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The Buzz

15 04, 2022

The Buzz | April 15, 2022
 

Volunteers Needed for Mail Assembly Party

General Service needs volunteers April 16 @ 10:00am to assemble mailing packets for California Northern Coastal Area (CNCA). Bring a newcomer! Be of service and get to know our Spanish-speaking A.A. District in San Francisco. Pizza and beverages provided.  Masks are strongly recommended. Location: Oficina Central, 3401 Cesar Chavez Street, Suite D, San Francisco. Any questions, email Jackie B. at [email protected]. 
 
 

Help Improve Our Communication—Reminder

With your input, we’re working to improve the aasfmarin.org website, The Buzz, The Point, the monthly Intergroup meeting and many other communications that support the San Francisco and Marin Fellowship, groups and service entities. 

If you haven’t yet, take a moment (two minutes, to be exact!) to share your feedback in this survey. Your answers are entirely anonymous. Be sure to share this link with others too!
 
 

Last Chance for Feedback

This is a final call for input on Intergroup’s Operations Manual, which details how the Intercounty Fellowship of A.A. accomplishes our work, including roles, responsibilities and procedures. The Operations Committee is soliciting comments and feedback from member groups. If you have input, please email: [email protected].
 
 

App Offers Easy Access to Literature

This app developed by Area 08 San Diego Imperial Area offers an easy way to access Conference-approved books and pamphlets online. It was developed using an app builder called Glide and is being shared by many different General Service Areas. As always, you can also order literature on the aasfmarin.org bookstore. Now you have even more ways to navigate A.A. books and literature!

 
 

Intergroup Summary and Approval of the Budget

Intergroup held its monthly meeting on April 6. Check out the meeting summary, which includes the approved budget for IFAA and discussion on Intergroup’s proposed bylaws revisions.
 

Call for Stories from the Hispanic Community

To support the recommendation of the General Service Conference for a Fourth Edition of the Spanish-language Big Book, the trustee’s Literature Committee is seeking stories of recovery from members of the Hispanic community in the U.S. and Canada. 

Email: [email protected] for more information. Deadline for submissions is December 15, 2022. 

Service Opportunities for the Week …
 
 

Spring Sweetness

For the love of marshmallow peeps, please share this information with your social media communities and encourage your A.A. fellows to subscribe to The Buzz. All of our prior updates can be found here. Drop our subscription link in the chat at your meetings and tell your members to subscribe to stay in the know on what’s happening with SF/Marin A.A.  🐝  
 

Your IFAA Intergroup | Central Office
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8 04, 2022

The Buzz | April 8, 2022
 

Survey to Help Us Improve How We Communicate

With your input, we’re working to improve the aasfmarin.org website, The Buzz, The Point, the monthly Intergroup meeting and many other communications that support the San Francisco and Marin Fellowship, groups and service entities. 

Take a moment (two minutes, to be exact!) to share your feedback in this survey. Your answers are entirely anonymous. Be sure to share this link with others too!

 
 

Save the Date: Founders’ Day
 

June 10-12 promises to be action packed, whether you’re in San Francisco, Marin or Akron, Ohio, birthplace of A.A.

San Francisco is welcoming the Fellowship back to Central Office with an open house in honor of Founders’ Day and celebration of the 75th Anniversary of Central Office. Stay tuned for more details, but plan to swing by on June 11 @ 1-4pm.

Marin Founders’ Day celebration is scheduled for June 12 @ 1-4pm at the Marin Alano Club in San Rafael. More details to follow.

In Akron, the weekend festivities kick off early Friday and continue through Sunday. The agenda includes meetings, panels, alkathons, archive displays, plays, history presentations and much more. Check out the flyer for details.
 
 

The April edition of The Point is Here

The April edition includes items from the archives, personal stories about the Fourth Step and audio recordings sharing experience, strength and hope. Check it out! 

 
 

Searching and Fearless

The Step by Step Workshop series continues Saturday with a look at what it means to conduct a fearless moral inventory. Join speaker Jillian E. on April 9 @ 2pm at Hillside Church of Marin in San Rafael or online.

