D46 Third Legacy Report November
District 46 Third Legacy
Gary E, Chair
For the month of November we will take a look at Concept 11. While we look at it, it is easy to assume that it only applies to our general service board, but if we break it down into a more basic form we can see that we can use this concept in all levels of General service, and in our lives. The basic core of the concept is that we need to listen to those around us. While we may be in a position of leadership, we do not have all the answers, as a person or member that sits in a position of leadership or service position, we rely on those around us to guide us. We need to have open ears to ideas and thoughts that can provide ideas that can shape, re-enforce or completely change our direction in ways we would have missed alone. We can further look into this path of a voice from our higher power guiding us through others. While we go through life, our personal recovery and service we will not have all the answers, we learn from others, we are guided by those we keep close to us and learn from those we trust. This Concept reads the importance of having the right people in position to provide strength of thoughts based on their strengths. A committee formed of people that have strong experience on the subject at hand to provide guidance to the service position held. This is something we do, or should do in life as well. When faced with challenges in life, I go to people I know that have the experience of similar life challenges. In service, we are not experts in the area we are in service, we rely on those in the program that have had experience and learn from them. In life, as a parent, I am by no means a father that has the answers to everything, instead I have surrounded myself with other fathers that I can trust, and with that I have a collective power of ideas that I would never have had myself. Being a great parent is the ability to learn from those around me.
While we may have been elected, or we may have been appointed, our biggest strength is the ability to surround ourselves with others that have ideas, thoughts and abilities that we ourselves would not have alone. That is the power of a collective conscious.
In all things, we are as strong and able as those we surround ourselves with. We form a committee of strength, a committee of ideas, and a committee of knowledge in our friends, peers and acquaintances; we are always a collection of thoughts and ideas, and we must choose carefully whom we surround ourselves with so that we always strive to have the best for what we need at that time around us.
Thank you
In love and service.
Gary E.
D46 Third Legacy Chair.
For link, go to this address www.district46aawa.org/third-legacy.html
Gary E, Chair
For the month of November we will take a look at Concept 11. While we look at it, it is easy to assume that it only applies to our general service board, but if we break it down into a more basic form we can see that we can use this concept in all levels of General service, and in our lives. The basic core of the concept is that we need to listen to those around us. While we may be in a position of leadership, we do not have all the answers, as a person or member that sits in a position of leadership or service position, we rely on those around us to guide us. We need to have open ears to ideas and thoughts that can provide ideas that can shape, re-enforce or completely change our direction in ways we would have missed alone. We can further look into this path of a voice from our higher power guiding us through others. While we go through life, our personal recovery and service we will not have all the answers, we learn from others, we are guided by those we keep close to us and learn from those we trust. This Concept reads the importance of having the right people in position to provide strength of thoughts based on their strengths. A committee formed of people that have strong experience on the subject at hand to provide guidance to the service position held. This is something we do, or should do in life as well. When faced with challenges in life, I go to people I know that have the experience of similar life challenges. In service, we are not experts in the area we are in service, we rely on those in the program that have had experience and learn from them. In life, as a parent, I am by no means a father that has the answers to everything, instead I have surrounded myself with other fathers that I can trust, and with that I have a collective power of ideas that I would never have had myself. Being a great parent is the ability to learn from those around me.
While we may have been elected, or we may have been appointed, our biggest strength is the ability to surround ourselves with others that have ideas, thoughts and abilities that we ourselves would not have alone. That is the power of a collective conscious.
In all things, we are as strong and able as those we surround ourselves with. We form a committee of strength, a committee of ideas, and a committee of knowledge in our friends, peers and acquaintances; we are always a collection of thoughts and ideas, and we must choose carefully whom we surround ourselves with so that we always strive to have the best for what we need at that time around us.
Thank you
In love and service.
Gary E.
D46 Third Legacy Chair.
