A N O N Y M O U S

 

 

Artists Recovering Through the Twelve Steps 
 



Give us Five, see A.R.T.S. Thrive!
August 2024 edition

 

Five minutes a day keeps the block away.
Five dollars a month supports A.R.T.S. worldwide.
Five minutes to read so A.R.T.S. thrives!


 
Do you have something to contribute? Please send us poetry, audio files, short writing, A.R.T.S.-related stories, images of your art (in jpg.)! Email the editors at newsletter@artsanonymous.org

 
In this Issue:

  • Announcements 

  • Service and Event Calendars 

  • Writings on the Steps 

  • Step Eight – A Personal Response 

  • A Sweet Memory: The Summer Party Sharathon 

  • The World Service Conference is Always in Action! 

  • Reviewing and Preparing Motions for the Conference  

  • How are Motions and Topics of Discussion included at the Conference? 

  • Serving on Committees or the Board 

  • Step Six Study Workshop 

 

 


ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

Meeting Donation: Thank you to the following group that recently made contributions to A.R.T.S. Anonymous World Service: Monday Relume Meeting $20.91.  

Sunday Step Study Workshop – Step Two: Thank you, Victoria and Maria, for bringing the Step Study Workshops to another day of the week and time zone! Step Two will be covered on Sunday, August 25, 8 am BST/9 am CEST. This series of workshops will continue on the last Sunday of each month until the Twelve Steps are completed. Click here to register. (This is not a closed group; you may participate at any time to find out what the Step might do to help.) The link is also on the News page of the website. 

Workshop - Step Six Study: A series of A.R.T.S. Workshops began in March, and a Step Six Study Workshop is scheduled for August 16 and 17. The workshop is held twice to accommodate a variety of time zones. (This is not a closed group; you may participate at any time to find out what the Step might do to help.) To register: A.R.T.S. Step 6 Workshop.  More details are later in this newsletter. The link is also on the News page of the website. 

Free Download of the A.R.T.S. Basic Pamphlet: A reminder that the Basic Pamphlet, containing A.R.T.S. Steps, Traditions, Traits, Talents and Tools is available as a free download on the A.R.T.S. website. Please pass this on to the newcomer! A.R.T.S. pamphlets are available for purchase in electronic format on the Literature page of the website. 

Treasurer’s Report and Financial Management Report: To view the July 2024 Treasurer’s Report, click here. The Second Quarter Financial Report is posted on the website. 

 

 


For 2024: Writings on the Steps
 

While the Twelve Traditions guide us in the primary purpose of A.R.T.S. Anonymous, the Twelve Steps guide us to recover our inspiration and joy in expressing our creativity. What better way to celebrate 2024 than with a focus on the Steps that corresponds with each of the twelve months. Below in this August newsletter is one member’s contribution on Step Eight.

September’s Newsletter welcomes your response to Step 9: Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. 

The following series of questions are suggested as a guide when writing a response.

  • What does Step 9 mean to you?
  • How do you feel about Step 9?
  • How might Step 9 free your creative expression?


It will be wonderful to receive your thoughts, feelings, and application of Step 9. Please send your response to the editors at newsletter@artsanonymous.org for possible publication.
 

 


Step Eight – A Personal Response 
 

Step 8: Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all. 

What does Step Eight mean to me as a recovering Artist? What does harming someone entail as an artist? What would amends look like? Interesting questions I hear you say! Let’s explore Step Eight together and I’ll also give you my take on it.  

The Step Eight list, some may know it well, especially if we have experience in other Twelve Step Programs. Scary, liberating, full of anticipation maybe as Step Nine looms in the near distance after this Step.  

One of the great things about the doing a Step Eight list is that I don’t have to do it alone, a Sponsor is there to help every step of the way (literally). Traditionally, a Sponsor will go through the Step Eight with the Sponsee making sure the approaching amends are appropriate and don’t harm us or others. It’s a good safety net. Often, we can feel guilt and shame for something that is not our fault and our doing, clarity from a Sponsor would prevent this kind of thing from going on a list.  
 

