Nancy K presented by International – 2025-07-22

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Unknown Tuesday Night History Workshop • 2025

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Unknown ABOUT THIS WORKSHOP

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Unknown International speaking on "Nancy K" in Tuesday Night History Workshop (July 22, 2025). This recording is preserved in high-fidelity with interactive scrolling transcripts.

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Unknown Interactive Transcript

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[00 00:02.520 – 00:00:06.440] Welcome to the Tuesday Night Recovery Speakers History Workshop.

0:16

[00 00:06.440 – 00:00:09.419] Thank you everyone for joining us tonight.

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[00 00:09.419 – 00:00:14.019] And tonight, we have a great presentation led by Nancy K.

0:24

[00 00:14.019 – 00:00:22.960] and some friends that went to the International Convention in Vancouver, and they'll be sharing about their experiences there.

0:31

[00 00:22.960 – 00:00:33.039] And next week, um, we meet every Tuesday night at the same time at the same Zoom I- ID number, and next week is our conversation with a

0:42

[00 00:33.039 – 00:00:36.759] long-timer, and that will be Penny with Howard Y.

0:45

[00 00:36.759 – 00:00:39.500] from Prince Albert, Saskatchewan.

0:47

[00 00:39.500 – 00:00:45.840] And this meeting is being recorded.

0:50

[00 00:45.840 – 00:00:54.299] The audio from tonight's presentation as well as all of our past presentations can be found at recoveryspeakers.com.

0:57

[00 00:54.299 – 00:01:04.299] And Recovery Speakers is not affiliated with AA or any other 12-step organization, although our goal is to

1:04

[00 01:04.299 – 00:01:09.719] focus on the history of AA and other 12-step fellowships.

1:08

[00 01:09.719 – 00:01:20.019] And Recovery Speakers is dedicated to preserving and making the audio history of, the audio history

1:15

[00 01:20.019 – 00:01:24.540] of AA and the 12-step movement available for everyone today and in the future.

1:20

[00 01:24.540 – 00:01:34.780] We share a daily email that features a different speaker talk from the Recovery Speakers audio library, and

1:27

[00 01:34.780 – 00:01:43.159] included in the daily emails are links to the recordings of this meeting as well as, um, flyers for upcoming presentations.

1:36

[00 01:43.159 – 00:01:47.319] If you would like to receive our daily email, you can...

1:40

[00 01:47.319 – 00:01:50.939] Sorry, I'm having issues with Zoom at the moment.

1:44

[00 01:50.939 – 00:01:54.920] And it's not letting me...

1:46

[00 01:54.920 – 00:01:57.540] Uh-oh.

1:47

[00 01:57.540 – 00:02:01.939] You broke it.

1:48

[00 02:01.939 – 00:02:07.900] It's trying to make me end the meeting, and my mouse has disappeared, so I'm trying to not end the meeting.

1:56

[00 02:07.900 – 00:02:09.560] Okay.

1:57

[00 02:09.560 – 00:02:17.199] If he ends the meeting, we have to all sign back in, if that happens.

2:03

[00 02:17.199 – 00:02:21.319] Yeah, my mouse is gone.

2:05

[00 02:21.319 – 00:02:22.360] Oh, there we go.

2:07

[00 02:22.360 – 00:02:25.099] All right, we're back.

2:09

[00 02:25.099 – 00:02:28.439] It doesn't want me to share my screen apparently.

2:13

[00 02:28.439 – 00:02:29.120] Okay.

2:13

[00 02:29.120 – 00:02:34.099] Um, Recovery Speakers is an official 501[c][3] public charity.

2:17

[00 02:34.099 – 00:02:38.620] If you are able to, we accept contributions which allow us to continue our work.

2:23

[00 02:38.620 – 00:02:48.639] And I have shared in the chat, uh, our link to our donation page, and I tried showing a QR code for you, but my share screen isn't

2:34

[00 02:48.639 – 00:02:49.039] working.

2:35

[00 02:49.039 – 00:02:57.319] And tonight, we should have some time for Q&A with, uh, all of our guests tonight.

2:41

[00 02:57.319 – 00:03:04.319] So if you have any questions throughout the meeting, please write them down and be prepared to ask questions at the end of the meeting.

2:51

[00 03:04.319 – 00:03:06.740] And that is it for me.

2:53

[00 03:06.740 – 00:03:13.180] I am going to go ahead and turn it right over to Nancy, and looking forward to hearing about the International.

3:02

[00 03:13.180 – 00:03:16.159] Hi, my name is Nancy Carvanen.

3:04

[00 03:16.159 – 00:03:19.139] I am an alcoholic from Galt, California.

3:07

[00 03:19.139 – 00:03:22.780] My sobriety date is May 24th, 1972.

3:10

[00 03:22.780 – 00:03:29.639] And thank you, Tim and Mike, for asking us to come in and share our experiences with the International.

3:17

[00 03:29.639 – 00:03:30.419] I know...

3:18

[00 03:30.419 – 00:03:33.599] Can I see the hands of all of those that went to the International?

3:24

[00 03:33.599 – 00:03:37.900] Wow, that, that is fantastic.

3:26

[00 03:37.900 – 00:03:38.719] That is great.

3:28

[00 03:38.719 – 00:03:40.000] We're, we're not alone.

3:29

[00 03:40.000 – 00:03:49.840] So what I'm going to do is I'm just gonna call on the gals and, uh, who were with me, and these are gals in my sponsorship line.

3:40

[00 03:49.840 – 00:03:59.969] Um, and each one has a little different experience on how our, our 90th anniversary of Alcoholics

3:47

[00 03:59.969 – 00:04:04.599] Anonymous was celebrated in Vancouver, British Columbia.

3:50

[00 04:04.599 – 00:04:06.780] So we're gonna start with Karen.

3:52

[00 04:06.780 – 00:04:11.840] Karen B., can you unmute, please?

3:55

[00 04:11.840 – 00:04:17.079] I'm Karen, and I'm an alcoholic from Danville, California.

3:59

[00 04:17.079 – 00:04:20.040] And I'm glad to be here tonight.

4:02

[00 04:20.040 – 00:04:26.259] And, um, I just wanna start by saying I f- I just felt that the conference was electric.

4:09

[00 04:26.259 – 00:04:36.360] From the minute I got on the plane to seeing different people at the airport, it was so much fun to find out where people were from and, you know,

4:20

[00 04:36.360 – 00:04:41.399] uh, what their groups were and, and it was just fun just to talk.

4:26

[00 04:41.399 – 00:04:49.199] And everybody there seemed pretty friendly and, and they actually were very friendly, and that was so wonderful, too.

4:33

[00 04:49.199 – 00:04:51.300] Because there were just no barriers.

4:36

[00 04:51.300 – 00:04:54.579] It was just like we had known these people for a long time.

4:41

[00 04:54.579 – 00:04:55.579] You know?

4:42

[00 04:55.579 – 00:05:05.680] Um, one of the honors that I had at the conference was I got to help put together the Women's International Conference hospitality suite.

4:51

[00 05:05.680 – 00:05:08.120] And, uh, and of course Nancy K.

4:54

[00 05:08.120 – 00:05:10.819] was there, and all the gals here tonight.

4:58

[00 05:10.819 – 00:05:13.600] Um, and it was so much fun.

5:01

[00 05:13.600 – 00:05:18.839] Um, and if I say so myself, I think we had the best hospitality suite.

5:07

[00 05:18.839 – 00:05:26.199] We had lots of goodies and food and soft drinks and water and coffee and everything else.

5:13

[00 05:26.199 – 00:05:29.399] And, um, it was just a real life experience.

5:17

[00 05:29.399 – 00:05:35.139] People there, again, were sharing even on a more personal level where they were from, what they were doing.

5:24

[00 05:35.139 – 00:05:40.439] And, um, a lot of guys came in the hospitality suite, but it was mostly women.

5:31

[00 05:40.439 – 00:05:50.680] And, uh, the Women's International Conference, of course, is the one that's held yearly every year in a different city throughout the US.

5:40

[00 05:50.680 – 00:05:54.360] Um, and I'm not sure if they're in Canada or not, but anyway.

5:45

[00 05:54.360 – 00:05:57.939] Um, but you know, it was so much fun.

5:49

[00 05:57.939 – 00:06:01.079] You could feel even more electricity in that room.

5:52

[00 06:01.079 – 00:06:06.160] It was a huge room, and people just came right in and made themselves at home.

5:59

[00 06:06.160 – 00:06:15.439] They had a couple of sofas in there and chairs, and people sat down and just started talking to people that they didn't even know, and I really liked that.

6:10

[00 06:15.439 – 00:06:25.560] Um, an experience that I had in Canada that, um, Nancy helped me with a lot was I forgot, I'm diabetic, and I forgot my insulin

6:20

[00 06:25.560 – 00:06:35.560] in the United States, and I couldn't get insulin, um, filled with an American prescription because the Americans wouldn't send the

6:28

[00 06:35.560 – 00:06:36.319] prescription out.

6:29

[00 06:36.319 – 00:06:42.649] But then I sent the prescription to a local pharmacist in Vancouver, and he was more than helpful.

6:36

[00 06:42.649 – 00:06:48.279] He filled the prescription and was very kind and helpful to me.

6:41

[00 06:48.279 – 00:06:53.600] So, um, anyway, I was in and out of the hospitality suite.

6:46

[00 06:53.600 – 00:06:56.139] I didn't just go there for the time that I worked there.

6:51

[00 06:56.139 – 00:06:58.370] I went there, um, several t-

6:53

[00 06:58.494 – 00:07:01.744] times, uh, throughout the day if I needed a break or something.

6:58

[00 07:01.744 – 00:07:10.724] The hospitality suite was fairly close to where all the rooms were that we were having the meetings in.

7:06

[00 07:10.724 – 00:07:13.404] And Vancouver is so beautiful.

7:08

[00 07:13.404 – 00:07:15.584] I mean, we were right on the water.

7:11

[00 07:15.584 – 00:07:23.884] And, uh, and I'm a pilot, and I love to watch planes land and take off, the two most dangerous things you can do in a plane.

7:22

[00 07:23.884 – 00:07:28.404] And they were sea planes that were landing and taking off in Vancouver.

7:27

[00 07:28.404 – 00:07:34.704] So it was just truly beautiful to see them taxi around and take off.

7:32

[00 07:34.704 – 00:07:44.724] Um, so, um, and it was great, um, to see several of

7:37

[00 07:44.724 – 00:07:46.984] my fellow celebrity sisters there.

7:39

[00 07:46.984 – 00:07:51.364] Nancy is always fun for putting lunches and dinners together.

7:43

[00 07:51.364 – 00:07:57.624] We would meet, get together, and have a lunch with anywhere from 10 to 20 people.

7:49

[00 07:57.624 – 00:08:02.864] It, it was so much fun, and, uh, I enjoyed that especially.

7:54

[00 08:02.864 – 00:08:12.604] And I, of course, I had known the girls before, so that made it even more comfortable and, um, wonderful to be at.

8:03

[00 08:12.604 – 00:08:16.314] Um, my favorite speaker, believe it or not, was on Sunday.

8:07

[00 08:16.314 – 00:08:26.364] It was this Spanish woman who spoke about how she went into Spanish-speaking meetings, and there weren't many Spanish-speaking women

8:15

[00 08:26.364 – 00:08:27.164] in the meetings.

8:16

[00 08:27.164 – 00:08:28.224] They were mostly men.

8:18

[00 08:28.224 – 00:08:34.344] But she said she stayed in the meetings so that she could help other alcoholic women come in.

8:25

[00 08:34.344 – 00:08:40.444] If they were Spanish, then she would be there to get them a cup of coffee and could talk to them in Spanish.

