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District 14 Al-Anon & Alateen

Monthly Newsletter

News from District 14
November 2011
In This Issue
Heard at a Meeting
Recovery in Our Own Words
District 14 and Beyond News
Service Corner
Bienvendos a Al-Anon
Institutions Corner
Alateen Corner
Upcoming Events
Forum Reflections
Contribute to the Newsletter
Archives
Heard at a meeting
Experience

I thought if I was everything for the alcoholic, that he would be everything for me.  I made it HIS responsibility to take care of me.  Then resented him because he didn't.  

*  *  *  

I was always attracted to men with "potential", which, unfortunately, is defined as something that is not currently in existence.  I wanted to work on helping them develop that potential...instead of working on developing my own.  

*  *  *   

There's no such thing as failure...only feedback.   

*  *  *

I learned a wonderful lesson from my cat.  He always finds a sunny spot to lie in.  I can be just like him.  I can always stay in the sunlight that my HP shines on my life instead of living in the shadows.    

*  *  * 

wisdom 

Just forgive yourself...fast! 

*  *  * 

I "get" to be of service...I don't "have" to be of service.  Service kept me coming back.   

*  *  *

One of the easiest forms of service is to show up early to meetings and stay late. 

*  *  * 

 

laugh 

 

 

  

       

I told him not to drink in the house...so he moved the TV, stereo, and sofa into the garage!
*  *  *
I guess you know why AL-ANONS make love with their eyes closed.

THEY CAN'T STAND TO SEE AN ALCOHOLIC HAVE FUN.




 

 

    

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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
customer service

 

Step Eleven -  Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry it out. 

 

Share from Karen:

At a recent meeting on Step Eleven, it occurred to me that although I've always had HP in my life (I was fortunate to have exposure to a loving God as a child), that I sometimes treated him as the guy on the other end of a customer service line.  After all, His company was responsible for me and my life.  So when I got a defective husband in my life, I figured I needed to call up and complain and at the very least get a replacement!  I had ordered a loving spouse, not a mean drunk.  The "package" had looked pretty good when I received it--seemed to have all the right parts and a shiny exterior.  But when I opened him and tried to use him, have a conversation with him, share responsibilities with him, I found that he didn't perform as advertised.  As with those other things that didn't "work" in my life, I tried to fix him myself.   I banged on him, I screamed at him, I shook him.  In the end I was ready to throw him in the trash.  I was angry, hurt..well, to tell the truth, my life was just unmanageable.   

 

But then I decided to call God, my local customer service representative.  God listened as I went on and on with my complaints.  I was expecting Him to apologize and promise to immediately ship me a new model.  Instead He gently suggested that I had perhaps mis-ordered in the first place.  What exactly was I seeking?  And why did I think that model would bring me happiness?  God wasn't about to fill another one of MY orders.  Instead, he sent me to Al-Anon.  He encouraged me to find recovery...for ME.  But shouldn't I return my defective husband first?  No.  He assured me that He would be taking care of him.  I didn't need to do anything more except search, with His help, for my own serenity.  And you know what, that was the most successful customer service call I ever made.       

 

From Our Newsletter Co-Editor:

  
Please consider sharing your recovery with your Al-Anon family. Submissions don't have to be long.  I've suggested a couple of topics, how you got to the program and finding your first sponsor.Those are only suggestions. Another topic could be the Steps. 

When I started Al-Anon I didn't know if I'd want to do the Steps.  What I heard at 
meetings made me think the were very powerful and not to be taken likely.  People were talking about remaking their lives!  I didn't know that I could do this,  Didn't know if I really wanted to change me. Fortunately for me I got into service right away. This kept me coming to meetings.  I got to hear how recovery worked for others.  I got to see that there were people whose lives were indeed working better for them--because they worked the Steps,  Step work led me to see that recovery really was all about me.  That's just the way my Higher Power wanted it.  

