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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
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! |
QUICK LINKS
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Welcome to the District 14 Newsletter, created & distributed by Al-Anon members.
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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 personal stories of inspiration, some available online by authorization of Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc. Click here to see the most recent featured shares in full.
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My life was unmanageable and insane, only I didn't know it
My life has been a journey; not always what I expected, but never anything I could not handle. I often think about how I got to be the person I am. I never realized the role alcohol had in all of it.
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Today, I know that love is unconditional
I grew up not knowing the difference between shame and guilt. Shame told me that I was fundamentally unworthy, insufficient, and unlovable: a "wrong" person. Guilt is what I feel when I make choices that disrupt the harmony between myself and my Higher Power, other people, or the universe.
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How Al-Anon works for me
When I first came to Al-Anon, I was so empty inside I didn't even know who I was anymore. I couldn't believe that my husband's drinking was going to end the day he entered Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.). He promised so many times to stop drinking, and now A.A. was going to help him and not me. As for our three children, I felt that I didn't have any control over their behavior.
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Used with permission from The Forum, June 2016.
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There's a slogan for that!
 As a mother of two young adult boys who have multigenerational problem drinking in their genealogy, I sometimes wonder if they're developing their own problems with alcohol. I sometimes worry that they will end up like their dad and/or grandparents. It was only when my anger at the disease of alcoholism had become so overwhelming that I sought help from the Al-Anon program.
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My heart is open today
I met someone new recently. It was a completely unexpected event. As I spent time with this person, my heart was touched in a way that it hadn't been in quite some time. A cascade of feelings came up afterwards, and I was a little unsettled for a while. I continued to work Steps One through Three and Ten through Eleven, every day, as I walked through all the feelings.
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A mother practices 'Live and Let Live'
Our son was struggling with his addictions and needed a place to stay for just a few days. I strongly felt I should bring him back home. My husband was more skeptical, and I didn't blame him. The year before, our son had pawned many of my husband's possessions to feed his addiction.
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Used with permission from The Forum, July 2016.
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I learned how to take care of myself
I cannot express how much Alateen has helped me. Growing up, I was all alone. My parents were always fighting. Whether it was about what to have for dinner or getting a divorce, they were always at each other's throat. I would try to solve the issue and make things better, but I quickly learned that it made things worse. As a seven- or eight-year-old, I didn't know how not to be in the middle. Until Alateen, I didn't learn how not to get upset when they were fighting and to focus on myself.
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Today, I love my son with no resentments
Soon after my son turned 18, he announced that he was moving out. I knew by the look on his face not to challenge his decision. That was 28 years ago, and with the exception of three or four brief times, he has not wanted to be a part of my life. During his brief pop-ins, he would wreak havoc, and just like that, be gone again. I didn't have Al-Anon then, and so I got caught up in the doubts, fears, and shame. It was agony. There is a hook in being a mom, and Al-Anon is where I found the courage, strength, and wisdom to unhook myself from my son's unacceptable behavior.
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Dreams do come true
 Three years ago, I could barely say my dream aloud. Today, I'm living it. Back then, a friend asked me about my ideal job. I meekly squeaked out my answer: I wanted to pursue my passion at home while raising my children. At the time, it felt like a faraway dream. Growing up amid active alcoholism, I was used to keeping my focus on others and neglecting myself. I didn't know what I enjoyed, what I was good at, or where I fit in.
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Used with permission from The Forum, August 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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Summer News Highlights from the Business Meeting
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Last meeting held on August 3, 2016 ~ Next on September 7, 2016
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- Men's Day in Al-Anon 2016: "Men Working Step Four"
***District 14's MDIA 2016 is less than two months away!*** We want to welcome male Al-Anon Sponsors to help with this event and to share their experience with Newcomers and others in the program. We want to welcome men that are new to the program. Long-time members are also welcome to share their experiences.
