SOUTHERN DELAWARE INTERGROUP NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2026

Highlighted Step/Tradition/Concept for September

Step 9: “Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.”

As the student population makes it’s way back into the classrooms…we, as students and practitioners of this 12 step way of life, continue to evolve and grow preparing ourselves for the next level of our spiritual way of life.

It is yet another instance of “fearless and thorough from the very start.” At the same time, in making that list, we must avoid making an amends that would be harmful to ourselves or others, being careful not to disclose information that would be more hurtful than healing. I have been the recipient of a “more hurtful” amends and although I was able to put those issues to rest and move on, the relationship will never be healed…but I have made peace with that as well.

We should practice how to approach each encounter and keep our expectations in check.  We don’t know how the person will react and humility is key. For those relationships most important to us the amends should be face to face. Others may be a phone call or letter. For me, the most difficult was the one given posthumously. Doing that requires a daily commitment to never behaving in those ways again, and knowing deep down inside that person would be proud of the life I live today. As a result, I have been able to forgive myself and I know that person would have forgiven me as well.

Amending is about  forgiveness and forgiving, renewal and/or resolution, humility and healing. The goal should be both parties walking away with a better understanding and insight even when the relationship isn’t meant to continue. Ultimately, it allows us to walk on this earth as equals regardless of the wreckage of our pasts and to continue to strive to manage our current and future relationships differently.

This is not an easy task…but the resulting freedom from bondage of self will give us wings! If we want to experience the ninth step promises we must first do the ninth step work…and keep trudging through this life beyond our wildest dreams!  Beth S., Humble Servant & Intergroup Chair

Tradition 9: “A.A. as such ought never be organized; but we may create service boards and committees directly responsible to those they serve. “

A.A. has to function, but at the same time it must avoid those dangers of great wealth, prestige, and entrenched power which necessarily tempt other societies. Though Tradition Nine at first sight seems to deal with a purely practical matter, in its actual operation it discloses a society without organization, animated only by the spirit of service — a true fellowship. — Reprinted from Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions© (page 177), with permission of A.A. World Services, Inc.

Concept 9: “Good service leaders, together with sound and appropriate methods of choosing them, are at all levels indispensable for our future functioning and safety.”

A leader in A.A. service is therefore a man (or woman) who can personally put principles, plans and policies into such dedicated and effective action that the rest of us want to back him up and help him with his job. When a leader power-drives us badly, we rebel; but when he too meekly becomes an order-taker and he exercises no judgment of his own — well, he really isn’t a leader at all. Good leadership originates plans, policies, and ideas for the improvement of our Fellowship and its services. But in new and important matters, it will nevertheless consult widely before taking decisions and actions. Good leadership will also remember that a fine plan or idea can come from anybody, anywhere. Consequently, good leadership will often discard its own cherished plans for others that are better, and it will give credit to the source. — Reprinted from The A.A. Service Manual combined with Twelve Concepts, 2021-2023 Edition (page c29) , with permission.

INTERESTED??  GO TO THE FOLLOWING LINK FOR DETAILS!
https://www.delawareaa.org/newstuff.html

Southern Delaware Intergroup Monthly Meeting