Recently, I completed my second 4th step, but the first one based almost entirely on my behavior in sobriety, and focussed on the area causing me the most emotional discomfort: sex and romance.
The specifics of the relationship that finally provoked me to do this step again are much less important than the theme that emerged as I examined the patterns that it embodied. It was the same overarching character defect that had come to light as my #1 shortcoming when I did my 4th step the first time around: a lack of humility.
This had manifested itself most obviously in the relationships I had with the circle of addicts who I employed and kept off the streets when I was dealing drugs. I couldn’t understand why they all ended up being resentful of me. Working with my sponsor, I recognized that it went much deeper than my enabling of their addictions. I’d taken away their right to make their own mistakes and face the consequences of their own actions. Under the guise of playing Robin Hood, I played God. And just as I had to learn accountability for my own actions the hard way, with a stint in prison, they had to go on their own journeys without my “help”—some into sobriety, some not.
It took me a while to see my lack of humility in this second 4th step. I had to break down my behavior to a few recurring tendencies, for example, making a chemistry more intense in my mind than it was in reality; writing scripts in my head for myself and others to follow (which they never did of course); expending untold energy figuring out what you were thinking instead of just asking you. I began to see that I played God by not allowing God to operate in my relationships. What about trusting if someone likes you on Tuesday, they’ll probably like you on Thursday? What about having faith that perhaps you were having the very relationship you two were meant to have?
As I completed this process, it occurred to me that if I didn’t know myself nearly as well as I thought, that perhaps I might not know others as well as I’d assumed either. I began to question how I approached all sorts of relationships, not just the romantic ones. Why not try to let others reveal themselves to me instead of being so busy forming opinions about them as soon as I can? I began to get comfortable with being in the present instead of projecting into the future, which immediately reduced the expectations that so often created disappointment.
If acting your way into right thinking is an essential tool in early sobriety, step work allows you to start changing your behavior by changing your thinking as well. As I’ve discovered a willingness to approach relationships with greater humility, I’ve already experienced a shift in how these relationships unfold. “I don’t know” has become three of the most powerful words I can use.
M.O.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Resolving Resentments and Facing Fears
Having at last finished my Fourth Step, resentments have now been front and center in my recovery for months. I have a good relationship with my sponsor who continually challenges me with gentle but firm direction. Because of his patient and thorough approach to the Fourth Step, I finally got a huge amount of relief from working this step. My sponsor's plan for doing Step Four was to do it piecemeal--not all at once. This helped me understand how writing out my resentments as instructed in the Big Book could actually change the way I felt, thought and acted. First, he had me write out columns 1 through 3--that's all. He didn't let me even start Columns 4 and 5.
That bugged me. I wanted to do it all and get it done ASAP. But he made me think it through when writing out each of my resentments so that I slowed down to understand the process better. I was forced to take time to reflect on the first 3 columns over and over. I had to think long and hard about my resentments and not rush. His instructions made me reflect deeply on who I resented, why I resented them and why it really bothered me.
After he reviewed Columns 1-3 with me, he then told me how to write out Columns 4 and 5 paying special attention to my fears. Frankly, I had never understood how my fears had anything to do with my resentments. But my sponsor was right. When I told him what fears I had written down, he didn't let me stop there. He pushed me to look at the core of what my fears were all about. Each step of the process was a revelation that opened my mind to exactly where I had been wrong.
My fears led me to behave in ways that were destructive not just to others, but also to myself. Understanding the connection between the two in a very specific way is profoundly liberating. Going through the process of looking at each resentment and the fears behind them taught me tools that I can use everyday in practical ways.
The game of fear and resentment is a vicious cycle, but it is one that only I can break. Holding onto a resentment never hurts the person we intend it to hurt. It only hurts us and hinders our own progress in life. We end up doing lifelong damage to ourselves more than anyone else.
The process of seeing my part in my own resentments and what my fears behind them are is going to save me from a lifetime of misery, bitterness and suffering. Now I understand the power of the Fourth Step as a way of seeing my own self-destructive behavior and changing it from within.
Jericho W.
