February - Greater Toronto Area Intergroup

P r o d u c e d M o n t h l y f o r A A M e m b e r s i n t h e G r e a t e r T o r o n t o A r e a
February 2013
• Contents •
Tradition Two......................... 1
Editorial & Comment............. 2
Editorial & Comment ............ 3
HYH........................................ 3
Intergroup Report................. 4
Service Positions................. IF
Submission Call................ IB
C.E.R.A.A.S.A. .................... IB
Big Book Study.................. IB
BETTER TIMES is published
monthly for AA members
in the Greater Toronto Area.
234 Eglinton Avenue E,
Suite 202, Toronto, ON M4P 1K5
Telephone: 416-487-5591
Fax: 416-487-5855
TTY: 416-487-5062
Email: bettertimes@aatoronto.org
Web: www.aatoronto.org
Editorial Committee:
Barbara H. (Chair)
Matthew Y. (Editor),
Rita L. (Assistant Editor),
Peter B. (Circulation),
Frank U. (Desktop).
Opinions expressed in BETTER
TIMES are those of the authors
and do not necessarily reflect those
of Greater Toronto Area Intergroup.
How To Reach Us: Submit group
news, medallions, other event
notices, letters to the editor or
articles to BETTER TIMES (before
the 10th of the month prior to the
month of issue), by mail, fax or
email. Only signed submissions with
a means of contact will be accepted.
For subscriptions call Alexx at
416-487-8110 or subscribe at:
www.aatoronto.org
Tradition Two
“For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority—a loving God as He may express
Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servents; they do not govern.”
Bill W. had a remarkable gift for being able to discern patterns that were buried in the
middle of chaos. He could sit in a room of AA debate for hours and the next day write a
clear synopsis of what had actually occurred.
Our Traditions are a wonderful example of his skill. The Traditions are not Bill’s template
for ‘keeping the groups in harmony’. They are his nomination for the top dozen behaviours
and practices that came close to destroying our Fellowship in its first decade of existence.
That we use the Traditions today over sixty years since they were written is a testament
both to Bill’s observational skills and to the constancy of our disease, alcoholism.
The second tradition looks at leadership in the Fellowship. It reads, in the short form:
“For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority—a loving God as He may
express Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not
govern.”
Since our individual problems begin with our oversized egos it’s not surprising that
leadership made Bill’s list. Whether our management styles lean towards Gandhi’s or
towards that of Genghis Khan, we each know the best way to do things. However the
Fellowship properly makes decisions by consensus and only after informed debate – hence
the tradition that our leaders do not govern.
One June years ago, my home group was rubber-stamping the annual decision to not
have summer business meetings. A newer member timidly piped up, ‘Umm. If you tell me I
have to go to meetings regularly because I don’t know when the desire to drink is coming
back, shouldn’t we still meet here regularly in case problems come up’ As I recall, we
didn’t even re-take the vote. There have been 12 business meetings a year ever since.
At Area level, our Delegate is elected by the ‘Third Legacy Procedure’, a complicated
process comprised of up to five ballots. The interesting part is that if, after the fifth ballot,
no candidate who made it that far has gained a 2/3 majority, the Delegate is chosen by
drawing a name from a hat. I have never heard of the wrong name being drawn.
I know in my heart that God does attend every business meeting held in Alcoholics
Anonymous. We just need to be still enough in ourselves to hear His advice.
Dear readers, the following is some homework for you, copied (with permission) from our
GSO website. It is the Tradition 2 checklist, originally published in the Grapevine in the
early 1970’s. Answer the questions thoughtfully and you may learn some things about
yourself you didn’t previously know.
1. Do I criticize or do I trust and support my group officers, AA committees, and office
workers Newcomers Old-timers
2. Am I absolutely trustworthy, even in secret, with AA Twelfth Step jobs or other AA
responsibility
3. Do I look for credit in my AA jobs Praise for my AA ideas
4. Do I have to save face in group discussion, or can I yield in good spirit to the group
conscience and work cheerfully along with it
5. Although I have been sober a few years, am I still willing to serve my turn at AA chores
6. In group discussions, do I sound off about matters on which I have no experience and
little knowledge
In service,
Roy R.
