ANNOUNCEMENTS AND EVENTS

Scroll down to view posts of AA-related news from the National Capital Region and beyond. Listed from the most recent. If you have an announcement to post, please email info@ottawaaa.org.

Fall Conference Tickets

Calling all Intergroup, GSR and members!

If you are looking for tickets to the Fall Conference to either purchase or to sell, Kristin C. will we at the following meetings/events this week and would be happy to sell or distribute tickets!

Tuesday September 20th 8pm – Beacon Hill (Appleford Street)
Thursday September 22nd 8pm – Triangle (15 Aylmer Avenue Southminster United Church)
Friday September 23rd 7:30pm – By the Book (St. Basil’s Church, Maitland and 417)
Saturday September 24th 11am to 1pm – AA Public Information Table (Recovery Day Ottawa – City Hall – 110 Laurier Ave West)
Sunday September 25th 8pm – Big book Study (Orleans Duford Street)

Public Information (PI / CPC) Elections

Elections for two year terms on the Public Information / Cooperation with Professional Community (PI / CPC) Committee will be held at the Bronson Centre (Intergroup Office – Rm 108) on November 21 at 6:30 pm. The committee meets once a month on the 3rd Monday to coordinate activities carrying the AA message to the general public and professionals in the field. The committee is seeking a chairperson, district liaisons, treasurer and secretary, as well as additional volunteers to assist with outreach.

For more information or to stand for a position, please contact pi@ottawaaa.org.

Corrections Facilities and Treatment (CFT) Elections

Elections for two year terms on the CFT Committee will be held at the Bronson Centre (Room 106) on November 22 at 6:30 pm. The committee meets once a month on the 4th Tuesday to coordinate activities aimed at getting the AA message into corrections and treatment facilities in Ottawa and surrounding areas. The committee is looking for a chairperson, district liaisons, treasurer, secretary, coordinators to manage the meeting schedules for Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre (OCDC) and Ottawa Withdrawal Management Centre (OWMC), and liaisons for the Royal Ottawa and Newgate 180.

For more information or to stand for a position, please contact Andy McC. at cft@ottawaaa.org.

General Service Districts Elections

District 62 Elections will be held on the second Monday of October at the Bronson Centre at 7:30 pm. All positions are available except for the position of District Committee Member (DCM). Contact district62@ottawaaa.org for more information.

District 54 Elections will be held on the first Thursday of November at the Overbrooke Community Centre at 7:30 pm. All positions are available. Contact district54@ottawaaa.org for more information.

District 58 Elections will be held on the second Monday of November at the Bronson Centre at 7:00 pm. All positions are available. Contact district58@ottawaaa.org for more information.

CERAASA 2017 (Feb 24-26)

The Canadian Eastern A.A. Service Assembly (CERAASA) will be held between February 24-26, 2017 at the Crown Plaza in Moncton, New Brunswick.

The purpose of CERAASA is to develop greater unity among the members, groups and Areas of the Eastern Canada Region; to encourage the exchange of ideas and experiences; and to provide an opportunity for members to discuss pertinent aspects of Alcoholics Anonymous. The Assembly and the CERAASA committee always try to foster our legacies of Recovery, Unity and Service.

For more information, visit http://www.ceraasa.org.

South Shore Roundup (Sep 24)

District 87-07 South Shore Roundup will be held on September 24 at St. Mary’s Church 125 Rue Grove, Greenfield Park, Quebec. Theme: Back to Basics. Event is 7th Tradition.

 

Fireside permanent move as of Sep 22

The Thursday 8:00 pm Fireside group at First Baptist Church (140 Laurier Avenue West) is permanently relocating to Room 221 at the Bronson Centre (211 Bronson Avenue) beginning September 22.

Podium/Hill Group is now 4 days a week (Tue-Fri)

Podium/Hill Group (St. Andrew’s Church – 82 Kent Street) has added an additional meeting on Thursdays. There are now meetings Tuesday through Friday at 12:15 pm at this location.

The Thursday meeting format is Twelve and Twelve Step Study, and the Friday meeting is Big Book Study.

Carry the Message temporary move Sep 4, 11 and 18

Please note that the Sunday 6:00 pm Carry the Message meeting, normally scheduled at McNabb Community Centre, will be held in Room 109 at the Bronson Centre (211 Bronson Avenue) on September 4, 11 and 18. The meeting will return to its normal location on September 25.

Intergroup Minutes (Aug 2016)

The following reports are available for August 2016:

If you have questions, please contact Anne D. at secretary@ottawaaa.org

Service Opportunity: Newsletter Editor

The position of editor for Our Primary Purpose Newsletter has become available for the remainder of a two year term that began in January 2016. This is an elected Ottawa Area Intergroup officer position, with a 2 year continuous sobriety requirement.

Nominations are now being accepted. The election will be held at the September 14, 2016, Intergroup meeting.

Duties include:
  • Producing a printed monthly newsletter for dispersal at Intergroup meetings (Second Wednesday of each month)
  • Providing an electronic version of the newsletter for the website
  • Attending monthly Intergroup meetings
  • Attending monthly Intergroup Executive meetings
For more information, or to stand for election, please contact Jean F. at chair@ottawaaa.org.

