May

COURAGE
“God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can,
and the wisdom to know the difference.”
Courage as defined by Webster ``the quality or state of mind or spirit enabling one to face danger or
hardship with confidence and resolution``. The opposite of courage is cowardice. Ew that`s nasty. So,
think of the times when in the face of fear you screwed up your courage and did it anyway. Remember
that first time you called A.A. or went to your first meeting? How about asking someone to sponsor you?
Or the time you put your hand up and asked a question at your group’s business meeting? Then there are
the times you’ve been chosen to share your experience, strength and hope at a meeting or even on the
phones with a suffering alcoholic.
The human mind tends to downplay these things. Maybe our attitude is one of “if I can do it, it can’t
mean much.” There are so many ways courage has brought you this far. You can rest assured, courage
will carry you along in future as well.
For me, sometimes it takes courage to be kind and gentle. My first reaction is too often the desire to
chase people away and isolate myself from the world. For another it might take courage to be assertive
and stand their ground. A thorough 4th step will reveal much about your fears, and in the 5th step you
will gain the courage to face them and grow.
So, when someone asks if you would like to participate in life at some place or with some people, don’t
gyp yourself. Get everything that’s available in life. Say yes, when your knees are trembling and your
heart is pounding. Say yes when presented with a challenge no matter how small it might seem.
Office Hours of Operation
Mon- Fri…….8:00am to 6:30pm
Saturday & Sunday…….9:30am to 1:00 pm
The office will be closed on Monday, May 23 for Victoria Day
3457 Kingsway, Vancouver V5R 5L5
604-434-3933 or email: staff@vancouveraa.ca; www.vancouveraa.ca
Portions reprinted with permission of A.A. World Services
INTERGROUP CORNER
Unity
staff@vancouveraa.ca
Recovery
Service
3457 Kingsway, Vancouver V5R 5L5 604-434-3933
Group Corner
North Delta Group first meeting was held on Tuesday,
August 15, 1972 at 9:00 pm at St. John’s United Church
in North Delta – the same location the meetings are held
at today. Art K, Dorothy E and Eve M. co-founded the
group and of the 24 people that attended that first meeting Doug W. was in his first 24 hours of sobriety! Eve
acted as Secretary of the meeting and Art chaired. Art
from White Rock opened the meeting, Dorothy read “How
It Works” and Bonnie and Ed from Pike Road Group as
well as Frank from the Comfort Group all shared. The
collection for the evening was $15.37 and would you believe the expenses (cake and coffee) totaled all of $3.00!
Oh…and by the way…that newly sober alcoholic by the
name of Doug W. became the 4th member of the North
Delta Group and Art G. the 5th.
Initially the size of the church hall seemed rather
onerous since it could comfortably hold over 100 people. However, the dedication of those early members,
the support of members from other groups and the format of sharing “what we were like, what happened and
what we’re like now” all contributed to the success and
growth of the meetings.
The group continued to flourish and by 1982 regular meetings were being attended by anywhere from 60 –
80 people. Group members were very active and for a
number of years hosted a Christmas Eve candlelight
meeting, a Boxing Day open house and a New Year’s
Eve dinner and dance. These events not only offered
another opportunity for fellowship but also provided a safe
haven for newly sober alcoholics who may have otherwise experienced difficulties during this somewhat trying
holiday season.
In the early years in Vancouver and the Lower
Mainland many groups conducted a “roll call” and each
member of the group was required to answer “here” and
also “yes” or “no” to indicate if a drink had been taken
since attendance at the last meeting. Although part of the
NDG meeting format in the group’s early years this practice was discontinued in September 1984.
In June 1988 the church passed a motion to ban
smoking in the church building…and we all know what
happens when you tell an alcoholic he can’t do something
right? Although there was no real dissension the smokers decided to start the present day Kennedy Group that
also meets on Tuesday nights at 9:00 pm. NDG changed
their meeting time to 8:00 pm and for a while you would
often see members attending both meetings…this AA
was sure keeping everyone sober!
Today, the group members continue to do what the
founding and early members did...sincerely greet and
welcome the newcomer, share their experience, strength
and hope, practice the 12 traditions, hold regular business meetings and financially support Central Office, BC/Yukon and World
Services on a regular basis.
