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There is a difference between self-esteem and ego: Self-esteem doesn't need an audience; Ego always needs an audience.
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It doesn't matter how long you've been in program; it's how much you learn as long as you're in the program.
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"Al-Anon is where we come to laugh together about the things we used to cry about alone."
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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
2017 Day in Al-Anon
Institutions
Lending Library
Literature Depot
Meeting List
OPEN (Alternate)
Newsletter
Public Outreach
Spanish Intergroup Liaison
Spanish Liaison
Speaker Meeting
Jeanie (Alternate)
Telephone Hotline
OPEN (Alternate)
Website
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DONATIONS
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Donate to District 14:
Send to District 14 AFG
PO Box 416, Concord CA 94522-0416
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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Recovery in Our Own Words
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Quiet for answers
It's hard not knowing the answers we want in front of us... I always wished I had them--and often thought I did, especially when I was nowhere close to knowing.
 When I feel like that today, I thank my Higher Power that I have better tools so I do not have to stay in the pain of feeling lost. I have such a great tendency to end up in my head, thinking & thinking & thinking, until I realize that--for all my wishing--I am not turning to God in openness and quiet as I should...not even half as often as the time I spend wishing for what I'm sure He would show me if I could just quiet the chaos in my head. Or if I could even just cry in complete freedom of vulnerability.
I recently opened up one of my daily readers and was reminded that meditation (something in which my success has been less than par) was the tool that I needed to use, the tool I needed to work on, in order to create the path from my head to my heart, to transform my thinking into the quiet I needed to achieve in order to receive my Higher Power's guidance:
 ...if I become immobilized in a continuing exercise of merely thinking, my recovery stagnates. Acceptance, the process by which my understanding travels the sometimes painful path from my brain to my heart, must naturally follow. Then I must wait for guidance to some form of action.
I find that guidance through mediation....
Just as prayer is my way of talking to my Higher Power, mediation is my way of listening for direction. (Courage to Change: One Day at a Time in Al-Anon II [B-16], p. 116)
With love in service,
Michelle Z., District 14 Newsletter Coordinator
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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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Shedding the emotional weight
It has been almost 14 years since my father had his last drink, his last rage, his last broken promise, and his last lie. But it wasn't until he stopped drinking that I realized I was just as sick as him. I wanted so much to trust his words, to not be afraid of him getting angry, and to trust that he wouldn't lie to me. But the reality was that I still feared all of it. He stopped drinking, but I didn't stop fearing.
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Upright and balanced--on the trail and in life
This past summer, my daughter and I planned to hike a section of the Appalachian Trail. Although we both loved the outdoors and were frequent day hikers, neither of us had attempted an overnight backpacking experience. After watching numerous on-line videos for advice, studying trail maps, and loading our packs, we set off for adventure, compass in hand and a smile on our faces.
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My serenity is up to me
Let me start by saying I don't often like epiphanies. The sudden awareness of something I didn't understand before can be unsettling--and annoying.
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Used with permission from The Forum, May 2016.
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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 April 6, 2016 ~ Next on May 4, 2016
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 Updated Group Contribution forms created by our District Treasurer, Fred, have been uploaded to the District 14 website in both English & Spanish. You can also find the forms in the Newsletter sidebar under the Donations section. Please fill in all info & send with your donation. And, as always, thank you for your generosity in helping our District 14 thrive!
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 Elections: Marilyn G. stood for Alternate Alateen Coordinator and was voted in. Congrats & thank you to Marilyn for serving again for us and our Alateens!
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 The holler was decided on for our NCWSA Spring Assembly (One Day Assembly) this Saturday in Livermore. All Al-Anon members are welcome to join the experience! No advance registration. See the NCWSA Spring Assembly under Upcoming Events for more info including flyer with agenda. -
DIA 2017 (Marilyn for Brittany): Read report from Brittany. May meeting is cancelled.
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Q&A Time! Question: How do we know how much to send to District, Area, and WSO when making donation contributions from our group? Answer: There is a recommendation of dividing up your group's total available contribution by sending 60% to the District, 30% to the Area (NCWSA), and 10% to WSO.
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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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 Newsletter - Help is needed to gather 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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Tuesday Nights @ Hispanic Alateen Meeting
We are looking for a member who can go to the Hispanic Alateen meeting on Tuesday nights to communicate information for GTW and NoCAC events by taking flyers & announcing deadlines for events as well as communicating with parents. Please contact Alateen Coordinator, Frannie D., @ 925-787-3127 if you are interested.
 District 14's 2017 Day in Al-Anon
Saturday, February 11th, 2017 @ 8am - 4pm
St. Andrew's Celebration Center, Pleasant Hill CA 94523
Sunday, June 19th @ 4pm at Starbucks, 1170 Concord Ave
Join the committee or come to learn more! Meetings on every 3rd Sunday @ 4pm at Starbucks on Concord Ave. Contact DIA 2017 Chair Brittany S. @ 925-808-1527 or brittanymilan@hotmail.com.
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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.
In the works:
- Forming subcommittees to increase H&I presence in varying facilities around the district, such as battered women's shelters and care homes.
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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.
May District Business Meeting Update:
- Outreach locations for Al-Anon - Focusing on doctor offices in area
- Proposing group members or groups to take responsibility of an area (talk to your group)
- Responsible to call & drop in monthly or as needed to replenish pamphlets
- Any member can drop off the AFA (Al-Anon Faces Alcoholism magazine) anywhere - Transit bus advertisement placards: Contra Costa transit placards will go up in June and go through December.
