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aasandiego.org
aasandiego.org
The San Diego
The
AA Coordinator
Coordinator
AA
Published
Monthly
the
Central
Office
of
the
San
Diego
County
of Alcoholics
Anonymous
Published
Monthlybyby
bythe
theCentral
CentralOffice
Officeof
ofthe
theSan
San Diego
Diego County
County Groups
Groups
Published
Monthly
Groups of
of Alcoholics
AlcoholicsAnonymous
Anonymous
“Were
entirely
ready
have
God
remove
all
these
of character”
“Wereentirely
entirelyready
readytoto
tohave
haveGod
Godremove
remove all
all these
these defects
defects
“Were
defects of
of character”
character”
Reprinted
from
AA
Big
Book,
page
59
Reprintedfrom
fromAA
AA Big
Big Book,
Book, page
page 59
Reprinted
59
JUNE
2016
JUNE2016
2016
JUNE
VOL.
XVI
NO.6
VOL.XVI
XVINO.6
NO.6
VOL.
Pride
Pride –– The
The Chief
Chief Block
Block to
to True
True Progress
Progress -- Lisa
Lisa D.
D.
Pride
–into
Theconfusion
Chief Block
to names
True Progress
- Lisa
D.be called,
“To
avoid
falling
over
these
defects
should
“Toavoid
avoidfalling
falling into
into confusion
confusion over
over the
the
names
these
defects
should
bebecalled,
“To
the
names
these
defects
should
called,
let’s
take
aa universally
recognized
list
of
major
human
failings
–– the
Seven
let’s
take
universally
recognized
list
of
major
human
failings
the
Seven
let’s
takeSins
a universally
recognized
list ofglutton,
major envy
human
failings
– thenotSeven
Deadly
of
pride,
greed,
lust,
and
sloth.
It
by
Deadly Sins
Sins of
of pride,
pride, greed,
greed, lust,
lust, anger,
anger,
glutton,
envy
and
sloth.
ItItis
isisnot
Deadly
anger,
glutton,
envy
and
sloth.
notbyby
accident
that
pride
leads
the
procession.”
12&12
page
48
accidentthat
thatpride
prideleads
leads the
the procession.”
procession.” 12&12
accident
12&12 page
page48
48
Pride,
like
most
character
defects,
driven
by
fear.
When we
allow
these
Pride, like
like most
most character
character defects,
defects, is
is
driven
by
fear.
we
allow
these
 Meetings
in
Motion,
p.
44
Pride,
is lives,
driventhey
by generate
fear. When
When
we
allow
these
Meetings
in
Motion,
p.
character
defects
to
run
rampant
in
our
more
fear,
which,
in
 Meetings in Motion, p. 4
character
defects
to
run
rampant
in
our
lives,
they
generate
more
fear,
which,
inin
character
defects
to
run
rampant
in
our
lives,
they
generate
more
fear,
which,
 Coordinating
Council
turn,
generates
more
character
defects.
It’s
a
vicious
cycle
that
repeats
itself
over
Coordinating
Council
turn,generates
generatesmore
more character
character defects.
defects. It’s
 Coordinating
Council
turn,
It’s aa vicious
vicious cycle
cyclethat
thatrepeats
repeatsitself
itselfover
over
Minutes,
pgs.
5-6
and
over
unless
we
clean
house
-- thoroughly.
Minutes,
pgs.5-6
5-6
and
over
unless
we
clean
house
thoroughly.
Minutes,
pgs.
and
over
unless
we
clean
house
thoroughly.
 Financial
Statements,
Financial
Statements,p.p.
p.7 77
 Financial
Statements,
why
it
such
an
to
But
first,
we
have
to
understand
pride
 Group
Contributions,
and
why
itit is
isis considered
considered
such
ananevil
evil
toto
Butfirst,
first,we
wehave
have to
to understand
understand pride
pride ––– and
But
and
why
considered
such
evil
Group
Contributions,
 Group
Contributions,
us
alcoholics.
The
dictionary
defines
pride
as:
pgs.
8
us
alcoholics.
The
dictionary
defines
pride
as:
us alcoholics. The dictionary defines pride as:
pgs.
pgs.
88
“A
high
or
inordinate
opinion
of
own
dignity,
importance,
merit,
or
 Central
Office
Notes,
p.
10
“A high
high or
or inordinate
inordinate opinion
opinion of
of one's
one's
own
dignity,
importance,
merit,
Central
OfficeNotes,
Notes,p.p.1010 “A
one's
own
dignity,
importance,
merit,oror
 Central
Office
superiority,
whether
as
cherished
in
the
mind
or
as
displayed
in
bearing,
 Word
Search
superiority, whether
whether as
as cherished
cherished in
superiority,
in the
the mind
mind or
or as
as displayed
displayed inin bearing,
bearing,
Word
Searchp.p.
p.1111
11
 Word
Search
conduct,
etc.”
conduct,
etc.”
 Upcoming
Events
&
conduct,
etc.”
Upcoming
Events&&
 Upcoming
Events
in Step
4.
thinking back
on
The
12&12
mentions
pride
and
fear
aa bit
Subscription
form,
4.4.And
And
back
onon
The12&12
12&12mentions
mentions
pride and
and fear
fear quite
quite
Subscription
form,p.p.
p.1313
13
th
in Step
Steppointing
Andthinking
thinking
back
The
pride
quite
a bit
bit in
Subscription form,
th
my
own
first
5
step,
I
remember
my
sponsor
gently
out
where
pride
th
myown
ownfirst
first 55 step,
step, II remember
remember my
sponsor
pointing
out
where
pride
my
myresentments.
sponsor gently
gently
pointing
out
where
pride
had
been
the
culprit
in
many
of
my
II was
afraid
of
never
getting
had
been
the
culprit
in
many
of
my
resentments.
was
afraid
of
never
getting
had
been
the
culprit
in
many
of
my
resentments.
I
was
afraid
of
never
getting
what
thought
would
bring
me
happiness
more
importantly
–– recognition.
whatI IIthought
thought would
would bring
bring me
me happiness
happiness ––– or
or
more
importantly
what
or
more
importantly
–recognition.
recognition.
This
longing,
this
justification
for
demanding
what
I
thought
I
rightly
deserved,
This
longing,
this
justification
for
demanding
what
I
thought
I
rightly
deserved,
Join
the
fun
and
This
longing,
this
justification
for
demanding
what
I
thought
I
rightly
deserved,
Join
the
fun
and
is
pride
at
its
finest.
II was
sober,
dammit!
Hadn’t
II given
up
drinking,
pulled
Join
the
fun
and
is
pride
at
its
finest.
was
sober,
dammit!
Hadn’t
given
up
drinking,
pulled
submit
an
article!
is
pride
at
its
finest.
I
was
sober,
dammit!
Hadn’t
I
given
up
drinking,
pulled
submit
an
article!
myself
together
and
straightened
out
my
life?
Didn’t
I
deserve
happiness
in
submit an article!
myself
together
and
straightened
out
my
life?
Didn’t
I
deserve
happiness
ininthe
the
myself
together
and
straightened
out
my
life?
Didn’t
I
deserve
happiness
the
Monthly
Themes
form
of
a
good
job,
a
relationship
with
a
wonderful
man?
Where
were
the
pats
on
Monthly
Themes
form
of
a
good
job,
a
relationship
with
a
wonderful
man?
Where
were
the
pats
on
Monthly
Themes
form
of a good
job, a relationship
with a wonderful
man?
Where
were the pats on
the
back,
the
congratulations
for
doing
THAT?
Did
these
accomplishments
theback,
back,the
the congratulations
congratulations for
for doing
doing all
all
THAT?
Did
these
accomplishments
JULY
the
all
THAT?
Did
these
accomplishments
JULY
not
show
how
strong
was?
Couldn’t
see
that
II was
“all
that
and
aa bag
JULY
notshow
showhow
howstrong
strong III was?
was? Couldn’t
Couldn’t everyone
everyone
see
that
was
“all
that
and
For
us,
material
well-being
not
everyone
see
that
I
was
“all
that
and
abag
bag
For
us,
material
well-being
of
chips?”
Only
after
completing
the
steps
did
I
fully
come
to
realize
that
I
hadn’t
For
us,
material
well-being
of
chips?”
Only
after
completing
the
steps
did
I
fully
come
to
realize
that
I
hadn’t
always
followed
spiritual
ofdone
chips?”
Only
after
completing
the steps did
I fully
come
to
realize
that I hadn’t
always
followed
spiritual
any
those
things
alone.
My
Power
had
been
with
me
all
It
always
followed
spiritual
doneany
anyofof
ofthose
those things
things alone.
alone. My
My Higher
Higher
Power
had
been
with
me
allallalong.
along.
progress;
it
never
proceeded.
done
Higher
Power
had
been
with
me
along.It It
progress;
it
never
proceeded.
was
God
that
had
relived
me
of
the
bondage
of
self.
It
was
God
that
had
removed
progress;
it
never
proceeded.
wasGod
Godthat
thathad
hadrelived
relived me
me of
of the
the bondage
of
was
God
that
had
removed
(due5/24/16)
was
bondage
of self.
self. ItIt
was
God
that
had
removed
(due5/24/16)
the
merciless
obsession
to
drink.
Why
did
II deserve
to
take
credit
for
something
(due5/24/16)
heir
the
merciless
obsession
to
drink.
Why
did
deserve
to
take
credit
for
something
AUGUST
heir
the
merciless
obsession
to drink.
Why
did again,
I deserve
toI could
take credit
forTherefore,
something
heir
AUGUST
AUGUST
that
II had
proven
to
myself,
time
and
time
that
not
do?
that
had
proven
to
myself,
time
and
time
again,
that
I
could
not
do?
Therefore,
Service
had
helped
me…
that
I
had
proven
to
myself,
time
and
time
again,
that
I
could
not
do?
