Central Florida Intergroup

Orlando Area Alcoholics Anonymous

24 Hour Hotline: (407) 260-5408

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History of AA in Orlando: Intergroup History and Highlights

The following article appeared in the October 1976 issue of THE INTERGROUPER. It had been presented at the first annual Appreciation Banquet, held September 18; the speaker was Sandy B. from Alexandria, Virginia.

 

INTERGROUP HISTORY AND HIGHLIGHTS
by John Van D.

Prior to March 1971, all calls to AA in the Central Florida area were handled by a commercial answering service, which in turn referred the calls to a small but devoted list of 12th steppers.

In March of 1971, delegates from the then 15 groups in the area organized what has since been known as Central Florida AA Intergroup Services. A chairman, Bill T., and a secretary-treasurer, Ed J., were elected, and the late Bill S. first volunteered and then was paid to answer the phone in a room on the second floor of the Alco-An Club on East Jackson Street. At that time there was a total of 39 12th-step volunteers, 25 men and 14 women, on the Intergroup list.

Calls Logged

In the nine months of 1971 that calls were logged, a total of 1,105 calls were received and handled through the Intergroup Office. Regular meetings of Intergroup officers and delegates were held each month at the Alco-An Club.

A Move and New Activities

In the summer of 1972, Intergroup moved into the office building at 205 E. Jackson, the building where it. is located to this day. AA volunteers manned the office phone six days a week, and other volunteers stood by for calls relayed by T.A.S. on evenings and weekends. Institutional committees and public information committees began carrying the message to jails and hospitals, to schools, universities and civic and religious groups, and through the press and radio. In that year, 2,000 calls were logged.

Office Manager

In August of 1973, an AA was hired as office manager, as the number of calls rose to 3,690 during that year. In August of 1973, THE INTERGROUPER (our sterling AA journal) completed its first year of publishing. Calls to the Intergroup telephone rose steadily to 4,352 in 1974, 5,308 in 1975 and through the month of August 1976, 3,679. In six years, that’s more than 20,000 calls.

Growth in the Area

Groups and group meetings increased at an equally rapid rate. Today, Intergroup’s meetings list shows 39 AA groups, offering 84 meetings each week. Today, more than 150 men and women have volunteered for 12th-step work in the Central Florida area. Group and individual support, both in services and financially, has enabled the Intergroup to meet its responsibility under our Fifth Tradition…’’Each group has but one primary purpose, to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers…”

“I am responsible when anyone, anywhere reaches out for help. I want the hand of AA always to be there. And for that: I am responsible.”

 

Previous Article: History of AA in Orlando: Traditions In Action / Next Article: History of AA in Orlando: Minorities & AA

Online Contributions

Contributions to the Central Florida Intergroup support services to our members and groups throughout Central Florida and help ensure that the A.A. message is carried in our region. In keeping with our Seventh Tradition, we ask that you only contribute if you are a member of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Intergroup Office & Store Location

283 Live Oaks Blvd, Bldg 6
Casselberry, FL 32707
In the Live Oaks Center

The Central Florida Intergroup office/bookstore is open by appointment. To set up a time to visit, please call 407-260-5822 or email us by clicking here. We are asking that everyone wear a mask and honor the CDC recommendations.

Contact Us

Email: Click Here

Office: (407) 260-5822
24 Hour AA Hotline: (407) 260-5408

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About This Site

The primary purpose of the Central Florida Intergroup’s web site is to provide an online meeting guide for meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous throughout the Central Florida area. The web site will present information that is available publicly concerning meetings, events and links concerning Alcoholics Anonymous.

The site has no outside interests, or connection or affiliation with any individual or organization outside of AA.

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