8:34

[00 08:40.444 – 00:08:49.104] And I thought this woman really touched my heart, because she talked about the core of AA, one alcoholic helping another.

8:42

[00 08:49.104 – 00:08:55.024] Um, and I could go on, but I don't think I will.

8:47

[00 08:55.024 – 00:08:56.364] Thank you, Nancy.

8:49

[00 08:56.364 – 00:09:00.764] Gotcha.

8:50

[00 09:00.764 – 00:09:03.184] Thank you, Karen.

8:51

[00 09:03.184 – 00:09:05.924] Uh, Nancy, you gotta unmute.

8:53

[00 09:05.924 – 00:09:06.484] Sorry.

8:54

[00 09:06.484 – 00:09:06.844] Oh, I...

8:55

[00 09:06.844 – 00:09:07.644] Okay.

8:56

[00 09:07.644 – 00:09:08.824] It helps to unmute.

8:58

[00 09:08.824 – 00:09:10.194] So thank you, Karen.

9:00

[00 09:10.194 – 00:09:12.684] It was just a pleasure to have you there.

9:03

[00 09:12.684 – 00:09:17.703] And, and some of these gals were there for the first time, and so it was really exciting.

9:10

[00 09:17.703 – 00:09:24.863] So I've, um, I've got everybody in alphabetical order, so, uh, nobody is more important than the other one.

9:18

[00 09:24.863 – 00:09:26.924] So let's, let's go with Carole.

9:20

[00 09:26.924 – 00:09:35.464] There you go.

9:22

[00 09:35.464 – 00:09:36.144] Okay.

9:23

[00 09:36.144 – 00:09:36.784] Oops.

9:23

[00 09:36.784 – 00:09:43.104] You'd think after all these months of doing Zoom I would be better at it, but I'm not.

9:30

[00 09:43.104 – 00:09:44.724] My name is Carole Dorsey.

9:33

[00 09:44.724 – 00:09:45.784] I'm an alcoholic.

9:34

[00 09:45.784 – 00:09:46.634] Welcome.

9:35

[00 09:46.634 – 00:09:47.884] Uh, what a pleasure to be here.

9:38

[00 09:47.884 – 00:09:52.464] My sobriety date is, um, of, of 01/05/1986.

9:41

[00 09:52.464 – 00:10:02.484] This was the sixth international that I attended, and I was so excited to attend with three rookies, uh, two of whom were my sponsees, who

9:51

[00 10:02.484 – 00:10:08.164] were my gifts from general service many years ago, and it was their first time.

9:57

[00 10:08.164 – 00:10:11.204] And to watch and to experience that.

10:00

[00 10:11.204 – 00:10:16.574] Didn't get a chance to connect with Nancy in the group just because of circumstances.

10:06

[00 10:16.574 – 00:10:19.524] I think on the Sunday I saw her down below us.

10:10

[00 10:19.524 – 00:10:26.064] We happened to be sitting in the same section, but with all the people at the end of conference we weren't being able to physically conne- connect.

10:20

[00 10:26.064 – 00:10:36.144] But the joy of the conferences are for me are watching people get, um, get filled with the fact that AA

10:29

[00 10:36.144 – 00:10:37.984] is just not going to a meeting.

10:32

[00 10:37.984 – 00:10:43.764] Uh, one of the terms I've always heard is meeting makers make it, and I've always been not agreed with that.

10:40

[00 10:43.764 – 00:10:47.224] Meeting makers don't make it if all you do is make meetings.

10:44

[00 10:47.224 – 00:10:57.384] And if things like the international and service outside the group and other opportunities to gather together and have activities where you don't have to drink,

10:54

[00 10:57.384 – 00:11:00.574] I wouldn't have been staying around here, 'cause I would've been bored.

10:59

[00 11:00.574 – 00:11:03.733] But, uh, but I've been constantly amazed.

11:02

[00 11:03.733 – 00:11:10.204] And to, uh, to go and attend, uh, these international conferences has been such a joy for me.

11:09

[00 11:10.204 – 00:11:14.944] Uh, and, uh, and, and I'm really grateful to be able to do that.

11:15

[00 11:14.944 – 00:11:16.493] We're already planning, planning St.

11:17

[00 11:16.493 – 00:11:16.974] Louis.

11:18

[00 11:16.974 – 00:11:27.164] I already start doing it, 'cause my first sponsor said when I decided to get sober, uh, about six months after the, the Montreal conference,

11:28

[00 11:27.164 – 00:11:35.794] um, "You gotta stay sober and plan to go to Seattle in five years," and she'd hold that over my head when I was gonna drink, and I didn't drink.

11:39

[00 11:35.794 – 00:11:45.824] This conference was different because, um, 'cause my, my sobriety world has changed because of, of,

11:45

[00 11:45.824 – 00:11:55.834] of COVID, where I've gotten to meet, you know, all these ladies that are here that we've gotten to meet because of that horrible scourge, and this beautiful thing called these Zoom meetings to where we can

11:59

[00 11:55.834 – 00:11:57.204] touch each other all over.

12:02

[00 11:57.204 – 00:12:06.984] And then to get to see people that you've never seen or seen only maybe one time, like with Debbie, uh, together at the, uh, at the international is such a joy.

12:14

[00 12:06.984 – 00:12:10.944] I get a kick out of watching the faces of those that are new that are seeing it.

12:21

[00 12:10.944 – 00:12:20.304] To me, the first moment of silence at the first meeting on Friday night is one of the most profound moments, and, uh, it always has been.

12:31

[00 12:20.304 – 00:12:28.644] Uh, at the international in Atlanta, my late husband was, uh, was in a wheelchair, so we were on the floor.

12:39

[00 12:28.644 – 00:12:38.724] And I remember sitting there and feeling that joy because we were crazy with the rock music going and everything before the meeting, and everybody was, was whooping it

12:51

[00 12:38.724 – 00:12:40.164] up and dancing.

12:52

[00 12:40.164 – 00:12:50.184] And you know, when I saw two guys come up, one with a Chinese American flag and one with a Chinese national flag, we were on the floor, came running up with their country's flag down

13:06

[00 12:50.184 – 00:12:54.944] the middle of the aisle and jumped up and high-fived to the music of Celebrate.

13:12

[00 12:54.944 – 00:12:57.524] That's what the internationals are for me.

13:15

[00 12:57.524 – 00:13:08.224] They're celebrations of the fact that we have come from a place of desperation and, and

13:21

[00 13:08.304 – 00:13:14.164] pain to find this program, but that it's not just about not drinking.

13:26

[00 13:14.164 – 00:13:17.824] It's learning how to live fully, live fully every experience.

13:30

[00 13:17.824 – 00:13:22.584] And that's why I encourage everybody I work with to plan on going to the international.

13:37

[00 13:22.584 – 00:13:23.504] There were several of us.

13:39

[00 13:23.504 – 00:13:25.284] I'm in a different district.

13:41

[00 13:25.284 – 00:13:32.954] There were several of us from, uh, from our northern California Solano County district that were there for the first time, and we all sat together.

13:51

[00 13:32.954 – 00:13:43.204] And watching the look on the faces of those that are first timers when the flag ceremony starts, uh, when you look around and see, uh,

14:01

[00 13:43.204 – 00:13:49.344] see this, this gathering of so many people, that really, really impresses me.

14:06

[00 13:49.344 – 00:13:52.864] Uh, there's a lot of different people that we, uh...

14:10

[00 13:52.864 – 00:13:56.714] You- another advance that you can go to and, and workshops that you can go to-

14:17

[00 13:56.961 – 00:14:02.501] But I just love watching the fee- people enjoy it, and talking to them, "Where are you from?

14:24

[00 14:02.501 – 00:14:04.161] How many times have you been here?

14:27

[00 14:04.161 – 00:14:05.311] Is this your first one?

14:29

[00 14:05.311 – 00:14:12.861] What's the best thing about it?" And the best thing about it is the fact that we come from desperate lives.

14:37

[00 14:12.861 – 00:14:13.561] I...

14:38

[00 14:13.561 – 00:14:20.801] Well, my life was desperate, but I would've told you, "No, I'm not that bad yet," because my mother was a drunk and I'm not like her, but I was sent by the courts.

14:51

[00 14:20.801 – 00:14:30.950] And my whole plan at that time was to, uh, be, have three years of probation ahead of me, and it's no big deal because my sponsor said, "If you're not an alcoholic,

15:03

[00 14:30.950 – 00:14:41.201] it's not gonna hurt you not to stop drinking." But I immediately went stark raving sober, but she put me to work, and she held in front of me this, this, this nugget

15:16

[00 14:41.201 – 00:14:43.981] that was the international convention in Seattle.

15:19

[00 14:43.981 – 00:14:49.201] And that nugget kept me coming back for that first four years.

15:24

[00 14:49.201 – 00:14:58.101] And I am so grateful for that, and grateful that I've been able to continue to, uh, to experience all the internationals since then.

15:33

[00 14:58.101 – 00:15:05.361] Uh, you know, uh, they all had their unique beautiful moments, uh, that I could go off that were...

15:40

[00 15:05.361 – 00:15:15.881] In, in Minneapolis, it was young people going around the floor with this big flag 'cause they were having their first Young People's International Conference, and there were two young men who got sober as teenagers in our district.

15:55

[00 15:15.881 – 00:15:20.381] Uh, you know, and then in, uh, Toronto, well, we spent a lot of time in the hospital.

16:02

[00 15:20.381 – 00:15:29.080] My husband got sick, but he had a great time because all these drunks that were coming into the ER where he was spending the night, he, he was okay.

16:14

[00 15:29.080 – 00:15:33.121] They were coming to that AA International Convention, and they were found drunk on the streets.

16:20

[00 15:33.121 – 00:15:41.641] One ran into a, a bicycle into a car, and they were telling their stories about coming to the AA party, and he enjoyed that.

16:30

[00 15:41.641 – 00:15:53.101] And then, you know, and then, uh, you know, and every- everyone is unique because, you know, you look around and you realize this is not about not

16:41

[00 15:53.101 – 00:15:54.221] drinking.

16:41

[00 15:54.221 – 00:16:04.661] This program is about living life to the fullest, every experience we can get and hold on to, and it starts with stop-

16:50

[00 16:04.661 – 00:16:06.261] not taking that first drink.

16:52

[00 16:06.261 – 00:16:07.621] It starts with a home group.

16:55

[00 16:07.621 – 00:16:17.741] Then it goes to a home group, and then it goes to service, and then it goes to all things in your local area, and then it's reaching out beyond your local area to other service entities and to

17:10

[00 16:17.741 – 00:16:19.341] things like the International.

17:12

[00 16:19.341 – 00:16:29.681] My sponsor brought the International from San Francisco to the Vacaville, the smaller area where we got sober, and she was this cheerleader

17:21

[00 16:29.681 – 00:16:36.031] for doing everything you can to stay sober and save your money to go to experience an international convention.

17:28

[00 16:36.031 – 00:16:46.581] And I've tried to be that cheerleader, and I, and I have, I've been so enjoyed watching others experience

17:35

[00 16:46.581 – 00:16:49.941] the fact that we are a part of a great whole.

17:40

[00 16:49.941 – 00:16:53.901] We're an important part, and that we...

17:43

[00 16:53.901 – 00:17:01.821] Uh, the other line that I always love and I like to share about is that we absolutely insist on enjoying life.

17:51

[00 17:01.821 – 00:17:11.821] In the internationals, our example about AA comes together to, to, uh, to mirror that enjoyment of life

17:58

[00 17:11.821 – 00:17:15.161] because we come from desperate places, and here we are.

18:03

[00 17:15.161 – 00:17:16.861] Doesn't matter what language.