For link, go to this address www.district46aawa.org/third-legacy.html
D46 Third Legacy Report October
Gary E, Chair
Last month we talked about the importance of who and why we elect or nominate a member into a position of service, this month let's talk about the importance of defining what it is they should be doing once in that position. This Concept gives us a well defined authority that should completely match and equal the service responsibility. That importance wings true for us, our groups, our districts, area and all the way to the bottom tier at GSO. This is the concept that we should use to guide us, used to prevent animosity, resentment and confusion amongst us. While it may seem unimportant sometimes, it needs to be carefully implemented at all levels and all service positions. Let's take for example in a group, we have a member that stands up and make themself available to take care of the trash in the room at the end of meetings. Seems rather simple, straightforward even... When we break that down it looks more like this: Taking this service position with the group, does this entail this member is now required to attend all meetings that group has? Does the trash just pile up until that member attends a meeting? Some groups have multiple meetings in a week, is there a specific day this service is to be done at? What if this member will be gone for a bit, is it this member's responsibility to ensure that a replacement is available to perform this duty in the members absence? If not clearly defined in a very simple task then resentments can grow. A member notices that the trash is overflowing, animosity begins to grow. Us alcoholics can not afford that. Furthermore, we need to define not only the requirements, we need to define the term of service. If this same member is doing this service position over a long period of time at what point should this member step down and rotate out of this? Resentments begin, this member isn't aware when they can stop, not sure if they can just quit? others begin resentments because this member wont turn it over... such a simple task that can bloom into many problematic issues that can create such resentments. This all can be avoided with concept 10, having a clear definition defining this service position and why this concept is so important even at our group level. This Concepts as well gives and defines the service authority. Important of course to define what authority this service position has as well the limitations of this service position. This well defined definition is part of what keeps us in check, ensures our service positions are not overstepping the bounds of what is expected as well as not overlapping into another service position. We have to, imperative even, that we have a well defined service definition and well defined service authority that completely matches the service position. Another simple, but equally important at all levels example of this being implemented would be the meeting cookie provider. In a speaker meeting that I listened to a while back, I gave a very good example of this. In this meeting that was being discussed, this group had a service position that brought cookies for the after meeting social. For a while there was a member that provided the cookies, however this member had a professional job as a baker. As such this individual brought high end professional baked cookies that everyone cherished. However, in spirit of rotation this member rotated out and a new member filled the position, This member being fairly new to program didn't really know or understand all the requirements of this position and as such felt that they needed to continue to bring such extravagant cookies, but not being a baker, these cookies had to be purchased and be reimbursed, that was way above the allotted budget item given in the group annual budget. This member wasn't doing anything malicious, only following what they believed was correct as the definition and responsibility of this simple service position was not explained. Simple and easy service position that can quickly create resentments and animosity simply over a lack of following this concept. I have kept these examples simple and at group level as my goal here is to further the importance of why these concepts are so vital at all levels of our triangle. Bottom to the top, homegroups to GSO. I will add that these concepts are not only important to the rooms, they are vital to our individual recovery and our personal lives outside the rooms of AA. We MUST always keep our triangle even legged and our 3 legacies are ever vital to all aspects of our own lives.
Thank you in love and service, Gary E
Gary E.
Third Legacy Chair
D46 Third Legacy Report September
Third Legacy
Gary E. D46 Chair
In the month of Sept. we take a look at Concept 9.
There is an emphasis on selecting whom we elect to fill a position, and the importance of why we elect those into positions of service. Our service structure is designed to not only further carry the message of AA, but also to protect, enhance, and grow our fellowship. To do this we have to be mindful of whom we chose to do that. As a fellowship, meaning all members, it is all our responsibility to take a deep look into what our service structure is, how it performs and what it needs at that time. Our spirit of rotation is vital for many reasons, but I want to focus here on the importance of rotation that allows us to move members into positions where they can bring needed ideas, change or or spiritual guidance into a position. As things change, grow and evolve those needs as well change, grow and evolve, as such the need to bring in new ideas and a new-5- approach with it.
We sometimes hear the idea that we should elect someone because it will be good for their sobriety... but is that really the best way? What is good for AA? Selecting members based on what WE think is good for them is not only allowing Ego to run riot, it is putting people into places or positions that might not do them well, or even cause harm, and as such, probably will not do AA well. Service is a part of recovery, but not all service is right for every one, and thankfully, for all, there are a lot of different ways to be of service in AA.
When we gather a group, business meeting or assemblies, do we know before we walk in who we might be voting for? Or are we just basing our entire vote based on a 2 min qualification? In Concept 9, it is telling us that it is our responsibility to send forth the best for the position at hand. It's our responsibility to research, learn and get to know those that we will be putting that vote to. This applies as well to motions, By-law changes or any vote that we as a group need to take. This also means that we, as trusted servants to our fellowship, have the responsibility to ensure that that information is available to our fellowship with enough time for the fellowship to have opportunity to research and learn about it. This is a two way responsibility for all of us.
As always, within our fellowship, with service, with unity and of course with our recovery, good sponsorship, one Alcoholic working with another, is the key in all this. A sponsor that shows and highlights the requirements of service, but service that suits that member at that point in their recovery. Sponsorship should be teaching to show up for that business meeting and taking part in those conversations. Attending Pre- / post conference meetings, attending an assembly, showing up for district meetings even when a position is not held, but to be a part of the conversation and adding to that conversation.
