I recently discovered a nice 12:30 pm meeting in the community I work in. So, I try to catch it at least once a week. It's really a great diversion from the usual hair-pulling routine of my job. Well, today was definitely no exception. There was a fellow there for his first ever AA mtg. While much of the discussion revolved around how to manage pain under the supervision of your doctor, I finally managed to get a chance to share in the meeting, in an attempt to introduce this newcomer to our fellowship. I always love reflecting back on my early meetings, early recovery. I was a little disappointed in the group not sharing more with him during the meeting, but hey that's how it goes, I did my part. It was kinda funny (well not really), someone asked if he had any literature yet, and of course he didn't. One of the other newer members proceeded to tell him that he could take a Big Book and even a 12X12 even if he didn't have the cash on him. Then, another member sort of chimed in and cut him off, saying "let's see if so and so intends to stick with this for awhile before we hand him a book." Well, I didn't even have $6.00 on me to buy the guy a Big Book, I was so pissed. I always give books away at my home group to anyone needing one, I have just always thought that to be a good way to go! But, since I was not in my home group, I went with how they seem to do it. Next time I see that guy if he doesn't have one I am gonna hook him up. But, beyond that, the meeting was awesome. It always feels so good to help a new person. I left there floating on a cloud! I really get alot out of a daytime, workday meeting. We ended up standing outside shivering and talking somemore about early recovery stuff. I didn't want to just dash out of there, he seemed like he wanted to talk a bit more, so we did.
Anyhow, it's off to the home group! I just wanted to share that!
6 comments:
we have mixed feelings on that in my homegroup
1. literature cost money
our homegroup has been short on money
what we do is, we as homegroup members try to cover the cost of books given away
oh glad you had a good meeting :)
oh glad you had a good meeting :)
Thanks for sharing that.
It is common at our recocvery club (45 AA and Al-Anon groups) that when a first-time newcomer is in the meeting, we all share about our experience with Step 1 issues.
And I simply cannot believe the selfishness of someone saying that a newcomer must keep coming back BEFORE he can get a Big Book. That guy needs to do some reading.
Yeah I am fortunate enough to belong to a group with not only some cash flow, but a few generous member who have bought literature for the meeting. I haev bought it for newcomers, I have simply given it away. I wanted to say something to the guy but I didn't want to make a scene in front of the newcomer. I figure their group conscience might have something to do with his comments. If I owuld've had the $6.00 on me, I would've just bought the darn book! I was as appalled as you dAAve! And it's your comment Shannon that kept me from saying aything to the guy. Maybe the group cannot afford to be giving books away.. Still pissed me off though! he he but that's me!
For my group it's free to anyone who can't cover the cost.
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