December 2023 Bits drft

December 2023

Seattle AIS Sound Transit Winter Ad Campaign
by Solveig W - Seattle AIS Outreach Coordinator

Are you curious what happens to your AFG group's Seattle AIS donations?

Our annual budget goes directly toward supporting Seattle Area friends and families of alcoholics. Seattle AIS is a non-profit corporation that serves WA Area Al-Anon Districts 14-22. Through your donations, our modest budget pays for digital communications software for answering Newcomer phone calls and texts, our website infrastructure, our Capitol Hill office rent, insurance, business software and other back-office expenses to support our Conference Approved Literature (CAL) service. Our Volunteers do the rest!

One of our largest budget expenditures is for Outreach. How can friends and family find Al-Anon if they don't even know we exist? Every year Seattle AIS pays for an Al-Anon Winter Awareness Advertising Campaign in the Seattle Area (King County) to spread the word to prospective Newcomers about what Al-Anon is, how it works, our Seattle Area meetings and the Literature Distribution service we offer.

Over the past two years, Seattle AIS implemented a digital advertising Outreach campaign. We ran digital ads that appeared on various websites on the internet as well as YouTube and Spotify that reached over a million people each winter.

This year, we are trying something new!

The AIS Council is pleased to announce a WSO-approved Al-Anon awareness campaign in both English and Spanish on Sound Transit trains and express buses. Sound Transit has given us a public service discount by matching our ad dollars 1:1. The Al-Anon Sound Transit ads will run from November 14, 2023 through February 4, 2024 and again next winter 2024/25. The campaign appears on Sound Transit trains and express buses that serve people commuting to and back from Seattle up to Everett down to Dupont Circle and out to Issaquah as well as other Seattle area suburbs.

Over the next two years, Seattle AIS will spend approximately $10,000 on these Sound Transit 17" x 11" inside ad cards. Our ad directs people to the Seattle AIS phone number and online to special Newcomer landing pages on https://www.seattle-al-anon.org via scannable QR codes.

If you wish to print these Sound Transit ads for your own AFG to use, you can find the digital files in both English and Spanish on the Seattle AIS OneDrive.

Also, don't forget our free Outreach bundle is available to Seattle Area AFG groups (Districts 14-22 only, please). Many more Outreach resources are available at https://www.seattle-al-anon.org/outreach.html or email outreach@seattle-al-anon.org for more information.

“Let It Begin with Me — When anyone, anywhere reaches out for help, let the hand of Al-Anon and Alateen always be there, and — Let It Begin with Me”

Thank you for a Fun, Successful and Rewarding Year!
by Karen L - Outgoing Chair

Thank you for a Fun, Successful and Rewarding Year!
By any measurement I can think of, from attendee and volunteer numbers to financials to fun factor, I think Seattle AIS has succeeded in 2023! Last month I would have proudly said “and we did this while consciously aligning our policies and practices more with the Al-Anon Traditions and Concepts.” Today, as I reflect, I wonder, is it really BECAUSE we practiced Al-Anon’s Legacies that we accomplished so much? My sponsor and service sponsor would probably tell me it’s the spiritual part of the program at work.
What I do know is that our success wouldn’t be possible without the “Village” of dedicated members that make the magic happen with their service and fill our spiritual buckets.

THANK YOU to the wonderful Village that includes:

Alt Group Reps/Group Reps and Alt District Reps/District Reps that come to monthly council meetings and quarterly board meetings to learn about, discuss, guide and direct AIS policies and programs.
Officers and Coordinators that devote their time and skills in each of their areas as well as participate in the organization’s well-being.
The committed Volunteers that deliver AIS services, such as, all the information on the AIS website, BITS, literature orders, the open houses and answering the phones month after month.

Highlights of our 2023 accomplishments:
AIS will spend $5,000 for a Sound Transit ad campaign! This is our largest Outreach investment ever, made possible by the solid financial performance this year and our excess ample reserve fund. English and Spanish ads will be in Sound Transit trains and buses this holiday season.

We opened the AIS office that had been closed since 2020, for fellowship, literature purchase and pickup on the first Saturday of each month. Come by to see the nearly 200 pieces of literature available for purchase!

