1 00:00:01,620 --> 00:00:03,150 - The views and opinions expressed 2 00:00:03,150 --> 00:00:05,760 during this podcast are those of our guests. 3 00:00:05,760 --> 00:00:08,400 No one person speaks for A.A. as a whole 4 00:00:10,770 --> 00:00:12,570 - And a major industry. A.A. 5 00:00:12,570 --> 00:00:16,230 - Co-founder, Bill W. at the 1951 General Service Conference, 6 00:00:16,230 --> 00:00:17,790 speaking on a dilemma, 7 00:00:17,790 --> 00:00:20,340 Alcoholics Anonymous was facing in its early years. 8 00:00:21,510 --> 00:00:22,890 - Then very early we began 9 00:00:22,890 --> 00:00:25,020 to have the public relations problem. 10 00:00:25,020 --> 00:00:28,140 A tradition had to be created that no drunk was to run 11 00:00:28,140 --> 00:00:30,690 to a microphone and speak for all of A.A. 12 00:00:32,190 --> 00:00:33,330 Well, since that time, 13 00:00:33,330 --> 00:00:36,960 we have had an almost impeccable public relations record. 14 00:00:36,960 --> 00:00:38,910 We've had good luck. 15 00:00:38,910 --> 00:00:41,370 Of course, we're a movement that minds our own business. 16 00:00:42,480 --> 00:00:45,300 But one of the main reasons we have a good public relations 17 00:00:45,300 --> 00:00:48,900 record is because we have been looking 18 00:00:48,900 --> 00:00:52,080 after these things for you all these years. 19 00:00:52,080 --> 00:00:54,720 And when you get into the guts of the office over there, 20 00:00:54,720 --> 00:00:57,000 you'll begin to see how important that has been. Then 21 00:00:57,960 --> 00:01:00,360 - The issue the bill addressed in that recording spoke 22 00:01:00,360 --> 00:01:03,360 to the need of a public information policy in A.A. 23 00:01:04,440 --> 00:01:07,320 So let's learn more about that. 24 00:01:07,320 --> 00:01:10,950 My name is Nathan and I'm an alcoholic. Welcome to GSO. 25 00:01:19,590 --> 00:01:21,805 In Alcoholics Anonymous, Public Information, 26 00:01:21,805 --> 00:01:24,840 or PI, is all about spreading the word on 27 00:01:24,840 --> 00:01:26,580 how recovery is possible through A.A. 28 00:01:27,690 --> 00:01:29,040 It involves reaching out 29 00:01:29,040 --> 00:01:32,400 and responding to the media, schools, businesses, 30 00:01:32,400 --> 00:01:37,080 and various organizations to inform them about what A.A. is, 31 00:01:37,080 --> 00:01:40,530 how it works, and the positive impact it can have on those 32 00:01:40,530 --> 00:01:42,510 struggling with alcoholism. 33 00:01:42,510 --> 00:01:45,870 Essentially, it's about making sure the broader community 34 00:01:45,870 --> 00:01:49,590 knows about the support and solutions A.A. offers. 35 00:01:49,590 --> 00:01:51,480 The first PI Committee was formed 36 00:01:51,480 --> 00:01:54,540 by the General Service Board in 1956, 37 00:01:54,540 --> 00:01:58,050 and since then PI work has been fulfilled throughout the A.A. 38 00:01:58,050 --> 00:02:00,450 service structure in the area, district 39 00:02:00,450 --> 00:02:04,050 and group levels, as well as local A.A. offices known 40 00:02:04,050 --> 00:02:08,550 as central offices or intergroups. Here at this office, one way we endeavor toward our primary purpose 41 00:02:10,500 --> 00:02:12,600 of carrying the message of A.A. is 42 00:02:12,600 --> 00:02:15,090 through our Public Information desk. 43 00:02:15,090 --> 00:02:16,740 I sat down with Patrick C., 44 00:02:16,740 --> 00:02:19,290 who was the PI Staff Coordinator at the time, 45 00:02:19,290 --> 00:02:21,900 to learn more about staff services, the role 46 00:02:21,900 --> 00:02:23,490 of PI Coordinator 47 00:02:23,490 --> 00:02:27,660 and beyond. Patrick! Nathan. 48 00:02:27,660 --> 00:02:31,950 Hi. I'm happy you're here. Thanks for joining us. Yep. 49 00:02:31,950 --> 00:02:36,950 You came to GSO as a staff member back in spring of 2017, 50 00:02:37,200 --> 00:02:39,990 but before that you had extensive experience in general 51 00:02:39,990 --> 00:02:42,270 service all the way down the triangle. 52 00:02:42,270 --> 00:02:43,890 Did you jump right into service? 