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.
Your Central Office needs help with updating local contact information. Our records need to be as up-to-date as they can possibly be, so that people are not given incorrect information, or told that no meeting or contact person exists in their area when in fact, there IS a meeting. A group information form is being included with this issue of the Essay. Please take this to your local group, or check with them to make sure that correct information for your group is on file at the Central Office.
I like a newsletter that talks to me, and find it encouraging. Also like the fact that feedback is welcome—found it helpful.
I am honored to accept the position of Loners Committee Coordinator. The opportunity to connect members who don’t get a chance to go to meetings very often with those who do is truly a blessing.
Here are a few of my own SACC and prison experiences I would like to share with you:
COOC continues to receive advice and consultation on various tax and employment issues concerning employee vs. contractor status for former employees of the Central Office. The new accountant in Nashville has prepared the Annual Report for 1994, pending double checking of some figures. The accountant will file an extension on the 1994 tax return, Federal and California State.
Regarding the article in the December 1994 Essay on raising/creating the Essay consciousness and ideas for offsetting the cost of Essay, in our group conscience, here are thoughts and ideas which came up:
