A N O N Y M O U S

 

 

Artists Recovering Through the Twelve Steps 
 


September 2024 Newsletter
Give us Five, See A.R.T.S. Thrive!
 

 

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 Nine– A Personal Response
  • Conference Planning Meeting – September 21 – Link and Agenda
  • Service Opportunities – Chair and Vice Chair for the World Service Conference
  • Submitting Motions and Topics for the World Service Conference
  • Step Seven Study Workshops
  • Sharathon in Autumn – September 28
  • Opportunities to Serve on Committees and the Board of Trustees
 
 


ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

Meeting Donation: Thank you to the following group that recently made contributions to A.R.T.S. Anonymous World Service: Dublin A.R.T.S. Monday morning meeting: $67.04.

Sharathon in Autumn is happening at the end of this month! Details and registration information is on the website and via email invitations.

Step Seven Study Workshops: Step Seven Study Workshops will be held on September 20 and 21. (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 7 Study Workshop.  More details are later in this newsletter. The link is also on the News page of the website.

Sunday Step Study Workshop – Step Three: For those who can’t do a Friday or Saturday Step Study Workshop, this is great news. It is well-timed to help more members participate in other time zones. Step Three will be covered on Sunday, September 29, 8 am BST/9 am CEST and 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.

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 August 2024 Treasurer’s Report, click here. The Quarterly Financial Management Reports are posted on the website.

 
 

 

For 2024: Writings on the A.R.T.S. 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 September newsletter is one member’s contribution on Step Nine.

October’s Newsletter welcomes your response to Step 10: Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.

The following series of questions are suggested as a guide when writing a response.
            What does Step 10 mean to you?
            How do you feel about Step 10?
            How might Step 10 free your creative expression?

It will be wonderful to receive your thoughts, feelings, and application of Step 10. Please send your response to the editors at newsletter@artsanonymous.org for possible publication.
 
 


Step Nine – A Personal Response

Step 9: Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.


I’ve found that, for me, the most freeing and healing part of doing the steps in ARTS was releasing the guilt and shame I’d wrapped so closely around my identity for MANY years. Just writing the fourth step helped me see all these events much more clearly, sharing them with loving mirrors, and working them through until Step 9 made me ready. By that time, I knew God wouldn’t abandon me, no matter what, and I couldn’t be thrown out of my step group or the ARTS program. Knowing that gave me a LOT of courage. No one told me I had to make amends, but I really wanted my freedom. I couldn’t walk around with this heavy weight anymore.

When I was 20, I stole some money from friends that left it when they moved out of the home we’d all rented in St. Thomas. We were expected to leave that month’s rent and bills, so I took it all, about $350. I never saw or talked to them again.
 
After writing that up, I gained some compassion for the 20-year-old me who made that choice. I contacted one of the women on Facebook, a nurse. She was so happy to hear from me! The other woman was a professor of Electrical Engineering, and I was more afraid of her response. Once I had both addresses, I mailed cards with $200 checks to each of them, telling what I did and making my amends, cleanly and with the approval of my sponsor. They both said it was unnecessary. One gave the money to a homeless shelter. They both sent beautiful cards applauding what I’d done. The hugest feeling for me, though, was taking it upon myself to unlock my own cage and free myself. When I wrote the cards, it felt like a metal clamp was released from my heart. Sending them felt like butterflies. Receiving their return messages was like flowers.
 

Whatever is the worst thing you’ve ever done, the source of your deepest shame, check with your sponsor and if you CAN make the amends, voila! You can free yourself!
                               - Sue A.
 
 
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
 

September 21, 2024 – Conference Planning Meeting – Delegates, Alternates and Interested A.R.T.S. Members
 
The Conference Planning meetings began in 2021 when a significant number of A.R.T.S. members decided that it was time for the annual meetings of the World Service Conference to begin again. These have evolved into meetings held about 4-5 times a year as the Conference re-organizes itself, adopts new policies and procedures for how the Conference is best designed to represent the voice of the membership, and makes plans for the upcoming annual Conference meeting. Meeting Delegates (or their Alternates), also known as GSRs (or Group Service Representatives), vote on such matters at the Conference Planning Meetings. In effect, motions voted on and passed at these meetings become as binding as if the action had been taken at the annual meeting of the World Service Conference itself. All members of A.R.T.S. Anonymous are welcome to attend the Conference Planning Meetings and voice their thoughts. There are two remaining between now and the January 2025 Conference, on Saturday, September 21 (see flyer and registration link below) and Saturday November 16. Keep an eye on the Conference page of the website and emails from A.R.T.S. Anonymous for details and Zoom registration.
 
Zoom Registration - September 21 Conference Planning Meeting
Agenda for the September 21 Conference Planning Meeting
 


Service Opportunities: Chair and Vice Chair positions for the World Service Conference
 

Service positions in A.R.T.S. Anonymous can help members practice the principles of A.R.T.S. - the glue that unifies and strengthens the Fellowship in its primary purpose to help the still struggling artist. Rotating service positions ensure that everyone has the opportunity to serve and receive the benefit of recovery through service.

