Summary Of Paul Beatty s The Sellout - 1381 Words

On the Path to Finding Me Growing up in America means that one gets to experience situations that others in different countries would rarely do. For example, when you start to make friends in kindergarten, you go towards the peers that have the same mindset as you. As you continue through life, you realize that mindset does not really matter anymore - what defines you is your skin. Your skin is so simple and has the basic function of acting as a level one defense of deterring bacteria. However, in society, your skin tells the story of you and your generation, the definition of your past, present and future actions. It shows how you can relate to another person the same shade as you, can make you laugh and say, â€Å"Oh wow! My mom used to do†¦show more content†¦The protagonist knows next to nothing of love, only the thinking that everything can be deemed as a social experiment. With his father always putting so much trust in his son but not giving him the affection needed to complete the goals tha t he wanted, it make his goals very hard for him to achieve without the stimulation. Later on, Me states, â€Å"I wasn’t fed; I was presented with lukewarm appetitive stimuli. I wasn’t punished, but broken of my unconditional reflexes. I wasn’t loved, but brought up in an atmosphere of calculated intimacy and intense levels of commitment (Beatty 27).† After the death of his father, Me comes into contact with himself more than ever. Now alone and faced with the burden of finding himself by himself, it is amazing how quickly Me discards the solution to his problem by labeling himself as African-American. Having expected to have the same mindset of his father regarding race, the citizens of Dickens rebel in this manner, stating multiple times that his father would be very upset in Me. In four instances through the novel, the citizens of Dickens call him a â€Å"sellout† in response to questioning the rules that many race follow, such as â€Å"black folk or black folks.† In this case, the term sellout refers to someone who has gone behind the back of an individual or a group in order to do something that disagrees with the mission statement of that said individual or

Business Plan Free Essays

In addition there are other information that includes SOOT analysis, competitors and the countries in which Sony operates in. The Entry Strategy has information on strategies used by Sony Corporation to enter different international markets. The Entry Restrictions informs about the trade barriers that Sony Corporation faces as it enters the international market. We will write a custom essay sample on Business Plan or any similar topic only for you Order Now Political, Cultural and Economic Conditions of three major markets of Sony section informs about the sort of markets Sony operates in and the status of those economies. Under Extrinsic and Intrinsic Motivational and Hygienic factors/rewards section there is information on different strategies used by Sony as a company and the theories they follow and believe in. The CARS program sections informs about the different CARS activities that Sony is involved in. The Marketing Mix section contains valuable information on fps and product life cycle. The MIMIC campaign informs about the different tools Sony uses to reach its ultimate consumers. Finally two contingency strategies are included in the contingency strategies section. Company overview: Introduction: Sony Corporation is a Japanese multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Canon Imitation, Tokyo, Japan its diversified business is primarily focused on the electronics, game, entertainment and financial services sectors. The company is one of the leading manufacturers of electronic products for the consumer and professional markets. Sony is ranked 87th on the 2012 list of Fortune Global 500 Vision, Mission and Values: A. To establish of an ideal factory that stresses a spirit of freedom and open- mindedness, and where engineers with sincere motivation can exercise their genealogical skills to the highest level; B. To reconstruct Japan and to elevate the nation’s culture through dynamic technological and manufacturing activities; C. Promptly applies highly advanced technologies which were developed in various sectors during the war to common households; D. Rapidly commercialism superior technological findings in universities and research institutions that are worthy of application in common households; E. Brings radio communications and similar devices into common households and to promote the use of home electric appliances; F. Actively participates in the reconstruction of war- imaged communications network by providing needed technology; How to cite Business Plan, Papers Business plan Free Essays string(50) " retain their mental faculty as long as possible\." Pronunciation Brainless is start-up online business brain training game focused on person who deeds to enhance and improve their brains in the area of memory, attention and