Daily Reflections Group
From the editors: Do you have a favourite tradition or one that has a special meaning
Write us about it! The Better Times will be running a tradition a month all year long. Submit
yours at: bettertimes@aatoronto.org.

editorial & comment
A Brief History of the Streetsville Action Group
On the Occasion of the Group’s 30th Anniversary February 14th, 2013
The first meeting of the group (an open meeting) was held at 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday February 14th, 1983 (St. Valentine’s Day) at St.
Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 295 Queen Street South, Streetsville, Ontario. Among those present were David W, Ross S and Tim C.
Following renovations to the church, St. Andrew’s was no longer able to guarantee that a room would be available every Wednesday
evening; group conscience was consulted and the group reluctantly decided it should move to the Streetsville United Church, 274 Queen
Street South, Streetsville, Ontario.
In July 2003, the group began to hold closed meetings every Wednesday night at 7:00 p.m. in addition to our regular 8:30 p.m. open
meeting where we have a step 1, 2 & 3 room and a rotating step 4 through 12 room.
Currently the group membership is healthy, with upward of 20 members, and we have members with varying lengths of sobriety from 1
to almost 25 years; we welcome many visiting members from other groups, and thank them wholeheartedly for their support of our group
as they have been an integral part of our history, and deserve to be recognized as such.
Streetsville Action Group celebrates its 30th Anniversary on Wednesday, February 20th, 2013 and looks forward to helping the stillsuffering
alcoholic for the coming years, one day at a time.
Yours in Service,
Peter B.
Unofficial Group Archivist
Co-Operation With the Professional Community
I swung in the driveway of St. Augustine’s Seminary on a moonless January evening. Another car had just turned in ahead of mine and was
negotiating with the gate. I followed the other car as the ornate Gothic gates swung open, feeling like I’d just sneaked in. As the gates closed behind
me I found myself driving up a long unlighted driveway, it was eerie; I had little idea of where I was going or what I would find when I got there.
I parked my car beside the other car and to my great relief the other driver was Dan, the CPC chair for Area 83. We’d met in December at the
Intergroup CPC committee meeting. “Hello, Sandy!” Dan greeted me in that friendly way AAs greet each other ‘like the passengers of a great
liner the moment after rescue from shipwreck’. We climbed the stairs and were buzzed into the enormous old building. After signing our names
in a guest book a heavy door creaked open and we were introduced to our host, Dr. Winter. Leading us through the empty polished hallway
with its marble pillars and portraits of priests Dr. Winter navigated us into the room where we would give our presentation. About seventy-five
chairs fanned out and as Dan fiddled with the projector the seminary students began to arrive.
Much to my amusement Dr. Winter introduced Dan and me as being from an “arm of AA that does cooperation with the professional
community”. Dan and I quickly dispelled any notion that we were professionals or special to AA by introducing ourselves as alcoholics. We
briefly told our stories in the usual fashion: what we used to be like, what happened, and what we are like now.
I’d never heard Dan’s story; I’d only met him once at the committee meeting. I marvelled at our stories’ similarities. After we qualified, Dan
showed the slides outlining the history of AA, its demographic composition, what AA does, what AA does not do, and finally the 12 Steps. As
the slides rolled Dan and I filled out the information with our own experience and knowledge of AA and the program. Although the group of
about sixty men was yawning and shifting in their seats there were bursts of laughter and concentrated focus as Dan or I managed to capture
their drifting attention. I’m sure we surprised them with our AA candour.
We finished early and there was time for questions. Immediately a half dozen hands were raised. The questions were compelling.
“What do I say if I think someone has a drinking problem How do I broach the subject of AA with them”
“What are the behavioural distinctions between a heavy drinker and an alcoholic”
“I’ve been asked to hear a Step 5 – how can I be most helpful”
“What is the suspected cause of alcoholism”
“Are there more people with unhappy backgrounds in AA than people with normal healthy childhoods”
“After ten or twenty years doesn’t a person mature enough that they are able to then drink responsibly”
Dan and I took turns addressing these questions, speaking from our own experience, strength, and hope. One fellow said, “It makes no
sense; armed with self-knowledge and will-power a person should be able to control himself; I don’t understand how this Higher Power thing
comes in.” It was my great pleasure to respond to this question. I said that by working the 12 Steps what generally happens is our desire to
drink is lifted seemingly by this Higher Power. This mystical part of the AA program may be underrated or overlooked by so-called addiction
specialists, but I pointed out, as student priests they, more than any other audience, should appreciate the mysterious nature of God.