A.R.T.S.’ Concept of Service Ten states that “service responsibility is balanced by clearly defined service authority. Those with responsibilities are accountable to only one service authority, avoiding conflict.”

The principle of Concept of Service Ten is that each service position reports to only one service entity, so that there is not a conflict with competing demands. Matt B. is about to serve as Conference Chair for the third time this coming January at the World Service Conference. At the time he stepped up for this service there had been no Conference for several years, and his dedicated and committed leadership was needed in what was otherwise a vacuum. Matt also serves on the Board of Trustees, and it is now time to fill this position in a manner consistent with the principles of A.R.T.S. service, avoiding “double-headed management” in leading the Conference.

Conference Chair: The Delegates at the July Conference Planning meeting voted that the term for this position is for three consecutive annual meetings of the World Service Conference. A complete description of the position is being drafted.

Conference Vice Chair: A full description of this position will be considered and voted on at the upcoming Conference Planning meeting on September 21. In the meantime, it is anticipated that the term for this position will be held for one year (to align with the annual meeting of the World Service Conference). The position is to assist the Conference Chair as needed, support the ongoing work of the Conference, and potentially become the Conference Chair.

Please email conference@artsanonymous.org to find out more about either of these service opportunities. All the benefits of recovery through service can be realized.

 
 


Submitting Motions and Topics of Discussion for the World Service Conference
 

The Conference Planning Meeting, consisting of Meeting Delegates, Alternates, and members of the Board of Trustees (who are also Delegates to the WSC) met on July 20, 2024, and passed the following resolution:

Who may submit motions?

  • Individual members
  • Meeting/group Delegates/GSRs
  • Meetings/groups
  • Board committees
  • Conference committees
  • The Conference Planning meeting

How motions may be presented for submission (to be considered for inclusion in the Delegate Conference Packet)

  • Motions may be submitted by delegates after a group conscience in their meeting.
  • Members, delegates and committees may also submit motions at Committee meetings and Conference Planning Meetings to be considered for inclusion in the Delegate Conference Packet.
  • All motions proposed for the Conference shall be submitted to the World Service Office through the form available on the A.R.T.S. website.
  • There will be a deadline set by the Conference Planning Committee so that the motion may be formulated with Background and Rationale for the Delegate (Conference) Packet.
 

 

Step Seven Study Workshop
 
DETAILS AND REGISTRATION FOR THE STEP 7 STUDY WORKSHOPS
 


There is a Step Three Study Workshop on Sunday, September 29, beginning at 8 am BST/9 am CEST:

 
DETAILS AND REGISTRATION FOR THE SUNDAY STEP 3 STUDY WORKSHOP
 


Sharathon in Autumn

Click here for tickets.

 

Opportunities to Serve on Committees for A.R.T.S.
 

Service expands our commitment to our A.R.T.S. recovery. It also helps us build connections with others and bring our art into the realm of reality. In accordance with the principles of A.R.T.S. Anonymous, the practical application of what is learned in service can be realized in creative life.

Many of us who attend meetings are aware of the service provided to ensure the meeting's existence. A member is leading, another makes announcements, perhaps another ensures that the room, or the online platform is available. Without this service, the meeting doesn’t happen, and recovery is no longer available for the struggling artist.
 
Likewise, the whole of A.R.T.S. Anonymous could not exist without the service of its members.
 
When serving on Committees, members make recommendations to the World Service Conference and the Board of Trustees in all areas of A.R.T.S. This can include researching, developing ideas, reaching consensus, cooperating with other committees, the Board and the Conference. It can also include carrying out the Conference’s will and the guidance of the Board to accomplish tasks.
 
 


Opportunities to Serve on the Board of Trustees
 

The Board of Trustees welcomes applications from the membership. Individuals not members of A.R.T.S. can also serve on the Board as Trustees-at-Large. By serving as a Trustee or Trustee-at-Large, individuals participate in decisions in response to the needs and well-being of the Fellowship as a whole, to which it is directly responsible.  The Board also takes responsibility for its non-for-profit status consistent with the Twelve Steps, Traditions and the Concepts of Service.
 
The Board of Trustees is actively seeking a Treasurer. If any member of A.R.T.S. knows someone who has the expertise in finances and an understanding of the principles supporting the success of Twelve-Step recovery, please consider asking them to volunteer for A.R.T.S. Anonymous. The Board also hopes to attract members with experience in network technology, website (Word Press), social media, legal affairs, administrative skills, organization and policy, experience serving on Boards of other 12-Step programs – what other talents do you have to contribute? There is an application form to serve on the Board at A.R.T.S. Board of Trustees application
 
Please email officemanager@artsanonymous.org, chair@artsanonymous.org or board@artsanonymous.org to find out more about any of these service opportunities.

 
 


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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