problem solving skill. The games are consisted of more than 25 training fitness games to challenge cognitive abilities in our brain. The company was established In the begging of 2014 with five co-founders from various expertise backgrounds. We will write a custom essay sample on Business plan or any similar topic only for you Order Now Parabolas also has the professional team and staffs with over 8-10 years experiences in each section to support our business. The company has a small office where was to the beginning of business. Since, we are online business and the startup company thus it would help us to minimize the cost for rental fee. . Executive summary Brainless is a first mover in online fitness brain game offering cognitive training of brain health in Thailand. The company has five co-founders who they are Dry. Daniel Brown, a neuroscience PhD from Stanford University in field of development human cognition brain from United State, the second is Ms. Staring who is specialize in Information technology from Slovakia. The rest three persons are from Thailand which are Ms. Rattan, Mr.. Star and Ms. Hansson. Ms. Rattan will be concerning in Accosting and budget of the company because she is an expertise from Financial field. Besides, Sale and Marketing will be handled and promoted by Mr.. Star since he graduated both Bachelor and Master degree in major of Marketing from well- known University in Thailand. The last co-founder is responsible for general management and human resources because she has over eight years’ experiences in this field. As we Just start up our online game business in Thailand, we are located in Bangkok area at Dry. Denial Brown house. Our company will be focus on Thai audiences who have 25 years old upward and income around 20,000 Baht per month. However, we would be expand market share to Asian countries in order to generate more revenue ND serve demand of the intention for Asian people who would like to practice and develop their mental skills and brains. The company also expects to capture market share by to be the first online training game in Thailand and a leader in this type of business in Asia. This is because we are different from many online games like Nintendo and Kudos in term of prove and evidence from scientific researcher. Our advertising are mainly through Internet and social media such as Faceable, Santos. Com, Kapok. Com and search engine. 3. Mission a. Mission and vision Mission Nowadays more and more people are paying attention to healthy lifestyle, including health eating and adequate amount of physical exercise. Whereas brain, similarly as provide the customer an option to develop brain activity also in parts, which are not used daily and to subsequently track progress. Vision Within Thai market it is important for us to ensure stability and afterwards expand our customer base. Opportunity for the future represents possibility to expand to other markets of East Asian region and to become leaders in this part of the world. B. Objectives/Goals Goals Short-term 1) To increase awareness of non-user toward Brainless. Long-term 1) To improve customer service and product itself. 2) To increase sale revenue by expansion market to Asia. Objective 1) Create customer knowledge about how important of brain improvement. 2) Install customer tracking software. C. Keys to success The keys to success for Brainless are: 1 . Continuous development of new brain games that will ensure permanent attractiveness of the Brainless to customers. 2. Effectively establishing reputation as an exceptional company. 3. Cooperation with researchers, scientists and universities with the aim of improving games. 4. Simple design and ease of use of the web site noticeable. . Leaderless which allows the customers to compare their scores with other registered users scores d. SOOT analysis e. Strategies Loyalty program We will choose 2-3 games in each month for competition. The winner, who got the highest score in that game at the end of the month, will be received 10 – 20 percent discount from Brainless in the next payment for subscription. Winner are classify into three ranks, the first place will receive 20 percent discount and so on. This will help boot more and continue subscription from the customer. To create for long term relationship with the current customers To increase sales room subscription. To create Brainless awareness toward our current customers and their friends or relatives. Strategy Brainless give subscription discount for the winner in order to maintain good relationship with customer. Internet 1 . Apply Google Ad (SEE) word to the website by using keyword â€Å"Brainless, improving brain, game. We allocated the budget to this medium fund about 40,000 baht/ year. 2. Ad-banner for linking to the brand’s website in http://www. Kapok. Com (in health section) and http://www. Santos. Com. We will use banner ad in the whole 1 year with the total budgets around baht/ year) Social media As nowadays, Faceable is the most popular social networking