1. health and fitness
2. addiction

Inside
T
he
CHECK IT OUT!
POEM BY ROB INSIDE
See Pg. 4
Connection
A.R.A.N.A. | Sac F.N.A.
February 2015 | Volume 48 | Issue 2
American River Area of Narcotics Anonymous & the Sacramento Fellowship of Narcotics Anonymous
NEED HELP HOTLINES: American River Area 1-800-600-HOPE
Sacramento Fellowship 1-877-NA3-6363 | Sierra Foothills 1-530-645-1635
Inside this Issue
1 . E d i t o r ’s N o t e /
Coloring Contest Winner
Winner
Coloring Contest
1
ST PLACE
FEBRUARY 2015
2 . S t e p Tw o , Tr a d i t i o n Tw o ,
Second Concept
3. American River Service Information
4. A Poem from Rob
5. Area Level Events
6. Group Level Events
7 . J o k e s b y P a t r i c k O .
8-9. NA Birthdays
10. Meetings in Need
of Support
By Elaine L.
Editor's Note
Welcome to The Inside Connection!
Here you are experiencing recovery from addiction, by the American River and Sacramento Fellowships of NA. These pages are a
compilation of up-to-date information on NA meetings, events, and subcommittees that need your involvement to succeed. The Inside
Connection also contains inspirational words from addicts sharing their experience, strength and hope, as they find an maintain recovery
from addiction through NA. We encourage submissions from our members. Submit your letters, artwork or other recovery related
material to [email protected] or INSIDE CONNECTION, P.O. BOX 42, CARMICHAEL, CA 95609
Step Two: paragraphs from “The Basic Text”
“We came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.”
"Some of us didn't take this step seriously at first; we passed over it with a minimum of concern,
only to find the next steps would not work until we worked Step Two. Even when we admitted
that we needed help with our drug problem, many of us would not admit to the need for faith and
sanity."
"The process of coming to believe is similar for most addicts. Most of us lacked a working
relationship with a Higher Power. We begin to develop this relationship by simply admitting to the
possibility of a Power greater than ourselves. Most of us have no trouble admitting that addiction
had become a destructive force in our lives. Our best efforts resulted in ever greater destruction
and despair. At some point, we realized that we needed the help of some Power greater than our
addiction. Our understanding of a Higher Power is up to us. No one is going to decide for us. We
can call it the group, the program, or we can call it God. The only suggested guidelines are that
this Power be loving, caring and greater than ourselves. We don't have to be religious to accept
this idea. The point is that we open our minds to believe. We may have difficulty with this, but by
keeping an open mind, sooner or later, we find the help we need."
Tradition Two: paragraphs from “It Works How and Why”
“For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority—a loving God as He may
express Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they
do not govern.”
"Personal service arises from the application of principles. Ideally, personal service is founded in a relationship
with the same Higher Power that guides our personal recovery. This Higher Power also guides the various
elements of our fellowship. Our direction in service comes from a God of our understanding, whether we
serve as individuals, as a group, or as a service board or committee. Whenever we come together, we seek
the presence and guidance of this loving Higher Power. This direction then guides us through all our actions.”
"Everybody has opinions on how to serve more effectively. When we each propose a different plan for any
course of action, how do we choose among them? Who has the final say in our discussions? Our answer is
that a loving God, the source of our unity, has the final say—the same Higher Power that guides our personal
recovery."
"If we are to find guidance from an ultimate authority, we need to find means of hearing that guidance
together. The mechanism we use is group conscience. The success of the group conscience process
depends on our willingness as individuals to seek guidance from a Higher Power on a personal level. We
then bring that willingness into the group setting."
Second Concept: paragraphs from
“A Guide to Local Services”
“The final responsibility and authority for NA services rests with the NA groups.”
