DECEMBER 1
“SUGGESTED” STEPS
Our Twelfth Step also says that as a result of practicing all the Steps, we have each found something called a spiritual awakening… A.A.’s manner of making ready to receive this gift lies in the practice of the Twelve Steps in our program.”TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, pp. 106-07
I remember my sponsor’s answer when I told him that the Steps were “suggested.” He replied that they are “suggested” in the same way that, if you were to jump out of an airplane with a parachute, it is “suggested” that you pull the ripcord to save your life. He pointed out that it was “suggested” I practice the Twelve Steps, if I wanted to save my life. So I try to remember daily that I have a whole program of recovery based on all Twelve of the “suggested” Steps.First Wednesday… December 4th
Come join a review of Step 12 on December 4th (First Wednesday). “Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.”
John reviews the step corresponding to the number of that month on each first Wednesday. It’s a rewarding meeting with John outlining the step of the month, how he was challenged by it and how we tackle it ourselves, with and without success! Look for his monthly contribution in this edition!
The GSR Says!
GENERAL SERVICE REPORT FOR November, 2024
Central California Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous
November 16, 2024 Delegate Meeting
- The CCFAA now has 126 delegates. 47 delegates attended this meeting.
- Sobriety birthdays for November totaled 64 years.
- The CCFAA 2025 proposed budget was unanimously approved. Details of this budget can be found on the CCFAA website.
- The CCFAA Annual Elections were held. There were 12 Service Positions to be filled. Each position has a sobriety requirement, required qualifications, and a term of service from 1-2 years. Results of this election will be made available on the CCFAA website shortly.
These were the points of interest for this November’s meeting.
Thank you for allowing me to be of service.
Mark Q.
Funny Pages
December Birthdays… IF They Make It!
December 1st… Tim K. celebrates 7 years
December 8th… Erik L. celebrates 5 years
December 28th… Ryan D. celebrates 1 year
December 29th… Keith D. celebrates 12 years
If your birthday has been missed…. fill out the birthday form.
We really want to celebrate your AA anniversary because your birthday made ours possible!
Thanks everybody and apologies to you if you were missed or incorrectly noted.
2024 Annual Business Meeting Report
November 8, 2024
- John M, the meeting facilitator, opened the meeting with a big Thank You for all who were
in attendance. He also thanked those who provided food and drinks, and for Jeremy and
Mark for setting up the chairs and tables. - All attendees introduced themselves.
- The Step 2 Men’s Group Statement was read.
- Chuck was introduced as the new Step 2 Men’s Group Thursday meeting Secretary.
- Mark W. provided the Annual Financial Report.
- Mark Q. provided the General Service Representative Report.
- The Annual Grant Miller Award was presented to Tim C. for his most generous service.
- On a motion, the meeting was closed.
Contributed by Mark Q
“Mouse’s Corner”
A.A. member Dave Mc. curates a few selected readings from a variety of A.A. related publications each month.
We begin to find a spirit within us that is our constant companion as we continue to explore and deepen our connection with a Power greater than ourselves. We realize we are spiritually connected with something bigger than we are.
Just for today page 157
Contributed by Dave Mc.
Step 2 Men’s Group Believes…
“Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.”
We’d never presume that the 12 Steps are not clear. Nor would we imply that they need ‘improvement’. However…for purposes of assisting to keep the meeting pointed in an important direction each day, the “Step 2 Men’s Group Statement” is read as follows:
Step 2 Men’s Group is founded on the belief that spirituality is essential to our sobriety.
Our group is non-religious, but we do not oppose anyone’s religious beliefs. We believe that respect for others and their beliefs is essential to our spiritual development.
Accordingly we ask that avoid criticism of others or of their religion or lack of religion, their race, ethnicity, national origin, age, sexual orientation, physical appearance, trade or profession, length of sobriety, or personal beliefs.
Our goal is to further our spirituality, our sobriety and our personal development, not to confront or belittle others. Always remember to be kind to others.
Tradition 12
Short Form
“Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our Traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.”
Long Form
“And finally, we of Alcoholics Anonymous believe that the principle of anonymity has an immense spiritual significance. It reminds us that we are to place principles before personalities; that we are actually to practice a genuine humility. This to the end that our great blessings may never spoil us; that we shall forever live in thankful contemplation of Him who presides over us all.”
Tradition Summary
Principles First – People Second
Why are we repeatedly asked in the Traditions to give up ourselves for the greater good? The answer is because any relationship we have that does not involve sacrifice is a relationship that likely will not endure. Each tradition straightens out a disastrous attitude we had about relationships. The twelfth tradition teaches us that a spirit of sacrifice (often times through anonymity) is vital to good relationships.