53 00:02:43,890 --> 00:02:47,310 - No. So service meant responsibility 54 00:02:47,310 --> 00:02:51,780 and my whole journey was as far running from responsibility 55 00:02:51,780 --> 00:02:53,910 and I didn't really know what service was. 56 00:02:53,910 --> 00:02:58,350 I knew service at the group level, like picking up 57 00:02:58,350 --> 00:02:59,470 after the meeting, 58 00:02:59,470 --> 00:03:01,420 cleaning up coffee cups and things like that. 59 00:03:01,420 --> 00:03:05,860 But it wasn't until I was about 18 months sober 60 00:03:05,860 --> 00:03:09,820 and I was asked to become the general service representative 61 00:03:09,820 --> 00:03:12,220 of the group at the time that I called my home group. 62 00:03:13,150 --> 00:03:16,120 And I didn't know what that meant, but I said yes. 63 00:03:16,120 --> 00:03:19,150 'cause there was a bunch of older A.A. members staring at me 64 00:03:19,150 --> 00:03:20,530 saying, say yes. 65 00:03:20,530 --> 00:03:22,750 Yeah. And so I did. 66 00:03:22,750 --> 00:03:25,390 And from there, that mini journey 67 00:03:25,390 --> 00:03:26,710 of being a general service rep, 68 00:03:26,710 --> 00:03:29,290 I was only a general service rep for six months. 69 00:03:29,290 --> 00:03:33,730 I had a six year rotation on the public information 70 00:03:33,730 --> 00:03:36,370 committee. Starting out as a, a member 71 00:03:36,370 --> 00:03:38,380 who didn't know anything about public 72 00:03:38,380 --> 00:03:39,730 information and what that meant. 73 00:03:39,730 --> 00:03:42,700 And what it, what it means is you simply are sharing the 74 00:03:42,700 --> 00:03:46,210 message of A.A. to any third party in the general public 75 00:03:46,210 --> 00:03:48,580 who might come in contact with an alcoholic, so 76 00:03:48,580 --> 00:03:51,940 that they would have that little story in them to say like, 77 00:03:51,940 --> 00:03:54,070 Hmm, if you have a problem with alcohol, guess what? 78 00:03:54,070 --> 00:03:57,430 I heard something about that A.A., that Alcoholics Anonymous 79 00:03:57,430 --> 00:03:58,870 that might be of help to you. 80 00:03:58,870 --> 00:04:01,870 - And now you are on the Public Information desk and, 81 00:04:01,870 --> 00:04:04,450 and you spoke about being on a PI Committee, 82 00:04:04,450 --> 00:04:07,690 but let's break down this assignment position. 83 00:04:07,690 --> 00:04:11,590 - Yeah. - What does the Public Information Coordinator do? 84 00:04:12,700 --> 00:04:14,530 - So the Public Information Coordinator 85 00:04:14,530 --> 00:04:16,780 for the General Service Office for the US 86 00:04:16,780 --> 00:04:20,080 and Canada is responsible for the messaging 87 00:04:20,080 --> 00:04:24,490 that is going out from this office in the publications 88 00:04:24,490 --> 00:04:26,830 that we make, in the public service announcements 89 00:04:26,830 --> 00:04:31,830 that we produce, in the press releases that we carry out 90 00:04:32,380 --> 00:04:36,520 in a very simple way, sharing about what A.A. is, 91 00:04:36,520 --> 00:04:39,610 what A.A. does, and how you get ahold of us. 92 00:04:39,610 --> 00:04:43,630 So that basic PI message doesn't change, 93 00:04:43,630 --> 00:04:46,750 it's just the channels of communication that change. 94 00:04:46,750 --> 00:04:49,030 And so we're, we're always on the cutting edge of trying 95 00:04:49,030 --> 00:04:52,060 to figure out how can we communicate about Alcoholics 96 00:04:52,060 --> 00:04:54,760 Anonymous to the general public in a way 97 00:04:54,760 --> 00:04:56,710 that meets our traditions. 98 00:04:56,710 --> 00:04:58,720 'cause traditions, you know, we've gotta make sure 99 00:04:58,720 --> 00:05:01,510 that we're not breaking our anonymity, right. 100 00:05:01,510 --> 00:05:03,160 - So let's talk on that. 101 00:05:03,160 --> 00:05:06,730 So what constitutes an anonymity break and 102 00:05:06,730 --> 00:05:07,750 and how would you address that? 103 00:05:08,920 --> 00:05:12,430 - So an anonymity break is defined in one 104 00:05:12,430 --> 00:05:14,980 of our pamphlets that we put out. 105 00:05:14,980 --> 00:05:16,840 It's called Understanding Anonymity. 