Send submissions to:  Linda W 
[email protected]   

 

 

District 14 and Beyond News
al anon symbol

Items of Interest from November 2, 2011 District 14 Meeting

 

  • Proposed Change in By-Laws:   
    Adopted:  A person eligible to stand for DR or Alternate DR must be a current or former GR.   
  • Newsletter:   GRs are encouraged to keep collecting email addresses (along with phone numbers so members can be called if their email address bounces).  Submit new email addresses to: [email protected]   

  • Half-Day in Al-Anon report 

    Liz reported that we received good feedback on the speakers and the time frame for the recent Half-Day in Al-Anon.  She suggested that we repeat this formula for the coming year.  We netted $564.11 on the event.  Amends were extended for allowing the use of AA literature in the shares.

  • December Speaker Meeting  Several members at the meeting indicated that they will attend this Christmas eve Speaker Meeting.  Others, who cannot attend, are encouraged to get donation prizes and food to Christine through their Group Reps.  Speaker meetings that fall on holidays are well attended and need support. 
  • Hotline Volunteers.   We need more members to give an hour of two of their time to be available to receive calls from our Al-Anon hotline.  You can pick your days and times and the extent of your service.  Recently many calls have been rolled over to the DR because current hotline members have not been available.  If you are already on the hotline list--please pick up your phone during your assigned time.  
  • Fall Assembly Report.   Carla reported that the Assembly was very well attended in spite of the location at Squaw Valley, which some feared would keep folks from coming.  Area Officers and Coordinators were elected.  Patrick is our new Delegate, Johanna is our new Alternate Delegate, and Yvonne is our new Area Chairperson.  District 14 is well represented!  A full list of our new panel for the next 3 years will be available on the NCWSA website soon.  Yvonne reported that the cling-on Al-Anon decals that you can put on your car for outreach were very popular and that other districts had asked about ordering them.  

Service Corner

leader arrow 

 

District officer and coordinator positions for 3-year term beginning January 2012:  

Please note items in red--this is where you can step in and be of service to our district. 

 

District Rep (DR):  Carla

Carla is coming back from service at the Northern CA area level to serve her home district.  She began as a GR for the Wednesday night Antioch meeting.  Then she moved on to a position in District 14 as the Alateen Safety Process coordinator. From there she served as the NCal Alateen Co-Sponsor and on the WSO Alateen Advisory Committee.  She served the past 3 years at the NCal Alateen Coordinator.  We are overjoyed that she will now come back and serve us as the DR.  

Alternate DR:  Marilyn H. 

Treasurer:  Linda G. 

Secretary:  Billie

Literature Depot:  We have one volunteer, Wynne, to fill this very large position BUT need a second person who can handle the bookkeeping end of things.  It definitely takes two or more to efficiently run our Literature Depot, which brings in $10,000 a year to our District.  It also makes ordering and obtaining literature for meetings and special events fast and at a cost savings.  Please contact Yvonne G at 925-705-1905 if you have an interest in helping.  And REMEMBER, you don't have to have held any prior District position and you can be a Double-Winner to hold this VERY IMPORTANT position.      

Hospitals & Institutions:  Open, We need someone to step up and fill Yvonne D's very capable shoes as we send her off to be our new Area Chairperson next year.  This coordinator sees to it that we have volunteers to serve directly at institutions and that monies are raised to support the donation of literature to these institutions.  Again a strong program has already been established.  We just need a new person at the helm.      

Newsletter:  Karen, Alt. Linda   

Lending Library:  Open--Help see that the tapes from our Speaker meetings are available for sale at our monthly Speaker Meeting.      

Public Outreach:  Claudette, Alt. Open   

Meeting List:  Martha L., Alt. Lauren   

Speaker Meeting:  Sandy H., Alt. Rose   

Alateen Safety:  Christine   

AlateenOpen--A vital position to coordinate our activities for our children--remember that they suffer too from the disease of alcoholism.  We have a vital, uplifting Alateen program.  Now we need a Coordinator to oversee it.       