Therefore,
Service
had
helpedme…
me…
it
only
when
“we
pocket
our
pride
go
to
it,
illuminating
every
twist
of
Service
had
helped
itisis
isonly
onlywhen
when “we
“we pocket
pocket our
our pride
pride and
and
go
to
it,
illuminating
every
twist
ofof
(due
6/24/16)
it
and
go
to
it,
illuminating
every
twist
(due
6/24/16)
character,
every
dark
cranny
of
the
past”
(Big
Book,
Step
5,
page
75)
that
II could
(due
6/24/16)
character,
every
dark
cranny
of
the
past”
(Big
Book,
Step
5,
page
75)
that
could
SEPTEMBER
character,
every dark
crannywas.
of the
past”
(Big
Book,
Step
5,point
pageof75)
that
I could
SEPTEMBER
ththstep is
truly
see
myself
as
II really
But
let’s
be
clear
here,
the
the
55th
SEPTEMBER
truly
see
myself
as
really
was.
But
let’s
be
clear
here,
the
point
of
the
step
isis
We
feel
a
man
is
unthinking
truly
see
myself
as
I
really
was.
But
let’s
be
clear
here,
the
point
of
the
5
step
feel
a man
is
unthinking
not
to
beat
ourselves
up
or
to
forever
remain
the
victim.
The
point
of
Step
5
is
to
WeWe
feel
a
man
is
unthinking
nottotobeat
beatourselves
ourselves up
up or
or to
to forever
forever remain
the
The
point
ofofStep
5 5isistoto
when
he says
that
sobriety
not
remain
the victim.
victim.
The
pointto
Stepto
when
says
that
sobrietyisis
is
share
our
secrets
–– those
awful,
horrible
things
that
we
planned
take
our
when
hehe
says
that
sobriety
share
our
secrets
those
awful,
horrible
things
that
we
planned
to
take
to
our
enough.
(due
7/25/16
share
our
secrets
–them
thoseoutawful,
horrible
things
that we
planned
tototake
toWe
our
enough.
(due
7/25/16
grave
–
and
put
on
the
table
for
another
human
being
see.
enough.
(due
7/25/16
grave
–
and
put
them
out
on
the
table
for
another
human
being
to
see.
We
grave
–
and
put
them
out
on
the
table
for
another
human
being
to
see.
We
alcoholics
are
only
as
sick
as
our
secrets
those secrets
WILL take
us to our
Submit
aa 500
to
1,000
word
story
alcoholicsare
areonly
onlyas
as sick
sick as
as our
our secrets
secrets ––– and
and
and those
thosesecrets
secretsWILL
WILLtake
takeusustotoour
our
Submit
500
to
1,000word
wordstory
story alcoholics
Submit
a
500
to
1,000
grave.
to
Newsletter
Chair
at:
grave.
grave.
to
Newsletter
Chair
at:
to [email protected]
Newsletter Chair at:
Continued
page
15
Continued
page
1515
Continued
page
[email protected]
[email protected]


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

 


2 2
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Central Office Manager: Connie L.
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The San Diego “AA Coordinator” is a monthly
newsletter published by the San Diego Central Office of
Alcoholics Anonymous. Opinions expressed are not
necessarily those of Alcoholics Anonymous as a whole,
nor does publication of any article imply endorsements
by Alcoholics Anonymous or San Diego Central Office,
except when Conference approved publications are
quoted.
Contributions from A.A. members are welcome and
will be printed as space allows and as they are relevant to
the upcoming topic(s) (see page 1, bottom left).
Submissions may be emailed to the newsletter chair
at [email protected]. They may also be
typed or neatly handwritten and mailed to Central Office
or delivered in person to the committee before the fourth
Thursday of the month at 6PM, Central Office.
Submissions must include contact information and a
name (your name and last initials only). The editors
reserve the right to edit contents for length, clarity, and
their relation to the Twelve Traditions of Alcoholics
Anonymous. An effort will be made to contact the author
regarding content changes.
Phone Volunteers, 12th Step Calls, meeting
information, group and individual contributions, book
and literature sales, Coordinating Council and
Intergroup Information can be obtained at the Central
Office.
Please contact Central Office at 619-265-8762
for Officer’s phone numbers.
Coordinating Council Officers:
Council
Chair
Council
Assistant
After Hours
Phones
Business
Committee
Program
Committee
Public Info
Newsletter
Precious
[email protected]
Frank
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Renea
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Lauren
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TBD.
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Curtis
TBD
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Roxanne
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Anne
Chris
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Contributors:
June Theme:
Collate:
Blaine H., Rick R., Gary G.
Mike SD, Suzanne C. Lisa D
‘It is not by accident that Pride heads
the procession’
Wed., May 18, 2016
5:30 pm, at Central Office
All are welcome.
Committee Anouncement :
The Newsletter Committee has openings for
members to prepare newsletter pages, to write
articles, write poems, and to fold and collate the
newsletter once a month. We also need submissions
from the AA population at large! Ask for
participation in your meetings so everyone has a
chance to carry the message. If you have something
to say, write it down and email it to:
[email protected]
Following Coordinating Council
Committees need members.
1) Program Committee – needs 3
2) Public Information – needs 4
Standing
Are you available to serve Alcoholics Anonymous?
Availability is about; do I have the suggested sobriety?
If there are other suggested qualifications, do I have
those qualifications and to the best of my knowledge,
do I have no scheduling conflicts to serve in the
commitment? If my answers to all of those questions
are yes, I should make myself available and let my
Higher Power decide if that is the position I should be
in.” Also, please talk to the members in your group
about serving on the Council. Members at large may
be elected to positions. It is not required that you are a
Coordinator to serve on a committee.
Submit Your Stories, Photos, Art and More! The
Grapevine, "your meeting in print" is also your meeting on
the Web. Why not share? We're always accepting
submissions of art or text, and you need no prior publishing
experience. All it takes is a little willingness and a desire to
share. Read the guidelines for submitting, check our
editorial calendar for upcoming special topics, and then use
Area Officers:
Delegate
Alternate
Delegate
Area Chair
Archives
H & I Chair
our upload form.
AAGRAPEVINE.ORG
3
Poets Wanted Here
Your Newsletter Committee invites you to
participate in a monthly AA Poem
feature. Please submit your original
poems to: [email protected] –
200 words or less.
.
How I got to AA
The end was a dark hole.
With an endless bottom
Things were twisted inside out
My thoughts were completely
controlled
By my spinal nerve endings
And it, this thing
Called my mind,
Had reached the edge
So I stepped over and
Began to fall into place.
By Gary G.
H & I NEEDS
OLD GRAPEVINE
MAGAZINES
Those confined are starving for
AA Grapevines. Donate your old
issues by giving them to your
Coordinator to bring to
Coordinating Council or drop
them off in the purple box at
Central Office. Thank you.
We have so far collected
925 copies to distribute.
Thank you so very much
for your support.
April 2016
Total
Calls
1,630
Daytime
9am-9pm
Central Office Phone Calls and
Website Hits
Meeting
810
Nighttime
9pm-9am
301
Website
Hits
April
30,334
General
281
12 Step
39
175
24
Total
2,083,631
Many A.A. members celebrate their birthday
by sending a donation of one or two dollars
for each year of sobriety to Central Office.
If you would like to carry on this tradition,
please fill out the form below.





In Memory of
Louisiana D.
Passed on 4/29/16 with 36 yrs.
Birthday Gratitude
Name
City/Home Group
Sobriety Date
Amt. Enclosed
Please mail to:
San Diego Central Office
7075-B Mission Gorge Rd
San Diego, CA 92120-2454
All birthdays submitted will be published the month
following submission. Please contact the newsletter
chair if a birthday has not been published for two
months following submission.
44
MEETINGS IN MOTION
Group and Meeting Changes
** NEW
NEW MEETING
MEETING **
**
**
Hand In
In Hand
Hand Together
Together
Hand
Church 494
494 E
E St
St
Church
Chula Vista
Vista
Chula
Daily @
@ 7:00am
7:00am
Daily
Gillman Group
Group Big
Big Book
Book Study
Study
Gillman
Church -- 9595
9595 La
La Jolla
Jolla Shores
Shores Dr
Dr
Church
La Jolla
Jolla
La
Weds
@ 12noon
12noon
Weds @
Sunlight of
of the
the Spirit
Spirit
Sunlight
Club
2229
Bacon
St.
Club - 2229 Bacon St.
Ocean Beach
Beach
Ocean
Wed
@
7:00pm
Wed @ 7:00pm
Mission Hills
Hills Brunch
Brunch Bunch
Bunch
Mission
Restaurant -- 4023
4023 Goldfinch
Goldfinch St
St
Restaurant
Mission Hills
Hills
Mission
Sat @
@ 9:00am
9:00am
Sat
** RELOCATED
RELOCATED **
**
**
Mother Earth
Earth Viejas
Viejas Rez
Rez
Mother
Church -- 20047
20047 Viejas
Viejas Blvd
Blvd
Church
Alpine
Alpine
Fri @
@ 7:30pm
7:30pm
Fri
** TIME
TIME CHANGE
CHANGE **
**
**
Keep Calm
Calm Come
Come Back
Back
Keep
Store -- 8790
8790 Cuyamaca
Cuyamaca St.
St.
Store
Now:
Now:
Was:
Was:
Downtown Discussion
Discussion
Downtown
Fellowship Hall
Hall -- 825
825 7th
7th Ave
Ave
Fellowship
Now:
Now:
Was:
Was:
Santee
Santee
Mon @
@ 5:30pm
5:30pm
Mon
Daily @
@ 5:30pm
5:30pm
Daily
There are
are 760
760 groups
groups in
in San
San Diego
Diego
There
WAS
YOUR
GROUP
THERE?
WAS YOUR GROUP THERE?