106 00:05:16,840 --> 00:05:20,110 It's a great tool for anyone who wants to learn about 107 00:05:20,110 --> 00:05:22,840 what is anonymity with Alcoholics Anonymous. 108 00:05:22,840 --> 00:05:24,070 Why is it so important 109 00:05:25,240 --> 00:05:28,240 and anonymity in a, in a general way, is that we're trying 110 00:05:28,240 --> 00:05:31,510 to not carry the person, we're trying 111 00:05:31,510 --> 00:05:33,010 to carry the message, right? 112 00:05:33,010 --> 00:05:36,010 So it's not about me being the public information 113 00:05:36,010 --> 00:05:38,770 coordinator, it's about Alcoholics Anonymous 114 00:05:38,770 --> 00:05:41,140 and what is the message that we're trying to put out 115 00:05:41,140 --> 00:05:42,970 to the public about how I can help someone 116 00:05:42,970 --> 00:05:44,590 with a drinking problem. 117 00:05:44,590 --> 00:05:47,800 So we don't want anybody to be a spokesperson 118 00:05:47,800 --> 00:05:49,420 for Alcoholics Anonymous. 119 00:05:49,420 --> 00:05:51,850 If you've ever seen a public service announcement, 120 00:05:51,850 --> 00:05:54,730 there's not a actor or a star 121 00:05:54,730 --> 00:05:55,563 or somebody famous who's promoted as the voice of A.A., right? 122 00:05:55,563 --> 00:05:56,396 We are trying to carry just a basic PI message. 123 00:06:03,770 --> 00:06:07,580 Like again, I mentioned whether you're wanting to come 124 00:06:07,580 --> 00:06:09,680 to an A.A. meeting in person or online. 125 00:06:09,680 --> 00:06:13,100 If you've got a problem with alcohol, we've got a solution. 126 00:06:13,100 --> 00:06:14,600 Here's how to get ahold of us. 127 00:06:15,465 --> 00:06:16,790 And so the way 128 00:06:16,790 --> 00:06:19,970 that you don't break your anonymity at the public level is 129 00:06:19,970 --> 00:06:22,580 that you don't go on camera and show your full face 130 00:06:22,580 --> 00:06:26,570 and say that you're a member of Alcoholics Anonymous, 131 00:06:26,570 --> 00:06:28,850 but you also don't state your full name. 132 00:06:29,720 --> 00:06:33,385 - So this directly correlates with tradition 11. 133 00:06:33,385 --> 00:06:36,650 Our public relations policy is based on attraction 134 00:06:36,650 --> 00:06:37,850 rather than promotion. 135 00:06:37,850 --> 00:06:40,850 We need to always maintain personal anonymity at the level 136 00:06:40,850 --> 00:06:44,300 of press radio and films, but. That's right. 137 00:06:44,300 --> 00:06:47,540 Yep. Inevitably this will happen. 138 00:06:47,540 --> 00:06:50,600 So what do we do when this happens? 139 00:06:50,600 --> 00:06:52,160 When there's an anonymity break? 140 00:06:52,160 --> 00:06:55,730 - Yeah. As we know, traditions are suggestions. 141 00:06:55,730 --> 00:06:57,920 So it does happen. 142 00:06:57,920 --> 00:07:01,070 And part of the responsibility that I have 143 00:07:01,070 --> 00:07:03,770 as the Public Information Coordinator here at the General 144 00:07:03,770 --> 00:07:07,700 Service Office is if we become aware of 145 00:07:07,700 --> 00:07:11,150 an anonymity break at the public level, there's no like, 146 00:07:11,150 --> 00:07:13,850 you know, let's go get 'em attitude. 147 00:07:13,850 --> 00:07:17,810 What we're trying to share in this situation is, reach out 148 00:07:17,810 --> 00:07:19,520 to the member 149 00:07:19,520 --> 00:07:23,840 through their delegate representative of their area. 150 00:07:23,840 --> 00:07:26,420 The delegate could then decide, 151 00:07:26,420 --> 00:07:28,280 whether they would send them an a letter 152 00:07:28,280 --> 00:07:31,280 or an email that describes, Hey, 153 00:07:31,280 --> 00:07:33,230 you might wanna remember we're trying 154 00:07:33,230 --> 00:07:35,450 to maintain our anonymity at the public level. 