Telephone Hotline:  Paula, Alt. Anna Coordinator positions filled but we need volunteers to answer the phones.  Pick your day and time (including length of time) to be available.      

Spanish Liaison:  Open    

Website:  Bob

2012 Day-in-Al-Anon:  Usually filled by Current Alternate (John) 

Archives:  Open

 

Raised hand 

As you can see, several coordinator positions are still open.  Please consider service to the district.  Three-year positions go into effect January 1, 2012. 

 


Bienvenidos a Al-Anon y Alateen
people holding world

XXXII Convencion Hispana Al-Anon/Alateen del Estado de California.

Fuente de fortaleza y esperanza

   (Fountain of fortitude and hope)

 

Lugar:   En el Hotel Westin, San Francisco Airport

Direccion:

  1 Old Bayshore Highway, Millbrae, CA 95030

Dia:   Viernes 18, sabado 19, domingo 20 de noviembre del 2011           (November 18th, 19th, and 20th, 2011) 

 

Para hacer reservaciones peuden hacerto por medio de este

link directo a la pagina del Hotel que se a criado solo para la Convencion, o llamar al 1-888-627-8404 o (directo) 650-692-3500 clave Al-Anon (Cost: $100.72/night + $5 parking)

Registro Al-Anon 20.00, Alateen 10.00 para mas informacion peudes comunicarte con servidoras en publicidad.  Araceli Vasquez cordinadora (925) 206-7069 o [email protected]

Registros:  Carmen Cervantes (510) 499-1518 o (510) 633-7942 y Maria Bunuelos (510) 520-0897.  Banquete:  Maria Lopez (510) 377-3714, costo $50.00.

Attention English speakers:  English speaking Al-Anon meetings will be included.  Registration $20.

 

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  

 

Institutions Corner
Pass it on

Words from the Inside: 

A spiritual blessing is what I receive by sharing [in an Al-Anon meeting], releasing memories of pain and feeling this new hope to replace anger with patience. 

                                 James from Solano

 

WHAT IS AN INSTITUTION?
In Al-Anon terminology, an institution is generally a residential
facility, with limited access to the public. Such facilities
include:
* Treatment centers (may also offer outpatient treatment)
* Hospital alcoholism units
* Correctional facilities
* Juvenile detention centers
* Group homes
* Halfway houses
* Shelters-homeless/battered women's

GOALS OF INSTITUTIONS SERVICE

To bring the Al-Anon presence to hospitals, treatment centers, correctional and other residential facilities. The Al-Anon presence can be in the form of: contact with administrators of a facility; clarification of the Al-Anon program and philosophy; open meetings; speakers; a literature table; poster displays; or establishing institutions groups.

 

WHAT IS INSTITUTIONS SERVICE?

It is, Al-Anon/Alateen members volunteering to reach out to families of alcoholics who are either residents or outpatients of hospitals and treatment centers, or inmates of correctional and other residential facilities.

 

WHO CAN BECOME A VOLUNTEER?

Any Al-Anon or Alateen member can volunteer and you need not do it alone. Encourage other members to come along!  Contact Yvonne de G at 925-705-1905. 

 

 

 

Alateen Corner

Alateen Sponsors needed:  

 

More schools in our area have invited us to establish Alateen meetings for their students.    BUT...we need Alateen sponsors in order for this to happen.  Let's not let our children down.  To become an Alateen sponsor in District 14, contact Marilyn G at 925-759-1452

 

 nocac 

 

Northern California Alateen Convention (NoCAC)

 

     When:  November 11-13, 2011
     Where:  Holiday Inn    
        5090 E. Clinton Way, Fresno
     Questions:  Melanie F. (408) 309-3623
     flyer    Registration Packet

     NoCAC Fundraiser Report:  The NoCAC Committee held their second fundraiser on October 1st, in Concord. The committee organized the event themselves, from finding the location to gathering materials for the games. They had fun things for those who attended to do; they had airbrush tattoos, face-painting, a cakewalk, and other activities. Also, they had a silent auction with some cool stuff. 