 Many men do not know what to expect when working the Steps and Step 4. If you are new to the Al-Anon program, you may have many questions about the steps, taking a personal inventory, and working with a sponsor. The workshops will focus on Step 4: Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
We ask for a free will donation for this event. Pre-registration: $15 | Day of event: $20. No one will be turned away due to an inability to pay. Hosted by the MISTR (Men in Steps to Recovery) Men's Group - Monday 6pm, Concord. Check out Upcoming Events for more info and flyer & agenda links!
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 Special Event to come in 2017! Remember the special event Sponsorship Workshop in 2015? Our district is looking to host another special event in 2017! A list of future event ideas was put together, presented, and discussed at the August Business Meeting. The list has been emailed to all GRs/panel members to take back to the groups for further feedback. View the list here and let us know your thoughts! Contact Billie or Marilyn.
 Literature Depot Reminder: Please remember to order your literature from our District 14 Literature Depot (not website, bookstore, etc.). Doing this helps to financially support our district!
- Fun Fact: According to WSO, our St. Bonaventure group has been in existence since August 1st, 1978! Happy 38 years!
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...and Beyond
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NCWSA
2016 - 2017: See flyer for NCWSC and Assembly dates for this year and next year!
- The NCWSA requested a special appeal of 85$ per group per year. This is not above the regular 7th Tradition donation, but the amount requested from each group overall in 7th Tradition collections. Special appeals flyers were passed to all District 14 Group Representatives to take back to the groups.
- Thoughts from the One Day Assembly last May: The film was enjoyed. It was surprising to understand the state of the WSO financial situation. The WSO spends $268 per group per year!
- The 2017 NCWSA Convention will be held in the Central Area, Fremont District. Volunteers from other districts are welcomed!
- The 2016 Three-Day Assembly will be October 14th thru 16th. Find out more info under the Upcoming Events section!
WSO News:
 2016 World Service Conference held this past April: "Realizing Our Spiritual Potential" Check out the highlights from Al-Anon's 2016 WSC held this year at Virginia Beach, VA in the News from WSC!
 Al-Anon WSO celebrates five years on Facebook! In July, Al-Anon WSO celebrated its fifth anniversary on Facebook. In just the last year, the Al-Anon Facebook Pages have reached over a million people. Here is what a visitor to our Facebook Page had to say:
"I went to my first Al-Anon meeting last night. I was nervous and unsure of what to expect. I heard firsthand from people who are dealing with the same problems. Their experiences and their emotions were just like mine. I cried. I don't cry in front people. I honestly did not think I would feel a connection, but I did-immediately. Thank you for this program. I know I only went once, but I feel hope for the very first time."
 Al-Anon WSO can also be found on Twitter and YouTube! Please help us continue reaching out via social media to people who have been affected by someone else's drinking.  Just check out the social media icons under "Quick Links" in the sidebar!
You can also check out the WSO Facebook page in Spanish or French. IMPORTANT INVITATION AND REMINDER: An Al-Anon Opportunity to "Meet the Board" is happening in Fayetteville, Arkansas! Saturday, Oct 22nd @ 9am - 4:30pm at The Chancellor Hotel, 70 North East Ave in Fayetteville
 Join your Sponsor, bring a sponsee, invite members from your group! "Meet the Board" is a one-day event bringing 22 longtime Al-Anon members to Fayetteville: volunteers from the U.S. and Canada serving on your Al-Anon Board of Trustees and Executive Committee.
Learn about the Board and its work at WSO. Hear members' personal stories. Participate in round-table discussions. Have an opportunity to share with other Al-Anon members from across North America!
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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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 District 14's 2017 Day in Al-Anon: "Live and Let Live"
Saturday, February 11th, 2017 @ 8am - 4pm
St. Andrew's Celebration Center, Pleasant Hill CA 94523
First Planning Meeting: Sunday, August 21st @ 3pm at John Muir Medical Concord Campus Cafeteria | See Planning Flyer
Join the committee or just learn more! Contact our new DIA 2017 Chair, Ely S. @ 925-708-7966.