 
 

Call for Stories: Big Book Fifth Edition
 

Recognizing that all stories provide value, the Literature Committee is searching for recovery stories from a broad cross-section of our local communities for the Fifth Edition of Alcoholics Anonymous. 

As Bill W. wrote on page 29 of the Fourth Edition: “Our hope is that many alcoholic men and women, desperately in need, will see these pages, and we believe that it is only by fully disclosing ourselves and our problems that they will be persuaded to say, ‘Yes, I am one of them too; I must have this thing.’” 

It’s the hope that new stories from our membership will help future alcoholics to identify and find recovery. What’s your recovery story? Consider contributing your experience, strength and hope to the Fifth Edition. 

Deadline: Oct. 31, 2022. Questions? Write to [email protected] or be on the lookout for more information on the aa.org website.
 
 

Intergroup News to Share With Your Group

Intergroup held its monthly meeting on April 6. There’s lots of news to share! Here’s the latest to bring back to your groups.

1) Intergroup voted to approve the 2022 budget. Scroll to the last page of the meeting agenda for details.

2) Intergroup has several great service commitments open. Contact [email protected] for more information about these positions:

  • Fellowship Committee Chair, perfect for someone passionate about fellowship and connection
  • Intergroup Representative for San Francisco H&I
  • Intergroup Liaison for Marin General Service

3) Volunteers are needed for:

 
 
 

Service Opportunities for the Week …
 

Sunlight of the Spirit

For the love of warm sunshine, please share this information with your social media communities and encourage your A.A. fellows to subscribe to The Buzz. All of our prior updates can be found here. Drop our subscription link in the chat at your meetings and tell your members to subscribe to stay in the know on what’s happening with SF/Marin A.A.  🐝  
 

Your IFAA Intergroup | Central Office
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1 04, 2022

The Buzz | April 1, 2022
 

Tuesday Chip is Back In Person 

At long last, one of Marin’s largest meetings will return to an in-person format on April 5—A.A. chips and all! Held at the San Rafael Community Center at 8:30pm, the meeting will continue its tradition of handing out A.A. anniversary chips. It will also have a zoom component for those who want to join online, details here. The return to in person is opening many commitments for anyone who is available to serve.

Let The Buzz know if your meeting is transitioning back to in person, and we’ll share the news.
 
 

Pre-Conference Assembly This Weekend

To prepare for the General Service Conference in June, our Area (California Northern Coastal Area 06) is hosting the annual Pre-Conference Assembly this weekend. General Service representatives from across Northern California will share their groups’ consciences on a variety of topics affecting A.A., our Twelfth Step services and Conference-approved literature. Please see below for more info or visit the CNCA 06 website.
 

Where Money and Spirituality Mix

For new treasurers wondering how and where to make group contributions, the answer is on the contributions page of our website. Central Office contributions can be submitted by check or online. 

The contributions page also contains information about General Service group service numbers, contribution percentages for supported entities, mailing addresses, online contribution links and a lot more.

For additional information regarding A.A.’s Tradition of self support, consult the pamphlet Self-Support: Where Money and Spirituality Mix, the A.A.® Guidelines on Finance and visit www.aa.org.

 
 

Calling All New Trusted Servants!

If you are a newly elected trusted servant, you are encouraged to register with Central Office. Having current meeting contacts is vital to staying connected. To register (Secretary, Treasurer, Intergroup Representative), click into your meeting on aasfmarin.org, hit the “Update Meeting Info” button, and fill out the form. We will confirm your submission with a welcome email full of resources to assist you in your new position.
 
 

AA Grapevine‘s Half-Hour Variety Hour

Each week longtime A.A. members Don and Sam interview a different member about their experience, strength and hope, in a casual “meeting after the meeting” manner. Special features enhance each episode. A new podcast episode is in English every Monday at 9am EST. Check it out.
 
