North Eastern Regional Forum (NERF) Report
Delegate’s Report NERF 2015
I went to the North Eastern Regional Form (NERF) in Albany, NY. The first memorable moment was when Area 47 was not included in our newly elected North Eastern Regional Trustee trustees report. He listed off 17 Areas and we are one of 18 areas. I kindly went up to him and introduced myself. I smiled and let him know that we are not invisible and we are a part of the North East Region. He apoloigized and I know he will never forget us (Area 47) for as long as he has his memory. A blooper like that sticks in one’s mind! If you know what I mean, for the perfectionism that some of us have to reconize as a short coming. I told him I forgave him and I would let it go. He is a wonderful servant and has a great heart and love for A.A.
I gave a presentation on, “Our Primary Purpose” and it is enclosed here. I hope it speaks to you as God gave this to our founders to keep us focused on what they had believed as the only solution for the chronic alcoholic.
Primary Purpose Vicky S. Panel 65 A47 Delegate MARCH 2015
In Alcoholics Anonymous, our primary purpose as individuals is to stay sober and carry this message to other alcoholics. In Tradition 5, each A.A. group ought to be a spiritual entity having but one primary purpose – that of carrying its message to the alcoholic who still suffers. So I ask, what is this message I am to carry? What does it mean that each group has but one primary purpose – to carry its message to the still suffering alcoholic? What is the message that we are to carry?
Recovery, Unity, Service—these are the Three Legacies given to the whole membership of A.A. by its founders and their fellow old timers. When this heritage was announced, at the St. Louis Convention in 1955, celebrating A.A.’s 20th birthday, Doctor Bob was already gone. But Bill W. spoke for him and the other pioneers, as well as for himself, in turning over to all of us the responsibility for A.A.’s continuation and growth.
* In the 1930’s, Dr. Silkworth was tending to alcoholic patients, and witnessed the miraculous return to health of a patient he had deemed a medically hopeless case.
The patient’s recovery from alcoholism happened when he shared his personal experience, strength, and hope with another alcoholic. This man’s life, almost destroyed by a severe case of alcoholism, was miraculously transformed by; his surrendering and admitting that he was powerless over alcohol, seeking God’s help and guidance, and then sharing his experience with another. There is a solution from alcoholism, and its message is to surrender to a power greater that one self, clean house and serve others. Personal recovery and spiritual growth is accomplished by working and applying the 12 steps in our lives every day.
The first word in the first step is “We” not “I”. United we stand against the power of alcoholism. It is described as cunning, baffling and powerful; it will take a man down to the gates of hell if not arrested by total abstinence and uniting with other alcoholics in selfless action. All it takes is uniting with other members to start a group and taking responsibility for A.A.’s growth and continuation as it has been passed on to all of us by our founders. It is through our group conscience that a loving God can express Himself. We unite together to seek God for His wisdom, strength and power to do His will to help another alcoholic. We carry out His will by giving of our own time and resources to pass on what has been so freely given to us. Bill wrote that in doing twelfth step work no personal sacrifice is too great to help with the preservation of the fellowship. The unity, the effectiveness, and even the survival of A.A. will always depend upon our continued willingness to give up some of our personal ambitions and desires for the common safety and welfare. Just as sacrifice means survival for the individual alcoholic, so does sacrifice mean unity and survival for the group and for A.A.’s entire Fellowship.
** There is this miraculous force formed by the unity in A.A. and it is from our compelling love for our fellows and for our principles.
Our Twelfth Step—carrying the message—is the basic service that the A.A. Fellowship gives; this is our principle aim and the main reason for our existence. Therefore, A.A. is more than a set of principles; it is a society of alcoholics in action. We must carry the message, else we ourselves can wither and those who haven’t been given the truth may die.
*** Service for A.A. is anything that will help us reach a still suffering alcoholic-ranging all the way from one-on-one twelfth step work over a cup of coffee to A.A.’s General Service Office for national and international action.
Our Third Legacy of Service is any service that includes intergroup offices, meeting places and cooperation with hospitals, professionals and the public by using many forms of communication through pamphlets, books and positive publicity of many forms. Voluntarily supporting all of these activities from within our fellowship is not to be forgotten as another vital service. All of these services are vital to the growth of A.A whether it is performed by individuals, groups, areas, or A.A. as a whole.
Our founders have passed on the importance of this to us saying that, “Our primary purpose is to carry the message to the still suffering alcoholic. A.A. is more than a set of principles; it is a society of alcoholics in action. We must carry the message, else we ourselves can wither and those who haven’t been given the truth may die.”
**** Faith without works is dead.
*As Bill Sees It p 13
** AA Comes of Age, pp 287-288
*** A.A. Service Manual p S1
**** 1969 AAWS Inc. AA’s Legacy of Service Pamphlet
Thank you for allowing me to serve Area 47 in the North East Region!
Yours in Love and Service,
Vicky S.
You’re on top of the game. Thanks for shargni.