The 2023 Ice Cream Social was as successful as 2022. This year we added a BINGO contest. With sufficient volunteers, we plan for this event to return again in 2024.

We will sell over $25,000 of Conference Approved Literature this year! In the previous 3 years, we have not exceeded $15,000. Thank you to the Groups ordering literature as they return to in-person meetings, the new daily reader, and the fabulous National Spanish Conference.

We will beat our budgeted net income through a combination of donations, literature sales and reduced overhead costs. We have spent funds carefully, consciously and wisely. Thank you to the Groups and members that made 2023 our largest year for donations in several years.

photo by Clif H

Rotation of Service: about 60% of our service positions are filled by members new to these positions and 60% are serving for their first time in AIS. Fresh eyes and new ideas keep AIS moving forward, not to mention broaden our AIS community. Are you considering a new or different service opportunity? If so, come join the fun!

What’s coming in 2024:
Congratulations and THANK YOU to Dave M, the Chair for 2024!

Gary H and Kathy K are willing and were re-elected to return in 2024 for a second year as Treasurer and Secretary respectively. YAY!

THANK YOU for Coordinators returning for year 2 in their positions: Mary R and Linda H as Co-LDC (Literature) Coordinators, Solveig W as Outreach Coordinator and Pierre J as Tech Coordinator.

WELCOME to Heather R, our new Phone Coordinator.
We currently do not have anyone in either the Vice-Chair or Communications Coordinator positions! Both positions would provide excellent opportunities to get involved at the AIS service level.

Lastly, I loved being the AIS Chair for the past 2 years. It wasn’t always easy, but it has been very rewarding. Have you heard the quote “You can’t keep it if you don’t give it away”? The Epilogue in Paths to Recovery, p 339 says “We find that when we serve each other and the fellowship, we can only give away those aspects of recovery we learn to practice in our own lives. As we serve ... our own recovery expands, and we have more and more to give away.” I have learned and grown by serving. THANK YOU for the opportunity to grow and practice Traditions and Concepts in the safe, supportive Seattle AIS community. I hope all of you will also take the opportunity to experience the fun and rewards of Seattle AIS so you have even more to give away.

Karen L
2022-2023 Chair (2024: a happy LDC Shipping Volunteer)

Out of new daily reader again

article to be provided by Linda on the 29th or 30th

test from

Access to Al-Anon Literature
by Mary R - LDC Co-Coordinator

Do you like a quick easy access to Al-Anon Literature?
Seattle AIS/LDC offers an easy way to purchase Al-Anon Literature for yourself and/or your group. In English and Spanish. We have all the Literature available.

Purchase Literature - GREATER SEATTLE AL-ANON AND ALATEEN (seattle-al-anon.org

At our Literature Distribution Center in Seattle you can order literature from an on-line form and have it delivered to you at your address.
(See more ordering details at the end of this message)
Or you can come pick it up on the first Saturday of the month.
(See the flyer in the BITS).
We have volunteers ready to take your order via e-mail at LDC@seattle-al-anon.org, and more volunteers to pack it up and ship it to you.

As life does there are always changes in our personal lives. Right now, life has changed for some us in LDC. We NEED VOLUNTEERS to facilitate your literature orders.
The two positions are Home Volunteer and Shipper.
The Home Volunteer takes as little as an hour a day, computer access, and as the title implies you don’t even have to leave home to do it.
The Shipper position is 2-3 hours in the office, generally once a month.
Both positions come with training, assistance, and fellowship with other volunteers.
This is an easy way to perform service in Al-Anon, and grow your personal program.
Please contact Mary R or Linda H at LDC@seattle-al-anon.org if you would like to join us.

Ordering note.
Download the order form from the web site Purchase Literature - GREATER SEATTLE AL-ANON AND ALATEEN (seattle-al-anon.org) to your desktop, fill it out completely, then attach it to an email and send it to LDC@seattle-al-anon.org
When LDC receives it, we will process an invoice and email the invoice to you.
It will have the Review and Pay Now button on it. After you review, click that button and follow the credit card instructions.

