Cooperation with the Professional Community Report

Thank you for allowing me to qualify for Area 72’s CPC Chair. This is so exciting! I am currently the outgoing DCM for District 19, (Everett, and Mukilteo) but during the 2017/18 rotation, I had the pleasure of serving as District 19’s CPC chair. For those not sure, CPC stands for Cooperation with the Professional Community. We get to spread awareness about what A.A. is and is not to non-AA professionals who, by the nature of their work, are likely to come in contact with alcoholics. We help non-alcoholics help the still suffering find us. And probably a lot more things I haven’t learned yet. I started in district service before my first year of sobriety and still, serving as District 19’s CPC chair has been my favorite experience. I feel particularly lucky to be standing here today. In that rotation, CPC and Public Information were holding their quarterlies together. Craig Craig was the Area CPC chair, and our Alt-Delegate Lupita was the Area PI Char. Each quarter they hosted speakers who shared how they interact intentionally with the professional community. These speakers didn’t just talk about experience, strength, and hope, they shared how they’re doing it. We were given both inspiration and an idea of where to make our beginning. There are so many creative ways Area 72 is building working relationships with professional communities. During my rotation, I participated in a panel for the Snohomish County judges. I didn’t make that happen. Snohomish County Central Office fielded a phone call and referred the contact to its local CPC chair. It was by chance. It was attending Area Quarterlies that prepared me for the opportunity. I knew how to show up and best represent A.A. When a social worker reached out about bringing a panel to ER nurses, he knew who to talk to because he was one of us. All I had to do was show up willingly. At the meeting, the Emergency Department Director pulled out a scraggly, beat-up piece of paper; it was a letter written by a CPC chair a few years before! I was so moved and reminded that the professional world might not respond immediately, but we are making an impact. Little efforts have big rewards if we keep making them. I also got to host a booth at a convention for medical professionals with a friend who became my Alt-DCM last year, and a different convention with a man who also became a long-time friend. We help ourselves through service too. Please tell CPC chairs in your districts that there is a lot to be passionate about. By January, I’ve met with Carlos, the outgoing CPC chair, and learned about everything he’s been doing. Oh man, it’s a ton. His shoes are very very big. Thank you for considering this appointment, I will do my best to fill those shoes. February 1st is the CPC quarterly. A friend in service has volunteered to host the hybrid piece. But I hope you come to see us in person.