Our Primary Purpose (Aug 2016)

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD

Inside the August issue:

  • Sober Summer Stories
  • Step Eight and Tradition Eight
  • Fall Conference Details and Registration
  • Reflections on Intergroup
  • History Corner: Carp Group
  • Friends of AA
  • An Act of Providence
  • Grapevine Stories
  • Canadathon Report
  • Intergroup and Group News
  • Service Calendar, Upcoming Events General Service Updates and More…

Next Month: Back to Skool!

I’ve been thinking about all the things I’ve learned in recovery. All those amazing things that come with “a new way of living.” Next issue I’d like you to tell us what you’ve learned. It could be about the Steps, Traditions, or other things—the gifts of recovery. Hobbies, personal relationships, service to others. What passions has AA and recovery instilled in you? What are some of the new practices you do today instead of drinking? How do you “relax”, have fun, or find serenity?

Please submit your experiences to newsletter@ottawaaa.org before September 1.

McNabb Sunday Morning closed Sep 4, 11 and 18

The 11:00 am McNabb Sunday Morning meeting will be temporarily closed on September 4, 11 and 18 due to renovations at McNabb Community Centre. The meeting will return on September 25.

CANCELLED: Area 87 Convention (Oct 21-23)

PLEASE NOTE THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED

The 2016 Area 87 Southwestern Quebec Regional Conference will be held between October 21-23 at the Centre des sciences (2, rue de la Commune Ouest) in Montreal, Quebec. This year’s theme is, “Our Legacies in Action!” The event is trilingual (French, English and Spanish), with Al-Anon and MONQYPAA participation.

For more information, please visit www.aa87.org.

Eastern Ontario Fall Conference Committee

Planning for the 2016 Eastern Ontario Fall Conference has begun. GET INVOLVED! All AA members are invited to attend the following Sunday committee meetings:

MEETING LOCATION
Bronson Centre – 211 Bronson Avenue (Check whiteboard for meeting room)

MEETING TIME
4:00 PM

UPCOMING DATES
JULY 17
AUGUST 21
SEPTEMBER 11
SEPTEMBER 25
OCTOBER 2
OCTOBER 16

For more information, or to get involved, please attend a committee meeting or contact Kristin at fall@ottawaaa.org.

Please visit http://fall.ottawaaa.org for more information about the the conference, and how to register.

New Meeting: FarmPoint 12×12 (Begins Jul 6)

The Wednesday 8:00 pm FarmPoint 12×12 meeting begins on July 6, 2016, at Centre Communautaire Farm Point (331 chemin de la Rivière) in Chelsea, Quebec. Meeting format is open discussion. Building is wheelchair accessible.

Choices group permanently closed

The Saturday 11:00 am Choices group at McNabb Community Centre (180 Percy Street) has permanently closed as of June 25, 2016.

Intergroup Minutes (Jun 2016)

The following reports are available for June 2016:

If you have questions, please contact Anne D. at secretary@ottawaaa.org

NOTE: There will be no Intergroup Meeting in the month of July. See you on August 10.

Service Opportunity: Newsletter Editor

The position of editor for Our Primary Purpose Newsletter has become available for the remainder of a two year term that began in January 2016. This is an elected Ottawa Area Intergroup officer position, with a 2 year continuous sobriety requirement.

Nominations are now being accepted. The election will be held at the September 14, 2016, Intergroup meeting.

Duties include:
  • Producing a printed monthly newsletter for dispersal at Intergroup meetings (Second Wednesday of each month)
  • Providing an electronic version of the newsletter for the website
  • Attending monthly Intergroup meetings
  • Attending monthly Intergroup Executive meetings
For more information, or to stand for election, please contact Jean F. at chair@ottawaaa.org.

Service Opportunity: Intergroup Newsletter Editor

The position of editor for Our Primary Purpose Newsletter has become available for the remainder of a two year term that began in January 2016. This is an elected Ottawa Area Intergroup officer position, with a 2 year continuous sobriety requirement.
Nominations are now being accepted. The election will be held at the September 14, 2016, Intergroup meeting.
Duties include:
  • Producing a printed monthly newsletter for dispersal at Intergroup meetings (Second Wednesday of each month)
  • Providing an electronic version of the newsletter for the website
  • Attending monthly Intergroup meetings
  • Attending monthly Intergroup Executive meetings
For more information, or to stand for election, please contact Jean F. at chair@ottawaaa.org.

Belleville Roundup (Nov 19)

Belleville and Area Roundup will be held on November 19, 2016 at Thurlow Community Centre (516 Harmony Road, Corbyville, Ontario). This year’s event will  7th tradition at the door. $15.00 Roast beef dinner. AA with Al-Anon Participation.

Click here to download the flyer.

Service Opportunity: Stories for “Young People in A.A.”

In response to the 2016 General Service Conference recommendation that the pamphlet “Young People and A.A.” be revised to “better reflect the experiences of young people in A.A. today,” the trustees’ literature committee is seeking current sharing from young people in A.A.

