On October 6th, 2021, I got an interesting update from Al-Anon’s World Service Office’s (the WSO) newsletter “In The Loop” that mentioned: “We are excited to announce that we are in the process of updating the Al-Anon/Alateen Guidelines! In addition to getting a fresh, new look, the guidelines will also reflect updated information. A milestone…
Tag: Guideline
CAL – The Forum Writing Guideline (Item # F-1)
Next week I’ll be posting an update on several Al‑Anon guidelines that have been revised this year. However while I was researching those, it led me to this guideline for The Forum that was very recently updated – just last month, in October 2021, in fact! It got me wondering, 🤔 “What changed exactly?” See…
CAL – Reserve Fund Guideline (Item # G-41)
WHAT I LEARNED: 1. This guideline focuses on withholding money for good, healthy reasons. How different that is from my pre-Al-Anon days when I withheld money out of fear, or as punishment… 2. The most interesting part of this guideline is the list of personal questions on page 4 – especially the question about how my…
CAL – Guideline for Al-Anon Websites (Item # G-40)
WHAT I LEARNED: 1. There is no such thing as “Conference Approved” text to use on Al-Anon websites, therefore it’s not necessary for all sites to use the same wording. Freedom! Whoo-hoo! Ha ha ha. 😃 2. I understand that links on an Al-Anon site to non-Al-Anon sites would give the appearance of affiliation & are to…
CAL – Area Public Outreach Coordinator (Item # G-38)
WHAT I LEARNED: 1. Because Areas can vary due to autonomy (just like groups), the work of an Area Public Outreach Coordinator can actually be split into various committees or job positions: PI (Public Information), CPC (Cooperating with the Professional Community), & Institutions Coordinators. I don’t know of any other Area position that does this,…
CAL – Electronic Al-Anon Meeting Guideline (Item # G-39)
WHAT I LEARNED: 1. According to this guideline, there are 3 types of online Al-Anon meetings that the World Service Office (WSO) will register: chat, email, or message board. (…I guess Skype meetings haven’t caught on yet?) 2. There’s still a Seventh Tradition basket! Donations are sent directly to WSO, rather than a District or…
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 – Group Records Coordinator (Item # G-36)
WHAT I LEARNED: 1. This job seems to be a lot of checking & double-checking on the status of groups (more so than I ever thought)! And much like any of the other Coordinator positions, they’re a link between World Service Office & the Districts in the Area. What I found really interesting though is…
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 – Ordering Literature (Item # G-31)
WHAT I LEARNED: 1. One might think that since I’m an LDC (Literature Distribution Center), that this would be my favorite Guideline of all, but that’s not the case. It focuses more on how to order literature directly through the World Service Office & only mentions in passing that ordering from your local LDC supports local services. (So…
CAL – Area Archives (Item # G-30)
WHAT I LEARNED: Much like a library’s collection, archives grow continuously & are typically limited by physical space. This guideline focuses on the preservation of Al-Anon’s local history, but only from a standpoint of keeping paper items & audio tapes – which means we are relying on the Area Archivist (or a designated committee) to…
CAL – Outreach to Professionals (Item # G-29)
WHAT I LEARNED: 1. This guideline mentioned a phrase that was very curious to me: “sponsoring a professional.” I had never thought of it that way before, but I guess a professional that isn’t aware of the program would be similar to a newcomer & would need a “go-to” person for guidance that was committed…
CAL – The Open Al-Anon Meeting (Item # G-27)
WHAT I LEARNED: This guideline seems geared more toward “closed” groups that are having a special temporary “open” meeting (i.e. for an anniversary). A suggested meeting format is included & there are instructions on how to notify other groups, professionals, & the general public about the meeting while still avoiding promoting & stressing attracting. You…
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 Chat" Blog ~My journey in Al-Anon~ 