"...The groups have, directly or indirectly, created every one of our service boards and
committees. The NA groups have, directly or indirectly, provided the resources used by those
service boards and committees. The groups have established the service structure as a medium
through which, together, they can better fulfill our fellowship's primary purpose. Therefore, in all
the affairs of all its elements, the service structure must carefully consider the needs and desires
of the groups. The Second Concept can be seen as the groups' way of saying to the NA service
structure, "Be responsible with the spiritual, personal, and financial resources we have provided
you. Seek our advice; do not ignore our direction."
"The NA groups bear the final authority in all our fellowship's service affairs and should be
routinely consulted in all matters directly affecting them. For example, proposals to change NA's
Twelve Steps, Twelve Traditions, name, nature, or purpose should be approved directly by the
groups. Conversely, if something goes wrong in the service structure, NA groups are responsible
to take constructive steps to help correct the problem."
American River Area Service Committee Information
AREA SERVICE : 1st
Friday each month 7:30pm
Robertson Community Center 3525 Norwood Ave.
(New GSR orientation
7:00pm)
ASC ADMIN : Meets the
2nd Sunday of each month
Jan , April, July ,Oct
4:00pm at Heritage Oaks
Chair : Renee R. 916-7090291
[email protected]
Vice: Jody B. 916-730-4635
[email protected]
rg
Secretary : Jennifer W.
916-288-5483 ascsecretary
@sacramentona.org
Asst. Secretary: Amber W
916-202-0634 [email protected]
ASC Treasurer : Shannon M.
530-400-7750
[email protected]
ASC Alt. Treasurer : Danika
M. 916-224-2561 alttreasurer
@sacramentona.org
ASC Events Treasurer :
VACANT [email protected] ASC
Alt. Events Treasurer : Don
H. 916-470-0307
alteventstreasurer
@sacramentona.org
CAMPOUT : Meets 2nd
and 4th Thurs of month
7:00pm at 6201 Spruce Ave
Chair : Stephen G 916-8267755
campoutchair
@sacramentona.org
Vice: Barbara W 916-5321757
[email protected]
RCM 1 :
3324 [email protected]
RCM 2 :
UNITY DAY : Meets the
Art W. 916-308-2789
[email protected]
Dennis M. 916-261-7078
[email protected]
DANCE & NEW
YEARS DANCE : Meets
the 2nd Mon 6:30pm at
Heritage Oaks
Chair : Pamela D.
916-706-9422
[email protected]
Vice: Mimi M.
916-821-1271
[email protected]
2nd & 4th Wed 7:00pm at
Heritage Oaks
Unity Day Liason :
VACANT [email protected]
Vice: Jeff T.
[email protected]
PUBLIC RELATIONS :
Meets the 3rd Thurs of the
month 7:00pm at Heritage
Oaks Room 108B
Chair : Jason F. 916-9694674
H&I : Meets the 3rd
Monday 7:00pm at Heritage [email protected]
Vice: Sean V. 916-529-2916
Oaks
prvicechair
Chair : Robert H.
@sacramentona.org
916-821-8167
Schedule Coordinator :
[email protected]
Chris C 916-333-8703
Vice: Anastasia I. [email protected]
3220
Helpline Coordinator :
hivicechair
Amber W. 916-202-0634
@sacramentona.org
[email protected]
LITERATURE : Meets 12 Website: Jon R. 916-6714380 webservant
-2pm on the Sunday after
@sacramentona.org
ASC (the 1st Fri)
Outreach Coordinator :
4040 American River Dr.
Debra U. 916-215-0635
Chair :Alicia [email protected]
9908 literaNewsletter Coordinator :
[email protected]
Aaron W. 530-574Vice: Bob C. 916-459-6178
newsletliteraturevicechair
[email protected]
@sacramentona.org
Schools Pro ect Coordina
tor:
SOFTBALL : Meets the
Linda G. 916-812-0467
2nd Monday of the month
hareda [email protected]
6:30pm at Heritage Oaks
Presentation Coordinator :
Chair : Dan W. 916-402Vacant [email protected]
[email protected]
Presentations Training :
Vice: Dennis P 916-402-
ARMOR
By Rob 03
I
WEAR MY ARMOR PROUDLY. I keep it cleaned and polished. I take
my praise as I walk along life with my armor on.