AA, as a whole, relies on all of us to take part, be active, voice our thoughts, ideas and opinions even as members. For AA to survive, to be able to continue to carry the message, we all have to play the part at the level and ability we have at that time. As those who rest on their laurels, AA will surely wither and die.
Service is all our responsibility, but service to the ability we have at that time. Voting is all our responsibility, however; that vote should be a well informed vote and not an off the cuff vote, that again is all our responsibility.
We are responsible.
In service and love, Gary E
Third Legacy
Gary E. D46 Chair
In the month of Sept. we take a look at Concept 9.
There is an emphasis on selecting whom we elect to fill a position, and the importance of why we elect those into positions of service. Our service structure is designed to not only further carry the message of AA, but also to protect, enhance, and grow our fellowship. To do this we have to be mindful of whom we chose to do that. As a fellowship, meaning all members, it is all our responsibility to take a deep look into what our service structure is, how it performs and what it needs at that time. Our spirit of rotation is vital for many reasons, but I want to focus here on the importance of rotation that allows us to move members into positions where they can bring needed ideas, change or or spiritual guidance into a position. As things change, grow and evolve those needs as well change, grow and evolve, as such the need to bring in new ideas and a new-5- approach with it.
We sometimes hear the idea that we should elect someone because it will be good for their sobriety... but is that really the best way? What is good for AA? Selecting members based on what WE think is good for them is not only allowing Ego to run riot, it is putting people into places or positions that might not do them well, or even cause harm, and as such, probably will not do AA well. Service is a part of recovery, but not all service is right for every one, and thankfully, for all, there are a lot of different ways to be of service in AA.
When we gather a group, business meeting or assemblies, do we know before we walk in who we might be voting for? Or are we just basing our entire vote based on a 2 min qualification? In Concept 9, it is telling us that it is our responsibility to send forth the best for the position at hand. It's our responsibility to research, learn and get to know those that we will be putting that vote to. This applies as well to motions, By-law changes or any vote that we as a group need to take. This also means that we, as trusted servants to our fellowship, have the responsibility to ensure that that information is available to our fellowship with enough time for the fellowship to have opportunity to research and learn about it. This is a two way responsibility for all of us.
As always, within our fellowship, with service, with unity and of course with our recovery, good sponsorship, one Alcoholic working with another, is the key in all this. A sponsor that shows and highlights the requirements of service, but service that suits that member at that point in their recovery. Sponsorship should be teaching to show up for that business meeting and taking part in those conversations. Attending Pre- / post conference meetings, attending an assembly, showing up for district meetings even when a position is not held, but to be a part of the conversation and adding to that conversation.
AA, as a whole, relies on all of us to take part, be active, voice our thoughts, ideas and opinions even as members. For AA to survive, to be able to continue to carry the message, we all have to play the part at the level and ability we have at that time. As those who rest on their laurels, AA will surely wither and die.
Service is all our responsibility, but service to the ability we have at that time. Voting is all our responsibility, however; that vote should be a well informed vote and not an off the cuff vote, that again is all our responsibility.
We are responsible.
In service and love, Gary E
D46 Third Legacy Report July
Gary E.
3rd Legacy Chair
Concept 7
A need to work together as a whole to ensure we carry the message in the best way we can. This Concept gives us a series of checks and balance to ensure we are working together, as well, a means to stop it if the need arises. It creates a measure of respect, trust and mutual responsibility. We strive to do the best we can at what we are tasked with, but we can not do it all and must accept in shared responsibility, trusting those working with us to help and guide in our mutual interest. We are guided by our traditions, and our spiritual path both individually and as a group. This concept also allows for the means to stop check and provide a way to halt when disagreement appears. The rights of veto and of course the power of the purse is given as such we can at all levels make impact to all decisions at every level of the service structure.
We are not one person doing all the things, we are a group, a society of people that have come together, each possessing certain strengths and abilities, we use those in conjunction with others in mutual trust and respect to achieve goals we all find necessary, and in doing so we can achieve many great things together.
In love and service
Gary E
Gary E.
3rd Legacy Chair
Concept 7
A need to work together as a whole to ensure we carry the message in the best way we can. This Concept gives us a series of checks and balance to ensure we are working together, as well, a means to stop it if the need arises. It creates a measure of respect, trust and mutual responsibility. We strive to do the best we can at what we are tasked with, but we can not do it all and must accept in shared responsibility, trusting those working with us to help and guide in our mutual interest. We are guided by our traditions, and our spiritual path both individually and as a group. This concept also allows for the means to stop check and provide a way to halt when disagreement appears. The rights of veto and of course the power of the purse is given as such we can at all levels make impact to all decisions at every level of the service structure.