 
 

Service Opportunities for the Week …
 

April Fools

Just kidding :) For the love of good fun, please share this information with your social media communities and encourage your A.A. fellows to subscribe to The Buzz. All of our prior updates can be found here. Drop our subscription link in the chat at your meetings and tell your members to subscribe to stay in the know on what’s happening with SF/Marin A.A.  🐝  
 

Your IFAA Intergroup | Central Office
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25 03, 2022

The Buzz | March 25, 2022
 

From the Archives: Interview with Bill W. in SF
 

The Buzz has been celebrating Intergroup and Central Office turning 75 this year by sharing treasures from the Archives Committee, including this 1948 interview with Bill from the San Francisco Examiner. Bill was in San Francisco for the annual meeting of the Nevada-Northern California A.A. Conference, which represented a total of 78 A.A. groups at that time.

The article begins, “The mild mannered man 60,000 nondrinking alcoholics call ‘Bill’ came to San Francisco yesterday.

“Cofounder a dozen years ago of Alcoholics Anonymous, he brought with him the report that A.A. is having success in preventing young people who need help from becoming full blown alcoholics.”

Bill says, “Before, most of us had to wait until we were in our late thirties or a year from the undertaker’s, as I was to discover, that we couldn’t drink; that we were sick, and that there was a way out for us, which is now A.A.”
 

Next Week is CNCA 06 Pre-Conference Assembly
 

The General Service Conference is coming up fast! Before that happens, our Area (06) will have a Pre-Conference Assembly to discuss a variety of topics that will be on the agenda at the larger Conference. Please see below for more info, or visit the CNCA 06 website.
 

SF Teleservice Needs Support

Teleservice is a great way to practice the Twelfth Step—by answering the phones, you are the voice of Alcoholics Anonymous. What better way to be of service? SF Teleservice currently has daily coordinator positions open. Contact [email protected] to find out more or attend the next orientation on April 18 @ 6pm.
 

 
 

Coming in April: Searching and Fearless
 

The Step by Step Workshop series continues its focus in April with a searching and fearless look at ourselves. Join speaker Jillian E. on April 9 @ 2pm at Hillside Church of Marin in San Rafael or online. 

 
 

Audio Speaker Library

Missed a meeting? Check out the speakers in the audio library from the Tuesday Chip meeting in Marin. Tuesday Chip started recording speakers during the pandemic. Its library now has a collection of great speakers from around the country and they’re being made available to our Fellowship. Great recovery any time!

 
 

The Buzz is Looking for an Editor
 

This important commitment is designed for someone who loves being in the know about Fellowship news and events and would take great pride in crafting this weekly digital newsletter. Contact [email protected] if this sounds like you or you just want to know more!

 
 
Service Opportunities for the Week …
 
Spring has Sprung

For the love of new beginnings, please share this information with your social media communities and encourage your A.A. fellows to subscribe to The Buzz. All of our prior updates can be found here. Drop our subscription link in the chat at your meetings and tell your members to subscribe to stay in the know on what’s happening with SF/Marin A.A.  🐝  
 

Your IFAA Intergroup | Central Office
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18 03, 2022

The Buzz | March 18, 2022
 

Group Inventory Offers Important Feedback

Group inventories help maintain a group’s spiritual health. IFAA (also known as Intergroup) recently held a group inventory to get feedback on how well it is living up to its primary purpose and principles. You can find the full notes from the inventory here. 

In preparation for the inventory, an ad hoc committee met for months to discuss what topics to cover that would help Intergroup be more effective in serving alcoholics, groups, service entities and the community in San Francisco and Marin.

The group inventory provided feedback on: 

  • What is the primary purpose of Intergroup?
  • Is Intergroup attracting Intergroup Reps (IGRs) from all A.A. groups in SF and Marin?
  • How well is transparency practiced between the IFAA Board of Directors and IGRs?
  • What process for decision-making should Intergroup use?
  • How can Intergroup avoid allowing any member to assume excessive authority?
  • Is Intergroup serving its purpose adequately?

Take a moment to read the feedback. It’s already helping to inform 2022 priorities for Intergroup!
 

Spring Fling Tickets on Sale

The biggest legacy sober drag show in the Bay Area is back! Western Roundup Living Sober’s fabulous Spring Fling is happening on March 26. A.A. meeting @ 6pm followed by drag supershow @ 7:30pm. Tickets on sale now.
 

