August - Alcoholics Anonymous

Freedom to Choose
Looking back, we see that our freedom to choose badly was not, after all, a very real freedom.
When we chose because we “must,” this was not a free choice either. But it got us started in the right direction.
When we chose because we “ought to,” we were really doing better. This time we were earning some freedom,
making ourselves ready for more.
But when, now and then, we could gladly make right choices without rebellion, hold-out, or conflict, then we had
our first view of what perfect freedom under God’s will could be like.
AS BILL SEES IT, p. 124
INTERGROUP CORNER:
August is election month. Has your group had that discussion with your Intergroup Rep regarding continued representation for 18 months as he/she continues with the Operating Committee?
Next month is the 2nd annual Breakfast with your Sponsor and we need helpers to set up, serve, clean up, etc. If
you have Food Safe and willingness to cook a simple breakfast, call the office please. Thanks.
As per a decision made at Intergroup, the office hours on Saturday are now 9:30 am to 1 pm. reduced by 4
hours.
The roving Intergroup Sharing Sessions held in Burnaby in June was a success. The next one will be in October in
Maple Ridge. In the new year, sessions will be held in Surrey and Richmond districts.
Tickets are available for Corrections Roundup and the Breakfast with your sponsor events. See the back pages of
this newsletter, visit the website or call the office for details.
Soon there will be requests coming for speakers at schools, medical gatherings, community groups, etc. If you
are interested in participating in carrying the message of hope through presenting on A.A. at such gatherings,
please be sure to attend the meetings of Public Information and Cooperation with the Professional Communities.
Day/time as listed on p. 4—held at Central Office on Kingsway.
Office Hours of Operation
Mon- Fri…….8:00am to 6:30pm
Saturday…….9:30am to 1:00pm ** NEW TIME
Sunday………9:30am to 1:00pm
The office will be closed Wednesday, July 1st for Canada Day., & Aug. 3 for BC 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
3457 Kingsway, Vancouver V5R 5L5 604.434.3933
GROUP CORNER
HISTORY OF FRIENDS OF DR. BOB
Our AA meeting group (which is called “Friends of Dr.
Bob,”) started in fall of 1994. It was originally listed in the
meeting directory as ‘Friends of Bob”, which Dale promptly
had changed. Dale has copies of that meeting directory to
prove it ;-)
The founders of this group were Max A and Brian J. The
meeting was men’s closed, luncheon group, speaker meeting at 12:15pm. Some of those in attendance at the first
meeting were, Dale D, Doug G, Ken A, Terry, Max, Brian,
Mike F. Craig B. The first lady to attend, was Yvonne.
She asked if she was welcome and somebody said yes,
and it became a regular meeting, men and women, closed
speaker meeting.
After a few years, (Fall of 2005) Doug G made us all
aware that it was not registered with General Service Office. We had been a meeting of AA members holding our
meeting at Perry’s. After much discussion and a group
inventory, it was decided that to be all inclusive in Alcoholics Anonymous, i.e. home group, activities in service, adherence to Traditions, etc. Registration with GSO was
important. GSO was and still is reluctant to endorse naming meetings after anyone even our Founders, but eventually they made a concession, and Friends Of Dr. Bob was
registered. This concession came about thanks to a letter
Ken A wrote, and Dale D talking to Julio at GSO. They
took into account the fact that we had used FODB name
for a few years already and they ‘grandfathered’ it. We had
arrived!
The first location for the Friends of Dr. Bob meeting, was at
Perry’s Restaurant, 2227 St. Johns Street, Port Moody
and started in the Fall of 1994. Approximately by the
end of 1994 the meeting was opened to a normal
closed speaker meeting for men and women. One of
the first speakers was Hank R from Surrey
After Perry’s closed down the meeting was relocated to
Anducci’s Restaurant) Barnet Highway, Coquitlam and
started early summer 1995. We were in an open loft at
Anducci’s and noise and heat was too much.
The third location for the Friends of Dr. Bob meeting group,
was at ABC Restaurant, 2773 Barnet Highway, Coquitlam. That meeting started Aug 1995.
ABC restaurant was sold early 2005 and Friends of Dr Bob
moved to Michaels Bar and Grill on Wilson Street in
Port Coquitlam. This venue lasted only a couple of
months and by Mar 25 2005 we were on the move
once again.
The fifth location for the Friends of Dr. Bob meeting group,
was at Coquitlam Grill Restaurant, 2635 Barnet Highway, Coquitlam, and started in April 2005
ABC re-opened at 2773 Barnett Highway and FODB decid-
Service
ed to move back there. The room was very nice and the
acoustics were much better. We started meeting at the
new ABC on March 8, 2013.
