Episode 3 of my “CAL Chat” podcast is now available to listen to! How can I give the gift of dignity to the alcoholic? What page is possibly read the least in each daily reader? How can my inner child voice be heard in a different way? Once again, I had such a great conversation…
Tag: Alateen
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 – Worried About Someone’s Mental Health? (Item # P-80)
WHAT I LEARNED: 1. This pamphlet was 1 of 6 of an “Al-Anon Can Help” series that was introduced in 1995 as part of a big push for service in institutions. It was designed to invite family members & friends of alcoholics at, or in, institutions to try Al-Anon where they live. This pamphlet didn’t…
CAL – District Representative (Item # G-37)
WHAT I LEARNED: There’s also info in this guideline about the Alternate District Rep &, if needed, they can serve as several other positions as well such as Secretary, Treasurer, or Public Outreach contact. Whew – hopefully not all once! 😄 ━━━━━▼━━━━━ **UPDATE (5/5/17): This guideline was revised in 2014 & the changes are somewhat substantial. …
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 Forum Coordinators (Item # G-32)
WHAT I LEARNED: 1. This guideline is the first place I’ve seen that states in writing what The Forum magazine doesn’t accept: skits, prayers, fictional stories, or poetry (except Alateen poetry which is being accepted on a trial basis). This information is left off of “The Forum Writing Guideline” (item # F-1). 2. Question – Who…
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 – Area Conventions (Item # G-20)
WHAT I LEARNED: 1. As current Co-Chair for the 2015 North Florida Area Convention, it was helpful to re-read this guideline because it reminds me that, just like in the program, many have come before me & many will come after me & it will all be ok. 2. My favorite line is: “Understand that…
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 Chat" Blog ~My journey in Al-Anon~ 