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District 14 Al-Anon & Alateen

Monthly Newsletter

News from District 14
May 2011
In This Issue
Heard at a Meeting
Recovery in Our Own Words
District 14 and Beyond News
Service Corner
Bienvendos a Al-Anon
Alateen Corner
Upcoming Events
Contribute to the Newsletter
Archives
Heard at a Meeting
One Liners
I didn't like the people at my first meeting.  They were happy.  They laughed.  They dressed nice and combed their hair!
             *  *  * 
When I was new to the program, boundaries meant I drew a line in the sand and expected you to change.
*  *  * 
My painful experiences make me human. They allow me to feel compassion for what others experience.
*  *  *   
Al-Anon is the first place I got tools to use when life is going well and when life is not going well.  
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District 14

 

Questions from Individuals Seeking Recovery 

 

Dear Al-Anon or Alateen Member,  

Welcome to the District 14 Al-Anon/Alateen Monthly Newsletter.  This newsletter is created and distributed by Al-Anon members.  Any member of Al-Anon or Alateen is welcome to contribute to this newsletter.

 

Recovery In Our Own Words
crisis

When I was a newcomer to Al-Anon my shares were usually about my qualifiers and the crisis of the week.


When asked how I was, I'd launch into a response about whatever "they" were doing to make my life miserable. Sitting in meetings, I would think about how "they" needed to hear these words of recovery.  When I first worked the Steps, it was with "them" in mind.  My first Fourth Step was very difficult for me.  I just didn't know how to answer questions about me and my behavior.  Today when I reflect upon that experience, I see that my problem was I didn't know me--who I was, how I felt, what I wanted.

I was once listening to a speaker and, as usual, was thinking about who else needed the nuggets of wisdom being shared at the time. 

Then a thought came clearly into my mind.  I was there because I was the one who needed to hear what was being said.  I was there for me! 

Looking back at this today, I believe that was a message from my Higher Power.  All along I had been hearing the people in the rooms talk about focusing on themselves.  I never really understood how that was going to make "them" get clean and sober.  This day I understood that I was the one choosing to look at a different way to live.  If I wanted it, it was available to me.  I just needed to do the footwork.

It took a lot of work for me to see that I could not have a better life until I could see my part in the one I was living.  Only then could I change what was mine to change.  In every change I have made, my Higher Power was with me.  I could never have faced the fears that kept me frozen without the love and guidance of my Higher Power to support me.  My Higher Power surrounded me with people to help me, to listen to my fears, to answer my questions.  My life is so very different today.  It's a life of my own choosing.  Just like everyone else I have good days and bad but today I have an Al-Anon family  who will laugh with me when I'm happy and cry with me when I'm sad.  My Higher Power is a part of my life all of the time.  I even know how I feel and what I want. What I've recovered is ME.

Linda W

 

District 14 and Beyond News
al anon symbol

Items of Interest from May 4th, 2011 District 14 Meeting

 

  • Reminder that all Group Reps are encouraged to attend the May 21st One Day Assembly in Santa Rosa to represent their groups and to bring back information provided by our Delegate to the World Service meeting.  Each group pays for registration ($5.00) and gas (50.2 cents/mile) for the GR to attend. 
  • New speaker system for monthly Speaker meeting at Kaiser in Walnut Creek has been purchased and will be in use at the May meeting.
  • New meeting lists are available. 
  • Al-Anon Hotline is still looking for volunteers to answer calls for whatever period and days are best for them.  Contact Anna at 925-989-0956.
  • The new Newsletter was sent to 330 persons.  Additional email addresses submitted by GRs brings out current mailing list to 335 active contacts.  GRs are encouraged to keep collecting email addresses, especially from newcomers who can make use of the newsletter's many resources, and submitting them to: [email protected]  
  • many voices
  • Al-Anon's newest book Many Voices, One Journey has been released.   It tells the story of the growth of the fellowship and recovery among its members over the past 60 years.  It is divided into short segments that can be read at meetings, with questions for group discussion or personal reflection.  How Al-Anon Works is now available in paperback for $5.00.
  • Public Outreach reports that 91 more Al-Anon Professional Packets have been sent to area professionals.
  • Reminder to all groups:  When submitting donations to the District, NCWSA, and WSO, please put the group's identifying information on the check:  AFG group number (on the schedule) and meeting day, time, and place.  The same applies to submissions of Institutional donations (from the Pink Can).  We cannot give proper credit and thanks without this. 

 

Service Corner

Relax button   When I first learned that the service position to coordinate the District 14 newsletter was open, I thought to myself, that's something that's right up my alley. 

 

I had prior experience producing newsletters in other settings and had this idea that perhaps we could use that same electronic online format for our Al-Anon newsletter.  But what made me step out and volunteer is that another member raised her hand and said she had an interest in this form of service.

 

Very often my Higher Power speaks to me through others in program.  Their enthusiasm is contagious and I "catch" it.   

 

And we never know when service is going to bring an extra dose of recovery into our lives.  I was in the midst of a very stressful move when this edition was due.  Hauling boxes up three flights of stairs at age 67, living amidst unhung pictures and unsorted belongings in a new environment was pushing my anxiety over the top.   

 

But then I sat down to put together the newsletter and a calm came over me.  I stopped worrying about the unpacked boxes and unfinished tasks.  Instead of stressing, I thought about how Al-Anon has taught me that my Higher Power is with me through all of life's journeys.  And I heard His words loud and clear.   Sit down, start typing, and relax!    

