The Seattle AIS Election Results for 2022
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The AIS elections this year were held virtually during the AIS Council Meeting on November 11th. This election also showed us where we need additional help.
The 2022 results are:
Officers
Chair: Karen L
Vice-Chair: Helen V will continue in this role
Secretary: Elizabeth G
Treasurer: Mariann M will continue in this role
Coordinators will be announced at the December 9th Board and Council Meeting.
As you can see, we have many openings!
Events Editor
Outreach Coordinator
Phone Volunteers
Web Editor
For questions about the positions/job descriptions, please see the AIS Standing Rules and Procedures Manual (SRPM).
Please contact the Chair (chair@seattle-al-anon.org) or current coordinator/officer here if you are interested in a position. The outgoing coordinators/officers are available to assist and train you. No experience is required.
The 2022 results are:
Officers
Chair: Karen L
Vice-Chair: Helen V will continue in this role
Secretary: Elizabeth G
Treasurer: Mariann M will continue in this role
Coordinators will be announced at the December 9th Board and Council Meeting.
As you can see, we have many openings!
Events Editor
Outreach Coordinator
Phone Volunteers
Web Editor
For questions about the positions/job descriptions, please see the AIS Standing Rules and Procedures Manual (SRPM).
Please contact the Chair (chair@seattle-al-anon.org) or current coordinator/officer here if you are interested in a position. The outgoing coordinators/officers are available to assist and train you. No experience is required.
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Step Twelve
Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to others, and to practice these principles in all our affairs. 
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.
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AIS Board and Council Meeting
Thursday, December 9th, 730p - 9p Electronic Meeting Join Zoom Meeting: Click Here Meeting ID: 839 6957 0120 Passcode: 001086 The AIS Council Meeting is the business meeting for the Greater Seattle Al-Anon Information Service. Each Group has a vote and is encouraged to send a representative. All Al-Anon members are invited to attend. |
From the Chair
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When Anessa N asked me if I would consider being AIS Chair, I thought of all the years of service I had already done for AIS in years past. I thought about the responsibility that comes with being a chairperson for the all-volunteer AIS, and I thought about Concept 9, “Good personal leadership at all service levels is a necessity. In the field of world service the Board of Trustees assumes the primary leadership.” And especially in our service manual, I read Bill W’s words on leadership. I then made myself available because Anessa N asked and because it is important to my recovery from the effects of alcoholism to be in service.
I have completed 3 years of service in this position and now express my deep appreciation for all who have served the Greater Seattle Area Al-Anon Information Service. Every officer, coordinator, group representative (GR), alternate-GR, and district representative have put their time, experience, strength, and hope into the AIS Board and Council meetings and the decisions that have provided excellent service to the Al-Anon groups that AIS serves. Your service and commitment have filled me with humility and joy. We have served the groups well, and I thank you all for your service.
As we look to next year, I have every confidence that Karen L will provide AIS with “good personal leadership” as the 2022 AIS Chair.
In service,
Eliza D
I have completed 3 years of service in this position and now express my deep appreciation for all who have served the Greater Seattle Area Al-Anon Information Service. Every officer, coordinator, group representative (GR), alternate-GR, and district representative have put their time, experience, strength, and hope into the AIS Board and Council meetings and the decisions that have provided excellent service to the Al-Anon groups that AIS serves. Your service and commitment have filled me with humility and joy. We have served the groups well, and I thank you all for your service.
As we look to next year, I have every confidence that Karen L will provide AIS with “good personal leadership” as the 2022 AIS Chair.
In service,
Eliza D
Being a Newsletter Editor During a Pandemic
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The past two years have been a blur, and being the newsletter editor has been challenging. As a newsletter editor during a pandemic, I wanted to understand how other Al-Anon newsletter editors were doing. Due to the pandemic, some local groups have stopped many services, including having a newsletter. I reached out to the AIS at Portland, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Boise, Spokane, but (and this might be a testament to how stressed people are during COVID) I did not receive any replies. Two people I did hear back from were our WA Area newsletter editor and the WSO newsletter team. I asked everyone the same two questions about how they were doing, including myself, below.
How have the past two years changed your newsletter?
WSO: The basic strategy has remained the same in light of the Communication Calendar process. We did see a need to send more emails to keep members informed during the challenging circumstances of these past two years.
Katherine R, WA Area: To answer your first question, the biggest change in my mind regarding the newsletter has been the "remote" nature of our groups during this season. Before COVID-19, I was pushing pretty hard to encourage paper subscriptions so that members could pass the Wanderings around during their meetings. Speaking for myself, I'm 100% more likely to read a hard copy of something while I'm sitting there than to open an email attachment as I scroll through emails at home. So I figured that it was worthwhile to get physical newsletters in the hands of as many members as possible so they might remember this communication tool. Once our groups had to go virtual, though, paper copies were NOT the way to go for most folks. Oh, well. Now that some groups can meet in person again, I'm returning to my earlier emphasis.
