Pre-Conference AssemblyAs this issue goes to print, preparation for Pre-Con is nearly complete with the Assembly happening this weekend.
Multiple motions are on the docket for review and voting. Representatives should come prepared to represent their groups. Motions are listed below for reference.
Notes: This motion was proposed in 2015 for a trial period of three years to end in 2018. It was overlooked last panel.
Notes: Background information was sent to AWSC and resent by committee chair, and sent yet again by our secretary with draft minutes.
Each year, the WA Area Chair will appoint an advisory committee of up to 7 members to include the Chair and Delegate to determine how to spend the excess funds during the new year. Members of the Excess Funds Task Force are not eligible to submit requests for excess funds. The Excess Funds Task Force must submit their plan for use of funds according to priority; the Area Chair will include on the AWSC agenda and if approved, the list will go to the next Assembly for vote. If any excess funds remain unspent during the new year, those funds will return to the Area. Notes: The italicized and underlined text is the part that was added to this motion in order to: 1-ensure that committee members would be impartial when deciding how to spend funds; 2-require approval from GRs at assembly to spend the funds as the committee allocated; and 3-expand the opportunity for submission of projects to year-round.
Notes: Tech team volunteers must be secured for each AWSC and assembly 2022. |
For a trial period ending Fall Assy 2024, Washington Area will add 1 new Coordinator position titled “Communications Coordinator”. Notes: Job description and any additional information will be sent out ASAP after committee meeting March 18.
Notes: More information from the Website Coordinator to follow. 
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MWM Gratitude Dinner
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Fort Worden Weekend - KAMAThe Kent All Men’s AFG (KAMA) meeting held the Fort Worden men’s weekend for 36 consecutive years. The COVID pandemic stopped us as nothing else could have. We missed the 2020 and 2021 years, but we are back! in 2022!
Our tradition begins with dinner Friday night. Dinner is included in the ticket price, as are dinner Saturday night and breakfasts Saturday and Sunday. A group welcome meeting after dinner is followed by an AA or Al-Anon speaker. The balance of the night is used for several breakout meetings. Everyone is free to pick the breakout meeting that interests them. Saturday morning is breakfast in the Fort Worden dining facility, then a group meeting followed by breakout meetings. A group lunch is hosted by KAMA in the barracks lounge. Past offerings have been pizza and/or hoagie-style sandwiches. Snacks and soft drinks are provided throughout the weekend. The afternoon is “open,” with many attendees using the time for fellowship through bicycle rides, bocce, pickleball, walking the grounds to explore the remnants of the old coastal artillery emplacements, or visiting downtown Port Townsend. Dinner is again at the dining facility, followed by an Al-Anon speaker, more breakout meetings, and a group bonfire and barbecue. Sunday morning breakfast is followed by breakout meetings, and the weekend ends with a group meeting. Sharing our problems and listening to other individuals share can cut my problems down to size. Realizing that others have overcome the same issues gives me confidence that I, too, can get past the current issue, whatever it might be. Imagine going to a meeting already in that better mental place. That’s the “cumulative effect” of the weekend. For me, each meeting builds on the effect of the previous meeting. There are multiple breakout meetings in the same time slot, and I get to pick which meeting I attend so I can share and listen to the topic that I need in that moment. Another benefit is the time to connect with old friends and to make new ones. I make it a point to sit with a different group at each meal, strengthen my old connections, and build new ones. If you want to join us and help us celebrate the return of Fort Worden, you’ll have to hurry since there are only 50 spaces available! Details can be found in the flyer on the AIS events page at https://www.seattle-al-anon.org/events.html or on the KAMA website at https://mensalanon.wordpress.com. Please join us! |
Need a Free Newcomer Packet?Anyone local to Seattle who is a newcomer and wants an individual newcomer packet (or in Spanish too!), please send an email to LDC@seattle-al-anon.org with the name and mailing address. We are always looking for individuals interested in contributing to the BITS Expand your journaling into an article representing your experience, strength, and hope. As you've seen, the BITS accepts articles, poems, and historical perspectives — just about anything recovery-related. Write something for the newsletter, send it to us, and we'll get it published. newslettereditor@seattle-al-anon.org Pen Names Accepted |
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Step Four
Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. 
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Just Being Human
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Alateen and AMIAS Appeal
by Mary-Ann N
Seattle AIS Alateen Coordinator
Fellow members of Al-Anon and AMIAS (Al-Anon Members Involved in Alateen Service),
I would like to give you an update on our Alateen meetings.
Before COVID, we had about 20+ active Alateen meetings state-wide, and in addition, we were able to offer Alateen meetings to many high schools throughout Washington State.
