Welcome to February. This month, we will be hearing and reading much about a Higher Power. For many, the thought of accepting a Higher Power can be the most difficult step. In fact, many choose the program and its fellows as a Higher Power at first — and this works. Soon, if we keep our eyes open, we learn that there is a force that guides us. Some choose to call their Higher Power, God, some call their Higher Power Coach, others, the Universe or whatever signifies a power outside of ourselves.

Alcoholics Anonymous does not demand that you believe anything. To stay sober, the Twelve and Twelve suggests, you just have to keep an open mind. So, for February, perhaps keeping an open mind should be the focus. Whether you have taken to a Higher Power, or still taking small steps working through the program, keeping an open mind and not trying to control the world around you might just be the key to success in sobriety.

As it’s February, the 2nd month, let’s look at Step Two, Tradition Two and Concept Two.

Step Two — Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.“Sanity” is defined as “soundness of mind.” Yet no alcoholic, soberly analyzing his destructive behavior, whether the destruction fell on the dining-room furniture or his own moral fiber, can claim “soundness of mind” for himself. Therefore, Step Two is the rallying point for all of us. Whether agnostic, atheist, or former believer, we can stand together on this Step. True humility and an open mind can lead us to faith, and every A.A. meeting is an assurance that God will restore us to sanity if we rightly relate ourselves to Him. — Reprinted from The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, p. 33, with permission of A.A. World Services, Inc.

Tradition Two — For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority — a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience. Where does A.A. get its direction? Who runs it? This, too, is a puzzler for every friend and newcomer. When told that our Society has no president having authority to govern it, no treasurer who can compel the payment of any dues, no board of directors who can cast an erring member into outer darkness, when indeed no A.A. can give another a directive and enforce obedience, our friends gasp and exclaim, “This simply can’t be. There must be an angle somewhere.” These practical folk then read Tradition Two, and learn that the sole authority in A.A. is a loving God as he may express Himself in the group conscience.’ — Reprinted from The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, p. 132, with permission of A.A. World Services, Inc.

Concept Two — The General Service Conference of A.A. has become, for nearly every practical purpose, the active voice and the effective conscience of our whole society in its world affairs.. In making this momentous transfer, we old-timers deeply hope that we have avoided those pitfalls into which societies have so often fallen because their originators have failed, during their lifetimes, to properly delegate and distribute their own authority, responsibility and leadership. — Reprinted from The A.A. Service Manual Combined with the Twelve Concepts, p. C8, with permission of A.A. World Services, Inc.

Featured Committee of the Month: CPC

The Cooperation with the Professional Community (CPC) Committee takes the A.A. message to professionals, helping them to understand how and why A.A. works.

CPC came into being as a distinct entity in 1970 when the trustees committee was formed as an outgrowth of the Public Information Committee. Members of the CPC Committee inform professionals and future professionals about A.A. — what we are, where we are and what we can do and cannot do. They attempt to establish better communication between A.A. and professionals, and to find simple, effective ways of cooperating without affiliating.”

The SDIAA CPC Committee currently has a committee chair, but is in need of committee members to help spread the word. For more information, please see the A.A. C.P.C. Workbook. You may also e-mail cpc@sussexaa.org to find out more information or to volunteer for the committee.

Box 459

Box 4-5-9 is a quarterly news bulletin from the U.S./Canada General Service Office. This newsletter includes information about A.A. service, literature, events, sharing from groups, service committees and individual U.S./Canada A.A. members.

The Winter 2022 issue tells us about the new ‘Jacketless’ Big Book, available in 2023, as a solution to better serve the Fellowship and carry the message. Because of ongoing supply chain disruptions that resulted in printing and delivery delays of A.A. literature, the Publishing Department at GSO looked for ways to decrease the manufacturing time of hardcover books and reduce backorders. The jacketless cover format, known as “paper over board” hardcover, has a printed cover treatment in which the dust jacket cover image is printed on the book itself, thus eliminating the considerable production time needed for sourcing materials and adding a separate paper jacket. A jacketless Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions is also in the works and promises to reduce delivery time. Stay tuned for an announcement on aa.org.