That bugged me. I wanted to do it all and get it done ASAP. But he made me think it through when writing out each of my resentments so that I slowed down to understand the process better. I was forced to take time to reflect on the first 3 columns over and over. I had to think long and hard about my resentments and not rush. His instructions made me reflect deeply on who I resented, why I resented them and why it really bothered me.
After he reviewed Columns 1-3 with me, he then told me how to write out Columns 4 and 5 paying special attention to my fears. Frankly, I had never understood how my fears had anything to do with my resentments. But my sponsor was right. When I told him what fears I had written down, he didn't let me stop there. He pushed me to look at the core of what my fears were all about. Each step of the process was a revelation that opened my mind to exactly where I had been wrong.
My fears led me to behave in ways that were destructive not just to others, but also to myself. Understanding the connection between the two in a very specific way is profoundly liberating. Going through the process of looking at each resentment and the fears behind them taught me tools that I can use everyday in practical ways.
The game of fear and resentment is a vicious cycle, but it is one that only I can break. Holding onto a resentment never hurts the person we intend it to hurt. It only hurts us and hinders our own progress in life. We end up doing lifelong damage to ourselves more than anyone else.
The process of seeing my part in my own resentments and what my fears behind them are is going to save me from a lifetime of misery, bitterness and suffering. Now I understand the power of the Fourth Step as a way of seeing my own self-destructive behavior and changing it from within.
Jericho W.
LOL 4 A CAUSE
LOL FOR A CAUSEA night of Happy, Joyous and Fierce Comedy to benefit LA CMA DISTRICT with some of the funniest people in comedy.
Leslie Jordan
Betsy Salkind, Mary Kennedy, Adam Barnhard Paul Jacek
With Your Hosts: Lotta Slots and Patrick Marks
Friday, June 26th 7 pm PRE SALE TICKETS ONLY
Plummer Park Fiesta Hall
7377 Santa Monica Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90046
10.00
You will be ROFLYAO for sure!
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Applied Recovery
Somebody hit my parked car last night without leaving a note. Upon discovering the scratched and dented fender, the first feeling on my mind was anger. Without hesitation, it became the basis for my share at a meeting. The 12-step recovery program gives me a chance to go to a meeting and get out of my head. Left alone with the feeling of anger will surely seed the dreaded mental state of resentment. Trying to find a solution to this undefined problem can be like looking for serenity in an active addict. With that said, the closest model to cope with these life experiences is the recovery program of Crystal Meth Anonymous.
While in recovery, there are a lot of feelings already in my prescription for life. Dealing with feelings of worthlessness, shame, anger, and fear regarding my behavior and wreckage has been paramount to my recovery from crystal meth. It is these same feelings that made my drug use justifiable, in-my-mind, and fueled my fuck-everything-and-run attitude. Before recovery this behavior became my reaction to almost all of my life circumstances even though nothing could be changed. Crossing into recovery, having clearly defined and untangled these feelings about my past behavior, they still remain relevant to my maintenance because I still have the same feelings today. The response to life events can still trigger the same deep feelings from my early addict behavior. Being in recovery gives me the ability to be aware when events trigger my old unjustified feelings.
Calling my sponsor and attending a meeting was the first action in my recovery program following a major trigger such as this hit-and-run. Working through my feelings involves writing them down and carefully looking at them to sort the distortion from the gratitude. There was gratitude in this circumstance because it wasn’t me doing the damage. The car damage was caused through no action of my own. My conscience remains clear today. With that declaration, there was a chance for me to move quickly into forgiveness. Forgiving the person who caused the damage to my car can best be described as forgiving myself during my addict behavior. I forgive them because I need to be forgiven for doing destructive things, in a similar fashion.
Finding forgiveness and gratitude among tough circumstances are examples of applied recovery. Overcoming my addiction remains paramount.
Grgr
While in recovery, there are a lot of feelings already in my prescription for life. Dealing with feelings of worthlessness, shame, anger, and fear regarding my behavior and wreckage has been paramount to my recovery from crystal meth. It is these same feelings that made my drug use justifiable, in-my-mind, and fueled my fuck-everything-and-run attitude. Before recovery this behavior became my reaction to almost all of my life circumstances even though nothing could be changed. Crossing into recovery, having clearly defined and untangled these feelings about my past behavior, they still remain relevant to my maintenance because I still have the same feelings today. The response to life events can still trigger the same deep feelings from my early addict behavior. Being in recovery gives me the ability to be aware when events trigger my old unjustified feelings.