155 00:07:35,450 --> 00:07:40,070 We saw you, you did an article in X, Y, Z magazine, 156 00:07:40,070 --> 00:07:41,930 or you are on camera 157 00:07:41,930 --> 00:07:44,330 and you were filmed sharing that you're a member 158 00:07:44,330 --> 00:07:47,210 of Alcoholics Anonymous on the latest talk show. 159 00:07:47,210 --> 00:07:50,060 And so it would be more of a reminder about the importance 160 00:07:50,060 --> 00:07:52,880 of anonymity, you know, not reprimanding the member 161 00:07:52,880 --> 00:07:55,190 for breaking their anonymity. 162 00:07:55,190 --> 00:07:59,060 - Another big project is the A.A. membership survey. 163 00:07:59,060 --> 00:08:02,180 - Yes. - What is a membership survey? 164 00:08:02,180 --> 00:08:03,680 - Yeah, it's a very interesting question. 165 00:08:03,680 --> 00:08:05,960 What is a membership survey of a fellowship 166 00:08:05,960 --> 00:08:07,880 that doesn't keep records of members? 167 00:08:07,880 --> 00:08:09,020 How is this possibly done? 168 00:08:10,160 --> 00:08:15,020 So the membership survey is really a very 169 00:08:15,020 --> 00:08:16,550 basic way that we try 170 00:08:16,550 --> 00:08:21,140 and capture information from A.A. members 171 00:08:21,140 --> 00:08:24,140 in a anonymity protected way 172 00:08:24,140 --> 00:08:26,990 about certain questions that we want to ask. 173 00:08:26,990 --> 00:08:30,350 How old are you? You know, what's your race? 174 00:08:30,350 --> 00:08:33,590 When did you have your last drink? How did you get to A.A.? 175 00:08:34,460 --> 00:08:36,860 Was it through a family member? 176 00:08:36,860 --> 00:08:39,350 Did your doctor guide you to A.A.? 177 00:08:39,350 --> 00:08:42,770 Did your high school, you know, counselor guide you to A.A., 178 00:08:42,770 --> 00:08:44,450 how did you find your way here? 179 00:08:44,450 --> 00:08:46,070 - What was different about this survey 180 00:08:46,070 --> 00:08:47,720 compared to past years? 181 00:08:47,720 --> 00:08:49,370 - It's a great question. 182 00:08:49,370 --> 00:08:52,010 There had been a pandemic since the last survey. 183 00:08:52,010 --> 00:08:56,280 I heard about that. One of the things that really popped up 184 00:08:56,280 --> 00:08:57,990 during the pandemic was that we had 185 00:08:57,990 --> 00:09:00,085 to have online virtual meetings. 186 00:09:00,085 --> 00:09:02,820 And they really exploded in a way that even though they were 187 00:09:02,820 --> 00:09:06,210 around before the pandemic, because of the pandemic 188 00:09:06,210 --> 00:09:07,440 and we were all at home 189 00:09:07,440 --> 00:09:09,180 and you know, there wasn't a lot 190 00:09:09,180 --> 00:09:11,040 of interaction face-to-face. 191 00:09:11,040 --> 00:09:14,400 A.A. really exploded with groups online. 192 00:09:14,400 --> 00:09:19,260 And so we asked questions, how many meetings do you attend? 193 00:09:19,260 --> 00:09:21,240 What types of meetings do you attend? 194 00:09:21,240 --> 00:09:23,850 And we did learn a lot of women 195 00:09:23,850 --> 00:09:27,810 and a lot of elderly folks are attending meetings online 196 00:09:27,810 --> 00:09:29,730 more so than any other population 197 00:09:29,730 --> 00:09:31,380 or demographic of alcoholics. 198 00:09:31,380 --> 00:09:34,650 - That's interesting. How could people find out more? 199 00:09:34,650 --> 00:09:36,510 What about people who are just curious about A.A.? 200 00:09:37,560 --> 00:09:40,800 - Well, the best way that a non-A.A member can find out about 201 00:09:40,800 --> 00:09:45,030 what an A.A. meeting is about is to go to an open A.A. meeting. 202 00:09:45,030 --> 00:09:49,110 Oh, say more. There are local A.A. groups all 203 00:09:49,110 --> 00:09:51,060 over the US and Canada. 204 00:09:51,060 --> 00:09:54,360 We have a great tool one on our website called Find A.A. Near 205 00:09:54,360 --> 00:09:57,270 You, and one, which is our Meeting Guide app, 206 00:09:57,270 --> 00:10:00,600 which allows folks to type in a city, a zip code 207 00:10:00,600 --> 00:10:04,470 and find local meetings within the area that they live in. 208 00:10:04,470 --> 00:10:07,830 And if you're a non A.A. member, a lot of people don't realize 209 00:10:07,830 --> 00:10:10,410 that that, you know, you can actually go to a meeting, just 210 00:10:10,410 --> 00:10:13,800 to go check it out or just to go find out about it. 211 00:10:13,800 --> 00:10:16,500 You may have a friend who has a problem with drinking 212 00:10:16,500 --> 00:10:19,260 and you wanna know more about what does A.A. offer, 213 00:10:19,260 --> 00:10:22,110 Attend an open meeting, find out for yourself. 