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.

2 Men, One Meeting
by Clif H, BITS Editor

.

In this month's BITS you will see that 2 men submitted articles about their individual experiences at a common meeting in November. These men share the background of having been affected by alcohol, each having different life experiences, resulting in different personal take-aways from the meeting. Years ago, our home group was experiencing a drop in membership and while discussing this as a problem one of the members said what has become a guiding principle for me: “People will be at the meeting they are supposed to be at.” In the same way the following articles describing the same meeting show that we each hear what our Higher Power wants us to hear.

1 meeting, two men, two different stories.

Candlelight
by Allen L

At my men’s meeting the topic chair did something very different; he handed out a bunch of LED tea candles and turned out the lights! It took some time for my eyes to adjust to the dimness just as it took a little time for my mind to adjust to this different approach.

As the meeting progressed I found that the topic chair’s comment that it would be like talking around the campfire was not far off. The dim and indirect lighting seemed to highlight the other men’s faces giving a special depth to their sharing.

The topic of the first meeting in November was Step Eleven: Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.

I seemed to hear a different level of openness and honesty in the shares. Perhaps it was just my listening differently because I couldn’t see the visual distractions. Perhaps it was the extra layer of anonymity that the darkness provided but whatever the reason that men’s candlelight meeting was, for me, a powerful “spiritual experience”.

A special thanks to that topic chair who brought a fresh outlook to our meeting.

Candlelight Meeting
by Clif H

Last week at my home group meeting, a men’s meeting, the topic lead for the night decided on candle-light sharing. I had not previously experienced such a thing at a regular Al-Anon meeting. For safety purposes, of course, he brought a box of electric tea lights. This provided an unexpected atmosphere. Having grown up in the 60’s attending many church services where candle-light services were regular events, I personally had an unexpected reaction to the announcement. Was it fear? Concern? I’ve yet to put a name on it, but it was about as visceral a reaction as I’ve had in recent years. My experiences as a child, and those more recently as a grandparent, certainly don’t hold any negative memories or negative feelings in my conscious memory. So, why would I have such a reaction in the safest place in the world for me? I find this puzzling.

The topic for the night was Step Eleven: Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out. As I sat quietly listening to the topic chair and throughout the shares of the others, I became slowly less enmeshed in my initial feelings. I dearly loved the way several described prayer as speaking to my higher power, whereas, meditation was spoken of in terms of listening for his guidance. Sure, I’d heard these same words used to describe prayer and meditation in the past, however now, in the context of this unusual candle-lit room, they had taken on altered meaning for me. While I did not share during the meeting, as I was busy in self-evaluation and recovering some of my own memories of the positive events in my life as the result of meditation and quality listening. My most memorable experience resulted in, quite literally, as a young adult, the difference between life and death.

As I was first working Step Two: Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity, I drew upon that memory to solidify my belief in my Higher Power.

While writing this article, I’ve done a considerable reflection on the experience of the candle-light meeting, and I find that the greatest value to me of this meeting did not take place during the hour-long sharing’s, but instead, in the evaluation of the feelings it invoked. The unnamable feeling got my attention and my job was to listen. I thoroughly believe that my Higher Power sent a message through the Topic Lead and my fellows that shared, that He remains with me.

Tradition Twelve

Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our Traditions, ever reminding us
to place principles above personalities.

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 outreach@seattle-al-anon.org with the name and mailing address.

Has Your Meeting Changed?

Gone back to meeting in person
Become hybrid or concurrent
Has a new physical location
Made other changes that members need to know about
Has an alternate Holiday Schedule
Has disbanded

Please send all meeting changes to the WA Area Group Records Coordinator [https://wa-al-anon.org/meeting-changes/]
Changes and Updates are made Weekly.
(Seattle AIS is automatically cc'd in the change request)

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the Seattle AIS updated meeting schedule, please contact meetingdirectoryeditor@seattle-al-anon.org

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.

