EA CONNECTION - JUNE 2017Your monthly newsletter from ISC
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From the EA Board of Trustees President

EA Recovery Tools

There seems to be some discussion and confusion surrounding our11th Tradition which reads: Our public relations policy is based on
attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio and films.

Step 6: Were entirely ready to have God
remove all these defects of character.

Quite frankly, EA needs good public relations and for the members
to begin talking about our program. As we read in the EA 12 by 12booklet, “what good is our program of recovery if no one knows
about it?” We as individuals and as groups must make people inour communities aware of our fellowship. We read further in thebooklet that our public relations are done through attraction, notpromotion. But how do we deal with the fine line of attraction andpromotion while respecting anonymity? Giving it a definition might
help.

PROMOTION says “You should come here and this is what you’llget” while ATTRACTION says “Here’s what I have gotten out of theprogram and why I think it’s important.” Recall that our 4th Promise says that “no matter how far down the scale we have gone, wesee how our experience can benefit others.”
But how do we use Attraction other than in personal conversations? Form 65, Community Outreach has many suggestion for
attracting new members.
If we desire to see EA International grow; if we wish to see ourgroup’s grow, we have to share the news of what EA has done forus. Without our doing so, our future will be at stake...Gus S

Event Calendar
Be sure to check the Event Calendar on the EA
website for activities in your area .
Notify the ISC if you are holding a special
event you would like to see on the calendar.
Send your notices to: Elaine, EA Director

Tradition 6: An EA group ought never endorse, finance or lend the EA name to any
related facility or outside enterprise lest
problems of money, property and prestige
divert us from our primary purpose.
Concept 6: We never discuss religion, politics, national or international issues, or other belief systems or policies. EA has noopinion on outside issues.
Promise 6: We have less concern about
self and gain interest in others.
Slogan 6: Look for the good.
Just for Today 6: I will try to go out of myway to be kind to someone I meet. I will beconsiderate, talk low, and look as good as Ican. I will not engage in unnecessary criticism or find fault, nor try to improve or
regulate anybody except myself.

Of Importance to Groups

1. We’re hearing that some groups are being asked for insurance
at the location of their meeting. Please know that the ISC does
NOT provide any sort of insurance coverage.
2. Are you organizing a local event? Please let the ISC know if you
are holding something special so we can share your information onthe Calendar! Send your notices to Event Calendar .

3. Has your group contact or meeting information changed? EmailBobbie Jo with updates. Correct information on the website
EAnon.
Many of the shares used in the EA Connection are listing is important so newcomers can find a meeting or someone
from our online discussion group, EAnon. Click to contact questions.
here to learn more about EAnon

Memorials and Special Gifts
In memory of Debbie S, Vincennes IN, EA GroupRECOVERY USING THE TOOLS OF EASTEP 6: WERE ENTIRELYREADY TO HAVE GOD REMOVE ALL THESE DEFECTS
OF CHARACTER.

ture I read on a daily basis, and myshares which are pretty regular, that I
would not tenaciously be hanging
onto a resentment! Good grief, whatwould a newcomer think about that!

I found the things that cause meemotional pain in Step 4, then I
shared those things in Step 5. I stilltake those steps, perhaps just not as
extensively anymore (Step 10 on adaily basis takes care of them.) Thencame Step 6, I thought I was going tohave to do that once, and then poof!
My Higher Power would remove myflaws, and make me a saint…NOT! I
have struggled over the years withthe same character defects… I still
have to get on my knees and ask God
to remove from me those things thatkeep me away from the sunlight ofthe Spirit. Some days are easier thanothers…I have not been able to remove those character flaws frommyself…I have to be entirely ready,everyday…one day at a time…EdBut a very beautiful part of the program is that it does work. After I had
written out my angst, clearly statingthat I did not need help, just a listen,and once I hit the "Send," my anger
was pretty much gone. And that is
why I am so grateful...Carol

I'm grateful that I've managed tolearn so much in my involvementwith EA. It is so strange to me thatfor 57 years I sincerely believed that
perfectionism was a good thing! Inmy very first 4th Step, I learned that
it was not healthy for me. In fact, it
was deadly.
And though I never considered myself to be an angry person, justified
anger turned up in that same inventory as being one of my "big threeissues," commonly known as defectsof character..
Even as recently as yesterday, I
emailed my sponsor about a justified
anger issue. I was still hanging onto.
One would think that after all theseyears, all the meetings, all the litera-

