August

2013 NERF Report By Jarrett D.  DCMC

For anyone that is not familiar with the Northeast Regional Forum, also known as NERF. It’s a weekend sharing session put on by the General Service office to help them stay in touch with A.A. members, trusted servants and newcomers to service throughout the A.A. service structure. The Northeast Region is comprised of the eleven states between Maine and Maryland. The location of the event rotates between these Areas. This year, Area 11 Connecticut had the pleasure of hosting the event.

On June 8^th 2013, I had the great opportunity of traveling to Cromwell, CT with a few fellow AAs where the event was held. Although I wanted to go for the weekend, work only permitted me to go up for the day. We took the Port Jefferson-Bridgeport ferry across and had plenty of time to fellowship and share a few laughs. That is one of the best parts of service for me, spending time with people that are passionate about serving AA like me and having fun doing it.

That morning we got to hear presentations on the Grapevine Director by the Grapevine Board Director, The AA Grapevine by the Executive Editor/Publisher and La Vina by the La Vina Editor. They were very informative. We got to learn that The General Service Conference began to recognize the AA Grapevine in 1986, that La Vina started with its first article in the Grapevine in 1991, that La Vina’s first edition was published in 1996 and La Vina was to be produced by AA Grapevine but funded by the General Service Conference.

The presentations were also engaging by letting members know of different and unique ways of carrying the message through the use of AA Grapevine and La Vina. We discussed the how providing AA’s meeting in print to doctors’ offices and libraries can sometimes be more beneficial than displaying a rack of pamphlets. People are more inclined to approach a magazine laying on a table than a more obvious pamphlet rack. After that we talked about what most AAs like to talk about, Money. They updated us on how both publications are doing fiscally. It was noted that the AA Grapevine has been in the black now for some time now. Yet, questions were raised to whether or not it was an accurate number based on recent cutbacks. The Grapevine has “trimmed all the fat” and now self-supporting but what happens next year when there are no more cutbacks? So, more will be revealed on that issue. The Grapevine staff is doing an amazing job though. They are doing way more with less and have been trying their best to put out a magazine that represents our current fellowship. They now have a call phone service where you can share your experience, strength and hope for up to 7 mins and will convert them into articles for publication. So you don’t have to be a great writer to get the message out there for the fellowship to see. Also, you can write articles to the editor to get a quick comment or story published. Most importantly, the Grapevine has not only been an amazing tool for carrying the message to AAs that are attending at their homegroup, members far and away, members on vacation but for members in jails and institutions. Some of which are not allowed to carry Big Books or attend meetings. So if you enjoy the Grapevine not only as our meeting in print but also as a useful tool for service opportunities and wish to see it continue. Then talk about it at your homegroup, share about stories you have read, ask your group to elect a Grapevine Rep (GVR), bring it up at your business meeting to donate old issues to correctional facilities or even start a grapevine meeting in your group!

Later on it was another round of presentations with topics such as “Spiritual Significance of Anonymity”, “Benefits of Service Work”, “The Future of the Grapevine: Print, Audio and Video”, “Safety in AA- Our Common Welfare”, “AA Tool Kit for Sponsors”, “How to Apply the Twelve Traditions in Service and in Life”. As far as anonymity is concerned the presenter stated there are two aspects. The first is the practical aspect of anonymity. It allows protection for newcomers. Newcomers need a place to come to where they can feel safe that their story. For many newcomers it’s a safe haven many are fearful of disclosing anything to anyone. The other aspect is the spiritual aspect which is all about humility. Doing for others and not taking the credit for it….any of it. We are in a fellowship that requires us to do things unselfishly, to give altruistically. It was also mentioned that we are not a secret society, that drunks need to know where to find us, that there is no room in AA for showing off or bragging. We must realize that we didn’t do this- God did. On the topic of “the benefits of service work” the presenter started off by talking about how in the beginning of recovery, they just took and took from the fellowship. Then he quoted a part for Dr. Bob’s Nightmare which states the four reasons why he does service. The presenter then discussed how service has helped him get out of his comfort zone and become more assertive. To work well with others, be humble and ask for help. He began to develop a thick skin and to not take himself too serious. He said that it has truly improved his emotional sobriety and forced him to read service material to gain knowledge. “The Future of the Grapevine” was up next and a lot of what was stated earlier came up. But they mentioned that the magazine helps alcoholics all over the country, so it’s a service that is needed.

When I first heard the topic “Safety in AA- Our Common Welfare” I have to admit I was a little skeptical about the topic. I really didn’t have a clue how the presenter was going to bring it up and how it was going to be received. Yet, it was by far the best presentation I have heard in a long time. They really elaborated on Tradition 1 and gave great examples of how we can insure the needs of the group come before the needs of an individual. It seems that the General Service Office (GSO) has been getting a lot of questions on this particular topic and feels the need to address it. They urged us to continue to talk about the issue and find solutions in our own areas, counties, districts and homegroups.

The “AA tool Kit for Sponsors” presentation was pretty straight forward. They talked about the normal tools a sponsor has at his or her disposal, such as the 36 spiritual principles of our fellowship, the book Alcoholics Anonymous, the 12& 12, the pamphlets and other AA conference approved literature. Yet, they also mentioned GSO, Area/State conventions and the Grapevine. For me personally, conventions have truly been a bright spot in my time in AA. They contain all three legacies that AA has, all in one weekend. You get to enjoy the whole weekend fellowshipping with the members you went there with. While also making a ton of friends from all over that you share a common bond with. There are plenty of ways to be social at a convention that’s for sure. Being of service to AA at a convention is also possible. By either volunteering to help out with hospitality, greeting, chairing a workshop, speaking at an Alkathon meeting or staffing a committee table. They are always a good time.

After Lunch we heard presentations from the AAWS Director and the General Service office General Manager. I enjoyed both presentations but the GSO General Manager did an excellent job of explaining how AA as a whole is connected. All the way for the World Services meeting on down to the homegroup and all the Conferences, Regional Forums, committees and boards in between.

Unfortunately, I had to leave earlier than expected. Yet, I was glad that we were able to experience such an amazing event. It really left me excited about doing service! I was also grateful to see some of my friends from all over the region from attending other regional events in the past, such as NERAASA and past NERFs. Although I am not happy that there won’t be another NERF again, we live so close to the office and can visit easily.