Once again ABC sold the business and in Jan 2015 the building was taken over by M Café. We are currently holding
our meeting in the same place, now called M Café-Hong
Kong style restaurant.
We are still a speaker meeting and meeting starts at 12:151:15. It is an open AA meeting. Not ‘Blue Card’ but adhere to same principles. Our meeting is wheel chair accessible. We average 25-30 people a week with cake
meetings going to 40-50.
Because we have wanted to maintain the ‘lunch meeting with
speaker’ status it has been difficult over the years to
maintain a decent location. We are still struggling. The
positive side of this is our rent is paid through the cost of
the lunch we buy, leaving our tradition seven collection all
to be divided amongst GSO, Central office, District and
various committees within AA.
We are active in local efforts with our GSR and Intergroup
Reps We take our rotation in answering phones at central office and support various committees as need be
and as group conscious dictates.
-0-
Is your group interesting & unique? Tell us about it
and we will include the write up in a future
newsletter!
GROUP CONTRIBUTIONS LIST to June 30th are
included in this mailing.
Please check your group’s figures and let us know if you
think there has been a mistake. Thank you
Phone Room Statistics
June
May
Apr
1,084
1,123
1,365
12th Step
17
38
44
Al-Anon
11
10
8
Ans Serv
114
109
106
Website
16,171
16,799
17,008
General
DIRECTORY UPDATES August 2015
New Meetings
Sunday: “ We Do Recover” Vancouver Recovery
Club, 2775 Sophia St. Vancouver - 3:00 am
Sunday AA Punjabi Speaking, Easy Does It
Club, 7277 King George Blvd.- 2:00 pm
Monday: “ Lougheed Ladies Only” No meeting
on statutory holidays. 9887 Cameron St.
Burnaby –6:00 pm
Thursday: “ Third Step Group” Vancouver Alano
Club –6:15 pm
Thursday: “ New Momma’s Group” Evergreen
Community Centre, 3425 Crowley Dr., babies welcome, ring buzzer. Vancouver –5:00 pm
Meeting Deletions
Sunday: “ Acceptance” , Burnaby Fellowship,
7:00 pm
Monday: “ Women’s Step 11 Meditation” , Avalon, 5957 W. Blvd. Vancouver –11:00 am
Tuesday “ St. David’s Steps” 1525 Taylor Way,
on hiatus until Sept. West Vancouver –7:00 pm
Wednesday: “ Capital Hill” 4463 Hastings St.
Burnaby –8:00 pm
Thursday: “ Richmond Grapevine” Richmond
Hospital, 7000 Westminster Hwy. –7:30 pm
Thursday: “ Spiritual Progress” North Shore
Alano Club. North Vancouver –6:00 pm
Friday Eagle Ridge Hospital, Tradition 5—7:30
pm effective SEPT. 11th.
Saturday: “ Let Go and Let God” Easy Does It
Club, Surrey –7:00 pm
Saturday: “ Carrying The Message” 22270 North
Ave., Maple Ridge - 7:30 pm
Meeting Changes
Mon,Wed,Fri “ Alternative Nooner” new location,
Community Centre, 11475-126A St., Surrey
Monday-Friday: “ Edmonds Noon Sobriety” temporarily cancelled. 7717—19th Ave., Burnaby
Tuesday: “ ABC Nooners” reverts to original
time 13795-70th Ave, Surrey - 12:00pm
Wednesday: “ Best Discussion” temporary new
location, Gordon Presbyterian Church, 7457 Edmonds, Burnaby– 8:00 pm
Wednesday: “ Women’s Step” is now a Big
Book study. Avalon, 5957 W. Blvd. Vancouver –
12:30 pm
Wednesday : “ Royal Oak Group” needs support.
Willingdon Church, Burnaby –7:00 pm
Thursday: “ Strathcona Men’s” new time, 3874
Trafalgar St., Vancouver –8:00 pm
Thursday: “ Happy Destiny” temporary new location, May 7 - Aug 27. 181 Roundhouse Mews. Vancouver –8:00 pm
Thursday Error in the directory: Fourth Dimension , Burnaby is NOT closed on stat holidays.
Friday: “ Front Runners” temporary new location,
Apr. 10—Aug. 28. 181 Roundhouse Mews, Room C,
Vancouver –8:00 pm
Friday: “ Friends of Dr. Bob” moved back to 2773
Barnett Hwy (M Café) Coquitlam –12:15 pm
Friday: “ South Burnaby” 8:00 pm error on the
website. Meeting is NOT Spanish speaking.