Calling my sponsor and attending a meeting was the first action in my recovery program following a major trigger such as this hit-and-run. Working through my feelings involves writing them down and carefully looking at them to sort the distortion from the gratitude. There was gratitude in this circumstance because it wasn’t me doing the damage. The car damage was caused through no action of my own. My conscience remains clear today. With that declaration, there was a chance for me to move quickly into forgiveness. Forgiving the person who caused the damage to my car can best be described as forgiving myself during my addict behavior. I forgive them because I need to be forgiven for doing destructive things, in a similar fashion.
Finding forgiveness and gratitude among tough circumstances are examples of applied recovery. Overcoming my addiction remains paramount.
Grgr
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
District Meeting Report
Hello Everyone,
Thank you to everyone who attended the district meeting on saturday. It was a great meeting and with all of the big changes coming up including the changing of the guard in which a new chairperson will step in, I just wanted to say thank you for all of the hard work everyone has done over the last 2 years.
So, on with the show, as they say. The comedy show LOL 4 A Cause, is on track for June 26th at 730pm in Fiesta Hall of Plummer Park. Tickets will be pre-sale only. If you havent gotten tickets yet to sell at your meeting, please call Victor at 323-401-7760 or myself (Dale) at 323-244-8949 and we will make sure that you get some tickets to sell. The show is going to be hot! People will be talking about this one for a long time. With professional comics like Leslie Jordan, Bobby Lee, Adam Barnhardt, Mary Kennedy, Sarah Hyland, and Paul Jacek, it is bound to be a happy, joyous and fierce night of stand up. And, when you add to that lineup, the hosts Lotta Slots (Jeffrey Drew) and Patrick Marks, we are going to have fun.
Also, there is a great event coming up in Orange County called the "Crystal Clean Fest" Saturday June 20th in Costa Mesa at the Community Center at 1845 Park st. The festival goes from 10 am until midnight with marathon meetings till 6, Dinner, a speaker and a dance to follow. the whole thing is only 25 dollars and tickets can be purchased at www.crystalcleanfest.com[
The Hospitals and Institutions meeting is a great way to find out how to be of service to those who cant get to a meeting or better yet, it is a great way for your sponsee to be of service! When they get 6 months, send them down to the West Hollywood Recovery Center on the 2nd Saturday of the month at 1pm to sign up to speak on a panel and then hang out and learn more about the way that this committee works.
We are now weighing the options for a retreat next year and soon we will narrow down the facilities that we are considering for our spiritual outing. Stay tuned.
I will be in touch with updates about ticket sales and any other news coming up in the district.
Just a reminder to all that with the rise of Facebook and other networking sites it is very important that we protect CMA by not mentioning it by name on our personal pages or blogs. We should never connect our face and name with the letters CMA in a public forum. For instance a photo album should never be titled, "Johns 3rd CMA birthday party" or "Pictures from the CMA fundraiser" Just a reminder that anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all of our traditions.
Dale
Thank you to everyone who attended the district meeting on saturday. It was a great meeting and with all of the big changes coming up including the changing of the guard in which a new chairperson will step in, I just wanted to say thank you for all of the hard work everyone has done over the last 2 years.
So, on with the show, as they say. The comedy show LOL 4 A Cause, is on track for June 26th at 730pm in Fiesta Hall of Plummer Park. Tickets will be pre-sale only. If you havent gotten tickets yet to sell at your meeting, please call Victor at 323-401-7760 or myself (Dale) at 323-244-8949 and we will make sure that you get some tickets to sell. The show is going to be hot! People will be talking about this one for a long time. With professional comics like Leslie Jordan, Bobby Lee, Adam Barnhardt, Mary Kennedy, Sarah Hyland, and Paul Jacek, it is bound to be a happy, joyous and fierce night of stand up. And, when you add to that lineup, the hosts Lotta Slots (Jeffrey Drew) and Patrick Marks, we are going to have fun.