At the end we were formally thanked by a young man who I’d noticed taking notes throughout the presentation. He said we’d left them with
the impression that AA was not a cure for alcoholism but rather a lifting of the obsession on a day to day basis. We hadn’t uttered those words
but I was delighted to realize we’d managed to convey the message. Many of the students came and thanked us afterward and many took away
pamphlets. At the very end a shy young man shook my hand and said, “Thank you so much. I’m a member of Al Anon.” It was a wonderful
night. My first CPC presentation a success thanks to Dan.
I’m positive when those young priests go out into their parishes and encounter families and individuals touched by alcoholism they will
remember Dan and me. And they will send their alcoholic parishioners down into the basements of their churches where we AAs can do what
we do best.
Sandy D.
CPC Chair, District 22

"If you are looking for something in this newsletter to criticize, you will find it. We aim to please everyone”. The editors.
Getting Through Tough Times
I hear a lot of phrases at meetings that are meant to be positive and helpful (I think) – “there’s a blessing on the other side of through”,
“there’s a light at the end of the tunnel…but why do the hallways need to be so dark” “God will not give you more than you can handle”.
The bottom line...life is a challenge. Almost everyone has challenges, and sometimes I think that those of us in recovery have more
challenges than others. In addition to ‘life’ challenges, recovery can add a level. I think it’s how I deal with my challenges that makes all
the difference to me. Does it matter what’s going on I’m a single parent – my kids are 10 and 13. I get very little support from their
father. I’m unemployed. I’m behind on my rent and all of my bills. I’m on medication for depression. Sometimes I’m suicidal. I’m an
alcoholic in recovery and I have a Program. I think it’s because of the last statement that I’m still alive.
I have a choice every day – a choice to live or a choice to drink and die. It’s not always easy…alcoholism is a disease of perception, and
my perception can be really warped.
What am I doing about it I’m doing ‘the next right thing’. Meetings, Sponsor, Service, God, More meetings. In short, I depend on
my program, and AA. It has saved my life countless times. Honesty is a big part of that. When I’m sad, I cry – at meetings. I don’t hide
my feelings to those I’m close to in AA. That doesn’t mean that I get up in front of the room and cry about how horrible my life is (I do
that in private to a select few). I share at almost every meeting I go to, and I try to present a positive message. If I’m having a difficult day
and don’t want to go to a meeting, I know I need to get off my butt and get to a meeting. If I want to just sit in the back at an open
meeting and not talk to anyone, I get to a closed meeting and share. I can share about my difficult day, and all of the things that are NOT
right, but I will then follow that with the positive things that I AM doing. Most of all, I’m sober. To me, that is the MOST important thing.
Without my sobriety, I will have nothing – it is always number one, regardless of the day I’m having.
Life happens to all of us. We can’t change that. There will be good days and bad days. For me, I keep doing what I’ve done every day
since I came into AA – it works.
Eileen S.
Miracle Group
50th Anniversary Celebration of Birds Of A Feather Group
What: Birds Of A Feather Group - 50th Anniversary Celebration
Where: Native Canadian Centre of Toronto, 16 Spadina Road
When: Sunday, February 24th 2013 – 11:00 AM
Details: Come Join Us for Fellowship, Luncheon and Celebration!
Speaker: Hank S., Mount Pleasant, Michigan (subject to change)
Information: For more information please contact Charlie M. at 416-462-3193 or Brenda J. at 416-689-8690.