Bringing ‘Sunshine’ to Alcoholics

The Sunshine Club brings A.A. meeting to members of the Fellowship who are unable to get out to meetings due to accident, illness and other medical conditions or circumstances, such as maternity leave. During the pandemic, the group was limited in its activities due to restrictions. Now that many of those have been lifted, the Sunshine Club is eager to recruit A.A. members who want to perform this important service. Want to help? Join the next business meeting on March 20 @ 7pm.

 
 

Love The Buzz? You Could Be Its New Editor!

The Buzz is looking for an editor. This important commitment is designed for someone who loves being in the know about Fellowship news and events and would take great pride in crafting this weekly digital newsletter. Write [email protected] if this sounds like you! 
 

Intergroup Summary and Proposed Annual Budget

Intergroup held its monthly meeting on March 2. Check out the meeting summary, which includes the proposed IFAA operating budget for 2022.
 

Central Office Closed: Bookstore Inventory

Central Office will be closed March 19 to conduct its annual bookstore inventory. A.A. literature and chips are still available for purchase online.
 
 

Service Opportunities for the Week …

  • SF H&I (online) is March 19.
    • Orientation 10am
    • Business meeting 12pm

  • Archives Committee (online) is March 20 @ 12pm.

  • SF Teleservice (online) is March 21.

  • Marin General Service (online) is March 21.

    • Orientation @ 7pm
    • Business Meeting @ 7:30pm

  • Marin Teleservice (online) is March 22.

    • Orientation @ 6:30pm
    • Business Meeting @ 7:30pm

  • Marin PI/CPC (online) is March 24.

    • Orientation @ 7pm
    • Business Meeting @ 7:30pm
 

Taking Stock

For the love of inventories, please share this information with your social media communities and encourage your A.A. fellows to subscribe to The Buzz. All of our prior updates can be found here. Drop our subscription link in the chat at your meetings and tell your members to subscribe to stay in the know on what’s happening with SF/Marin A.A.  🐝  
 

Your IFAA Intergroup | Central Office
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12 03, 2022

The Buzz | March 11, 2022

 
 

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Fellowship

Join this event filled with lucky charms: Meetings start at the top of the hour and dinner features classic corned beef, cabbage and potatoes. Bring a treat to share. Mark your calendars for March 17 @ 3pm at All Saints Lutheran Church in Novato.
 

Don’t Miss This Agenda Topics Workshop

Last call for this workshop sponsored by District 06 San Francisco. It will cover everything G.S.R.s need to navigate this year’s Agenda Topics: How to use background material, how to collect an informed group conscience and much, much more—including progress on the Big Book Fifth Edition. March 12 (online) @ 10am.

 

 
 

Focus on Step Three

The month of March often brings a focus on Step Three and turning it over. Join the Step by Step Workshops on March 12 @ 2pm in San Rafael for this speaker-discussion meeting (online and in person).
 
 

March Edition of The Point

The latest edition features a story about the miracle of Step Three and what happens when we stop fighting anyone and anything. Also in this issue: A gem from the archives about the first “official” gay meeting in San Francisco, a story about the “disease of perception”, plus works of poetry. Read the latest here. 

The Point needs an editor. This important commitment is designed for someone who loves writing and editing and is deeply passionate about personal stories of recovery. Write [email protected] if this sounds like you! 
 
 

Your Feedback Wanted

It’s that time again to update IFAA’s Operations Manual, which details how the Intercounty Fellowship of A.A. accomplishes our work, including roles, responsibilities and procedures. The Operations Committee is soliciting comments and feedback from member groups. If you have input, please email: [email protected].
 

Service Opportunities for the Week …

  • The Point Committee (online) is March 12 @ 12:30pm.

  • Golden Gate Young People in A.A. (online) is March 13 @ 6pm.

  • SF Public Relations Committee (online) is March 14.

    • Orientation @ 6:30pm

    • Business meeting @ 7pm

  • HelpChat Meeting (online) is March 15.