214 00:10:22,110 --> 00:10:24,570 It's really the best way that we share 215 00:10:24,570 --> 00:10:26,550 with anybody who's interested 216 00:10:26,550 --> 00:10:28,620 to know more about Alcoholics Anonymous. 217 00:10:28,620 --> 00:10:30,810 You know, come see about it for yourself. 218 00:10:30,810 --> 00:10:33,720 Yeah, attend a meeting. But you wanna look for what is known 219 00:10:33,720 --> 00:10:34,980 as an open meeting 220 00:10:34,980 --> 00:10:39,240 because those are for non A.A. members to attend as well. 221 00:10:39,240 --> 00:10:41,970 - In your role as Public Information Coordinator, you share 222 00:10:41,970 --> 00:10:44,940 with folks about things like open and closed meetings, 223 00:10:44,940 --> 00:10:46,770 but when you first started, 224 00:10:46,770 --> 00:10:49,080 you were on the treatment, accessibilities 225 00:10:49,080 --> 00:10:52,290 and remote communities desk, then you rotated 226 00:10:52,290 --> 00:10:53,940 to the conference assignment. 227 00:10:53,940 --> 00:10:55,710 Yep. Can you tell us a bit more about the 228 00:10:55,710 --> 00:10:57,000 concept of rotation? 229 00:10:57,000 --> 00:10:59,100 Sure. What is it? Why is it important? 230 00:10:59,100 --> 00:11:01,920 - Yep. So rotation was one of the things 231 00:11:01,920 --> 00:11:05,160 that intrigued me about working at the General Service 232 00:11:05,160 --> 00:11:10,050 Office and rotation in the General Service Office structure, 233 00:11:10,050 --> 00:11:14,070 for 11 to 12 staff members, 234 00:11:14,070 --> 00:11:17,580 who rotate in these various staff member positions, 235 00:11:17,580 --> 00:11:19,050 happens every two years. 236 00:11:19,050 --> 00:11:22,350 They get to move from one position to another. 237 00:11:22,350 --> 00:11:26,220 The main reason for that movement is to build a staff 238 00:11:26,220 --> 00:11:31,220 that's strong, that ultimately has a lot of cross training, 239 00:11:31,230 --> 00:11:34,200 so that there are various staff members who've served on 240 00:11:34,200 --> 00:11:36,120 various staff positions 241 00:11:36,120 --> 00:11:39,030 and can really have that experience to share when members 242 00:11:39,030 --> 00:11:41,820 of the fellowship are calling with questions 243 00:11:41,820 --> 00:11:43,080 for us to answer. 244 00:11:43,080 --> 00:11:46,440 It's, it's a great depth of knowledge concept, 245 00:11:46,440 --> 00:11:48,870 but it also falls in line with the spirit rotation 246 00:11:48,870 --> 00:11:50,880 that A.A. has 247 00:11:50,880 --> 00:11:52,230 throughout the structure. 248 00:11:52,230 --> 00:11:55,570 And now your next GSO staff assignment rotation will be 249 00:11:55,570 --> 00:11:59,770 to coordinate the 2025 International Convention. 250 00:11:59,770 --> 00:12:02,440 It's very exciting. What do we have to look forward to? 251 00:12:03,340 --> 00:12:05,650 - What you have to look forward to is a huge party. 252 00:12:05,650 --> 00:12:09,460 All right. Picture 50,000 of your closest friends 253 00:12:09,460 --> 00:12:13,570 and relatives coming to Vancouver, British Columbia 254 00:12:13,570 --> 00:12:16,330 to celebrate Alcoholics Anonymous in 2025. 255 00:12:16,330 --> 00:12:20,260 It's gonna be our 90th anniversary of Alcoholics Anonymous. 256 00:12:20,260 --> 00:12:22,690 So it's a, a really big deal. 257 00:12:22,690 --> 00:12:26,650 We have not had an international convention since 2015. 258 00:12:26,650 --> 00:12:29,410 We had planned one for 2020, but 259 00:12:29,410 --> 00:12:31,750 because of covid we had to cancel that party. 