 |
|
Heard at the Day in
Al-Anon
|
|
...
There is nothing
wrong with your
picker. Alcoholics
are lovable, too.
...
|
|
...
I need to take care of myself first. If I don't take care of myself, how can I be of service to anyone else? I am no good to them.
|
|
...
Even Al-Anons can be untreated. If I don't have a sponsor, if I am not working the Steps... then I am an untreated Al-Anon.
|
District Representative
707-643-4451
Alternate DR
925-683-8979
Secretary
925-609-9365
Treasurer
925-470-6524
|
D14 Coordinators
|
|
Alateen
Paula
Alateen Safety (DAPP)
Archives
2015 Day in Al-Anon
2016 Day in Al-Anon
Institutions
Lending Library
Literature Depot
Meeting List
Newsletter
OPEN
Public Outreach
OPEN
Spanish Liaison
Speaker Meeting
Mary
Telephone Hotline
Website
|
|
|
|
|
Welcome to the District 14 Newsletter, created & distributed by Al-Anon members.
|
|
|
2015 Day in Al-Anon Recap
|
|  |
|
An Interview with 2015 DIA Chair, Lisa L.
By your District 14 Newsletter Coordinator
 What did you hope for when you began planning the Day in Al-Anon event?
I hoped to get across how each person is affected by the disease and the tools each of them learned to use, whichever role in the family he or she played. I hoped to have more families be part of the day, like having a "family day." And for everyone to have a good time! I also hoped to learn something and to go away feeling like it was a good day.
What was the Al-Together Theme about?
It was about the message that this is a family disease: the family disease of Alcoholism. It was about each perspective from the different groups-Al-Anon, Alateen, and AA-and sharing how each group recovers from it. The whole theme actually progressed into the event, sort of by osmosis, throughout the planning. Like when I was looking for venues: all the venues we couldn't afford led to a place that we could afford-and there we could all be together. It was just meant to be!
 What did you learn from chairing & the planning process? Whenever I'm in service, I learn so much more about myself and others. It was definitely a big learning experience-not just from the day, but the whole process. I learned about myself. I also learned about being patient. I learned about making mistakes over and over again. It was just automatic. I learned from beginning to end. Has serving as DIA Chair influenced your Al-Anon service going forward? Yes. I learned to recognize when something is not one of my strengths in the type of service position it is. I can look for the things that are my strengths in the kind of work it is, the kind of person I am, and the type of personality I have. What tools of the program did you use to work through everything? "One day at a time" really helped me. That was the biggest thing. "Everybody is doing the best they can" was another. I also had to learn to "ask for help" and to "trust the process!" How do you feel about how it went? I don't feel like it could have been any better. It was great! What was your favorite part of the event? The first thing that comes to my mind is the kids-all the kids, having their own little program! I especially liked listening to all the speakers. And our Al-Anon guest speaker, Evelyn, was fantastic. She shared a lot that I related to and she shared things I didn't know. She has such strong recovery! It was more than I could have expected. There were just so many things. From the guitar playing at lunch to the Tibetan bell ringing, I enjoyed everything about the day! All I would like to add is, last but not least, working with each and every person throughout the process was a blessing.
|
|
|
|
Recovery in Our Own Words
|
| |
|
How I Came to Believe That a Power Greater Than Ourselves Could Restore Me to Sanity
Submitted by Randy D.
 When I first came to Al-Anon, I wanted to know how I could help my alcoholic wife not be what she had turned into: an alcoholic. How could I help her stop drinking? The first thing I was told was I wasn't there to help her. I was there to help me and that I should learn everything I could about alcoholism and addiction. That was all well and good. Everyone needs a little help, so I thought I would stick around and see how Al-Anon could help me. However, there was still that issue: what could I do to help my wife stop drinking? Click here to read full share...
|
|
NEWS: District 14 & Beyond |
| |
|
|
District 14 Monthly Business Meeting
| All members welcome! | |
|
When: Every 1st Wednesday, 7 - 7:25 pm Concept Study, 7:30 pm Business Meeting.
Where: Lesher Auditorium, John Muir Concord Campus, 2540 East St., Concord.
|
|
News from the Business Meeting
| |
| |
Last meeting held on Apr 1, 2015 ~ Next on May 6, 2015
 |
|
Monthly Speaker Meetings
| |
|
 Contact Diane W. @ 925-234-0606 to volunteer your group!