SLOGAN 6: LOOK FOR THE GOOD.
Looking for the good has been
one of my life tools as long as I canremember. When I start to havetrouble finding the good, I remember
my wise grandmother telling me that
if everyone put their own troubles
down in a line and we all got tochoose one person's troubles, mostof us would pick up our own becausethat was the set we had the mostexperience dealing with. The troubles we have no experience with are
the most scary of all. That reminds
me to look for the lessons in my troubles. Usually, I can find a lesson or
two either in the current problems tobe learned or a lesson that I learned
earlier from a prior problem thathelps me deal with the current one.
Those lessons are definitely on thegood side of the ledger.
I developed fibromyalgia in myteens. My grandmother told me thatwhen you have health problems
young, you learn to pace yourself
and to have patience with yourself
and so you are better able to copewith your limitations than someone
who is healthy for years and thenlater in life develops health limita-tions. I learned todeal with chronic pain and chronic
fatigue when I was young and malleable and learned new things easily.
That helped prepare me for greater
problems I faced later. Fibro also
nudged me into exploring complementary medicine and alternativemedicine. I learned about biofeedback and meditation. Those havebeen so important for me in my emotional and spiritual growth and dealing with emotional issues. I do notmake friends easily, but through support groups and helping others, I've
built some very deep friendships.
I've had to rely on HP for help which
has surely brought me to a closer
relationship with the God of my understanding. Yes, lessons are often
difficult and painful. But much that isgood requires quite a bit of effort. Soif I'm having trouble finding thegood, I ask if I'm letting the effort
required hide the good. If I just takesome slow deep breaths, start mymeditation mantra, and try to feelHP's cloak around me, my panic, rebellion, stubbornness, resistance,laziness and exhaustion begin to slideaway. Sooner or later I will find thegood in the situation even if its not
until I'm past it and can look backwith reflection...Mary
My mind tends to drift towards negativity with out my aid. That is why I
find the program, the steps, and, inparticular the slogans so useful..
They are great affirmations. They arelike a meeting in my pocket… When I
look for the good, the bad is still
there, but I know I can live with unsolved problems. I know there is always good somewhere, somehow…I
have to look for it… It is there…Ed

DISCOVERING THE TOOLS OF EA
Sponsorship is a mutual and confidential sharing between two EA members. A sponsor is a special person with whom a member can discuss personal problems or questions, and who will
share their experience, strength and hope in working the EA program…
For us to achieve and maintain emotional serenity and practice the principles of the EA program, having a sponsor can be helpful...Excerpts from our Sponsorship pamphlet #23

From a Sponsee
I have only had one experience with being a Sponsee. I have learned from it greatly. If I were to search out a sponsor
again or become a sponsor, this is what I would personally try to carry out or look for in an EA assisted relationship:
1. Make sure both of us feel comfortable with each other first and give/get a history on each of us to share.
2. The sponsor needs to be fully honest with themselves and assess if they can handle the individual sponsee’sdegree of need.
3. Set times and methods of communication; texting is not complete. Some phone and Skype on a regular basis would be essential to iron out misunderstandings that could occur in one dimensional text communication.
4. Have an alternate assistant that agrees to help out as the sponsor may not always be available especially inan emergency situation. No hurting person wants to be left alone.
5. Trust gut instincts if something is not working between us and honestly share this with each other in a loving manner to see what the best solution is for all.
6. If the sponsee has severe issues, it would be good idea to prepare in advance a crisis contact person or number (be it their doctor, therapist etc.) in case. This way the sponsee and sponsor are always protected.
NEVER abandon a person in need. If the relationship is not working then the sponsor gently explains the issues tosponsee and helps them locate another suitable sponsor. Original sponsor stays with their sponsee until the new partnership is safely integrated. Use of appropriate gentle language with sponsee in time of need is critical. No negativity
or negative stories that may push a sponsee into further despair. Positivity is the key to good support. Personal biases
towards the use of medication or therapy should not be a topic of discussion with sponsee. Sponsors should nevergive medical advise. A sponsor is trusted, compassionate EA friend.
Regular times of feedback between sponsor and sponsee to insure a good working support system. As a sponsor Iwould hope to be listening to the needs of my sponsee, not directing or dictating to them.
These are just my feelings towards a sponsorship relationship and undoubtedly there would be more points I did notcover. These are the basics that come to mind. While no one is expected to be perfect, Sponsorship is an honorable
job that comes with great responsibility...Twyla

Help from my sponsor
Today I was upset and really beside myself. Instead of just stewing in it all, I called my sponsor and shared what wasgoing on with me. It really helped me lots to calm down. I then turned over the matter to my Higher Power by putting
the upset in my Higher Power/God box. It was a good way of turning it all over and realizing how powerless I was. I felt
much better after the conversation with my sponsor and turning it over to my Higher Power. I was ready to continue
my day with the things I was needing to do without holding onto my upset. I feel the program really works when wework it. I am so grateful that in EA we do not have to be alone and that it is okay to need people. And it is really goodto "Let Go and Let God" (the God of our understanding) help us. Grateful for my Higher Power belief as that helps me
so much, too. Grateful that I have a desire to be well emotionally or I wouldn't be able to place phone calls or evenreach to a Higher Power...Connie

Our feelings of anger, fear, depression, self-pity and resentment can send us on emotional binges