260 00:12:31,750 --> 00:12:33,280 - Yeah. - So we've got a lot of folks 261 00:12:33,280 --> 00:12:35,980 who are really looking forward to it and planning 262 00:12:35,980 --> 00:12:37,120 and preparing for it. 263 00:12:37,120 --> 00:12:39,790 - So yeah, talk about planning and preparing for it. 264 00:12:39,790 --> 00:12:41,500 - So we do get a lot of questions about 265 00:12:41,500 --> 00:12:42,940 how do I get across the border? 266 00:12:42,940 --> 00:12:45,190 That's one of the most frequently asked questions, 267 00:12:45,190 --> 00:12:46,480 - Right? 268 00:12:46,480 --> 00:12:48,250 - A.A. members have things 269 00:12:48,250 --> 00:12:50,620 that have happened in their past DWIs, 270 00:12:50,620 --> 00:12:52,570 maybe some convictions. 271 00:12:52,570 --> 00:12:55,060 - And if this is the case, they might not be able 272 00:12:55,060 --> 00:12:57,610 to pass the border from the US to Canada. 273 00:12:57,610 --> 00:12:59,950 - There might be some steps that they need to take in order 274 00:12:59,950 --> 00:13:01,300 to get across the border. 275 00:13:01,300 --> 00:13:04,645 - Great. - And so we have a webpage on aa.org 276 00:13:04,645 --> 00:13:08,200 for the International Convention of 2025 that is up 277 00:13:08,200 --> 00:13:11,680 and running on the site, are frequently asked questions. 278 00:13:11,680 --> 00:13:13,240 So we have a question, 279 00:13:13,240 --> 00:13:16,090 a frequently asked question section about getting across the 280 00:13:16,090 --> 00:13:17,710 border and who do they call 281 00:13:17,710 --> 00:13:20,140 and what steps do they need to take in order 282 00:13:20,140 --> 00:13:22,510 to clear up the wreckage of their past. 283 00:13:22,510 --> 00:13:25,750 So check it out, come back and visit it often 284 00:13:25,750 --> 00:13:28,900 because we're gonna use that site on an ongoing basis 285 00:13:28,900 --> 00:13:31,810 to update the latest information about what's going on in 286 00:13:31,810 --> 00:13:33,130 preparation for the party. 287 00:13:33,130 --> 00:13:35,230 Preparation for the party, a lot to look forward to. 288 00:13:35,230 --> 00:13:37,285 A whole lot to look forward to. 289 00:13:37,285 --> 00:13:38,320 I have a lot to do and a lot to look forward to. 290 00:13:38,320 --> 00:13:39,970 Well, we'll let you get back to it. 291 00:13:39,970 --> 00:13:41,560 Patrick, thank you so much. 292 00:13:41,560 --> 00:13:42,970 - Thank you Nathan. It was a pleasure 293 00:13:47,625 --> 00:13:50,500 - To find a meeting near you or a meeting online. 294 00:13:50,500 --> 00:13:54,100 Download the Meeting Guide app on your mobile device. 295 00:13:54,100 --> 00:13:56,860 - All this talk about the International Convention is a 296 00:13:56,860 --> 00:14:00,820 great reminder of how far the A.A. fellowship can reach. 297 00:14:00,820 --> 00:14:04,270 When Erin K. visited GSO, she shared the story of 298 00:14:04,270 --> 00:14:07,480 what it meant when the fellowship reached her. 299 00:14:07,480 --> 00:14:09,550 - Well, hi, I am Erin. I'm an alcoholic. 300 00:14:09,550 --> 00:14:12,910 My sobriety date is June 14th, 2011. 301 00:14:12,910 --> 00:14:16,930 And I had an experience early in recovery 302 00:14:16,930 --> 00:14:21,730 that showed me what A.A. looks like and what A.A. feels like. 303 00:14:21,730 --> 00:14:26,050 I was living in Houston, Texas. I'm from New Jersey. 304 00:14:26,050 --> 00:14:28,450 And so my dad was inviting me home 305 00:14:28,450 --> 00:14:31,720 to New Jersey from Houston for the 4th of July 306 00:14:31,720 --> 00:14:34,450 and to be kind because he knew I had stopped drinking 307 00:14:34,450 --> 00:14:35,860 'cause I'd been outta treatment. 308 00:14:35,860 --> 00:14:40,210 He got me a first class ticket, first class tickets come 309 00:14:40,210 --> 00:14:43,480 with alcohol and I was nervous. 