Me: With meetings becoming virtual a few weeks after I took over, I had to rely on email only to communicate with members for articles and interviews. I would have loved talking to people in person for interviews, but maybe next time. But, unfortunately, I started two weeks before the pandemic closure, so this way of doing business is all I know.
How did YOU change in Al-Anon during the past two years?
Katherine R, WA Area: Your second query, about how things are going personally, I would say that I am very grateful for two groups whose members I knew well beforehand. Seeing them on a screen was better than not meeting at all, and I trusted them and looked forward to sharing my recovery with them again.
WSO: If nothing else, COVID only strengthened my resolve to ensure that anyone anywhere can find recovery through Al-Anon. We continue to build on the mobile app and electronic search to help people find meetings and connections with other Al-Anon members in a time when social distancing and isolation are the norms. It provided its own special set of challenges, especially with various events such as the World Service Conference.
The pandemic proved a few things to me; our program is here to last and will endure whatever is thrown its way, and that our members are very generous with their time and their money. It has restored my hope for our future.
Me: The newsletter took a lot out of me these past two years. I put a lot of time into it (perhaps too much) and probably burned myself out. Because of the pandemic, I wanted to have as much fun as I could with the newsletter, as I felt like we all might need some laughs. With all that workload I put on myself, I realized that I was not working my program as much as I should. I feel like if it weren’t for COVID and me working an in person full time job this whole time I would be doing another year, no doubt. I loved doing this newsletter, but it definitely wore me out! I am proud to have been your pandemic newsletter editor and hope I have made a positive impact.
How have the past two years changed your newsletter?
WSO: The basic strategy has remained the same in light of the Communication Calendar process. We did see a need to send more emails to keep members informed during the challenging circumstances of these past two years.
Katherine R, WA Area: To answer your first question, the biggest change in my mind regarding the newsletter has been the "remote" nature of our groups during this season. Before COVID-19, I was pushing pretty hard to encourage paper subscriptions so that members could pass the Wanderings around during their meetings. Speaking for myself, I'm 100% more likely to read a hard copy of something while I'm sitting there than to open an email attachment as I scroll through emails at home. So I figured that it was worthwhile to get physical newsletters in the hands of as many members as possible so they might remember this communication tool. Once our groups had to go virtual, though, paper copies were NOT the way to go for most folks. Oh, well. Now that some groups can meet in person again, I'm returning to my earlier emphasis.
Me: With meetings becoming virtual a few weeks after I took over, I had to rely on email only to communicate with members for articles and interviews. I would have loved talking to people in person for interviews, but maybe next time. But, unfortunately, I started two weeks before the pandemic closure, so this way of doing business is all I know.
How did YOU change in Al-Anon during the past two years?
Katherine R, WA Area: Your second query, about how things are going personally, I would say that I am very grateful for two groups whose members I knew well beforehand. Seeing them on a screen was better than not meeting at all, and I trusted them and looked forward to sharing my recovery with them again.
WSO: If nothing else, COVID only strengthened my resolve to ensure that anyone anywhere can find recovery through Al-Anon. We continue to build on the mobile app and electronic search to help people find meetings and connections with other Al-Anon members in a time when social distancing and isolation are the norms. It provided its own special set of challenges, especially with various events such as the World Service Conference.
The pandemic proved a few things to me; our program is here to last and will endure whatever is thrown its way, and that our members are very generous with their time and their money. It has restored my hope for our future.
Me: The newsletter took a lot out of me these past two years. I put a lot of time into it (perhaps too much) and probably burned myself out. Because of the pandemic, I wanted to have as much fun as I could with the newsletter, as I felt like we all might need some laughs. With all that workload I put on myself, I realized that I was not working my program as much as I should. I feel like if it weren’t for COVID and me working an in person full time job this whole time I would be doing another year, no doubt. I loved doing this newsletter, but it definitely wore me out! I am proud to have been your pandemic newsletter editor and hope I have made a positive impact.
Gratitude and My Rock Shield
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As I was headed out on my motorcycle to visit a friend on a sunny mid-September day, I found myself behind a couple of dump trucks. Since we were traveling on a two-lane road, there was no option to move to another lane or pass them to get away from them. Oh well, no big deal, I had no specific time constraints on my travel. I assumed my typical position of several auto lengths behind the truck. At some point, I became aware of a small object coming off of the truck and passing by me on the right. Hmmm, they were gravel trucks, interestingly with large signs on the back stating that they were not responsible for windshield rock chips and to keep back at least 200 yards. Virtually everyone has experienced the thrill of having their auto hit by a small rock; the sound and the windshield damage get your attention. Now consider taking that same rock in the hand, arm, possibly the helmet face shield, or even in the face. The repercussions could be much more severe, possibly even deadly. All these thoughts passed through my mind in a matter of seconds. I immediately backed off, way back, probably far further than 200 yards. Ah, much safer and more relaxed again.
