District 14 met on 12 October in Shiloh with the Coffee Pot Group hosting. There were 25 GSR’s and guests in attendance. The 9 November and 14 December meetings are to be hosted by the Wades Square Group. The time for all GSR Meetings remains the same at 1 pm. See you there…..

IN MEMORIAM

MIKE MARTINEZ
He will be truly missed by many

NOTES FROM THE MEETING:

GSR’s were again asked for Group Histories. These are an interesting and worthwhile endeavor. You learn many things about the group and the local AA. Work with someone on drafting one for your group.

Don F. (235-0854) is the new GSR for the Collinsville Honesty Group.

Dave M. (344-2326) is the new GSR for the Collinsville Lounge Group.

The East St Louis 12x12 Group now meets at this address: 4046 Forest Blvd, East St Louis, IL.

CPC (Chester P. – 337-1476): He will begin with the local doctors to see if they are interested in AA information. It was suggested that he work through the Nurse Managers at each office. Chester will move onto judges, hospitals and others. A report will be made at the Nov 2003 GSR meeting.

TREATMENT (Udell G. – 332-2414). Need more people to chair meetings at Gateway. This is on a Sunday Night from 7-8 pm. This is a terribly important area of service work. You may be the person who makes that impression upon an individual that they can get and stay SOBER!!!! Please give Udell a call if you believe you can be of service.

PI (Chuck G. – 337-5327). District 14 maintains 5 literature racks around the Metro East area. Literature has been received to restock. Chuck has emailed all libraries to see if they have a copy of the Big Book and 12x12 and if they want a copy. A report will be provided at the Nov 2003 GSR meeting.

Corrections (Doug T. – 337-8451): All is going well. Doug is always looking for more volunteers to spread the workload out. Give him a call if you are interested. A real eye-opener on life behind the bars instead of in them….!!!!

Bridging the Gap (Gordon N. – 222-0786): Mike B. from over in the St Louis area was a guest speaker. He discussed and provided a pamphlet of how BTG works in Area 38 (Eastern Missouri). He discussed the goal of getting a new released prisoner and/or patient to at least three meetings for the purpose of firmly orienting that person in AA. Getting to that first meeting is sometimes quite hard but so very necessary. He also discussed some problems which were discussed at length by the district GSR’s. An interesting program to put it mildly. You can be a point of contact for someone new to the program. Give Gordon a call !!!!

Answering Service (Tim R. – 337-1476): Tim contacted Domyan Answering Svc to procure the number of outgoing and incoming calls. He was told that would incur an extra charge. Much, much discussion on this area. Don F. who used to be the AS Chairman said that this has been a recurring/continuing problem. Tim will work with them further. A report will be made at the Nov 2003 GSR meeting.

Webmaster(Rick H. – 277-8459): A presentation was made by Rich M. on the website. The guidelines have been drafted. A couple of more clarifications will be made. Southern Illinois Area Pg 2

21 (that’s us) and District 18 both have websites. Rich will investigate these to see how they do it. A detailed (maybe) report will be provided at the Nov 2003 GSR meeting.

After some discussion, soft-copy Big Books, pocket-sized 12x12’s and recovery pamphlets (8 cases/boxes) were to be ordered for use at SWICC, St Clair County Jail and AA literature racks. This has been received.

The women’s meeting at the St Clair County Jail still needs more women to help conduct meetings. If you can volunteer, call Sue S. (398-3648).

A draft combined Where & When for districts14 & 18 has been completed. This was presented at the Oct 2003 GSR meeting for District 14. The DCM for District 18 was invited to discuss and review the effort. The DCM did not show; no word was ever received from him. The effort will forge ahead. All corrections and changes must be presented No Later Than the 9 Nov 2003 GSR Meeting.