"My Experience Strength and Hope" (M.E.S.H.)
by Gary H and Lar F

The My Experience Strength and Hope (M.E.S.H.) Al-Anon Speaker meeting is looking for your group’s support as the meeting host. M.E.S.H. is a monthly in-person speaker meeting held on the second Saturday of each month at the St David Emmanuel Episcopal Church at 18842 Meridian Ave N, Shoreline (District 22).

The meeting has been suspended for several years and just re-started in November. The meeting is supported by groups in nearby districts; a different group hosts the meeting each month by finding one AA and one Al-Anon speaker, setting up the meeting space with help from the coordinators and other M.E.S.H. friends, bringing snacks, brewing coffee, and providing script readers. Typically, four volunteers from your group is plenty to host the meeting, but groups often make it a fun social event. This is a fun and easy way to perform a group service activity. Please email the M.E.S.H. coordinator at mesh.coordinator@gmail.com if your group is interested in hosting.

2nd Saturday MESH Speaker Meeting AFG
IN-PERSON ONLY, 90 minutes
Families, Friends, & Observers Welcome
District 22 Group 503944

St David Emmanuel Episcopal Church
18842 Meridian Ave N, Shoreline
98133

--
mesh.coordnator@gmail.com

World Wide Fellowship - H.E.A.R.
by Dave M

I have often heard the phrase “the Worldwide Fellowship of Al-Anon" but have to admit, never thought much about it! The concept always seemed kind of ethereal and of no consequence to me to say the least.

My reality changed abruptly early during the Covid 19 pandemic! A good friend of mine was invited to be the guest Al-Anon speaker at a meeting hosted in London, England! Really? Really! We ‘traveled’ via Zoom to the meeting early one morning. The people had different accents but the language being spoken was definitely Al-Anon! The message of hope is universal regardless of geographic location.

Two and a half years later, the H.E.A.R. Speaker Meeting will be beaming in a couple of speakers from New Zealand to share their experience, strength and hope. One speaker will share their Al-Anon experience, while the other will share their AA experience.

Through the miracle of technology and the WSO website, during the pandemic,

one of the speakers was able to locate our meeting and has been attending regularly since then.

The meeting will take place on December 16th at 7:30 pm PST. Invitation link is: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89675794182?pwd=UDNuWnZkOXRsM1AwdVc3UjF5QW9YUT09

Please join us and celebrate “the Worldwide Fellowship of Al-Anon!"

AIS Council Meeting

The December Council meeting is cancelled. At the November meeting, the Council voted to cancel the December 14th meeting and instead have a Potluck at the December 2, 2023 Open House at the Seattle AIS office from 11:00-3:00. It will be an opportunity to thank and meet the 2023 and 2024 Council members. Bring your favorite dish. All members are welcome!

Click the AIS website 2023 Calendar link on the Events page (https://www.seattle-al-anon.org/events).

Season of Change

I have often felt disloyal for even thinking about changing jobs or allowing a relationship to come to a close. This pattern was embedded in me at an early age. I must stay and keep trying, no matter how crazy or unresolvable the situation is.

Growing up in the turmoil and cruelty of an alcoholic home, I lived for the sporadic crumbs of care and stability. I remember feeling so loved just being able to sit by my mom or dad on the couch during a TV show, without being rejected or reprimanded.

I have nearly twisted myself into a pretzel to try to “save” a relationship. I have given that “benefit of the doubt” too many times, instead of trusting my gut that told me something wasn’t right. The deceitful mind game of “intermittent reinforcement,” where I’d get hooked back in by a scrap of decent behavior. I wanted to believe the best…but that often turned into magical thinking or a fantasy.

I have learned in my recovery that not everything is meant to go on indefinitely. In fact, seasons of jobs, relationships, interests, and even specific 12 step meetings may no longer be a good fit as one evolves. Some relationships and situations just have a natural conclusion. But as an adult child of alcoholics, I have generally felt guilty or like I’ve failed when something ends.

One of the first things I heard in the rooms was, “Don’t accept unacceptable behavior.” But even when I have been able to avoid direct exposure, the alcoholic can get to me by leaving a demeaning note, or vicious voicemail. I knew I could no longer navigate all the emotional whiplash of their reactiveness, and other damaging behaviors directed at me.

