6/2016 - Eastside Intergroup

Pass It On
Eastside Intergroup Newsletter
June 2016
Page 1 ,2 and 3
The Incredible Gift by Ildi B.
“My name is Ildi B. and I am an alcoholic”
Page 4
I don’t think I ever *thought* I would actually say those words out loud, although I KNEW deep down I was an alcoholic from the word GO. My first
“real” drinking experience, not counting the sips I would steal as a child off
my Dad’s beers, was a perfect example: I got into my Dad’s alcohol stash at
12 years old, downed 3 beers in rapid succession, and eventually passed out.
Even though I’d never drank before, this was indicative of my drinking style
throughout my life: Start drinking, keep drinking, stop only when something
(or someone) major cropped up.
Upcoming Sober Events and
Meeting Updates
Page 5
May Office News by Nancy O.
Page 6
Birthday Club
Faithful Fivers
Pink Can Contributions
Page 7
Notes from the Archives
by David C..
Page 8
Office Information
Newsletter Volunteers
Hotline Volunteers
Contributions
Page 9
Thank you ESIG Representatives
Mark your Calendars!!! Eastside
Intergroup Annual
Picnic at Beaver
Lake Park August
6th from 11am—
3pm!
Whether that was hurting myself (accidentally or intentionally), ending up
with someone I shouldn’t, getting sick or passing out, or driving myself home
completely smashed, it was always something that didn’t end well. I don’t
believe I ever had a time where I felt *good* after drinking. Believe me, I always tried to make it work, and as I went on in my life, my body started to
rebel. My brain would tell me I deserved that wonderful drink in front of me,
while my body went on the offensive, and would handily reject it; every
evening, night, and next-morning became an unsuccessful attempt to mitigate my unavoidable hangovers.
My first AA meeting I attended was in my hometown when I was 17 years
old (I went with my Mom, who abstained from alcohol); the next meeting
was in the Snoqualmie Valley 25 years later. It took me a very long time to
find my way to AA, even though some of my experiences would cause me to
quit drinking for varied periods of time (1 month here, 3 months there).
Ironically, I had quit drinking for 2 years before I was even 21, because I
knew it was an issue; plus, I had done a “Geographical” of sorts: I’d moved to
Washington State, and the “friends” that used to laugh at me when I wanted
to quit drinking were no longer around to harass me and (literally) pour beer
down my throat.
(cont. on p 2)
The Incredible Gift
(continued)
Sadly, I didn’t even *think* to attend AA at that point, so when I started to date a guy that drank and used, I
slipped right back in to my old drinking patterns.
I was an alcoholic who was able to hold down a steady job, have a place, and a partner. My line of work
is very blue collar and primarily male-dominated; being a fun-loving hard- drinking party girl who could
also do her job, was an asset. Coming in with a wretched hangover but able to work, was a badge of
honor. Hanging with the guys, swapping stories of troublesome customers and BS-ing after hours with
beer in hand became commonplace.
I was “one of the guys” and it was fun...at least, it used to seem that way. But over the years, things
began to change. I discovered the beauty of hard alcohol, in that I could get the quickest buzz in the
shortest amount of time. I got older. My body started to reject the alcohol I so willingly poured into it,
and my hangovers were longer and much more painful. I started being late to work. I started to take
naps in the ladies’ lounge at break because I felt horrible. I started to go out to lunch so I could have a
drink midway through the workday, unbeknownst to my coworkers (or so I thought).
My home life had gone to hell in a handbasket because—of course—my alcohol was only a symptom of
bigger, deeper problems (of which, I WAS a part of). I no longer “wanted” to drink; I *had* to drink. It
was always at the back of my mind, from the time I got up until the time I had my first drink of the day,
whether it was a Cosmopolitan at lunch, or a Martini on the way home at the neighborhood Pub, or a
drink as soon as I arrived home so I could pretend that my marriage and our home life wasn’t crashing
and burning around us. I drove drunk every evening. I always had hangovers. I pretended everything was
fine.
One evening in 2012, I finally had enough. I got sick of myself. I got sick of trying to make my unmanageable life behave. I got sick of me disrespecting myself. I got tired of fighting it all. I don’t know why the
shift happened when it did, but I listened to it, and decided to truly make a change.
I looked up AA meetings in the area and found one within 3 miles of my house. And even before I’d
heard about the “miracles” of AA, one was shown to me. A wonderful neighbor of mine (who also was
wrestling with her own drinking demons) took note of me actively NOT drinking at a function, asked me
about it, and then texted me about a meeting in Woodinville (Sober at Cottage Lake): “Would I like to
go?”
It was amazing. We knew we were “Home.” We were right where we needed to be. We are Littermates,
2 days apart (totally unplanned!), now each with over 3 years of Sobriety. We carpool to our weekly
meeting, keep each other accountable, and support each other when things get tough.
(cont. on p 3)
The Incredible Gift
(continued)
Once I got in the rooms of AA, I followed the examples, I tried the suggestions, I did what you told me: I
went to a LOT of meetings (especially in early Sobriety), I found a wonderful Sponsor, I started working
the Steps, I took Service positions, I volunteered to be the Chairperson (terrifying for me), I read the
Big Book and the Twelve & Twelve, and the Daily Reflections.
I listened to Speakers in the Room (xa-speakers.org) to and from work in my car. I went to Speaker
meetings. I attended Gratitude Dinners. I went to Sober Rallies and Dances and Retreats. I began to
Sponsor. I started to see the fun and the joy in being Sober. I saw that I COULD have fun being Sober.
My life began to change and the Promises DID start to come true. They still are, even today.
That’s not to say that my life in Sobriety has been all of a “Pink Cloud” and nothing more. As is said,
“Life is what happens when you’re making other plans”. My marriage dissolved in Sobriety. I have had
Work challenges in Sobriety. But the difference for me now is that I DO NOT HAVE TO DRINK OVER IT.
When things happen to me now, I remember that I have the Tool Box of AA: I have my Sponsor and
Sponsee. I have my Littermate. I have friends in the Program. I have the Big Book. I work with others. I
go to my Meetings and I share when my life is challenging.
There is no one in these Rooms who hasn’t gone through what I have. I draw strength from their
support and their care. And in Sobriety, I am able to ask others, when I need help. I can call someone if
I need a shoulder to lean on. I have a cadre of Sober folks who have “been there, done that” and are
willing to share their experiences with me so that I know I am not alone.
Being Sober has been an incredible gift to me. I can’t mourn for the years I drank; I cannot change that.
What I can do is live my life to the best of my ability as a Sober person. I can share those early
experiences with others in the hope that it may resonate with them and help them to decide to be
Sober. I am grateful for AA and for all that I have found in Sobriety. I will continue to trudge that Road
of Happy Destiny.
Eastside Intergroup Office
Will be closed
Saturday July 2nd and Monday July 4th
Upcoming Sober Events
Meeting Updates
June 4th: No Reservation Speaker Meeting from 7 to 9 pm at
the Swinomish Gymnasium in La Conner. Childcare is no longer
offered. AA speaker is Mari G from Toronto and Al-Anon speaker
is Pearl H from Canby, Or.
NEW MEETINGS!
June 4th: Strip Bingo from 7 to 10 pm at Hope Hall in
Snoqualmie. Fundrasier for Three Bridges Campout. Last game
of the season.
June 11th: 12th Step Workshop from 10 to noon at Eastside
Intergroup in Bellevue. This is an interactive workshop with group
participation. It is not a panel workshop.
June 11th: Live at Pine Lake Speakers Meeting from 7 to 9
pm at Pine Lake Covenant Church in Sammamish. Speaker is
Joe M. from Austin, TX.
June 18th: District 38 Traveling Archives Display sponsored
by District 38 Archives from 10 to 3 pm at Kirkland
Congregational Church in Kirkland. Largest in the state with over
2500 pieces.
June 25th: Sober on the Beach by District 38 AA starting at
3pm at OO Denny Park Picnic Shelter in Kirkland. $5 Suggested
Contribution. Bring Grill Items, Sweets & Side Dishes.
June 16th to 19th: PSYPC 22nd Annual Alta Lake Campout
2016 at Alta Lake State Park. The registration is $20. Visit
www.psypc.org for additional information.
June 17th to 19th: 12th Annual “Roast at the Coast” 12 Step
Recovery Camp out at Camp Makuala in Oregon. For more
information call Holly at 503-812-1895.
July 21st: Western Washington Area 72 Delegates Report,
Renton Methodist Church 2201 NE 4th St. Potluck at 6:30pm
presentation at 7:30pm.
July 30th: Greater Seattle Intergroup Summer Car Show
11:00am to 3:00pm. 5507 6th Ave S. Seattle.
July 31st: District 39 Annual Picnic, Blythe Park 16950 W.
Riverside Dr. Bothell, WA 98011 11:00am to 2:00pm.