But then I became aware of the sound of what could only be another vehicle overtaking me at high speed. Traffic was already traveling at the speed limit of 50 mph, and well, there was nowhere to go given that I had 2 tandem gravel trucks ahead of me. At that point, my pre-Al-Anon brain went to work. What an idiot. Don’t they understand the situation? They can clearly see around me, a motorcycle. What can they hope to accomplish? Ok, I must admit, I also uttered a couple of expletives for spooking me as they flew around me and cut back in front far closer than necessary.
A couple of heartbeats later, the recovering Al-Anon in me spoke up.
Thank you, thank you, I said to myself. Whoa, fella, what are you thinking? This generous soul just provided me with a sizable obstruction between debris falling from the large truck and my person, in short, a rock shield. I no longer feared being hit by random stray bits of gravel falling from the trucks. Sure, it could still happen, a rock could still jump the car, or the car tires could pick up a rock and toss it at me, but the probability just went way, way down. My Higher Power provided me with something I could not get for myself. My gratitude was running high; my faith in my Higher Power was ratcheted up, and I thanked the Al-Anon program and my Al-Anon friends for new thought patterns with which to address the world.
“My Higher Power’s gifts sometimes take unusual forms. Perhaps something I regard as a problem is really a form of assistance” (Courage to Change, September 15).
But then I became aware of the sound of what could only be another vehicle overtaking me at high speed. Traffic was already traveling at the speed limit of 50 mph, and well, there was nowhere to go given that I had 2 tandem gravel trucks ahead of me. At that point, my pre-Al-Anon brain went to work. What an idiot. Don’t they understand the situation? They can clearly see around me, a motorcycle. What can they hope to accomplish? Ok, I must admit, I also uttered a couple of expletives for spooking me as they flew around me and cut back in front far closer than necessary.
A couple of heartbeats later, the recovering Al-Anon in me spoke up.
Thank you, thank you, I said to myself. Whoa, fella, what are you thinking? This generous soul just provided me with a sizable obstruction between debris falling from the large truck and my person, in short, a rock shield. I no longer feared being hit by random stray bits of gravel falling from the trucks. Sure, it could still happen, a rock could still jump the car, or the car tires could pick up a rock and toss it at me, but the probability just went way, way down. My Higher Power provided me with something I could not get for myself. My gratitude was running high; my faith in my Higher Power was ratcheted up, and I thanked the Al-Anon program and my Al-Anon friends for new thought patterns with which to address the world.
“My Higher Power’s gifts sometimes take unusual forms. Perhaps something I regard as a problem is really a form of assistance” (Courage to Change, September 15).
Letting Go of Magical Thinking |
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I want to believe that the alcoholics in my life will finally hit their bottom and choose to reach for health and recovery. I wish them so many good things. However, in reality, denial has become impermeable and consequences dire. I think multigenerational familial alcoholism tends to cement these deceptive bonds between alcoholics, as they expertly enable each other.
I wish that we could have cohesive conversations and that it was possible to trust their word. However, promises are shattered like broken glass, and their word is often “flexible.” Although I have been working on my tendency to caretake and be overly responsible … I am still finding extra servings landing on my plate! I struggle with feeling sorry for the alcoholic, even after being verbally annihilated the night before. Just being treated with a measure of decency can activate my “magical thinking.”
Before I know it, I become vulnerable to manipulation and the intermittent gregarious charm. The fantasy thoughts start seducing me into a codependent trance where I relax my boundaries and accept unacceptable behaviors. Unfortunately, magical thinking is not doing me any favors. It is hard to accept that my loved ones have chosen a very destructive lifestyle that is progressing like a malignant cancer. There are so many losses within the disease of alcoholism. The whole family system slowly gets poisoned by its malicious venom.
Magical thinking may be necessary at times as a temporary defense mechanism. But real hope needs a foundation based on reality. I have been treading water in this sinkhole long enough to know that my life is stagnating while I’m caught in this insidious cycle.
Therefore, it is important to take inventory of what lies beneath magical thinking. I find journaling to be essential in finding my patterns of dysfunctional thinking, in addition to documentation of a wealth of experiences to reflect on when I wind up in denial.
Often there is grief work to be done. Letting go of the fantasy of having a parent capable of loving and supporting me instead of being critical and adversarial. The fantasy is that they would act rationally and responsibly and take care of themselves. Letting go of the sibling that was once a best friend and fun to be around. It is heartbreaking to witness the core person become encased in the bottle.