However, due to COVID, Alateen meetings have been reduced to only 3 meetings in Washington State, 2 available locally
For our teens to have the needed access to recovery, we encourage 3 things:
I would like to give you an update on our Alateen meetings.
Before COVID, we had about 20+ active Alateen meetings state-wide, and in addition, we were able to offer Alateen meetings to many high schools throughout Washington State.
However, due to COVID, Alateen meetings have been reduced to only 3 meetings in Washington State, 2 available locally
- 1 zoom meeting in Seattle, Saturday morning at 10:30am
- WSO Alateen mobile chat, Monday night at 7pm
For our teens to have the needed access to recovery, we encourage 3 things:
- We need more certified AMIAS to enable us to reopen or open new Alateen meetings, as it takes at least 3 to 4 (2 being the bare minimum) certified AMIAS for every Alateen Meeting. Hopefully, having enough AMIAS will help us be ready when schools open their doors for the much-needed Alateen Meetings…
- Get the word out to teens on where to find meetings We can contribute by ensuring our Al-Anon meetings have a visible place for Alateen pamphlets, schedules, and copies of the flyer below for sharing. You can download the flyer at: https://www.seattle-al-anon.org/alateen.html
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If you know any AA persons, ask them to leave copies of this flyer at their home group or district, as many AA persons may know a loved one who could benefit from an Alateen meeting.
Training is required for everyone interested in volunteering as an AMIAS. Here is the list of upcoming training dates: |
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If you wish to sign up for any of the identified training dates or have questions, please contact Eliza D, our WA Area Alateen Coordinator, at alateen@wa-al-anon.org.
Also, you can contact me at alateen@seattle-al-anon.org for any questions you may have. Thank you for your service. |
Finding the Path to Freedom Together
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Al-Anon Mailbag
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So You Want to be an AMIAS? That’s Great!
You must: • Be over 21 • Be interested in supporting young people in their recovery from the effects upon their lives of a friend or family member’s addiction • Have been a continuous member of Al-Anon for at least the last two consecutive years and attend at least one Al-Anon meeting per week • Be nominated as a candidate for Alateen service • Not engage in overt or covert sexual behavior with Alateen members • Have not been convicted of a felony • Have not been charged with child abuse • Have not been charged with inappropriate sexual behavior • Not currently demonstrating emotional problems that could result in harm to Alateen members • Not conduct yourself in a manner contrary to applicable laws • Agree to participate in the yearly recertification process for “Al-Anon Members Involved in Alateen Service” in WA Area, which includes a background check conducted by the WA State Patrol • Agree to resign the position of “Al-Anon Member Involved in Alateen Service” if asked for any reason, considering the safety of the teens to be paramount and understanding that resignation is not an admission of any wrongdoing • Agree to step down at any time if you cannot meet these criteria What you will have to do to certify: • Take a two-part, approximately four-hour training on Alateen group process and safety protocols, service responsibilities and risks, Alateen literature and programs, and information about burnout prevention. At least the first half of training must involve direct communication with a trainer; online training can satisfy the second half • Submit certification paperwork that confirms your continuous active participation in Al-Anon for at least two years and submit to a yearly background check |
What you will have to do to maintain your certification:
• Continue to meet all requirements • Take a 2-3 hour online re-training once every second Spring • Submit recertification paperwork once a year that confirms your ongoing, active participation in Al-Anon and submit to an annual background check What can you do as an AMIAS? • Sponsor an Alateen meeting together with other AMIAS • Help get Alateens to or from their meetings or other events • Support Alateens at the Washington Area Alateen Conference (WAAC) • Be a “safe person” for Alateens at Area events (Area World Service Conference, Pre-Conference Assembly, Summer Service Assembly, Fall Assembly) Tradition Four
Each group should be autonomous, except in matters affecting another group of Al-Anon or AA as a whole. 
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Literature SalesFree Shipping Extended (again) We are excited to help our members (within Districts 14-22) during this difficult time. We are continuing our sale until JUNE 30th, 2022. Free shipping and no WSO surcharge for orders that are placed and paid online. We will strive to ship orders by the Thursday after payment is received. Literature order forms are available at https://www.seattle-al-anon.org/literature.html. For easy processing, follow the instructions on the literature order forms and email LDC@seattle-al-anon.org. The office will remain closed until further notice. Welcome New Web EditorEvelyn S has graciously volunteered to be the new AIS Web Editor. Welcome Evelyn. She can be reached by sending email to:
webeditor@seattle-al-anon.org |
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Alcoholism Is a Family Disease
Growing up in an alcoholic home meant arbitrary punishments sprinkled with moments of love and affection. I learned to monitor behavior and anticipate the moods of the adults around me in order to survive. This was the beginning of hypervigilance and feeling responsible for the well-being of others.