YOUR ISC STAFF
As the end of our fiscal year approaches, I thought it would be good to share some information about thepeople on the other end of the email or phone at the ISC office. We have four staff members who work
Monday through Thursday from 9 to 3 CST. No one is full time; total combined hours add up to less than two
full-time positions. While EA does provide vacation days based on hours worked, we do not contribute tohealth insurance or retirement plans for anyone. Our employees are not members of EA , these are individuals, like each of us, who work to support themselves and their families. Each is dedicated to the mission ofEA and we are grateful to have each with us.
Database Coordinator: Bobbie Jo has been with EA for 3 years. She works 24 hours each week, Monday
through Wednesday, and is responsible for keeping track of changes within groups, managing the website
meeting listings, sending out email announcements, organizing and distributing New Group Information
Packets and helping new groups form. She also manages any mailings that come from the ISC, including TheConnection. Bobbie Jo is the first responder to phone calls. When she isn’t at work, Bobbie Jo enjoys longweekends spent fishing. She has a dog and one child.
Shipping Associate: Carleen has been with EA for 21 years! She works 12 hours each week (Tuesdays andThursdays) and is responsible for getting all orders put together and mailed, as well as copying the materials
we produce here in the office. Carleen loves working at the ISC, family get-togethers, working out at Curves,
and walking when the weather is good!
Office Manager: Mary has been with EA for 11 years and is in the office Monday - Thursday. She organizes
incoming orders for shipment, follows up with individuals or groups when there are questions about theirorders, pays the bills, and produces the financial reports each month. She also makes sure we don’t run outof the office supplies we need around here! Mary is married, has three children, enjoys volunteer work andgardening.
Executive Director: Elaine works with the Board on strategic issues to carry out the mission of EA, assists
members in creating new materials, manages the content on the website, addresses areas of concern tomembers, works with international groups to translate materials, plans and manages the annual Board
workshop and member meeting, and works to share the EA message with health care providers, the recovery community and the broader public. Elaine works 12 hours per week, typically on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Her schedule varies with her work is as a consultant for nonprofit organizations. Elaine has two children anda dog, when she isn’t working, she likes to garden, read, and knit.

SUPPORTING YOUR SUPPORT SYSTEM"EA's fiscal year ends June 30. If you have not made a contribution to support this organization yet this year,
please consider doing so soon. You can donate at the website on our Donations Page or by calling us with acredit card, or by mailing in a check. Thank you."2016—2017 EA BOARD OF TRUSTEESGus S, AZ

Scott J, MN

John W, MN

602-319-3890
schloessergus@gmail.com

507-276-0323
sdjakel@gmail.com
Vice President/Treasurer(from Region 1/GST)

612-760-0313
johnwerner52@gmail.com(from Region 1)

France B, QC, Canada

603-425-2141
hthnhhugs@yahoo.com(from Region 5/GST)

President (from Region 2)
Valerie C, NY
585-371-4347
valcea@gmx.com
Secretary (from Region 5/GST)

819-319-9912
france.boulerice@gmail.com(from Region 6)

Harold F, NH“ The Concepts provide us with the basic structure of EA”
Thoughts from your Trustees: Helpful Concept 6:
We never discuss religion, politics, national or international issues, or otherbelief systems or policies. EA has no opinion on outside issues.

Thank you EA for this helpful concept! It seems to me
that our weekly meetings are the ONLY place I can gowithout all the chitter chatter of politics; of fears ofnuclear war; of endless headlines of violence in ourstreets and homes. What a gift it is that EA does nothave an opinion on outside issues which allows me the time needed towork my program! I love it!...Gus

REGIONS OF EMOTIONS ANONYMOUS
Region 1: Northwest
CAN: AB, BC, MB, ON, SK
USA: AK, ID, MN, MT, ND, OR, SD, WA, WI, WY
Region 2: Southwest
USA: AZ, CA, CO, HI, NM, NV, OK, TX, UT
Region 3: Central

Newcomers are important to EA and to my recovery because they remindme where I have been and provide an opportunity to practice Step 12. Partof welcoming newcomers is providing an inclusive environment. Members
discuss a particular religion or political viewpoint a newcomer may feeldifferent or excluded, even if that is not the intent. My view points on
many things have changed over time, so why risk losing the message ofrecovery for years because of an opinion I hold today? Viewpoints are finebut in EA the message of recovery takes priority ...Val

USA: IA, IL, IN, KS, MI, MO, NE

I'm grateful for this concept. Opinions are so distracting! I wonder if ourpersonal opinions even matter that much. What do you think—justkidding! In EA, we just focus on inside issues vs. the outside world;
conversations usually covered in the news. We emphasize the only thingthat truly matters—how our H.P. can bring healing to us—how we can stay
focused vs. being distracted by religion, politics, and policies…Scott

Emotions Anonymous™

TODAY—JUNE 6 Meditation for Today:
May I find one new thing for which to thank You. Help me let
gratitude crowd out envy, wanting and resentment.

Region 4: Southeast
USA:
Puerto RicoRegion 5: Northeast
CAN: NB, NF, NS, NT, PE,YT
USA: CT, MA, ME, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VT
Region 6: French-speaking CanadaHours Monday—Thursday: 10 to 3:30
Phone 651-647-9712
Fax 651-647-1593
PO Box 4245
St Paul, MN 55104
www.EmotionsAnonymous.org
director@emotionsanonymous.org
editor@emotionsanonymous.org
groupdata@emotionsanonymous.org
info@emotionsanonymous.org
orders@emotionsanonymous.org
shipping@emotionsanonymous.org