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: WSO
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…
PODCAST – How Al-Anon Works / Just For Today Bookmark (Item #’s B-22 / M-12)
EPISODE 10 of my “CAL Chat” podcast is now available to listen to! What are good consequences? Where does the fear of letting go come from? What are literature discussions like at the World Service Conference? (To hear this episode, please visit the show’s website at: http://www.calchatpodcast.com – or you can subscribe to it for…
CAL – Reaching For Personal Freedom (Item # P-92)
WHAT I LEARNED: 1. The guest for my next “CAL Chat” podcast show (Episode #7) chose this workbook, “Reaching for Personal Freedom” (item # P-92), as his favorite literature piece. I’ll be posting that episode soon at http://www.calchatpodcast.com, but wanted to get my review in this blog first… This workbook has the rare distinction of…
CAL – The Best of Public Outreach (Item # P-90)
WHAT I LEARNED: 1. The guest for my next “CAL Chat” podcast show (Episode #7) chose this booklet, “The Best of Public Outreach” (item # P-90), as his favorite outreach piece. I’ll be posting that episode soon at http://www.calchatpodcast.com, but wanted to get my review in this blog first. This hardcopy booklet was originally printed…
CAL – Parents of Alcoholics (Item # R-18)
WHAT I LEARNED: 1. The item # for this short 12-page piece begins with an “R” because this is a reprint of various articles from The Forum magazine. It came out in 2012 & reprints are typically only printed for a 2-year period. However, demand for this piece must be high because it’s now 4 years later…
CAL – Al-Anon & Alateen Groups at Work 2014-2017 (Item # P-24)
WHAT I LEARNED: 1. Recently on this blog, I did an in-depth review of the “Al-Anon/Alateen Service Manual 2014-2017” (item # P-24/27). If you read that review, then this entry will seem pretty similar for “Al-Anon & Alateen Groups at Work 2014-2017” (item # P-24). …I used to think this item was a digest (or…
CAL – Al-Anon/Alateen Service Manual 2014-2017 (Item # P-24/27)
WHAT I LEARNED: 1. Originally, I only read the “Al-Anon/Alateen Service Manual” on an as-needed basis, but when my next podcast guest said that this was her favorite book that she wanted to talk about on my “CAL Chat” show, I had to dust off my manual & put on my scuba reading mask to…
CAL – How Al-Anon Works (Item # B-22, B-32, eB-22, eA-22)
WHAT I LEARNED: 1. Originally, I was going to read this book as the very last one of this blog since I was making my way up to the top seller & according to the World Service Office, this one is it. …It would be like starting a climb by already being at the top…
WORKSHOP – Orlando – Summer Service Workshop
WHAT I LEARNED: If Al-Anon was not supported by its own members, think of everything that would go away… groups, CAL literature, phone hotlines, websites, Gratitude Dinners, Conventions, & even the World Service Office. The 7th Tradition reminds me that no one is an island & it makes me grateful for everything that we do support…
MTG – Orlando – “Peace Within AFG”
WHAT I LEARNED: We talked a little about the new upcoming Daily Reader that is about diversity in the program & someone mentioned: “We all smile in the same language.” Awww… Actually, that might be a good title for the book!! ━━━━━▼━━━━━ **BONUS: If you’d like to submit a personal sharing for the new…
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…
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 7th Tradition basket! Donations are sent directly to WSO, rather than a District or Area. 3….
"CAL Chat" Blog ~My journey through Al-Anon~ 