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Because of these rooms, I have a place I can come to.
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It wasn't until I got to Al-Anon that I realized just how crazy I was. Now I have program. And I keep coming back. That is how I maintain my sanity & my spirituality.
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My disease was letting the relationships in my life become my higher power. Al-Anon helped me to recognize that, and that was the start of my journey to healing.
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District Representative
707-643-4451
Alternate DR
925-683-8979
Secretary
925-609-9365
Treasurer
925-470-6524
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D14 Coordinators
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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
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Welcome to the District 14 Newsletter, created & distributed by Al-Anon members.
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Recovery in Our Own Words
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How Can I Help My Children?
A Share by Happenstance
Last month, I attended the NCWSA Convention in Modesto. It was my first convention and I was excited to soak in the recovery. On the Friday evening of our arrival, my partner & I explored the main convention room to look for scavenger hunt items as the kids rested in the hotel room. While scavenging, I saw the Alathon Meetings list on one of the Registration tables. I noticed that some topics needed a chair. One of these topics was, How Can I Help My Children?
I stopped at the sight of the words. How Can I Help My Children? But my initial, instant reaction was doubt: "What do I know? I don't know how to help my children." And then I knew. That inner thought of doubt told me that I needed to chair this meeting.
I decided to put my share on paper. I spent the next hours in our room writing...feeling... Writing... Feeling... I wrote & crossed out & rewrote into the wee hours of the morning. It wasn't just an exercise in writing. It was an exercise in program.
I have known for a long time that the best way I can help my children begins with me, by helping myself. But deeper than that I gained a new perspective of how deeply they have been affected. They are doubly affected: by both the Alcoholics and the Al-Anons. Their lives are molded not just by the alcoholism, but also by the Al-Anonism.
My children are not just the Alakids or Alateens of today; they are the Al-Anons, the ACAs of tomorrow. In helping myself, I can give them not just a better mother but also a better model of how to deal with, survive through, and live well & happily amidst the affects of the family disease of alcoholism. All this because I have program.
 Surrounded by program today, I can better hear my children, I can better feel them, I can better see them. I know better where and what they have come from. And more & more each day--through the grace & will of God, my higher power--I can better let go of them. Submitted by Michelle
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NEWS: District 14 & Beyond |
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District 14 Monthly Business Meeting
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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.
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News from the Business Meeting
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Last meeting held on May 6, 2015 ~ Next on Jun 3, 2015
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Saturday, May 16th @ 9 am to 4 pm
Campbell City Banquet Hall, Campbell CA
The NCWSA One-Day Assembly is almost here! It will be a great day of fellowship & business for our GRs (Group Representatives). Pizza lunch $10 (includes fruit & salad).
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Group Donations to the District
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 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!
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Donations to the NCWSA
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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. |
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Institutions & Public Outreach Corner |
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Institutions
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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.
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Public Outreach
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 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.
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District 5 AMIAS Workshop
For current Alateen Sponsors & members thinking of becoming an Alateen Sponsor
Sun, May 31st @12:30pm - 5pm
Petaluma United Church of Christ
825 Middlefield Drive, Petaluma CA
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Al-Anon Participation - 3rd Annual CCCAA
Sun, Jun 12th @ 4 - 8pm at Park Inn
3737 North Blackstone, Fresno CA
"Come join us for an afternoon of fellowship & recovery."
Experience, strength, and hope with Long-timers Panel, Alateens, Special Guest Speaker, Al-Anon play, Alateen Literature play, Alateen raffle (supporting NoCAC).
$8 pre-registration or at the door.
See Registration Flyer
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D25 Annual Summer Serenity Luncheon
Saturday, June 13th @12 Noon
Sharp Park Golf Course Restaurant
1 Sharp Park Rd (at Highway 1 intersection) in Pacifica CA
Highlights: Private banquet room, beautiful views, delicious catered lunch, amazing speakers! Service opportunities available; contact Jim DRforD25@gmail.com or 415-533-7544. Make your reservation now! $15 donation includes lunch, speaker meeting, and one raffle ticket.
See Registration Flyer
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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 Registration Brochure
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2nd Annual AMIAS Training
Hosted by District 15
Saturday, July 25th @1 - 4pm
First Presbyterian Church of Hayward, Room 14, 2490 Grove Way in Castro Valley
B-17 Training (please bring copy of B-17 and Service Manual) and WSO Alateen Training Module. Facilitated by Lisa B. - NCWSA Alateen Coordinator. Please register before July 20th to James H. at jhyatt1053@aol.com. $5 suggested donation for rent & refreshments.
See Training Flyer
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Monterey Bay Area Roundup 2015
Labor Day Wknd, Fri Sep 4th - Sun Sep 6th
Monterey Conference Center
1 Portola Plaza, Monterey CA
"Keep it Simple." Speaker Meetings with speakers from AA and Al-Anon, Alateen Presentation, marathon meetings, Golf Tournament, ice cream social, Bay Cruise, Yoga, Meet the Speakers dinner & dance! Discount for early registration.
www.montereybayarearoundup.com
See Registration Flyer
See Alateen Safety Guidelines
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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.
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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.
***SAVE THE DATE***
Diversity Day
NCWSA Three-Day Assembly
Fri, Oct 9th thru Sun, Oct 11th - See Day
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District 14 Service Positions
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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!
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Other Service Opportunities
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 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 @ 707-315-4114 for more info.
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 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.
***SAVE THE DATE***
Friday, June 26th - 1st NoCAC (Northern California Alateen Conference) Bash ... See Event Day
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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
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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
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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
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Reflections from The Forum
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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.
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Step Five: I accepted myself--unconditionally
Early in Al-Anon, one of the feelings I struggled with was anger. So many times in my childhood home, I felt angry but acted happy or pleased because the unwritten rule for the children of the family was, "Do not show anger." For the drinking parents, anger was permissible to express loudly, and on occasion with the help of a brush or belt.
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Al-Anon made us better parents
"Please press One if you will accept a collect call from the ... county prison."
My wife and I had been at friends' that evening. We got home at about midnight and found the message on our answering machine. We listened to it three times without saying a word. The message summarized the relationship we had with our son over the past two years.
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I choose serenity
Two sentences spoken at the first Al-Anon meeting I attended made me sit up and take notice: "How Important Is It?" and "You may be right." Each represented a 180-degree change in the way I looked at, and dealt with, the problems caused by my teenage son's alcoholism. At the time, I didn't believe either one, but they stuck in my head and proved to be both life-changing and a source of strength.
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Used with permission from The Forum, May 2015.
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Bienvenidos a Al-Anon y Alateen |
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Recuperación. Unidad. Servicio.
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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 . . .
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Contribute to this Newsletter
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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.
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Al-Anon Faces Alcoholism 2015
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 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...
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Closing Reflection
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Before recovery, I was always waiting for life to begin. With program,
I finally see & feel that I am living. There are ups & downs, joys & struggles.
But this is life and life is good. I am on the journey and it is never ending.
With love in service,
Michelle - District 14 Newsletter Coordinator
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