    • Business Meeting @ 6pm

    • Orientation @ 5pm
 

Faith, Hope, Love and Luck

For the love of chasing spiritual progress, please share this information with your social media communities and encourage your A.A. fellows to subscribe to The Buzz. All of our prior updates can be found here. Drop our subscription link in the chat at your meetings and tell your members to subscribe to stay in the know on what’s happening with SF/Marin A.A.     🐝  
 

Your IFAA Intergroup | Central Office
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17 06, 2022

The Buzz | June 17, 2022

 
 

Coming Up: Unity & Service

Get ready to recharge your A.A. batteries! Join the 7th Annual Unity & Service Conference July 8-10 to learn more about A.A.’s 12 Traditions and 12 Concepts. Hear about their practical application in and out of the rooms of A.A. The goal of the conference is to inspire attending members to volunteer for General Service and discover more ways to live the principles of A.A. every day.
 
 

Step 6 Workshop Saturday

The Step by Step Workshop series continues with “Were entirely ready…”. Join speaker Natalie G. on June 18 @ 4pm (note new time) at Hillside Church of Marin in San Rafael. You can also participate virtually!
 
 

Special Forum: A.A. in Remote Communities

Registration is open for the North/South Connections Virtual Special Forum on July 16. Members from the service structures of Argentina, Canada, Chile and the United States will share their experience, strength and hope in extending the hand of A.A. to remote communities. This event is open to all members.
 
 

Central Office Holiday Closure

Central Office will be closed on Saturday, June 18 in observance of Juneteenth. It will resume regular hours of operation next week, which are Tuesday to Friday 10-6pm and Saturdays 12-4pm.
 

Service Opportunities for the Week …
 

We Absolutely Insist on Enjoying Life

For the love of summer fruit, please share this information with your social media communities and encourage your A.A. fellows to subscribe to The Buzz. All of our prior updates can be found here. Drop our subscription link in the chat at your meetings and tell your members to subscribe to stay in the know on what’s happening with SF/Marin A.A.  🐝  
 

Your San Francisco and Marin Intergroup | Central Office
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4 03, 2022

The Buzz | March 4, 2022

 

App Offers Easy Access to Literature
 

This new app developed by Area 08 San Diego Imperial Area offers an easy way to access Conference-approved books and pamphlets online. It was developed using an app builder called Glide and is being shared by many different General Service Areas. As always, you can also order literature on the aasfmarin.org bookstore. Now you have even more ways to navigate A.A. books and literature!

 


 
 

A Call for Stories: The Black A.A. Experience
 

A working group is revitalizing the pamphlet “A.A. for the Black and African-American Alcoholic“. The updated pamphlet will include fresh stories and a new title that is respectful, inclusive and reflects the perspective of Black A.A. members sharing their experience, strength and hope. Consider sharing your story as part of this effort. Details in the flyer.
 

You’re Invited to a Barbecue

Young in age or spirit—all are welcome! Join the Marin County Young People of A.A. (MCYPAA) for this speaker meeting and barbecue at Piper Park in Larkspur on March 5 @ 12pm.

 
 

History and Speaker Event

Among the remarkable women in the early days of our Fellowship, Marty Mann helped raise awareness about the treatment and education of alcoholism. Learn about this pioneer on March 12 @ 9:30am. All are welcome and bring a friend!
 
Service Opportunities for the Week …
 
The Written Word

For the love of literature, please share this information with your social media communities and encourage your A.A. fellows to subscribe to The Buzz. All of our prior updates can be found here. Drop our subscription link in the chat at your meetings and tell your members to subscribe to stay in the know on what’s happening with SF/Marin A.A.   🐝  
 

Your IFAA Intergroup | Central Office
 
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25 02, 2022

The Buzz | February 25, 2022
 

Learn About New Agenda Topics

Sponsored by San Francisco General Service, this workshop covers everything G.S.R.s need to navigate this year’s Agenda Topics: How to use background material, how to collect an informed group conscience and more—including progress on the Big Book Fifth Edition. March 12 (Online) @ 10am.