The Ontario Regional Conference - There Is A Solution
The 2013 Ontario Regional Conference of Alcoholics Anonymous returns to the Fairmont Royal York Hotel April 12-14. Join us in
celebrating the 70 years of AA in Toronto. This year’s theme “There Is a Solution” references Chapter 2 of the Big Book of Alcoholics
Anonymous: “The tremendous fact for every one of us is that we have discovered a common solution. We have a way out on which we can
absolutely agree, and upon which we can join in brotherly and harmonious action. This is the great news this book carries to those who
suffer from alcoholism.” Register online at www.aatoronto.org
Recent Medallions
Annesley B. 1 High Park Group Jan 6
Grace C. 10 King City Group Jan 7
Andy M. 5 Reaching Out Group Jan 8
James O’D. 5 Rainbow Group Jan 11
Ian McD. 5 Stepping Stones Group Jan 12
Craig M. 1 Bloordale Group Jan 13
Crista C/P. 10 Westmoreland Group Jan 15
Spud S. 25 East York Group Jan 15
Steve C. 30 East York Group Jan 15
John C. 25 Twelve Steps Group Jan 16
Christine R. 1 Sunnyside Group Jan 17
Damien D. 5 Bloordale Group Jan 20
Alex K. 1 King City Group Jan 21
Bob 20 Agincourt Acorn Group Jan 22
John D. 1 Twelve Steps Group Jan 23
Glen A. 20 Stepping Stones Group Jan 26
Tom P. 5 Deer Park Group Jan 28
Judith C. 5 Bellamy Group Jan 28
Adam P. 1 East York Group Jan 29
Melissa N. 1 East York Group Jan 29
Gord S. 20 East York Group Jan 29
Natasha B. 1 Dry on Danforth Group Jan 29
Charlie 25 Agincourt Acorn Group Jan 29
Cathy H. 10 Shepherd Group Jan 29
Reine R. 5 Twelve Steps Group Jan 30
Valary C. 25 St Clements Group Jan 30
Brenda M. 20 Danforth Group Jan 31
haveyouheard
upcoming Medallions
Gabe E. 1 Stepping Stones Group Feb 2
Kim G. 1 A Place To Share Group Feb 3
Ron D. 35 Bellamy Group Feb 4
Jay T. 1 Glenholme Group Feb 4
John M. 20 Twelve Steps Group Feb 6
Don W. 1 Tuesday Night Discussion Feb 7
Sean M. 1 Tuesday Night Discussion Feb 7
Terry B. 1 Tuesday Night Discussion Feb 7
John W. 45 New Anchor Group Feb 7
Lindsay K. 1 Hill Group Feb 7
Mary Mac. 30 Hill Group Feb 7
Peter T. 1 Hill Group Feb 7
Laurie H. A Place To Share Group Feb 8
Nancy G. 10 Saturday Morning Discussion Feb 9
Doug P. 5 Stepping Stones Group Feb 9
Paul H. 1 Stepping Stones Group Feb 9
Renee L. 1 Stepping Stones Group Feb 16
Terry W. 20 King City Group Feb 18
Mike Mc. 20 Keep It Simple Group Feb 24
Fiona N. 5 Deer Park Group Feb 25
Maggie L. 5 East York Group Feb 26
Penny L. 1 East York Group Feb 26
announcements
SUNDAY MORNING MEN’S MEETING
NEW LOCATION: 45 Overlea Blvd. Toronto M4H 1N9.
The best entrance is the back door & go straight upstairs.
MOUNT DENNIS GROUP
Our meeting day changes from Tuesday to Thursday
effective Feb. 7, 2013. Same Time/Same Place: 1049
Weston Rd., Toronto (Storefront location between Eglinton
Ave & Black Creek Dr.)
THE FIFTH TRADITION GROUP - NEW CLOSED MEETING
Come to our new closed meeting starting on Sunday Feb.
3, 2013 at 7:00 pm Same location as current Tuesday
evening meeting: Wexford Heights United Church, 2102
Lawrence Ave. East Scarborough.
C.E.R.A.A.S.A.
First ever Assembly Feb. 22-24, 2013, Longueuil, Quebec.
BAYVIEW GROUP - YOUNG PERSON’S MEETING
Mar. 3, 8 pm at the Bayview Group: Willowdale Christian
School, 60 Hilda Avenue Toronto. 5 speakers of various
lengths of sobriety will share on getting sober and being
young in AA. There will be refreshments and fellowship!