We are not one person doing all the things, we are a group, a society of people that have come together, each possessing certain strengths and abilities, we use those in conjunction with others in mutual trust and respect to achieve goals we all find necessary, and in doing so we can achieve many great things together.
In love and service
Gary E
Third Legacy Report for May
Working a 3 legacy program.
“So the solution to our alcoholism is found in the Three Legacies (Recovery, Unity and Service) passed down to us by our co-founders, Dr. Bob, Bill W. and the first pioneers of AA. Each legacy has twelve guiding spiritual principles. A total of 36 guiding principles. Each of spiritual principles are contained in the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous (Recovery, Unity, Service), the Twelve and Twelve (Recovery and Unity), and the General Service Manual (Service).”
Is working a single legacy recovery really recovery? AA has been given three legacies, 36 principles to lead a life of recovery in a fit spiritual condition. When we only work one leg.. or maybe even 2 legs we are not living in a program of recovery as given to us.
Starting with our home group. Do you participate in your home group or do you just come to the meeting? If you are just there to be at a meeting, then is it really a homegroup to you? Participation is what makes it a homegroup. Being active with your GSR, expressing your thoughts, listening to them bringing back the news, engaged in the conversation as a whole. Do you work in a position of service with your homegroup? Do you strive to help carry the message with your homegroup? These are all part of working the three legs of a triangle, living in a 3 legacy recovery. If you are not participating in the business meeting then in fact your absence is still a vote, but is it really a vote you want to cast? If you are not there, are you really part of the group's spiritual connection?
If you do not have a homegroup that works the 3 legacies, does not have a GSR, does not strive to carry the message outside the meeting, the question then is, is it really a homegroup or just a meeting you attend, and how then can you work a full program of recovery?
Is your Sponsor working with you to guide you through traditions and Concepts? When we ask some one to sponcer us in program, we are asking them to guide us through the program to reach a fit spiritual connection, through the steps... but should this end only in one legacy? Is there note so much more to learn and grow with? As A sponsor, do you encompass all the legacies with your sponsee? A full and active life in recovery starts with a good sponsor.
Beyond our homegroup, working a full program of the 3 legs of the triangle, are you using all 36 principals in your daily life? We must carry all this in our daily affairs in all ways. Living with only the steps means we are short changing ourselves. While the steps bring us to a place of a fit spiritual condition that relieves us of the obsession, this is only temporary unless we act and learn to encompass this is our daily life, and furthermore, AA is not just about relief from the obsession it is a new way of life. That new way of life is brought to us fully when we are able and willing to learn to use not just the steps, but all the legacies in our interactions , with family, community and all those we engage with in our daily affairs.
Our solution to alcoholism is found in the three legacies. By saying alcoholism, it means more than just the allergy… but the life that was led before we came to the rooms of AA. The 3 legacies are a solution that changes our life, grants us the ability to have a new life that is connected to a higher power and enables us to live full happy lives.
Recovery, to relive the obsession.
Unity, to come together with all people
Service, to be useful to others.
These principals start with working with your homegroup in all its affairs, to gain knowledge and ability with the legacies. With your sponsor who should be teaching you about them, guiding a path for you though them. Then taking that knowledge and ability into your daily affairs.
IF your sponsor is not working with you..
IF your homegroup does not, encourage them..
Then ask yourself.. are you really able and working all three legs of the triangle? or are you just getting by working a single legacy recovery and missing the best parts of what this program can bring you.
Thank you
In love and service
Gary E Dist. 46 3rd legacy chair.
Hello,
Also, It was discussed at previous Dist. meeting, North of 12th will be hosting a speaker meeting that brings in a member in General Service on the 5th Sunday when a month has them.
May H, our wonderful CPC chair has accepted to be our first speaker. I have a flier attached. It would be great if we could get this posted to the website. This is an open invite to all members.
Thank you.
In Love and Service,
Gary E
Also, It was discussed at previous Dist. meeting, North of 12th will be hosting a speaker meeting that brings in a member in General Service on the 5th Sunday when a month has them.
May H, our wonderful CPC chair has accepted to be our first speaker. I have a flier attached. It would be great if we could get this posted to the website. This is an open invite to all members.
Thank you.
In Love and Service,
Gary E
Third Legacy Report April
Become Spiritual Leaders.
We need to ask ourselves when we make ourselves available, is this something I am passionate about? Is this something I can do with passion? Is this something I can grow and bring new ideas to?
