I would like to thank the members of SA for the opportunity I had recently to bridge the gap between the membership at large and the Central Office. I was invited to attend the conference held in Anaheim, CA on October 4, 5 and 6 and not only met some of the people I have talked to personally in the past but, during the one-on-one conversations, I was able to learn so much that will help me deal with future inquiries to the Central Office.
The following is a synopsis of minutes taken at the Chicago Convention Business Meeting, July 13, 1991, by David M., and approved by Jean P., who chaired the meeting:
Response to Roy K.’s Letter and Papers to Tri-State NY and June Essay • 24 supporting letters and calls • 3 letters (no calls) against
1. Evidence from individual recovery. Enough time has elapsed now for us to begin to see some history. Take an actual case history: A man comes into SA in the early Eighties and immediately is “hot SA.” Becomes a mover and shaker in his SA area. After a while, he decides to start some serious research in “committed relationships,” and in his eloquence and fervor (and sexaholic need) actually starts putting doubts in the minds of other members about SA sobriety.
There’s a program saying that goes, “The road narrows, but the vistas get more beautiful.” This is true not only in personal recovery but in the life of our fellowship. There have always been tough roads to travel in SA, but they’ve led to new and more sublime vistas. We are at another such juncture in the road today. Some hard choices will be made, but we can, in faith of how we’ve been led from above before, be assured that what lies beyond is not only what we need but leads to greater fulfillment and joy.
I have decided to sever all direct administrative connection with the SA Central Office as of this Chicago 1991 convention. My separation from the Central Office at this time may seem to be sudden, but the Advisory Committee and many others have known for a couple of years that I have been moving toward this action.
Ever since our first German semiannual SA Convention in May 1986, we have basically applied the same methods and guidelines in our Service Committee. At the business meeting during the Convention all SA members with more than 30 days sobriety join in electing those who volunteer to be on the Service Committee.
I just want to thank the fellowship of SA for a recent birthday. No, it was not another year of sexual sobriety (though I’m grateful for the five years that I have), but an ordinary “navel” birthday whereby I turned 30 years old. And why am I grateful to the fellowship of SA for this particular birthday? Because I honestly don’t believe I would be alive had I not found these marvelous programs.
…I went into treatment for alcoholism, but soon found out I also had a sexual addiction. What a relief to find out I was a sexaholic, that I was not crazy, that I was not a pervert, gay, morally corrupt, bisexual or any of the other names that I called myself.
During the past 2 years I’ve been an active member of SA and able to maintain my sobriety one day at a time. All credit goes to my Higher Power and the principles and fellowship of SA.
