WHAT I LEARNED: 1. In the spirit of Tradition 6, this guideline answers 11 frequently asked questions that help clarify the difference between affiliation & cooperation between the Al-Anon & AA organizations. It’s basically how not to get our chocolate mixed up with their peanut butter. …Sure the combination of flavors might taste great for some, but…
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CAL – Beginners’ Meeting (Item # G-2)
WHAT I LEARNED: The 2nd page of this guideline lists CAL recommendations for each of the 6 meetings in the Beginners’ Meeting suggested series. This is great for anyone that has an Al-Anon Newcomer Packet (item # K-10) & no daily reader yet. It’s like a reading roadmap for the first 3 Steps! …Or should…
CAL – Members Interested in Speaking (Item # G-1)
WHAT I LEARNED: When I was first asked to be a speaker in 2012, I ran to get this item & it wasn’t so much as a guideline as it was a goldmine! I even used it as a checklist to make sure I had certain points covered. Re-reading it now, I see the importance…
CAL – Detachment (Item # S-19)
WHAT I LEARNED: This leaflet started out in a World Service Office newsletter for professionals to educate them on how Al-Anon uses the word “detachment” but this outreach piece soon became a runaway hit with members for their own personal recovery. At a meeting last year, I heard this leaflet read aloud & the first…
CAL – Why Conference Approved Literature? (Item # P-35)
Before I read this pamphlet, I thought I would open it up & see the answer: “Because we said so!” Ha ha! 😄 WHAT I LEARNED: 1. Any Al-Anon/Alateen member can contribute to Conference Approved Literature (“CAL”), but it has to be something that hasn’t been published elsewhere. 2. Not all of our literature bears…
CAL – A Guide for Sponsors of Alateen Groups (Item # P-29)
WHAT I LEARNED: 1. Alateen started in 1957 – did I mention that already? Well, according to the Conference Summaries from the early 60’s, Al-Anon was going through the same issues that it’s still having… the need for more Alateen group sponsors. But back then, they had so few, that outsiders & AA members were…
CAL – Alateen Talk Newsletter (Item # N/A)
WHAT I LEARNED: 1. This is the eleventh & last item in the Alateen Newcomer Packet (item # K-18) & is a full issue of a newsletter – not an excerpt. The particular one in this packet is 8 pages total, has feedback on a writing workshop & an Alateen Conference, various sharings from members around…
CAL – Alateen Talk Subscription Form (Item # N/A)
WHAT I LEARNED: This is the tenth item in the Alateen Newcomer Packet (item # K-18). Every registered Alateen group should already be receiving a copy of this quarterly newsletter (that will be the next item I review), but individuals can also order their own personal copy using this form. As of this year, 2013, the…
CAL – Are You Troubled by Someone’s Drinking? (Item # S-17)
WHAT I LEARNED: 1. This is the fourth item in the Professional Packet (item # K-30) & is one of my top selling outreach items – now I can see why. This questionnaire is written very broadly so it can apply to anyone affected by alcoholism – including adult children of alcoholics & kids that…
CAL – Has Your Life Been Affected by Someone Else’s Drinking? (Item # S-20)
WHAT I LEARNED: This is the third item in the Professional Packet (item # K-30) & is a leaflet of 20 questions that I’m presuming the professional would give to a kid to see if Alateen is for them. …If only the counselor I was forced to see back in my high school days would have given…
CAL – Fact Sheet for Professionals (Item # S-37ES)
Last week I finished the Men’s Newcomer Packet (item # K-23) since all the other items in the packet are ones I’ve already commented on. Time to move onto the next packet… WHAT I LEARNED: 1. This is the first pamphlet in the Professional Packet (K-30) & the Al-Anon program is not described as a…
CAL – Did you Grow up With a Problem Drinker? (Item # S-25)
WHAT I LEARNED: This is the sixth item in the Adult Children of Alcoholics Newcomer Packet (item # K-21) & is a personal favorite of mine. When I first came into the program I was given this leaflet & I remember secretly answering “Yes” to all 20 questions. It spooked me because I thought “How…
CAL – Al-Anon Family Groups Welcomes Adult Children of Alcoholics (Item # S-69)
WHAT I LEARNED: 1. In the Adult Children of Alcoholics Newcomer Packet (item # K-21), this is the third pamphlet & it features 10 mini sharings interspersed with other Al-Anon info. 2. This is the first pamphlet I’ve seen that shows separate info for a 2nd headquarters – in Canada! (Which looks like it just had an…
CAL – Getting Started (Item # S-15R)
WHAT I LEARNED: 1. This is the tenth & last item in the general Al-Anon Newcomer Packet (item # K-10) & it has a very special distinction that I just found out. As far as my research can tell, this item # S-15R is the only piece of active literature that is not listed on any…
CAL – Al-Anon: Then and Now (Item # AR-2)
WHAT I LEARNED: 1. Regional Service Seminars (RSS’s) were established in 1979 but I have never heard of these. 2. Apparently between the US & Canada there are 9 regions total & 3 RSS’s per year. I’m on the hunt to find out more about these & when the next one will be. 🕵️♀️ If…
CAL – Al-Anon’s Co-Founders (Item # P-87)
WHAT I LEARNED: 1. That the original card file of groups from Al-Anon’s meager beginnings can still be viewed at the World Service Office headquarters in Virginia. Add that to my bucket list! ☑️ 2. For more info about Anne B., see item # P-66 & for more about Lois W., see item # B-7….
"CAL Chat" Blog ~My journey in Al-Anon~ 