Also, there is a great event coming up in Orange County called the "Crystal Clean Fest" Saturday June 20th in Costa Mesa at the Community Center at 1845 Park st. The festival goes from 10 am until midnight with marathon meetings till 6, Dinner, a speaker and a dance to follow. the whole thing is only 25 dollars and tickets can be purchased at www.crystalcleanfest.com[
The Hospitals and Institutions meeting is a great way to find out how to be of service to those who cant get to a meeting or better yet, it is a great way for your sponsee to be of service! When they get 6 months, send them down to the West Hollywood Recovery Center on the 2nd Saturday of the month at 1pm to sign up to speak on a panel and then hang out and learn more about the way that this committee works.
We are now weighing the options for a retreat next year and soon we will narrow down the facilities that we are considering for our spiritual outing. Stay tuned.
I will be in touch with updates about ticket sales and any other news coming up in the district.
Just a reminder to all that with the rise of Facebook and other networking sites it is very important that we protect CMA by not mentioning it by name on our personal pages or blogs. We should never connect our face and name with the letters CMA in a public forum. For instance a photo album should never be titled, "Johns 3rd CMA birthday party" or "Pictures from the CMA fundraiser" Just a reminder that anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all of our traditions.
Dale
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Shame No More
I felt so much shame when I first came to CMA. So much shame that it was killing me. Literally. Fueled by my addiction, shame was the negative tape loop going round and round in my head, requiring ever larger amounts of speed to quiet.
I was ashamed of being a drug addict. Especially a meth addict. (Coke was so much more glamorous.) I was especially ashamed that I was an IV user. Good little boys don't shoot up. I was ashamed to have contracted HIV; I was high when it happened. I had withdrawn from my family and friends during my addiction, and caused them no account of pain and worry. I was in debt. Bankrupt. But too high to even show up for the court proceedings that would allow me to start fresh. I was ashamed that I'd let clients down, disappearing for months, doing questionable work, and just being unprofessional. And I relapsed. Repeatedly. My last run began while I was the secretary of not one but two CMA meetings. I just stopped showing up for my commitments.
My addiction can help explain all of these shameful actions, but it can't excuse them. So how can I heal? How can I feel worthy? The 12 steps and a good therapist have taught me that I must first and foremost forgive myself and then strive to earn forgiveness from those I have harmed. I will always have HIV and it will, to some extent be part of me for the rest of my life. I can best deal with that reality by leading a healthy lifestyle and remaining sober. I must be honest and open and reveal my deepest secrets to remain free of self-hatred. And most importantly, I must seek to maintain a spiritual connection, a faith that I am loved and worthy of being loved.
By surrendering completely, practicing acceptance and gratitude in everything I do, I will live each sober day in the hope of making the world a slightly better place for me and every being I encounter (that’s a nod to my priceless dog.)
So now when those shameful feelings come and I feel that tightening in my heart, and the voice in my head wants me to believe that I am damaged goods, that I am the bad things I have done...I simply take a deep breath and repeat to myself: "You have a disease, Richard. You did the best you could. I love you and I forgive you."
Richard H.
I was ashamed of being a drug addict. Especially a meth addict. (Coke was so much more glamorous.) I was especially ashamed that I was an IV user. Good little boys don't shoot up. I was ashamed to have contracted HIV; I was high when it happened. I had withdrawn from my family and friends during my addiction, and caused them no account of pain and worry. I was in debt. Bankrupt. But too high to even show up for the court proceedings that would allow me to start fresh. I was ashamed that I'd let clients down, disappearing for months, doing questionable work, and just being unprofessional. And I relapsed. Repeatedly. My last run began while I was the secretary of not one but two CMA meetings. I just stopped showing up for my commitments.
My addiction can help explain all of these shameful actions, but it can't excuse them. So how can I heal? How can I feel worthy? The 12 steps and a good therapist have taught me that I must first and foremost forgive myself and then strive to earn forgiveness from those I have harmed. I will always have HIV and it will, to some extent be part of me for the rest of my life. I can best deal with that reality by leading a healthy lifestyle and remaining sober. I must be honest and open and reveal my deepest secrets to remain free of self-hatred. And most importantly, I must seek to maintain a spiritual connection, a faith that I am loved and worthy of being loved.