Saturday: “ Edmonds Group” temporary new location, Burnaby Fellowship , 7638—6th St–10:00 am
Edmonds Noon Sobriety & Best Discussion
Group will resume their meetings at St. Alban’s
Church once the fire damage has been repaired.
Check with the office.
Dinner & a Meeting: The North Shore Alano is
offering a budget friendly dinner on Saturdays at
6:00 pm. Bring a friend and catch the 7:30 pm “North
Shore Live” meeting after your meal. Call the club to
find out this week’s special 604.987.4141.
176 E. 2nd St. North Vancouver.
Upon Awakening: needs support. Vancouver Recovery Club, 2775 Sophia St. Mon-Sun 7:00 am
UPCOMING EVENTS
Check the website for posters: www.vancouveraa.ca;
WHITE ROCK ROUNDUP “Pass It On” Aug 7-9 tickets $30.
Pat P 778.989.2023 Michael 778.846.6269
YA...BUT...GOLF EVENT August 8, 11:00 am tee-off. Tall Timbers Golf, 23523 56th Ave., Langley, BC. Vrinder
604.614.3329,
Steve 778.867.5859, Brent 604.377.5429
GREEN LAKE CAMPOUT Aug. 14-16. Sunset View Provincial
Campground. greenlakecampout@hotmail.com
WHITE ROCK WOMEN’S REREAT Aug. 22. “A Day of Serenity”
Elgin Hall, 14250 Crescent Rd., Surrey. whiterockwomensretreat@gmail.com
KAYPAA CAMPOUT Aug 28-30. Komasket Park, BC. taralightfoot@live.ca; renaud.adrienne@gmail.com;
kellyhopwood@hotmail.com
POWELL RIVER AA RALLY Sep 4-6. Alano Club, 5903 Arbutus &
Carlson Community Club, 4463 Joyce Ave.
goatlakebill@shaw.ca
LOCAL FORUM WESTERN REGION September 11-13, Whitehorse, YT Info: www.aa.org or www.bcyukonaa.org Registration is free.
For out of Area go to: www.aa.org and open Box 459.
604.328.3879
MEN’S FALL RETREAT Sept. 18-20. Speaker: Mickey B. from
the U.K. Sasamat Outdoor Centre, 3302 Senkler Rd., Belcarra, BC
Info: Jesse 778.859.8485
WOMEN’S RETREAT Sept. 25-27 “A Weekend With the
Steps” Sasamat Outdoor Centre, 3302 Senkler Rd., Belcarra,
BC Info: Tracey 604.345.5807
TAKE YOUR SPONSOR TO BREAKFAST Sep 26. Kick off Gratitude Month! St. Mary’s Ukrainian Church, 550 W. 14th Ave.
Vancouver. Speaker Texas Dave F. Call Central Office for info
& tickets 604.434.3933 $15, all are welcome.
32ND ANNUAL CORRECTIONS ROUNDUP Oct. 17th, Capital
Hill Hall, 361 S. Howard Ave., Burnaby 10am—10pm.
INTERGROUP AROUND THE REGION October 24th, One
Way Club, Maple Ridge 10 am to noon. All are welcome.
Learn where you can best serve in the Three Legacies of A.A.
More info www.vancouveraa.ca Or call 604.434.3933. Ask
your Intergroup Rep.
HALLOWEEN DANCE October 31, First United Church, 15385
Semiahmoo Ave., White Rock. Info: David 604-802-1365
TRI-CITIES AA WOMEN’S DAY Sept. 12. King of Life Lutheran
Church, 1198 Falcon Dr., Coquitlam. Info: Paulette
AUGUST
SEPTEMBER
Cooperation with Professional Community 1st Tuesday 7:00 pm
4th
1st
Corrections: 1st Wednesday, 7:00 pm
5th
2nd
Special Needs: 2nd Monday, 7:00 pm
10th
14th
Detox: 2nd Wednesday, 7:00 pm
12th
9th
Finance: Thursday before Intergroup, 6:00 pm
13th
10th
Operating Committee: same night as Finance 7:00 pm
13th
10th
Intergroup 3rd Tuesday, 7:30 pm, Orientation at 7:00 pm ( 49th & Kerr)
18th
15th
Treatment: 3rd Wednesday, 7:00 pm
19th
16th
Telephone: 3rd Thursday, 6:00 pm
20th
17th
15th
19th
Public Information: 4th Wednesday, 7:00 pm
26th
23rd
Hospitals: 4th Thursday, 7:00 pm
27th
24th
SUBCOMMITTEE MEETING SCHEDULE
Workshop: 3rd Saturday, 10:00 am
Subcommittee meetings are held at Central Office, 3457 Kingsway. All A.A. members are welcome.