It has been a privilege to serve as the Alternate DR during this current panel. Beyond my ongoing commitment to Service, the position has given me wonderful opportunities to meet and work with others beyond District 14.

The scope of the position is relatively narrow in the sense of time to do what is necessary. The ALT DR maintains a current roster of all District Officers, GRs, and Coordinators that is regularly updated on an Excel spreadsheet. Information includes names, phone numbers, and email addresses and is also provided to the Area Group Records Coordinator. This usually takes less than an hour each month after the initial set-up with a new three year panel.

The ALT DR will attend each District Meeting & District Board Meeting and may attend Assemblies and other Service events. Most importantly, the ALT DR position is to assist the District Representative and take over when the DR must be absent from any responsibilities. This means running the District Monthly Meetings in the DR's absence, participating in DR/ALT DR meetings and DR monthly phone calls, attending some NCWSA functions with the DR, and/or taking the DR's place when necessary at these events. Having a good working relationship with the DR, other Officers, GRs, and Coordinators is always appreciated. Attending other District 14 Al-Anon meetings, Speaker Meetings, Day in Al-Anon, and other events outside our District is also helpful.

Please feel free to call or email if you have any questions or are interested in standing for the position in October. Alternate DR is a wonderfully, personally rewarding service commitment--I am surprised at how quickly my term seems to have flown by!

1. Take the "Minutes" at the District 14 Monthly Meeting and Board Meetings;
2. Bring copies of the Minutes to the GRs to review and approve;
3. Maintain for inspection Approved Meeting Minutes and District 14 Board Meeting Minutes;
4. Send out flyers/reminders when requested;
5. Forward the Group Record Roster to the Officers, GRs, and Coordinators when updates are received from the Alternate DR;
6. Assist the DR when needed;
7. Attend District 14 Monthly Meetings, Board Meetings, and Annual Budget Meeting;
8. Prepare and submit an annual "Statement of Information Filing" Form S1-100 to the Sate of California by August 31.

Service in Al-Anon made me feel like a part of something for the first time. I started with service positions at the meeting level. When I first got in program, I was afraid of reading the Steps, Traditions, and readings incorrectly. Being Secretary helped me feel comfortable reading in front of everyone; reading the Opening & Closing each week, the words sank in and gave me a lot of comfort. Being Literature Person, I became familiar with all our great Conference-Approved Literature. Being Speaker Seeker helped me get over my fear of calling people to speak at our meeting. When I was fairly new in program, I called someone from our district's Speaker's Bureau List and offered to give the person a ride to the meeting. As usual--even though I didn't know the person personally--because it was a fellow Al-Anon member, I was comfortable talking in the car ride to/from the meeting. Cleaning the coffee pot, I got to visit with people; I wasn't running out the door after the meeting.

It wasn't until I became GR for my home group, however, that I really started to get better. The position really helped keep the focus on me & my recovery. Attending District Meetings and especially Assemblies, when I was gone for a weekend, I had to let go of things at home. At my first assembly, I had no idea what was going on or what I was supposed to do, but rode with members from our district; car trips are great times for Al-Anon fellowship. Being GR, I learned the joy of service because I was contributing to both my meeting and the District.

My first district position was Alternate Speaker Meeting Coordinator. It was definitely in my comfort zone--behind the scenes, making coffee/tea, set up, etc. I enjoyed the fellowship of the monthly speaker meeting and it was important for me to have an Al-Anon meeting to go to on Saturday night at the time. Later, although I was afraid, I stood for Speaker Meeting Coordinator, which helped me get over my fear of speaking in front of a group and calling the out-of-town speaker to speak at our October Anniversary Speaker Meeting. I was afraid, but I made the phone calls anyway because it was part of my service position. The gift was that I got to have great experiences hosting the speakers when they came to our district.

My current position confirms for me that God, my Higher Power, has a sense of humor. I was deathly afraid of teenagers in Alateen when I came to Al-Anon. I felt like I was never a normal teenager so didn't understand teens and am not "cool" enough to hang with them. But I wanted to challenge myself. Alateen service seemed the best way to do that. I decided to dip my toe in rather than jump in all the way, so I stood for DAPP. Certification paperwork for Al-Anon Members Involved in Alateen Service (AMIAS)? I could do that!

The first year in my position, there was a request for an Alateen Meeting at St. Bonaventure on Monday nights in Concord. I decided to say "yes" to being an Alateen meeting sponsor. I had no idea what I was doing. I'm grateful to my co-sponsor, who brought her experience, strength, and hope to the meeting. I was able to follow her lead; it is true that we don't have to do anything alone in Al-Anon. We sat in the room for quite some time each Monday night without any kids. Then we'd get one or two, but they wouldn't stay. But I felt good that we were there when a kid really needed a meeting. It has now evolved into a pre-teen meeting for ages 6-12 with typically 2-4 kids a week. I hope they are getting something out of the meeting. I know I am. It makes me feel good just to make the meeting available to them every week. I'm still not sure I'm "cool" enough for the older teens; we'll see...

Closing thoughts: if you're afraid to do something, try it. You'll be amazed to see what you are really capable of doing.

How can I provide service when I'm in so much pain?

When I was first introduced to the fellowship of Al-Anon about 5 years ago, I was in tremendous pain. At the time, I found out my qualifying son was an addict and needed help.  As a parent, I had to do whatever I could to try and "fix" his situation and get back on track with our plan for his young life. It took a few months before I was told by a medical professional that I, too, needed to seek help and that was in the form of Al-Anon. I was lost, broken, and confused because nothing I was doing was making his situation better. But, by coming to Al-Anon meetings, I felt peace and hope while learning new tools to help myself during and after this turmoil. One of those tools was service.

I was unable to smile or talk, much less share my experiences, strength, and hope when I first arrived. I didn't have any. What I did have the ability to do was help. I helped set up the room, clean up, set up coffee, etc.  I started providing service for my group as I wasn't able to talk to many. I used it as a way to give back without having to talk about my pain & suffering.  What I found through helping is I felt better and received thanks from others in the group. I continued for months knowing that what I was doing helped me and helped the group.

After one meeting while looking thru Al-Anon literature, I found a brochure titled, "When I Got Busy, I Got Better." The booklet provided some insight and, at times, felt as if I wrote parts of it. It helped me understand more about the benefits of service, not only to the group but to me. I don't have to be perfect. I don't have to do it all by myself. I won't be judged for the things I do & say. What I get in return is acceptance, love, support, and personal growth.

At our meeting one night, there was a note asking someone to help with the District Website as an Assistant Coordinator. Since I had experience in that area, I offered assistance where I could. When the Coordinator completed his term, I took on the responsibilities. This allowed me to offer service not only to my group but to the District as a whole. It is a small part, but I feel very grateful that I have the knowledge & ability to assist in this way to help so many in need. Providing service at the District level allows me to meet others and get a better understanding of the world-wide fellowship of Al-Anon with the footprint here in District 14.

Everyone has experiences, strength, and hope to share with others. Each one of us also has a long & unique set of talents we can offer in many ways to help either at group meetings or the District. Together, we can make it....and make it happen!

Yours in service.