Letting go of magical thinking will get me to the next step in my recovery. As I grieve the lost dreams and face the nightmares, I believe my perspective will shift to a more manageable path. Untangling myself from that cunning and baffling web that the bottle spins.
I wish that we could have cohesive conversations and that it was possible to trust their word. However, promises are shattered like broken glass, and their word is often “flexible.” Although I have been working on my tendency to caretake and be overly responsible … I am still finding extra servings landing on my plate! I struggle with feeling sorry for the alcoholic, even after being verbally annihilated the night before. Just being treated with a measure of decency can activate my “magical thinking.”
Before I know it, I become vulnerable to manipulation and the intermittent gregarious charm. The fantasy thoughts start seducing me into a codependent trance where I relax my boundaries and accept unacceptable behaviors. Unfortunately, magical thinking is not doing me any favors. It is hard to accept that my loved ones have chosen a very destructive lifestyle that is progressing like a malignant cancer. There are so many losses within the disease of alcoholism. The whole family system slowly gets poisoned by its malicious venom.
Magical thinking may be necessary at times as a temporary defense mechanism. But real hope needs a foundation based on reality. I have been treading water in this sinkhole long enough to know that my life is stagnating while I’m caught in this insidious cycle.
Therefore, it is important to take inventory of what lies beneath magical thinking. I find journaling to be essential in finding my patterns of dysfunctional thinking, in addition to documentation of a wealth of experiences to reflect on when I wind up in denial.
Often there is grief work to be done. Letting go of the fantasy of having a parent capable of loving and supporting me instead of being critical and adversarial. The fantasy is that they would act rationally and responsibly and take care of themselves. Letting go of the sibling that was once a best friend and fun to be around. It is heartbreaking to witness the core person become encased in the bottle.
Letting go of magical thinking will get me to the next step in my recovery. As I grieve the lost dreams and face the nightmares, I believe my perspective will shift to a more manageable path. Untangling myself from that cunning and baffling web that the bottle spins.
Enjoy Talking on the Phone or Sleeping on the Job? Seattle Al-Anon Information Service (AIS) Is Looking for Phone Volunteers! Shifts are available 7 days a week in 3-hour intervals starting at 7am during the day, and at night there is one shift starting at 10:30pm, which goes until 7am. The focus is to answer questions about Al-Anon and Alateen meeting times and Zoom availability, give hope to people whose lives may be affected by someone else’s drinking, and help others reach the appropriate source of help. A manual is provided with resource numbers and helpful suggestions on maintaining anonymity and talking to people in distress. FOR INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT phones@seattle-al-anon.org |
Tradition Twelve
Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our Traditions, ever reminding us to place principles above personalities. 
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Al-Anon Mailbag
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Question: Bill from Apache Junction, AZ asks, “What is cross talk?”
Answer: For me crosstalk feels like two words, but anywhere I’ve seen it mentioned, spells it as one word. So I’m already wrong about it. Ha! I looked in the Al-Anon Service Manual and could not find a definition. While WSO has no rule against it, crosstalk is usually when members interrupt each other, talk out of turn, or give or ask for advice during the meeting. Crosstalk was mentioned in the September 2007 issue of the Forum, where one member discussed their conflicted feelings about it. It is not recommended to stray from each others recovery, but to a newcomer it may not seem very inviting if I were to speak up about cross talk. |
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AIS Needs You!
Current Service Opportunities Web Editor Office Volunteers Phone Volunteers Outreach Coordinator If you are interested in a particular area of service, please contact chair@seattle-al-anon.org |
Al-Anon Joke of the Month
How many Al-Anons does it take to change a lightbulb? 
None. We just keep flipping the light switch and saying “This time it will work."
Do you have a funny or not-so-funny Al-Anon joke? Please send it along to newslettereditor@seattle-al-anon.org
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Concept Twelve
The spiritual foundation for Al-Anon’s world services is contained in the General Warranties of the Conference, Article 12 of the Charter. 
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Feeling Scatterbrained with Your Thoughts? It Might Help to Write Things Down.
If you ever feel like you would like to write something for the newsletter, please let us know at newslettereditor@seattle-al-anon.org Pen Names Accepted 
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September 2021 AIS Council Meeting Minutes (Summary)
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Treasurer’s Report: Linda H is reporting for Mariann while she is traveling. Linda H went over the highlights and stated we have $50,000 in the checking and savings accounts. We have $25,000 over our ample reserve to work with, and although July was low in donations, we received over $1,400 in donations. Each district donated. We had approximately $2,000 in Literature sales. In August, we had a deficit (of $400) in expenses. We paid $687 in legal fees in August, and we will be paying another legal fee bill for the Bylaws work. We expected it. As for the new budget, Mariann M and Linda H will meet to do a new one in October and present it in November. A discussion was held about paying for the Board and Council meeting room at the Church on Mercer Island. We currently pay $25.00/month, a total of $300 for the year. It was noted that we have better attendance on Zoom. Allen L made a motion to close out paying the church, and Helen V seconded, motion carried. Doug L commented that if we ever wanted to go back to meeting in person that the Old Pilgrim’s Church had a room we could use.