Other items in this issue include the power of self-support through our Seventh Tradition and the emergence of digital baskets. Many group treasurer’s jobs are easier because they do not have to handle cash and could transfer money directly to the group’s bank account. Yes, there have been some technical challenges involved with apps like Zelle, Venmo, and PayPal, but many feel virtual baskets are a great way to facilitate their ability to help carry the A.A. message to suffering alcoholics.

Quarterly Report from G.S.O

The latest report from the General Service Office (G.S.O.) is where you’ll find recent activities of the General Service Board, A.A. World Services, Inc., and AA Grapevine, Inc. This issue includes advisory actions, finance reports, committee reports and other pertinent information.

Grapevine News

Here’s what’s new for February.

• Vacancy for Non-trustee Director of AA Grapevine Board in 2023
• New YouTube Playlist: “Willingness”.
• Grapevine’s Podcast Season 4 is now available.
• Grapevine and La Viña Apps Survey. The app will be a hand-held control center for all things. Take a look at their list of ideas — your input and ideas are wanted. Check it out here.
• The Online Stores of Grapevine and La Viña.
• Subscribe to Grapevine Newsletters here.

Submit Your Story for Upcoming Issues

Go here to submit your story.

1. AA in the Military — Did you ever serve in the military sober? Were you ever stationed overseas or on a ship while trying to stay sober? What were AA meetings like in the military? What were some of the challenges? Did you find AA while serving? They’re also looking for Vet’s stories! (stories due Feb. 15)
2. Young & Sober (ICYPAA Celebrates 65 Years!) — Did you come into AA at an early age? What was that like? What were the challenges? Do you go to Young People’s AA (YPAA) meetings, dances and Conferences? How did that help you? Share! (stories due March 15).

See how else you can get involved with the AA Grapevine Community.

Reminder

Want to be part of this newsletter? We would love to hear from you! We’re always interested in receiving short articles and experiences written by our A.A. members for possible publication. All submissions are subject to review and editing. Send submissions to support@sussexaa.org. Below are some ideas.

• How you worked a specific step.
• A favorite A.A. slogan and how it has helped you.
• How you got your first service position.
• Something your sponsor said that impacted you.

Mark Your Calendar

Upcoming events that may be of interest to you.

• Southern Delaware Intergroup Monthly Meeting — Join us on Thursday, February 2 at 6PM via Zoom. Meeting ID: 987-8110-5001, Passcode: 914711. Our intergroup is a resource for 12-Step work and Alcoholics Anonymous information in Southern Delaware.
• Growing an Online AA Group — Hosted by the Get Into Action Committee, with participation from Online Intergroup (OIAA), the focus of this townhall on February 4 at 2:00 pm, will be on sharing successes in welcoming newcomers and encouraging group membership. Zoom ID: 949 5119 4588, Passcode: Unity2023. For more information, please see this flyer.
• 59th International Women’s Conference (IWC) — Held February 16 through 19, 2023, the IWC will be a hybrid event at the Renaissance Dallas Addison Hotel, 15201 Dallas Parkway, Addison, TX and online via Zoom. For more information on the conference and to register, please see their website.
• NERAASA 2023 — The 2023 Northeast Regional Alcoholics Anonymous Service Assembly (NERAASA) will be held February 22 through February 26 at the Desmond Hotel located at 660 Albany-Shaker Road, Albany NY 12211. For more information and to register, see the NERAASA website. You can also send an email to info@neraasa.org. The purpose of NERAASA is for GSRs, DCMs, Area Committee Members, & Intergroup / Central Office Representatives of the Northeast Region to discuss General Service Conference-related issues & concerns affecting A.A. as a whole, as well as pertinent aspects of recovery, unity, & service common to the Areas of the Northeast Region.