By surrendering completely, practicing acceptance and gratitude in everything I do, I will live each sober day in the hope of making the world a slightly better place for me and every being I encounter (that’s a nod to my priceless dog.)
So now when those shameful feelings come and I feel that tightening in my heart, and the voice in my head wants me to believe that I am damaged goods, that I am the bad things I have done...I simply take a deep breath and repeat to myself: "You have a disease, Richard. You did the best you could. I love you and I forgive you."
Richard H.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Something to Do
This is not an official endorsement of anything, neither is it a CMA function.However, if you want a safe place to socialize with other sober people, Sobar, at Here Lounge, on the 1st Sunday of the month, is a fun place to go.
1-4 pm, and the proceeds benefit recovery homes in the LA area.
Monday, June 1, 2009
District Meeting
Hello Everyone,
Just a quick reminder that our monthly meeting will be this Saturday June 6th at 10 am. For various reasons we decided to have the meeting a week earlier than usual and so I hope that it is not too much of a disruption and all of you can be there. As usual it will be at 10 am with a new GSR orientation at 9:30 for new GSR's. We are in Art Room 2 again which is in the main building closest to Santa Monica Blvd.
We will have tickets available to take back to your meetings for the Benefit Comedy Show coming up on June 26th. LOL 4 A CAUSE, will be featuring Leslie Jordan (Will and Grace), Bobby Lee (Mad TV), Adam Barnhardt (Comedy Store) Sarah Hyland, Mary Kennedy and Paul Jacek (Conan O'Brien) (Comedy Store)
These tickets are a recessionary 10.00 so they will go fast.
See you at the meeting Saturday.
Dale G.
Just a quick reminder that our monthly meeting will be this Saturday June 6th at 10 am. For various reasons we decided to have the meeting a week earlier than usual and so I hope that it is not too much of a disruption and all of you can be there. As usual it will be at 10 am with a new GSR orientation at 9:30 for new GSR's. We are in Art Room 2 again which is in the main building closest to Santa Monica Blvd.
We will have tickets available to take back to your meetings for the Benefit Comedy Show coming up on June 26th. LOL 4 A CAUSE, will be featuring Leslie Jordan (Will and Grace), Bobby Lee (Mad TV), Adam Barnhardt (Comedy Store) Sarah Hyland, Mary Kennedy and Paul Jacek (Conan O'Brien) (Comedy Store)
These tickets are a recessionary 10.00 so they will go fast.
See you at the meeting Saturday.
Dale G.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
The Value of Using Dreams
Using dreams. We almost all have them, and they freak most of us out. It’s very easy to take them personally, as if they’re some kind of referendum on the quality of our sobriety. Does having one mean we want to use? That we’re not working a “good” program?
Personally, the worst part of my using dreams is the sense I have in them that I’ve been secretly using for months or even the entire length of my supposed sobriety. The lying makes me feel terrible, and at the same time, appeals to the part of me that wants to believe that this isn’t a progressive disease. Maybe, I think to myself in the dream, I’m not an addict at all, because, evidently, I can hide it even from people in the program. But if this is true, I know I will lose the friendships I have made in recovery. The despair at the thought is palpable, and I struggle awake to escape it.
I’ve come to recognize that using dreams are a form of a “safe” slip. We can learn the lessons of a relapse without actually doing the homework. You get to see what it would feel like if you went out there again, and 99.99% of the time, if feels dreadful. Do you ever hear anyone say “I had the best using dream last night?” Do you ever want to get back to the same dream when you fall back to sleep?
Just because I almost never feel a craving anymore doesn’t mean that my disease isn’t doing pushups in that coffin I keep it in. When the night of my subconscious falls, the casket lid goes up. My dream state is the perfect place for my addictive beast to tear around and try to do as much damage as it can, but I must remember that not one actual line is snorted, or pipeful inhaled. And comes the dawn, the vampire is spent, but I’m still clean.