[Click here for the complete essay]
 

 
Are you an A.R.T.S. Member curious about what ii feels like to be visible, even if just a little? Submitting your artwork for inclusion in this newsletter, such as audio files, poetry, visual art, photographs, etc. might be a step in that direction. Sharing your art is a generous contribution to the A.R.T.S. Fellowship. We use the principle of anonymity when publishing your work. Please send submissions to newsletter@artsanonymous.org

 

A Sweet Memory: The Summer Party Sharathon
 

The summer party of the year was the Sharathon on July 27, 2024. Now it’s just a sweet memory for us. Writing about it, I can once again experience the joy-joy of it all.  

We gathered around the zoom pool and settled in with some ice-cold lemonade. Sunscreen applied, we were ready to rock and roll.  

But what kind of summer party is it without a bug or two? While Cindyann sprayed to eliminate these annoying buggers (ticket computer glitches) Jay entertained us with some skilled guitar playing. I was almost sad when Cindyann announced that the bugs were gone for the day. 

What followed was a treat for our ears, eyes and hearts. Party-goers sang songs, showed us their paintings, writings, processes, played instruments, you name it, we shared it. We gave insightful, supportive feedback to each artist... 
 

 

The World Service Conference is always in Action!

 

Consistent with the principle of the inverted pyramid of service, ultimately, all service groups are responsible to the A.R.T.S. groups. The World Service Conference (WSC) committees and the Board of Trustees work together for the WSC but are independent of each other.  

Since about three years ago, Meeting Delegates and Alternates (GSR’s) and members of the Board of Trustees have come together several times a year to make decisions on behalf of the World Service Conference. (These meetings are called the Conference Planning Meeting.) Thanks to the work of a new Committee, led by Amy C., and with the assistance of Donna D. and Vickie D. among others, the Conference Planning Meeting on July 20 was able to accomplish several things: 

  • The Conference Policy and Procedures Committee was established to serve the World Service Conference by developing and making recommendations for its organization. 

  • Under the basic principle of the importance of rotation of service, it was decided that the position of the Conference Chair is limited to a term of three consecutive annual World Service Conference meetings.  

  • A policy and procedure for submitting motions to be considered at the World Service Conference was passed. (See details elsewhere in this newsletter). 

  • The decision was made to form a new Committee in service to the Conference: a group of members to review motions submitted to the upcoming WSC in January 2025 and make them ready in time for Delegates and members to review before the WSC. An organizing meeting was set for Saturday September 14, beginning at 10 am ET. (See details elsewhere in this newsletter). 

All members of A.R.T.S. Anonymous are welcome to attend the Conference Planning Meetings and have a voice. There are two remaining between now and the January 2025 Conference, on Saturday September 21 and Saturday November 16. Watch the Conference page of the website and emails from A.R.T.S. Anonymous for details and Zoom registration.

 

Service Opportunity: Review and Prepare Motions for the World Service Conference 
Zoom Registration - Formation of the Committee to Review Motions for the Conference

 

Motions and Topics of Discussion for the January 2025 Conference: How are these included?
 

All members and groups are invited to select Meeting Delegates to represent the group conscience at the World Service Conference (WSC). In accordance with democratic principles, Article 6 of the World Service Conference Charter asks that the WSC organize itself.  In addition, Members, Groups, Delegates, Committees and the Board of Trustees are invited to help determine what is considered, discussed and acted on at each annual WSC meeting.  

The Conference Planning Meeting, consisting of Meeting Delegates, Alternates, and members of the Board of Trustees (who are also Delegates to the WSC) met this past July 20 and passed the following resolution: 

Who may submit motions? 
 

[Click here for the complete report]
Link to the Form to Submit Motions and Topics (Form is also on the Conference page of the A.R.T.S. Website)

 


Details and Registration - Step 6 Study Workshop

 


God, grant me the serenity 

To accept the things I cannot change; 

Courage to change the things I can; 

And wisdom to know the difference. 

   

 


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