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The opposite of Fear
is Letting Go.
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The disease is my
"dis-ease." I can look at myself today & ask,
"What is making me
feel uneasy?"
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There are three things
in life I cannot change: the past, the truth,
and you.
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District Representative
707-643-4451
Alternate DR
925-683-8979
Secretary
925-609-9365
Treasurer
925-876-0100
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D14 Coordinators
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Alateen
Alateen Safety (DAPP)
Archives
2016 Day in Al-Anon
Institutions
Lending Library
Literature Depot
Meeting List
Newsletter
Public Outreach
Spanish Intergroup Liaison
Spanish Liaison
Speaker Meeting
Jeanie (Alternate)
Telephone Hotline
Website
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Donate to District 14:
Send to District AFG
PO 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!
Or send to NCWSA Treasurer PO 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. Just click here! |
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Welcome to the District 14 Newsletter, created & distributed by Al-Anon members.
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Upcoming Special Event: DIA 2016
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Online pre-registration available now!
We Came. We Came to. We Came to Believe. Come...for Experience, Strength, and Hope. Come to...find Serenity, Courage, and Wisdom. Come to Believe...in Yourself. In the Program. In a Higher Power.
Online Registration AVAILABLE NOW! Click the Donate button below to Pre-register online. Don't forget to put your name
(and the names/ages of any children for Alateen or childcare) in the comments box!
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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 Tradition Study, 7:30 pm Business Meeting.
Where: Lesher Auditorium at John Muir Medical Center - Concord Campus, 2540 East St.
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News from the Business Meeting
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Last meeting held on February 3, 2016 ~ Next on March 2, 2016
- Elections continued: We had the wonderful pleasure of electing a new District 14 Treasurer at this month's business meeting. Thank you & congratulations to Fred for standing and being voted in for this important position! Also, thank you to Nancy for all her service during her time as Treasurer!
 ***Reminder*** The 2016 Budget Meeting will be this Saturday, February 13th @ 10:30am at Nancy's. Contact Marilyn for address or to send budget proposals prior if you cannot attend. All members are invited! It is a great way to see & be a part of district-level service & fellowship behind the scenes!
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 Alateen Coordinator: Quarterly AMIAS (Al-Anon Member in Alateen Service) training will be coming up in April for all those interested or thinking about being interested in becoming an AMIAS! Renewals will take place concurrently. Please contact Frannie D. at 925-787-3127 for more information or to ask any questions about becoming an Alateen sponsor.
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 Telephone Hotline: We are in need of volunteers for our Telephone Hotline time slots! We are especially in need of male volunteers to answer incoming calls from men around our district who are seeking help. Not familiar with how it works or unsure about doing this type of service? Just contact Mary T. at 925-876-4298 for more information or any questions!
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...and Beyond
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NCWSC 2016 - 2017: See flyer for NCWSC and Assembly dates for this year and next year!
 Attending other District Business Meetings in the area is a great way to see how things are done in the program beyond our District 14 boundaries. Are you going out of town or maybe thinking about planning a trip? Many will attend Al-Anon Family Group meetings out of the area when on vacation or traveling for work, but not many think to attend district business meetings outside of our own. You can easily find out when/where these are happening by using the NCWSA website calendar: Just click here! 
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District 14 Service Positions
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Contact Marilyn H. @ 707-643-4451 for more information on serving for District 14!
Alternate District Coordinator positions are open! Provide assistance and represent at District 14 Business Meetings as needed. A great way to serve and learn a new position when not fully ready to commit! Review the Guidelines to see what's right for you then attend a business meeting to stand for the position. Open Alternate District Coordinator positions are:
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 Alateen - Whether you are an AMIAS or not, you can help! Assistance is primarily needed with paperwork. Contact Frannie @ 925-787-3127 if you are interested! -
 Newsletter - Help is needed to gather publication content and attend the district business meeting to report or simply distribute copies. Contact Michelle @ 707-315-4114 if you are able to assist in any capacity.
- Website - If you are interested in providing assistance to our Website Coordinator and/or attending the monthly district business meeting to present the Website Coordinator report as needed, please contact Bob B. @ 925-451-1533.
If you feel you are not ready or cannot commit but would still like to help in some way, you can contact any District 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 BelieveSaturday, February 20th, 2016 @ 8am to 4pm
St. Andrew's Celebration Center in Pleasant hill
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." No experience is necessary. We are still in need of a Co-Chair, who will be the DIA 2017 Chair.
Come to believe. Come to give service. Come to get recovery.
Come join us in creating another memorable event of shared hope, fun, & recovery!
