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: WSO
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 – 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 – 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 – 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 – 12 Steps & 12 Traditions for Alateen (Item # P-18)
WHAT I LEARNED: 1. At 48 pages, this is the longest pamphlet in the CAL catalog because it’s filled with a little info about each Step & Tradition followed by several related questions & personal stories from Alateen members. The reflections share quite a bit about when good Traditions go bad, so for someone like…
CAL – Why Conference Approved Literature? (Item # P-35)
Before I read this pamphlet, I thought I would open it up & see the answer: “Because we said so!” Ha ha! 😄 WHAT I LEARNED: 1. Any Al-Anon/Alateen member can contribute to Conference Approved Literature (“CAL”), but it has to be something that hasn’t been published elsewhere. 2. Not all of our literature bears…
CAL – A Guide for Sponsors of Alateen Groups (Item # P-29)
WHAT I LEARNED: 1. Alateen started in 1957 – did I mention that already? Well, according to the Conference Summaries from the early 60’s, Al-Anon was going through the same issues that it’s still having… the need for more Alateen group sponsors. But back then, they had so few, that outsiders & AA members were…
CAL – Just for Today Wallet Card (Item # M-10)
WHAT I LEARNED: This wallet card has been around since 1954 & I thought, given its small size, it would have less on it than the bookmark version (item # M-12), but it actually has more. It has 2 extra sentences – one about the Seventh Tradition & the second refers to the 10 other…
"CAL Chat" Blog ~My journey in Al-Anon~ 