North Olympic Peninsula: Port Angeles, Forks, Joyce, Clallam Bay, Neah Bay
In my report I communicated that along with maintaining and enhancing our level of participation in service here on the Peninsula, one of my major objectives is to help increase our visibility at the Area level. The plan is for more frequent attendance at Area events, encouragement to others in our District to do the same, invitations to guest speakers from Area, and service on Area committees.
In keeping with that, Monica W (alt-DCM) and I attended the January Quarterly. Probably the most exciting part of the Quarterly was the connections made with the DCMs and alts from Peninsula Districts 55 & 56. We discussed collaboration on several projects to help foster fellowship on the Peninsula, gain visibility in the Area, and spread costs. The topics discussed included:
- The potential to share a common answering service for hotline to reduce costs for all three districts.
- Hosting a GSR School in February in Sequim. We have booked Sunday, February 23rd from 10-1:30, with a potluck break in the middle. Lupita will be coming out to present, and all GSRs, their alts, and any other interested parties are welcome to attend.
- Submitting a bid to host one of the three 2026 quarterlies at 7 Cedars. We’ve already received an initial bid from the facility and will be meeting soon to form a Host Committee, review the proposal from 7 Cedars, and formalize our bid to host. I am really excited about the potential for us being part of the host committee, bringing folks from all over Western Washington to our corner of the universe.
As for this month’s topic, “Attracting members to service,” I can only share my own experience. Having moved to Washington in 2020 and lacking any serious General Service background despite being sober since 1985, one might say I was ripe for the picking, and the words of an old friend and the opportunities created by COVID set it all in motion. When we moved here, we got involved in the Early Morning Risers group which was, of course, strictly online, but by the end of 2021 folks were going back to live meetings, creating an opportunity for a new, online only meeting; thus was born the Early Morning Zoomers, and the group needed a GSR. I had already been attending some District meetings, and for some reason the group members thought I should serve, so almost unwillingly I accepted. Now, mainly because of the people I serve with at both the District level and Area, I’m hooked. I’ve made some really good friends, and I have also gotten to know a whole lot of folks in my new community.
I know a lot of people in AA with considerable time under their belts but little to no General Service experience, and all I can say to them is just to never say never. For me it has been a new direction of growth, which is a necessary part of my recovery, so stay open to the idea.
Pete P
DCM, District 22