18:04

[00 17:16.861 – 00:17:26.961] And I too, uh, like Karen, uh, the lady, the, from Mexico, 'cause I know how hard it is in our district, uh, for the, uh, ladies, Mexican ladies to

18:16

[00 17:26.961 – 00:17:36.901] be able to go to an AA meeting and be able to get over the machismo, and to be able to thrive and, and sa- save their lives 'cause it is very hard.

18:28

[00 17:36.901 – 00:17:44.081] And, and to see her and her, her composure and her joy in the miracle that this program is.

18:36

[00 17:44.081 – 00:17:49.430] So it's about all of those things, and I'm really grateful so, and I'm already planning St.

18:43

[00 17:49.430 – 00:17:49.781] Louis.

18:43

[00 17:49.781 – 00:17:51.581] I'm sure they're gonna have a party.

18:46

[00 17:51.581 – 00:17:52.821] I love that arch there.

18:49

[00 17:52.821 – 00:17:55.581] So thank you so much for allowing me to share with you.

18:53

[00 17:55.581 – 00:18:04.021] We have a good time, Carol and I, whenever we get together.

18:58

[00 18:04.021 – 00:18:06.501] So if there's music going, we dance.

19:01

[00 18:06.501 – 00:18:12.421] Okay, um, Debbie.

19:03

[00 18:12.421 – 00:18:13.801] Debbie N.

19:04

[00 18:13.801 – 00:18:20.001] I'm Debbie, and I'm an alcoholic.

19:06

[00 18:20.001 – 00:18:25.841] We have a little thunder going on here, so we'll, uh, we'll make, we'll go- get through this together here.

19:14

[00 18:25.841 – 00:18:34.621] So, uh, I wanna thank, um, I wanna thank Mike and Tim, uh, for asking us to speak.

19:21

[00 18:34.621 – 00:18:36.661] Um, it's a real honor.

19:23

[00 18:36.661 – 00:18:42.941] Um, this is my first international, and, um, it was quite moving for me.

19:29

[00 18:42.941 – 00:18:53.421] Um, one of the things I also wanna thank Mike and Tim for is, you know, when we were at the International, you, um, you shared stories,

19:39

[00 18:53.421 – 00:18:57.761] uh, or you shared the recordings of Bill, uh, speaking at the International.

19:45

[00 18:57.761 – 00:19:05.181] So I thank you for that and keeping, keeping that history, um, going and realizing that I'm only a small part of a whole.

19:54

[00 19:05.181 – 00:19:15.301] Um, uh, I have, um, uh, have, um, oh, about 13 years and some change, uh, in, uh, sobriety,

20:01

[00 19:15.301 – 00:19:20.941] and, um, a real pivotal moment for me was, uh, was the, was the pandemic.

20:07

[00 19:20.941 – 00:19:30.961] And I, I met, um, many of you on here that I would have never met, um, if it hadn't been for the help of a little technology to bring us

20:19

[00 19:30.961 – 00:19:31.431] together.

20:19

[00 19:31.431 – 00:19:36.681] Um, going to the International for the first time, I didn't know what to expect.

20:25

[00 19:36.681 – 00:19:42.360] Um, I know, Mike, you had said you'd love to hear some stories about Nancy here, so here are a couple.

20:33

[00 19:42.360 – 00:19:46.461] Um, Nancy and I are not strangers to being roommates, right?

20:38

[00 19:46.461 – 00:19:49.601] We, uh, we traveled to Europe last year.

20:41

[00 19:49.601 – 00:19:54.021] Uh, we've now gone through, uh, three Founders Days.

20:45

[00 19:54.021 – 00:19:58.321] Um, and, uh, we were able to get an Airbnb.

20:49

[00 19:58.321 – 00:20:03.441] Um, it was me, and then, uh, Pam will speak here shortly, a- and Nancy.

20:55

[00 20:03.441 – 00:20:09.881] And, uh, it never gets old, um, to wake up that first morning, and I don't know if you know about Nancy.

21:04

[00 20:09.881 – 00:20:11.161] Nancy gets up really early.

21:06

[00 20:11.161 – 00:20:12.501] Pam and I don't.

21:08

[00 20:12.501 – 00:20:20.641] Um, and so, you know, we made the coffee, and, um, Nancy's in the, in her bedroom and working on her blog.

21:16

[00 20:20.641 – 00:20:27.101] And, you know, just to go in there, sit on the bed, have coffee, and, um, you know, to share a lot of love.

21:25

[00 20:27.101 – 00:20:35.961] Um, we, um, we got there, we got there one day early, and we spent Wednesday, um, registering.

21:32

[00 20:35.961 – 00:20:41.281] Um, but what is very, very important, and I've always been taught, is to be of service.

21:39

[00 20:41.281 – 00:20:51.601] And so we spent a significant amount of time down in the basement, uh, um, signing up for, uh, volunteer work or, um,

21:48

[00 20:51.601 – 00:20:55.111] you know, um, looking at what the opportunities were to get a t-

21:53

[00 20:55.349 – 00:20:55.659] shirt.

21:54

[00 20:55.659 – 00:21:04.839] It's all about this T-shirt, and if we showed you the back, it says "volunteer." I found out the, the, the hard way.

22:03

[00 21:04.839 – 00:21:15.179] I love the "volunteer," love the color and everything, but if you were not volunteering, you probably didn't want to wear the shirt because everybody, brother, dog, and guinea pig, stopped you on the street,

22:16

[00 21:15.179 – 00:21:19.019] and they f- were pretty sure you kn- had all the answers, right?

22:21

[00 21:19.019 – 00:21:22.899] And but we tried to be of service as much as, as much as we could.

22:28

[00 21:22.899 – 00:21:27.659] Uh, we volunteered, um, Pam and I volunteered to be, uh, greeters.

22:33

[00 21:27.659 – 00:21:34.599] We stood outside, um, in Vancouver for four hours, uh, greeting each and every one of you as you came in.

22:41

[00 21:34.599 – 00:21:44.379] Um, I had the opportunity to, and it was, it was a spiritual experience every single time, uh, to meet people that I've only seen in squares.

22:51

[00 21:44.379 – 00:21:51.359] And, uh, I know I go to the Bronx Big Book, um, Study where I've, I've met so many of you.

22:59

[00 21:51.359 – 00:21:53.119] Many of you have also spoken there.

23:02

[00 21:53.119 – 00:21:59.618] And, you know, um, they say you come once in your family, and I just so felt that.

23:09

[00 21:59.618 – 00:22:07.979] Um, a couple of things that really stood out to me, not only the volunteering and meeting others, is, you know, just the, um...

23:19

[00 22:07.979 – 00:22:10.099] I went into a shop.

23:21

[00 22:10.099 – 00:22:18.899] I, I went into a shop, um, and, uh, it was a secondhand shop, and I was wearing the, the, the, um, the name tag.

23:30

[00 22:18.899 – 00:22:22.899] Does, you know, we're, we're anonymous at the public level, so it said nothing about AA.

23:37

[00 22:22.899 – 00:22:28.459] But she knew, she knew who I was, and, uh, she had a lot of questions for me.

23:44

[00 22:28.459 – 00:22:30.099] Um, such a kind woman.

23:46

[00 22:30.099 – 00:22:35.299] And she said, "Alcoholics Anonymous has saved my family.

23:50

[00 22:35.299 – 00:22:45.439] I'm not an alcoholic, but my s- my daughter-in-law is." And she said, "There's just something about you people that I just love, and you're so kind."

24:00

[00 22:45.439 – 00:22:48.339] And, uh, it was just a beautiful experience.

24:03

[00 22:48.339 – 00:22:57.879] Another one is we were walking back to our Airbnb, and there was a, a, a, a little group of a pe- of locals probably, and they said, "Who are these people?

24:16

[00 22:57.879 – 00:23:04.379] They're everywhere." And I couldn't help but think, "Thank goodness," right?

24:20

[00 23:04.379 – 00:23:10.019] So I did a lot o- of volunteering, and, um, that big meeting.

24:25

[00 23:10.019 – 00:23:12.979] That big meeting, again, I didn't know what to expect.

24:29

[00 23:12.979 – 00:23:15.659] We got there two hours before the meeting started.

24:33

[00 23:15.659 – 00:23:16.719] So Nancy K.

24:35

[00 23:16.719 – 00:23:26.079] was standing on a street corner helping people, and Pam and I, we were just, "Oh, my God." After standing for four hours, we couldn't do it again.

24:45

[00 23:26.079 – 00:23:32.769] So we found the shuttle bus, um, for, uh, persons with disabilities, and they said they had two spots left.

24:53

[00 23:32.769 – 00:23:38.599] So they took us right into the bottom of the basement of the, of the arena.

24:59

[00 23:38.599 – 00:23:41.839] So we just kind of walked out, and Pam and I stood.

25:04

[00 23:41.839 – 00:23:47.279] We, we were there for the first time at the International together, and it was an empty room.

25:11

[00 23:47.279 – 00:23:55.279] And, uh, uh, uh, and two hours later, I mean, you could just hear the music of Alcoholics Anonymous.

25:19

[00 23:55.279 – 00:24:05.299] Um, one thing that, uh, just really stood out for me is that all of a sudden, um, there was something coming from the left side

25:29

[00 24:05.299 – 00:24:13.978] onto the stage, and it was a, um, it was a bagpipe drummer, uh, and a, a corps.

25:36

[00 24:13.978 – 00:24:17.779] And it was just so, it was so moving, and then the flag ceremony.

25:41

[00 24:17.779 – 00:24:21.499] Um, seeing people, 89 countries.

25:43

[00 24:21.499 – 00:24:22.579] We were supposed to have 90.

25:45

[00 24:22.579 – 00:24:26.879] I don't know which country didn't show up, but we'll, we'll, we'll get to the bottom of that one, right?

25:53

[00 24:26.879 – 00:24:31.259] Um, but just the joy that they had going across the stage.

25:58

[00 24:31.259 – 00:24:35.659] You know, some dressed in their costume, and, uh, their native costume.

26:03

[00 24:35.659 – 00:24:45.859] But the speakers, my goodness, from the Friday night speakers to the Saturday night speakers to the Sunday morning speakers, it was just so,

26:12

[00 24:45.859 – 00:24:50.579] um, so very, um, so very moving.

26:15

[00 24:50.579 – 00:24:53.659] Uh, you know, it was, uh...

26:18

[00 24:53.659 – 00:24:58.029] You know, I'm a, a, I'll, I'll share this.

26:21

[00 24:58.029 – 00:25:02.979] I'm a introvert, so I, I love people, but it, they, it zaps my energy.

26:27

[00 25:02.979 – 00:25:10.519] And there were just some times that I, I just needed to step away and, uh, and, and recharge, right?

26:35

[00 25:10.519 – 00:25:19.259] And, uh, and I came home, and it was, it was like I don't do re-entry very well from, you know, having that experience.

26:44

[00 25:19.259 – 00:25:29.299] Um, in fact, before jumping on here, um, I did purchase some of the recordings because I didn't get to go to many of the breakout se- sessions, especially on

26:56

[00 25:29.299 – 00:25:33.299] Saturday, because we were spending some time, um, with friends.

27:00

[00 25:33.299 – 00:25:40.629] Um, we were, um, trying to hail down an Uber to get Nancy to, uh, where she needed to go to speak.

27:08

[00 25:40.629 – 00:25:45.519] But Nancy, I don't know, if you ever walk with Nancy, she walks faster, so we skipped the Uber.

27:16

[00 25:45.519 – 00:25:46.939] I just tried to keep up with her.

27:19

[00 25:46.939 – 00:25:52.729] And, uh, it was, um, it was just an experience.

27:23

[00 25:52.729 – 00:25:57.959] Somebody talked about Vancouver, and it alone, the nature there is a spiritual experience.

