Many of our members tell us that it was several months before they became aware of the Essay. Once a person finds the Essay’s inspirational articles and heartwarming stories of recovery, that person is likely to subscribe and become a regular reader.
Terms of office were set for the first Delegate Assembly so that only half of the Assembly would be elected at any one time. Lots were drawn to decide whose term would be two years and whose term three years.
The Board of Trustees met on Thursday, July 11, and again on Friday with the General Delegate Assembly. Several housekeeping issues were settled first, dealing with the length of service for trustees and delegates. In order to comply with the pending Bylaws, several members resigned dual positions to make room for more representation.
Several years ago the Central Office Oversight Committee decided that the Essay newsletter, which used to be mailed without charge to everyone on the Central Office mailing list, should be put on a “self-supporting” basis, in accordance with the principle underlying the Seventh Tradition. Members were asked to subscribe if they wished to continue to receive the Essay; the charge was set at $7.00 per year for 4 issues.
Two duly, newly elected bodies of SA share similar names, the Oversight Assembly and the Oversight Committee. This has resulted in confusion on the part of the members and those dealing with these two bodies.
Recently, I received the Essay containing an article which I found most helpful in understanding my own recovery from the deadly disease called lust and its main components — resentment, fear, criticism, hate, etc. “Spiritual Fornication” described very well what is happening to me in my relationships with others and how effective it is in shutting God out of my consciousness.
The Oversight Assembly wishes to express its deep and heartfelt gratitude to Marsha F. Her tireless efforts on behalf of the SA Corrections Committee have been successful and worthwhile. Marsha energetically discharged her duties and helped preside over a surge in requests for literature from “the inside.” We thank you for service well done.
We invite your comments, individually or from group discussion, regarding the “Newburgh Experience.” Have you found a group like this helpful in your own life in recovery? Do you find the picture attractive? Do you find, in your sobriety, that what happens before and after the meeting is just as important as the meeting itself?
The new service committee structure calls for four non-sexaholic trustees, or “Overseers,” who will serve with the five elected sexaholic members who together will constitute the Oversight Committee. This procedure follows closely the example of the AA General Service Board comprising both alcoholic and non-alcoholic trustees.
This issue of the Essay is being sent to everyone on the SA mailing list, as an exception to the usual practice of sending to subscribers only. It was decided that it is in the best interest of the Fellowship that the largest possible number of members be made aware of the historic changes in the SA service structure (see “SA Fellowship ‘Comes of Age’ at Phoenix Conference” for a detailed report) and have a chance to respond to the Literature Committee’s “Call for Member Stories.” In addition, we hope to generate interest in the newsletter and encourage subscriptions.
