., Ed "Keep Comin' Back!" L., John M., Ike E., Dottie, Dr. Robert S. (another one), Charlie G., Kenny, Charlie E., Leigh L. (who died earlier in the week), Mark, Paul St., Smokey M., Carol M., Les "Good Les" M. There are countless more whose names we don't have.
    So it was a great celebration.  We thank everyone who had a hand in it---19th Street Group, Fellowship House Committee, Harry M.'s crew at the chicken sacrifice altar, the Alanon Assoc. Inc. board members and the 125 folks who scarfed down the dinner.
 
 
 
 
 

Pearl of the month

        When therefore we AAs look to the future, we must always be asking ourselves if the spirit which now binds us together in our common cause will always be stronger than those personal ambitions and desires which tend to drive us apart. So long as the positive forces are greater, we cannot fail.  Happily, so far, the ties that bind us have been much stronger than those that might break us.  Though the individual AA is under no human coercion, is at almost perfect personal liberty, we have, nevertheless, achieved a wonderful unity on vital essentials.

Treasury takes a dip
        Sometimes it's two steps forward, three back.  Last month, we were able to improve somewhat on our previous month's bank balance.  In April, however, we fell behind again---thanks to smaller contributions and greater expenses.  The report for April from Craig P., our treasurer, shows that we started the month with $3,670.18, including our 2,000 "prudent reserve." We ended the month with $2,935.27, or $734.91 less than the start-of-the-month balance.  Our income in April totalled $648.81,  consisting of $290 in contributions, $346.30 from sale of schedules, and $12.51 interest.  Our expenses totalled $1,383.72: Medical Bureau (telephone answering service), $197; Verizon (our own telephones), $122.60; Rent, $200; literature, $814.12; and deposit for picnic, $50.

Empty meeting seats---not to worry!
    If you don't see some of the familiar faces at your meetings June 9-10, it's probably because a pretty good number of local members visit Akron, Ohio, for Founders' Day this time of year. For the relative newcomer, Going to Founders' Day is a sort of rite of passage in AA---once visited, never forgotten.  And the inspiration of the weekend somehow transforms the lukewarm AA member into a "Big Book" thumper of the first order. So if you hear of anyone who has a room reservation but can't meet the commitment, don't hesitate. Snap it up!  You'll be with many thousands of other AAs in a barrage of meetings, special programs and entertainment like you've never witnessed before.  And if you can hold your emotions in check during the historic tour, then you're more iron-nerved than some.  There's something awe-inspiring about standing at the gate house of the Seiberling Mansion where Bill W. first met with Dr. Bob or visiting the home of Dr. Bob and Annie and a lot of other places where the seeds of our salvation were sown.  If you're into wildest dreams, how about this one: three or four buses from Harrisburg, chartered by Harrisburg Area Intergroup, all headed for Akron and a glorious celebration of sobriety at Founders' Day 2002.  It could be done.  Oh yes, it could.
 

Fellowship of the Spirit
        The 2001 Fellowship of the Spirit Conference is scheduled for July 26-29 at Silver Creek Resort, Silver Creek, Colorado.  This is a Big Book-based event that offers workshops on all the Twelve Steps and a lot of speakers, including Jack S., of Denver; Bob, of Las Vegas, and Frank M., of Chicago. There's also strong participation from Alanon.  If you're interested, you'll probably want to move quickly.  Reservations are limited to 575 people. For info, call Tom Brown at 303-388-1147 or e-mail him at www.fots.com.

Cell phones to augment Hotline starting in August
        Tentative plans call for the use of a rotating cellular telephone as a key to improving the AA Hotline beginning in August. A group of four Intergroup testers have been using the cell phones since the start of May and will continue through July to work out any bugs in a system that has worked well in other areas---most notably on the West Shore.  The plan is to have groups volunteer to handle the cell phone for one month at a time. Tina B., Hotline manager, will provide thorough training. The cell phone basically will serve as a buffer during  times when the "live" Hotline at Fellowship House is not being manned by volunteers.  In addition to providing more constant coverage at a reduced cost, the cell phone is expected to permit more detailed record keeping.  More importantly, we will be much more certain to have recovering alcoholics talking directly with those seeking the help of AA.  As things stand now, a commercial answering service handles calls when the AA Hotline isn't staffed by volunteers, and the commercial service frequently is not staffed by folks who understand AA or the problems of a suffering alcoholic who is reaching out for help.  Your group can play a major part in making this new system work well.  When the call goes out for volunteers, just make sure your group is at the head of the line.

Intergoup participation continues to improve
        The list of groups sending a representative to Intergroup meetings keeps growing.  And with the increase in attendance, there has been a general increase in the liveliness of meetings.  It seems also that more and more really important issues are getting an airing.  It all gives added meaning to "together we can do what none of us can do alone."  Groups at the May meeting were Up the Creek, a new Jackson Tower group, Hershey, It Works, Joy of Living, 19th Street, 40th Street, Ain't You Had Enough, Bridge Street, Carlisle, Desire, Dillsburg Area, Lambda, Pine Street, Serenity (Mechanicsburg), Survivors, There's More to Life, Trudgers, West Shore, Winding It Up, Women's Serenity (Camp Hill), and PENNSCYPAA.  Many others who aren't officially representatives attended.  If you want to see service in action, you're welcome to attend too---6:45 p.m. the first Thursday of each month.  Better yet, if your group has no rep, why not send one.
 