~ Check out the Institutions & Public Outreach Corner for even more opportunities to provide service!
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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 Al-Anon 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 of hospitals or treatment centers or are inmates of correctional & other residential facilities.
District Business Meeting Updates:
- 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.
- Coming Soon - 2017 H&I Convention from the NCWSA Institutions Conference Planning Committee. This will be a service/fund raising event. Date/place/time TBA. There will be a meeting before our Speaker Meeting in August for those who are interested!
- H&I Mailing List - You can be added if you are interested in this type of service!
- Linda G. will be rewriting the Guidelines for Institutions Coordinator and will be creating guidelines for a Facilities Coordinator position.
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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.
District Business Meeting Updates:
- Outreach locations for Al-Anon: Copies of Al-Anon Faces Alcoholism 2017 distributed for circulation at local groups and other locations that can help reach others in need! Our Public Outreach Committee has put together a list of offices willing to place Literature in office/waiting rooms. We are in need of volunteers willing to commit to re-supplying an office on the list when needed. Are you able & willing? Or do you know of any other locations (doctor's offices, police stations, etc.) throughout the district at which copies of the AFA magazine could benefit others? If so, please contact Billie T. or Linda B.
- Transit bus advertisement placards: Contra Costa transit placards went up in June! Please ask newcomers how they heard about Al-Anon in order to help determine what forms of outreach work best! The placards can be seen on the inside of County Connection buses.
"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. |
 Alateens Root Beer Float / Ice Cream Fundraiser #2! Please support our District 14 Alateens by coming for root beer floats & ice cream before this month's District 14 Speaker Meeting. Starts @ 6pm! Suggested Donation is $2.50. Bracelets will also be offered for a suggested donation of $5 each. See Alateen Fundraiser Flyer
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D19 Day in Al-Anon
Saturday, August 20th @ 10am - 6pm
Santa Teresita Youth Conference Center
43816 Sierra Drive, Rivers CA
"Joy of Recovery in Al-Anon." Spend time in this amazing environment in the foothills of the Sierra Mountains! Speakers, fellowship, activities, workshops (including Spanish & Alateen), and more! Registration deadline is August 1st. $50 registration fee includes lunch AND dinner!
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D5 Annual Al-Anon BBQ
with AA & Alateen Participation
Saturday, August 27th @ 1 - 5pm
Daniel Galvin Community Park
3330 Yulupa Avenue, Santa Rosa
Donation: Adults $10 | Alateens $5 | Children under age 12 $0.25 (Cash or Check Only.) Tennis Courts, driving range, play area. Potluck style: Bring a salad, side dish, or dessert to share. Hamburgers, hotdogs, chicken, water provided. No childcare.
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10th Annual NCWSA Alateen Sponsors R&R
"Celebrating 10 Years of Compassion, Consistency, & Commitment"
Friday, September 16th thru Sunday, September 18th
Westminster Woods, Occidental CA
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A weekend for AMIAS and those interested in becoming AMIAS. Training and sharing experience, strength and hope! Featuring special guest speakers, open mic, and a Saturday workshop. Late registration $174 until August 24th or space no longer available. ...Replenish & 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!
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D5 Day in Al-Anon
with AA & Alateen Participation
Saturday, September 24th @ 10am - 6pm
Church of the Incarnation
550 Mendocino Ave, Santa Rosa CA
"Let Your Joy and Gratitude Take Flight." Potluck lunch. Fellowship, workshops, speakers, craft sale. Childcare available - MUST pre-register!
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41st Annual AA Convention:
2016 Lake Tahoe Fall Festival
Friday, Sep 30th thru Sunday, Oct 2nd
Harvey's at Hwy 50, Stateline NV
"Fellowship." Join us for inspirational speakers, great food, panels, and more! Saturday Luncheon available. Kenny Blach Memorial Golf Tournament available.