NEXT COUNCIL
COUNCIL MEETING
MEETING IS:
IS: THURSDAY,
THURSDAY, June
June 9,
9, 2016
2016
NEXT
THANK YOU
YOU FOR
FOR YOUR
YOUR SERVICE
SERVICE
THANK
TO
ALCOHOLICS
ANONYMOUS
OF SAN
SAN DIEGO
DIEGO
TO ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS OF
4077Mash Step
Step 11:Read-Meditate-Share
11:Read-Meditate-Share
4077Mash
AA
By The
The Bay
Bay
AA By
La Jolla
Jolla Beginners
Beginners Group
Group
La
La
Mesa
Mens
La Mesa Mens
Another Sober
Sober Tuesday
Tuesday
Another
Back
To
Basics
For
Women
Back To Basics For Women
Battery Chargers
Chargers
Battery
La Mesa
Mesa Step
Step Study
Study Workshop
Workshop
La
La
Mesa
Womens
Saturday
Morning
La Mesa Womens Saturday Morning
Laguna Mountain
Mountain Group
Group
Laguna
Casa De
De Oro
Oro Tradition
Tradition Five
Five
Casa
Clairemont Mens
Mens
Clairemont
North Park
Park Mens
Mens
North
Old Town
Town Speakers
Speakers
Old
Over The
The Bridge
Bridge
Over
D.D.G.T.M.
D.D.G.T.M.
El
Cajon
Womens Serenity
Serenity
El Cajon Womens
Eye
Opener
Group
Eye Opener Group
Freash Start
Start Beginners
Beginners
Freash
Friday
Night
Irregulars
Friday Night Irregulars
Friday Nite
Nite Week
Week End
End
Friday
Gift Of
Of Grace
Grace Women
Women
Gift
God Squad
Squad Too
Too
God
Poter Hall
Hall Structured
Structured Step
Step Study
Study
Poter
Rainbow
Group
Rainbow Group
Scripps Ranch
Ranch Mens
Mens Two
Two
Scripps
Serene
-Tea
Serene -Tea
Sober Minded
Minded Leather
Leather Folks
Folks
Sober
Southern Cal
Cal Speakers
Speakers
Southern
The Other
Other Meeting
Meeting
The
The We
We Group
Group
The
Downtown
Downtown
Sat @
@ 6:30
6:30 pm
pm
Sat
Golden Hill
Hill Sun
Sun Discussion
Discussion
Golden
Great
Fact
Group
Great Fact Group
Sat @
@ 7:30pm
7:30pm
Sat
I. B.Up
B.Up
I.
Imperial
Beach
Group
Imperial Beach Group
Valley Girls
Girls
Valley
Womans
Gut
Level
Womans Gut Level
Women In
In Harmony
Harmony
Women
Joy Of
Of Living
Living
Joy
Womans Let
Let Go
Go And
And Let
Let God
God
Womans
** CANCELLED
CANCELLED **
**
**
Downtown Discussion
Discussion Womens
Womens
Downtown
Downtown
Downtown
Conference Rm
Rm -- 825
825 7th
7th Ave
Ave
Conference
Coordinating Council Attendance
The following40
following40 groups
groups attended
attended May
May Coordinating
Coordinating Council
Council
The
Tues @
@ 6:30pm
6:30pm
Tues
Problems Other Than Alcohol
Pamphlet - 35
By Bill
Bill W.
W.
By
(co-founder, Alcoholics
Alcoholics Anonymous)
Anonymous)
(co-founder,
….Our first duty, as a society, is to issure our
own srvival. Therefore, we have to avoid
distractions and multipurpose activity. An A.A.
group, as such, cannot take on all the personal
problems of its members, let alone the problems
of the whole world. Society - freedom from
alcohol - through the teachering and practice of
the Twelve Steps is the sole purpose of an A.A.
group. Groups have repeatedly tried other
activities, and they have always failed. It has
also been learned that there is no possible way
to make nonalcoholics into A.A. members. We
have to confine our membership to alcoholics,
and we have to confine our A.A. group to a
single purpose. If we don't stick to these
principles, we shall almost surley collapse. And
if we collapse, we connot help anyone.
Reprinted with permission from A.A.W.S
"Living Sober" (Page 46-47)
19. Being Grateful
One A.A. member recalls that, even during the worst of her
drinking career, she never lost her faith. "I had a firm, unshakable
belief-in disaster," she explains. "Every morning, almost my first
conscious thought was 'Oh, my God, I wonder what new troubles
are going to hit me today!" When someone knocked at the door,
she was sure it was for an unpleasant reason. She confidently
expected only bills and others bad news in the mail. And if the
telephone rang, she sighed in anticipation of dreary tidings. Such
an enormous expenditure of energy in negative speculations is
familiar to many of us; we remember the dark cast of mind that
prevailed during the active stage of our own alcoholism. Some of
it, to be sure, may have been simply a pharmacological effect of
alcohol, which is a depressant drug. When we get the last
molecules of alcohol out of the system, a lot of the gloom
disappears along with it. But the habit of thinking in such
neurotically depressed ways can stay with some of us, we have
found, until we learn to spot it and carefully root it out. This is no
prescription for mindless Pollyanna-ism. We do not pretend that
hardships are meaningless, nor deny that everyone has mountains
to climb from time to time. Grief really hurts, and so do other
kinds of pain......
Reprinted with permission from A.A.W.S
Minutes of the Coordinating Council
Thursday, May 12, 2016
Precious P. – Council Chair called the 851st
meeting to order at 7:30 pm. Twelve Traditions
read by Vince. Council Definition and Purpose
read by Laurie. There were 5 new Coordinators, 1
Visitor and 3 Birthdays. Roll Call: Frank B.,
Assistant Council Chair reported 40 groups were
represented out of 62 registered Coordinators.
There was a quorum (36). April 2016 minutes
were approved. 7th Tradition: $58.50
Area Assembly: No Report.
H & I Representative: Blaine H. reported:
H&I – Takes AA meetings and AA literature into
places where people can’t get out to go to
meetings – jails, prisons, hospitals, etc. We hold
orientation on the 3rd Sunday of each month at
noon in the Machinists’ Hall 5150 Kearny Mesa
Rd, and the 3rd Thursday of the month 7:00 PM
at San Diego AA Central Office. Our
subcommittee, Contact on Release, matches
people being released from these facilities with
AA volunteers who take them to meetings in their
local area. It meets the 3rd Tuesday at 6:45 PM at
Central Office. Our website is <sdhandi.org>. As
a member of the SoCal H&I Intergroup, we
participated in their annual conference last
month, putting on a panel which included 3 San
Diego/Imperial Area speakers. REMEMBER TO
DONATE YOUR OLD GRAPEVINES. 925 and
counting thus far! THANK YOU!
Should your group wish to donate a Grapevine
subscription to an institution, please go to
www.aagrapevine.org/specialdelivery to get the
particulars.
AFTER HOURS PHONES: Lee, Co-Chair
1. Thank you to the groups that answered
AA’s phones this past month.
2. The 16th is still an OPEN night.
3. Committee needs a new section leader.
4. Your groups may also sign up on a waiting
list and individuals may sign up on an
emergency fill-in contact list.
5. Thank you for letting me serve you.
55
BUSINESS COMMITTEE: Lauren L., Chair
reported Committee met on Tuesday, 5/10/16 at
6:00 pm. Present: Lauren L., Erica B., Precious
P., Frank B., Jim M., Rudy M., and Connie L.
Absent excused: Joni B., and John M.
There was a quorum.
It was m/s/c to approve April 2016 Minutes.
It was m/s/c to approve Financials Statements.
April 2016 Financial Summary:
April Net Revenue is 7,863. Our 2016 YTD Net
Revenue is 6,842. Group and Individual
Contributions were 18,567.
Literature Sales
Revenue and CD Bank Interest were 703 while
total office and committee expenses were 11,407.
Thank you for supporting your Central Office in
carrying the message to the suffering alcoholic.
Also, your contributions allow us to continue to
sale literature at a reduced price.
Manager’s Report:
1. May’s Book of the Month:
“AA Comes of Age” sale: $6.50 reg. $8.50
2. May’s Pamphlet of the Month:
“Understanding Anonymity” 5₵ ea.
3. June’s Book of the Month:
“Living Sober” sale: $3.00 reg. $4.25
4. June’s Pamphlet of the Month:
“Problems Other Than Alcohol” 5₵ ea.
5. Daytime phone volunteers shifts:
a. Saturdays 9am-1pm.
b. Have a need for fill-ins.
6. 2016 Summer Schedules here on 5/17/16.
7. Secretaries/Treasurers: please include
email address w/contributions for receipts.
8. Coordinator Newsletter: FREE subscription
electronically by email. Send an email to
[email protected].
9. Coordinator Newsletter 50’s, 60’s, 70’s,
80’s, & Jan 2011 - 2016 issues are on our
aasandiego.org website.
10. “Calendar of Events” on aasandiego.org
website includes downloadable event flyers.
Continued on page 6.
6
6
Continued from page 5.
Business Committee Member reports:
1. Lauren L. chaired meeting.
2. Frank B. distributed Council lists.
3. Precious P. shared report from delegate.
4. Erica B. prepared committee minutes.
5. Jim M. reviewed bank statements and
financial statements. Met with Connie.
OLD BUSINESS: There was none.
NEW BUSINESS: Literature Inventory on June
25th @ 9am.
COORDINATOR NEWSLETTER: Mike Mc.
reported we have a full issue of original articles
by local members. Thank you to those who
submitted their experience, strength and hope for
others to read.
Monthly Themes: are on the front page of the
Coordinator Newsletter. Submissions of 500-1000
words welcome. Also, Personal Recovery
Poems/Limericks
200
words.
Send
to
[email protected] or mail to Central
Office at 7075-B Mission Gorge Rd San Diego,
CA 92120. Committee NEEDS HELP each
month to collate your Coordinator Newsletter.
Approximate 1 hour of service. Come join in the
fun the Wednesday after Council at Central
Office at 5:30 pm.
COORDINATOR OUTREACH: Heidi, reported
committee has new volunteers to help to make
announcements at their meetings and passing out
“Being a Coordinator” brochure. There are 5 new
Coordinators here tonight.
