WHO WE ARE
This group was founded with four specific principles in mind:
That the group is welcoming of newcomers and visitors;
That the group stresses the importance of sponsorship;
That the group is committed to the legacies of recovery, unity, and service;
That the group stays focused on Alcoholics Anonymous only.
The Lawrence, Kansas chapter of Simply AA was founded on August 31, 2009 with one specific purpose — to create a group that is focused on the program of Alcoholics Anonymous as contained in the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous. Some of our members had been around AA for number of years and had felt strongly that our only avenue of self-preservation would be to start a new group which could guide us back onto the Broad Highway through study of the program of action contained in the Big Book.
As we pursued our study, one of the first things that became apparent was that many of us had drifted away from the path the Founders of AA had prepared for us. We had been trying to have a spiritual awakening as a result of just not drinking and going to meetings, rather than as a result of following through with the simple, clear-cut directions in our basic text.
We believe that Dr. Bob said it best in his personal story:“If you think you are an atheist, an agnostic, a skeptic, or have any other form of intellectual pride which keeps you from accepting what is in this book, I feel sorry for you. If you still think you are strong enough to beat the game alone, that is your affair. But it you really and truly want to quit drinking liquor for good and all, and sincerely feel you must have some help, we know that we have an answer for you. It never fails, if you go about it with one half the zeal you have been in the habit of showing when you were getting another drink. Your Heavenly Father will never let you down!” [Alcoholics Anonymous, Page 181]*
Some of the founding members had contact with the Simply AA group in Pratt, Kansas, and the Primary Purpose Group in Dallas, and had a desire to create something similar in Lawrence — a group focused on studying the Big Book, following through with the program of action, and carrying the message to the still-suffering alcoholic. We are grateful to be tied through sponsorship and friendship to the founders of those two groups, as it allows us to learn from the methods that they have been so successful in practicing in their meetings.
We learned from these groups that, although it was a good beginning, merely studying the Big Book was not sufficient in bringing about recovery. So, we paid heed to the advice given by our founders and have begun to search out and approach those who are still suffering in an effort to carry the message of hope that the first hundred founding members passed on to us more than 70 years ago.
“My friend had emphasized the absolute necessity of demonstrating these principles in all my affairs. Particularly was it imperative to work with others as he had worked with me.” [Alcoholics Anonymous, Page 14]*
“Practical experience shows that nothing will so much insure immunity from drinking as intensive work with other alcoholics. It works when all other measures fail.” [Alcoholics Anonymous, Page 89]*
We have two primary meetings a week where we learn about and study the Program. We also have a sister meeting called “There is a Solution” which brings a Big Book study into the Professional Treatment Services outpatient facility. Members of our group are also involved in meetings at the local community shelter and sober living environments to help carry the message to those in need.
Please join us in the Fellowship of the Spirit and try to pass on the message of hope that is found only in a book titled, “Alcoholics Anonymous”.