Vice Chair’s Report: Helen V says there is nothing to report at this time. The committee continues to review the Bylaws and hopefully will have something to report before the end of the year. They are doing their very best.
From the Chair: Eliza D had talked about doing a Group Inventory, but we need someone from outside, and she can’t do it on her own. No discussion or thought at this time. November elections for 3-year terms: Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer. Helen V said the Bylaws Committee is for this Council to consider positions to go parallel with the other positions in Area, District, or Group, which are normally 3-year positions. They generally start on January 1st. Our Council positions are usually a one-year term. Allen L suggested it be put under New Business.
Old Business: None
New Business: The Outreach Coordinators made a presentation to the Board, and the Board made a motion to pass it onto the Council for a vote.
Outreach Team Presentation: Teresa H did an impressive presentation. Helen V made a motion to adopt the line item for AIS Outreach in the annual Budget each year to $6,000 from 2022 through 2025. Cheré F 2nd the motion. Doug L asked about the expense, whether they have any plans if it’s effective, and how the monies are to be spent. Teresa H said we get feedback on how many clicks on these digital programs, Spotify, Facebook, YouTube, etc. We do not know how many walk into a meeting. Attraction vs. Promotion was brought up. Discussion. Motion carried.
Coordinator Reports:
Communications Coordinator: Cheré F and her dog joined us. She loves her team; it’s the best! The meeting updates are the busiest right now. Susan C-H is constantly updating meeting changes. Please be sure to contact her (meetingdirectory@seattle-al-anon.org). Check the Website because it changes daily. Meetings are 12 in-person, 67 Zoom, 4 phone, 12 Hybrid, 3 concurrent, and 19 groups are suspended right now. This doesn’t include our Spanish meetings. They do stay on top of those meetings and just didn’t have the information on hand. Eric G is finishing the year as Newsletter Editor, and there is someone interested in the position. Another member is interested in the Web Editor, and we will keep you posted. We have an email distribution list of over 600 email addresses, but only about 30% of the list opens their emails. Remind your groups if they signed up, please open, and read and let them know that the Fall Assembly Agenda is on the Website. Please check it out; the Website is there for them to use. Mary R said the Bits were great, especially the information on the Fall Assembly.
LDC: Doug L said sales are up but wanted to bring up a couple of issues for the future Budget. They need computers and have $1,000 but need more, so they will put together a proposal to submit. Also trying to make ordering easier. Checked out the AIS websites of 20 major cosmopolitan cities like New York, Philadelphia, and New Orleans. Some have no literature center whatsoever. They just kick to WSO. Some have mail-in order forms. There are 4 that have an online store like Amazon; they pay with a credit card and ship the order. The San Diego website is fantastic. Doug L is checking all the ways to pay for orders and a smooth bookkeeping process for volunteers. Discussion on opening the office. Some have opened, but they need to talk to the volunteers. Their age group needs to be cautious.
Phone Coordinator: Dave M has 3/4 shifts covered. Please pass the word that phone volunteers are still needed. The bulk of the calls are from 7a/m to 7p/m. Please tell your groups that the need is there. Only one person left a message because there was no one to answer.
Outreach Coordinator: Upcoming meeting is on October 4th. We talked about a proposal. Google grants and Teresa H worked with someone on the process for $10,000 free advertising per month for Al-Anon. Location liaisons are having some difficulty but make headway with certain organizations. A small diversity committee has been doing an incredible amount of work with groups like AA, community and non-profit organizations, etc., that will be coming up soon. Medical education, Valley Medical on Oct 20th will be hosting a one-hour talk on primary care subsites, and Al-Anon, along with AA, will be speaking. Also, there is an ASL fundraiser with t-shirts for sale. It’s going out to all the districts and says, “Let It Begin with Me,” and in sign language as well.
Tech Coordinator: Doug L said it folded into the LDC report.
Alateen Coordinator: Kathy B has 2 AMIAS. We had the first Zoom meeting that met for 5 weeks, but no teens attended. We had teens one week, but a grandmother wanted to stay, and we explained we couldn’t let her attend. Meetings are scheduled until October 2nd. The schedules are in the Bits and on the Website. Just send a message to Kathy B (alateen@seattle-al-anon.org).