website that people can chat, share their interest comments and positive experiences there. So, we will promote information of our company and inform people about Brainless and providing researches which can prove that our games have high quality, also can improve users’ brain function via Braininess’s Faceable fan page. Moreover, people can communicate and share their results directly with the company and friends. Flogger and Youth channel We will invite flogger who is famous in enhance and improve their potential brains n the area of memory, attention and problem solving skill to play our games. Hire Youth channel about game reviews our games to catch up consumers’ attention. We expect that these two channels can play an effective role to get high reputation. And learning, and Uncle Pee channel who famous in game review. Event To create awareness on Brainless toward Bangkok aged from 25 years old above who concerns about health and want to retain their mental faculty as long as possible. You read "Business plan" in category "Papers" To create brand awareness, brand knowledge, and brand experience of Brainless – To promote the Brainless to be well known and reliable web site as training brain name. – To boost up the Brainless sales during the campaign period. We will Join the event as one of exhibitor to introduce Brainless benefits toward the event visitors – Give visitor discount for subscription. Free testing game Free giving cup, pen and brochure about brain care knowledge with Brainless logo as the specialty product. Tactics In the first 2 months, we have to finish all of the responsible website and create our fan page in Faceable under the URL of faceable. Com/page/Brainless – Two weeks before the events, we plan to invite the visitors to participate out booth by posting the invitation card in the fan page of each event. We will introduce our self about who we are and for the people who accept our invitation by click like on fan page, they can print out the gift voucher and show to us in the event to get a gift bag for free. – In the event day, we will give a free game sample to the visitors at the same time we will give them flyer the information about Brainless and Brainless benefits. On the top of flyer, we will also provide some special discount in CRY Code. The visitor Just screen the code, they will get 10% discount for the subscription. There is the event that Brainless can Join during the year 201 5 Thailand Game Show Big Festival @Royal Paragon hall (March 17- 19,201 5) Cost 30,000 baht/ year Brainless represents a simple online tool allowing anyone to exercise variety of core cognitive abilities. It offers a brain training program consisting of 25 funds and challenging games focusing on different areas: Attention, Flexibility, Memory, Problem solving and Speed Brainless offers after a short registration personalized program as well as the opportunity of tracking progress since Just 1 5 minutes training per day can lead to improvements in mentioned areas. It has a social layer too, so the customer can assure his or her results and progress against what other users are doing. Since the Brainless operates as a responsive site, customers can choose whether to train on the computer or on mobile device and still enjoying the same pleasure. 5. Revenue sources Brainless is basically free of charge for sign up as a basic membership and also offer free five days of trial training brain game. After five days of the individualized training plan developed upon first registration, our company is use of subscription services as a major revenue model by offering users or subscribers have to pay a fee o access all training exercise games in the website by monthly, weekly, yearly and lifetime membership. Subscriptions are not only our revenue sources because our company also generate revenues by letting advertisers to advertise in our web site, which means the company will get the revenue source from advertisement fee. Revenue Payment Brainless uses credit card as payment method. 1) Login by I. D 2) Chooses payment term by monthly, yearly 3) Choose credit card and payment method. 6. Future growth opportunities As we are the first brain training game program business in Thailand and first mover n Asia, we are thinking about expansion of our target groups that can serve all ages starting from five years till 75 years old because now our focus audiences are 25 years old upward because some games are not suitable for kids. So, we are trying to develop our games to be more fun, challenging and interesting to learners of all ages in the future. Moreover, in 201 5 our plan for future growth opportunities are to gain more incomes and attract more consumers and users by launching an application on mobile platform both SIS and Android which we considered of the growth of using smartness and tablets in Asia Pacific. Asia Pacific smartened penetration is highest in Hong Kong and Singapore at 87 percent, followed by Malaysia (80%), Australia (75%) and China (71 Penetration in developing