27:29

[00 25:57.959 – 00:26:03.939] So Nancy went to bed early, um, one night, and we, Pam and I were unsupervised.

27:35

[00 26:03.939 – 00:26:13.958] Um, so we went down to we went down, uh, to the, to the downtown Vancouver, and we too saw those, those

27:44

[00 26:13.959 – 00:26:15.759] planes that Karen were talking about.

27:46

[00 26:15.759 – 00:26:20.859] And, uh, Karen, I'm glad I didn't know it was the takeoff and the landing that's the most dangerous.

27:54

[00 26:20.859 – 00:26:28.719] So Pam and I are watching this, and we're like, "Let's do this." So we're like, "Let's call Nancy." I'm like, "She's probably sleeping.

28:03

[00 26:28.719 – 00:26:31.839] You call her, Pam." So Pam called her.

28:06

[00 26:31.839 – 00:26:33.159] Nancy said sure.

28:08

[00 26:33.159 – 00:26:37.039] So we went up in the seaplane and experienced that together.

28:12

[00 26:37.039 – 00:26:43.939] Um, it was, um, also a time for, uh, me to connect with...

28:17

[00 26:43.939 – 00:26:51.919] I, I also speak, um, uh, fluent German, and there was some people there, uh, from Berlin that we had met last year.

28:26

[00 26:51.919 – 00:26:58.759] And there was a German-speaking meeting, and I got to spend some time and listening, uh, to German, uh, a German meeting.

28:35

[00 26:58.759 – 00:27:02.559] Um, and I also was of service for the West Central Regional.

28:40

[00 27:02.559 – 00:27:05.559] That's, uh, uh, the region that I'm in.

28:43

[00 27:05.559 – 00:27:08.869] Uh, and, um, also Des Moines.

28:46

[00 27:08.869 – 00:27:13.879] Karen talked about the Iowa Women's, or not Iowa, International Women's Conference.

28:50

[00 27:13.879 – 00:27:15.659] We will be hosting that next year.

28:53

[00 27:15.659 – 00:27:24.729] Uh, and, um, the West Central Regional, um, uh, we will be, um, having a regional forum here with GSO in, uh, in just a couple of months.

29:04

[00 27:24.729 – 00:27:27.279] That was a real joy too.

29:07

[00 27:27.279 – 00:27:29.379] Uh, you know, I don't know about you.

29:10

[00 27:29.379 – 00:27:31.599] I've never been to GSO.

29:12

[00 27:31.599 – 00:27:41.719] Um, but I realized when we got there that people who were in, um, employed by GSO, they had a special lanyard, um, that was made by, um, Bob's,

29:23

[00 27:41.719 – 00:27:45.019] um, secretary had made all of these beautiful lanyards for them.

29:28

[00 27:45.019 – 00:27:50.459] And it was just an honor to, to meet them and thank them for their service.

29:34

[00 27:50.459 – 00:27:52.479] Some are alcoholics, and some are not.

29:37

[00 27:52.479 – 00:27:53.599] Um, you know-

29:39

[00 27:53.736 – 00:27:56.096] And it was just a joy, just a joy.

29:42

[00 27:56.096 – 00:27:59.646] I felt really honored to, to be there and meet them.

29:47

[00 27:59.646 – 00:28:06.436] Um, so those are some of the thoughts that I wanted to, to bring to our, um, gathering tonight.

29:54

[00 28:06.436 – 00:28:11.476] I know a lot of you have been there, and I can't wait to hear also, um, your experience.

30:02

[00 28:11.476 – 00:28:12.576] And with that, I'm gonna pass.

30:04

[00 28:12.576 – 00:28:19.076] Uh, to...

30:05

[00 28:19.076 – 00:28:22.976] Uh, it's always a joy to share these experiences with you.

30:10

[00 28:22.976 – 00:28:25.296] Okay, Joyce.

30:11

[00 28:25.296 – 00:28:28.436] Do you wanna unmute, please?

30:13

[00 28:28.436 – 00:28:38.636] Joyce

30:14

[00 28:38.636 – 00:28:40.576] S., where are you?

30:16

[00 28:40.576 – 00:28:45.156] I think we lost her, and I think she signed back on, Nancy.

30:21

[00 28:45.156 – 00:28:45.826] Oh, okay.

30:22

[00 28:45.826 – 00:28:46.376] I just think you're in.

30:24

[00 28:46.376 – 00:28:48.916] Is she, is she back in with us?

30:28

[00 28:48.916 – 00:28:50.436] Oh, there you are, Joyce.

30:30

[00 28:50.436 – 00:28:52.396] Your turn, sweetheart.

30:31

[00 28:52.396 – 00:28:54.476] Oh, holy cow.

30:33

[00 28:54.476 – 00:28:56.456] Go for it.

30:34

[00 28:56.456 – 00:29:01.275] Yeah, my a- thank God I have a backup inter- uh, mobile, uh, internet.

30:40

[00 29:01.275 – 00:29:02.836] Good evening.

30:41

[00 29:02.836 – 00:29:05.856] My name is Joyce, and I'm a real alcoholic.

30:45

[00 29:05.856 – 00:29:10.816] My sobriety date is March 18th, 2003.

30:47

[00 29:10.816 – 00:29:14.856] My home group is Babes in Recovery, and Nancy K.

30:51

[00 29:14.856 – 00:29:24.636] was my first sponsor back in 2003, and I found her again in 2019, and has been my sponsor since.

30:58

[00 29:24.636 – 00:29:28.396] Thank God, 'cause I was in deep trouble.

31:02

[00 29:28.396 – 00:29:30.776] I was a dry drunk for a long time.

31:05

[00 29:30.776 – 00:29:38.936] Oh, I was so excited to talk to you about the experiences we had at that this international in Vancouver.

31:14

[00 29:38.936 – 00:29:40.436] It wasn't my first.

31:15

[00 29:40.436 – 00:29:47.596] I attended Toronto when I was just over a l- year sober, and I was overwhelmed.

31:22

[00 29:47.596 – 00:29:57.876] I was with a group of women that didn't particularly care for me, but that was okay because I was a newcomer, and I was sober, and I could see the energy

31:34

[00 29:57.876 – 00:30:08.516] at that Toronto conference, particularly the para- flag parade, and a folk singer singing at one of the, uh,

31:41

[00 30:08.516 – 00:30:11.316] uh, stadium events that was wonderful.

31:44

[00 30:11.316 – 00:30:21.596] Fast-forward 20 years, and I got to go to Vancouver thanks to Karen Broderick, who invited me to share her room.

31:52

[00 30:21.596 – 00:30:31.636] And yes, I think the total message that I kept feeling over and over

31:57

[00 30:31.636 – 00:30:39.116] and over was the total unity of our legacy, our three legacies.

32:02

[00 30:39.116 – 00:30:45.096] I saw recovery at very, very different stages wherever I went.

32:07

[00 30:45.096 – 00:30:55.096] I definitely, definitely saw unity, and I definitely saw service, uh, in

32:11

[00 30:55.096 – 00:30:55.696] Nancy K.

32:13

[00 30:55.696 – 00:31:01.416] helping Karen to get that vital insulin, you know?

32:16

[00 31:01.416 – 00:31:06.676] And then s- watching, uh, um, s- attending the exhibits.

32:20

[00 31:06.676 – 00:31:15.096] Of note to me was how well the archives were maintained, and even, even...

32:26

[00 31:15.096 – 00:31:21.235] Yes, that whole presenta- the room was filled with such treasures.

32:30

[00 31:21.235 – 00:31:27.836] And I just became the intergroup rep for my local, and I'm, I'm so...

32:36

[00 31:27.836 – 00:31:38.036] One of my local meetings, and I'm so thrilled to have heard at the first meeting that I attended how the local efforts

32:45

[00 31:38.036 – 00:31:44.076] to maintain and build this geographic archive likewise.

32:48

[00 31:44.076 – 00:31:49.096] So I think Bill would be kind of proud of this generation carrying it forward.

32:54

[00 31:49.096 – 00:31:59.176] Um, the other thing about s- about that stuck out in my mind was, um, gosh, they

33:01

[00 31:59.176 – 00:32:09.376] had a presentation at one of the cathedral on the Founding Fathers' homes, and that was just so awesome.

33:08

[00 32:09.376 – 00:32:17.706] They, they gave out little, lots of little trinkets, little pictures of a lamp that was in one of the homes.

33:16

[00 32:17.706 – 00:32:21.236] Makes me wanna go to Founders Day.

33:19

[00 32:21.236 – 00:32:32.816] Um, I also, I also did a, uh, volunteer in

33:23

[00 32:32.816 – 00:32:43.356] the Women's International, uh, Hospitality Suite along with a lot of my sobriety sisters, and I got to meet Carol's sponsee,

33:32

[00 32:43.356 – 00:32:48.156] and great sponsee, and gosh, are they off to a great start.

33:36

[00 32:48.156 – 00:32:50.076] These women are on fire.

33:39

[00 32:50.076 – 00:32:56.236] I got to sit on the floor in the final Saturday night.

33:43

[00 32:56.236 – 00:33:05.916] I was so honored to be asked to be Nancy K.'s plus one, 'cause don't you know, she has over 50 years of sobriety.

33:53

[00 33:05.916 – 00:33:12.156] And I was able to sit right beside her.

33:56

[00 33:12.156 – 00:33:14.596] But I- we didn't just do that.

33:59

[00 33:14.596 – 00:33:22.216] The meeting hadn't started yet, and I was curious, "What is my sponsor doing?" So I started following her around.

34:07

[00 33:22.216 – 00:33:26.916] What she was doing is we were waiting for the, for the meeting to start.

34:13

[00 33:26.916 – 00:33:36.176] Nobody knew who the 10 honorees were gonna be asked to go to the stage of the many, many, many old-timers that were in this group.

34:23

[00 33:36.176 – 00:33:41.156] But we, she was introducing herself.

34:25

[00 33:41.156 – 00:33:43.256] I would introduce myself to people.

34:28

[00 33:43.256 – 00:33:53.296] I would never do this on my own, but she taught me to put yourself out there, to be of service, to put a smile

34:38

[00 33:53.296 – 00:33:59.416] on people's faces, and I treasure that experience so much.

34:42

[00 33:59.416 – 00:34:09.515] Um, I particularly liked the, after the Saturday night meeting was over, I got to hug

34:48

[00 34:09.516 – 00:34:11.376] and tell the...

34:49

[00 34:11.376 – 00:34:12.556] What, what was she?

34:51

[00 34:12.556 – 00:34:14.216] Her name was Trish L.

34:54

[00 34:14.216 – 00:34:24.516] She was the chair of the IWC Volunteer Welcome Committee, because this conference had the best

35:00

[00 34:24.516 – 00:34:26.875] volunteers in the world.

35:02

[00 34:26.875 – 00:34:36.876] My experience, starting at the airport when I was getting my bag and trying to find my way to the

35:10

[00 34:36.876 – 00:34:44.456] Sky, there were volunteers to guide me with their shirts on, those peach colored, salmon colored shirts.

35:16

[00 34:44.456 – 00:34:45.356] Salmon.

35:17

[00 34:45.356 – 00:34:46.476] Vancouver.

35:18

[00 34:46.476 – 00:34:52.016] I get to the, um, uh, the area that I-

35:22

[00 34:52.153 – 00:34:56.813] I thought my hotel was in, and good thing I didn't try to walk it.

35:28

[00 34:56.813 – 00:34:58.233] It was quite a ways away.

35:30

[00 34:58.233 – 00:35:01.913] Again, met by three volunteers.

35:33

[00 35:01.913 – 00:35:12.033] One young man, who's been struggling to even make his first few months of sobriety, helped me to the bus stop,

35:41

[00 35:12.033 – 00:35:15.193] helped me onto the bus with all my luggage.