What God might say to us
    This item is much longer than we usually choose to run, but here it is because it's worth it.  Jim D. passed it on.
           If God spoke to AA, he might have said, "Unto your weak and feeble hands I have entrusted a power beyond your estimation.  To   you has been given that which has been denied the most learned of your fellows.  Not to scientists or statesmen, not even to priests and ministers have I given this gift of healing other alcoholics, which I entrust to you.  It must be used unselfishly.  It carries with it grave responsibilities.  No day can be too long, no demands on your time can be too urgent, no case too pitiable, no task too hard, no effort too great.   It must be used with tolerance for I have restricted its application to no race, no creed, and no denomination.
        Personal criticism you must expect, lack of appreciation will be common, ridicule will be your lot, and your motives will be mis-judged.  Success will not always attend your efforts in your work with other alcoholics.  You must be prepared for adversity, for what men call adversity is the ladder you must use to ascend towards spiritual perfection.  I shall not exact of you beyond your capabilities.  You are the selected because of exceptional talents.  Be careful always, if success does attend your efforts, not to ascribe to personal superiority that to which you can lay claim only by virtue of My gift.
        If I had wanted learned men to accomplish this mission, My power would have been entrusted to the physician and scientist.  If I had wanted eloquent men there would have been many anxious for this assignment, for talk is the easiest used of all talents with which I have endowed mankind. If I had wanted scholarly men, the world is filled with better qualified than you, who would have been available.  You were selected because you have been the outcasts of the world, and your experience as a drunkard has made, or should make you, humbly alert to the cries of distress that come from lonely hearts of alcoholics everywhere.  Keep in mind the admission that you made on the day of your profession of AA---namely, that you are powerless, and that it was only by your willingness to turn your life and will into My keeping that relief came to you.
        Think not that because you have been dry one year or two years or even ten years that it is the result of your unaided efforts.  The help which has been keeping you normal will keep you so just as long as you live this program which I have mapped out for you.  Beware of pride that comes from growth, the power of numbers, and invidious comparisons between yourselves or your organization with other organizations whose success depends on numbers, money, and position.  These material things are no part of your creed.  The success of material organizations comes from the pooling of joint assets; yours from the union of mutual liabilities.  Appeal for membership in material organizations is based on the boastful recital of their accomplishments; yours on the humble admission of weakness.  The wealth of material organizations, when they take their inventory, is measured by what they have left; yours, when you take moral inventory, by what you have given."                                                    Author unknown
 

Men's retreat still has a few open slots

        There are still a few remaining slots open for the Men's Closed Spiritual Retreat, August 3-5 at Precious Blood Spiritual Center in Comumbia, PA.  This marks the third year for this retreat---which was organized by men in the Harrisburg area but is now attracting friends from outside as well.  The Twelfth Step will be the focus of this year's event---a close examination of the spiritual awakening,  carrying of the message, and the help of another alcoholic that are spoken of so eloquently in that step.  Precious Blood Spiritual Center offers beautiful rural surroundings, nice sleeping accomodations, and absolutely great food.  Our leaders are all recovering alcoholics, whose experience guides us on our spiritual way through whole-group sessions and small group meetings. If you choose to join us, we can promise one thing: you will leave with a much richer and deeper understanding of the true gift that the Twelfth Step really offers us.  For more info, call Moses B. at 232-4180; Bob S., at 761-6151; Bill C., at 362-9352; Jim B., at 232-4180; or Ed L., at 652-3801.

G.S.Rs:  “Guardians of the Traditions”

Bill W. once said that the GSR “may be the most important job in A.A.”  If that’s the case, then how come our District only has 10 GSRs out of a potential 53 regularly attending District meetings? 

Imagine if you traveled to an area without a meeting, no AA literature, not even a hotline to call for help.  What would you do?  Get drunk?  Do what Bill W. did and call from a hotel bar pay phone in search of a wet drunk to 12-step and stay sober? Imagine if you’re a single-parent, a shut-in, blind, deaf, non-bilingual, an inmate, an ex-con, or a dry drunk released from a mental hospital or detox.  How would you go to any lengths if meetings and hotlines weren’t available? 

That’s where General Service Representatives (GSRs) come in and ensure that the hand of AA is always available to anyone, anywhere.  GSRs encourage their Home groups to donate left over  7^th Tradition contributions to Intergroups, Areas, Districts, General Service Office, etc. to guarantee that the hand of AA is available around the world thru literature, films, pamphlets, speakers, prison and treatment facilities, activities, meetings, and meeting schedules.  GSRs also protect the Traditions.  We discuss group actions that may affect AA as a whole.  For example, did you know that a closed meeting group that votes to open a meeting is violating their own business group’s conscience, the 4^th Tradition, and is affecting AA as a whole?  Did you know that men’s meetings, women’s meetings, and gay meetings are not violations of the 3^rd Tradition?  Controversial?  You bet; but, that’s why GSRs vote for delegates to represent AA at the annual General Service Conference to discuss these matters to the General Service Board and vote on these issues as a whole and uphold our 5^th Tradition. 

So, what’s this mean to YOU?  Service work.  You or someone you know may need a two-year service commitment to stay sober.  We ask that you have 2-3 years of sobriety, belong to a Home group that holds regular business meetings, and attend GSR meetings at 19^th Street, the 2^nd Tuesday of every month at 6:30 p.m.  Alternate GSRs are welcome as well.  We need both of you to help carry on the Third Legacy of Service and prevent AA from sinking into oblivion.

Beth H., 40^th Street Group GSR