ORIENTATION & GUIDELINES Andrew,
reported committee met tonight at 6:30 pm.
Present: Charlie, Juan, Susan and Andrew.
1. Discussed differences between GSR and a
Coordinator.
2. Discussed responsibilities of different
Intergroup Standing Committees.
3. Orientated 2 new Coordinators.
4. Read Traditions 3 & 4, San Diego History
of AA, Structure of Coordinating Council,
Responsibilities, what is a Quorum. New
Coordinators, please come next month at
6:30pm to Church- Krausse Cove Bldg.

PROGRAM COMMITTEE: Rudy reported
committee will meet on May 15th.
1. Founder’s Day picnic will be Saturday,
June 11th, 9:30am – 1:30pm at Mira Mesa
Community Park. See flyer on our
aasandiego.org website.
2. Anniversary of AA in SD Breakfast will be
on Saturday, November 19, 2016. See flyer
on our aasandiego.org website.
PUBLIC INFORMATION COMMITTEE:
Curtis, Chair reported committee met on 4/4/16.
1. Participated w/Area 8 CPC Committee at
the NAMI event handing out pamphlets.
2. Thus far this year, 1879 pamphlets in
racks and 201 pamphlets at events have
been handed out,
3. Literature Pamphlet Racks: continue to be
refilled. Thank you to the assistance with
rack refills. We are still in need of drivers.
4. Committee in need of a secretary. \
5. Upcoming Events:
a. May 14th: Sharp Chula Vista
Resource Fair.
b. May 14th: MEMO Health Wellness
Fair @ Boys & Girls Club.
c. May 14th: San Diego Community
Resource Event in Encanto.
d. July 16-17: San Diego Pride
Festival Booth.
e. July 22-24: Veterans Stand Down.
OLD BUSINESS: There was none.
NEW BUSINESS: There was none.

Respectfully submitted,


Recording Secretary

San Diego Intergroup, Inc.
San Diego Intergroup, Inc.
Alcoholics Anonymous of San Diego
Alcoholics Anonymous of San Diego
Statement of Revenue and Expenses
Statement of Revenue and Expenses
77
As of April 30, 2016
As of April 30, 2016
Ordinary Revenue/Expense
Ordinary Revenue/Expense
Revenue
Revenue
Contributions Group
Contributions Group
Contributions Individual
Contributions Individual
Contributions SDIAA
Contributions SDIAA
Interest - Cert of Deposits
InterestRevenue
- Cert of (see
Deposits
Literature
schedule)
Literature Revenue (see schedule)
Total Revenue
Total Revenue
Expense
Expense
Accounting & Legal
Accounting & Legal
Auto/Travel/Seminar
Auto/Travel/Seminar
Bank Service Charges
Bank Service Charges
Cash (Over) Short
Cash (Over) Short
Checks Returned - Bad Debt
Checks Returned - Bad Debt
Equipment Maint & Repair
Equipment Maint & Repair
Equipment Purchase
Equipment Purchase
Insurance
Insurance
Office Maint. & Repairs
Office Maint. & Repairs
Office Supplies
Office Supplies
Rent
Rent
Taxes
Taxes
Telephone
Telephone
Utilities-Electricity
Utilities-Electricity
Website
Website
EMPLOYEES
EMPLOYEES
Accrued Payroll Taxes
Accrued Payroll Taxes
Employee Wages
Employee Wages
Employee 403B Contribution
Employee 403B Contribution
Employee Health Benefit
Employee
Health Benefit
Insurance-Worker's
Comp
Insurance-Worker's Comp
Total Office Expense
Total Office Expense
Standing Committees Expense
Standing Committees Expense
(see schedule)
(see
schedule)
Total
Expense
Total Expense
Net Revenue
Net Revenue
April 16
April 16
April 15
April 15
13,326.49
13,326.49
5,240.00
5,240.00
2.03
2.03
700.84
700.84
19,269.36
19,269.36
24.00
24.00
2.00
2.00
1.76
1.76
51.40
51.40
159.00
159.00
216.00
216.00
37.26
37.26
1,808.00
1,808.00
154.58
154.58
243.27
243.27
40.85
40.85
$ Change
$ Change
(133.14)
(133.14)
2,745.27
2,745.27
(3.80)
(3.80)
(2,642.27)
(2,642.27)
(33.94)
(33.94)
Budget '16
Budget '16
40,796.59
40,796.59
6,401.55
6,401.55
1,100.00
1,100.00
9.22
9.22
3,813.86
3,813.86
52,121.22
52,121.22
40,929.73
40,929.73
3,656.28
3,656.28
1,100.00
1,100.00
13.02
13.02
6,456.13
6,456.13
52,155.16
52,155.16
1,960.00
1,960.00
117.25
117.25
8.00
8.00
(0.07)
(0.07)
205.60
205.60
622.00
622.00
241.25
241.25
340.56
340.56
6,832.00
6,832.00
20.00
20.00
585.71
585.71
1,053.95
1,053.95
142.55
142.55
2,637.72
2,637.72
24,803.80
24,803.80
820.00
820.00
2,373.60
2,373.60
261.00
261.00
43,024.92
43,024.92
1,960.00
1,960.00
107.16
107.16
(42.00)
(42.00)
15.64
15.64
205.60
205.60
304.00
304.00
52.50
52.50
761.60
761.60
7,056.00
7,056.00
609.43
609.43
923.49
923.49
154.55
154.55
2,514.42
2,514.42
24,961.93
24,961.93
752.14
752.14
2,709.12
2,709.12
190.00
190.00
43,235.58
43,235.58
123.30
123.30
(158.13)
(158.13)
67.86
67.86
(335.52)
(335.52)
71.00
71.00
(210.66)
(210.66)
6,500.00
6,500.00
79,999.00
79,999.00
2,200.00
2,200.00
6,420.00
6,420.00
600.00
600.00
133,640.00
133,640.00
10.09
10.09
50.00
50.00
(15.71)
(15.71)
318.00
318.00
188.75
188.75
(421.04)
(421.04)
(224.00)
(224.00)
20.00
20.00
(23.72)
(23.72)
130.46
130.46
(12.00)
(12.00)
112,700.00
112,700.00
9,344.00
9,344.00
1,110.00
1,110.00
50.00
50.00
18,480.00
18,480.00
141,684.00
141,684.00
2,540.00
2,540.00
1,500.00
1,500.00
125.00
125.00
(50.00)
(50.00)
750.00
750.00
750.00
750.00
1,100.00
1,100.00
500.00
500.00
3,000.00
3,000.00
22,056.00
22,056.00
75.00
75.00
1,575.00
1,575.00
3,500.00
3,500.00
500.00
500.00
534.20
534.20
6,185.83
6,185.83
205.00
205.00
575.32
575.32
50.00
50.00
10,047.68
10,047.68
1,072.39
1,072.39
860.02
860.02
2,254.43
2,254.43
2,743.73
2,743.73
(489.30)
(489.30)
8,044.00
8,044.00
11,406.92
11,406.92
10,907.70
10,907.70
45,279.35
45,279.35
45,979.31
45,979.31
(699.96)
(699.96)
141,684.00
141,684.00
6,841.87
6,841.87
6,175.85
6,175.85
666.02
666.02
(48.92)
(48.92)
-
months
months
December
December
November
November
October
October
September
September
August
August
July
July
June
June
May
May
April
April
March
March
February
February
Revenue&&Expense
Expenseby
byMonth
Month
Revenue
January
January
dollars
dollars
16000
16000
14000
14000
12000
12000
10000
10000
8000
8000
6000
6000
4000
4000
2000
20000
0
(2000)
(2000)
(4000)
(4000)
(6000)
(6000)
(8000)
(8000)
(10000)
(10000)
(12000)
(12000)
(14000)
(14000)
(16000)
(16000)
35.25
35.25
2.00
2.00
(5.66)
(5.66)
51.40
51.40
76.00
76.00
139.75
139.75
1,764.00
1,764.00
159.91
159.91
233.83
233.83
40.85
40.85
YTD '15
YTD '15
551.31
551.31
6,203.70
6,203.70
205.00
205.00
593.40
593.40
43.00
43.00
10,334.53
10,334.53
7,862.44
7,862.44
Total
Total
Revenue
Revenue
Total
Total
Expenses
Expenses
NET
NET
Revenue
Revenue
9,095.73
9,095.73
154.20
154.20
240.00
240.00
2.07
2.07
1,366.78
1,366.78
10,858.78
10,858.78
YTD '16
YTD '16
-
7
8
8
Group Contributions April 2016
9
8
Group Contributions April 2016
9
Group
10 & 11 @ 5107 - 3023
11th Step Journey - 2622
Group
4077 Mash Step 11Read-Medita-Share
- 2027
10
&Meditation
11 @ 5107 -- 3085
3023
5.45
11th
Step Journey
6 O'Clock
Big Book- 2622
Study - 507
4077
Mash
11Read-Medita-Share
- 2027
A New
WayStep
To Live
- 846
5.45
Meditation
- 3085
A Womens
Meeting
-1717
6AA
O'Clock
Book
By TheBig
Bay
- 629Study - 507
A
New Way
To Big
LiveBook
- 846Study - 1892
Adams
Avenue
A
Womens
Meeting
-1717
Ain't
Life Grand
- 2963
AA
ByGardens
The BayFriday
- 629 Lunch - 766
Allied
Adams
AvenueStep
Big Study
Book Study
Alpine Mixed
- 2621 - 1892
Ain't
Life
Grand Meeting
- 2963 - 2461
Annual
Grateful
Allied
Gardens
Friday Lunch
Another
Sober Tuesday
- 1952- 766
Alpine
Step -Study
Artists Mixed
in Sobriety
2459 - 2621
Annual
Grateful
Meeting - 2461
As Bill Sees
It - 1788
Another
Sober
Tuesday
At One With
Each
Other- -1952
789
Artists
in (North
Sobriety
- 2459
B.Y.O.B.
