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April 2015 Vol. 15
District 43
PO Box 143
Naperville, IL 60566
Please help us distribute
this newsletter. The
Groupvine is intended for
A.A. District 43 which
includes Bolingbrook,
Naperville, Woodridge
and Lisle. Please take
copies to your home
group. There are extra
copies at the West
Suburban Fellowship
Club (WSFC), 710 E.
Ogden, Suite 430
District 43 Groupvine
Attraction Rather Than Promotion
Carrying the message through a "third person" has become an accepted practice in A.A. From
our former fears of "promotion" we have come to realize that it is part of our responsibility for the
continued growth of our beloved Fellowship to see to it that accurate information about A.A. is
made available to the nonalcoholic public, so that these "third persons" can help us in making
A.A. known to the alcoholic who hasn’t yet heard about A.A. In all public relationships, A.A.’s sole
objective is to help the still-suffering alcoholic. Always mindful of the importance of personal
anonymity, we believe this can be done by making known to him and to those who may be
interested in his problem, our own experience as individuals and as a Fellowship in learning to
live without alcohol. We believe that our experience should be made available freely to all who
express sincere interest. We believe further that all our efforts in this field should reflect our
gratitude for the gift of sobriety and our awareness that many outside A. A. are equally
concerned with the serious problem of alcoholism.’
Spreading the Word
When newcomers enter A.A. they are often told to do simple things that will help them stay sober one day at a time
—such as get a sponsor, use the phone, go to meetings, pray, and read A.A. literature. For those of us in countries
were A.A. is well established, getting hold of literature—the Big Book, the Twelve and Twelve, Daily Reflections, a
myriad of pamphlets and many more wonderful books—is pretty easy. A.A. literature plays a unique role in most
members’ recovery. An individual can sit down with literature, with no pressure, no time constraint, no judgment,
and think about the message, let it sink in and perhaps find a deeper understanding. In A.A. literature the message
comes across gently, yet with suggestions for a program of recovery from alcoholism. It is the shared experience of
the Fellowship over many years and across many cultures.
Helping a loved one with an alcoholic addiction
Seeing a loved one suffering with a drinking problem can be emotionally draining, and trying to help them can
be even harder. Approximately 7.7 million U.S. adults are currently married to or living with a partner with an
alcohol use disorder, according to a study from the University at Buffalo Research Institute. The research
highlights the considerable psychological distress that can be caused by living with an alcoholic partner.
The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence offers these tips on their website:
Learn All You Can About Alcoholism and Drug Dependence
Speak Up and Offer Your Support – Talk to the person about your concerns, including your
willingness to go with them and get help. Like other chronic diseases, the earlier addiction is treated, the better.
Express Love and Concern – Don’t wait for your loved one to “hit bottom.” You may be met with
excuses, denial or anger, but be prepared to respond with specific examples of behavior that has you worried.
Don’t Expect the Person to Stop Without Help – You have heard it before, promises to cut down or
stop, but it doesn’t work. Treatment, support and new coping skills are needed to overcome addiction to alcohol
and drugs.
Support Recovery as an Ongoing Process – Once your friend or family member is receiving treatment or
going to meetings, remain involved. While maintaining your own commitment to getting help, continue to support
their participation in continuing care, meetings and recovery support groups. Continue to show that you are
concerned about their successful long-term recovery.
April “Group” Anniversaries
Tues.Night Step Group 04-19-88, Brown Baggers of Naperville
04-19-88, T G I F Group 04-24-81, Thursday Big Book Group
04-10-87, Speakeasy Men’s Group 04-24-08, Daily Reflections
Group 04-03-08,Wandering Women Group 04-06-83 , Women’s
Big Book Group 04-27-04, There is a Solution Group 04-02-0
Dist. 43. March meeting highlights.
Anniversaries. Ryan, 120 days, Craig 17 years.
Congratulations!!!!
Visitors. Rob, Paula, Nikki & Rich.
New Business Ryan V voted as new Alt. DCM
—42nd annual AA Illinois State conference
8-28,30-2015 Marriott Hotel, Normal, Illinois
4th Month: April. 4th Step:Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. 4th Tradition: Each Group should
be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or A.A. as a whole. 4th Concept: At all responsible levels, we ought
to maintain a traditional “Right of Participation,” allowing a voting representation in reasonable proportion to the responsibility
that each must discharge. 4th Promise: We will know peace.
Important Phone numbers
Answering Services (all 630)
—Dist. 43 Lisle, Naperville & Bolingbrook 355-2622
—Dist. 42 Downers Grove & Westmont 887-8671
—Dist. 40 Glen Ellyn & Wheaton 653-6556
—Dist. 64 Aurora 859-2444
We could use your help!
District 43 is offering your home group an opportunity
to work the fifth tradition in it’s purest form… As a
group, you can commit to take all 12 step calls for a
predetermined period of time. Talk to your GSR or
stop by a district meeting for more information.
12 Step House Men’s Retreat, May 15-17,Friday
3:30 PM - Sunday 10:00 AM St Mary’s Retreat House 14230 Main St Lemont,
630-257-5102 Upcoming Events
Our Website is a wealth of information for those of you on
line. Please check it out at, www.dist43.aa-nia.org
—Area 20 Archives is conducting a workshop (Carrying the
Message through a Service Commitment in Archives) on April
25th with District 42 and 43 on April 25th at Christ
Church in Oak Brook, located at 31st & York from 10 am till
noon. For more info contact George C at
[email protected] All are invited. Tell your Groups
—Polish AA meeting (contact Judyta at 630-815-1940)
—42nd annual AA Illinois State conference
8-28,30-2015 Marriott Hotel, Normal, Illinois
—Meetings in need of help Linden Oaks Saturday mornings
8:15 in need of female support. Also Do Not Be Discouraged
Group, Thurs.7:00 p.m. St. Timothy Church, 1313 Mill Str.,
Naperville
—It is with regret that we announce the passing of one of our
own, Emily B.
Service Opportunities—Bridging the Gap “AA’s Welcome Wagon” A 12th Step Opportunity. (30 to 40) volunteers wanted
to ease the transition of recovering alcoholics being released from treatment facilities and other places of confinement into
the A.A. Community. Involves taking newcomers to an A.A. meeting after their release, and introducing them to members
of the group. Contact: Richard [email protected]
—Just—of DuPage is still in need of women volunteers to bring the AA meetings into the jail. This is a one year
commitment for those with at least one year of sobriety. Please check out the website for more info on this service work.
justofdupage.org For info contact Joan P. at
[email protected]
Things we hear at meetings
—I can’t, He can, so I let HIM
—There is no problem so big that
alcohol cannot make it bigger.
—There is no right way to do a wrong
thing.
Grapevine Quotes of the day.
—“I inevitably find that when I am able to stay focused on my primary purpose,
my ‘secondary purposes’ (school, jobs, relationships) work themselves out
quite satisfactorily. “
—“The process of one alcoholic confiding in another has without a doubt saved
my life. Nowhere else have I ever found such devotion and understanding as
with AA sponsoring.”
A.A. members in District 43 of Northern Illinois publish this newsletter. Its mission is to keep members informed of local events
and service activities, to share experience, strength and hope in recovery from alcoholism and its impact on our families.
Opinions expressed in Groupvine are those of their authors only and not necessarily those of A.A. Send articles, ideas or
questions to: [email protected] Your comments are most welcome and encouraged. Yours in service…—Editor