All the people I meet say, “That's nice armor you're wearing.” My
chest swells up and I say. “It’s bullet proof and knife proof and
nothing can touch it or me.”
“Where can I get armor like that?” they say. I reply “You can’t get this
kind of armor. It was crafted by me for me. I’ve worn this armor
so long it fits like a second skin. I’ve work it so long it’s made itself
one with me.”
I long to remove my armor and let the cleansing light shine through,
and cleanse my soul of the darkness I’m in. Without my armor I’m
vulnerable to the cleansing light and that scares me more than the
darkness I live in with my armor on.
SACRAMENTO FELLOWSHIP OF NA
H&I Working Group Presents the 7th annual
BOOKS FOR CROOKS
Free Continental Breakfast and a Buffet of Speakers
Saturday, March 14th from 11:00am–3:00pm
Your chance to purchase and donate soft cover NA books of your choice for addicts
in lock down facilities in Sacramento and Yolo Counties. If you are unable to attend
you can still be a part of by using the order form below and mailing it in with payment
(please make checks out to SACFNA.)
Order Form for Books for Crooks
(Please fill in what facility you want the books to go to, or if
left blank the book(s) will be sent to a facility in need.)
Quantity:
Facility
Basic Text: ($13.00)
It Works How & Why: ($10.00)
Just for Today: ($10.00)
TOTAL: $
Please send to SACFNA: PO Box 160343 Sacramento, CA 95816
SAC.F.N.A. Presents
LAUGH YOUR RECOVERY OFF
Laughs Unlimited Comedy
Club & Lounge
1207 Front Street, Old Sac.
From 3pm - 6pm, February 15, 2015
Doors open at 2pm, Speaker at 3pm
Comedians from 4pm - 6pm
Tickets are $20.00 - Must be 17 or over
Contact Steve R (916) 470-9371
or Marcie T. (916) 704-5742
Location: 2620
Capitol Ave.
Sacramento, CA
95816
Contact: Sean (9
16) 470-6152
or Christine (916
) 604-1710
New Way of Life Group of Narcotics Anonymous
has multiple events each month
7595 Center Parkway, Sacramento CA 95823
COME OUT AND JOIN US FOR:
• 1st Friday Night — Candle Light Meeting with Pizza and Awesome Speaker
10:00pm - 11:30pm
• Last Saturday of Every Month — Continental Breakfast | 12:00pm - 1:00pm
• 2nd Sunday of Every Month — Potluck Meeting - Bring a Dish | 8:00pm - 9:30pm
Sacramento
Survivors’ Group
Join Us Every
Tuesday 6-7:30pm
Open Participation /
Discussion Meeting with a
Speaker on the First Tuesday
of the month. Monthly Birthday
Cake Celebration following the
Speaker!!!
2700 L Street in Mid-town
(directly across from
Sutter’s Fort)
Childcare Available!
Wheelchair Accessible!!
WOMEN’S
POTLUCK
Every 3rd Thursday of
the month
6:30-8:30pm
5419 Leader Ave.
Sacramento CA
All women are
welcome and we do
allow children
SPEAKER MEETING
Every 3rd Friday of the Month
7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Broderick Group
2124 Michigan Avenue, West Sacramento
Grupo Vivir
en ti NA
Si crees tener
problemas con las drogas y las quieres dejar
y cambiar tu manera
de vivir... te invitamos
todos los Martes alas
8pm al programa de
Narcoticos Anonimos.
"SI SE PUEDE"
Nuestra direcion 3500
Mobile wy.,
Sacramento CA 95833
(916) 912-7575
(916) 370-4306
Childcare is now
available at...
Recovery in
Rio Linda
...And I bet you know why!
(Parents who have children need to
have meeting time too. We have made
arrangements with the Church here
to have the adjoining room made
available to children of parents in our
meetings.)