Asia Pacific markets, while trailing the more developed markets in the region, is gaining traction; Thailand smartened penetration is at 49 percent followed by Indonesia (23%), India (18%) and the Philippines (15%). Tablet ownership has recorded significant growth in many Asia Pacific markets in the past year, in particular Singapore (up 30 percentage points to 47%), Hong Kong (up 27 points to 57%) and Malaysia (up 23 points to 42%). Http://www. Nielsen. Com/pH/en/insights/ news/2014/Asian-mobile-consumers. HTML) In addition, Brainless is looking beyond Thailand to reach a broader audience around Asia like China, Japan and Malaysia. We are plan ahead in future opportunities to develop our website to have more languages in next 2-3 years that it will help to reduce languages barrier and we hope international users c an get through and really understand the game to enhance their mental fitness. Moreover, we are also looking for a sponsorship by Thai government to promote Thai people that may emphasis on teenagers to improve their cognitive velveteen in terms of memory, attention and creativity. A. Market analysis Market trends Customer analysis As nowadays, people have care more about their healthy, not only their body shape but also including brain function. Also, as a number of using smart mobile phone increase, people always spend their time on smart mobile phone in daily. Each day, they would got many information from the social network or internet which may be junk information or good information. Imaging that you have to do multi works and update thing around, it would make your brain cannot concentrate on one thing or any things in same time. So, they tend to find some tools that could improve their brain concentrated such as meditation which would prepare them for working and successful in multi skill tasks. As figure table and form the research, the elderly or those aged 60 years and over in Thailand, they found that an increasing number of Thai elder each year is growing, making currently Thailand is a society of seniors. And the working population or labor force survey found that in year 2556, there were 3. 45 million elder workers from the total 9 million elders, or 38. 3 percent of the total who were still worked. It can estimate that in the future, Thai people at ages 65 or above are still planning to be working as the number of the older is increased. And because of health concerns and people waiting to retain their mental faculty as long as possible, it makes the brain health business is growing steadily. Supplier power (Low) As Brainless produces their own games. They do not need any suppliers to involve in their production line. It means that Bargaining of supplier power is low. Barriers to entry (Moderate) For barriers to entry are relatively high for advanced game because the startup for new business is very high cost in producing online brains improving games and the website much has platform that can measure improving brain which has to use complicated code for create web game. Threat of substitute products (High) How to cite Business plan, Papers Business Plan Free Essays BUSINESS PLAN GLOBAL MUSHROOM COMPANY LTD. -â€Å"quality first† MS in Agricultural Economics(Agribusiness and Marketing) MD. TAUHIDUL ISLAM LEVEL-4; SEMESTER-1 ID. We will write a custom essay sample on Business Plan or any similar topic only for you Order Now NO. : 09 AEAM JD 03M REG. NO. :31636 Group : C DEPT. of AGRIBUSINESS MARKETING BANGLADESH AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY. MYMENSINGH BUSINESS PLAN SECTION 1: THE BUSINESS PROFILE Description of My Business Our product is Mushroom. We will produce, package and set price in our own farm. Targeted Market and Customers Our customers will be different departmental store, hotels and restaurants. Our product is new arrival in Bangladesh and it is highly nutritious. Growth Trends In This Business Yes, the market for our products is growing, because our product has increasing demand to the people, specially to the educated people. Pricing Power The unique qualities of our product are:- -nutritious -nontoxic -it is suitable for all classes of people, especially for diabetic patient and educated people. SECTION 2: THE VISION AND THE PEOPLE We are passionately committed of our new business to provide highly qualified mushroom to all classes of people specially for highly educated people. THE PEOPLE Work Experience Related to My Intended Business We got training from reputed mushroom cultivation training centre. Again we will appoint a mushroom cultivation specialist. Personal Background and Education Credentials We are expected to complete graduation this year from Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh . SECTION 3: COMMUNICATIONS Computer and Communications Tools Resource Requirements: Communications -Telephone/ mobile phone Tk. 10000/year -Advertisement Tk. 80000/year -Leaflet Tk. 5000/year -Internet Tk. 14000/year Telephones Telephone/mobile phone Tk. 10000/year Computers One computer and one