Looking back over the past few months of correspondence and activity, it seems appropriate to suggest that we continue to provide a newsletter update every two months rather than monthly.
Your web servant has been attempting to get some help with ideas, articles, and other content for our website. So far I have not gotten any submissions or comments so I will assume that the information provided is meeting the needs of those of you who are visiting the website. But please don’t hesitate to email me with suggestions, criticism, helpful hints and other guidance regarding what you wish to see or have read.
We still don’t have any “formal” organizational structure for SIS itself (other than conference planning committees) despite requests to a number of you to assist with developing some sort of group conscience. And although reluctant to make any major changes to our current direction, I will continue to work on the inspiration provided by my higher power and think up material that is of interest.
My own travels this year are taking me to meeting halls and new cities throughout the US. The personal details are better left for a speaker meeting some day. But a few highlights might be of interest.
I am including a few pictures that I have taken, with attention to the spirit of anonymity so no group members are pictured. However the “story” behind the meeting halls and groups is worth sharing in my humble opinion. These are not, specifically, senior friendly meetings, but each had many elder statesmen in attendance. One had a special parking sign for seniors though. (see picture)
I attended the 6th anniversary of the founding of the 3-6-12 Hope group in San Antonio Texas. Two of their founding members Rudy F. and his wife Yoli, were gracious to invite me to their potluck after meeting Rudy and another meeting the previous night. They both have multiple decades of sobriety and provide caring leadership in the San Antonio community.
Due to our itinerary, and the length of stays in various locations, meetings have been few and far between. But when nearby larger cities, the Meeting Guide was very helpful – in Areas where it has been adopted. Otherwise, the online presence of Intergroup and Central Office websites was of help in locating meetings, especially those that were held nearby public transportation bus stops.
As we were wending our way North through Alabama, we found a campground near the freeway in Hartsell Alabama. While trying to find the local Walmart for groceries, we took a wrong turn and found ourselves in front of a single story WPA stone building. Above the door was a small hanging sign with the letters AA. On the door was a meeting schedule. I came back the following evening for a scheduled meeting and discovered a smokers meeting. The room (see picture) is mostly brown from years of smoke, and a fascinating array of memorabilia and visual aids was on the walls and in display cases. What struck me about the meeting hall was that it included a separate Al-anon meeting room as well as a non-smoking meeting room where business meetings are held for the various groups and programs. (See pictures)
My most recent meeting experience is in rural South Dakota where I was referred to the Parker meeting in Parker South Dakota. Located 35 miles west of Sioux Falls, it is held in the original VFW Hall and displays an AA sign on the outside that was furnished the group by the General Service office in New York in the early 1950s. The current meeting has about 20 members whose sobriety exceeds 400 years. The meeting is not attended by many Parker residents. Instead, members drive – some from as far as 125 miles- to attend the Parker meeting once weekly on Wednesday night. It’s simply an amazing experience. As I write this post, the rain and threat of flooding prevent me from attending tonight. But weather permitting I will be there next week.
And, of course, I have been reminding everyone I meet about SIS and our conferences, but have been careful not to publicize. Hopefully some of those I meet will take interest and, God willing, we will eventually have a conference hosted by a committee East of the Pacific Region.
Well, as we say, I am rambling. Hopefully these musings will stimulate some of you to PLEASE submit your experiences with other senior friendly meetings and interesting meeting places as you walk your paths of seniority and recovery. And pictures are OK as long as no members are identified without their permission.
In Love and Service,
Colin M. – Web Servant