 


 
 

Enjoy Editing? The Point Needs You!

The Point is a monthly publication for San Francisco and Marin members to share experience, strength and hope. It is looking for a new editor. If you love editing—and you’ve been searching for that perfect service opportunity—this may be the position for you! Email [email protected] to share your interest in this commitment and learn more.
 

Now Available: Prayer & Meditation

The stories in this book show how members begin to pray and meditate and then branch out to develop very personal, and often creative, ways to practice. Prayer & Meditation is now available at our Central Office bookstore or you can order online.

 
 

From the Archives: Bill W.’s Visits to SF

The Buzz has been celebrating Intergroup and Central Office turning 75 this year by sharing treasures like this letter from the Archives Committee, highlighting the history of the Intercounty Fellowship of A.A.

Bill W. made several visits to San Francisco during the 1940s and 1950s and also visited San Quentin to support the newly formed H&I meetings. This letter from Bill and Lois in March, 1948, was written on the train after one of those visits, expressing their gratitude to the Fellowship.
 

Time to Turn it Over

The next Step by Step Workshop series will be focused on the Third Step. Join this speaker-discussion meeting on March 12 @ 2pm at the Hillside Church of Marin in San Rafael or online.
 

Chat Online with a Newcomer

Visitors to our aasfmarin.org website see a blue “need help” bubble in the corner, which prompts them to chat if they think they have a problem with alcohol. Share your experience, strength and hope from your phone or computer by joining the HelpChat team. It’s a great way to help a newcomer. Go here to sign up for an orientation.

               
 
Service Opportunities for the Week …
 
A Letter From a Train

For the love of carrying the message, please share this information with your social media communities and encourage your A.A. fellows to subscribe to The Buzz. All of our prior updates can be found here. Drop our subscription link in the chat at your meetings and tell your members to subscribe to stay in the know on what’s happening with SF/Marin A.A.  🐝  
 

Your IFAA Intergroup | Central Office
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18 02, 2022

The Buzz | February 18, 2022
 

You’re Invited! MCYPAA Speaker Meeting and BBQ

You don’t have to be young in age to be young at heart—everyone is welcome! Join the Marin County Young People of A.A. (MCYPAA) for this speaker meeting and BBQ at Piper Park in Larkspur on Saturday 3/5 @ 12pm. The meeting is followed by BBQ and potluck picnic in the park. 

 
 
Are You Tech Savvy? Join the Tech Committee!

Collaborate with others to improve A.A. in SF and Marin!  Find out how to use technology to help at the next Tech Committee!  The business meeting is the first Monday of every month. Next meeting is online Monday 3/7 @ 6pm.
 

Reminder: PRAASA is Around the Corner!

Everything you ever wanted to learn about General Service is available at the Pacific Region Alcoholics Anonymous Service Assembly (PRAASA). This year’s assembly is March 4-6 online. Register here. Get inspired by an amazing weekend of panels, roundtable discussions, open mic sharing and speakers. You don’t have to be in General Service to participate. All A.A. members are encouraged to attend. 
 
 

Intergroup Summary for February

Intergroup held its monthly meeting on Wednesday 2/2. Check out this link for the meeting summary, along with IFAA’s financial report.
 

Check Out AA Grapevine’s New Podcast

Each week longtime A.A. members Don and Sam will interview a different member about their experience, strength and hope, in a casual “meeting after the meeting” manner. Special features will enhance each episode. A new podcast episode will be available in English every Monday at 9am EST. Check it out.
 

Central Office Holiday Closure

Central Office will be closed on Saturday 2/19 in observance of Presidents’ Day. A.A. literature and chips are still available for purchase online.
 

Service Opportunities for the Week …
 
Spring is in the Air

For the love of young at heart, please share this information with your social media communities and encourage your A.A. fellows to subscribe to The Buzz. All of our prior updates can be found here. Drop our subscription link in the chat at your meetings and tell your members to subscribe to stay in the know on what’s happening with SF/Marin A.A.    🐝  
 

Your IFAA Intergroup | Central Office
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San Francisco and Marin Intergroup | Central Office


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