35:44

[00 35:15.193 – 00:35:25.573] I wished that guy, and still pray for him every day, all the luck, all the, all the recovery in the world.

35:53

[00 35:25.573 – 00:35:30.513] There were volunteers everywhere you went.

35:56

[00 35:30.513 – 00:35:31.293] Everywhere.

35:56

[00 35:31.293 – 00:35:39.393] And even, even if they weren't actually on an assignment that they had been given, if you asked them a question, they would help you.

36:06

[00 35:39.393 – 00:35:41.493] They would walk with you.

36:08

[00 35:41.493 – 00:35:43.373] "Oh, you're looking for that room, Wallace?

36:11

[00 35:43.373 – 00:35:54.313] And I know where it is." And to me, that just personifies our legacy of service, and made, made me wanna be a better alcoholic.

36:21

[00 35:54.313 – 00:36:04.553] Um, I think I have covered all of my highlights, but, uh,

36:26

[00 36:04.553 – 00:36:09.733] again, y- my two sobriety sisters that I heard speak...

36:30

[00 36:09.733 – 00:36:21.053] Sorry, uh, my internet went out, um, also talked about the electricity, and no matter where you were, you

36:37

[00 36:21.053 – 00:36:25.393] knew you were with somebody you knew.

36:40

[00 36:25.393 – 00:36:29.593] This couple had a pair of T-shirts on.

36:43

[00 36:29.593 – 00:36:38.913] They were sitting in the 50- the old-timers section, and it said, "I don't know you, but I know you." Is that right?

36:52

[00 36:38.913 – 00:36:41.713] That is so what it was.

36:55

[00 36:41.713 – 00:36:52.273] In the airport, I, I had to fly to San Francisco, and then switch planes to reach my destination of San Diego.

37:03

[00 36:52.273 – 00:36:58.713] I met people, "You coming from fr- Vancouver?" "Yeah, I'm coming from Vancouver.

37:09

[00 36:58.713 – 00:37:00.393] You?" "Yeah.

37:10

[00 37:00.393 – 00:37:07.393] Wasn't that great?" The camaraderie did not stop when I took the badge off.

37:15

[00 37:07.393 – 00:37:08.773] It didn't.

37:16

[00 37:08.773 – 00:37:18.333] Anyway, I, I am done, and boy, am I looking forward to, what is it, St.

37:23

[00 37:18.333 – 00:37:18.993] Louis.

37:23

[00 37:18.993 – 00:37:20.853] Thank you.

37:25

[00 37:20.853 – 00:37:23.553] My name is Joyce, and I'm still an alcoholic.

37:28

[00 37:23.553 – 00:37:28.593] Thank you so much.

37:30

[00 37:28.593 – 00:37:33.092] Let's hear from Pam, who is also wearing a volunteer shirt.

37:35

[00 37:33.092 – 00:37:37.333] Pam?

37:35

[00 37:37.333 – 00:37:39.133] Oh, oh, it's me.

37:37

[00 37:39.133 – 00:37:39.873] There you go.

37:39

[00 37:39.873 – 00:37:41.293] Thank you, Nancy.

37:40

[00 37:41.293 – 00:37:42.593] Um, hi, everyone.

37:42

[00 37:42.593 – 00:37:44.833] My name is Pam, and I'm an alcoholic.

37:45

[00 37:44.833 – 00:37:45.253] Yeah.

37:46

[00 37:45.253 – 00:37:52.693] My sobriety date is October 8th, 2021, so you know it was my first international convention.

37:52

[00 37:52.693 – 00:37:57.393] But thank you to Mike and Tim and Nancy for asking me to share my experience.

37:58

[00 37:57.393 – 00:38:01.773] And, um, obviously this was my first convention.

38:01

[00 38:01.773 – 00:38:03.753] It wasn't my first trip with Nancy.

38:04

[00 38:03.753 – 00:38:14.253] Since 2021, I've made a lot of trips with Nancy, and, um, but this was ver- very much, um, oh my gosh, for it to be

38:14

[00 38:14.253 – 00:38:19.753] the 90th year, and the theme was The Language of the Heart.

38:19

[00 38:19.753 – 00:38:23.973] Um, and you could feel, you could feel...

38:22

[00 38:23.973 – 00:38:25.093] I could feel it in my heart.

38:25

[00 38:25.093 – 00:38:32.513] I could feel it was deeply emotional and spiritual for me to be there at the convention.

38:32

[00 38:32.513 – 00:38:40.573] And, you know, like Debbie said, we arrived there ahead of time and got to get the lay of the land and be able to, you know...

38:42

[00 38:40.573 – 00:38:44.753] Well, I already knew I'd volunteer, but to see what else we could volunteer for.

38:48

[00 38:44.753 – 00:38:46.533] But, um, yeah.

38:49

[00 38:46.533 – 00:38:56.453] So yeah, you know, uh, before the, before each of the big meetings, I was just...

38:56

[00 38:56.453 – 00:38:59.793] It was just like the countdown that they would have.

39:00

[00 38:59.793 – 00:39:02.253] It was like a countdown accompanied by music.

39:03

[00 39:02.253 – 00:39:07.293] It was started at five minutes, then two minutes, to one minute, and then all of a sudden it'd be like boom, boom, boom.

39:12

[00 39:07.293 – 00:39:17.653] Reminded me of like New Year's Eve, except for it was on a far greater scale 'cause the excitement of everybody and the collective energy of everybody.

39:23

[00 39:17.653 – 00:39:20.413] And it was just, it was just...

39:26

[00 39:20.413 – 00:39:22.482] I mean, I was just getting chills, you know.

39:30

[00 39:22.482 – 00:39:28.673] And of course I was dancing to the music when I heard the music, just because that's what my sponsors taught me.

39:38

[00 39:28.673 – 00:39:30.673] Um, and, um...

39:40

[00 39:30.673 – 00:39:34.633] But witnessing 30,000 plus people.

39:41

[00 39:34.633 – 00:39:37.133] And I thought it was 93 countries.

39:44

[00 39:37.133 – 00:39:39.033] Um, maybe I was wrong.

39:46

[00 39:39.033 – 00:39:44.563] I heard originally 90, but for some reason I thought I heard it was 93 companies that were gathered.

39:53

[00 39:44.563 – 00:39:54.733] And just to know that how, um, you know, gathered in one place, and that how far-reaching and impactful

40:00

[00 39:54.733 – 00:39:57.213] AA is, truly is.

40:02

[00 39:57.213 – 00:40:03.833] Like, I just kind of stay in my own world, and I go to, you know, my own meetings, and then I've gone to the, you know, Akron.

40:13

[00 40:03.833 – 00:40:12.513] But just to be able to globally get together with people, um, it was just, um, it was just deeply emotional.

40:21

[00 40:12.513 – 00:40:22.343] And I just thought, you know, people from China, and, and, and Ukraine, and different people from all over, that you know how hard it was for them to get sober in those countries.

40:34

[00 40:22.343 – 00:40:27.213] And I know Nancy has taken the message to some of these other countries.

40:40

[00 40:27.213 – 00:40:36.913] But just to know, like I am privileged to be in the United States to have a way to get sober, but some of these people, all these adversities, and they were there.

40:52

[00 40:36.913 – 00:40:42.733] And even if there just was one from the country, it was just like this is powerful.

40:59

[00 40:42.733 – 00:40:47.173] This, this whole AA, I was just thinking of Dr.

41:03

[00 40:47.173 – 00:40:52.753] Bob and Bill looking down like, "This is, this is awesome." You know?

41:08

[00 40:52.753 – 00:40:58.193] This is just, it, it just really, it really, um, impacted me.

41:13

[00 40:58.193 – 00:41:07.713] And saying that Serenity Prayer at all three meetings in unison with everybody, um, it just gave me the chills too, just to, you know...

41:23

[00 41:07.713 – 00:41:17.183] And I'm sure there were people that couldn't say the English part of it, but you still could hear everybody, and it was just, it just, um, it was so special.

41:35

[00 41:17.183 – 00:41:27.233] And yes, I did serve as a greeter, um, on my first day there, and of course, um, I felt like it wasn't just a role, it was a

41:46

[00 41:27.233 – 00:41:27.953] privilege.

41:46

[00 41:27.953 – 00:41:32.313] And even though they kinda, "So this is what they're gonna ask.

41:51

[00 41:32.313 – 00:41:33.353] This is what you need to know.

41:54

[00 41:33.353 – 00:41:34.403] This is where the restroom is.

41:57

[00 41:34.403 – 00:41:35.173] This is where this is.

41:59

[00 41:35.173 – 00:41:45.193] This is where this is." But then you would get people asking different questions, like, and it was like I'm one of these people that I've got to get the answer, so I would find out the

42:13

[00 41:45.193 – 00:41:47.493] answer and, and give it to the person.

42:16

[00 41:47.493 – 00:41:50.343] And, um, but I just, you know, was-

42:20

[00 41:50.671 – 00:41:56.111] It was so awesome welcoming people from all different walks of life and different countries.

42:26

[00 41:56.111 – 00:42:01.891] Um, and like Debbie said, we did that for four hours, and it was just amazing.

42:32

[00 42:01.891 – 00:42:08.491] I also volunteered in the International Women's Suite promoting the, um, International Women's Conference.

42:38

[00 42:08.491 – 00:42:18.491] And, and even in the souvenir book, I didn't realize until I received it that the International Women's Conference is listed in there, and that we've been going on every year

42:49

[00 42:18.491 – 00:42:21.011] since '65, and I have been attending those.

42:53

[00 42:21.011 – 00:42:28.241] Um, uh, the flag ceremony on Friday was really big for me, um, seeing that.

42:59

[00 42:28.241 – 00:42:37.271] And then of course my sponsor's always taught me that we always thank the speakers after the meeting, so we went and thanked each of the speakers.

43:09

[00 42:37.271 – 00:42:47.451] And then we were blessed to be able to meet some of our founding members' family, the members, uh, m- m- family members of Bill

43:19

[00 42:47.451 – 00:42:48.011] W.

43:19

[00 42:48.011 – 00:42:53.191] and Ebby Thatcher and descendants of Sam Shoemaker and Rowland Hazard.

43:24

[00 42:53.191 – 00:43:01.031] And thank God for my sponsor, who has taken me through the big book and taught me the history.

43:31

[00 43:01.031 – 00:43:07.411] Um, we need to know where we came from and to carry our history forward like you do in Recovery Speakers.

43:39

[00 43:07.411 – 00:43:11.871] And another high- my other biggest highlight was the old-timers meeting.

43:44

[00 43:11.871 – 00:43:21.911] And I knew that my sponsor, who 53 years of sobriety, was sitting in that section, and right before the meeting started, I was like, "Oh my gosh, I wanna

43:55

[00 43:21.911 – 00:43:23.791] go take a picture next to the sign.

43:58

[00 43:23.791 – 00:43:26.991] I need to have a picture of Nancy next to the sign." So I tried to go in there.

44:06

[00 43:26.991 – 00:43:33.911] All this security was guarding all these old-timers with 50-plus years of sobriety because they're important.

44:12

[00 43:33.911 – 00:43:43.911] "So, sorry, I can't let you in." "S- I just wanna get a picture of my sponsor next to the sign." And so she came out, and we were able to get a picture with a couple of us ladies, uh, her

44:28

[00 43:43.911 – 00:43:46.491] sponsees, and we got that picture.

44:31

[00 43:46.491 – 00:43:56.791] And, um, and another highlight was being able to see my sponsor speak on Saturday, um, at a workshop, talking about the women,

44:40

[00 43:56.851 – 00:43:59.731] the history of the women of AA at the...

