Saying Yes to Service (How the Intergroup Scoop Was Born)
In the summer of 2020, Mary M. contacted then-Intergroup Office Administrator James R., inquiring about whether Central Office needed help documenting guidelines for Zoom and in-person meetings. James declined the offer but asked Mary to help recruit newsletter committee members and start a newsletter. James, Mary and others recruited additional members and the newsletter committee […]
AA History: Naming the Big Book…And the Program
by Dan M. In coming months, we’ll explore the history of the creation of the book, Alcoholics Anonymous. One thing that always surprises people new to this story is that Bill W. was only 3 ½ years sober when he wrote the first 164 pages, which became the primary text for the AA program. He […]
Heard in a Meeting: When I’m drinking, I’ll steal your wallet and….
When I’m drinking, I’ll steal your wallet and help you look for it. I try to practice what I call “sneaky kindness” — doing something for someone else and not get found out. I was told to focus on the step I’m on and not the whole staircase. When they passed the basket, I thought […]
When Politics Come Between a Sponsor and Sponsee
In the “meeting after the meeting” recently, a member confided that he was looking for a new sponsor. The recent Presidential campaign and election had put a spotlight on their disparate political and social beliefs. He explained that he had lost a connection with his sponsor due to the sponsor’s political views and wasn’t sure […]
6 Tips on Making it Through the Holidays Sober
The holidays can be a difficult time to stay sober for many reasons—protect your sobriety with these tips. 1. Meetings and more meetings. As is true year-round, meetings are an important tool to keep us connected and sober. Stock up now. It’s always easier to keep going to meetings than to start going to meetings. […]
AA History: Jack Alexander’s 1941 “Saturday Evening Post” Article—A Milestone in AA History
by Dan M. “They were good-looking and well-dressed, and as we sat around drinking Coca-Cola, they spun yarns about their horrendous drinking misadventures. The stories sounded spurious, and after the visitors had left, I had a strong suspicion that my leg was being pulled.” The 1941 article by Jack Alexander in the Saturday Evening Post […]
Heard in a Meeting: The meeting had my 3 favorites C’s: Cookies, coffee and….
The meeting had my 3 favorites C’s: Cookies, coffee and convicts. When I start I can’t stop and I can’t stop starting. I always keep my pivot foot in AA. When I asked my sponsor if I should do something or not, she’d say, “Well, it’ll be a blessin’ or it’ll be a lesson.” My […]
Sponsorship Café: Not All AA Wisdom is Found in the Big Book
Early in sobriety, my sponsor explained that I would be hearing strong suggestions for solid recovery practices that are not mentioned in the Big Book…Those learnings, often borne of personal experience, flow from alcoholic to alcoholic and sponsor to sponsee. In a meeting recently, a member said, “AA has given me a life I never […]
6 Tips to Stay Sober at Holiday Events
Negotiating holiday events, whether family gatherings or other parties where alcohol is served, can be tricky. Be prepared—here are some tips to avoid slips: 1. Keep your glass full of a healthy beverage such as sparkling cider or bubbly water (many members recommend against non-alcoholic wine or beer, as they can be reminders of what […]
AA History: ‘…as we understood Him’ – Jim B.
by Dan M. One of the most important contributions to AA’s spirituality and accessibility came from Jim B., one of its most vocal atheists. Jim, whose story is told in the Big Book in The Vicious Cycle (p. 219 in the 4th edition), fought hard to keep the program accessible to believers and non-believers alike. […]