In my journey through General service, I ask myself before I make myself available, is this something that I am passionate about. Is this something that I feel I can do and bring something to? Or am I just putting my hand up because no one else has…? I for one, in general service, have areas I have no interest in, as such I would not make myself available for. I have no passion for the treasurer. Not that I don't feel it's important, it absolutely is.. I just don't have passion or interest in it. I have no passion for the grapevine.. I almost never read it. That does not take away the absolute importance of it, it just means it is not a big part of my sobriety.
With that in mind, should I step up to fill roles in those, I would not be the best member to fill those roles, I would not be a good leader in those roles. Concept 9 tells us we need to put forth the best among us to fill those roles and that responsibility lies not only with the groups, but within ourselves as well.
Service should be about what we can do to keep AA alive for the still suffering. When we decided to be a part of general service it has to be because we want to ensure that the doors and meeting will be here with the new member walks through the door. It can not be because we feel we need it to keep us sober. General service is not a replacement for a fit spiritual connection, it is not a path of sobriety, rather it is an action of our 12th step that helps ensure the message can be carried.
Mindfulness needs to be looked at, and ask ourselves, is our choice to be in general service stem from our desire to ensure the message is carried or from our ego and self centeredness? Service does not keep me sober, my higher power keeps me sober. Then further we must be mindful that we do not ever let our roles in general service begin to replace our spiritual path or become our higher power. We do, though; want to become a spiritual leader that empowers others. We want to strive to show how general service can and does enhance our recovery, but not be the means of our recovery. To be a spiritual leader that leads by example and guides others, to empower others and show that every member matters and make sure that the doors are open to the newcomer has a place to go and the message is always carried. It is up to us to keep it alive, it's up to us to keep the best people to fill the rolls, it's up to us to keep the message alive and the hand of AA able to reach out to any one anywhere.
We all need to be a spiritual leader to the best of our capacity. Lead with compassion, love and openness. Fortunately, there are so many options of service, means of service and types of service. There is something for everyone, and we all need to be a part of service, but in the capacity that suits us, in the means and ways that we can do it best.
If not now.. then when?
If not me, then who?
Gary
Third Legacy Chair
[email protected]
We need to ask ourselves when we make ourselves available, is this something I am passionate about? Is this something I can do with passion? Is this something I can grow and bring new ideas to?
In my journey through General service, I ask myself before I make myself available, is this something that I am passionate about. Is this something that I feel I can do and bring something to? Or am I just putting my hand up because no one else has…? I for one, in general service, have areas I have no interest in, as such I would not make myself available for. I have no passion for the treasurer. Not that I don't feel it's important, it absolutely is.. I just don't have passion or interest in it. I have no passion for the grapevine.. I almost never read it. That does not take away the absolute importance of it, it just means it is not a big part of my sobriety.
With that in mind, should I step up to fill roles in those, I would not be the best member to fill those roles, I would not be a good leader in those roles. Concept 9 tells us we need to put forth the best among us to fill those roles and that responsibility lies not only with the groups, but within ourselves as well.
Service should be about what we can do to keep AA alive for the still suffering. When we decided to be a part of general service it has to be because we want to ensure that the doors and meeting will be here with the new member walks through the door. It can not be because we feel we need it to keep us sober. General service is not a replacement for a fit spiritual connection, it is not a path of sobriety, rather it is an action of our 12th step that helps ensure the message can be carried.
Mindfulness needs to be looked at, and ask ourselves, is our choice to be in general service stem from our desire to ensure the message is carried or from our ego and self centeredness? Service does not keep me sober, my higher power keeps me sober. Then further we must be mindful that we do not ever let our roles in general service begin to replace our spiritual path or become our higher power. We do, though; want to become a spiritual leader that empowers others. We want to strive to show how general service can and does enhance our recovery, but not be the means of our recovery. To be a spiritual leader that leads by example and guides others, to empower others and show that every member matters and make sure that the doors are open to the newcomer has a place to go and the message is always carried. It is up to us to keep it alive, it's up to us to keep the best people to fill the rolls, it's up to us to keep the message alive and the hand of AA able to reach out to any one anywhere.
We all need to be a spiritual leader to the best of our capacity. Lead with compassion, love and openness. Fortunately, there are so many options of service, means of service and types of service. There is something for everyone, and we all need to be a part of service, but in the capacity that suits us, in the means and ways that we can do it best.
If not now.. then when?
If not me, then who?
Gary
Third Legacy Chair
[email protected]
Third Legacy Report March
I have been doing concepts study with Past delgate Andy A.
I spoke about 3rd legacy Feb 13 at the Fidalgo group speaker meeting. 45 min speaker spot where I covered third legacy, service and the importance of service. The speaker part was recorded and will be available for those who want to hear it.
Working on plans for workshops coming up.
That is all for now.
Thank you
In service
Gary E.