44:43

[00 43:59.731 – 00:44:09.111] And just like one of the gentleman, um, prior to this meeting started, said he, he couldn't even get over there to her because the line was so long after she spoke.

44:56

[00 44:09.111 – 00:44:19.331] Everybody just was there to thank her or ask her a question or, "Can I get her card?" "Can I follow up with you?" And even she got some information she could use for,

45:09

[00 44:19.331 – 00:44:20.891] for her future presentations.

45:10

[00 44:20.891 – 00:44:22.531] So that was really good.

45:13

[00 44:22.531 – 00:44:32.671] And then Sunday, Sunday it was so awesome to hear, they, they gave out the 43 millionth book to

45:20

[00 44:32.671 – 00:44:35.771] a warden of a prison in Canada.

45:23

[00 44:35.771 – 00:44:41.271] It was, uh, a federal prison in Dor- Dorchester, New Brunswick.

45:27

[00 44:41.271 – 00:44:51.291] And, um, and they gave a history of how each book has been given out, each significant printed copy, even to, like, they mentioned about

45:37

[00 44:51.291 – 00:45:01.711] Mel Wing getting one, and Ruth Hock, and San Quentin Prison, and the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism,

45:44

[00 45:01.711 – 00:45:04.511] and the Sisters of Charity of St.

45:47

[00 45:04.511 – 00:45:08.131] Augustine, and American Medical Association.

45:50

[00 45:08.131 – 00:45:10.811] So that was a lesson for me to learn all about that, too.

45:55

[00 45:10.811 – 00:45:16.471] So, um, and it was just, yeah, it was just a honor.

46:00

[00 45:16.471 – 00:45:26.711] I got to see the archives, and I finally got to see one of the Sister Ignatia medallions that the general service office had that looked like it was the original.

46:12

[00 45:26.711 – 00:45:35.351] 'Cause I'd been to the Akron and to a lot of the spiritual places of Sister Ignatia and, um, seen a lot of the medallions.

46:21

[00 45:35.351 – 00:45:38.451] But this one looked like it was definitely, uh, an original.

46:26

[00 45:38.451 – 00:45:47.231] And then getting to meet the, the staff of general service office, um, they were just the rightful and friendly.

46:33

[00 45:47.231 – 00:45:54.391] And obviously the people in Canada, they were just so welcoming and so loving.

46:39

[00 45:54.391 – 00:45:57.671] I mean, everybody at the conference, everybody at the conference.

46:43

[00 45:57.671 – 00:46:02.291] I just, uh, I, I would recommend s- start saving your pennies.

46:48

[00 46:02.291 – 00:46:12.471] Um, it's truly, um, was a honor, and to me it was a honor to be able to go with my sponsor, Nancy K., who I

46:58

[00 46:12.471 – 00:46:13.991] totally respect.

46:59

[00 46:13.991 – 00:46:15.371] She's my hero.

47:01

[00 46:15.371 – 00:46:17.731] I mean, like, well, I, she inspires me.

47:04

[00 46:17.731 – 00:46:21.091] I have to actually say she inspires me to, I wanna grow up to be like her.

47:11

[00 46:21.091 – 00:46:23.711] And then all my sobriety sisters.

47:13

[00 46:23.711 – 00:46:25.451] It was wonderful experience.

47:15

[00 46:25.451 – 00:46:30.711] And, um, I don't know where my time is, but there I, there I am, and thank you for letting me speak.

47:24

[00 46:30.711 – 00:46:32.611] Thank you, Pam.

47:25

[00 46:32.611 – 00:46:37.111] Oh my God, I am impressed that you could remember all of that.

47:30

[00 46:37.111 – 00:46:38.151] Wow.

47:31

[00 46:38.151 – 00:46:41.231] That was fantastic.

47:32

[00 46:41.231 – 00:46:44.171] Nancy, you inspire all of us.

47:35

[00 46:44.171 – 00:46:47.231] Thank you.

47:36

[00 46:47.231 – 00:46:57.701] Uh, someone had asked, "What is the International?" And, uh, uh, I think, uh, we've been explaining bits and pieces of it, but the International

47:46

[00 46:57.701 – 00:47:07.091] is a convention, uh, for our fellowship around the world that's held every five years in a different location.

47:53

[00 47:07.091 – 00:47:14.691] And it's international because it's been in Canada and it's been in, uh, United States.

47:59

[00 47:14.691 – 00:47:17.731] Maybe someday we'll be in another country.

48:02

[00 47:17.731 – 00:47:18.891] I don't know.

48:04

[00 47:18.891 – 00:47:28.471] But people from every country, uh, are invited to come a- and participate.

48:09

[00 47:28.471 – 00:47:38.811] We have, uh, translation headphones for people so that they can understand it in different languages, and it is just an amazing opportunity.

48:18

[00 47:38.811 – 00:47:41.351] Our next one is going to be in St.

48:21

[00 47:41.351 – 00:47:45.751] Louis, Missouri, so start planning on it.

48:24

[00 47:45.751 – 00:47:50.411] When I first heard about a convention, it was Denver.

48:28

[00 47:50.411 – 00:47:52.391] Uh, uh, big deal.

48:30

[00 47:52.391 – 00:47:53.631] Well, you know, so what?

48:32

[00 47:53.631 – 00:48:03.271] Uh, and then the next one came along, and it was New Orleans, and everybody was talking about how much fun it was.

48:41

[00 48:03.271 – 00:48:08.211] "Wow, fun, fun, fun." Uh, by golly, I am not gonna miss this next one.

48:47

[00 48:08.211 – 00:48:15.491] So next one came up and it, and it was Montreal, and I, uh, I got on a plane.

48:55

[00 48:15.491 – 00:48:18.731] I didn't even have a room to stay in or anything.

48:59

[00 48:18.731 – 00:48:23.311] I, but by the time I got to, to Montreal, I had two roommates and a room.

49:06

[00 48:23.311 – 00:48:25.791] But, uh, I've, I've been going...

49:08

[00 48:25.791 – 00:48:30.421] I, I think I missed one, uh, because my boss wouldn't let me off work.

49:14

[00 48:30.421 – 00:48:32.851] Had to ride on that resentment for a while.

49:18

[00 48:32.851 – 00:48:37.541] And, but every other one I've been going to, so I think this was my seventh.

49:24

[00 48:37.541 – 00:48:39.571] But it's, it's been wonderful.

49:27

[00 48:39.571 – 00:48:44.691] So now to f- uh, finish this up is Peggy S.

49:31

[00 48:44.691 – 00:48:46.891] Peggy, go for it

49:33

[00 48:52.728 – 00:48:53.528] Hi, everyone.

49:34

[00 48:53.528 – 00:49:00.088] My name is Peggy, and I am an alcoholic, and my sobriety date is August 19th, 1985.

49:40

[00 49:00.088 – 00:49:05.008] Um, my home group is Babes in Recovery in Elk Grove, California.

49:45

[00 49:05.008 – 00:49:09.108] Um, and first off, I'm gonna say I'm real nervous.

49:49

[00 49:09.108 – 00:49:13.528] I don't know how everybody remembered everything going on.

49:53

[00 49:13.528 – 00:49:16.768] Um, um, you know, I...

49:55

[00 49:16.768 – 00:49:22.788] This is my fifth conference, and I did it different this year.

50:00

[00 49:22.788 – 00:49:31.348] Um, when I would go to the convention, convention, I get conference and convention mixed up still today.

50:07

[00 49:31.348 – 00:49:37.168] Um, um, when I would go to a convention, I would go to play.

50:13

[00 49:37.168 – 00:49:47.248] Um, and I might hit the main meetings, but I would go see the area and explore what's out there, um, because I was a drunk

50:23

[00 49:47.248 – 00:49:52.048] that lived in a dark box that never explored anything but alcohol.

50:27

[00 49:52.048 – 00:50:02.068] Um, um, and this is the first, um, convention I wanted to be of service, and I

50:34

[00 50:02.068 – 00:50:03.708] didn't know much about service.

50:36

[00 50:03.708 – 00:50:10.188] Um, for maybe three and a half, four years ago, I got Nancy for a sponsor.

50:43

[00 50:10.188 – 00:50:15.088] And, um, I never, ever picked up a service manual.

50:47

[00 50:15.088 – 00:50:18.048] Um, I had no idea what was in it.

50:50

[00 50:18.048 – 00:50:26.488] Um, I, I did study the traditions, but I didn't know I was supposed to demonstrate them in my life on a daily basis.

51:00

[00 50:26.488 – 00:50:31.248] Um, so Nancy has taught me a lot and shown me a lot.

51:05

[00 50:31.248 – 00:50:32.348] Not just taught me.

51:07

[00 50:32.348 – 00:50:37.587] She, she's a walking example, and I'm truly grateful for that.

51:11

[00 50:37.587 – 00:50:48.228] Um, you know, I, um, so I thought, "I'm gonna volunteer this time at the conference and step aside the selfishness

51:19

[00 50:48.228 – 00:50:50.128] a little bit," just a little bit.

51:22

[00 50:50.128 – 00:50:51.928] I'm still real selfish.

51:24

[00 50:51.928 – 00:51:01.988] But, um, I chose to volunteer at the BC Stadium at the gate E, and that

51:31

[00 51:01.988 – 00:51:04.668] was a gate that was closed.

51:33

[00 51:04.668 – 00:51:08.628] And we had to tell folks, "Sorry, you can't come in this way.

51:38

[00 51:08.628 – 00:51:14.548] You gotta go around the other way." And some weren't happy, and some were okay with it.

51:45

[00 51:14.548 – 00:51:24.568] But what was profound about that is the people I met are crew, and also, um, the roar.

51:52

[00 51:24.568 – 00:51:30.268] I got to hear the roar before I went in, and it was blowing my mind.

51:58

[00 51:30.268 – 00:51:36.788] It was like I was like a little girl in a candy store, can't wait to get in there.

52:06

[00 51:36.788 – 00:51:38.008] It- it's...

52:07

[00 51:38.008 – 00:51:40.388] Because I've always been inside.

52:09

[00 51:40.388 – 00:51:43.408] I've never, you know, took the time to volunteer.

52:13

[00 51:43.408 – 00:51:53.448] Um, and it w- it was just profound to hear all those people get excited, and it,

52:19

[00 51:53.448 – 00:51:54.588] it was just awesome.

52:21

[00 51:54.588 – 00:51:56.688] It just kept giving me chills.

52:24

[00 51:56.688 – 00:52:00.048] And when I did get inside, it was like, "Right on.

52:28

[00 52:00.048 – 00:52:02.608] This is what I'm waiting for," you know?

52:32

[00 52:02.608 – 00:52:02.808] It...

52:32

[00 52:02.808 – 00:52:05.468] I don't know, it just charges me up.

52:36

[00 52:05.468 – 00:52:09.448] Um, but anyways, after we were done, we were able to go in.

52:41

[00 52:09.448 – 00:52:13.448] I brought a sponsee with me, and, um, she helped volunteer with it.

52:46

[00 52:13.448 – 00:52:20.048] And, um, so, um, if I could back up just a little bit.

52:51

[00 52:20.048 – 00:52:20.608] There...

52:52

[00 52:20.608 – 00:52:24.218] I brought, I brought pins with me, and they were smiley faces.

52:57

[00 52:24.218 – 00:52:34.408] And the reason I brought them is, um, uh, I was just giving them out and, and telling them, you know, "Smile at somebody that's not smiling,"

53:07

[00 52:34.408 – 00:52:41.168] because when I walked into the room, somebody smiled at me and I came back just because of that smile.

53:15

[00 52:41.168 – 00:52:45.808] I didn't understand your books or the steps on the wall, none of that stuff.