Archives Coordinator: Not present
Attendance: 26 members
Vice Chair’s Report: Helen V says there is nothing to report at this time. The committee continues to review the Bylaws and hopefully will have something to report before the end of the year. They are doing their very best.
From the Chair: Eliza D had talked about doing a Group Inventory, but we need someone from outside, and she can’t do it on her own. No discussion or thought at this time. November elections for 3-year terms: Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer. Helen V said the Bylaws Committee is for this Council to consider positions to go parallel with the other positions in Area, District, or Group, which are normally 3-year positions. They generally start on January 1st. Our Council positions are usually a one-year term. Allen L suggested it be put under New Business.
Old Business: None
New Business: The Outreach Coordinators made a presentation to the Board, and the Board made a motion to pass it onto the Council for a vote.
Outreach Team Presentation: Teresa H did an impressive presentation. Helen V made a motion to adopt the line item for AIS Outreach in the annual Budget each year to $6,000 from 2022 through 2025. Cheré F 2nd the motion. Doug L asked about the expense, whether they have any plans if it’s effective, and how the monies are to be spent. Teresa H said we get feedback on how many clicks on these digital programs, Spotify, Facebook, YouTube, etc. We do not know how many walk into a meeting. Attraction vs. Promotion was brought up. Discussion. Motion carried.
Coordinator Reports:
Communications Coordinator: Cheré F and her dog joined us. She loves her team; it’s the best! The meeting updates are the busiest right now. Susan C-H is constantly updating meeting changes. Please be sure to contact her (meetingdirectory@seattle-al-anon.org). Check the Website because it changes daily. Meetings are 12 in-person, 67 Zoom, 4 phone, 12 Hybrid, 3 concurrent, and 19 groups are suspended right now. This doesn’t include our Spanish meetings. They do stay on top of those meetings and just didn’t have the information on hand. Eric G is finishing the year as Newsletter Editor, and there is someone interested in the position. Another member is interested in the Web Editor, and we will keep you posted. We have an email distribution list of over 600 email addresses, but only about 30% of the list opens their emails. Remind your groups if they signed up, please open, and read and let them know that the Fall Assembly Agenda is on the Website. Please check it out; the Website is there for them to use. Mary R said the Bits were great, especially the information on the Fall Assembly.
LDC: Doug L said sales are up but wanted to bring up a couple of issues for the future Budget. They need computers and have $1,000 but need more, so they will put together a proposal to submit. Also trying to make ordering easier. Checked out the AIS websites of 20 major cosmopolitan cities like New York, Philadelphia, and New Orleans. Some have no literature center whatsoever. They just kick to WSO. Some have mail-in order forms. There are 4 that have an online store like Amazon; they pay with a credit card and ship the order. The San Diego website is fantastic. Doug L is checking all the ways to pay for orders and a smooth bookkeeping process for volunteers. Discussion on opening the office. Some have opened, but they need to talk to the volunteers. Their age group needs to be cautious.
Phone Coordinator: Dave M has 3/4 shifts covered. Please pass the word that phone volunteers are still needed. The bulk of the calls are from 7a/m to 7p/m. Please tell your groups that the need is there. Only one person left a message because there was no one to answer.
Outreach Coordinator: Upcoming meeting is on October 4th. We talked about a proposal. Google grants and Teresa H worked with someone on the process for $10,000 free advertising per month for Al-Anon. Location liaisons are having some difficulty but make headway with certain organizations. A small diversity committee has been doing an incredible amount of work with groups like AA, community and non-profit organizations, etc., that will be coming up soon. Medical education, Valley Medical on Oct 20th will be hosting a one-hour talk on primary care subsites, and Al-Anon, along with AA, will be speaking. Also, there is an ASL fundraiser with t-shirts for sale. It’s going out to all the districts and says, “Let It Begin with Me,” and in sign language as well.
Tech Coordinator: Doug L said it folded into the LDC report.
Alateen Coordinator: Kathy B has 2 AMIAS. We had the first Zoom meeting that met for 5 weeks, but no teens attended. We had teens one week, but a grandmother wanted to stay, and we explained we couldn’t let her attend. Meetings are scheduled until October 2nd. The schedules are in the Bits and on the Website. Just send a message to Kathy B (alateen@seattle-al-anon.org).
Archives Coordinator: Not present
Attendance: 26 members
October 2021 AIS Council Meeting Minutes (Summary)
Treasurer’s Report: Mariann M reported that donations for September were $1,392.75. Our Financial Position: we have in CD’s and checking accounts $42,373.23 with receivables $2,551.80 plus assets of $21,224.21, giving a total of assets $66,158.37 Mariann and Linda H met and will have a budget to present at the November AIS Board meeting.