Please encourage young members in your area to write their personal stories for possible inclusion in the revised pamphlet “Young People and A.A.” Stories should reflect “In a general way what we used to be like, what happened, and what we are like now.”

Manuscripts should be 500-800 words, double-spaced, in 12-point typeface. The words “Young People and A.A.” should appear on the top of the first page of the manuscript.

The author’s complete name, address and email/telephone information should be included with the submission.

Submissions can be emailed to: literature@aa.org with “Young People and A.A.” inserted in the subject line of the message. Alternatively, submissions can be mailed to:

Literature Coordinator
General Service Office
Box 459, Grand Central Station
New York, NY 10163.

The deadline for all submissions is December 30, 2016. The anonymity of all authors will be observed, whether or not his or her story is selected for publication.

Thank you for your participation in this process.

Beginners Group Seeks New Members

The Wednesday 8:00 pm Beginners Group at Jack Purcell Community Centre (320 Jack Purcell Lane) is seeking new members, in particular those with significant sobriety and knowledge of the 12 Steps.

The meeting is primarily composed of newcomers, and group members require assistance to help carry the message, and to ensure the meeting remains operational.

Revised Literature Price List (Jun 2016)

Click here to download revised Literature Price List for June 2016. Changes include a reduction in the price of Meeting Lists (ML-1) to $0.25 and Newcomers Packages (NC-01) to $1.25.

A limited series of popular titles from the A.A. Grapevine are also now available at Ottawa Area Intergroup Office.

Service Opportunity: Correctional Correspondence

Canadian AA members are needed for correctional correspondence.

General Service Office (GSO) has a list of Canadian members who wish to be correctional correspondents. At first they may write US clients (inmates) until more Canadian clients become aware of the opportunity, or may wait to be linked in with a Canadian client.

The KEY is to have Canadian AA members aware, ready and willing on the list at GSO. If interested, please send your contact information (name, mailing address and email) to corrections@aa.org.

 

 

58th Annual ICYPAA (Sep 1-4)

The 58th Annual International Convention of Young People in Alcoholics Anonymous (ICYPAA) will be held Labour Day weekend (September 1-4, 2016) at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee. This year’s theme is, “OUR PICK STRUCK GOLD.”

For more information or to register, please visit http://58th.icypaa.org.

Traditions Workshop (Begins Jan 11)

Beginning January 11, District 62 will facilitate a Traditions Workshop at 6:00 PM, prior to the GSR meeting, every second Monday of the month at the Bronson Centre. All AA members are welcome.

OCDC Volunteer Opportunities

The Corrections Facilities and Treatment Committee is seeking AA members for service commitments at Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre (OCDC). The minimum sobriety requirement is 2 years and all candidates need to complete a security clearance process.

For more information, please contact ocdccoordinator@gmail.com, or attend the CFT meeting at 6:30 PM on the 4th Tuesday of the month, located at Bronson Centre (Room 106).

Telephone Answering Training (Monthly)

Intergroup Telephone Answering Service (TAS) hosts training sessions for remote access (answering calls from home) every 3rd Sunday of the month at 1:00 PM if there is a need.

If you have one year of sobriety and are interested in doing telephone answering service from home, please email the Nigel L. at tas@ottawaaa.org to confirm your attendance.

New Insurance Program for AA Groups

Ottawa Area Intergroup has been successful in negotiating a Group Insurance Program for AA Groups which are part of Ottawa Area Intergroup, and we are off to a good start. Several Groups have already signed up and have saved significant money, which can now be used for other things, such as increasing donations to other levels of AA!

Many churches and other facilities require that a group provide proof of insurance coverage in order to hold their meetings.

Some facilities may offer to add your group as an additional insured on their policy in return for a fee. If this is the case, request a certificate showing that they have done so. But be aware that even if you have been provided coverage this way, it is not portable (if you move your meeting to another location, you can’t take it with you).

Coverage under this Ottawa Area Intergroup Program is fully portable, and belongs to the individual group.

The Annual Premium FOR $1,000,000 is $50. Coverage provided is as follows:

Commercial General Liability, including: Deductible Limit
1. Bodily Injury & Property Damage $1,000 $1,000,000 per occurrence/ $1,000,000 aggregate limit
2. Personal Injury $1,000,000
3. Medical Expenses $10,000
4. Tenants Legal Liability $1,000 $500,000

The Annual Premium for $2,000,000 is $100.

8% Provincial Sales Tax applies, so the payment for $1,000,000 if $54 and for $2,000,000 is $108.

Click here to download the application

COVERAGE DOES NOT BEGIN UNTIL PAYMENT AND APPLICATION HAVE BEEN RECEIVED BY THE INSURER. PLEASE RETURN THE APPLICATION FILLED OUT WITH YOUR CHEQUE, PAYABLE TO THE CO-OPERATORS GENERAL INSURANCE COMPANY, TO:

Ottawa Area Intergroup
211 Bronson Avenue, Suite # 108
Ottawa, Ontario
K1R 6H5