printer Tk. 25,000 Computer accessories Tk. 5000 Internet Internet Tk. 14,000/year SECTION 4: ORGANIZATION Business Organization We want to form a JOINTSTOCK business organization. It is our intention to grow our company into a large farm throughout the country. Professional Consultants I feel it is important that my team of professional advisors be in place before I start in business. Here is a list of these professionals: 1. Lawyer-A. T. M. Golam Hossain 2. Accountant: Rakibul Hasan 3. Insurance Agent: Real Insurance Company 4 . Banker: Abdul Bari 5. Trainer: Aktaruzzaman Licenses 1. Trade license SECTION 5: LICENSES, PERMITS AND BUSINESS NAMES Due Diligence Procedures for Licenses, Permits and Business Names: Licenses: State: Trade license Slogan: Indicate your slogan intentions if any exist Our slogan is â€Å"quality first†. SECTION 6: INSURANCE Insurance (Session 6): List the form of insurance coverage including cost are anticipated. We plan to use the services of Real Insurance Company, as our insurance agent. SECTION 7: PREMISES Location Criteria †¢space requirements : 71 decimal †¢future requirements : 33 decimal SECTION 8: ACCOUNTING AND CASH FLOW Accounting COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF BALANCE SHEET Particulars Year20082009201020112012 Assets: Cash 50,000 60,000 75,000 90,000 1,00,000 Land3,22,7274,02,7274,82,7275,67,2725,67,272 Building(office room , store house warehouse)4,00,0003,95,0003,90,0003,85,0003,80,000 Less: depreciation5,0005,0005,0005,0005,000 3,95,0003,90,0003,85,0003,80,0003,75,000 Computer , printer30,00028,00026,00024,00022,000 Less: depreciation2,0002,0002,0002,0002,000 28,00026,00024,00022,00020,000 Hut4,62,9905,78,7376,94,4846,94,4846,94,484 Equipment(rack sprayer)65,20080,20097,80085,80073,800 Less: depreciation8,0009,50012,00012,00012,000 57,20070,70085,80073,80061,800 Vehicles(car van)2,10,0001,99,0001,88,0001,77,0001,66,000 Less: depreciation11,00011,00011,00011,00011,000 1,99,0001,88,0001,77,0001,66,0001,55,000 Value of life insurance20,00020,00020,00020,00020,000 Raw materials inventories2,400,00030,00,00036,00,00039,60,00043,20,000 Supplies1,00,0001,20,0001,50,0001,80,0002,00,000 Total Assets40,34,91748,56,16456,94,01161,53,55665,13,556 Liabilities and Owners equity Liabilities : Bank loan20,00,00020,00,00015,00,00010,00,0008,00,000 Accounts payable1,00,9172,56,1646,94,0116,53,55611,13,556 Owners equity15,00,00020,00,00025,00,00030,00,00030,00,000 Retain earning4,34,0006,00,00010,00,00015,00,00016,00,000 Total Liabilities and Owners Equity40,34,91748,56,16456,94,01161,53,55665,13,556 Particulars Year20082009201020112012 Revenue: Gross sales48,00,00063,00,0007920,0008640,0009180,000 Less: sales return and allowance1,00,0002,00,000100,00025,00025,000 Net sales47,00,00061,00,0007820,0008615,0009155,000 Cost of goods sold: Inventory01,00,000200,000250,000250,000 Purchase24,00,00030,00,0003600,0003960,0004320,000 Less: purchase return 50,00075,00080,000100,000100,000 Net cost purchase2350,0002925,0003520,000386,0004220,000 Cost of goods available for sale 2350,0003025,0003720,0004110,0004470,000 Less: inventory1,00,000200,000250,000250,000250,000 Cost of goods sold22,50,0002825,0003470,0003860,0004220,000 Gross margin24,50,0003275,0004350,0004755,0004935,000 Operating expenses:, Advertisement cost80,000150,000100,00050,00025,000 Payroll4,68,000500,000560,000600,000600,000 Expense in license9,000 Transportation expenses1,50,000180,000280,000330,000330,000 Repairing and maintenance cost50,00060,00070,00070,00070,000 Insurance (fire)20,00020,00020,00020,00020,000 Telephone and internet24,00030,00035,00035,00035,000 Other expenses13,60020,00025,00050,00050,000 Cumulative depreciation27,50027,50030,00030,00030,000 Total operating expenses8,42,100987,5001120,0001185,0001160,000 Net earnings16,07,9002287,5003230,0003570,0003775,000 Less :interest expense2,40,000240,000180,000120,00096,000 Net profit / loss13,67,9002047,5003049,9703450,0003679,000 Growth(profit/sales*100)29. 1%33. 57%39%40. 05%40. 19% COMPAR ATIVE ANALYSIS OF INCOME STATEMENT Cash Flow Planning Checklist (Tk. /year) operating expenses: Advertisement cost80,000 Payroll468,000 Expense in license9,000 Transportation expenses150,000 Repairing and maintenance cost50,000 Insurance (fire)20,000/ Telephone and internet24,000 Other expenses13,600 Cumulative depreciation27,500 Total operating expenses 842,100 Capital investment1500000 Estimated sales4800000 Analysis of Costs Fixed costs: Land, building, equipment, hut, computer, depreciation, managers salaries, insurance, license cost, interest expense and vehicles. Variable costs: labor cost, Straw, Spawn, formalin, repair and maintenance cost and advertisement cost. Product cost: Straw, Spawn, formalin packaging and formalin. Delivery cost: Fuel, vehicles and drivers’ salaries . Internal Controls We will always supervise the overall activities in strong hand. If we get any dishonesty or carelessness in any kinds of business activities then we take necessary steps for controlling them properly. We will give