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,…
Tag: Outreach
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 – 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 – Al-Anon Speaks For Itself (Item # AV-10)
WHAT I LEARNED: 1. In 1986, Al-Anon’s first outreach film “Al-Anon Speaks For Itself” (item # AV-10) helped carry the message to teachers, the clergy, the media, social workers, counselors, & other professionals. The 15-minute program featured stories from members from all walks of life & was broken into 5 sections: 1) The Way It…
CAL – A Meeting on Wheels (Item # G-22)
WHAT I LEARNED: 1. Apparently a meeting on wheels has nothing to do with food or meals on wheels. Ha ha! 😜 It’s basically 3-4 people holding a “mock” meeting to show non-members & professionals (doctors, social workers, counselors, etc…) what kind of help is available in the rooms. Rather than just leaving outreach pamphlets…
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 – Outreach to the Public/Media (Item # G-10)
WHAT I LEARNED: The last revision to this guideline was in 2004 & I think it’s due for an update because when I read the title regarding “media,” I thought there might be info in this that includes social media as well, but there wasn’t. …Maybe a whole new separate guideline needs to be created…
CAL – Outreach to Institutions (Item # G-9)
WHAT I LEARNED: Question #1: What type of Al-Anon/Alateen meeting is NOT allowed to have a Group Representative? Answer #1: An Institutions Group Meeting! Question #2: Want to know why? Answer #2: You’ll have to read this guideline… I’m not going to just give everything away on this blog! Ha ha 😜 ━━━━━▼━━━━━ **UPDATE (5/5/17): This…
CAL – Opening Our Hearts, Transforming Our Losses (Item # B-29)
WHAT I LEARNED: 1. I won this book in a raffle basket many moons ago but I was afraid to read it because it was about grief & loss. I thought if I did, something bad would happen – which makes about as much sense as not making a last will & testament means I…
CAL – Al-Anon & Alateen’s Role in Family Recovery (Item # AV-31DVD)
WHAT I LEARNED: 1. I didn’t go to a meeting today, but playing this DVD made me feel like I was in one & I kinda think that’s the point. It’s an outreach DVD that brings the sensibility of a meeting to someone that hasn’t been to one. It has 3 sections: 1) Al-Anon, 2)…
CAL – Anonymity (Item # P-65)
WHAT I LEARNED: 1. This pamphlet came out in 1991 & was included in a media kit for outreach purposes. It mentions confidentiality & I started thinking of how that was different than anonymity. Confidentiality implies trust (confidence) & indicates intimacy. It’s how we relate to one another on a personal, private level. It’s our…
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 – 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 – 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 Faces Alcoholism (Item # B-1)
To me, there’s something intriguing about reading discontinued books. I feel like I’m uncovering something they no longer want me to know. This is how I felt reading Al-Anon’s second book, “Al-Anon Faces Alcoholism” (item # B-1) that I got from our District Archives chairperson. 1. The first edition originally came out in 1965 at…
"CAL Chat" Blog ~My journey in Al-Anon~ 