The 2003 Alkathon will see the use of a Kiddie Patrol as was used in the 2003 Corned Beef & Cabbage. It was extremely successful at the CB&C. Donations made it possible. The days of the Alkathon are being picked. Call Terry S. (233-6844) to inquire or to lock in a date. Dances are also being planned. Entertainment at the 2003 Alkathon will be the responsibility of the Group hosting the Dances. A smoking tent is being put together. Much discussion on this item. The West Side Group/Association may purchase one. More later…..

March 2004 Area Assembly: District 14 is going to host this one. Sites must be checked into quickly. Gary T., Brandon and Paula are checking sites in Cahokia, O’Fallon and Fairview Heights. Tim R. is going to work on a flyer. Much will be and must be completed by the Nov 2003 GSR meeting.

District 14 Nominations and Elections for Trusted Servants: This will all take place on 9 Nov 2003. You must be present to be stand for the position. Everyone who stands for election will be given 2 minutes to discuss themselves and their sobriety.

2004 Corned Beef & Cabbage: Gordon N. is the chairman once again. More later…..

UPCOMING EVENTS:

A campout will be held at Carlyle Lake on 18-20 Oct 2003. The location is at the Carlyle Lake Dame East Spillway. For more information, call Liz C. at 632-6939.

The New Day Recovery Club is having their famous Square Deal Meal Day on 25 Oct 2003. It begins at 8 am and last until ???? For a $7 donation, you get breakfast, lunch and dinner. This is a truly a deal !!!! Come check it out !!!

The 17th Annual Caribbean Convention will be held from 31 Oct to 2 Nov 2003 in St Thomas Virgin Islands at the Renaissance Grand Resort Hotel. The cost is $99 per night for a hillside room and $129 per night for a poolside room. For hotel reservations, please call 1-888-314-3514. NOTE: A passport or proof of citizenship and a picture ID is required to return to the USA. For more info, contact Ruth B. at (340) 473-7764 or Kevin M. at (340) 776-1335.

The 6th Annual Mens AA Breakfast will be held on 16 Nov 2003 at the Viking Holiday Inn in Sunset Hills Missouri. There will be a 9 am buffet breakfast with the speaker at 10 am. He is WC L. The adjournment will be at 11:30 am. Call WC at 618-659-9202 or Jim E. 314-962-6664 for tickets and information. Tickets are $15.00.

District 13 will host the Southern Illinois Area Assembly on 11 Dec 2003 at the Days Inn in Vandalia. Registration begins at 7:30 am and the assembly convenes at 9:00 am. Registration is $4 and Lunch is $11. Call the Days Inn for reservations at 618-283-4400. Mention the assembly to get a discount. There will be a speaker meeting at the First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall at 8:00 pm on 10 Dec 2003. For more info, call Ron P. at 618-283-0249.

BIRTHDAYS: (Birthdays will only be entered if they occur before or on the date of the GSR Meeting; otherwise, they will be entered in the next Booze News)

Collinsville Honesty Group: Ralph H. – 21 yrs, Cyndi M. – 18 yrs, Rick F. – 14 yrs, Kathy L., Ed L. – yrs, John D. – 1 yr.

Pg 3

Mascoutah Group: Don C. – 22 yrs.

Sparta 212 Group: Gary G., Robert A. – 17 yrs, Ed L. – 12 yrs, Albert L. – 10 yrs, David G. – 9 yrs, Cindy Z. – 2 yrs.

Coffee Pot Group: Arlene N. – 27 yrs, Ray S. – 23 yrs, Sherman P. – 6 yrs.

Dr Bob’s Group: Sue R. – 14 yrs, Jack – 12 yrs, Jakki L. – 3 yrs, Roni – 1 yr.

Page 516 Group: Mary W. – 22 yrs, Tracey H. – 10 yrs, Angie T. – 3 yrs.

Kings House: Mario L. – 20 yrs, Mary Ellen J. – 16 yrs, Gloria – 30 days.