- Need volunteer to take literature to the Concord Police Station
- Reiterated asking newcomers how they heard about Al-Anon in order to help determine what forms of outreach work best
"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 or to give your ideas! |
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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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NCWSA Spring Assembly
Saturday, May 14, 2016 @ 9am to 4pm
Trinity Baptist Church (Gym)
577 Olivina Ave, Livermore CA
Registration: $10 at the door. On-site lunch included: Pizza, salad, fruit. Bring snacks to share! Chairperson's Welcome, Committee Roll Call and District Holler, Approval of Minutes, Audit Report, Delegate's Report, Workshops (TBA), Delegate's Workshop, and more TBD!
Anyone willing to be of service, contact Bill G. @ 925-864-2343 or hpftdy@yahoo.com.
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NCCAA 69th Annual Summer Conference
with Al-Anon / Alateen Participation
Friday, June 10th thru Sunday, June 12th
Veterans Memorial Building
1351 Maple Ave., Santa Rosa
Happy 65th Birthday, Al-Anon! D5 is happy to share the Al-Anon/Alateen message at the largest AA Conference in Sonoma County! Al-Anon meetings, Al-Anon & Alateen Speakers, Spanish program, Lois' Story DVD, and more. Out-of-state AA Speakers and full AA Program. Volunteers are needed! See flyer info. PRE-REG CUT OFF is MAY 28th. Online Pre-reg available.
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NCWSA Diversity Day
Saturday, July 16th @ TIME
First Presbyterian Church
2490 Grove Way, Castro Valley
"When ANYONE, ANYWHERE reaches out for help..." Alanon/Alateen is for Gay, Bi, Straight, Transgender... Parents, Children, Spouses... English, Spanish, Chinese Speakers... Buddhists, Christians Muslims, Atheists. Speakers from Alateen, Al-Anon, & AA. Spanish Interpretation & ASL Interpreters available. Recovery Workshops & Panels, Potluck Food, and Hospitality! Volunteers needed; see flyer contact info. See Event Flyer
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D9 Summer Day in Al-Anon
Saturday, July 26th @ 11am to 3pm
Pollock Pines Community Church
6361 Pony Express Trail, Pollack Pines
Silent Auction & raffle baskets, potluck lunch. We'll provide the cake & candles! Free childcare, great speakers. Everyone is welcome! $6 pre-registration (please mail before July 6th!) | $7 at door.
Al-Anon Speaker: Sandi C. (Past Delegate & Trustee) - 35 Al-Anon years.
AA Speaker: Marc B. - 34 AA years.
Alateen Speakers: TBA.
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D25 Summer Serenity Luncheon
Saturday, July 30th @ 12 Noon
Sharp Park Golf Course Restaurant
1 Sharp Park Road, Pacifica
District 25 invites you to their 21st Annual Summer Serenity Luncheon! Private banquet room, beautiful golf course views, & delicious catered lunch followed by amazing speakers from Alateen and Al-Anon. $18 donation also includes lunch one raffle ticket. Service opportunities: Donate raffle prize/basket, help decorate, bring dessert/soft drinks/water, offer ride. See Event Flyer for reservation info.
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D12 Summer Day in Al-Anon
Saturday, August 20th @ 10am to 4pm
Lake Merced Church of Christ
777 Brotherhood Way (off 19th Ave across from Bufano's Madonna Peace Statue)
"Courage to Change, One Day at a Time."
Save the Date! Speakers, workshops, and donation drawings. Share a day of fellowship with old friends and new!
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D5 Day in Al-Anon
Saturday, Sep 24th @ TBD
LOCATION TBD
Santa Rosa, CA
SAVE THE DATE for District 5's 2016
Day in Al-Anon! Time and location to be determined. More info will be shared as it becomes available. District 5 covers Napa and Sonoma counties.
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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., @ 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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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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34th Annual Growing Together Weekend (GTW)
Friday May 20th thru Sunday May 22nd
Westminster Woods at 6510 Bohemian Hwy, Occidental CA
Pre-Registration $160 postmarked by April 29th. Registration $175 after April 29th. Registration ends May 13th! Questions? Contact DJ Y. (Chair) @ 408-644-7666 or Jen A. (Co-Chair) @ 925-525-8900 (text please). Event Sponsors: Liz R. and Ray W.
*Growing Together Weekend abides by the NCWSA Requirement for Alateen Member Safety*
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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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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 . . .
13 Aniversario del Grupo Alegria de Vivir de Pittsburg CA
El Grupo Alegria de Vivir de Pittsburg CATe invita a su 13 AniversarioEl Sabado 11 de Junio del 2016En Club Marina Ubicado en 55 Pacifica Ave en Bay Point CA 94565
Recibimiento y comida: De 1pm a 3pmInformacion al public: De 3pm a 5pmPastel y baile: De 5pm a 7pm
Oradores:
Edgar (AA) de Los Angeles CATema: A Las Esposas
Mirna (Al-Anon) de Los Angeles CATema: Los Sintomas de la Enfermedad del Alcoholismo en La FamiliaOdalis (Alateen) de Alviso CA Tema: Alateen un Modo de VidaH.A. Oscar (Mexico DF)Tema: La Convivencia con una Enfermedad Cronica Debido al Alcoholismo
Para mas informacion: Benny (925) 497-6455
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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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Sometimes all I need to do is exhale...
It is the start of allowing myself to breathe in my Higher Power's guidance.
With love in service,
Michelle - District 14 Newsletter Coordinator
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