 

Karen, District 14 Newsletter Coordinator 


Bienvenidos a Al-Anon y Alateen

Al-Anon y Alateen en acci�n

Este bolet�n trimestral de Al-Anon contiene historias personales que nos sirven de ayuda y aliento, algunas de las cuales se publican en nuestro sitio Internet previa autorizaci�n de la Sede de los Grupos de Familia de Al-Anon. 

 

En estos art�culos, nuestros miembros relatan sus puntos de vista y experiencias. Las opiniones que se expresan en los mismos no podr�n ser atribuidas a Al-Anon. Respetando la Und�cima Tradici�n, solamente se utiliza el nombre de pila y las iniciales del apellido de la persona.

Bienvenido al sitio web de Al-anon Familia Grupos para el Distrito 14.

Informaci�n para el reci�n llegado a Al-Anon   

 

Preguntas de los individuos que buscan informaci�n sobre la recuperaci�n

Al-Anon se enfrenta al alcoholismo 2011  

 

Alateen Corner

29th Annual Growing Together Weekend    Campfire
    When:  May 20, 21, and 22, 2011

    Where:  Westminster Woods
       6510 Bohemian Hwy, Occidental, CA95465
    Flyer and Detailed Information:  Flyer
    Registration Ends May 7th 2011
    Cost:  $149 by April 15th, $159 after April 15th
    For More Information Contact:  Nancy M., 510-657-0709

Alateen is Growing:   

A new Alateen group has been started at a Concord high school and more new groups are lined up for September.  

 

Alateen Sponsors Needed: 

Several additional schools are asking for Alateen meetings to be held at their schools, but we need more sponsors to fulfill these requests.  To become an Alateen sponsor, contact

 

Upcoming Events

Half-Day in Al-Anon


flamingo couple

   "Together We Can Make It"

     Event Will Be: 
September 10,  2010,
           9 a.m. ~ Noon
     Offering:  Workshops on Sponsorship and 
            Sex & Intimacy
     Sponsored by District 14
         Recent Planning Session: 
         When:  May 13, 2011, Friday
         Questions about next planning session?  Contact Liz R. at 925-818-5601  Several service positions open.

2012 Day in Al-Anon Committee Meeting

    When:  July 10th, 2011 at 1 p.m.

    Where:  Dan's home

                 3535 Brook St., #19

                 Lafayette, CA

What:  First planning meeting for 2012 Day in Al-Anon.  Anyone interested in participating should plan on attending.  Help needed in all areas:  Greeters, Registration, Publicity, Silent Auction, Facilities, Refreshments, Childcare, Decorations, Treasurer, Program. Logo, Set-up.

For More Information Contact DIA Chair Dan at 925-284-5168. 


District 14 Speaker Meeting ~ May 28, 2011 ~ 6:30 p.m.

speaker   Guest Speakers - Alexia V. (AA) from Walnut Creek
        Kay (Al-Anon) from Pleasant Hill

What:  Fellowship, Refreshments, Birthday Chips,    Donation Drawing, Literature, Tape Library, Meeting will be Recorded.

   
    Hosted By:  Monday 7:30 pm St. Bonaventure, Concord
    Where:  Walnut Creek Kaiser
                 1515 Newell Ave.               
                 Medical Office Bldg., Oak Room, 3rd Floor
                 Flyer  

NCWSA One-Day Assembly ~ Saturday, May 21, 2011

     "Plug Into Recovery"
     Where:  Sonoma County Veterans Memorial Auditorium
                 1351 Maple Ave., Santa Rosa, CA 95403
     Time:  10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
      Details:  Lunch $5.00 paid at door, no pre-registration required
      For More Information:  Peggy P at 707-763-1143 or
                                        [email protected]

Events in Other Districts

District 16 Speaker Meeting (2nd Saturday of every month) 

     Guest Speakers: To be announced  

     When:  June 11, 2011 ~ 8:00 p.m.

     Hosted by:  Pleasanton Serenity Road AFG

     What:  Birthday Chips, Donation Drawing, Refreshments 

     Where:  St. Clare's Episcopal Church

                  3350 Hopyard  Rd

                  Pleasanton, CA 94588 

     For More Information:  District 16 Website      

 

For Complete Listing of Events and Flyers:  NCWSA Events

 

Contribute to this Newsletter
writer cartoon

 A few words from your share at a recent meeting, a thought you had while reading conference approved literature, your take on one of the Steps or Traditions.  Any tidbit is welcome as long as you remember that we speak Al-Anon here, leaving other therapies and programs outside.   Send your contribution to the Newsletter by email with "Contribution" in the subject line. 

 

Submissions may be edited for length and grammar and will published at the discretion of the editors when space permits. Authors will be notified of changes to their submissions. 

Archives of Past Newsletters

 

No matter what relationship you have with an alcoholic, whether they are still drinking or not, all who have been affected by someone else's drinking can find solutions that lead to serenity in the Al-Anon/Alateen fellowship.  For more...


Al-Anon Faces Alcoholism 2011

Al-Anon se enfrenta al alcoholismo 2011 

 

Sincerely,
Co-Editors:  Karen, District 14 Newsletter Coordinator
                   Linda W, Alternate District 14 Newsletter Coordinator

Contact the Editors:  [email protected]