Thank you to all the groups who have graciously volunteered their service by hosting a Speaker Meeting this year! The 2015 calendar is now full. Hooray! We can now begin filling the calendar for 2016. Please consult with your groups to see if they are interested. It is not too soon to plan ahead!
Remember, smaller groups can join forces to host together. There are detailed guidelines with timelines to aide you in the process if this is new to your group!
|
|
Group Donations to the District
| |
|
 Send to District AFG, P.O. Box 416, Concord, CA 94522-0416. Please DO NOT FORGET to label your donation with your Group Name, Meeting Day & Time, and AFG number. Thank you for all your support!
|
|
Donations to the NCWSA
| |
|
Send to NCWSA Treasurer, P.O. Box 728, Vacaville, CA 95696-0728.
Donation form A-25 is available on the NCWSA website Forms page.
Birthday Donations: Some members choose to send WSO Donations on their Al-Anon birthday. Birthday Donation envelopes can be ordered from WSO. |
|
Institutions & Public Outreach Corner |
| |
|
|
Institutions
| |
|
Contact Linda G. @ 925-556-6124 or Jen W. @ 925-383-6723 to get more information. Any Al-Anon or Alateen member can volunteer!
Institutions Service brings the Al-Anon presence to the institutions in our community while separating the Al-Anon philosophy from that of the treatment centers. Our Al-Anon/Alateen members reach out to families of alcoholics who are residents/outpatients of hospitals or treatment centers or are inmates of correctional & other residential facilities.
|
|
Public Outreach
| |
|
 Volunteers speak on Al-Anon to members of the community (at medical facilities, health fairs, schools, etc.). We are currently in need of a Public Outreach Coordinator and Alternate Coordinator. If you are interested in volunteering your service, or would like more information to see if this could be right for you, please contact Marilyn H. @ 707-643-4451. |
4th Saturday of Each Month @ 6:30 - 9pm
Kaiser Walnut Creek, 1515 Newell Ave, 3rd Floor, Oak Rm
(Medical Office Building parking at Newell)
Fellowship, Refreshments, Birthday chips, Donation drawing, Literature, Tape Library. Meeting recorded.
~ Next on April 25, 2015 ~
|
|
|
Al-Anon NCWSA 2015 Convention
"Color My World With Recovery"
April 17th-19th, 2015
What Happens at a Convention?
30+ meetings: Al-Anon (also in Spanish), Alateen, and AA
Speaker meetings Workshops Fellowship Donation drawing
...and FUN!
Participation is the Key to Harmony!
Attend just one meeting, one day, or all of the weekend
Share what you want to receive ~ bring a basket for the donation drawing
Get tons of hugs ~ be a greeter, help welcome newcomers
Share what you enjoy ~ bring food for the hospitality suite
Expand your family~ volunteer at the registration table
Want to help but not sure how? Lots of help will be needed during the event & YOU can volunteer! See the Service Corner for contact info volunteering service.
|
|
|
GTW Fundraiser & Speaker Meeting
Sun, April 12th @ 2 - 6 pm at 1st Baptist Church, 38141 Russell Blvd, Davis CA
"Riding the Wave of Hope." Growing Together Weekend Fundraiser: Ride the wave of recovery! Munchies provided. Alateen/Al-Anon/AA speakers. Donations: Alateen $5, Al-Anon $10, Family of 4+ $20.
See Event Flyer
www.GrowingTogetherWeekend.com
|
|
|
District 16 Day in Al-Anon 2015
Sat, April 25th @ 8am - 5pm
Trinity Lutheran Church in Pleasanton
Breakfast, workshops, panel, speakers, and more. Pasta entrée lunch provided. Bring any side dish or dessert! Suggested donation is $10. Childcare provided. For more info or to volunteer, contact Lisa J. at 925-525-6617 or Linda O. at 925-216-6591.
See Event Flyer
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Our 33rd Annual
Friday, May 15th thru Sunday, May 17th
Westminster Woods in Occidental CA
Growing Together Weekend is an Al-Anon/Alateen conference with AA guest speakers. It is a family & fellowship recovery event that focuses on healing from the effects of someone else's problem drinking. Al-Anon, Alateen, and AA members all work together in putting on this incredible conference where we literally "grow together" over one weekend each year. Space is limited so don't miss out on securing your spot! Even when the alcoholic has stopped drinking, we are left with the 'isms. So when life happens, we learn tools of recovery instead of old coping skills learned in alcoholic homes to gracefully ride "Waves of Change" in our daily lives.
Registration $158 postmarked by April 18, $168 after until registration ends May 4th.