Relatives and friends would often “stop by” and have a drink or two. I remember one aunt would arrive with a purse bulging with full beer cans, even though there was a case in the basement fridge. The reactive moods of the drinkers would determine my fate. If they were feeling happy and generous, I might be able to do normal kid stuff. If they became dark and critical, it could mean punitive punishments or at least verbal abuse.
I knew that something wasn’t right within my family, as crazy stuff was being ignored or covered up. I wanted better things for all of us. However, I found no allies in the quest for a healthier home life. In fact, I was told my perceptions were wrong, and I was scapegoated for shining a light. Unfortunately, this rescue mentality persisted into adulthood. Over the years, I have gone to great lengths in efforts to try to “save” my family, friends, and partners.
I have been in recovery for decades and have made monumental progress on some of my dysfunctional patterns. However, I believe I have met my kryptonite! For the last 5 years, I have been surrounded by the same twisted crisis-laden alcoholic family dynamics. Once again, I find myself dragging through those familiar childhood patterns of survival and sacrificing myself to try to rescue the alcoholic(s).
While living around others immersed in the toxicity of alcoholism, my life continues to be submerged in unmanageability. When I think I’m flowing with the river of reality, I discover I’m attempting to swim upstream. I write out a rational game plan of healthy detachment, just to feel sorry for the alcoholic and get hooked back in! The alcoholic agrees to cooperate with taking care of their obligations, but I end up stuck in a catch 22 while they are out having a good time!
As I come out of magical thinking, I realize I am doing the insanity dance with an irrational person! Essentially, I am enabling their irresponsibility and trusting someone that displays cunning, baffling, and powerful behaviors! I am neglecting my life and personal responsibilities. I am miserable and in enough pain to be willing to change the things I can!
I am discovering that detachment is the process of untangling from my alcoholic loved one’s choices and the resulting consequences from my own.
Relatives and friends would often “stop by” and have a drink or two. I remember one aunt would arrive with a purse bulging with full beer cans, even though there was a case in the basement fridge. The reactive moods of the drinkers would determine my fate. If they were feeling happy and generous, I might be able to do normal kid stuff. If they became dark and critical, it could mean punitive punishments or at least verbal abuse.
I knew that something wasn’t right within my family, as crazy stuff was being ignored or covered up. I wanted better things for all of us. However, I found no allies in the quest for a healthier home life. In fact, I was told my perceptions were wrong, and I was scapegoated for shining a light. Unfortunately, this rescue mentality persisted into adulthood. Over the years, I have gone to great lengths in efforts to try to “save” my family, friends, and partners.
I have been in recovery for decades and have made monumental progress on some of my dysfunctional patterns. However, I believe I have met my kryptonite! For the last 5 years, I have been surrounded by the same twisted crisis-laden alcoholic family dynamics. Once again, I find myself dragging through those familiar childhood patterns of survival and sacrificing myself to try to rescue the alcoholic(s).
While living around others immersed in the toxicity of alcoholism, my life continues to be submerged in unmanageability. When I think I’m flowing with the river of reality, I discover I’m attempting to swim upstream. I write out a rational game plan of healthy detachment, just to feel sorry for the alcoholic and get hooked back in! The alcoholic agrees to cooperate with taking care of their obligations, but I end up stuck in a catch 22 while they are out having a good time!
As I come out of magical thinking, I realize I am doing the insanity dance with an irrational person! Essentially, I am enabling their irresponsibility and trusting someone that displays cunning, baffling, and powerful behaviors! I am neglecting my life and personal responsibilities. I am miserable and in enough pain to be willing to change the things I can!
I am discovering that detachment is the process of untangling from my alcoholic loved one’s choices and the resulting consequences from my own.
Concept Four
Participation is the key to harmony. 
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AIS Needs You!
Current Service Opportunities Office Volunteers Phone Volunteers Outreach Coordinator If you are interested in a particular area of service, please contact chair@seattle-al-anon.org |
Thank you for your donations and for your support of AIS!
Our funding now comes primarily from:
*Donations by Members, Groups, and Districts
*Literature Sales
Please send all AIS mail, including checks for literature orders and donations to:
Seattle AIS
505 Broadway E #400
Seattle, WA 98102-5023
Donate Now
Our funding now comes primarily from:
*Donations by Members, Groups, and Districts
*Literature Sales
Please send all AIS mail, including checks for literature orders and donations to:
Seattle AIS
505 Broadway E #400
Seattle, WA 98102-5023
Donate Now
And More ...
Please visit our Members section for the most up-to-date information on: