Tuesday, August 29, 2017

Members who are part of our history--Jim C

Bob M--"Jim C--- could carry the message like nobody I've ever seen."

Paul W--Jim sponsored a lot of people, including him, and never told him what to do.  Also, he told Paul that when he drove, he imagined God was riding in the seat next to him.  

When Jerry H was considering whether or not to try and start a meeting in Mt. Vernon, Jim told him "if the good Lord" wanted the meeting to succeed, then it would.  (Jerry H)

Therese B-A--Jim told her she was "an asset" wherever she went

Sayings:

In his leads, he'd say:
"Don't walk behind me, I may not lead.
Don't walk in front of me, I may not follow.
Walk beside me."

"Yet."--when people would say things that hadn't happened to them because of drinking

"You want a little cheese with that whine?"

"Don't drink no matter what!  Even if your ass falls off, pick it up and bring it to a meeting!"



He passed on October 16, 1998.  (from the memorial scrapbook in the Old Stone club room)

Members who are part of our history--John G

He used to say at meetings that it took him 12 years to get a 1 month chip.
After he tried different fields, he ended up doing social work, being named social worker of the year, and used to say "if people only knew."  (Pat R.)


Sayings: 

"I used to be the VFW drunk and asked 'Why me?'  Then I got sober in AA & others didn't & asked 'Why me?'"

"When I open my eyes the first thing I do is thank God for this day!"



"John was extremely proud to be a member of Bill W.'s fellowship for more than three decades."  (from the memorial scrapbook in the Old Stone club room)

Members who are part of our history--Rudy H

"He was one of the people you could count on the most" when he volunteered at the original Stepping Stone. (Pat R)

"He liked to talk."  (Wayne F)

Some of his sayings:

"Whah!"

"You don't get here for eating too many green beans."

"I don't have a dog in that fight."

"He would always tell his pigeons, 'If you look back, don't stare', 'Don't worry about it, you haven't been dead three days yet' and 'I like you.  Why don't you like you?'"  (memorial scrapbook, Old Stone club room)


Events that are part of our history: The Hog Roast

History of the Hog Roast

In the year 2000 the Southwestern Indiana Central Office was in dire financial shape.  The idea was put forth to have some type of fundraiser to help keep the office open.  Thus, the beginning!

The first hog roast in 2001 was held at the lakeside shelter as you enter the park.  It was a huge success!  It has grown in attendance and been geared toward a family fun day for the children of alcoholics.

This growth now requires numerous volunteers and a major committment for its continued success!  Its current location at the discovery lodge is the only one large enough to accomodate the number of attendees and events.

From the onset we have done our best to adhere to the twelve traditions.  This includes anonymity, attraction rather than promotion and seventh tradition concerns.  Sometimes the lines get blurred when as a committee we plan and execute events.  Thankfully, we have these traditions as guideposts to keep or get us back to our primary purpose!

When we as a committee, we dispense any profits, we must consider all the traditions and any unintended consequences that may arise by not following them!  As the ccommittee rotates each year with new members the experience gained needs to be passed along.

I was asked by our chairperson about a letter being distributed by mailer listing the hogroast as a financial donor.  This could be construed as an endoresment to an outside enterprize.  This could also jeopardize us in the future.

The sole purpose of the hogroast was to support the AA central office and its activities of carrying the message.  The central office's 501c3 status allows for the annual hogroast to be held legally.  Any raffle tickets and admittance tickets should be stamped in support of the southwestern indiana central office.

GSO, area 23 southern Indiana, districts 12 and 14, old timers dinner along with the central office are entities that meet the criteria within the non-profit scope of the central office.  I am not a lawyer, although we have sought and received legal advice in the past!

Mike W, trusted servant