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…
Tag: District
MTG – Winter Park – “Winter Park Morning AFG”
WHAT I LEARNED: I need to put myself out there, say “yes” more, & be courageously vulnerable!
MTG – Maitland – “Saturday Serenity AFG”
WHAT I LEARNED: “Love” stands for: Let Others Voluntarily Evolve.
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 – Literature Distribution Centers (Item # G-18)
WHAT I LEARNED: 1. I used to think “LDC” stood for Literature Distribution Chairperson, but according to this guideline, the “C” stands for Center because CAL can be sold through Al‑Anon Information Services, Intergroups, or other entities. 2. Also per this guideline, I’m supposed to post a disclaimer on my electronic literature order form that’s available…
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 – District Meetings (Item # G-15)
WHAT I LEARNED: 1. Just like group meetings, district meetings can vary widely. Hence the autonomousness nature of the program (see Tradition 4). 2. FYI: The Greek word autonomos means “having one’s own laws,” from autos: “self” & nomos: “law.” That’s your word origin of the day! 🤓 ━━━━━▼━━━━━ **UPDATE (5/5/17): This guideline was revised…
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 – When I Got Busy, I Got Better (Item # P-78)
WHAT I LEARNED: 1. What are the benefits of service? Let me count the ways… Or you can just let this booklet count ’em for you! It’s 60 pages filled with stories from members regarding Step 12 (the carrying the message Step). Beginning with addressing different types of fears, it eventually culminates with covering each of the 12 Traditions…
MTG – Winter Park – “Friday Shepherd of Serenity AFG”
WHAT I LEARNED: I have full authority over my own self-worth. …How’s that for a power statement?!!
MTG – Orlando – “TLC AFG”
WHAT I LEARNED: I think there ought to be a second part to Step 6 that says: “…and we were entirely ready to embrace all of our character assets!”
MTG – Maitland – “Carrying the Message AFG”
WHAT I LEARNED: What we defend against we make real. I have to be careful which windmills I tilt at!
CAL – Services in Correctional Facilities (Item # G-14)
WHAT I LEARNED: 1. Inmates sharing a Fifth Step with an Al-Anon member is not considered “privileged,” however it is “protected communication” if done with a person of the clergy. …It makes me think of all the privileges I take advantage of in the program. 2. Come to think of it, couldn’t the term “inmate” be relative? I…
CAL – Living With Sobriety (Item # P-49)
WHAT I LEARNED: 1. The subtitle of this booklet is “Another Beginning” not, as I had hoped, “My Happy Ending!” At only 52 pages, it’s a quick read & covers topics such as: Accepting Changes, Courage, Resentments, Disappointments, Communication, & Happiness. (I especially like that the topics of Love & Sex are under the Communication…
CAL – Suggested Programs for Meeting (Item # G-13)
WHAT I LEARNED: I’ll never be without a meeting topic again now that I’ve seen the second page of this guideline with 23 options to choose from! ━━━━━▼━━━━━ **UPDATE (5/5/17): This guideline was revised in 2013. The title has changed slightly because an “s” has been added to the word “Meeting” to make it plural. …
CAL – From Survival to Recovery (Item # B-21)
WHAT I LEARNED: 1. For the fellowship, “From Survival to Recovery: Growing Up in an Alcoholic Home” (item # B-21) marked a major turning point in fully welcoming adult children of alcoholics in the mid 90’s. At 300 pages, it’s probably only a few pounds, but it felt so much heavier than that because of all…
"CAL Chat" Blog ~My journey in Al-Anon~ 