Registration: Liz R. -- GTWReg@gmail.com / (617) 869-3535
Chair: Edward S. - GTW2015@gmail.com / (617) 230-6152
|
|
|
2nd Annual District 11
Marin Men's Al-Anon Weekend
Sat, May 2 @ 9am - Sun, May 3 @11:30am at Nature Bridge Conference and Retreat Center in Sausalito, CA
"Serenity - Courage - Wisdom"
A weekend for recovery, sharing, workshops, speakers, etc. Advanced registration by April 3rd required. Price $110 includes one night lodging, three meals, Saturday morning rolls & coffee, meeting room. Details follow upon registration. For info or to volunteer, see Flyer / Registration Form.
| |
|
|
|
2015 International AA Convention
Thu, July 2 - Sun, July 5 in Atlanta, GA
Celebrate A.A.'s 80th year with dancing & fellowship, Flag Ceremony & Big Meetings in Georgia Dome, and meetings in Georgia World Congress Center & local hotels. Centennial Olympic Park will host Thursday night's "Party in the Park." A variety of daytime activities plus meetings & workshops for Al-Anon and Alateen are scheduled at the Marriott Marquis. Meetings also offered in Spanish. See Event Page
See Registration Brochure
| |
|
|
|
Neighboring District Speaker Mtgs
See each district website for details
District 6 - Solano & Beyond: On last Friday of month @ 7pm, Vacaville.
District 16 - Tri-Valley area: On 2nd Saturday of month, Pleasanton.
District 26 - Hercules to Berkeley: 1st Saturday @ 6:30pm, Richmond. 3rd Friday @ 7pm, Berkeley.
| |
|
|
|
NCWSA Events Calendar
See Al-Anon & Alateen events occurring throughout Northern California plus AA events with Al-Anon participation. National and international events are also listed.
2015 NCWSA assembly days are:
One-Day Assembly
Three-Day Assembly
Fri, Oct 9th thru Sun, Oct 11th - See Day
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
District 14 Service Positions
| |
|
Contact Marilyn H. for more information on serving for District 14!
Open District Coordinator positions are shown on the D14 Coordinators list in the sidebar. The following are the current Alternate District Coordinator positions open:
- Newsletter
- Public Outreach
- Telephone Hotline
- Website
Alternate District Coordinators assist the Coordinator and represent that position at District 14 Business Meetings when needed. It is a great way to serve and learn a new position. If you are interested in providing service in your recovery by standing for a position, please review the Guidelines to see what is right for you. Then attend a business meeting to stand for the position.
If you feel you are not ready or cannot commit to being a Coordinator/Alternate but would still like to help in some way, you can contact any District Coordinator or Alternate Coordinator to see how else you can give service!
|
|
Other Service Opportunities
| |
|
 2015 NCWSA Convention Color My World With Recovery
Doubletree Hotel Modesto, 1150 9th Street, Modesto CA
Friday, April 17th thru Sunday, April 19th
Lots of help will be needed at the event & YOU can volunteer to help! Below are the Coordinators to call to offer your service.
- Donation Draw - Marie N. (209) 579-7747
- Greeters / Newcomers - April M. (209) 993-1872
- Hospitality - Lin E. (209) 484-0748
- Registration - Michelle S. (209) 595-7554
~
 Day in Al-Anon 2016
We Came to Believe
Date/Time & Location TBD
In February 2016, we will celebrate our 10th Annual DIA. In the 2nd month, in honor of our 2nd Step, the theme is "We Came to Believe." Are you in need of ways to give service? Would you just like to see if it is right for you or not? Contact 2016 DIA Chair, Michelle, for more info.
|
|
|
 Become an Alateen Sponsor For more info, contact Alateen Coordinator, Frannie D., at 925-787-3127 or Alternate Alateen Coordinator, Marilyn G., at 925-759-1452. |
Pre-Alateen & Alateen Meetings
There are programs of help for young people who believe their lives have been influenced by someone else's drinking. Different meetings are available for different age groups:
Pre-alateen for children ages 6 - 13 and Alateen for ages 12 - 20. See the District 14
Meeting List to see Pre-Alateen & Alateen Meetings currently available in our area.
|
Alateen Talk
Alateen Talk is WSO's Alateen quarterly publication. Alateen members around the world share their experience, strength, and hope. Shares relate to their personal lives, how their Alateen group is functioning, and ways in which they carry the Alateen message to young people who are still suffering from someone else's drinking.