August 6th: Eastside Intergroup Annual Picnic, Beaver Lake
Park in Sammamish 11:00am to 3pm.
Heretic’s Haven
Mondays 7:00pm-8pm
East Shore Unitarian Church
12700 SE 32nd, Bellevue 98005
Sammamish Sober Sisters
Mondays 7:00-8:00pm (open)
Sammamish Presbyterian Church
22522 NE Inglewood Hill Rd. #C205
Women’s 12 Step Open AA Meeting
Fridays 12pm—1pm
1300 114th Ave SE #101, Bellevue
Fourth Step Writers
Sundays 7pm-8pm
Eastside Alano Club
12302 NE 8th St. Bellevue 98005
MEETING CLOSED!
Fridays 10:00am
Valley Girls Step Study Meeting
Snoqualmie Valley Alliance Church
In Fall City
SUPPORT NEEDED!
Sober Women
Saturdays 8:30am—10:00a.m.
Alano Club
12302 NE 8th St. Bellevue
Bring Your Own Book (BYOB)
Fridays 7:00pm—8:00pm
Salt House
11920 NE 80th St., Kirkland
May Office
Report Report
2016
February
Office
Thank you to all of our office volunteers during May: Susan H., Rick L., Wallene D., Ted W., Steve C., Carrie W., Travis S
(computers), John E. (QuickBooks), Rick F. (schedule pick up from Seattle) and our office assistant, Leah W. Together we all make
a great team!
We’ve sold 674 Big Books since January 1st. For anyone interested, after many requests we now carry the Big Book Dictionary and
since March have sold 89 copies. It’s a wonderful companion to the Big Book especially when taking someone through the first 164
pages. We sell it for $3.50 plus tax.
Thank you all for your Big Book donations to help support the Sanity in Sobriety meeting. We have collected quite a few but are still
looking for more. We have a box in the office for anyone wanting to donate either new or used Big Books to help support this meeting.
Eric C and I held a hotline training on May 21st and had five people attend. Desi H., Sara Y., James D., Mary B. and John K. all
participated and are now able to cover phones either on the hotline or in the office during business hours. Thank you all for your willingness to be of service!
We are holding a 12th Step workshop at the office on Saturday June 11th from 10:00am to noon. Please RSVP to
nancy@eastsideintergroup.com if you plan to attend as space is limited.
If you are on our 12th Step list, you may have received a call from one of our volunteers about the new 12th Step program with Overlake Hospital. We were gathering contact information for a second 12th Step list which is specific to calls from the hospital. If you
are interested in being on either of these lists you may want to attend the 12th Step workshop on June 11th.
During May I dropped in on Mt. Si Saturday Night, Nameless Bunch of Drunks, Living Sober (Wednesday night), Women’s
Saturday Share and Living Sober (Sunday night). All good meetings and out of my normal routine.
I attended the District 35 workshop “Living the Traditions” which was well attended and full of useful information. Steve C. the Area
72 alternate was on the panel with some opening remarks about the history of the traditions and then the other 4 panel members
each shared about 3 traditions. Cheyanne and Joe did a nice job putting on this workshop. Eastside Intergroup donated the Grapevine “Traditions Check List” to the workshop.
The Eastside Intergroup Picnic is scheduled for August 6th so mark your calendars!!! And if you would like to be of service --- helping
with the picnic is a really fun event! Just let us know.
If your groups or Districts have any summer events coming up – please let me know so I can put them on our website, post them on
the bulletin board at the office and bring copies of your flyers to the Intergroup meeting for the Reps to take back to their home
groups. These are all ways to get your events mentioned.
For those of you that are motorcycle riders or even bicycle riders, we have a new medallion at the office “Ride
Sober-Ride Free. It’s beautiful and sells for $15 plus tax. Stop by and check it out! The back is really pretty too!
Thank you for allowing me to be of service.
Nancy O.
ESIG Manager
How Can You Help Support Eastside Intergroup in
Addition to the 7th Tradition at your Meetings?
Become a Faithful Fiver!
What are Faithful Fivers?
Faithful Fivers are AA members who graciously pledge
to contribute $5.00 each month to support Eastside Intergroup in its efforts to carry the AA message of hope
and recovery to those alcoholics who still suffer in the
Eastside area. As a Faithful Fiver, your contribution
can and will make our vital services possible.
The Faithful Fiver idea came about when we remembered that we wasted much more than $5 each month
during our drinking days.
Contributions to Eastside Intergroup from AA members
are limited to $3,000 per member per year and are tax
deductible under Internal Revenue Code: 501(c)3.