rewards and incentives for appreciating the good works and punishments for skulking. We will keep record of every transaction and also we will try to ensure friendly environment for all employees in the company. SECTION 10: E-COMMERCE E-Commerce Plans We plan to build and install a registered website name www. glbmashroom. com . This site will contain attractive advertisement on our product. Buyers will get update information and they can merchandise via this website. E-Commerce Budgeting 1. Rent for domain – Tk. 1,000/year E-Commerce Competition We will provide more discount comparatively our best competitors. We will send our e-mail to our expected buyers containing our product advertisement. SECTION 11: ACQUISITIONS Due Diligence Procedures for Acquisitions # Our consulting team: Lawyer, accountant, banker, trainer, etc. # How we plan to authenticate- By providing sales receipt. # Sellers records to be inspected: Financial statements, sales backlog, cash deposit records, utility bills, accounts payable and receivable, financial comparisons of similar businesses, etc. # Appraisals, as appropriate. Yes. # Market conditions. Oligopoly market. # Value of goodwill exists. # Method of purchase: stock, assets, etc SECTION 12: MARKETING Marketing Plan We will personally contact with the buyers. We give fresh styling, quality product price incentive to them. We provide the transport facilities and arrange Mushroom food product festival every year to create more concentration of buyers. Advertising and Promotion Plans Plans Budget(Tk. /year) Internet 10,000 Television 40,000 Newspaper 20,000 Poster 5,000 leaflet 5,000 Training Policies We will hire a honest, skill and smart trainer for increasing the efficiency of our sales manager for specific period of time. The Competition BRAC is our strongest competitor, because they have -large overhead structure -large amount of capital -strong brand recognition But we intend to compete with the BRAC by the following ways- -attractive packaging price incentive -Mushroom food product festival -quality maintain -advertising -transportation facilities. How I Plan to Take Advantage of Competitors Weak Points The shortcomings of our competitors are as follows -slow motive to change product quality -price of product relatively higher than us -insufficient supply We plan to overcome their leadership with fresh new designs, artwork packaging and to provide at a lower price. SECTION 13: GROWTH PROGRAM Expansion Sources of financing :B ank and own capital Cash flow: Mushroom sale(cash inflow) Input purchase(cash outflow) Benefit package and policies: Those who are regular customer we sell the product to them at a lower price and sometime we will offer discount for product. Handling Major Problems Adverse conditions Response 1. Reduction in sales -sales promotion 2. Fall in price -reduce supply 3. Rise in input price -increase in output price How and where we reduce costs- -In advertising(in case of leaflet and postering ) -transportation cost will reduce when the company acquired goodwill to all kinds of customers. 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AA Meeting Report free essay sample

The meeting that I attended was called â€Å"The Way of Life Group†. It took place at Palos Methodist Church, 12101 S Harlem Ave on Monday, January 20, 2014 at 7:00 PM. There were about twenty to thirty people at the meeting. They were all very friendly and welcoming to me as an observer. There were new members and older members and everyone was very open about their situation and dependence on alcohol. Overall, the participants were of all ages, ethnicities, and there was an even amount of men and women. The biggest thing that I noticed about the participants that were at the meeting was that they did not look like my perception of someone who was suffering from alcohol dependence. They were like average people that I would meet during everyday life or someone that I could even see as a friend. It never occurred to me that these individuals would be normal everyday people. I assumed that they would be dysfunctional and unable to participate in the meeting, but many of them looked healthy and were happy to participate and talk at the meeting. Testimonial There was an individual who gave a testimonial. This individuals name was Maurine and her sobriety date was September 28, 2005, at the age of 50. She has completed her recovery, but continues to return to help others with her story and because she believes it helps her to be a stronger person. She grew up on the South side. Her father was also an alcoholic, but he was not an everyday drinker. Maurine stated that she believe that her father being an alcoholic had caused a lot of problems in her later years. She caused a lot of problems for herself that caused her daughter to stop speaking to her for five years. She is a social worker and has been ever since she graduated college. However, her drinking problem had gotten so bad that one day she was in the hospital and had to be visited by a social