Go to Alateen Talk page
| |
|
|
Alateen Express
Alateen Express is the official newsletter for Alateen groups of NCWSA. It contains info about Alateen that may be helpful to Al-Anon and Alateen groups. All Alateen members & their sponsors are urged to contribute info on group news, fundraisers and other special events. Articles present members' personal views & experiences.Read More
| |
|
|
|
|
9th Annual NCWSA Alateen Sponsors R&R
For Al-Anon Members Involved in Alateen Service and
Al-Anon Members interested in serving Alateen
"Recommit & Revitalize"
Fri, September 18th thru Sun, September 20th
Westminster Woods, Occidental CA
A weekend of sponsor training and sharing experience, strength, and hope!
Recommit our Responsibility: When anyone, anywhere, reaches out for help, let the hand of Al-Anon and Alateen always be there, and Let it Begin with Me. For more info or to serve on the Planning Committee, contact alateencoordinator@ncwsa.org.
Save the Date! More Information on the web soon! See Calendar Day
|
|
|
|
|
Reflections from The Forum
|
| |
|
Al-Anon's Monthly Magazine
 Subscribe to The Forum and receive your own monthly
"Meeting in Your Pocket" for only $11 per year.
The Forum contains many personal stories of inspiration, some of which are made available each month online by authorization of Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc. Click here to see current month's featured shares in full.
|
Loving detachment is hard to do--a mother's struggle
I fled to the rooms of Al-Anon when both of my adolescent children were at the height of their disease of alcoholism. I was experiencing every possible emotion, not the least of which was blaming myself for, somehow, causing their disease. The confusion of being a parent of minor children who were acting against the law and against themselves was an on-going struggle for me. I would sit in meetings and hear members say "take your hands off, let them suffer their own consequences." The concept of loving detachment was, for me, one of our program's most difficult concepts to understand and practice.
...
|
I kept coming back
It's difficult to explain to newcomers how life can change if they stick around. I came in with a broken faith; so believing in anything other than the imminent disaster that was engulfing my life seemed impossible.
...
|
Hope is an inside job
I was raised in an alcoholic home, and my first husband was an alcoholic. After our divorce, I noticed that my young son was drinking, and it bothered me. Someone I know suggested I go to Al-Anon. I was desperate, so I went.
...
Used with permission from The Forum, January 2015.
|
Bienvenidos a Al-Anon y Alateen |
| |
|
|
Recuperación. Unidad. Servicio.
| |
|
Los amigos y familiares de los bebedores problema encuentran comprensión y apoyo en las reuniones de Al-Anon.
- El sitio web para el Distrito 14
- Fortaleza y esperanza para los amigos y familiares de bebedores problema... Aquí
- Cómo localizar una reunion: Si la bebida de otra persona le preocupa, el asistir a las reuniones de los Grupos de Familia Al-Anon o Alateen le puede ayudar.
¿Cómo puedo ayudarle a mi bebedor problema a que deje de beber?
 No existe fórmula mágica que le permita a usted ayudarle a alguien a que deje--ni a que disminuya--la bebida. El alcoholismo es un problema complejo en el que existen muchos asuntos que se relacionan. Sin embargo, Al-Anon le puede ayudar a que aprenda la forma de enfrentar las dificultades de la bebida de otra persona . . .
Cómo me ayuda Al-Anon.
 En Al-Anon, los miembros no orientan ni les dan consejos a otros miembros. En su lugar, comparten sus experiencias e historias personales, e invitan a otros miembros a "quedarse con lo que les agrada y desechar el resto"--es decir, a determinar por sí mismos qué experiencias podrían aplicar a sus propias vidas . . .
|
|
|
Contribute to this Newsletter
| |
|
Send your contribution* by email with "Contribution" in the subject line.
 All Al-Anon & Alateen members are encouraged to contribute their shares to our district newsletter: something heard at a meeting, work on one of the Steps or Traditions, a thought while reading CAL (Conference Approved Literature), a share or short story about your experience, strength, and hope. *Submissions may be edited for length/grammar & in keeping with the 12 Traditions. Authors will be notified of any changes. Publications will be made at the discretion of the editor as space permits.
|
|
|
Al-Anon Faces Alcoholism 2015
| |
|
 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...
|
|
Closing Reflection
| | |
Breathe.
With love in service,
Michelle - District 14 Newsletter Coordinator
|
|
|
|
|
trict's groups. This weekend-long event with delegates, past delegates, and members coming together is in essence a large business meeting. There were fun activities and heartfelt shares. One note from the SWRDM was "Service is an integral part of recovery, not an intrusion."