It’s free & All are welcome.
BIG BOOK STUDY - SEE THE BIG BOOK COME ALIVE
March 9, 8:30-3:30 at the Thorncliffe Park Banquet Centre
45 Overlea Blvd., Toronto $20 refreshments available.
ONTARIO REGIONAL CONFERENCE
“There is a Solution” April 12-14, 2013
48th ANNUAL BLOSSOM TIME CONVENTION:
“The Miracle Continues” 1 pm May 3, 2013 to 12 pm
May 5, 2013 at the Hilton Doubletree Fallsview Resort &
Spa, 6039 Fallsview Blvd, Niagara Falls, ON, CA, L2G 3V6
For more information please visit: www.aatoronto.org

December 2012: Intergroup Report
GENERAL MEETING – TUESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2012
The meeting convened at 8 p.m. with a moment of silence followed by the Serenity Prayer.
Gord J. (Primary Purpose) read the Twelve Traditions.
ADOPTION OF MINUTES – November 2012: MOTION to adopt Minutes as presented moved by
Jim O. (Markland Wood) seconded by Sean B. (Stepping Stones) MOTION CARRIED.
Bruce D. (Fifth Tradition) Executive Committe Chair: Bruce welcomed all and made
announcements: Resumes needed for: 12th Step Com. Chair, ORC 2015 Chair. Intergroup office
holiday hours and W.S.O.H. 7th Tradition collected totaling $129.80.
FINANCE REPORT – Steve A. (Six Points), Finance Chair: This report was given:
GTA Intergroup Alcoholics Anonymous – Finance Report for November 2012.
NOVEMBER
Variance
2012 YTD
Variance
Actual Budget $ % Actual Budget $ %
Income 30,042 36,476 (6,434) (18%) 174,963 186,622 (11,659) (4%)
Expense 19,958 24,985 5,027 (20%) 195,925 234,151 38,226 10%
Surplus/ 10,084 11,491 (1,407) (12%) (20,962) (47,529) 26,597 55%
(Deficit)
NOVEMBER: Steve’s comments: “Last month’s meeting, we talked about the budget. I didn’t want to
lose sight of the point that was made about being able to take the budget back to the groups. The
Finance Com. will work on this for the next few months. The problem is that until at the very earliest
(the end of Oct) we have no idea how Gratitude Month is. So that’s a huge chunk of donated revenue
to Intergroup, but difficult to say ‘Well, here’s where we think we are’ & then come back and say
‘Here’s where we actually are’. Maybe in Sept, we’ll say ‘Assuming that Gratitude Month goes OK,
here’s what we think’. I’ll have to warn you know, it’s not going to be perfect. If your group wants me
to attend a business meeting to talk I am happy to do so. Everything passed out last month is on the
website.” Steve continued: “Under Revenue/Income I want to mention Gratitude Month (up until the
end of Nov) stood at approximately $45,250. Compared to $41,000 last year. Thank you for your
donations; we appreciate it. Congratulations on being the 5% doing service in AA. For Gratitude, it
looks like we will be hitting our budget targets for last year, in addition to our forecast targets.During
the month, we had some extraordinary expenses for some of the subcommittees (Exec. Com., 12th
Step, & Communications). The Exec. Com. is putting on a Sponsorship Workshop in Jan, so we put
some money down (deposit for the church, plus some insurance $630) The 12th Step Com.
expenses were higher than budgeted. We advanced them $900 for their Greeter Appreciation Day.
For Communications, we charged two months for Better Times instead of one (in Nov). Year to date,
group donations & individual donations are ahead of plan. Net sales are lower than budget. by
$24,000 (37%). (Due to 30% discount we have been offering since late February.) Expenses for the
year are 10% less, primarily because we didn’t fill a position in the office, and from some large
committee expenses that were budgeted but not actually incurred. YTD, we are about $21,000 in
deficit. (planned deficit was $47,000). Attached to your package is a graph. This is the numbers of
donours since 2008. The Executive will be talking about this for the next couple of months. For
groups it’s not a bad trend. We’re getting donations from about 115-120 groups which, given that we
only see about 60 groups here at any given month, that’s pretty good. The concern is the number of
individual donours. It’s gone down by 30% since 2008. We are going to try and address this trend
and also engage you folks to find out what we need to do to stop the decline.”
SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
ACCESS ABILITY: No report given.
Next meeting: January 20, 2013 at 11 a.m. at 234.
ARCHIVES: Gord H. (Bloordale) - Chair: First I would like to wish everyone a very sober and happy
Christmas, and a very prosperous New Year; a time of the year when many of us have to take
advantage of the program. Last Friday the Archives Committee had their final meeting for 2012 at
the Churrasco Villa; great fellowship and food. A lot was shared about the future of Archives in the
GTA. It was well-attended, and I would like to thank all the committee for their commitment and
dedication.A surprise! There has been a start on the display at Intergroup. The upper sliding glass
has been installed, and the balance of the work is slated to be done this week. Patience is a virtue!
I have a summary for the Archives Breakfast. The total income from the Breakfast & Raffle was
$6,377.00; expenses were $4,461.00, leaving a profit of $1,916.00. I have a cheque tonight in that
amount for Intergroup. I thank you for the honour and pleasure of serving as your Archives Chair.
Next meeting: January 11, 2013 at 7 p.m. at 234.
COMMUNICATIONS: Barbara H. (Rox Glen Traditional) - Chair: Barbara thanked the editorial
team for this month’s edition. In this month’s publication, there is an outline of the various service
positions available on the committee. A new Web servant is needed. Work continues on the
website; they are working on content on the site. The committee is also working on a visual
display board which outlines the functions of Intergroup.
Next meeting: January 8, 2013 at 7:30 p.m. at 234.
CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES: No Report was given.
Next meeting: January 7, 2013 at 7 p.m. at 234.
COOPERATION with the PROFESSIONAL COMMUNITY: Bruce reported that the committee will be
voting on a new Chairperson in January.
Next meeting: January 14, 2013 at 7 p.m. at 234.
INFO AA DAY 2013: No Report was given.
Next meeting: January 28, 2013 at 7:30 p.m. at 234.
ORC 2013: Jim R. (Bloordale) - Event Chair: ‘There Is A Solution’ Apr. 12, 13, & 14th, 2013. As far
as Speakers for the event, the gentleman from the U.K. is confirmed, the lady from Texas is
confirmed, and the person from Sweden is confirmed. Unfortunately we lost the mother and son
team that were going to be on the Family Panel; they will not be able to make it. We are finally
online. It took a long time for us to accept payment online. The laws and rules kept changing. There
are a couple of methods for doing this. You can either go to aatoronto.org and either download a
paper registration form and mail it in, or follow the link and register for the Conference and the
banquet, and go further to register your hotel room. The Program is going to be very exciting this
year. Some of the Panels include: a Spiritual Panel (both members have over 20 years of sobriety;
one calls himself an agnostic), a ‘Keep Coming Back’ Panel, ‘Recovery as a Profession’, ‘Growing
Up in AA’, and a Panel or Workshop on Group Inventories. There is a 24-hour answering service for
the event 416-640-1905 or e-mail at orc@aatoronto.org. Same rates as 2011/12: $159+tax If
you have any questions about Volunteering, you can email us or call. The conference is total
self-supporting; no AA group’s money’s are used to pay for the event. Early bird draw for early
Hotel reservation, and the monthly giveaway of ORC Speaker CDs. If you or your Group would like
to donate registration or literature for the Newcomer, or the less fortunate, call 416-640-1905 or
e-mail at orc@aatoronto.org.
PUBLIC INFORMATION: No Report was given.
Next meeting: January 21, 2013 at 7:30 p.m. at 234.
TREATMENT COMMITTEE: No Report was given.
Next meeting: January 17, 2013 at 7:30 p.m. at 234.
TWELFTH STEP COMMITTEE: Bruce reported that the present Chair has resigned. A new chair is
needed (see opening remarks).
Next meeting: January 9, 2013 at 7:30 p.m. at 234.