5th and L Street,
Rio Linda
Meetings held, Monday &
Thursday: 7-8:30pm and Saturday: 12-1:30pm
NA
Birthdays
Download
blank birthday
sheets at Sacramentona.org,
on the Documents page.
OCTOBER-14
Davis Group of NA
NOVEMBER-14-Continued
12 Steps to Freedom
Multiple Years
Patrick O..................................................16 Years
30 Days
Maria, Kica, Aichien
NOVEMBER-14
Recovery in Rio Linda
60 Days
Chester J.
Humpday Hope
90 Days
Melinda R.
30 Days
James M.
6 Months
April
90 Days
Hadassah M.
9 Months
Healther L., Brittney G.
9 Months
Monika L.
Lost Without Recovery
Multiple Years
Adam V..................................................... 8 Years
Jackie A.................................................. 37 Years
6 Months
Bob
Multiple Years
Bubba R.....................................................6 Years
DECEMBER-14
Far From Using
6 Months
Russell M.
Multiple Years
Steve H..................................................... 3 Years
Sheree....................................................... 9 Years
Cleo Z......................................................12 Years
More
Birthdays
on page 9.
Birthdays continued
DECEMBER-14-Continued
Recovery Inclined
JANUARY-15-Continued
12 Steps to Freedom
90 Days
Angie C.
1 Year
Angelite D.
1 Year
Nicole F.
New Way of Life
Multiple Years
Chris C...................................................... 7
Jamie S....................................................17
Rob C.......................................................17
Howard H................................................ 32
Years
Years
Years
Years
JANUARY-15
Recovery in Rio Linda
Multiple Years
Donny D...................................................10 Years
Humpday Hope
30 Days
Sharon A., Sweeney H., Derek L.
90 Days
Erica C.
Broderick Group
60 Days
Sharon A.
Multiple Years
Vaughn B................................................. 23 Years
Group 52
60 Days
Michelle M.
90 Days
Dennis H., Don C.
1 Year
Jason
FEBRUARY-15
Broderick Group
Multiple Years
Dennis T....................................................4 Years
Elk Grove Home Group
Multiple Years
Nina P.................................................... 27 Years
Recovery Inclined
NEWSLETTER NEEDS
YOUR INPUT!
Needs short stories, step work, artwork
or anything that has to do with
recovery.* Please submit your work to:
[email protected]
or Inside Connection, P.O. Box 42,
Carmichael, CA 95609
*Material may be edited to ensure the clarity of the
NA message. For example, clean will replace sober.
6 Months
Marci
IN NEED OF SUPPORT?
Common reasons a meeting struggles: Narcotics Anonymous history shows the most common reason a meeting struggles is that the
Group has moved away from the principles held in our Traditions. When this happens, addicts, meetings, Groups and NA as a whole can
suffer. That is not to say that all meetings that struggle have done so. Other reasons include, a new meeting that hasn’t found it’s footing
yet, difficult to find location, doors that aren’t opened during the times listed in the schedule, disruptive members, several meetings of
the same type on the same night, or at the same time or in the same area. Conversely, there are virtually no NA meetings in the area rural meetings can bring their own unique problems. Based on the shared experience of many Groups, here are some things to know and
explore that may be helpful in determining what can be done for the struggling meeting. The best source of solutions for the Group’s
problems, in most cases, is the Group itself.
Group Inventory
One of the most useful tools we have is the Group Inventory. (Outreach/PR will be glad to assist with an Inventory for any Group that asks.)
What is a Group Inventory: A process which the Group uses to identify what changes may be helpful in making the meeting more
attractive. Below is some information that can be incorporated into the Inventory process or may be helpful on it’s own. It is important to
look at the assets as well as the defects. The Inventory can be done during the Group’s Business Meeting or can be specially scheduled.
It is probably a good idea to get feedback from newcomers and those new to the meeting.
Some Questions and Answers to Consider During a Group Inventory
What is an NA Group: When two or more addicts come together to help each other stay clean, they may form a Narcotics Anonymous Group.