A using dream doesn’t mean you want to use. They may, however, serve as a safety valve for your disease. They are scary, but they can also be cause for gratitude. I know when I wake up, the relief I feel tells me that, yes, I really do want to be sober. This is always a good thing to be reminded of, however disorienting and unpleasant the actual reminder.
Mark O.
Personally, the worst part of my using dreams is the sense I have in them that I’ve been secretly using for months or even the entire length of my supposed sobriety. The lying makes me feel terrible, and at the same time, appeals to the part of me that wants to believe that this isn’t a progressive disease. Maybe, I think to myself in the dream, I’m not an addict at all, because, evidently, I can hide it even from people in the program. But if this is true, I know I will lose the friendships I have made in recovery. The despair at the thought is palpable, and I struggle awake to escape it.
I’ve come to recognize that using dreams are a form of a “safe” slip. We can learn the lessons of a relapse without actually doing the homework. You get to see what it would feel like if you went out there again, and 99.99% of the time, if feels dreadful. Do you ever hear anyone say “I had the best using dream last night?” Do you ever want to get back to the same dream when you fall back to sleep?
Just because I almost never feel a craving anymore doesn’t mean that my disease isn’t doing pushups in that coffin I keep it in. When the night of my subconscious falls, the casket lid goes up. My dream state is the perfect place for my addictive beast to tear around and try to do as much damage as it can, but I must remember that not one actual line is snorted, or pipeful inhaled. And comes the dawn, the vampire is spent, but I’m still clean.
A using dream doesn’t mean you want to use. They may, however, serve as a safety valve for your disease. They are scary, but they can also be cause for gratitude. I know when I wake up, the relief I feel tells me that, yes, I really do want to be sober. This is always a good thing to be reminded of, however disorienting and unpleasant the actual reminder.
Mark O.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Party at the "G's"
Hi-
Terry is graduating with his Masters’ on June 12th.
I’m throwing an Open House Party for him on Saturday, June 13th, from NOON to 4PM.
1348 S. Longwood Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90019
Please stop and say “Hi” and have a bite to eat. I’m sure he would love to see you after being completely preoccupied with studying these past several months.
You’re welcome to bring guests- let me know if you can attend and celebrate this day with us.
Best- Will
Terry is graduating with his Masters’ on June 12th.
I’m throwing an Open House Party for him on Saturday, June 13th, from NOON to 4PM.
1348 S. Longwood Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90019
Please stop and say “Hi” and have a bite to eat. I’m sure he would love to see you after being completely preoccupied with studying these past several months.
You’re welcome to bring guests- let me know if you can attend and celebrate this day with us.
Best- Will
New Date for Meeting
Well it seems that there are more reasons to change next month's district meeting date. We are considering moving the meeting up one week to June 6th. If you have any feedback about that let me know. I think it will make it easier for everyone, including myself (I graduate from college on the 13th) If there are no big objections, I will secure the meeting room for June 6th, the regular time 10am.
In other news, Leslie Jordan has agreed to be in the comedy show June 26th. Very exciting. We will have tickets to sell before the 1st of June so keep an eye out.
Dale
In other news, Leslie Jordan has agreed to be in the comedy show June 26th. Very exciting. We will have tickets to sell before the 1st of June so keep an eye out.
Dale
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
District Meeting Report
Hello everyone,
Thank you to everyone who came to the meeting this saturday. We are working behind the scenes to help this fellowship grow and grow and we are glad that you are part of that effort. As a recap, here are some of the things that we discussed at the last meeting.
H&I continues to move forward and recently has taken a great leap forward. We are now poised to start 2 panels in county jail. These panels will need panel leaders with the highest dedication and committment. Donald, Mark and Victor are looking for panel leaders and as always are looking for great speakers for all of the H&I panels.
If your meeting does not have an H&I liaison please make a weekly appeal for members to attend the once a month Hospitals and Institution meeting where they can sign up to speak on a panel and learn more about being of service. This June, the meeting will be at Plummer park on June 13th at 1pm. It is normally at the West Hollywood Drug and Alcohol center but it will be at Plummer park on June 13th because of the Parade and Festival in West Hollywood on that weekend.