Park)
- 203
As
BillCountry
Sees It -Meeting
1788 - 1038
Back
At
One
Other - 789
Back
to With
BasicsEach
- 1026
B.Y.O.B.
(NorthStep
Park)
- 203- 1938
Back To Basics
Study
Back
Country
Barefoot
- 139 Meeting - 1038
Back
to Basics
- 1026
Battery
Chargers
- 98
Back
To Basics
Step Study
Bay Park
Step Study
Group- 1938
- 299
Barefoot
139
Beautiful-Beginnings
- 552
Battery
Chargers
- 98
Beginners
Steps To
Sobriety - 1007
Bay
Park
Step Study
Bonita
Boozers
- 2179Group - 299
Beautiful
- 552- 2818
BreakfastBeginnings
Of Champions
Beginners
Steps Book
To Sobriety
1007
BYOB-Ramona
Study -- 3094
Bonita
Boozers
- 2179 - 2458
Carrying
the Message
Breakfast
Of Tradition
Champions
- 2818
Casa De Oro
Five
- 503
BYOB-Ramona
Book
Study - 3094
Cedar Street Mens
- 1698
Carrying
theFriday
Message
- 2458
Chula Vista
Night
- 837
Casa
De OroDaytime
Tradition
Five
- 503- 427
Clairemont
Step
Study
Cedar
StreetMens
Mens- -301
1698
Clairemont
Chula
Vista Womens
Friday Night
Clairemont
- 340- 837
Clairemont
Clairemont Daytime
Womens Step
Step Study
Study -- 427
341
Clairemont
Class Acts - Mens
1845 - 301
Clairemont
Womens
- 340
Coffee Clutchers
- 2332
Clairemont
Womens-Step
Come Get Recovery
2630Study - 341
Class
Acts Beginners
- 1845
Coronado
- 344
Coffee
Clutchers
- 2332 Step Study - 2995
Coronado
Cays Womens
Come
Get Nooners
Recovery- -497
2630
Coronado
Coronado
Coronado Beginners
Step Study- -344
1523
Coronado
Womens
Step Study - 2995
Coronado Cays
Sundowners
- 1634
Coronado
Nooners - 497
Cups - 2938
Coronado
Step
Study - 1523
D.D.G.T.M.
- 767
Coronado
Sundowners
Daily Drinkers
- 2953 - 1634
Cups
2938 - 263
Dawn-Patrol
D.D.G.T.M.
- 767
Descanso Step
Study - 3010
Daily
Drinkers
- 2953
Diamond
St Mens
Step Study - 569
Dawn
- 263 - 205
DignityPatrol
Unlimited
Descanso
Study
- 3010
Do Or DieStep
Group
-1947
Diamond
Mens Step
Study - 569
DowntownStSobriety
- 1015
Dignity
- 205
Drunks Unlimited
Only - 1605
Do
OrDay
Die A
Group
-1947
Each
New Beginning
- 509
Downtown
Sobriety
- 1015- 2688
Early Morning
Recovery
Drunks
- 1605
EastlakeOnly
Greens
Attitude Adjustmen - 2691
Each
DayNew
A New
Beginning
- 509
Eastlake
Beginnings
B/B
S/S - 2673
Early
Morning
Recovery
Easy Does
It Riders
- 21 - 2688
Eastlake
Greens
Attitude
Adjustmen - 2691
Easy Does
It Speakers
- 114
Eastlake
New
Beginnings B/B S/S - 2673
Easy Risers
- 854
Easy
DoesDaytime
It Riders
- 21
El Cajon
- 52
Easy
DoesHappy
It Speakers
- 114 - 61
El Cajon
Hour Group
Easy
Risers
- 854 - 2638
El Cajon
Nooner
El
52
El Cajon
Cajon Daytime
Womens -Serenity
- 77
El
CajonSerenity
Happy Hour
Evening
- 2305Group - 61
El
Nooner
- 2638
EyeCajon
Opener
Group
- 607
El
CajonHills
Womens
Serenity
Fletcher
Smokeless
- 59- 77
Evening
Serenity
- 2305
Free At Last
- 2888
Eye
Group
FreeOpener
on Friday
- 760- 607
Fletcher
Hills Smokeless
Free Thinkers
Step Study- -592945
Free At Last - 2888
Free on Friday - 760
Free Thinkers Step Study - 2945
Apr-16
-
Apr-16
90.00
---
90.00
41.20
125.00
--
41.20
75.00
125.00
300.00
--
75.00
40.00
300.00
--
40.00
40.00
---
40.00
130.00
---
130.00
50.00
---
50.00
-
---550.00
20.00
50.00
550.00
20.00
50.00
85.00
312.00
100.00
85.00
312.00
100.00
250.00
---
250.00
75.00
---
75.00
325.00
---
325.00
-
---40.00
-1,341.00
40.00
34.82
1,341.00
273.73
-34.82
-
273.73
100.00
100.00
--
100.00
35.00
100.00
--
35.00
--
50.00
---
50.00
50.00
-
50.00
Ytd 16
176.74
152.00
Ytd
16
90.00
176.74
75.00
152.00
10.00
90.00
144.03
75.00
125.00
10.00
209.00
144.03
125.00
125.00
300.00
209.00
50.00
125.00
40.00
300.00
528.13
50.00
89.00
40.00
40.00
528.13
15.00
89.00
130.00
40.00
290.00
15.00
67.78
130.00
1,000.00
290.00
50.00
67.78
150.00
1,000.00
150.00
50.00
150.00
150.00
40.66
150.00
22.40
150.00
90.00
40.66
800.00
22.40
20.00
90.00
100.00
800.00
130.00
20.00
300.00
100.00
50.00
130.00
85.00
300.00
707.00
50.00
100.00
85.00
296.90
707.00
621.05
100.00
500.00
296.90
25.00
621.05
60.00
500.00
135.00
25.00
142.50
60.00
113.50
135.00
68.00
142.50
325.00
113.50
180.00
68.00
72.00
325.00
318.94
180.00
40.00
72.00
20.00
318.94
250.00
40.00
40.00
20.00
100.00
250.00
2,421.00
40.00
120.00
100.00
141.38
2,421.00
273.73
120.00
75.00
141.38
90.00
273.73
200.00
75.00
200.00
90.00
200.00
200.00
35.00
200.00
280.00
200.00
73.41
35.00
79.57
280.00
280.00
73.41
50.00
79.57
207.50
280.00
200.00
50.00
50.00
207.50
200.00
50.00
Group
Free to Be - 935
Fresh Start Beginners - 2609
Friday Happy Hour Group
- 2821
Free
to Night
Be - 935
Friday
Gratitude - 2829
Fresh
- 2609
FridayStart
NightBeginners
Irregulars
- 2889
Friday
Hour -- 2821
Friday Happy
Night Santee
1754
Friday
Gratitude
2829
FriendsNight
In Low
Places - -3091
Friday
- 2889
FriendsNight
of BillIrregulars
W.
