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…
Tag: Packet
CAL – Al-Anon Sharings from Adult Children (Item # P-47)
Last week I finished reading the entire general Al-Anon Newcomer Packet (item # K-10), so now I’m starting on the next one that fits me best: the Adult Children of Alcoholics Packet (K-21). WHAT I LEARNED: In this pamphlet, I’m glad to see that a couple of the sharings were from Alateen members, but the…
CAL – This is Al-Anon (Item # P-32)
At a recent Gratitude Dinner, the emcee quickly came up to me & asked for something that she could have at the podium that included the Serenity Prayer, Steps, Traditions, Concepts, Warranties & Al-Anon Declaration. I said I had just the perfect thing! Rather than give her a book, I gave her this pamphlet. And…
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 – Just for Today Bookmark (Item # M-12)
WHAT I LEARNED: This is the ninth item in the general Al-Anon Newcomer Packet (item # K-10) & I must admit, I have a favorite side of this bookmark – it’s the one with the St Francis prayer on it. So it’s been a long time since I actually turned it over to read the other side…
CAL – The Forum Order Form (Item # S-41)
Ok, ok, you’re probably wondering why I’m reading an order form of all things. It’s because I wanted to read the entire general Al-Anon Newcomer Packet (item # K-10) & this is the eighth item in it. WHAT I LEARNED: 1. This form mentions that The Forum magazine is the voice of the fellowship today. …So…
CAL – Al-Anon Spoken Here (Item # P-53)
WHAT I LEARNED: 1. This is the seventh pamphlet in the general Al-Anon Newcomer Packet (item # K-10) & is the only one marked “Service” on the front (instead of “Recovery”). I imagine that’s because this pamphlet is also used as outreach literature. 2. This pamphlet addresses 15 common Frequently Asked Questions – especially regarding…
CAL – A Guide for the Family of the Alcoholic (Item # P-7)
This is the sixth pamphlet in the general Al-Anon Newcomer Packet (item # K-10) & is one of the few examples of early “outside literature” being grandfathered into the CAL catalog. It was issued in 1962 & is primarily based on an article by a non-member: the former director of the Charlotte Council on Alcoholism. This pamphlet…
CAL – Dear Mom & Dad (Item # P-67)
WHAT I LEARNED: This is the fifth pamphlet in the general Al-Anon Newcomer Packet (item # K-10). It mostly features testimonials from Alateen members, but what I really found interesting is this was the first time I’ve read the Alateen preamble. I thought only a few words would be changed compared to the one I’m used to…
CAL – So You Love an Alcoholic (Item # P-14)
WHAT I LEARNED: 1. So you love an alcoholic? Well join the club! This is the fourth pamphlet in the general Al-Anon Newcomer Packet (item # K-10). I like that it lists several “Do’s” & “Don’ts.” I’ve seen a great list like this for Alateen (item # M-9), but this is the first one I’ve…
CAL – Understanding Ourselves & Alcoholism (Item # P-48)
WHAT I LEARNED: This is the third pamphlet in the general Al-Anon Newcomer Packet (item # K-10) & I think it could’ve easily been named “Been There, Done That!” It lays out the predictable patterns of both the alcoholic & the non-alcoholic with such precision it seems it could be a science. This pamphlet doesn’t sugar-coat…
CAL – Information for the Newcomer (Item # S-4)
WHAT I LEARNED: In my view, this pamphlet is a short breakdown of each part of the preamble read at the beginning of meetings. I can see why, of the 6 different types of Packets available, this is the first pamphlet of the most popular one: the general Al-Anon Newcomer Packet (item # K-10). It answers 11 frequently asked…
CAL – Purpose & Suggestions (Item # P-13)
WHAT I LEARNED: 1. Lois W. & Anne B. wrote this as Al-Anon’s very first pamphlet in 1951. Interestingly, its title used to be “Purposes & Suggestions.” According to “The Al-Anon Family Groups (Classic Edition)” (item # B-5), the title was changed in 1976 affirming only one purpose (see Tradition 5). …Makes me curious what…
"CAL Chat" Blog ~My journey in Al-Anon~ 