The event concluded with a speaker meeting, and it seemed everyone had a good time.
  Attendees this year included people from all around CA.. Alumni teens even showed up that hadn't seen each other in years.  From, Anonymous.

 

 

Upcoming Events

revised day in al anon

District 14 6th Annual Day in Al-Anon   

    When:  February 11, 2012 

    Time:  8 am to 4 pm            

    Where: Hope Center Covenant Church

                2275 Morello Ave., Pleasant Hill 

  
Childcare: 
Available with advance registration 

For additional Information:  Johnnie H. at 505-259-8811 

Suggested Donation:  $10 for 18 and over, $5 for teens 12 to 17, and under 11 free. 

 

Coordinator Meetings:  Next meeting is November 20, 2011.  There will not be a December meeting.  Meetings are scheduled for January 15, 2012 and February 5, 2012.  All at Dan's house.   

Needed:  One or two bilingual Spanish speakers as greeters.    

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


District 14 Speaker Meeting -  November 26, 2011 ~ 6:30 p.m.

speaker  
Guest Speaker: Brian F. (AA) from Fresno (son) and Adrienne F. (Al-Anon) from Marin (mother)
Topic:  A mother and son share

What:  Refreshments, Birthday Chips,    Donation Drawing, Literature, Tape Library, Meeting recorded.

                       Hosted By:  Monday 7:00 p.m. Concord (Crossroads)
                       Where:  Walnut Creek Kaiser
                               1515 Newell Ave.               
                               Medical Office Bldg., Oak Room, 3rd Floor
                        Flyer

  

 

Events in Other Districts and Northern CA 

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

      For More Information:  District 16 Website    

 

Yosemite Summit Conference
AA with Al-Anon participation

When: 
November 18, 19, & 20
Where: 
Curry Village Yosemite National Park
209-966-8300 or [email protected]
website http://www.serenityyosemite.com 
Yosemite Summit Conference abides by the NCWSA Requirements For Alateen Member Safety
    

 

holiday crafts 

2011 Al-Anon Craft Faire - District 23

Santa Cruz & San Benito Counties

When:  Saturday, December 3, 2011

Time:  10 am to 3 pm

Place:  TBA   

Contact:  Roxy at 831-247-8018 for more information or to become involved. 

 
For Complete Listing of Events and Flyers:  NCWSA Events

 

Reflections from the Forum

Past Reflections 

An ODAT (One Day At a Time) that's falling apart usually belongs to a person who isn't.  January 1989  Missouri 

 nov 2011 forum   

 

 

Al-Anon's monthly magazine, The Forum, contains many personal stories of inspiration.  Click on this link to subscribe to receive your own monthly "Meeting in Your Pocket."   Only $11.00 a year.   

 

 

 

Current Forum articles:

A changed perspective led me to serenity   

 Last fall, I decided to visit my family for Thanksgiving. My decision thrilled my mother since I had declined the invitation numerous times in years past. This time, it felt like the right thing to do. I was ready.

I went home with an open, grateful heart-with no expectations and no lingering resentments. My visit was wonderful. I truly had a great time.

   

What I learned in my first year  

Finding out that the alcoholic was not the cause of my unhappiness was my first revelation in Al-Anon. Even though he had made me so unhappy, I discovered another window through which to view the situation. I took a good look at myself: at my attitude; my arrogance; my selfishness; and my lack of faith, prayer, and spirituality. Through that new window, I tried to take another look at all my life experiences.

 

 Focusing on myself helped me heal   

I grew up in chaos. My father drank-but what crushed my self-esteem was my mother's rage and anger towards my brother and me when my father left after their arguing. I learned early on to take care of myself and stay out of the way.

I became the responsible one in the home and as soon as I saw the opportunity, I fled. My body left the home, but my mind did not.


 

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]