Thank You May 2016 Faithful Fivers!
Barbara M.
Pat A.
Nancy O.
Terry O.
Beth L.
Pam Z.
Ulf W.
Eastside Open Breakfast
Join Our Birthday Club!
Eastside Intergroup Birthday Club!
Many of our members contribute to ESIG $1, $2
or $5 per year during their
AA Anniversary month.
We’ll print your name, sobriety date and home
group in our Newsletter.
Your Birthday Club contributions directly
support your Eastside Intergroup Office which
provides a 24 hour phone line, literature, coins
Birthday Club!
Name______________________
Home Group_________________
Sobriety Date_________________
Contribution $________________
Get your name & Home Group in the newsletter!
May 2016 Birthday
No contributions in May
Yes! Please enroll me as a
Faithful Fiver!
Here is my contribution of
$_______for_________months
Name______________________________________
Pink Can Contributions
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Address____________________________________
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City____________________ State______Zip______
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Return this form to:
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Eastside Intergroup
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13401 NE Bel-Red Rd. Suite B6
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Bellevue, WA 98007
Sober Women
Seven & Sober
Juanita Triangle
Fresh Start
Pine Lake Stag
Living Sober
Notes from the Archives
By David C., District 38 Archivist
Hello from the vaults of the District 38. This month I thought you might like to know a little more about
what I have in store for you if you come to the Traveling Display on June 18. We will be showcasing
our large Big Book Display. It contains many different editions and printings of the Big Book, including
a 1st edition first printing in red. Along with the Big Books we have many different 12 and 12 ’ s also.
I will be putting out a rare 1st edition that belonged to Past Trustee Eric B. I also will be showing a
very rare translation of the book in Polish, one of only five in existence in the newsprint format.
Have you ever been to an International Convention of Alcoholics Anonymous? The archives has examples of many years that members have attended, and donated items from them. We also have
every large format photograph that has been published from the past 80 years of the Convention. I
personally have attended the past two conventions in 2010 and 2015, and have quite a few pieces of
memorabilia to show you.
As the District told me 20 years ago to collect anything to do with alcoholism, there is a large collection of pieces that pertain to just that. We have books on just about every aspect of that subject, and
also a lot of early medical pamphlets on the cure for our disease. Speaking of pamphlets, look out for
the binder containing both very old and new AA pamphlets. I also will be exhibiting our rather large
NW exhibit. This contains material from the very start of the Fellowship in the region, along with every
history book put out on Alcoholics Anonymous in the Area. More will be revealed…..
P. S. Come and see the entire traveling display on June 18 at the Kirkland Congregational Church,
10 am to 3pm. Bring your ??? about the Fellowship, and we will answer you. Till next time……
Office Information
Office Manager - Nancy 0.
Email: Nancy@eastsideintergroup.com
13401 NE Bel-Red Suite B6
Bellevue, WA 98005
Phone: 425-454-9192
Email: esig@eastsideintergroup.com
Website: www.eastsideintergroup.com
Office Hours: Mon.-Fri. 10am-6pm
First Saturday each month 10am-2pm
Thank you May Hotline Volunteers!
Barbara P.
Carmen A.
Carrie W.
Chuck M.
Elton B.
Ginny K.
Guy P.
Joe M.
John K.
John M.
John R.
Keith S.
Kristen B.
Leslie G.
Mark J.
Merrill G.
Mike S.
Richard J.
Sara K.
Sheldon A.
Newsletter Contributors
Publisher……................Alma O.
Editor……………..…….Sandy B.
Intergroup Meeting
Archivist……………..…David C.
First Thursday of each
Personal Story…..……. Ildi B.
month 7:30 - 8:30pm
Office News …….…… Nancy O.
All members welcome!
Bellevue Christian Reformed Church
1221 148th Ave NE, Bellevue 98007
Thanks to the following Groups for sending contributions
to the Eastside Intergroup office in the month of May
2016. Group contributions enable us to pay the rent and
bills for your Intergroup Office, maintain our phone lines
24 hours a day 7 days a week, publish a monthly newsletter, provide a meeting directory, and carry AA information and literature.
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Women’s Saturday
Steps
Downtown Stag
Kenmore Friday
Nighters
Duvall Big Book Study
Enough is Enough
Nameless Bunch of
Drunks
Tiger Mountain Stag
Moss Bay
WSCYPAA
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Snoqualmie Stag
Ladies Step Study
Grace Rules
Sharing the Legacy
Fresh Start
Women’s Saturday
Share
The Shack
Sober Cartooners
Anchor Group
Sheree P.