Friday
Santee- 1988
- 1754
GilmanNight
Group-Fri
Friends
In Low
God Squad
Too Places
- 2809 - 3091
Friends
of Bill Hui
W. Group - 491
Good Fortune
Gilman
Group-Fri
Good Morning
AA -- 1988
1888
God
Too - 2809
GreatSquad
Fact Group
- 895
Good
HuiBook
Group
- 491
Grow Fortune
Or Go Big
Study
- 2978
Good
- 1888
GrupoMorning
Gringo -AA
1305
Great
FactGroup
Group- -585
895
Harmony
Grow
Or Go
Big Book
Study
Haul Your
Hiney
Out Of
Bed--2978
704
Grupo
GringoDrunks
- 1305 - 3102
High Bottom
Harmony
Group
Hi-Nooners
- 673 - 585
Haul
Hiney
Out Of Bed - 704
HOWYour
@ Noon
- 2998
High
Bottom
- 3102
How It
Is NowDrunks
Speakers
- 390
Hi-Nooners
Hwy 80 AA -- 673
2722
HOW
@ Noon
2998 - 79
Imperial
Beach-Group
How
It IsMens
Now Speakers
- 390
Imperial
Group - 869
Hwy
80 AA
- 2722
Imperial
Valley
Roundup
Imperial
Beach
Group
- 79
International
Group
- 23
Imperial
Mens
It's In The
BookGroup
- 2030- 869
Imperial
Valley
Jamul Open
- 63Roundup
International
Joy Of LivingGroup
- 2787 - 23
It's
In Start
The Book
Jump
- 2174- 2030
Jamul
Open
- 63 Heart - 2430
Kick Start
Your
Joy
Of Living
- 2787Group - 82
La Jolla
Beginners
Jump
Start
- 2174Womens - 87
La Jolla
Monday
Kick
Start
Your HeartDisc
- 2430
La Jolla
Nonsmokers
- 88
La
Group
- 82- 696
La Jolla
Jolla Beginners
Pump House
Group
La
- 87
La Jolla
Jolla Monday
Sunrise -Womens
2684
La
Disc - 88
La Jolla
MesaNonsmokers
Beginners - 2894
La
La Jolla
MesaPump
MixedHouse
- 2136Group - 696
La
- 2684
La Jolla
MesaSunrise
Womens
Sat. Morning - 416
La
Mesa Beginners
- 2894
Lakeside
Drunks - 2423
La
Mesa
Mixed
- 2136
Little
Apple
Group
- 1438
La
Mesa
Womens
Living
Free
- 477 Sat. Morning - 416
Lakeside
Drunks
- 2423
Lunchtime
Friends
- 964
Little
Group
LushesApple
Lunch
- 2641- 1438
Living
Free
- 477 Monday Night - 95
Men and
Womens
Lunchtime
Friends
- 964
Mens Recovery
Group
- 830
Lushes
Lunch - 2641
Mens Structured
Step Study - 1469
Men
and Womens
Midnight
Howlers Monday
- 1025 Night - 95
Mens
Recovery
Mid-Week
MensGroup
- 560 - 830
Mens
Structured
Step
Study
- 1469
Mira Mesa
12 Step
Study
- 377
Midnight
Howlers
- 1025- 967
Mira Mesa
Early Risers
Mid-Week
Mira Mesa Mens
Friday- 560
Night - 379
Mira
Mesa
12Beginners
Step Study- 1612
- 377
Mission
Hills
Mira
Mesa
Early-Risers
Mission
Possible
131 - 967
Mira
Mesa New
Friday
Night - 379
Mon Night
Beginnings
- 2274
Mission
- 1612
MondayHills
At ABeginners
Time - 2875
Mission
- 131
MondayPossible
Meditation
Group - 2334
Mon
Night
New
Beginnings
- 2274
Monday
Nite
Live643
Monday
A Time
- 2875
MountainAtSteps
- 2822
Monday
Group -- 136
2334
National Meditation
City Maintenance
Monday
Nite Live643- 2912
New Beginnings
(Sat)
Mountain
Steps
2822
Newcomers
Rise-&
Shine - 2702
National
City Maintenance
Noon At The
Grove - 628 - 136
New
Beginnings
(Sat) -- 1164
2912
Nooners
Anonymous
Newcomers
& Shine
- 2702
Noontime onRise
the Patio
- 2203
Noon
The Breakfast
Grove - 628
NorthAt
Shores
- 275
Nooners
Anonymous
- 1164 - 1652
Not Alone
Speakers Group
Noontime
onGroup
the Patio
- 2203
Old Timers
- 2037
North
Shores
- 275 Bay - 1664
One Step
At ABreakfast
Time At Mission
Not
Alone
Speakers
Open
Minded
Mens Group
- 626 - 1652
Old
Group - 2037
OverTimers
50 - 840
One
Step
At AWeekend
Time At Mission
- 1664
Pacific
Beach
WarmupBay
- 725
Open Minded Mens - 626
Over 50 - 840
Pacific Beach Weekend Warmup - 725
Apr-16
-
688.50
Apr-16
--
688.50
100.00
123.83
--
100.00
20.00
123.83
104.00
20.00
300.00
--
104.00
300.00
--
1,000.00
---
1,000.00
-
------35.00
---
35.00
--
100.00
---
100.00
--
87.50
---
87.50
100.00
--
1,200.00
100.00
140.55
1,200.00
--
140.55
-
-------60.00
229.20
--
60.00
229.20
--
25.00
175.00
100.00
25.00
179.75
175.00
100.00
50.00
179.75
--
50.00
200.00
---
200.00
-
Ytd 16
43.50
688.50
Ytd
16
20.00
43.50
175.00
688.50
100.00
20.00
123.83
175.00
150.00
100.00
20.00
123.83
79.45
150.00
229.00
20.00
300.00
79.45
367.00
229.00
60.00
300.00
32.34
367.00
50.00
60.00
1,000.00
32.34
112.00
50.00
25.00
1,000.00
100.00
112.00
200.00
25.00
76.15
100.00
120.00
200.00
85.50
76.15
72.00
120.00
100.00
85.50
35.00
72.00
50.00
100.00
100.00
35.00
200.00
50.00
63.17
100.00
100.00
200.00
108.00
63.17
380.90
100.00
250.00
108.00
170.00
380.90
387.50
250.00
50.00
170.00
10.00
387.50
250.00
50.00
100.00
10.00
45.00
250.00
1,200.00
100.00
52.40
45.00
410.23
1,200.00
120.00
52.40
100.00
410.23
50.00
120.00
200.00
100.00
695.98
50.00
20.00
200.00
177.86
695.98
125.00
20.00
50.00
177.86
50.00
125.00
60.00
50.00
430.85
50.00
68.50
60.00
137.50
430.85
120.00
68.50
70.00
137.50
25.00
120.00
175.00
70.00
300.00
25.00
179.75
175.00
100.00
300.00
50.00
179.75
30.00
100.00
34.00
50.00
148.20
30.00
200.00
34.00
50.00
148.20
70.00
200.00
50.00
70.00
8
Group Contributions April 2016
9
8
Group Contributions April 2016
9
Group
Pacific Beach Young Peoples - 286
Pass It On Big Book Study Group -2860
PB Young Womens -Group
2187
10
& 11
@ 5107
- 3023
Point
Loma
Mens
- 245
11th
Journey
- 2622
PointStep
Loma
Nooners
- 1606
4077
11Read-Medita-Share
PointMash
LomaStep
Saturday
Morning - 1240 - 2027
5.45
Meditation
3085 Perfection - 2682
Progress
Rather-Then
6PtO'Clock
BigAfternoon
Book Study
- 507
Loma Fri
Step
Study - 244
A
New Way
To LiveMeeting
- 846 - 2961
Radical
Acceptance
A
Womens
Meeting
-1717 - 1949
Ramona
Mens
New Vision
AA
By The Bay
Resentment
and -A629
Coffee Pot - 2561
Adams
Avenue- Big
Rez Recovery
3095Book Study - 1892
Ain't
Life
Grand
- 2963
Rise &
Shine
- 2170
Allied
GardensMeeting
Friday Lunch
S.D. Speakers
-152 - 766
Alpine
Mixed
Study
- 2621
Safe Sane
and Step
Sober
- 1350
Annual
Grateful
Meeting - 2461
Sat Mens
Early Awakening
- 2209
Another
SaturdaySober
A.M. Tuesday
Live - 782- 1952
Artists
in Sobriety
- 2459
Saturday
Night Fervor
- 208
As
Bill Sees
It -Men's
1788 Two - 2776
Scripps
Ranch
At
One With- 2700
Each Other - 789
Serene-Tea
B.Y.O.B.
(North
Serenity @
5107 Park)
- 2976 - 203
Back
Country
Meeting
Serenity
Seekers
- 209 - 1038
Back
- 1026
SisterstoinBasics
Sobriety-Ramona
Back
To Basics
Study
- 1938
Six Minutes
To Step
Sanity
- 2647
Barefoot
- 139 - 1633
Sky Hi Womens
Battery
Chargers
98
Smokeless
Drunks- Luncheon
- 1008
Bay
Park
Step Leather
Study Group
299
Sober
Minded
Folk -- 1882
Beautiful
Beginnings
Sober Nooners
- 196 - 552
Beginners
Steps
To Study
Sobriety
- 1007
Sober On Sat
Book
- 2193
Bonita
Boozers Seekers
- 2179 - 887
Sober Serenity
Breakfast
Of Champions
Sober Survivors
- 2915 - 2818
BYOB-Ramona
Book- 3006
Study - 3094
Sobriety At All Cost
Carrying
the Message
- 2458
Sobriety Party
- Ramona
Casa
DeGod
Oro-Tradition
Five - 503
Sons of
2789
Cedar
Street Mens- -305
1698
South Clairemont
Chula
Vista
Friday Night
- 837
Spiritual
Awakening
- 2275
Clairemont
Daytime
Study - 427
Spiritual Way
Of LifeStep
- 2977
Clairemont
Mens
- 301 - 568
Sunday Beach
Sun-Day
Clairemont
Womens
Sunday Kind
of Love--340
429
Clairemont
Womens
Sunday Midday
- 161Step Study - 341
Class
Acts
- 1845 at the Grove - 117
Sunday
Morning
Coffee
2332 Step - 1206
SundayClutchers
Morning -Eleventh
Come
Get
Recovery
- 2630 Meeting - 1700
Sunday
Morning
Spiritual
Coronado
Beginners
- 344 - 407
Sunday Morning
Sunshine
Coronado
Cays
Womens -Step
Sunday Night
Discussion
212 Study - 2995
Coronado
Nooners - 497
T G I T - 3082
Coronado
Study - 1523
The 1st 164Step
- 2760
Coronado
Sundowners
- 1634
The Gathering
Of The Goddesses
- 2890
Cups
- 2938
The Hole
In The Donut - 2737
D.D.G.T.M.