The members have a lot of fun and a lot of laughs but they
also recognize their responsibility in making sure the hand of AA
is always there when someone reaches out for help. If you want
to see how that works…if you want to have your spirits uplifted…if
you want to hear and see about caring and sharing for another alcoholic…if you just need a meeting… come and join us any Tuesday night at
8:00 pm at Crossroads United Church, 7655 – 120th St
At the General Service Conference April 20th, the new Western Canada Regional Trustee was chosen from the 4 nominees representing
the Area’s in Western Canada. Congratulations to Cate W from Manitoba on being the first woman to serve in this position. Thank you to
the remaining nominees, particularly our own Trish L, for being ready
to serve this fellowship once again.
BIRTHDAY CONTRIBUTIONS
Daniel T, 16 years
Shelina K, 13 years
Kelly R, 25 years
Louise S, 25 years
Gord D, 19 years
Sue Mc, 15 years
Wendy W, 21 years
Phone Room Statistics
March
February
January
1,337
1,139
1,151
12th Step
69
102
78
Al-Anon
14
3
10
Ans Serv
198
130
87
Website
18,318
16,898
19,723
General
DIRECTORY UPDATES May 2016
New Meetings
Monday: “ Meditating Friends” 5400 River Rd.,
Richmond –1:30 pm
Wednesday: “ Roses AA” Kekinow Housing,
14145 -103 Ave., Surrey -noon
Thursday: “ The Program” starting May 12
715 Columbia St., New Westminster –6:30 pm
Friday—”Attitude Adjustment” Park House, 5400
River Road, Richmond—noon. missed from the
new directory.
Saturday: “ Queers, Plain Crackpots & Fallen
Women” 253 E. Hastings. Vancouver –4:00 pm
Sunday: “ Saturday Morning Service Topics”
EDIC, 7277 King George Blvd. Surrey –9:15 am
Meeting Deletions
Sunday: “ A Good Start” Faye’s Restaurant,
7380 King George Blvd., Surrey –9:30 am
Sunday: “ We Do Recover” VRC, 2775 Sophia St.
Vancouver –3:00 am
Sunday: “ Endless Possibilities” 724 Truman Rd.
Gibsons -7:00 pm
Sunday: “ Action Big Book” & “ Action Group”
305 W. 41st Ave., Vancouver - 7:00 pm & 8:00 pm
Sunday: “ Sobriety on Sussex” last mtg. May 1st
6050 Sussex Ave, Burnaby—8 pm
Monday: “ Monday Free Speech” NSAC, 176 E.
2nd St., North Vancouver –8:30 pm
Monday: “ Surrey Memorial Hospital”
13750-96 Ave., Surrey –7:30 pm
Monday: “ Monday Night Hospital”
Peace Arch Hospital, White Rock –7:30 pm
Tuesday: “ Big Book Study” 659 North Rd.,
Gibsons –8:00 pm
Thursday: “ Big Book Men’s” 5400 River Rd.,
Richmond –7:00 pm
Thursday: “ Metro Imperial Men’s” 332 12th St.,
New Westminster –8:00 pm
Friday: “ Strawberry Hill” 11040 River Rd.,
Delta –8:00 pm
Saturday: “ Carrying The Message”
22270 North Ave., Maple Ridge –7:30 pm
Meeting Changes
Sunday: “ Topic Meeting” has a new name
“Daily Reprieve” Burnaby Fellowship, 7638 6th St.,
Burnaby –11:00 am
Monday, Wednesday, Friday: ‘High Nooners”
new name & new time is now called “Nearly Noon”
529 Queens Ave., New Westminster –11:30 am
Monday-Friday: “ Edmonds Noon Sobriety” has returned to St. Albans Church, 7717 19th Ave., Burnaby noon. Saturday at 10:00 am.
Monday-Saturday: “ Burnaby Lunch Hour” has a new
name “Daily Reprieve” Burnaby Fellowship, 7638 6th St.
Burnaby –noon
Monday: “ Frantic Serenity” is an open
meeting, not closed as stated in the directory.