Photo by Callie D

I have recently approached a very challenging situation with the alcoholic, in a different way. I was terrified that things would just get worse! I was diplomatic, called their bluff, and addressed the natural consequences of their actions in writing. They didn’t like that result so they backpaddled out of their accusations!

This last year I finally decided to “put the focus on myself.” In previous years, my life and focus had been sucked into the vortex and bottomless pit of alcoholism. I knew I needed to gather the “courage to change'' and schedule long overdue wellness appointments and set stronger boundaries.

I have overhauled my nutrition, gone from hypothyroidism to optimal levels, lost over 20 pounds, and am working on my insulin resistance. I have also executed some “necessary endings” regarding unhealthy situations. I am still deeply affected by the disease of alcoholism, but I will continue to gain ground, “One day at a time.”

Order the Forum Magazine
Al-Anon’s monthly magazine features timely sharings from Al-Anon and Alateen members, suggested meeting topics, and the latest information on worldwide Al-Anon recovery. Experience and insight you won’t find anywhere else!

November 2023 AIS Council Meeting Minutes (Summary, not yet approved)

Meeting Opened at 7:30 PM by Karen L Chair

Attendance: 20 individuals

Introductions: all

Readings: Concept 11, ??

Secretary: Kathy K:  Reading and Approval of the October Minutes.

Treasurer: Gary H:  Financial reports: Seattle AIS remains financially stable.

Chair: Karen L, Chair:

Vice Chair Report:  Dave M:

Coordinators:
Outreach: Solveig W:

Communications: Jackie T:

LDC: Mary R:

Phones: Dave M (outgoing Coordinator):

Tech: Pierre J:

Old Business:

New Business:

Seventh Tradition:  https://www.seattle-al-anon.org/donationinfo.html

Next Council Meeting:

Next Board Meeting:

Adjournment: Al-Anon/Alateen Declaration at 9:07 PM

Submitted by Kathy K, Secretary

Thank you for your donations and 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

And More ...

MEETING SCHEDULE: registered Al-Anon groups in the Greater Seattle Area. Hybrid, Concurrent, and in-person meetings are listed.

Meeting Schedule

Please visit our Members section for the most up-to-date information on:

Meeting News

News from the Meeting Directory Editor

The Holidays are right around the corner. Please note that you DO NOT need to submit a meeting directory request for meetings that still plan on meeting. Only submit these requests if your meeting is CANCELED or CHANGED for the Holidays.

Here are the updates from the meeting directory:

Saturday, 7:30 PM, MESH 2nd Saturday Speaker AFG, This meeting resumes on 11/11/23 and will be in-person only {11/1}
Thursday, 7:00 PM, New Horizon AFG, This meeting is closed 11/23 for the holiday {11/9}
Saturday, 9:30 AM, Saturday Morning Open Breakfast AFG, This meeting is closed and no longer running {11/9}
Monday, PM, Magnolia Monday Nite Fireside AFG, This meeting has a new Zoom ID and passcode {11/9}
Thursday, 10:00 AM, Kirkland Morning AFG, This meeting is now FFAOW {11/20}
Sunday, 7:00 PM, Bothell Sunday Nite AFG, This meeting is closed 12/24 and will resume after the holiday {11/20}
Thursday, 7:00 PM, New Horizons AFG, This meeting is Zoom Only on 11/23 {11/20}
Thursday, 10:00 AM, Issaquah Day AFG, This meeting is Zoom Only on 11/23 {11/20}
Thursday, 6:30 PM, Women Living in Focus AFG, This meeting is Zoom Only on 11/23 {11/20}
Friday, 10:00 AM, Friday Morning Highlands, Meeting is now concurrent. No in-person meetings on the 2nd Friday of each month {11/20}

Best,

Wren B
Seattle Al-Anon Information Service
Meeting Directory Editor

Seattle AIS Sound Transit Winter Ad Campaignby Solveig W - Seattle AIS Outreach Coordinator

Thank you for a Fun, Successful and Rewarding Year!​by Karen L - Outgoing Chair

Access to Al-Anon Literature​by Mary R - LDC Co-Coordinator