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)…
Tag: Service
CAL – Taking a Group Inventory (Item # G-8)
2011 Version WHAT I LEARNED: 1. In 2011, this guideline was expanded to be more inclusive of Alateen meetings & even though it is technically still 1 guideline (item # G-8), it was divided into 2 sections: G-8a which includes several lists of questions, & G-8b “Methods & Reflections” – which offer “how-to” suggestions on…
CAL – Al-Anon/Alateen Participation in an AA Area Convention (Item # G-7)
WHAT I LEARNED: Because Al-Anon is self-supporting, contributions from AA are considered “outside” & are therefore declined (see Tradition 7). In the case of AA Conventions where there is Al-Anon participation, AA is entitled to keep all monies from Al-Anon registrations, meals, & workshops. However, there is a little note in this guideline that Al-Anon…
CAL – Area Literature Coordinators (Item # G-6)
WHAT I LEARNED: Much like any of the guidelines that are job descriptions, I always learn that the position entails a lot more than I thought! Area Literature Coordinators interact not just with World Service Office & LDC’s (Literature Distribution Centers – like yours truly!), but also Website Coordinators, Information Service or Intergroups, Newsletter Editors,…
CAL – The Dilemma of the Alcoholic Marriage (Item # B-4)
In 1965, this book originally had the proposed title “Alcoholism & Sex.” Two years later it came out with the current title to appeal to a wider audience. As I write this in 2014, the book hasn’t been revised for 42 years & it shows. With terms like: temptress, fellows, bulwark (I had to look…
CAL – Alateen Meetings in Schools (Item # G-5)
WHAT I LEARNED: 1. I thought there were only 2 general meeting types, open or closed. However, there is a third: limited access meetings, which is what Alateen meetings often are when they’re held in a school. 2. Schools are required by law to report certain types of abuse, so I’ve often wondered how a meeting can…
CAL – Al-Anon Information Services (AIS) (Item # G-4)
WHAT I LEARNED: 1. For quite some time there was confusion in the fellowship about the responsibilities, boundaries, & differences between information services, Literature Distribution Centers (LDCs), intergroups, & information service liaisons. The World Service Office responded by creating this particular guideline & a separate one titled “Literature Distribution Centers” (item # G-18). 2. Any…
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 – Cooperation Between Al–Anon & AA (Item # G-3)
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…
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 – The Concepts-Al-Anon’s Best Kept Secret? (Item # P-57)
WHAT I LEARNED: 1. Whereas the Steps are about recovery, & the Traditions about unity, what the Concepts are about is in their full title: the 12 Concepts of Service. Q: What is service? A: Gratitude in action! Per “Many Voices, One Journey” (item # B-31) page 154, Lois W. presented the Concepts in 1970…
CAL – Sponsorship, What It’s All About (Item # P-31)
WHAT I LEARNED: 1. This pamphlet isn’t just for members looking for Sponsors, but members looking to become Sponsors as well. It’s very comprehensive & touches on the principles of humility, readiness, acceptance, honesty, trust, service, responsibility, & love. My favorite section is the list of 16 items under: “What is the role of a Sponsor?”…
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 – Many Voices, One Journey (Item # B-31)
WHAT I LEARNED: 1. Initially, I was dreading reading this book. I thought it was just going to be a boring history book with a litany of dates & facts that were as dry as sandpaper. Turns out, this has been one of the best well-written books I’ve come across so far!! It was designed…
"CAL Chat" Blog ~My journey in Al-Anon~ 