1. All members of a Group are drug addicts, and all drug addicts are eligible for membership.
2. As a Group, they are self-supporting.
3. As a Group, their single goal is to help drug addicts recover through application of the Twelve Steps of Narcotics Anonymous.
4. As a Group, they have no affiliation outside Narcotics Anonymous.
5. As a Group, they express no opinion on outside issues.
6. As a Group, their public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion.
In stating the six points that differentiate an NA Group from other kinds of groups, we place greater emphasis on drug addiction than
almost anywhere else in our service literature. This is because Narcotics Anonymous Groups cannot be all things to all people and still
provide the initial identification drug addicts need to find their way to recovery. By clarifying our Groups’ sole membership requirement
and primary purpose in this way, once and for all, we free ourselves to focus on freedom from the disease of addiction.
Why do we have meetings: The Group is the most effective way we have to carry the message and further our primary purpose.
What is our primary purpose: To carry the message to the addict who still suffers.
How well is the Group fulfilling Our primary purpose?
What is our message: The message of Narcotics Anonymous is “An addict, any addict can stop using drugs, lose the desire to use and
find a new way to live. Our message is hope and our promise is freedom from active addiction.”
Is this the message we are carrying?
Has our message become confused by outside influences, other fellowships or outside enterprises?
What is self-supporting: We pay our own way, most commonly rent, literature & refreshments via a passing of the basket. Also via our
service to the Group (Trusted Servant).
Can we pay our rent?
Are one or two addicts ‘supporting’ the meeting?
Are there enough qualified members to meet the Groups service needs?
Are we ‘pushing’ the unqualified into service? Suffering from the ‘warm body’ syndrome?
Who is a trusted servant: Qualified members of the Group who are willing and able to serve the Group, including participation in the
Group Conscience. While service commitments often benefit those who accept them, that should not be the primary reason for selecting
one individual or another to serve as an officer of your Group. As the First Tradition says, in part, ‘Our common welfare should come first.’”
Are our trusted servants participating in making the meeting successful?
Do they share an attitude of gratitude?
Do they make service look attractive?
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND QUESTIONS/ANSWERS CONSULT THE GROUP BOOKLET
OR CONTACT YOUR AREA OUTREACH/PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMITTEE.
Inside Connection
P. O. BOX 42
Carmichael, CA 95609
American River Area
Question
of the
Question
of the months
for Month
February 2014
What
would
you
like
have
future
What
should an
addict
do to
if they
feelas
likeausing?
Question of the month???
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Please return to Aaron of The Inside Connection.
The
Inside
Connection
INSIDE CONNECTION
WA N T S Y O U R G R O U P ' S B I R T H D AY S !
WANTS YOUR GROUP’S BIRTHDAY
Please fill out your group's Birthdays from within the past 60 days or upcoming 30 days.
Remember to turn this form in by the 15th of the month so that Newsletter can include it in the
upcoming
of The
Inside
Connection.
forms
will be added
the following
The Insideedition
Connection
would
like
you to sendLate
in your
Birthdays
for theto
Birthday
page. newsletter.
GROUP NAME _______________________________________
This form needs to be in by the 15th of the month. So the Newsletter can be done in a timely manContact Phone:
ner. REMEMBER TO PUT YOUR GROUP’S NAME ON THE FORM.
Group Name:
Below:
firstare
names
(may include
last initial). Specify what month each birthday
What Write
month
birthdays
__________________________
takes
place.
writeCONNECTION
original clean
as CARMICHAEL,
it is not necessary.
Mail form
to Do
thenot
INSIDE
P Odates
BOX 42
CA. 95609
30 DAYS……………….
6 MONTHS………………….
18 MONTHS……………..
60 DAYS………………….
9 MONTHS…………………...
2 YEARS………………………...
90 DAYS………………...
1 YEAR…………………..
MORE THAN 2 YEARS
( STATE HOW MANY????? )
EXAMPLE:
Aaron W. in June
Mail form to: The Inside Connection, P.O. Box 42, Carmichael, CA 95609
or email to [email protected]