RECEPTION CENTRE: Craig B. (Queensville), E.C. Vice Chair: Reported 5 districts, 6 subcommittee
Chairs, and 32 groups were present this evening, with a total of 63 members present.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS: No Unfinished Business was forthcoming.
NEW BUSINESS: Angelina S. (Hill) inquired as to why a 7th Tradition is taken at this meeting. Bruce
D. (Fifth Tradition), Executive Committee Chair, replied that we take a 7th as it is put towards the rent
for the church. Wes B. (Long Branch) added that traditionally we take a 7th as this is, in fact, a
meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous (and most of us would be at a meeting anyway), so the same
principles apply. Mike C. (Beverly Hills) shared that he considers participating in the 7th is really a
monthly donation from his group towards Intergroup. Questions and concerns were raised by some
members as to whether taking a 7th would be necessary, in light of the current financial status of
Intergroup. Philip (Kennedy Park) made a MOTION that we no longer take a 7th Tradition at the
monthly General Meeting. Angelina S. (Hill) seconded the Motion. A discussion ensued: Mark B.
(Danforth) recognizes that expenses are incurred for this meeting, and we need to meet these
expenses. This is just like a regular meeting; it is a meeting of service. Doug (St. Andrews) asked
how much the rent costs for this meeting. Steve A. (Six Points), Finance Chair, replied that it is
$145.00 a month. Coffee and donuts are about $25.00 a month. Jim A. (East York), informed
members that at the Area Assembly in Kingston, a 7th Tradition is taken to covers some hotel
expenses. A vote was taken. The MOTION WAS DEFEATED (the majority of members voted against
the Motion; 2 votes were counted in favour of the Motion).
CLOSING REMARKS: Bruce D. (Fifth Tradition) Executive Committe Chair: As your Chair of
Toronto Intergroup for the past nine months, I found this part of my service journey quite
rewarding, and I want to thank each and every one of you for your support in my sobriety. This is a
reminder to all Intergroup Reps that the two Referendum Motions need to be in to the Intergroup
Office by Mon. Jan.28, 2013. A Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night! I hope to see you
all again next year.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned with the Responsibility Declaration.
NEXT GENERAL MEETING:
Tuesday January 29, 8 PM, TIMOTHY EATON MEMORIAL CHURCH 230 ST. CLAIR W.
(Flora McCrae Auditorium)
Due to space limitations, the Intergroup Report is edited.
For the complete minutes please visit our new website: www.aatoronto.org.
The Better Times would like to thank those involved with Intergroup for their service.
To contact committees please email:
Access Ability: accessability@aatoronto.org Archives: archive@aatoronto.org Communications: communications@aatoronto.org bettertimes@aatoronto.org
Correctional Facilities: corrections@aatoronto.org Cooperation with the Professional Community: cpc@aatoronto.org Finance: finances@aatoronto.org
Ontario Regional Conference: orc@aatoronto.org Public Information: publicinfo@aatoronto.org Twelfth Step: twelfthstep@aatoronto.org

Service Positions with GTA Intergroup
The following service positions with GTA Intergroup Sub-Committees are
available to members of AA in the Greater Toronto Area:
ORC Chair 2015
Candidates to select/chair the committee that shadows the 2014 conference committee and put on the
2015 conference will: have ten years of continuous sobriety, have served on an ORC committee, have
service experience beyond the group level and work well in a collaborative team environment. The
candidate cannot have been Chair of the ORC in the last 10 years. Please see www.aatoronto.org for a
full Position Description.
Please send resumes to office@aatoronto.org.
Communications Sub-Committee Positions
Webservant
Webservant - - update website content, post events, etc. This position requires experience in the creation
and maintenance of websites. Familiarity with HTML an asset as is knowledge of Joomla (content
management system).
Please send resumes to office@aatoronto.org.
Writer: Have familiarity with the publication. Attend General Membership Meetings and Service events
and report on issues of concern to the GTA Membership.
Research/Writer: Have familiarity with the publication. Assist in writing and provide background for
featured articles. Research posted AA material/sanctioned events that may be of interest to GTA members.
Photographer: (requires some Photoshop and graphic experience): Have familiarity with the publication.