623 Group: Terry N. – 28 yrs, Jane H. – 20 yrs, Mike S. – 17 yrs, Roger C. – 16 yrs, Kristina W., Denny R. – 11 yrs, Debbie C. – 10 yrs, George D., Donella – 8 yrs, Doug B., Jan R. – 7 yrs, Gina B. – 6 yrs, Keith R. – 5 yrs, Randy R. – 4 yrs, Brenda, Tanya, Kelly J. – 3 yrs, Tara, Gary D. – 2 yrs, Gary D. – 2 yrs, Cheryl P., Christopher, Wendy B., Wally – 1 yr, Charity – 6 mos, Jim R. – 47 days, Paul, Craig, Dwayne – 30 days.

Fairview Heights Group: Cliff W. – 21 yrs, Richard B. – 15 yrs.

East St Louis 12x12 Group: Walter M. – 16 yrs, Barry – 13 yrs, Lester, Nate – 11 yrs, Leo, Buggy – 10 yrs, Louis J., Nova – 9 yrs, Clark – 7 yrs, Mary, Danny, Latrice – 5 yrs, Marvin J. – 3 yrs, Robert – 2 yrs, Chasity – 1 yr, Althea – 6 mos.

St Henry’s Book Club: Mike L. – 3 yrs.

O’Fallon Trailer Group: Jim W., Ray P. – 34 yrs, Jim K. – 24 yrs, Ann S., Deidre – 21 yrs, Gene S. – 19 yrs, Lou, Bill – 17 yrs, Mary Kay K., Donna W. – 16 yrs, Rich M. – 15 yrs, Cindy K-W. – 14 yrs, Jim M., Jim B. – 13 yrs, Jay G., John M., Shelly – 12 yrs, Joanna B-S., Mike D. – 10 yrs, Karen – 8 yrs, Chris V. – 5 yrs, Terese, Ben V., Eleanor, Randy R. – 4 yrs, Bob – 3 yrs, Cheryl P., John D. – 1 yr, Cathy, Amy H., Travis F., Raquel, Dave S., Tim, Joann, Tom, Dawn, Karen – 30 days.

Wades Square Group: Katie – 7 yrs, Doug – 6 yrs.

Rule 62, Part 117: Yesterday is a canceled check, tomorrow is a promissory note and today is cash on hand. Courtesy of Terry H. O’Fallon IL

Rule 62, Part 118: I used to be a Frisbian --- when you die, you’re soul ends up on the roof. Now, I am an Eventualist --- I believe that eventually we will all realize that everything is all right. Courtesy of Kingston S. Fairview Heights IL

Rule 62, Part 119: Discretion: Three lions had escaped from the circus one night as it was setting up for a performance in a small Alabama town. Within half an hour, the Chief of Police had organized a group of men to try and catch the lions. Before going out on the hunt, the chief said, “Let’s go to the bar across the street and I’ll buy all of you a couple of drinks.” “Not for me, thanks,” said a man standing next to the chief. “Why not Harry? I’ve seen you take a drink.” “Oh, I take a drink, “Harry said,” But not when I’m starting on a lion hunt Two shots of whiskey might give me too much courage. Moral of the story. One is too many and a thousand is never enough. Courtesy of “Chicago” Ted S. Belleville IL

Rule 62, Part 120: Today is a gift from God --- that is why it is called the “present”. As seen on a church billboard by Jere B. of Fairview Heights IL.

Rule 62, Part 121: Some things have to be believed to be seen. Courtesy of Don Myers Olive Branch IL

Rule 62, Part 122: If it makes my head run --- it’s my will; if it makes me feel at peace --- it’s God’s will. Courtesy of Don Myers Olive Branch IL

Rule 62, Part 123: When the time for action has come, the time for preparation has passed. Courtesy of Don Myers Olive Branch IL

Rule 62, Part 124: Don’t turn away from possible futures until you’re certain you have nothing to learn from them. You’re always free to change your mind. Courtesy of Don Myers Olive Branch IL

Editor: (click here).(277- 9730)