- 767 - 857
The Other Meeting
Daily
Drinkers
- 2953
The Whole
Truth
- 3073
Dawn
- 263
Three Patrol
Legacies
Group - 2194
Descanso
Study
3010S/S - 1748
Thurs NiteStep
Mens
Big -Book
Diamond
Mens Step
- 569
ThursdaySt
Campus
NoonStudy
Group-2387
Dignity
Unlimited
- 205
Tierrasanta
Morning
Serenity - 2811
Do
Or Die
Group
Torrey
Pines
Open-1947
Disc - 94
Downtown
Sobriety
- 1015
Torrey Pines
Thurs Nite
Disc - 365
Drunks
Only - Breakfast
1605
Tues Morning
Special - 2761
Each
Day AMens
New Beginning
Tues Night
Step Study--509
1813
Early
Morning
Recovery
- 2688- 2544
Tuesday
Campus
Noon Group
Eastlake
Greens Attitude
Tuesday Morning
- 3089 Adjustmen - 2691
Eastlake
New Beginnings
Tuesday Morning
Alpine B/B
- 440S/S - 2673
Easy
DoesNight
It Riders
- 21
Tuesday
Participation
- 905
Easy
DoesNight
It Speakers
Tuesday
Sobriety- 114
- 708
Easy
Risers
- 854 On - 541
Twelve
To Grow
El
Cajon
Daytime
Valley
Girls
- 2617- 52
El
CajonGroup
Happy- 2108
Hour Group - 61
Victory
El
Cajon
- 2638
Wake
UpNooner
Call - 1932
El
Cajon
Womens
Serenity
Water
Walkers
Too
- 1946 - 77
Evening
Serenity
- 2305
We Agnostics
- 2096
Eye
Opener
Group
- 607
Weds
Rule 62
Lunch
Group - 687
Fletcher
Smokeless
- 59 - 2943
WhistlingHills
In The
Dark Mens
Free At Last - 2888
Free on Friday - 760
Free Thinkers Step Study - 2945
Apr-16
Apr-16--
90.00
100.00
150.00
41.20
125.00
40.00
150.00
75.00
300.00
350.00
40.00
---
40.00
-
130.00
50.00
26.00
220.00
132.00
50.00
550.00
249.00
20.00
100.00
50.00
401.32
85.00
106.80
312.00
140.00
100.00
125.00
80.00
250.00
75.00
60.00
-
325.00
170.00
37.50
-
40.00
-
1,341.00
-
34.82
37.50
273.73
-
30.00
100.00
100.00
100.00
-
35.00
52.11
28.58
261.60
-
50.00
100.00
-
50.00
Ytd 16
130.00
296.85
Ytd
16
40.00
176.74
237.00
152.00
120.00
90.00
100.00
75.00
100.00
10.00
300.00
144.03
466.00
125.00
40.00
209.00
150.00
125.00
12.00
300.00
761.26
50.00
350.00
40.00
427.12
528.13
406.88
89.00
77.00
40.00
42.60
15.00
80.00
130.00
22.50
290.00
120.00
67.78
110.00
1,000.00
25.00
50.00
80.00
150.00
104.40
150.00
220.00
150.00
127.77
40.66
211.00
22.40
104.40
90.00
50.00
800.00
249.00
20.00
185.00
100.00
20.00
130.00
154.25
300.00
142.00
50.00
1,515.66
85.00
106.80
707.00
404.30
100.00
205.10
296.90
125.00
621.05
80.00
500.00
68.00
25.00
200.00
60.00
40.00
135.00
50.00
142.50
60.00
113.50
43.78
68.00
45.00
325.00
217.00
180.00
520.00
72.00
33.00
318.94
50.00
40.00
39.07
20.00
87.50
250.00
50.00
40.00
400.00
100.00
10.00
2,421.00
130.00
120.00
125.00
141.38
87.50
273.73
50.00
75.00
40.00
90.00
30.00
200.00
100.00
200.00
12.00
200.00
383.50
35.00
52.11
280.00
45.99
73.41
261.60
79.57
50.00
280.00
180.00
50.00
100.00
207.50
200.00
50.00
9
Ytd 16
Group
Apr-16
White Flag Outdoors - 2788
400.00
Wholesale Miracle - 2474
25.00
Ytd
16
Apr-16
Womans Gut Level -Group
1701
118.00
146.00
Free
to
Be
935
43.50
Women In Harmony - 1807
10.00
30.00
Fresh Start
Beginners
- 2609
688.50
688.50
Women
In Sobriety
- 697
40.00
Friday Happy
Hour -- 296
2821
20.00
-Womens
Step Study
96.00
Friday Night
Gratitude
175.00
-Womens
Thursday
Nite -- 2829
514
120.00
Friday Night
- 2889
100.00
100.00
Womens
TLCIrregulars
- 2814
62.50
Friday Night
- 1754 - 838
123.83
123.83
Womens
WaySantee
To Recovery
100.00
150.00
Friends In Low Places - 3091
150.00
Friends of Bill W.
20.00
20.00
Gilman
Group-Fri
1988supporting your San- Diego
79.45
Thank
you-for
God Squad Too - 2809
104.00
229.00
Central
Group300.00
GoodIntergroup
Fortune Hui Group
- 491 Office. Your
300.00
Good Morning AA - 1888
367.00
Greatcontributions
Fact Group - 895 have allowed us to reduce
60.00
Grow Or Go Big Bookliterature
Study - 2978 prices.
32.34
Grupo Gringo - 1305
50.00
Harmony Group - 585
1,000.00 1,000.00
Haul Your Hiney Out Of Bed - 704
112.00
Thank
you to
all of the AA members
for25.00
High
Bottom Drunks
- 3102
Hi-Noonerstheir
- 673 individual contributions.100.00
HOW @ Noon - 2998
200.00
on76.15
HowSome
It Is Nowchoose
Speakers - to
390 contribute $1 or $2
Hwy
80 AA
- 2722
120.00
their
sobriety
birthdays for each sober
year
Imperial Beach Group - 79
85.50
or Faithful
Fivers
Imperial
Mens Group
- 869 Individual Contributions.
72.00
Imperial
Valley Roundup
100.00
Individual
AA members may contribute
International Group - 23
35.00
35.00
Central
Office up to * $3000 per- year.50.00
It's to
In The
Book - 2030
Jamul*AA
OpenSelf
- 63 Support Pamphlet, pg 9- (tax100.00
Joy Of Living - 2787
200.00
deductible)
Jump Start - 2174
63.17
Kick Start Your Heart - 2430
100.00
100.00
La Jolla Beginners Group - 82
108.00
La Jolla Monday Womens - 87
380.90
La Jolla Nonsmokers Disc - 88
250.00
La Jolla Pump House Group - 696
170.00
La Jolla Sunrise - 2684
87.50
387.50
La Mesa Beginners - 2894
50.00
La Mesa Mixed - 2136
10.00
La Mesa Womens Sat. Morning - 416
250.00
Lakeside Drunks - 2423
100.00
100.00
Little Apple Group - 1438
45.00
Living Free - 477
1,200.00 1,200.00
Lunchtime Friends - 964
52.40
Lushes Lunch - 2641
140.55
410.23
Men and Womens Monday Night - 95
120.00
Mens Recovery Group - 830
100.00
Mens Structured Step Study - 1469
50.00
Midnight Howlers
- 1025Newsletter Archive: 50's, 60's, 70's,
200.00
Coordinator
80's,
Mid-Week Mens - 560
695.98
2011 to- 377
present issue.
Mira Mesa January
12 Step Study
20.00
Mira Mesa Early Risers - 967
177.86
Mira Mesa Friday Night - 379
125.00
Mission Hills Beginners - 1612
50.00
Mission Possible - 131
50.00
Mon Night New Beginnings - 2274
60.00
60.00
Monday At A Time - 2875
229.20
430.85
Monday Meditation Group - 2334
68.50
Monday Nite Live- 643
137.50
Mountain Steps - 2822
120.00
National City Maintenance - 136
70.00
New Beginnings (Sat) - 2912
25.00
25.00
Newcomers Rise & Shine - 2702
175.00
175.00
Noon At The Grove - 628
100.00
300.00
Nooners Anonymous - 1164
179.75
179.75
Noontime on the Patio - 2203
100.00
North Shores Breakfast - 275
50.00
50.00
Not Alone Speakers Group - 1652
30.00
Old Timers Group - 2037
34.00
One Step At A Time At Mission Bay - 1664
148.20
Open Minded Mens - 626
200.00
200.00
Over 50 - 840
50.00
Pacific Beach Weekend Warmup - 725
70.00
10
CENTRAL OFFICE NOTES
2016 Holidays – Central Office Bookstore closed
DAY OF WEEK
DATE
Monday
July 4, 2016
Monday
September 5, 2016
Friday
November 11, 2016
Thursday
November 24, 2016
Monday
December 26, 2016
HOLIDAY
July 4th
Labor Day
Veteran’s Day
Thanksgiving
Christmas
Book and Pamphlet of the Month
May’s Book: “AA Comes of Age” on sale: $6.50 reg. $8.50
May’s Pamphlet: “Understanding Anonymity”: sale: 5¢ each
June’s Book: “Living Sober” on sale: $3.00 reg. $4.25
June’s Pamphlet: “Problems Other Than Alcohol”: sale: 5¢ each
The San Diego AA Coordinator Newsletter
Back Issues archived on our aasandiego.org website.
Published by Newsletter Committee - San Diego AA Central Office.
(Contents: Sobriety stories, poems, events, financials, group contributions)
50’s
60’s
70’s
80’s
2011
2012
1952
1960
1970
1980
Jan
Jan
2013 2014
Jan
Jan
2015 2016
Jan
Jan
1953
1961
1971
1981
Feb
Feb
Feb
Feb
Feb
Feb
1954
1962
1972
1982
Mar
Mar
Mar
Mar
Mar
Mar
1955
1963
1973
Apr
Apr
Apr
Apr
Apr
Apr
1956
1964
1974
May
May
May
May
May
May
1957
1965
1975
Jun
Jun
Jun
Jun
Jun
Jun
1958
1966
1976
Jul
Jul
Jul
Jul
Jul
Jul
1959
1967
1977
Aug
Aug
Aug
Aug
Aug
Aug
1968
1978
Sep
Sep
Sep
Sep
Sep
Sep
1969
1979
Oct
Oct
Oct
Oct
Oct
Oct
Nov
Nov
Nov
Nov
Nov
Nov
Dec
Dec
Dec
Dec
Dec
Dec
aasandiego.org
“Calendar of
Events” page, there
is a link to a
downloadable
Flyer for
each event.
Apri l 2016 Fi nanci al Summary
Group Contributions
13,327.00
Individual Contributions
5,240.00
SDIAA Contributions
0.00
Literature & Interest
703.00
Total Revenue
19,270.00
Central Office Expenses
Committee Expenses
Total Expenses
Apri
2016
Net Revenue
2013l Net
Revenue
2016 YTD Revenue
-10,335.00
-1,072.00
-11,407.00
7,863.00
1,418.11
6,842.00
11
Living Sober
ACTIVE
ALCOHOLISM
ALLERGY
ANGER
DANGER
DISEASE
EMOTIONAL
FIRST
GRATEFUL
HABITS
LAST
LIVE
LIVING
LONLINESS
MEETINGS
METHODS
OUT
PROGRESSIVE
SEEK
SERENITY
SOBER
STEPS
TRAPS
TREATMENT
TWELVE
WILLINGNESS
11
12
•
•
13
THINGS TO DO AND PLACES TO GO
San Diego Intergroup's Founder's Day Picnic
Where: Mira Mesa Community Park
8575 New Salem St - Mira Mesa, CA 92126
When: June 11, 2016 - 9:30 am - 1:30 pm
Contact: Central Office 619-265-8762
Name:
Address:
____________
26th Annual June Lake Kampvention
Where: June Lake, CA
When: July 17,18, & 19, 2016
Contact: Central Office 619-265-8762
Mail to: CENTRAL OFFICE
Over the Bridge Steps and Traditions Workshop
Where: Church - 8350 Lake Murray Blvd
San Carlos, CA 92119
When: July 16, 2016 8:30 am - 11:30 am
Contact: Central Office 619-265-8762
7075-B MISSION GORGE ROAD
Founder's Day Conference
Where: Akron, Ohio
When: June 10 -12, 2016
Contact: Central Office 619-265-8762
SAN DIEGO, CA 92120-2454
A.A. Desert Pow Wow
With Al-non Participation
Where: Renaissance Indian Wells Resort & Spa
Indian Wells, CA
When: June 11, 2016 - 9:30 am - 1:30 pm
Contact: Central Office 619-265-8762
Newsletter
Subscription
Guajome Regional
Parkthe San Diego
Have
January 17 -AA
19 Coordinator delivered
for one year
for only $15.00
10th Annual
Seniors In Sobriety Conference
"By Alcoholics Anonymous With Al Anon Participation."