53:21

[00 52:45.808 – 00:52:48.188] Um, but you were nice to me.

53:24

[00 52:48.188 – 00:52:51.148] And, and so I gave out little smiley faces.

53:28

[00 52:51.148 – 00:53:00.028] And, um, there was a gentleman named David at the, in front of the convention where, um, I was giving him a smiley face, and I kind of gave my spiel.

53:40

[00 53:00.028 – 00:53:10.088] And he starts crying a little bit, and I'm like, "Well, are you okay?" And he goes, "That gentleman over there smiled at me when I came into the

53:51

[00 53:10.088 – 00:53:13.588] rooms." So it, it just kind of touched me, and we hugged.

53:56

[00 53:13.588 – 00:53:17.308] And we, we exchanged numbers, and he's gonna be speaking.

54:00

[00 53:17.308 – 00:53:22.228] So it's, it's a connection, you know, a connection I woulda never, ever had.

54:05

[00 53:22.228 – 00:53:29.288] Um, and when I lived in that little dark box, you know, um, no connections there, for sure.

54:12

[00 53:29.288 – 00:53:39.288] Um, and, and then, um, when you come out of the stadium, this was another profound moment.

54:19

[00 53:39.288 – 00:53:49.408] You, you come out of this stadium, and the whole street is covered with human heads just walking.

54:26

[00 53:49.408 – 00:53:53.688] I mean, they closed the streets down, and we covered the street.

54:31

[00 53:53.688 – 00:53:55.828] It wait was just so profound.

54:34

[00 53:55.828 – 00:53:58.028] You gotta be there to see it.

54:37

[00 53:58.028 – 00:54:04.488] Um, you know, and another thing that really, really got me was the, um, um...

54:43

[00 54:04.488 – 00:54:07.028] They would say something like...

54:45

[00 54:07.028 – 00:54:09.728] I, I got cheat notes, too, 'cause I forget stuff.

54:49

[00 54:09.728 – 00:54:15.128] Um, um, what was it that they would, um...

54:53

[00 54:15.128 – 00:54:16.668] Ah.

54:53

[00 54:16.668 – 00:54:26.788] Um, observing a moment of silence for the still suffering, and,

54:58

[00 54:26.788 – 00:54:31.868] um, and it was just like 30,000 people are sitting in that room.

55:03

[00 54:31.868 – 00:54:35.088] And I bet you you could hear a pin drop.

55:07

[00 54:35.088 – 00:54:38.508] I mean, that is profound.

55:09

[00 54:38.508 – 00:54:39.928] That, I don't know.

55:11

[00 54:39.928 – 00:54:45.648] That just blows my mind that we could be quiet like that.

55:16

[00 54:45.648 – 00:54:48.168] I mean, it, it just blows my mind a little bit.

55:20

[00 54:48.168 – 00:54:48.688] That's all.

55:21

[00 54:48.688 – 00:54:51.968] Um, dancing, dancing in the street.

55:24

[00 54:51.968 – 00:55:01.308] Um, all the people that were just enjoying themselves, living life to the fullest, um, just enjoying themselves.

55:31

[00 55:01.308 – 00:55:04.248] And, um, there was a, there was a...

55:34

[00 55:04.248 – 00:55:14.248] I went into a, um, um, I went into a, uh, convenience store, and this guy walked up to my sponsor,

55:42

[00 55:14.248 – 00:55:25.128] my sponsee and, and myself, and he says, "You guys with the convention?" And we said, "Yeah." And he goes, "I was in recovery, and, um, I

55:53

[00 55:25.128 – 00:55:31.848] ended up going back out." And, um, um, he, um...

55:57

[00 55:31.848 – 00:55:33.868] I, I, I think his name was Chris.

56:00

[00 55:33.868 – 00:55:34.738] Anyways, he's...

56:01

[00 55:34.738 – 00:55:36.128] I told him, "Well, come on.

56:04

[00 55:36.128 – 00:55:37.948] Come on with us," you know?

56:06

[00 55:37.948 – 00:55:44.468] "It's not too late." He wasn't ready to go, but I gave him a smiley face, and I told him...

56:14

[00 55:44.468 – 00:55:47.208] Another thing I kind of share is-

56:17

[00 55:47.645 – 00:55:50.305] Be good to yourself, 'cause I didn't know how to be good to me.

56:23

[00 55:50.305 – 00:55:56.745] And, uh, I told him to be good to himself, and, and I hope to see him, um, next time.

56:31

[00 55:56.745 – 00:55:59.655] I, I told him we're saving a seat for him.

56:35

[00 55:59.655 – 00:56:04.405] You know, if you wanna come on over, we got a seat for you.

56:40

[00 56:04.405 – 00:56:08.945] Uh, and, um, you know, I, um...

56:43

[00 56:08.945 – 00:56:14.365] There, there, there was a lot of moments, um, a lot of moments.

56:48

[00 56:14.365 – 00:56:17.445] It- I mean, the whole thing was, was profound.

56:52

[00 56:17.445 – 00:56:18.305] It's, um...

56:53

[00 56:18.305 – 00:56:21.125] It, it was...

56:55

[00 56:21.125 – 00:56:22.805] I don't, you know, I don't...

56:57

[00 56:22.805 – 00:56:24.205] It was more of a...

57:00

[00 56:24.205 – 00:56:26.825] I don't know.

57:01

[00 56:26.825 – 00:56:37.265] I come back recharged, and I'm, like, going, "You know, how well am I really, you know, applying these steps, these traditions,

57:10

[00 56:37.265 – 00:56:39.345] uh, these concepts?

57:11

[00 56:39.345 – 00:56:49.565] You know, am I really praying, um, to a higher power to turn my will and my life over to the care of something else besides

57:21

[00 56:49.565 – 00:56:50.565] me?

57:22

[00 56:50.565 – 00:56:54.625] Um, can I do better?" Um, I don't know.

57:25

[00 56:54.625 – 00:57:02.145] It just kind of recharged me and given me a spark and, um, and I love it.

57:32

[00 57:02.145 – 00:57:03.815] I, I enjoy going.

57:34

[00 57:03.815 – 00:57:07.405] Um, it, it makes me a better person.

57:37

[00 57:07.405 – 00:57:13.765] Um, it helps me to see that the world isn't too dark at times.

57:43

[00 57:13.765 – 00:57:15.285] And, um, I...

57:44

[00 57:15.285 – 00:57:19.165] You know, there's times I wasn't able to go to some of these internationals.

57:50

[00 57:19.165 – 00:57:20.745] I had no funds to go.

57:53

[00 57:20.745 – 00:57:30.825] Um, and one, one of the internationals, I, um, had a cardboard with my picture, and

57:59

[00 57:30.825 – 00:57:32.345] one of my friends sent it.

58:01

[00 57:32.345 – 00:57:36.985] And, um, it was the Minnesota.

58:04

[00 57:36.985 – 00:57:38.775] I'm pretty sure it was the Minnesota one.

58:07

[00 57:38.775 – 00:57:49.245] And, and, and I asked members, "Sign my card," and he brought it back completely covered with signatures, and, you know,

58:16

[00 57:49.245 – 00:57:50.405] that's profound.

58:17

[00 57:50.405 – 00:58:00.525] This program, you know, I'm just so thankful that, you know, the people in the rooms didn't choose to stay home, and they're, they are willing to share

58:27

[00 58:00.525 – 00:58:08.045] with me what they did to stay sober, and, um, come out of the darkness and live in the light.

58:35

[00 58:08.045 – 00:58:09.825] And I don't know.

58:37

[00 58:09.825 – 00:58:20.365] I'm- I, I usually say, um, to people I know, "Save your pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, and you too might be able to go to the next international,"

58:48

[00 58:20.365 – 00:58:22.785] and, um, that's what I have to do for it.

58:52

[00 58:22.785 – 00:58:27.305] And, um, you know, so I'm, I'm...

58:55

[00 58:27.305 – 00:58:37.365] One other person I met, you know, I, I did go to two, three meetings, something like that, but I did a lot of volunteer too, and,

59:05

[00 58:37.365 – 00:58:45.845] and we were on our way to another volunteer commitment, and it was the Way Walk or Walk Way or, uh, Walk the Walk.

59:15

[00 58:45.845 – 00:58:56.285] And on our way to stand on our corner where we were gonna be standing , um, this woman walked by

59:22

[00 58:56.285 – 00:59:00.105] and, um, and it, it just, my heart dropped.

59:26

[00 59:00.105 – 00:59:02.905] Um, it just reminded me of me.

59:29

[00 59:02.905 – 00:59:07.925] Um, she just did not care about herself at all.

59:33

[00 59:07.925 – 00:59:12.925] And I just started crying thinking, you know, that could be me.

59:38

[00 59:12.925 – 00:59:20.745] Um, alls I have to do is stop doing what's suggested in the rooms, and I could be right next to her.

59:46

[00 59:20.745 – 00:59:30.765] And, um, so I'm just gonna keep doing what's suggested in the rooms and follow my sponsor's directions, and keep, um, learning about the

59:56

[00 59:30.765 – 00:59:37.905] service in AA, um, because that's where I got all my aha moments is in the service.

60:02

[00 59:37.905 – 00:59:48.045] And, um, even though there were wonderful speakers, it was just the people I met and the conversations that I had with

60:11

[00 59:48.045 – 00:59:48.845] people.

60:12

[00 59:48.845 – 00:59:50.445] It w- it was just beautiful.

60:14

[00 59:50.445 – 00:59:54.965] And I do have to share, you know, the old-timers...

60:18

[00 59:54.965 – 01:00:01.205] I'm not using my list very well, but, um, um, the old-timers.

60:23

[01 00:01.205 – 01:00:12.005] You know, I, I, um, I got to get a couple of the old-timers to sign my shirt and, and, um, I'm, along

60:32

[01 00:12.005 – 01:00:17.044] with my sponsor, was in that little bunch of 50-plus.

60:36

[01 00:17.044 – 01:00:19.145] Um, so how lucky.

60:38

[01 00:19.145 – 01:00:21.045] I, I just feel so lucky.

60:41

[01 00:21.045 – 01:00:31.085] Um, um, I, I, uh, well, I just, I think that's, that's about it

60:46

[01 00:31.085 – 01:00:31.625] for me.

60:47

[01 00:31.625 – 01:00:35.905] I hope to see everybody in 2030, one day at a time.

60:52

[01 00:35.905 – 01:00:37.205] Keep it simple.

60:53

[01 00:37.205 – 01:00:44.185] And, um, by the way, smile at someone that's not smiling, because it could save their lives.

61:00

[01 00:44.185 – 01:00:45.065] Thank you.

61:01

[01 00:45.065 – 01:00:47.425] Oh, thank you, Peggy.

61:03

[01 00:47.425 – 01:00:49.625] That, that was definitely from the heart.

61:06

[01 00:49.625 – 01:00:50.985] Thank you so much.

61:08

[01 00:50.985 – 01:00:55.705] Uh, just, you know, I could just ditto everything that everybody shared.

61:12

[01 00:55.705 – 01:01:01.825] It was just everybody had a, a little different perspective on it and, and it was just great, and I loved it.

61:21

[01 01:01.825 – 01:01:02.665] I just loved it.

61:23

[01 01:02.665 – 01:01:10.565] The best part for me is volunteering and, like some of the other gals, I got to stand on the street corner too, and I wasn't selling anything.

61:34

[01 01:10.565 – 01:01:10.805] It was...

61:35

[01 01:10.805 – 01:01:12.265] And that was really great.

61:37

[01 01:12.265 – 01:01:22.405] Just to, just to be there, uh, and, and just to, to greet the people and meet them in all the different languages and, and just being,

61:47

[01 01:22.405 – 01:01:23.605] being a part of that.

61:50

[01 01:23.605 – 01:01:33.725] And yes, I got to be in the old-timers meeting, and I was going around greeting people, and this one fella, uh, asked me for

61:59

[01 01:33.725 – 01:01:36.625] my address so that he could send me something.

62:03

[01 01:36.625 – 01:01:40.205] And I, "Uh, oh, okay." You know, not thinking too much about it.

62:08

[01 01:40.205 – 01:01:48.185] Well, he ended up asking me if he could just kind of move in with me, and then if I could take care of him when he had his knee surgery.

62:20

[01 01:48.185 – 01:01:50.965] And oh, my God.

62:22

[01 01:50.965 – 01:01:55.924] They're either looking for a nurse or a purse, and I'm, I'm not either one of them.

62:28

[01 01:55.924 – 01:01:58.745] Oh.

62:29

[01 01:58.745 – 01:02:01.294] So that was my old-timer experience.

62:32

[01 02:01.294 – 01:02:05.965] Um, and the Canadian people were just absolutely wonderful.

62:36

[01 02:05.965 – 01:02:10.745] The, the drivers in Canada are polite.

62:39

[01 02:10.745 – 01:02:18.985] I, I, I, I just couldn't believe it when we had our Uber drivers, and just, uh, seeing how polite they were.

62:47

[01 02:18.985 – 01:02:21.525] I was, I was really impressed.

62:50

[01 02:21.525 – 01:02:21.905] They...

62:50

[01 02:21.905 – 01:02:28.085] And I understand that we were the largest convention that, uh, Vancouver had ever had.

62:56

[01 02:28.085 – 01:02:38.085] And I would talk to the, to the officers, the actual police officers, and ask them how, how they were doing with this, and they were having the best

63:07

[01 02:38.085 – 01:02:38.825] time.

63:08

[01 02:38.825 – 01:02:40.605] They weren't having trouble with anybody.

63:11

[01 02:40.605 – 01:02:45.695] Well, there was one guy who came by with a, uh, with a drink, and I guess he s- spilled it-

63:19

[01 02:45.823 – 01:02:48.963] Drink in the Uber driver's car and whatever.

63:22

[01 02:48.963 – 01:02:54.202] But, uh, for the most part, we, we were doing a darn, darn good job of it.

63:29

[01 02:54.202 – 01:02:58.343] And, uh, so went, uh, with Pam and Debbie.

63:33

[01 02:58.343 – 01:03:02.122] Afterwards, we went up on, on the swinging bridge.

63:36

[01 03:02.122 – 01:03:07.403] Now, that was an experience that Debbie could tell you about with her hanging on the side of the bridge.

63:44

[01 03:07.403 – 01:03:14.183] But we, we got across it, and we made it through, and, and it was just a lot of fun.

63:52

[01 03:14.183 – 01:03:22.683] We went up to Grouse Mountain, and, uh, we went up in that seaplane, and they were both a little afraid about what it might be like.

64:02

[01 03:22.683 – 01:03:24.763] But everybody had a great time.

64:05

[01 03:24.763 – 01:03:35.483] And then after the convention, I got to go on a sober cruise with my son and my grandson, and there were, um, there were about 100 English-speaking

64:15

[01 03:35.483 – 01:03:42.623] and about 50 French-speaking people on it, and that was just terrific, seeing people as we go through the cruise.

64:23

[01 03:42.623 – 01:03:52.023] We just automatically run into each other, sitting on a, sitting on a bus or sitting on a, a, a transport someplace and walking around.

64:32

[01 03:52.023 – 01:03:54.363] We j- we just like magnets to each other.

64:36

[01 03:54.363 – 01:03:55.943] A- and it was great.

64:38

[01 03:55.943 – 01:04:04.543] If, if you haven't gone yet and you wonder what this is all about, just plan on going in, uh, in 2030 in St.

64:47

[01 04:04.543 – 01:04:09.843] Louis, so when you hear about it, you'll have an idea about what it was about.

64:54

[01 04:09.843 – 01:04:15.003] Thank you so much, Mike and, and Tim, for allowing us to come in and share.

65:00

[01 04:15.003 – 01:04:17.763] And thank you gals for being in my life.

65:04

[01 04:17.763 – 01:04:19.143] I just love you bunches.

65:06

[01 04:19.143 – 01:04:22.443] And all the rest of the babes who came in, wave your hands.

65:11

[01 04:22.443 – 01:04:25.463] The rest of our babes in recovery who came in.

65:15

[01 04:25.463 – 01:04:29.383] Um, just love y'all, and thank you so much.

65:19

[01 04:29.383 – 01:04:34.103] Nancy, we appreciate you and the ladies that you invited tonight.

65:23

[01 04:34.103 – 01:04:39.363] I sat here for every word and enjoyed all of it, so thanks again.

65:29

[01 04:39.363 – 01:04:47.823] I need to bolt though, and I know that Tim is gonna open it up for Q&A, so I'm just gonna say goodbye, and I'll talk to you soon, okay?

65:41

[01 04:47.823 – 01:04:49.083] Thank you all.

65:42

[01 04:49.083 – 01:04:51.963] Thank you, Mike.

65:44

[01 04:51.963 – 01:05:01.423] And thank you Debbie and Peggy and Pam, Carol, Karen, Joyce, and Nancy.

65:49

[01 05:01.423 – 01:05:02.943] I think that was everyone.

65:51

[01 05:02.943 – 01:05:10.703] And now if anyone has questions, please use the Raise Hand function, and I will call on you as you raise your hands.

66:00

[01 05:10.703 – 01:05:14.523] And first up is Carl.

66:02

[01 05:14.523 – 01:05:15.423] You can unmute.

66:04

[01 05:15.423 – 01:05:19.583] Thanks, Tim.

66:05

[01 05:19.583 – 01:05:20.943] My name's Carl, and I'm an alcoholic.

66:08

[01 05:20.943 – 01:05:23.303] I don't have a question, Nancy, but I want to say one thing.

66:13

[01 05:23.303 – 01:05:30.483] Sandy Beach said our responsibility is to replace ourselves, and you're doing a doggone good job of it, so bless your heart.

66:21

[01 05:30.483 – 01:05:31.063] Keep doing it.

66:23

[01 05:31.063 – 01:05:31.683] You rock.

66:24

[01 05:31.683 – 01:05:33.003] That's all I have to say.

66:27

[01 05:33.003 – 01:05:36.923] Thank you, Carl.

66:28

[01 05:36.923 – 01:05:38.843] And next is Dave.

66:30

[01 05:38.843 – 01:05:39.863] You can unmute.

66:31

[01 05:39.863 – 01:05:45.063] I think.

66:33

[01 05:45.063 – 01:05:50.043] Thank, thanks Tim.

66:34

[01 05:50.043 – 01:05:52.063] My name's Dave, alcoholic.

66:36

[01 05:52.063 – 01:05:57.463] Thank you Nancy and all the other ladies that went to the convention.

66:41

[01 05:57.463 – 01:06:07.463] You know, one thing I, I noticed, I, I went to one convention, it was in Minneapolis, and, uh, and it was just, it was like

66:51

[01 06:07.463 – 01:06:14.923] 47,000 people I guess, almost 50,000, and that was in 2000, the millennium.

66:55

[01 06:14.923 – 01:06:25.043] And but the, the fact was that the, the whole city was downtown and every, all AA people, and they were from

67:04

[01 06:25.043 – 01:06:25.763] everywhere.

67:04

[01 06:25.763 – 01:06:36.023] And I met this guy on the street, and he was from Poland, and he couldn't speak English, and I couldn't speak

67:13

[01 06:36.023 – 01:06:36.703] Poland.

67:14

[01 06:36.703 – 01:06:46.723] But when he said, he's this, he would go, "AA," and I would go, "Oh yeah, AA." And you know,

67:21

[01 06:46.723 – 01:06:48.483] and, and that was so funny.

67:24

[01 06:48.483 – 01:06:58.483] You know, we, about, you know, 30 seconds or a minute or a couple minutes out there saying, "AA." And, uh, and so it's all over

67:34

[01 06:58.483 – 01:06:58.923] the world.

67:35

[01 06:58.923 – 01:07:08.943] And you know, it don't matter if you know how to speak or not, but English or, you know, French, Polish, they do know

67:44

[01 07:08.943 – 01:07:11.743] AA, and, and it's pretty amazing.

67:47

[01 07:11.743 – 01:07:16.263] So anyways, that's, I don't have too many, I don't have a question, but thank you.

67:53

[01 07:16.263 – 01:07:21.683] Thank you, Dave.

67:55

[01 07:21.683 – 01:07:26.103] And I don't see any other hands raised.

67:58

[01 07:26.103 – 01:07:30.523] Um, any end, uh, closing comments, Nancy or friends?

68:02

[01 07:30.523 – 01:07:33.463] No?

68:02

[01 07:33.463 – 01:07:41.563] Oh, you've, there, you're muted, Nancy.

68:05

[01 07:41.563 – 01:07:42.883] Got it muted again.

68:07

[01 07:42.883 – 01:07:43.313] Yeah.

68:07

[01 07:43.313 – 01:07:51.563] Uh, there was some people who had difficulty coming over the border with, uh, because they had had DUIs or whatever.

68:16

[01 07:51.563 – 01:08:01.643] But for the ones who took the time to follow, uh, all the directions for what it took, uh, uh, the two of the

68:25

[01 08:01.643 – 01:08:06.623] gals with me, uh, had no, they had all their information and nobody even asked them.

68:31

[01 08:06.623 – 01:08:11.583] So, uh, uh, you know, it, it's all out there.

68:35

[01 08:11.583 – 01:08:19.463] We just do, you know, following directions is not always the easiest thing, but it, it really, really does help a lot.

68:44

[01 08:19.463 – 01:08:25.503] And, um, oh, and I also got to get a picture of Bob Wilcox's socks.

68:50

[01 08:25.503 – 01:08:27.723] I mean, that, that's special.

68:52

[01 08:27.723 – 01:08:30.503] Not everybody gets that.

68:54

[01 08:30.503 – 01:08:36.463] And, uh, and I, I agree with all the other gals.

68:58

[01 08:36.463 – 01:08:46.583] To, to meet these wonderful people who work at General Service Office, Michelle Mirza, and then, uh, Sally Corbett from Stepping Stones,

69:07

[01 08:46.583 – 01:08:56.743] and just the ones who are out there in the trenches doing these jobs on a daily basis, meeting some of the trustees and, uh, the,

69:17

[01 08:56.743 – 01:08:59.503] uh, the workers, uh, was just, wow.

69:20

[01 08:59.503 – 01:09:09.903] Uh, just working together with the volunteering and, you know, with just, just people, and nobody, nobody up there, no hierarchy, just, just,

69:29

[01 09:09.903 – 01:09:10.643] just drunks.

69:30

[01 09:10.643 – 01:09:12.203] And s- not all of them were drunks.

69:33

[01 09:12.203 – 01:09:17.503] Some of them were, uh, were non-alcoholic who were there as well helping out.

69:39

[01 09:17.503 – 01:09:20.943] But it was just a terrific, terrific experience.

69:42

[01 09:20.943 – 01:09:24.523] All right.

69:43

[01 09:24.523 – 01:09:33.083] Thank you so much, Nancy, and thank you everyone for joining us tonight, and please come back next week for our conversation with a long-timer.

69:53

[01 09:33.083 – 01:09:39.603] And now I will allow everyone to unmute and thank our speakers tonight.

69:58

[01 09:39.603 – 01:09:43.462] We have Andrew.

The following is an AI-generated transcript. Minor errors may occur. The audio is the authoritative source.

Nancy K presented by International – 2025-07-22

Nancy K presented by International – 2025-07-22

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