WHAT I LEARNED: 1. In keeping with the same printing schedule as the first “Al-Anon Faces Alcoholism 2007” that came out in September 2006, the subsequent annual edition, “Al-Anon Faces Alcoholism 2008,” debuted in the fall of 2007. (From 2007 to 2019, the outreach magazine had only 2 print runs each year, so Al-Anon members could…
Tag: Newcomer
PODCAST – How Al-Anon Works / Newcomer Packet (Item #’s B-32, B-22, eA-22, & eB-22 / K-10)
Way back on July 1st, 2016, I posted the very first episode of my “CAL Chat” podcast, but I never did an official blog post about it…. until now! How many different types of Newcomer Packets are available? Which one pamphlet does Michael find helpful to read before his second Al-Anon meeting? How can forgiveness…
PODCAST – Reaching For Personal Freedom / Best of Public Outreach (Item #’s P-92 / P-90)
Episode 7 of my CAL Chat podcast is now available to listen to! What do I want to be free of? What exactly are character defects? Can Alateen outreach be done to AA members? (To hear this episode, please visit the show’s website at: calchatpodcast.com – or you can subscribe to it for free wherever…
PODCAST – Service Manual / Courage To Change (Item #’s P-24/27 / B-16)
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…
CAL – Forum Favorites, Vol. 1 (Item # B-9A)
WHAT I LEARNED: 1. As an Area Archivist once said, “I love my position because I get to time travel.” I too feel I get to step into the ‘Wayback Machine’ whenever I read discontinued Al-Anon literature. When this “Forum Favorites” book was first published in 1970 it was a hefty hard cover book &…
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…
MTG – Orlando – “You’re Not Alone AFG”
WHAT I LEARNED: I carry a tiny magic wand with me. I told the newcomer that if I could wave it & make everyone better (including myself), I would have already done it & gotten on with my life. I keep the wand with me as a reminder that it’s not about wishes… it’s about work. —…
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 – 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 – Homeward Bound (Item # P-8)
WHAT I LEARNED: 1. This 48-page booklet was around only from 1993 to 2005 & was designed for newcomers that were introduced to Al-Anon through various treatment facilities. Member sharings answer 10 frequently asked “What now?” questions about sobriety & making the transition to a 12-Step recovery program. I’m glad Alateen sharings are also included…
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 – Al-Anon’s 12 Traditions Illustrated (Item # P-60)
WHAT I LEARNED: 1. This pamphlet answers the age-old question, “What do principles look like?” The drawings accompany short explanations about the Traditions that originally appeared over the course of 1983 in The Forum magazine. 2. When I think of the Traditions, I usually think “Oh, they’re about unity… they’re for the group, etc…” but what…
CAL – Alateen Program Wallet Card (Item # M-18)
WHAT I LEARNED: Somehow, when I was reviewing the Alateen Newcomer Packet (item # K-18), I must not have seen this small wallet card. But since I’m now going through the literature chronologically, I saw this item mentioned as an “Alateen 12 x 12 Wallet Card with Preamble” on page 13 in the “1978 World…
CAL – Al-Anon Basic Program Wallet Card (Item # M-7)
WHAT I LEARNED: This wallet card has been around for many moons & it can’t get more “basic” than this. It’s got a Al-Anon’s preamble, all the Steps, Traditions, Concepts, & Warranties you could want, with a little bit of Serenity Prayer mixed in there as well. Typically it’s the Newcomer groups that buy these…
CAL – Freedom from Despair (Item # P-6)
Last week I finished the Alateen Newcomer Packet (item # K-18). That means I’m done with all 6 types of packets (whoo-hoo!) & I’m moving on with other pamphlets. It seems going back to the beginning is a good place to start… 1. According to page 88 of the (discontinued) book “First Steps: Al-Anon–35 Years of Beginnings” (item…
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 Chat" Blog ~My journey in Al-Anon~ 