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D4 Day in Al-Anon
with AA & Alateen Participation
Saturday, October 1st @ 10:30am - 2:30pm
Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church
2600 Shasta View Dr. (Hwy 44 at Shasta View Dr.), Redding CA
"Celebrating Al-Anon's 65th Birthday!" Workshop on "Sponsorship, What's It All About?" Potluck Lunch (bring a dish to share). Speaker: Yvonne D., NCWSA Delegate, Panel 55. Suggested Donation is $10. Pre-registration is recommended, but not required.
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69th Annual Fall Conference of NCCAA
Friday, Oct 7th thru Sunday, Oct 9th
Centre Plaza, 10th & K Streets, Modesto CA
Join us for a weekend of family recovery at the 69th Annual Fall Conference of the Northern California Council of
Alcoholics Anonymous. Fellowship, panels, speakers, workshops, marathon meetings, Spanish meetings. Pre-registration ends on Sep 28th. Donation: $15 Pre-Reg | $20 at door. Online Pre-Reg available!
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Northern California World Service Area
Fall Three-Day Assembly
Friday, October 14th thru Sunday, October 16th
Lions Gate Hotel & Conference Center at 3410 Westover Street, McClellan CA 95652
Hotel Direct Line: (916) 643-6222 | Hotel Reservation Cut-Off Date: Friday, September 23rd
Double beds or King bed suite for single or double is $115 a night. (Use code NCWSA)
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D14 Men's Day in Al-Anon 2016
Saturday, October 14th @ 8am - 3pm
Hillcrest Congregational Church
404 Gregory Ln, Pleasant Hill CA
"Men Working Step 4." This year's MDIA features four workshops: Introduction to Step Four, How to Work with a Sponsor, How to Make a Personal Inventory, and Character Traits Explained. For more information, contact, feedback, and online registration, go to www.mdiad14.org.
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Hawaii Area AFG and West Hawaii District 7 proudly hosts TEAM Hawaii - Service with Aloha
Friday, Nov 4th thru Sat, Nov 5th
at the Royal Kona Resort
75-5852 Ali'i Drive, Kailua-Kona HI
The WSO and Hawai'i World Service Area are partnering to bring a day of fellowship, workshops, spiritual experiences, and growth. Make reservations with Royal Kona Resort and mention Al-Anon!
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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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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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***ATTENTION: New Alateen Meeting in Brentwood!***
Thursday Brentwood Teens @ 6 pm
East Contra Costa Fellowship Hall
8385 Brentwood Boulevard, Suite B
Please Note: There will be no meeting on the Thanksgiving holiday.
"Asking for good thoughts and Step 11 prayer & meditation
for our good purpose in our community." Janie K., AMIAS
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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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The 2016 Alateen Survey results are in!
The survey was conducted from March 1st thru 20th. Click here to check out the results! Percentages in the summary document are based on the 170 completed responses by Alateen members age 21 years or younger.
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"Acceptance: Breaking the Chain"
Northern California Alateen Conference 2016
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November - Location and exact date TBD (aiming for first weekend)
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Save the date! 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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 Become an Alateen Sponsor For more info, contact Alateen Coordinator, Frannie D., @ 925-787-3127. |
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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Are you out there as I am here?
With love in service,
Michelle - District 14 Newsletter Coordinator
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Elections: Susie N. stood for Spanish Liaison at our June Business Meeting and was voted in. Congrats & thank you to Susie for becoming instrumental in communicating to the sponsors and parents of our Spanish Alateens, especially regarding special events! 
Unfortunately, Brittany S. had to step down from her position as DIA 2017 Chair. Fortunately, we are able to give a great thank you to our new DIA 2017 Chair, Ely (Meeting List Coordinator) for stepping up to fill the role and Paula (DAPP) for being Co-Chair.