310 00:14:43,480 --> 00:14:45,310 And I'm in the airport and I don't know 311 00:14:45,310 --> 00:14:47,650 how other people feel about airports, 312 00:14:47,650 --> 00:14:50,020 but my favorite thing about being in the airport is 313 00:14:50,020 --> 00:14:52,520 that all you have to do is show up on an airplane 314 00:14:52,520 --> 00:14:53,690 and sit down. 315 00:14:53,690 --> 00:14:55,700 Which means you can do a lot of drinking 316 00:14:55,700 --> 00:14:58,010 between the terminal and the gate. 317 00:14:58,010 --> 00:15:00,140 And if you got a first class ticket, you can do a lot 318 00:15:00,140 --> 00:15:02,630 of drinking before you even take off. 319 00:15:02,630 --> 00:15:05,840 And so I'm scared. I had a big book 320 00:15:05,840 --> 00:15:08,330 and I went up to the flight attendant 321 00:15:08,330 --> 00:15:11,360 and I asked her to call for a friend of Bill. 322 00:15:11,360 --> 00:15:14,150 She goes, what? I said, can you please call 323 00:15:14,150 --> 00:15:15,290 for a friend of Bill? 324 00:15:15,290 --> 00:15:17,300 But I'm like almost crying. 325 00:15:17,300 --> 00:15:21,860 And she leans forward, she goes, boop, gate C 87, friend 326 00:15:21,860 --> 00:15:26,270 of Bill, friend of Bill C 87, boop. 327 00:15:26,270 --> 00:15:27,380 And I turned around 328 00:15:27,380 --> 00:15:30,140 and I'm holding my big book like a limo driver. 329 00:15:30,140 --> 00:15:35,140 And I waited. And what's amazing is that you guys came. 330 00:15:35,240 --> 00:15:39,410 You know, eight to 10 alcoholics sat in a circle 331 00:15:39,410 --> 00:15:41,960 with me and they shared their experience, 332 00:15:41,960 --> 00:15:43,010 strength, and hope with me. 333 00:15:43,880 --> 00:15:45,500 And I don't know what it is about airports, 334 00:15:45,500 --> 00:15:47,240 but there's something like hot about the windows 335 00:15:47,240 --> 00:15:48,980 and we're all sweating in the sun 336 00:15:48,980 --> 00:15:52,460 and we're sharing a story of recovery. 337 00:15:52,460 --> 00:15:54,380 And what's amazing about today is that if I go 338 00:15:54,380 --> 00:15:57,500 to an airport, I can listen for somebody calling 339 00:15:57,500 --> 00:15:59,300 for a friend of Bill W., you know, 340 00:15:59,300 --> 00:16:00,500 I can show up for somebody else. 341 00:16:00,500 --> 00:16:04,520 I couldn't, I couldn't be useful then, I barely knew what 342 00:16:04,520 --> 00:16:05,353 to do. 343 00:16:11,210 --> 00:16:12,650 Since then, my story isn't that I came all the way in 344 00:16:16,250 --> 00:16:18,170 and sat all the way down. 345 00:16:18,170 --> 00:16:20,510 You know, A.A. showed up for me 346 00:16:20,510 --> 00:16:22,910 and I didn't show up for A.A. for another four years. 347 00:16:22,910 --> 00:16:25,190 And so my sobriety date stayed the same. 348 00:16:25,190 --> 00:16:26,210 I just didn't drink 349 00:16:26,210 --> 00:16:28,310 and I didn't have a sufficient substitute. 350 00:16:28,310 --> 00:16:30,380 And I proceeded to become what we call, 351 00:16:30,380 --> 00:16:31,790 you know, a dry drunk. 352 00:16:31,790 --> 00:16:35,150 And so I was still full of resentments, full of fear, 353 00:16:35,150 --> 00:16:38,330 still self-centered and things got worse. 354 00:16:38,330 --> 00:16:40,580 And so I started going to A.A. meetings. 355 00:16:40,580 --> 00:16:42,590 I remember this guy comes up to me 356 00:16:42,590 --> 00:16:44,990 and he says, "Yo, what's wrong with you?" 357 00:16:44,990 --> 00:16:47,660 And I said, "I think I need a sponsor." 358 00:16:47,660 --> 00:16:49,160 And he said, "Yo, Maryanne, you think you could 359 00:16:49,160 --> 00:16:50,210 sponsor this woman?" 360 00:16:50,210 --> 00:16:52,610 And Maryanne comes over and she gave me a big book 361 00:16:52,610 --> 00:16:54,530 and she gave me a 12 and 12. 362 00:16:54,530 --> 00:16:56,900 And she said, open your big book to page 52. 363 00:16:56,900 --> 00:16:59,300 Read the middle paragraph and it has the bedevilments 364 00:16:59,300 --> 00:17:00,470 and I don't have it in front of me, 365 00:17:00,470 --> 00:17:02,840 but it says we were full of fear. 366 00:17:02,840 --> 00:17:04,640 We couldn't be of real use to others. 367 00:17:04,640 --> 00:17:07,400 And I saw my problem in this book 368 00:17:07,400 --> 00:17:09,530 and my problems in my, in this book. 369 00:17:09,530 --> 00:17:12,830 Then maybe my solution is in here too. 370 00:17:12,830 --> 00:17:15,470 I read the book and something changed 371 00:17:15,470 --> 00:17:19,460 and it came through opportunities to be of service to others. 