15115 Roper Ave., White Rock –7:30 pm
Monday: : “ Timbergrove & Food” new time,
13922-101 Ave., Surrey –now 7:30 pm
Tuesday: “ ABC Nooner” new location Kekinow
Housing, 9537 Prince Charles Blvd. Surrey—12:00 pm
Wednesday: “ Newton Group” new location
Newton Fellowship Church, 7328 - 144 St.,
Surrey –7:30 pm
Wednesday: “ Royal Oak” new time as of
April 5. 4812 Willingdon Ave. Burnaby –7:30 pm
Friday: “ Sober @ 7” new location Bear Creek
Pavilion, 13750-88 Ave., Surrey –7:00 pm
Saturday: “ Burnaby New Life” new location St. Stephen’s Church, 9887 Cameron St., Burnaby—7:00 pm
Upon Awakening: needs support. Vancouver
Recovery Club, 2775 Sophia St. Mon-Sun 7:00 am
SPRING DIRECTORY
New directories are available in the office at the same old
price of $2.
FYI, May 27, 2016 your Central Office/Intergroup has
been in existence for 70 years. One of the oldest in existence in North America! Something to be proud of. So,
be sure to go to the big celebration on June 11th at the
Croation Cultural Centre (see events page).
SEEKING GROUPS TO TAKE ON
MONTHLY PHONE SHIFTS!
Intergroup is looking for groups to take on a monthly phone shift
shared with another group. Currently we need 2 groups to take
on the 16th of the month. Bring it up at your business meeting! It
works out to about 8 shifts a year, on evenings, weekends, and
the occasional holiday Monday. Your group needs three volunteers for each shift, with a three-month sobriety requirement. It’s
a great way to do service at the Intergroup level. Phone shifts
offer a way to get to know your group members better, and lend
the hand of AA to those seeking help, often for the first time.
Contact Central Office if you are interested:
604-434-3933
UPCOMING EVENTS
Check the website for posters: www.vancouveraa.ca; For out of Area go to: www.aa.org and open Box 459.
BC YUKON CONVENTION May 13 – 15 (see back page for details)
THE BAY GROUP’S 65th ANNIVERSARY MEETING May 16, one of
Vancouver’s oldest groups. BC Yukon Archives, food & fellowship
to follow. Vancouver Alano Club, 1525 W, 7th Ave. –8:00 pm
COMOX VALLEY RALLY May 20-22, Native Sons Hall, 360 Cliff Ave.,
Courtney, BC. Kella-Lee 250-897-4729
MIRACLES May 20 -22, Calvary Community Church, 1250 Rogers
Way, Kamloops. Melody 250-376-8012 Corinna 250-579-5152
COMOX VALLEY RALLY May 20-22, naïve Sons Hall, 360 Cliff Ave.,
Courtenay, BC. Kella-Lee 250-897-4729, Marilyn 250-338-5984
SUNSHINE COAST WOMEN’S SPRING RETREAT May 21-22,
Camp Sunrise reg.springretreat@gmail.com
LIVE & LET LIVE 42ND ANNIVERSARY May 26, 1825 W. 16th Ave.
Potluck following the 8:00 pm speaker meeting.
TRI-CITIES SPRING RALLY May 27-28, All Saints Parish Hall,
821 Fairfax St., Coquitlam. Info: Brent 604-936-2712
DISTRICTS 36 & 38 DELEGATE REPORT May 28, Church, 7260 St.
Albans Rd., Richmond. Info: Sheryl D. (Dist.36) sdrago@shaw.ca,
Ken J. (Dist.38) 604-928-1324 or diveride@mail.com
LOUGHEED SPEAKER GROUP May 31, celebrates 21 years and
A.A.’s 81st with food, fellowship & speakers. 8:00 pm in the upstairs room.
LYTTON ROUNDUP June 3-5, Lytton BC Memorial Hall,
pdc4@live.com Pepsi C 778-254-2580
FRASER VALLEY RALLY June 4, Shannon Hall, 6050 176th Ave.,
Surrey. Ken M 604-314-6832 Stan H 604-722-4135
THE FIRST FOUR CELEBRATE 70 YEARS June 11, speakers, buffet,
live music, dancing. Croatian Cultural Centre, 3250 Commercial
Drive. 10:00 am to 1:00 am. Info: Nadine 604-808-5344; Mona
604-561-3230 Tickets $30.
GRATITUDE ROUNDUP June 10 -12, Glenmore Inn & Convention
Centre, 2720 Glenmore Tr. S.E., Calgary
http://calgaryaa.org/event/gratitude-roundup-2016/
FOUNDERS DAY CONFERENCE June 10-12, Akron Ohio
www.foundersdayregistration.akronaa.org
THE FIRST 4 GROUPS CELEBRATE Jun 11, Croation Culteral Centre, 3250 Commercial Dr., Vancouver. Tickets $30
ANNUAL STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL June 16, Lifeline Group hosts
at 3525 W. 24th Ave., Vancouver –8:00 pm
VANCOUVER INTERGROUP WORKSHOP, June 18, Park House,
5400 River Road, Richmond. Displays from Subcommittees,
members sharing. Info: 604-434-3933 email:
staff@vancouveraa.ca. 1:30 to 3:30 pm.
THERE IS A SOLUTION, July 1 -3, Native Friendship Centre, 319
North Fraser, Quesnel, BC email: quesnelrounup@hotmail.ca
ESK’ETEMC NATION, July 15-17, Alkali Lake. Fred 250-440-5889;
Ken 250-440-5768
SMITHERS ROUNDUP July 29-31, “A New Freedom” Pioneer Activity Centre. Chris 250-846-5957; Michelle 250-846-9706
JULY QUARTERLY July 8-10. BC Yukon Area 79 Kelowna, BC
(check www.bcyukonaa.org for details)
PROCEDURES AND GUIDELINES REVIEW
Special Intergroup Meeting on Saturday, May 7th. All members
are welcome to attend. Special Meeting Poster
SUBCOMMITTEE MEETING SCHEDULE
MAY
JUNE
Cooperation with Professional Community 1st Tuesday 7:00 pm
3rd
7th
Hospitals: 1st Tuesday, 7:00 p.m.
3rd
7th
Corrections: 1st Wednesday, 7:00 pm (2nd Tuesday as of June 2016)
4th
14th
Special Needs: 2nd Monday, 7:00 pm
9th
13th
Detox: 3rd Tuesday, 6:00 pm
17th
21st
14th
11th
Finance: Thursday before Intergroup, 6:00 pm
12th
16th
Operating Committee: same night as Finance 7:00 pm
12th
16th
Intergroup 3rd Tuesday, 7:30 pm, Orientation at 7:00 pm ( 49th & Kerr)
17th
21st
Treatment: 3rd Tuesday, 6:00 pm
17th
21st
Telephone: 3rd Thursday, 6:00 pm
19th
16th
21st
18th
25th
22nd
Workshop: 2nd Saturday, 11:00 am
Workshop: 3rd Saturday, 10:00 am
Public Information: 4th Wednesday, 7:00 pm
Subcommittee meetings are held at Central Office, 3457 Kingsway. All A.A. members are welcome.
VANCOUVER INTERGROUP WORKSHOP
AROUND THE REGION
SATURDAY, June 18, 1:30—3:30
PARK HOUSE
5400 River Road, Richmond
Ever thought you might like to know more about speaking at schools; carrying the message through our
friends in Professional fields; helping the incarcerated ? Now is your chance to hear what happens and how
to become a part of these vital services.
DISPLAYS BY THE COMMITTEES RESPONSIBLE FOR CARRYING THE MESSAGE TO
THE FOLLOWING GROUPS:
PUBLIC INFORMATION; COOPERATION WITH THE PROFESSIONAL COMMUNITY; DETOX AND TREATMENT CENTRE; PROVINCIAL PRISONS AND REMAND
CENTRES; HOSPITALS, SPECIAL NEEDS.
Also on hand will be information from Telephones and Bridging the Gap
Find your niche in the 3 legacies of A.A.
More info: 604.434.3933 or staff@vancouveraa.ca