Where: Bahia Hotel, 998 West Mission Bay Dr.
San Diego, CA 92109
When: November 3-6, 2016
Contact: Central Office 619-265-8762
Alcoholics Anonymous in San diego
76th Year Anniversary Pancake Breakfast and
History of AA in San Diego Program
Where: Church (Linder Hall)
2111 Camino Del Rio South
Mission Valley, CA 92108
When: Saturday November 19,2016
Contact: Central Office 619-265-8762
The “I AM RESPONSIBLE CLUB” is a reserve
fund maintained by the Blood Banks for the use of
members of Alcoholics Anonymous and their
families in time of need. The strength and
availability of this account is directly related to
` your support. If you need blood please contact
Central Office at:
(619) 265-8762.
If you give blood be sure to credit the
“I AM RESPONSIBLE CLUB” at the time of
your donation.
13
14
14
PRIDE IS #1
By Blaine H.
It is often said that resentment is the number
one killer of alcoholics. And, while that may be true
for those who have at one time found our way of
life, and later then found it lacking, I would venture
a guess that it is pride that is the leading slayer of
alcoholics who have never made it to our doors.
They are the ones who are unwilling to admit
complete defeat. The first step requires us to
admit that a chemical compound comprised of
carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen has us beat. This is
not some 300 pound martial arts expert, it is a
liquid substance which sits quietly in a can or
bottle until we choose to let it out. And even more
humiliating is the fact that our friends and
neighbors, indeed 90% of the population, can take
it or leave it without difficulty! Then, finally, after
saying “uncle” to the booze, we must admit that we
are unable to manage our own lives! What man or
woman with any sense of self-worth whatsoever
could take this step? The answer is only those who
are truly desperate, who have hit bottom. And
how low does this bottom have to be to force us to
swallow
all
pride?
We can look to one of our founders for the answer.
Bill W., hospitalized in December of 1934 for the
umpteenth time, declared hopeless by the doctors,
having lost everything, hit that bottom where all
stubborn pride was wiped out and he was able to
call out to God that he was finally willing to do
anything. What followed, of course, was a powerful
spiritual experience for which we are all grateful,
and which led Bill on the path which resulted in the
founding of Alcoholics Anonymous.
Yes pride,
defined as an excessively high opinion of oneself, is
the primary obstacle to taking the first step. It
is…”the basic breeder of human difficulties, the
chief block to true progress…” (12&12, p. 49). Once
we have achieved enough humility (which is the
opposite of pride) to take Step One, are we now
free and clear on our march toward Step Twelve?
No way! Pride is an obstacle which must be dealt
with in just about every other step. Space does not
permit discussing each one individually, but
certainly Four, Five, Eight and Nine, jump out as
ones in which pride will come into play.
However it is Step Ten which requires me to
swallow whatever pride I have on a daily basis. You
see, I don’t like to be wrong, and I don’t like to
make mistakes. But even more so I don’t relish
admitting to someone else when these things
happen. Yet I know that for continued peace of
mind (and continued sobriety) I must do so, and do
so quickly. It might bother me less if I more easily
accepted the fact that it is natural for me to be
wrong and to make mistakes. It is part of being
human. I have a good friend in AA who once did
something wrong. He asked his normie wife for
forgiveness saying, “I am only human”. To this she
sagely replied that often being human wasn’t good
enough for him. I am of that ilk, but it is progress,
NOT perfection.
We have said that humility is the opposite of pride.
Being humble might be described as recognizing
and accepting who we actually are, and acting
accordingly.
Of course our idea of who we are is often distorted.
In actuality we are but one of the many billions of
people on the earth, who are where we are today
by the grace of God, the assistance and kindness of
others, and a lot of dumb luck for which we can
take no credit.
EXCESSIVE PRIDE
By Rick R.
Pride, as word, is used by most of us in our daily lives
and we don’t necessarily think of it as a sin. What
parent doesn’t feel a little prideful when their child is
performing on the stage in a school play? Are we
committing a sin when we use terms such as, “Proud
to be an American” and” Pride in the Marine Corp”?
What does the term “False Pride” mean to me? Yes,
there are many different uses of that word that don’t
imply that you are doing something wrong.
Those of us in the program of Alcoholics Anonymous
know that we have all, at one time or another, stepped
outside of the line when it comes down to our past
behavior and we are not proud of it. These things have
to be addressed when we begin the process of cleaning
up the wreckage of the past. This is not easy to
understand when we are first introduced into the
program and are still being governed by an alcoholic
mind. We need a starting point where we can look at
different ways to address these things.
I’m not a religious man but I’m not threatened when I
see the example in the 12X12 that suggests that if
you’re not sure about what you should list, you might
want to use the seven deadly sins as a way to get
started. I understand that in 1935 when the program
got its start, much of the culture of that time revolved
around the churches in the communities where we
lived and as a result, they used a lot of religious
references in the Big Book and the 12X12 to make a
point. They also have lines from Shakespeare in the
program but no one seems to question them.
The area that applies to me is when I go into the
negative applications of the word pride, such as
continued on page 15
15
15
Continued from page 1
When we earnestly admit our faults and take an honest
appraisal of our actions and our character, only then do
we begin to heal. My sponsor was invaluable in helping
me take a good, long look at myself and then she gave
me a wonderful gift – permission to forgive myself and
ask God for help. When I read Step 6 in the 12&12, she
pointed out one of the most important lines in that
chapter – and one that easily described the difference
between pride and humility for me. On page 68, we
read, “the difference between striving for a selfdetermined objective and for the perfect objective which
is of God.” It’s clear that “self-determined objective” is
pride and “the perfect objective which is of God” is
humility. I don’t believe, at least in my mind that pride
and humility can co-exist. Which brought me to Step 7.
Step 7 was crucial for me in understanding how pride –
the demands for recognition, importance – had kept me
out of the sunlight of the Spirit. Pride had bound my ego
in chains and it was only through the vigilance of working
the step over and over, humbly asking God to remove my
shortcomings, that those chains were finally broken. Step
7 taught me how to live in the middle – not on top of the
heap full of pride and not on the bottom full of selfloathing. The 7th step taught this alcoholic how to
become “right-sized.” But, as I have learned through the
years, the 12 steps of AA are not something that I do
once and go about my day. They are a living, breathing
part of my life – a ritual more important than brushing
my teeth or showing up for work each day. The steps
keep me – and my ego – in check. Thankfully, my sponsor
gently, yet firmly, points out when my ego is larger than
my reliance of God. And when I feel that nagging
question rise up inside of me – that question of what
others must (or worse, should) think of me – I remember
something else my first sponsor told me years ago. She
said what other people thought of me was none of my
business. At first, I was shocked, incredulous, in fact.
How could that be? Couldn’t I control others’ opinion of
me by parading my accomplishments for the entire world
to see? As I walk through this new and miraculous life
I’ve been given, I realize she is right. I can’t control what
others think any more than I can control what time the
sun will rise tomorrow.
So, by not worrying about what others think of me, I’m
free to focus on the real relationship – the one that
keeps me sober. And that is the relationship I have with
God.
Continued from page 14
arrogance, conceit, and self-importance, and the like.
Those forms of pride are the things that I must recognize
in myself and start the practice of quietly removing them
from my thoughts, my speech, and my actions as I start
to apply the course of action suggested in steps six and
seven. Words and terms that fall under the umbrella of
pride, but are more acceptable are, dignity, self-respect,
honor, and self-esteem, and I personally don’t think I
would consider them sinful. (Even if I were Religious) We
all have our own way of defining these things and we all
know right from wrong and if our pride slams the door in
our faces and prevents us from cleaning house, then we
have a serious problem, and that is the type of pride that
must be reined in if we want to have any success in AA.I
consider myself very fortunate to have been counseled
by the successful members that came before me in the
program, and when I ran across a word or expression
that rubbed me the wrong way, I immediately started to
ask questions of these men, and search for a solution
that would neutralize it and not allow it to stunt my
spiritual growth. As I see it, excessive pride is closely
related to my ego and, as they say,” my ego is not my
amigo”. My EGO thrives on excessive pride but my
Conscience has had the upper hand in the recent past.
After practicing the program for many years, I can look
back on my progress and what stands out the most to
me was the thoroughness of my fourth and fifth steps. I
recognize that as the cornerstone of the rest of the
program. After tackling those two steps I found it much
easier to follow the intent of steps six and seven and
keep my PRIDE and my EGO in check. To my way of
thinking, I’ll never be finished growing. I take no more
credit for this than a drowning man takes credit for
grabbing on to a life preserver. AA gets the credit for any
success I may be having. When left to my own devices, I
was a complete failure. Today I live by the dictates of my
conscience, and life is good.
San Diego
7075-B Mission Gorge Road
San Diego, CA 92120-2454
7075-B Mission Gorge Road
San Diego, CA 92120-2454
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