372 00:17:19,460 --> 00:17:22,100 The first service position I held was as a greeter. 373 00:17:22,100 --> 00:17:24,350 And so literally standing at the door, 374 00:17:24,350 --> 00:17:27,440 shaking people's hands that I didn't wanna shake hands 375 00:17:27,440 --> 00:17:28,640 with, saying hi 376 00:17:28,640 --> 00:17:30,560 and giving hugs to people I didn't wanna say hi 377 00:17:30,560 --> 00:17:32,360 and give hugs to, but they expected me. 378 00:17:32,360 --> 00:17:35,180 And so I showed up 'cause they showed up 379 00:17:35,180 --> 00:17:36,950 and then showing them where the meeting was. 380 00:17:36,950 --> 00:17:39,380 I did that for a long time. I used to make the coffee. 381 00:17:39,380 --> 00:17:40,550 There were a lot of older women 382 00:17:40,550 --> 00:17:45,230 and we had a really heavy urn, coffee urn and I was 27. 383 00:17:45,230 --> 00:17:47,450 I was like, well, I'm strong, you know, I need, 384 00:17:47,450 --> 00:17:49,290 they need me to do this. 385 00:17:49,290 --> 00:17:52,380 I would sweep the floors with this little dust sweeper. 386 00:17:52,380 --> 00:17:54,240 It wasn't very big. 387 00:17:54,240 --> 00:17:57,000 You know, A.A. has continually showed up to, for me, 388 00:17:57,000 --> 00:17:58,290 and I try to show up for A.A.. 389 00:17:59,880 --> 00:18:02,490 So eventually I moved back to Houston, Texas. 390 00:18:02,490 --> 00:18:04,410 And my joke is that when I left Texas the 391 00:18:04,410 --> 00:18:05,243 first time, it was Houston, we have a problem. 392 00:18:05,243 --> 00:18:06,410 And I returned after having done the steps, 393 00:18:08,730 --> 00:18:10,440 it was Houston, we have a solution. 394 00:18:10,440 --> 00:18:13,440 Right? It's my favorite thing about A.A. is 395 00:18:13,440 --> 00:18:14,790 that when you give us an opportunity 396 00:18:14,790 --> 00:18:16,350 to help each other, we show up. 397 00:18:23,700 --> 00:18:26,400 And so I am here at the General Service Office 398 00:18:26,400 --> 00:18:29,070 because this is where it all happens. 399 00:18:29,070 --> 00:18:32,400 You know, this is what enables us to have the literature 400 00:18:32,400 --> 00:18:35,790 where I saw my problem in it, which means I saw my solution. 401 00:18:35,790 --> 00:18:38,310 It enables us to have the pamphlets, questions, 402 00:18:38,310 --> 00:18:40,380 and answers on sponsorship. 403 00:18:40,380 --> 00:18:42,330 Tells me what A.A. does. 404 00:18:42,330 --> 00:18:43,950 You know, I'm at the General Service Office 405 00:18:43,950 --> 00:18:47,760 because our history can inform our future. 406 00:18:47,760 --> 00:18:48,960 And so if we remember 407 00:18:48,960 --> 00:18:53,700 that A.A. started from one alcoholic talking to another, 408 00:18:53,700 --> 00:18:56,130 and we continue to keep the channels open for 409 00:18:56,130 --> 00:18:58,560 that higher power to speak through us, 410 00:18:58,560 --> 00:19:01,140 then we will ensure our fellowship 411 00:19:01,140 --> 00:19:02,820 for the alcoholic being born today. 412 00:19:09,600 --> 00:19:13,140 - Thank you, Erin. For more info on Public Information 413 00:19:13,140 --> 00:19:17,010 and the upcoming 2025 International Convention in Vancouver, 414 00:19:17,010 --> 00:19:21,300 British Columbia, please visit our website at aa.org. 415 00:19:21,300 --> 00:19:23,430 We hope you enjoyed this week's episode. 416 00:19:23,430 --> 00:19:26,190 Be sure to subscribe so you can keep coming back. 417 00:19:27,510 --> 00:19:29,490 - For more information about A.A., 418 00:19:29,490 --> 00:19:32,310 please visit our website at aa.org. 419 00:19:34,440 --> 00:19:37,170 Thank you for listening to Our Primary Purpose, 420 00:19:37,170 --> 00:19:40,710 a podcast produced by the General Service Office on behalf 421 00:19:40,710 --> 00:19:43,530 of the Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous in the US 422 00:19:43,530 --> 00:19:44,363 and Canada.