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2016 NCWSA Convention Committee Meeting
Tree of Life ~ Roots of Recovery
2nd Sunday of each month @ 1pm - 3pm
Come join us in the planning of YOUR 2016 NCWSA Convention! This year's theme is "Tree of Life ~ Roots of Recovery." We still have the following open positions:
- Convention Co-Chair (must be from Central Districts 11-17, 25, or 26)
- Entertainment Chair & Co-Chair
- Speaker Chair & Co-Chair
The Convention NEEDS donations for:
- Donation Drawing: Contact Christine at (916) 529-2394
- Hospitality Room: Contact Harriet P at (707) 301-1738
We also need people for 2-hour slots during the entire weekend for:
- Registration: Contact Teresa T at (707) 410-6142
- Hospitality Room: Contact Harriet P at (707) 301-1738
- Greeters: Contact Carolyn at (707) 449-8978
If you are not sure you want to stand for a position but are willing to help, come join us. Every position will need people to help! Please be sure to bring a dish to share for the potluck lunch.
If you have questions about the convention and/or a position, contact the NCWSA Convention Chair, Patty B. at 707-372-3241.
POTLUCK: Please be sure to bring a dish to share for lunch that does not need to be heated.
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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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 Public Outreach informs the general public about who we are, what we do, and how to get in touch with Al-Anon and Alateen. The goal is to attract all families and friends of alcoholics to Al-Anon Family Groups, so that everyone who needs our program can find help and hope in every community. The attraction we provide is accomplished through the media, in cooperation with professionals, through institutions, and with organizations in the general public.
Ideas in the works [from February District 14 Business Meeting]:
- Transit bus advertisement placards
- Online audio streaming of speakers
"Al-Anon is the best kept secret...and we can change that!" Contact Linda B. @ 925-917-0781 or Ravi @ 925-686-3658 for more info! |
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Al-Anon Faces Alcoholism 2016
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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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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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Sacramento Spring Fling of AA 2016
with Al-Anon Participation
Friday, Feb 12th thru Sunday, Feb 14th
DoubleTree Hotel
2001 Point West Way, Sacramento 95825
"Language of the Heart." AA and Al-Anon speakers. H&I panels, Al-Anon meetings, Big Book studies, and Marathon meetings. Banquet speaker meeting. Dances and karaoke. For fist time, will have AA archives on display! www.sacspringfling.org
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8th Annual February Family Flapjack Fundraiser for D16 Alateens
February 20th, 2016 @ 9:30 to 11:30am
Trinity Lutheran Church
1225 Hopyard Ave, Pleasanton, CA 94566
Benefits District 16 Alateens. Suggested Donation: $8 for Al-Anons and $5 for Alateens. Pancakes, eggs, bacon, and sausage will all be provided. This District 16 Fundraiser abides by the NCWSA Requirements for Alateen Member Safety. See Fundraiser Flyer
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D24 Day in Al-Anon 2016
Saturday, February 27th @ 8am to 4pm
Bethlehem Lutheran Church
800 Cass St, Monterey
"On Serenity Road...to Recovery"
A Day of Fellowship, Recovery and Fun! $15 registration after Jan 29th. Wheelchair Accessible. Continental breakfast, potluck lunch, speaker meetings. Al-Anon (Eng & Span), Alateen, and AA meetings.
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NCCAA 69th Annual Spring Conference
with Al-Anon Participation
Friday, Mar 19th thru Sunday, Mar 20th
at the San Ramon Marriot
"Conferences are held for one purpose: TO CARRY THE MESSAGE." Northern California Council of Alcoholics Anonymous presents its 2016 Annual Spring Conference: Fellowship, workshops, speakers, free drawing, dance. Pre-reg by Mar 1st. Go to norcalaa.org / See Flyer with pre-reg form
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D22 Day in Al-Anon
Saturday, March 26th @ 2 to 7pm
Masonic Center
2500 Masonic Dr, San Jose
"Attracting Spiritual Serenity." A Day in Al-Anon. Dinner included! Al-Anon and Alateen speakers, raffle for gift baskets. Suggested donation: $12 pre-registration, $15 at the door. $5 for Alateens. Contact Jill V. at 408-807-9392 for more info.