Provide occasional photos for select articles in select publications. Prepare selected photographs provided
by contributors on the website.
Publisher & Assistant Publisher: (requires some desktop publishing experience): Have familiarity
with the publication & Adobe InDesign. Assist the Publisher in compiling print and online layout of the Better
Times.
Communications Outreach: Attend and communicate with registered AA groups in the GTA who
are not represented at the Intergroup Monthly meetings. Provide awareness of the www.aatoronto.org
website.
For details, or to apply, please contact bettertimes@aatoronto.org or attend
the Communications Sub-Committee meeting on Tuesday, February 12 , 2013
from 7:00 to 8:00 pm at the Intergroup office, 234 Eglinton Ave. East, Suite 202.

Call For Submissions
The Better Times publication strives to offer its readership the voice of the Toronto AA community.
We do this by publishing articles and editorial content submitted by the Toronto AA fellowship.
Input of articles and letters is vital to the success of our mission.
The editorial volunteers of The Better Times take care to read all articles submitted for print.
We treat each submission as a gift from our membership, and do so with great respect for the views, opinions,
voices and experience of the writer. We do this in the spirit of Alcoholics Anonymous.
We welcome submissions from our readership, but are often asked what qualities we’re looking for in an article.
Rest assured the hoop you have to jump through is a lot wider than you think. At least we’ve found it so.
A few options include, but are not limited to:
• Matters affecting your sobriety today.
• Your thoughts on traditions or steps.
• Announcements of or anniversaries for new or existing groups.
• Verifiable, historical information on the fellowship.
• Issues affecting AA as a whole.
• Above all, your experience, strength and hope.
Please consider sharing your unique perspective with your fellowship. Our editorial staff is happy to work with you
should you have any questions on submission ideas, even article writing.
No need to worry about grammar and punctuation;
we’re happy to help out with that as well.
Submissions may be made online at www.aatoronto.org or by emailing bettertimes@aatoronto.org directly.
Yours in Service,
The Better Times Staff
CERAASA - Canadian Eastern Region A.A. Service Assembly
February 22, 2013 11:00 am to February 24, 2013 4:00 pm Sandman Hotel Montreal-Longueuil
Of the 8 regions in the United States and Canada, 7 have Regional Service Assemblies.
Our region, Eastern Canada, is the only one that doesn’t - well, hasn’t - until now!
On February 22-24 2013, the Eastern Canada region will hold our first service assembly in Longueuil, Quebec, at the
Sandman hotel sponsored by all ten Eastern Canadian Areas. The purpose of the Canadian Eastern Regional Alcoholics
Anonymous Service Assembly (CERAASA) is to develop greater unity among the members, groups and areas of Eastern
Canada. The assembly and the CERAASA committee will always try to foster our legacies of recovery, unity and service.
The overall content of the weekend agenda includes panel meetings, open mike sharing sessions, ask-it baskets, service
presentation and speakers. There is a banquet as well. Cost is $25
To help Area 87, who has kindly offered to host this first one, please register early and tell all your friends!
For more information and registration, please visit the Web site at: www.ceraasa.org.
You can also get more information and possibly arrange transportion if you ask at your District Tables!
BIG BOOK STUDY
See the Big Book Come Alive in a study presented by Jim B. (Jamestown, NY) and
Wes B. (Toronto, ON). Saturday March 9th, 2013 from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm at the
Thorncliffe Park Banquet Centre 45 Overlea Blvd. (Thorncliffe Park Mall / East York
Town Centre) Free Parking, refreshments are available and tickets are $20.
For Tickets Call:
Ray R. 416-919-1404 (Northwest) Maggie J. [after Feb.1] 905-823-1824 (West)
Wes B. 416-930-5412 (West)
Kathleen S. 647-707-9381 (West)
Francois D. 416-488-8923 (West & North) Patrick B. 647-294-5935 (West & Central)
Casey R. 647-391-1248 (North) Norma Z. [after Feb.1] 416-409-0378 (North)
Spencer W. 416-735-3623 (Central)
John L. 416-457-9701 (East)
Joe K. 416-281-0303 [after Feb. 14] Out of town - Wes B. 416-930-5412.