Speaking of being of service, the Information and Outreach committee is looking for people who would like to help out on this really important committee. They are in charge of spreading the word about CMA to the world. Right now we are getting the word out about the new CMA Helpline so that those in need of a meeting will know where to call if ever they are ready to seek help. We have gotten ad space in the LA Weekly and Frontiers and we are planning other ways to get the information cards about the helpline into hospitals, doctors offices, social service offices etc.
On friday, May 29th at 2pm we are planning a distribution event during the day to do just that. We will split up into groups and head out to places where they can put the information cards out for those who might need them. Let your group know that we will meet in the parking lot nearest Santa Monica Blvd in Plummer Park at 2pm. You may even pass a sign up sheet around to get names and phone numbers and then email them either to me or Tim at timpermanent@gmail.comso that we can call them and confirm.
Likewise we need volunteers to do research to find resource guides and websites that will publish our helpline number for addicts looking for help. We also need volunteers who would be willing to be on call to work a CMA booth at street festivals and health fairs.
We also have a commitment open for someone to give CMA information to recently paroled inmates in the san fernando valley.
We are now in the process of checking out retreat locations for a possible retreat next year. We received some great suggestions so keep them coming so that we can find the best retreat location possible.
The Comedy Show is on track for June 26th at 7pm. Tickets will go on sale for 10.00 and will be pre sold for the event at Fiesta Hall in Plummer Park. We have some amazing comedy talent lined up already and we will have flyers and tickets for sale very soon.
Thats all for now. More to come.
Thank you all for your service.
Dale G
Chair of the Greater Los Angeles District Committee
Thank you to everyone who came to the meeting this saturday. We are working behind the scenes to help this fellowship grow and grow and we are glad that you are part of that effort. As a recap, here are some of the things that we discussed at the last meeting.
H&I continues to move forward and recently has taken a great leap forward. We are now poised to start 2 panels in county jail. These panels will need panel leaders with the highest dedication and committment. Donald, Mark and Victor are looking for panel leaders and as always are looking for great speakers for all of the H&I panels.
If your meeting does not have an H&I liaison please make a weekly appeal for members to attend the once a month Hospitals and Institution meeting where they can sign up to speak on a panel and learn more about being of service. This June, the meeting will be at Plummer park on June 13th at 1pm. It is normally at the West Hollywood Drug and Alcohol center but it will be at Plummer park on June 13th because of the Parade and Festival in West Hollywood on that weekend.
Speaking of being of service, the Information and Outreach committee is looking for people who would like to help out on this really important committee. They are in charge of spreading the word about CMA to the world. Right now we are getting the word out about the new CMA Helpline so that those in need of a meeting will know where to call if ever they are ready to seek help. We have gotten ad space in the LA Weekly and Frontiers and we are planning other ways to get the information cards about the helpline into hospitals, doctors offices, social service offices etc.
On friday, May 29th at 2pm we are planning a distribution event during the day to do just that. We will split up into groups and head out to places where they can put the information cards out for those who might need them. Let your group know that we will meet in the parking lot nearest Santa Monica Blvd in Plummer Park at 2pm. You may even pass a sign up sheet around to get names and phone numbers and then email them either to me or Tim at timpermanent@gmail.comso that we can call them and confirm.
Likewise we need volunteers to do research to find resource guides and websites that will publish our helpline number for addicts looking for help. We also need volunteers who would be willing to be on call to work a CMA booth at street festivals and health fairs.
We also have a commitment open for someone to give CMA information to recently paroled inmates in the san fernando valley.
We are now in the process of checking out retreat locations for a possible retreat next year. We received some great suggestions so keep them coming so that we can find the best retreat location possible.
The Comedy Show is on track for June 26th at 7pm. Tickets will go on sale for 10.00 and will be pre sold for the event at Fiesta Hall in Plummer Park. We have some amazing comedy talent lined up already and we will have flyers and tickets for sale very soon.
Thats all for now. More to come.
Thank you all for your service.
Dale G
Chair of the Greater Los Angeles District Committee
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