Vice Chair Report: Helen V will send the AWSC report to BZ W (see attachment). The Bylaws Committee has applied for Directors and Officers (D&O) insurance. Linda H mentioned it at the last meeting. The attorney suggested the need for D&O insurance to cover the directors and officers and that without the insurance, he, himself, would not even sit on the Council if he was engaged in Al-Anon. Helen V said that people wanting to be on the Council and Board previously would not because we did not have insurance coverage. She took out her own policy for protection. Discussion on liability insurance to protect the organization. Eric G asked to raise the expense from $1,000. to $1,500. As of this meeting, there is no information on the policy. Why do we need the insurance? Stated that we always assume no one would want to sue our organization, but a search to gather information found one in Wisconsin, and they had no “Insurance” protection and were embezzled. This is just one of the things the policy would cover. The need for this is in case of a lawsuit or liabilities for something someone did, said, or taken wrong; people might think we have deep pockets.
From the Chair: Eliza D mentioned November elections, 3-year terms, Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer. Received two calls on the positions coming up for elections. Helen V said she is going to re-up unless someone else wants the Vice-Chair position. Mickey K and Teresa H are stepping down from the Outreach Coordinator positions. Discussion on term limits for officers follows in New Business.
Old Business: None
New Business: A discussion on setting terms limits. Others thought it should go along with the area groups’ terms. Cheré F said the continuity between the AWSC elections and the groups every three years and the AIS one-year term seems distracting. Discussions. It helps that the person settling in the first year of learning has more time. If no one wants to take the position and the person in the position is willing, are we going to deny them that? Why not just throw your hat in the ring. Using our learning curve is a plus; we are Al-Anon. Sadly we need rotation of service at the group level and here. If no one takes it, we do not have GRs or DRs. When you are getting into service, you learn to ask for help or delegate. Helen V: we have a Board meeting on November 4th and moved to propose a three-year term as a recommendation. Cheré F: we would like to move forward on the term of service, and our Bylaws need to reflect this. Helen V amended to extend our officers to run with the AWSC 3-year panel. Cheré F. second, motion carried.
Motions for the LDC: Doug L says we hoped to open the LDC soon, but they voted not to with the health issues and the pandemic. Volunteers were invited to come and help run the LDC but not until 2022. Need new computers. Printers and monitors have been updated but not the computers. There have been funds set aside, but the cost of the computers has increased. Doug L motioned to ask for $500 extra. Eric G seconded. Helen V wanted a friendly amendment to raise it to $1,000. Eric G seconded the amendment. Cheré F said they had researched the cost of laptops, and they are expensive. Motion carried.
Next, Doug L motioned to drop the WSO 10% surcharge and extend free shipping within King County through March 2022. Mary R seconded. Discussion. Motion carried. Please announce to your group that the LDC is ready to ship your books. Mickey K asked if Doug L is still looking into updating the ordering system and that San Diego has a slick one. We are still working on it, and it is harder than we thought it would be.
Coordinator Reports:
Communications Coordinator: Cheré F loves her team. It’s the best! The meeting updates are the busiest right now. Susan C-H is continually updating meeting changes. Please be sure to contact her (meetingdirectoryeditor@seattle-al-anon.org). Also, check the Website because it changes daily.
Meetings are 12 in-person, 67 Zoom, 4 phone, 12 Hybrid, 3 concurrent, and 19 groups are suspended right now. This does not include our Spanish meetings; we did not have their information on hand. Eric G is finishing the year as Newsletter Editor. There is someone interested in the position. Another member is interested in the Web Editor position and will keep you posted. We have an email distribution list of over 600 email addresses, but only about 30% of the list opens their emails. Please remind your groups, if they signed up, to please open, read, and let the members know that the Fall Assembly Agenda is on the Website. Please check it out; the Website is there for them to use. Mary R said the Bits Newsletter was great, especially the information on the Fall Assembly.
LDC: Doug L said he covered everything in his proposal report.
Phone Coordinator: Dave M said 70% of 80 calls were covered last month, and there were 40 Al-Anon calls and 6 voicemails. Lots of spam. He still needs volunteers to fill all the slots.
Outreach Coordinator: Mickey K reported that public advertising is underway. Teresa H has an idea about an AIS training event that is 3 hours long on 11/13/21 and has the approval of WSO. In December, Valley Medical Center will hold a co-sponsored meeting with Mental Health Care professionals that includes AA and Al-Anon.
Tech Coordinator: Doug L said his report was in the LDC proposal report.
Archives Coordinator: Eric G is the newsletter editor and has found a person interested in the position. He also found a folder full of financial stuff and does not know what to do with it. BZ W said she had CDs from Vancouver International and would like to donate them.
Group Check-in: District 20 will host Pre-Con at Lake Chelan.
