Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida
Following the establishment of a minimum security federal prison on the grounds of Tyndall Air Force, Florida, Bill Altman, a staff counselor, and Jim G. formed an
AA group in an effort to bring AA to the prison.
This new group was called the "Tyndall Federal Prison Group" of AA and held its first meeting in May, 1988, in the prison. Early members of this group were Jim G., Tommy S., Delmer A., Ron H., and Bob. Jim G. Was elected GSR for this new group.
Due to lack of space in the prison, the Tyndall Federal Prison Group moved its meeting facilities to the Chapel annex where the group continues to meet.
Current meetings of the Tyndall Federal Prison Group follow:
THURSDAY, 8:00 p.m. Institution Meeting
Fountain, Florida
With people moving in an out of the Panama City area, AA in District 15 continued to flourish along with the population increase. Two former members of the Hopeful Serenity Group in Panama City discovered a need for a new AA group in Fountain, Florida.
The "Fountain of Hope Group" was founded by Jacqueline L., and Al L., in
October, 1988. The first meetings were held on Tuesdays in the Greenhills Community Center. Early members included Jacqueline L.,
Al L., and Patricia T.
In June 1989, the Fountain of Hope Group moved its meeting location to the Greenhills Garden Club where it still meets.
Membership in this group stands at three, however, ten to twelve AAs are usually in attendance.
The Fountain of Hope Group presently meets every Tuesday evening at 7:30 p.m.
Bayou George, Florida
AA growth in District 15 continued to flourish with yet another new group being formed in October, 1988. Founded by
Cherie H., and John (Andy) A. the "Bayou George Group" of AA held its first meeting on October 29, 1988, in the Bayou George Volunteer Fire Department Association building.
Early members of the Bayou George Group included Cherie H., John (Andy) A., AnneG., DanS., and GerryB. Meetings were held every Saturday at 8:00 p.m.
Initially, the Bayou George Group's meeting place presented some hardships since there was no bathroom facility nor running water available. However, the new group was able to cope with this situation pending remodeling.
The first birthday to be celebrated in the Bayou George Group was held in February 1989 when Gerry B. racked up five years of continuous sobriety. Other birthdays celebrated in 1989 included Cherie B., with nine years and John (Andy) A., with six years.
In February, 1989, the Bayou George Group of AA was formally
registered by the General Service Office of AA.
Current membership in the Bayou George Group totals six members who have been in regular attendance.
The Bayou George Group continues to meet every Saturday evening at 8:00 p.m. at the same location. This meeting is an open discussion meeting.
|
UPDATE! as of February 2007: |
Panama City, Florida
In an effort to bring the fellowship and values of AA to the Black community of Panama City, Ferris W. and Andre' W. founded a Big Book study group. This group was founded on February 28, 1989. Early members included Ferris W., Andre' W., Dennis R., and Janice M.
Initial meetings were held on Sunday afternoons in a garage belonging to one of the members. This was necessary until firm arrangements could be made in December, 1989, to use the Serenity House located at 1008 W. 24th Plaza, Panama City, Fl. The group continues to meet at the Serenity House with a small membership.
The Big Book Group of Panama City is formally registered by the General
Service Office of AA.
While primarily a Black group, members of the Big Book Group of Panama City are quick to let it be known that the group is open to all, regardless of race or ethnic background.
Current meetings of the Big Book Group of Panama City follow:
TUESDAY, 8:00 p.m. Open Discussion Meeting
Panama City Beach, Florida
The Beach Unity Group began with a small cadre of alcoholics on the East End of Panama City Beach, interested in having daily meetings for anyone with a desire to stay sober. The group became official within District 15, holding their first meeting in the small lobby area of the Beach YANA Club in January 1991. Memo reports have the first meeting with only 5 attendees: Ray S and Joann S (the founders of the Beach YANA Club, Inc.), Frank M, Mike D, Janelle S, and Beth L (with her young daughters Kelly and Katie). During the first year, some of these recovering alcoholics were the beginning members: Ray S and Joann S, Charlie W, Bob W, Jack M, Warren G and Eloise G, Mike D, Jan and Larry S, Frank S, Frank M, Fred B, Janelle S, Robert H, Bill F, Darrel D, Rusty, Miss Ruby, Joe W and Jackie W, Joe G and Jane G, Mike D, Andy T, Dan P, Hank M, Joy G, Beth L, Laura R, Brian G, Kerry E, Bridget, Jimmy C (Wormy), Vince M and Barbara, Barb K, Hilary J, Jimmie A, Missy J, Nancy, Chuck P, and Mike (fisherman). There were many others whose names cannot be recalled but these early members met often to encourage each other and help newcomers. One important story is that Janelle S came in January 1991 and picked up the first White Chip given out by the group. She is the one-chip wonder of this group and stayed sober until she died in a work-related accident sometime in 1998 (I think). She was a great inspiration to many men and women in the group.
As of this writing, in March 2006, the group has grown from the few original members to over 30 regular attendees. At one time, in the mid-1990’s the group attendance was often around 50 people, but the nature of AA on the beach has always been seasonal and fluctuating. Over the years, we have had active Group Service Representatives (GSRs) and other members who are vital in District 15 affairs, service work in the community, and Area One volunteer work. The Beach Unity Group contributes monthly to help support the District, Area, and AA General Service Office (GSO) in New York as a consistent member in good standing. The group is self-supporting and pays rents each month for space to meet at the Beach YANA Club, Inc. Location of the Beach YANA Club is 8715 Laird Street Panama City Beach, FL 32408. The phone in the lobby can be called (850) 230-1821, any time to ask directions or talk to an alcoholic.
The group meets every day from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in hopes of attracting the after-work Happy Hour crowd and other wayward travelers off the beach (and off the barstool) after the sun goes down! The timeframe works well for many people, making it easy to keep a reasonable schedule for supper, or planning a nice evening at home. It also feels good to sit down after a busy day, sometimes stressful, and hear the message of hope the group offers. There are many new members and many transient visitors to our area that grace the meetings every day, which gives this group a perpetual freshness and a sincere desire to share recovery experience, strength, and hope with all who enter the doors of AA. We have a mix of young and old, men and women, short-term to long-term sobriety, and lots of newcomers that come back again and get sober, as they become more willing to admit their disease and seek the solution that the AA program gives alcoholics. Most of our meetings are open and there is a Speaker meeting on Sunday afternoon. We have a real good time poking fun at each her, laughing at ourselves, and sharing honestly with each other. We encourage people who are court-ordered, out of Detox, out of jail, and out of answers to Keep Coming Back! One day at a Time is another favorite motto of our group.
Some features of the group: We have a chip system to gauge the first year in sobriety since it seems to help track our progress. We celebrate Birthdays of members on the last Sunday of each month at the 5:30 Speaker meeting in order to show the program works! We welcome newcomers by giving them a Where and When schedule with people's phone numbers (guys # for the guys, ladies # for the ladies) and talk after the meeting. We have a Visitor's Book for our many visitors to write in after the meeting. Currently, the group has a team that takes a meeting into Detox every Thursday evening at 7 p.m. During the mid-90s, we had a team to take meetings into the Hwy. 390 Workcamp. We look forward to carrying the message of recovery to many more alcoholics in our area!