Alcoholics Anonymous History In Your Area
Dillon, South Carolina
http://www.area62.org/area62/kit.htm
Dillon’s Meeting Place
1972 – Present
Dillon County Group History
District # 80
The Dillon County Group came about as an offset of the Marion Group. The Marion Group, I believe, was a rebirth of the old Marion/Mullins Group.
In 1967 there were approximately 5 regular members of the Marion Group from Dillon and Latta. We felt the need of another meeting nearer home, as there were unlimited prospects among us locally. We, also, desired a second weekly meeting. This had been in discussion for some weeks.
With July 4th approaching, and at this time, I don’t believe any of us could picture any type of July 4th celebration or activity without alcohol, except of course, and AA gathering. So, I guess, believing there was nothing we could do to celebrate this big day; it was decided to have our first meeting the night of the 4th which was a Tuesday. We announced in Marion at previous weeks meetings there would be a meeting that night in Dillon at home of Bill P. I believe there were at least seven or eight present at the first meeting. In addition to myself, and to the best of my memory, I feel safe in stating the following were present/ David A./ Dave R./ Ellison C./ Martha B./ other, I cannot be as sure.
It was agreed we would continue meeting each Tuesday, rotating meetings among members homes as we might be invited. The second meeting was held in the home of David A. in Latta. Our rotating didn’t get off the ground/David was such a gracious host, or we were such selfish, ungrateful, freeloaders, our meetings continued here for the next four years or longer. There was some concern that this arrangement was most unfair to David (responsibility of meetings in his home every week) and to us (that we were not very responsible by getting so much and give so little). When this was mentioned to David; his reaction was “Suits me fine – it’s good insurance for me against missing a meeting.”
By September 1967 we had an average of at least ten regulars and thought it was time we became registered with GSO in New York – so, letter was written September 27th identifying ourselves as a new group. Most of us continued as regulars at Thursday night meeting in Marion, so we asked to be included in Marion Group count.
David most generous hospitality was continually accepted until mid 1971, then he knew he was to get rid of this beloved, warm, huge, colonial home, which had been AA’s home every Tuesday night (many other times too) for over four years. The meeting place was provided in the Latta rescue squad meeting room, which became our home for about one year. Best I remember, it was due to training sessions of several weeks duration to be held in this building that we had to make other arrangements.. We all were on the lookout for a more permanent type meeting place. While looking, we temporarily met at the office of Porter Agency in Dillon for approximately two months, July, August. The old Scout Hut appeared to be abandoned and upon investigation, found this building to be owned by local Lions Club – so, letter was written to Lions Club on August 2, 1972 regards the possibility of using Scout Hut as our meeting place. Permission to use granted in letter from Lions of August 16th. So with clean up and fix up of building and grounds, we have continued to meet here since September 1972.
As recorded by Bill P.
Copyright © February 2002 Area 62 of Alcoholics Anonymous, K.I.T. Newsletter
http://www.area62.org/