Giving up the expectation of rewards for doing good is difficult for most of us. It’s easy for us to give and then think, “Well, I’ll get a reward, even if I don’t get public recognition for what I did.” To remove that reward symbol from the back of our minds for whatever good we do is part of practicing anonymity. The next time you hear a speaker in A.A. whose personality is exciting from the platform, see if you can hear the principles behind their words? To which step, tradition, or concept can you relate their pitch? Setting ourselves aside and focusing on the principles of our program is a crucial component in the foundation we need for studying the Traditions and learning how to be in healthier relationships with our fellow A.A.’s and with those in the world around us.
Step-Tradition Parallel
The twelfth step poses the question, “What is a spiritual awakening?” I believe that the evidences of a spiritual awakening are found in a person who practices the twelfth tradition in all their affairs. Such a person sacrifices self in order to practice principles. Their motive in practicing all of the traditions is anonymity: they sacrifice to help others.
The twelfth tradition completes the twelfth step in the following way: I become spiritually awake when I carry the message by anonymously practicing sober principles.
From an idea by George T.
My First Meeting
Please be “of service.” If you’ve never contributed a “My First Meeting”, please help to keep this column going…we need you! What do you remember most of your first meeting? It can be one sentence; it can be up to two paragraphs. Could be funny, poignant or strictly “clinical”. Write what you want…you might have enjoy writing it!
John M
Our friend Mark W came up with an idea the other day. Wipe that smirk off your face! He is the one who conjured up the idea for this newsletter.
It was bright and early the other morning. I had just made my first cup, a double shot latte in a small cup. Mark W. called all excited. Mark thought it would be a good idea if we appropriated some money for T-shirts for everybody.
I gazed down at the top of my cup, trying to discern if the pattern of small bubbles on the top meant some secret code.
Mark became quite animated. He spoke about changing the Tuesday and Thursday meetings into “gatherings” where we would all wear the shirts. Then go to bars and hand out Step Two Men’s business cards to the early liquid lunch crowd. Each card would have a little blurb about our meetings, our solidarity and brotherhood.
I let him go one a while. Then he got to this point about all having similar hair cuts so people would know who we are.
I had to interrupt.
Mark, I said, you do not have that much hair to cut.
Then he tells me, that’s true, so I would have to cut my hair and shave parts of my head to match his.
He gets so exuberant. He’s just like he was when he was this little kid I knew.
Mark, I said, I think we will have to table this idea until the next Annual Meeting. I may need to recruit some people for your intervention, I said.
What?! He cries, “Interv…
Intervention, I say hurriedly.
But, I mean you should think about this. Step 12 is not about going out and preaching or confronting people you think have a problem with alcohol. You need to be ready when someone asks for help.
Have you ever thought about what you would say? It might take more than “Find a Meeting”.
You should think of what you would say to someone who asks for advise or help.
To hone that skill, Mark, you lead by example. People who knew you before will marvel at your happiness, and how your jokes and humorous anecdotes make more sense now. If you see an elderly person with too many groceries, stop and help them. That kind of thing.
As you know, doing service for the Group or Organization is also part of the 12th Step. Things like that.
“I still think it’s a good idea” Mark says.
Yeah, Yeah , We’ll talk about it ..
Contributed by John M.
Our Trusted Servants Continue to Be:
The current Step 2 Men’s Group meeting schedule is 11:30am Monday, Wednesday & Friday at 3809 J St, Tuesday & Thursday online, Saturday in the park is “Daily Reflections” and Sunday is our Rogue meeting in the park. Each gathering is one hour. Great job men!
- Monday: Tim C.
- Tuesday: Mark C.
- Wednesday: John M.
- Thursday: Chuck S.
- Friday: Jon B.
- Saturday: Dave M.
- Sunday: Mark C.
Want to add your name to the “Back-up-Help-Substitute Secretary List”? Just contact Group GS, John M., Treasurer Mark W. or any of our other Secretaries and let them know!
Extra Special Thanks Dept:
Thanks to our General Secretary John M. for “…not a Cult, Dave Mc. for “Mouse’s Corner”, George T for comics, and our Treasurer Mark W. for all your contributions. We’re still waiting for YOU gentle reader…Why don’t YOU contribute a short “something?” Any length, most any AA related topic. Reply now and it will get included next month!
Men’s Gazette – November 2024