WHAT I LEARNED: “Today I’ll find something to laugh about & try to take life just a little less seriously.” – July 5th (page 187) from the daily reader: “Living Today in Alateen” (item # B-26).
Category: Alateen
CAL – Al-Anon & Alateen Groups at Work 2014-2017 (Item # P-24)
WHAT I LEARNED: 1. Recently on this blog, I did an in-depth review of the “Al-Anon/Alateen Service Manual 2014-2017” (item # P-24/27). If you read that review, then this entry will seem pretty similar for “Al-Anon & Alateen Groups at Work 2014-2017” (item # P-24). …I used to think this item was a digest (or…
CAL – Al-Anon/Alateen Service Manual 2014-2017 (Item # P-24/27)
WHAT I LEARNED: 1. Originally, I only read the “Al-Anon/Alateen Service Manual” on an as-needed basis, but when my next podcast guest said that this was her favorite book that she wanted to talk about on my “CAL Chat” show, I had to dust off my manual & put on my scuba reading mask to…
CAL – Alateen Safety Guidelines (Item # G-34)
WHAT I LEARNED: 1. According to this Alateen guideline, any reporting of child abuse is done on a personal basis, not as an Alateen Sponsor or an AMIAS (an Al-Anon Member Involved in Alateen Service). This is done with Tradition 10 in mind to keep the fellowship out of public controversy! 2. Even though I’m not a certified…
CAL – A Guide to Alateen Sponsorship – An Unforgettable Adventure (Item # P-86)
WHAT I LEARNED: 1. Here’s another instance of me sitting down to read a piece of literature & thinking “I won’t relate to anything in it” & then finding it so interesting! Topics are covered that I never even considered, such as: how to handle members with Attention Deficit Disorder, intrusive parents, reporting abuse, kids…
CAL – Area Alateen Coordinators (Item # G-24)
WHAT I LEARNED: The Alateen Coordinator works with World Service Office, the Area Alateen Process Person (AAPP – not to be confused with AARP, ha ha 😄), & basically any other person in the Area that is involved with Alateen. Ensuring safety for the teens is a top priority, as well as providing proper training,…
CAL – Alateen Tells It Like It Is / Walk This Path of Hope (Item # AV-16 / AV-19)
1. “Alateen Tells It Like It Is” (item # AV-16) came out in 1987 & according to past Conference Summaries, it’s a 16-minute video illustrated by a teenager that provides a glimpse into the lives of Alateen members. It deals with denial, anonymity, detachment, acceptance, & love. “Walk This Path of Hope” (item # AV-19)…
CAL – Alateen Talks Back on: Detachment (Item # P-73)
WHAT I LEARNED: 1. This booklet came out in 1995 is the 6th (& last) one in the “Alateen Talks Back On…” series. Originally planned as a 9-part series, the 6th piece was supposed to be about the 12 Steps & Traditions but the material eventually ended up in the larger book, “Courage to Be Me” (item…
CAL – Alateen Talks Back on: Higher Power (Item # P-72)
WHAT I LEARNED: 1. It’s a shame this item was discontinued in 2000 because it’s my favorite of all the booklets in the “Alateen Talks Back On…” series. Many of the sharings liken a Higher Power to a friend that’s always there. Where there was once isolation, loneliness, & fear, there’s now constant comfort, confidence, & peace….
CAL – Alateen Talks Back on: Sponsoring an Alateen Group (Item # P-71)
WHAT I LEARNED: 1. Since it’s part of the “Alateen Talks Back On…” series, I thought this booklet was going to be Alateens talking about their group sponsors, but nope! …Other than a few drawings from kids here & there, it’s basically a piece by & for grown-up Al-Anon members sharing about Alateen service. I’m…
CAL – Starting an Alateen Group (Item # G-19)
WHAT I LEARNED: There are only 2 types of Alateen meetings: Closed & Limited Access. Even I, as Literature Chairperson at the District Level, cannot attend an Alateen meeting. Only Al‑Anon members involved in Alateen Service (AMIAS’s) & designated Area trusted servants can go & even then, it’s only on an occasional basis. The only non-certified attendees allowed are the kids…
CAL – Alateen Talks Back on: Slogans (Item # P-70)
WHAT I LEARNED: 1. Slogans are reminders of choices. 2. I have 2 favorite lines from this booklet (that I almost forget was written by Alateen members because it was so wise!): From page 26: “I am happy today because: I have today to be happy in.” From page 23: “As I search with courage…
CAL – Alateen Talks Back on: Serenity (Item # P-69)
WHAT I LEARNED: 1. Ahhh, put on some soothing music & light a candle because today I read about Serenity (and yes, that’s with a capital “S”)! At the end of this booklet are ten questions for meeting topics on Serenity & the last one, “Is Serenity contagious?” really made me think. I know I’ve…
CAL – Alateen Talks Back on: Acceptance (Item # P-68)
WHAT I LEARNED: 1. If you want to see any poetry in Al-Anon, Alateen is the only place you’ll find it published. Specifically, in a series of booklets called “Alateen Talks Back On…” that are compilations of prose, poetry, drawings, & sharings previously submitted to the Alateen Talk (no item #) newsletter. 2. Acceptance is many things,…
CAL – Al-Anon & Alateen’s Role in Family Recovery (Item # AV-31DVD)
WHAT I LEARNED: 1. I didn’t go to a meeting today, but playing this DVD made me feel like I was in one & I kinda think that’s the point. It’s an outreach DVD that brings the sensibility of a meeting to someone that hasn’t been to one. It has 3 sections: 1) Al-Anon, 2)…
CAL – Al-Anon/Alateen Participation in an AA Area Convention (Item # G-7)
WHAT I LEARNED: Because Al-Anon is self-supporting, contributions from AA are considered “outside” & are therefore declined (see Tradition 7). In the case of AA Conventions where there is Al-Anon participation, AA is entitled to keep all monies from Al-Anon registrations, meals, & workshops. However, there is a little note in this guideline that Al-Anon…
"CAL Chat" Blog ~My journey in Al-Anon~ 