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D4 AMIAS Workshop
Sunday, April 3rd @ 11am to 3:30pm
1st United Methodist, lower level Rm 12
1825 East St., Redding
Curious about working with Alateens? For Al-Anon members interested in learning more about Alateen service & training for current AMIAS. WiFi Available. Bring your own lunch Drinks & cookies provided! Bring a copy of B-17 and current Alanon/Alateen service manual. See Flyer | |
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"Tree of Life - Roots of Recovery"
Northern California World Service Area 2016 Convention
Friday, April 15th thru Sunday, April 17th
Crowne Plaza, 5321 Date Ave., Sacramento CA 95841
Save the dates! More info coming soon. Hosted by Districts 1 thru 10.
NCWSA 2016 Convention Planning Meetings held every 2nd Sunday (see Service Corner). Plenty of help needed with Chair & Co-Chair positions still open!
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D11 Men's Al-Anon Weekend
Arrival: Saturday, April 23rd @ 9am
Departure: Sunday, Apr 24th @ 11:30am
Nature Bridge Conference and Retreat Center in Sausalito, CA
3rd Annual Marin Men's Al-Anon Weekend. "Trusting Our Recovery - Recovering Our Trust." A weekend for recovery, sharing, workshops, speakers, and more. Advance Registration required. Deadline is March 23rd. Price is $115. Price includes one night lodging, parking, three meals, Saturday morning rolls & coffee, meeting room. Details will follow upon registration.
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2016 AA H&I Conference
Friday, Apr 29th thru Sunday, May 1st
Santa Rosa Veterans Building
1351 Maple Ave, Santa Rosa
Save the dates! Northern California 44th Annual Hospitals & Institutions Conference of AA with Al-Anon Participation. "Service is Recovery." Al-Anon keynote speaker TBA. Panels, speakers, fellowship, dance, & more. "Sharing Our Service" Institutions Service Workshop: Acknowledging 65 years of Al-Anon service in Institutions. For info, contact NCWSA Institutions Coordinator, David B. at institutions@ncwsa.org.
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Neighboring District Speaker Mtgs
See each district website for detailsDistrict 6 - Solano & Beyond: On last Friday of month @ 7pm, Vacaville.
District 16 - Tri-Valley area: 2nd Saturday of month, Pleasanton.
District 26 - 1st Saturday @ 6:30pm, Richmond. 3rd Friday @ 7pm, Berkeley.
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NCWSA Events Calendar
The NCWSA calendar lists Al-Anon and Alateen events occurring throughout Northern California, including AA events with Al-Anon participation. National and international events are also listed. Go to Calendar |
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Alateen Corner |
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 Become an Alateen Sponsor For more info, contact Alateen Coordinator, Frannie D., at 925-787-3127. |
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 - 12 and Alateen for ages 12 - 20. See the District 14
Meeting List to see Pre-Alateen & Alateen Meetings currently available in our area.
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"Acceptance: Breaking the Chain"
Northern California Alateen Conference 2016
First BASH: June 24th thru 26th at Malakoff Diggins State Park, Nevada City
Beach Fundraiser: July 9th at Huntington Lake, Big Creek
Second BASH: August 12th thru 14th @ Sugarloaf State Park, Kenwood
NoCAC: November - Location and exact date TBD (aiming for first weekend)
Save the dates! More info coming soon. Minimum age to attend is 12. All behavior guidelines must be followed; otherwise, you will be asked to leave. A22.7 Travel and Treatment Authorizations will be Required from ALL ATTENDEES.
Event Sponsors: Stephan T. & BethAnn B.
NoCAC abides by the NCWSA Requirements for Alateen Safety
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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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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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I found true peace
When I came to Al-Anon, I was angry and frustrated about so many things. Guilt motivated most of my behavior. My heart was torn over my children's and grandchildren's journey. We were all suffering.
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I am learning to breathe
I've always approached life with an attitude of, "If I just hang in there long enough, things will work themselves out. Everything will be okay." I think there's a grain of truth in this attitude, but it's just a tiny grain.
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We traded sadness and despair for peace and hope
My husband and I first stepped into the room of an Al-Anon meeting just over a year ago. We were greeted by friendly people and felt a small glimmer of hope. In spite of the chaos of our home situation with an alcoholic daughter and the racing of our minds trying to find solutions to our problem, we felt a palpable sense of warmth and acceptance. Here was a safe place among people who understood the impact the disease of alcoholism has on a family. We couldn't help but notice the peace and serenity on the faces of some of the longtime members of the group, and wondered if it was even possible to attain that kind of joy in our own lives.
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Used with permission from The Forum, February 2016.
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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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Closing Reflection
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I am human. I am filled with feelings. I have a right to these feelings.
What I do with these feelings is where the work comes:
Acknowledgement. Acceptance. Healing.
Then I can breath. "AAH..."
With love in service,
Michelle - District 14 Newsletter Coordinator
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