Attendance: 21 members
Vice Chair Report: Helen V will send the AWSC report to BZ W (see attachment). The Bylaws Committee has applied for Directors and Officers (D&O) insurance. Linda H mentioned it at the last meeting. The attorney suggested the need for D&O insurance to cover the directors and officers and that without the insurance, he, himself, would not even sit on the Council if he was engaged in Al-Anon. Helen V said that people wanting to be on the Council and Board previously would not because we did not have insurance coverage. She took out her own policy for protection. Discussion on liability insurance to protect the organization. Eric G asked to raise the expense from $1,000. to $1,500. As of this meeting, there is no information on the policy. Why do we need the insurance? Stated that we always assume no one would want to sue our organization, but a search to gather information found one in Wisconsin, and they had no “Insurance” protection and were embezzled. This is just one of the things the policy would cover. The need for this is in case of a lawsuit or liabilities for something someone did, said, or taken wrong; people might think we have deep pockets.
From the Chair: Eliza D mentioned November elections, 3-year terms, Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer. Received two calls on the positions coming up for elections. Helen V said she is going to re-up unless someone else wants the Vice-Chair position. Mickey K and Teresa H are stepping down from the Outreach Coordinator positions. Discussion on term limits for officers follows in New Business.
Old Business: None
New Business: A discussion on setting terms limits. Others thought it should go along with the area groups’ terms. Cheré F said the continuity between the AWSC elections and the groups every three years and the AIS one-year term seems distracting. Discussions. It helps that the person settling in the first year of learning has more time. If no one wants to take the position and the person in the position is willing, are we going to deny them that? Why not just throw your hat in the ring. Using our learning curve is a plus; we are Al-Anon. Sadly we need rotation of service at the group level and here. If no one takes it, we do not have GRs or DRs. When you are getting into service, you learn to ask for help or delegate. Helen V: we have a Board meeting on November 4th and moved to propose a three-year term as a recommendation. Cheré F: we would like to move forward on the term of service, and our Bylaws need to reflect this. Helen V amended to extend our officers to run with the AWSC 3-year panel. Cheré F. second, motion carried.
Motions for the LDC: Doug L says we hoped to open the LDC soon, but they voted not to with the health issues and the pandemic. Volunteers were invited to come and help run the LDC but not until 2022. Need new computers. Printers and monitors have been updated but not the computers. There have been funds set aside, but the cost of the computers has increased. Doug L motioned to ask for $500 extra. Eric G seconded. Helen V wanted a friendly amendment to raise it to $1,000. Eric G seconded the amendment. Cheré F said they had researched the cost of laptops, and they are expensive. Motion carried.
Next, Doug L motioned to drop the WSO 10% surcharge and extend free shipping within King County through March 2022. Mary R seconded. Discussion. Motion carried. Please announce to your group that the LDC is ready to ship your books. Mickey K asked if Doug L is still looking into updating the ordering system and that San Diego has a slick one. We are still working on it, and it is harder than we thought it would be.
Coordinator Reports:
Communications Coordinator: Cheré F loves her team. It’s the best! The meeting updates are the busiest right now. Susan C-H is continually updating meeting changes. Please be sure to contact her (meetingdirectoryeditor@seattle-al-anon.org). Also, check the Website because it changes daily.
Meetings are 12 in-person, 67 Zoom, 4 phone, 12 Hybrid, 3 concurrent, and 19 groups are suspended right now. This does not include our Spanish meetings; we did not have their information on hand. Eric G is finishing the year as Newsletter Editor. There is someone interested in the position. Another member is interested in the Web Editor position and will keep you posted. We have an email distribution list of over 600 email addresses, but only about 30% of the list opens their emails. Please remind your groups, if they signed up, to please open, read, and let the members know that the Fall Assembly Agenda is on the Website. Please check it out; the Website is there for them to use. Mary R said the Bits Newsletter was great, especially the information on the Fall Assembly.
LDC: Doug L said he covered everything in his proposal report.
Phone Coordinator: Dave M said 70% of 80 calls were covered last month, and there were 40 Al-Anon calls and 6 voicemails. Lots of spam. He still needs volunteers to fill all the slots.
Outreach Coordinator: Mickey K reported that public advertising is underway. Teresa H has an idea about an AIS training event that is 3 hours long on 11/13/21 and has the approval of WSO. In December, Valley Medical Center will hold a co-sponsored meeting with Mental Health Care professionals that includes AA and Al-Anon.
Tech Coordinator: Doug L said his report was in the LDC proposal report.
Archives Coordinator: Eric G is the newsletter editor and has found a person interested in the position. He also found a folder full of financial stuff and does not know what to do with it. BZ W said she had CDs from Vancouver International and would like to donate them.
Group Check-in: District 20 will host Pre-Con at Lake Chelan.
Attendance: 21 members
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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
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