Susan M.
Ted W.
Tim B.
Tina B.
Tina K.
Tracy A.
Travis S.
Bill J.
Eric C.
Wallene D.
Nancy O.
Coordinators:
Eric C.
Bill J.
Backup :
Sheree P.
Thank you to our office volunteers too!
Leah W.
Susan H
Rick L.
Wallene D.
Steve C.
Carrie
Ted W.
Travis S.
(Computers)
John E.
(Quickbooks)
Rick F.
(Literature
Pickup)
Group Contributions District, GSO & Area Info
Eastside Intergroup:
Eastside Intergroup
13401 NE Bel-Red Rd.
Suite B6
Bellevue, WA 98007
Western WA Area 72
702 Kentucky St., #535
Bellingham, WA 98225
General Service Office (GSO)
P.O. Box 459
Grand Central Station
New York, NY 10163
District 34
Bellevue, Redmond, East Lake
Sammamish, Mercer Island
District 34
P.O. Box 50081
Bellevue, WA 98015
District 35
Issaquah
District 35
P.O. Box 442
Issaquah, WA 98027
District 36
Snoqualmie Valley, Duvall,
North Bend
District 36
P.O. Box 1963
North Bend, WA 98045
District 38
Kirkland
District 38
P.O. Box 322
Kirkland, WA 98083
District 39
Bothell, Kenmore, Woodinville
Thank you Intergroup Reps!
The following Intergroup Reps were in attendance at our meeting. See you on Thursday, June 2nd!
Ally B. – Sobriety Lifeline
Andrew L. – ESAC Essentials
Andy G. – ESIG PI Chair, Core Relations,
District 35 PI Chair
Ari B. – Sunday Breakfast at Alano
Ally B. – Sobriety Lifeline
Andrew L. – ESAC Essentials
Andy G. – ESIG PI Chair, Dist. 35 PI Chair &
Core Relations
Bill D. – Unbridled
Brian G. – Living Sober
Charlie C. – ESIG Web Committee
Chris P. – ESIG Board Chair & NCS
Chris S. - Nooners
David B. – ESIG Board
Eric C. – ESIG Hotline Coordinator
Garret V. – Eastside Men’s Group
Holly F. – Moss Bay
James D. – District 35 Treatment Chair
Jeffrey G. – Pocket of Enthusiasm
Jen T. – Joy of Living
John G. – CPC Committee
John K. – ESIG Board, Sammamish Big Book
Study & Live at Pine Lake
John M. – Sharing the Legacy
John S. – ESIG Board & District 39 Liaison
Kathy H. – Sober Seniors
Kyle M. – Maximum Service
Leigh Anne D. – ESIG CPC Alternate
Lisa S. – 59 Minutes at Pine Lake
Margie C. – ESIG Web Committee
Margot B. – Seven & Sober
Mark S. – Issaquah Big Book Study
Mary B. – ESIG Board & Eastside Beginners
Mary B. – District 38 Intergroup Rep &
Bellevue Breakfast Group
Meghan W. – ESIG GVLT Chair
Mike F. – Anchor Group
Nancy O. – ESIG Manager
Pat A. – ESIG Board Treasurer
Paul P. – Tuesday Night Solutions
Phil K. – Area 72 Corrections Chair
Robin O. – Millennium
Sandy B. – ESIG Newsletter Editor &
Friday Sobriety Headquarters
Shelly N. – ESIG Board
Steve C. – District 34 CPC & GSR Sober Seniors
Susan M. – Sober Cartooners, Sanity in Sobriety & Wednesday
Willingness
Tim M. – ESIG Hospital & Treatment Chair,
A Way Up & Newport Hills Study Group
Todd G. – Juanita Triangle
Travis S. – Friday Night Firehouse
Val F. – Serenity Break
Willy H. – ESIG Board Secretary
Yves – Bill’s Story
U!
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What does an Intergroup Rep do?
An Intergroup Rep is elected at his/her Home Group and attends the Eastside Intergroup Meeting
on the 1st Thursday of each month from 7:30pm to 8:30pm. You represent your home group at
the monthly meeting and hold a vote for your group.
Because Eastside Intergroup covers five Districts and is a central clearinghouse for local AA activities and information, you become a vital link between the Intergroup office, the Districts, and your
home group. The Intergroup Rep keeps his or her home group informed about work being done,
activities going on, etc. You become a part of the networking between Eastside Intergroup and the
groups.