worker, or as she stated â€Å"a social worker to see the social worker†. This was the turning point when Maurine realized that she was suffering from alcohol dependence. When she got out the hospital, she called the number of A. A. and she went to her first meeting at a church. The only reason that she stayed and went through A. A. was the fact that there was someone who waited for her at the end of the meeting. He invited her to another meeting and stated that he would be there. She did not believe in the A. A. process, but she still went to the meeting and she was surprised at the fact that there was someone willing to support her. She stated that they told her to take her recovery one day at a time, but she was happy if she could just make it fifteen minutes at a time. Maurine said that now she is embarrassed by her past and that it was hard and scary for her to get through the process. Nevertheless, she listened to the people at the meetings and felt that she could connect to the people who would speak at the meetings. She got divorced because of the fact that the person she was with would not stop drinking and she believed that it would be problematic to her recovery. The biggest thing that she believed helped her through her recovery was the fact that people in A. A. would actually did the things that they said they would and that she enjoy the time with the people she meet at A. A. The people she spent time with now did not require the type of excitement that she needed when she was drinking, but at the same time they could have fun together. After her life of alcohol and â€Å"excitement†, she finally was able to trust people and moreover she was able to trust herself. She does not dwell on her problems as much anymore and she believe that she is not the same person that she was before. Maurine believe that the only reason she was so successful was because of the fact that she kept coming to the A. A. meetings. She stated that she will keep coming back as long as she can to help other and because she does not want to become someone who falls back on their dependency of alcohol. Issues Addressed The issues that were addressed during this meeting all revolved around the twelve steps and traditions. The individuals at the meeting worked hard to promote these steps and traditions so that all the newcomers were aware of them and understand them. However, I think that the biggest issues that were addressed at this meeting were encouraging the newcomers that there is something greater than them that will help them with their alcoholism and the fact that the group always be there for those willing to make a change for the better with their dependence on alcohol. I think that both of these issues are extremely important. I believe without a strong spirituality an individual will have a hard time in life and will turn to other outlets like alcohol to find a way to cope. Also I believe that having a support group to help you through your hard times will give an individual a better chance at success and being able to overcome their dependence on whatever drug they may use, like alcohol. Both of these issues seemed like important things and I was glad to see that they were addressed during the A. A. meeting that I attended. Role of a Sponsor The sponsor helps the individual through their journey in A. A. They are supposed to guide them through AA with the twelve steps and help them to become more connected to the program. They help encourage the patient to attend meetings and help them have a positive attitude throughout the process. They should not make the individuals dependent on them. Instead, they should help the individual to understand for themselves how to use the twelve step program to be successful in their journey and then be able to help others do the same. They help to promote a better life for the person they have sponsored so that they will not have any need or desire to drink again. The sponsor should be there to answer question for the individual, but at the same time the sponsor does not have all the answers. The sponsor acts as a friend and a mentor for the newcomer in A. A. (Whelan, 2009). The â€Å"Big Book† In the A. A. meeting, there were a lot of times where the â€Å"Big Book† was brought up by the people attending the meeting. The full name of this book is Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How Thousands of Men and Women Have Recovered from Alcoholism. It is currently on its fourth edition and the first edition was written by William Wilson and Bob Smith. This book contains the twelve steps and twelve traditions in the beginning part of the book. It contains stories of men and women who have recovered from alcoholism. This book acts as a guideline for individuals who are in A. A. and helps them to see others who have been successful in overcoming the problem. This is important because it helps the individual suffering with alcohol dependence and let them know they are not alone in this journey and there were many before them who were successful. (Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. , 2014) 12 Steps and 12 traditions During the A. A. meeting, the twelve steps and twelve traditions were explained. To begin, the twelve steps included: 1. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol – that our lives had become unmanageable. 2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. 3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives to the care of God as we understood Him. 4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. 5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. 7. Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings. 8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all. 9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. 10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it. 11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out. Having has a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs. Next the twelve traditions were discussed in the A. A. meeting as well. These twelve traditions included: 1. Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon A. A. unity. 2. For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority – a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern. 3. The only requirement for A. A. membership is a desire to stop drinking. 4. Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or A. A. as a whole. 5. Each group has but one primary purpose – to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers. 6. An A. A. group ought never endorse, finance, or lend the A. A. name to an related facility or outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property, and prestige divert us from our primary purpose. 7. Every A. A. group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions. 8. Alcoholics Anonymous should remain forever nonprofessional, but our service centers may employ special workers. 9. A. A. , as such, ought never be organized; but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve. 10. Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the A. A. name ought never be drawn into public controversy. 11. 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. 12. Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities. Response to Experience I thought this experience was extremely helpful. It taught me not to stereotype individuals. I was surprised by how friendly everyone was to me and how open they were to each other. This experience has taught me never to judge someone before I know their background and to try to be more understanding of others. I felt almost ashamed because I had unknowingly judged these individuals before I even meet them. However, overall I believe that this A. A.  meeting experience was positive and allowed me to see a new world that I might never see elsewhere. The things that I will take into my nursing practice with me from this experience are to be less judgmental and let the patient tell me their story before I decide how I feel about them. I think that this idea can be applied to any patient, not just patients that suffer from alcohol dependence. I believe that the best way for me to be a good and caring nurse is to put this idea into practice right away and to make sure that if I do have judgment towards a patient when I care for them. Other Treatments Some other treatments that are available for individuals who suffer from alcoholism include pharmacological, biological and social therapy. These treatments follow two goals. The first goal is providing a safe way to detox the individual and the second is encouraging the individual to want to recovery from their illness. The treatment usually depends on the patient and what they are going through because not all patient need to deal with withdrawal management. Drugs like Librium, Valium, Serax, Ativan and many other drugs can help the withdrawal symptoms, but overall the health of patient should be reviewed no matter what treatment is given. (Varcarolis Halter, 2009) There are many other types of treatments that are available for patients. Some of these therapies include avoiding individuals and places that cause you to drink, join a group like A. A, look for help from family and friends, look for new hobbies to help or join a church, and exercise can also be helpful to the patient (Edmundson, 2013). These are just some ways to help individuals who are having trouble with alcohol dependence. If the patient is experiencing alcohol withdrawal, they should be treated with some kind of medication. No matter what the treatment is, it should be specific to the patient and their needs. Conclusion Overall, A. A. meetings are an excellent idea because they provide support and leadership to individuals that are in need of help with their dependency issues. The experience was very helpful to me and allowed me to how A. A. members help people with a similar problem to get their life together and get rid of their addiction. I would defiantly recommend A. A. to anyone who is suffering with an alcohol addiction.