Public Outreach Awareness Campaign
|
|
The AIS Public Outreach Awareness Campaign 2021-22 was very effective. It informed many who are suffering from the family disease of alcoholism know that Al-Anon exists. We advertised using YouTube, Spotify, and programmatic advertising. The ads were served to people in King County.
Some members have asked in the past whether advertising is promotion. It isn’t. Al-Anon is attracting when it tells people why we are, what we are, what we do, and how; we let them know that we are available if and when help is needed. On the other hand, promoting is essentially telling people what they should do. We used WSO produced PSAs (public service announcements) for the video and audio campaigns and approved text for the programmatic display ads.
Below are some, by the numbers, measurements of the programs. All of the results indicate a very effective program using the information supplied by our media partner. Those numbers were corroborated by the high number of visits to our “New to Al-Anon” webpage and website overall. We also experienced a large increase in those Googling Al-Anon in Seattle.
They won’t reach out to Al-Anon if they don’t know we exist. If you have any questions about the campaign, please email outreach@seattle-al-anon.org.
Some members have asked in the past whether advertising is promotion. It isn’t. Al-Anon is attracting when it tells people why we are, what we are, what we do, and how; we let them know that we are available if and when help is needed. On the other hand, promoting is essentially telling people what they should do. We used WSO produced PSAs (public service announcements) for the video and audio campaigns and approved text for the programmatic display ads.
Below are some, by the numbers, measurements of the programs. All of the results indicate a very effective program using the information supplied by our media partner. Those numbers were corroborated by the high number of visits to our “New to Al-Anon” webpage and website overall. We also experienced a large increase in those Googling Al-Anon in Seattle.
They won’t reach out to Al-Anon if they don’t know we exist. If you have any questions about the campaign, please email outreach@seattle-al-anon.org.
Please click image for the zoom link
|
|
|
Step Three
Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood him. 
|
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. |
Concept Three
|
|
The right of decision makes effective leadership possible.
The Al-Anon/Alateen Service Manual (p. 182) tells us that “…the Board of Trustees (operating of course within the provisions of its own Bylaws) should have the right, at all times, to decide when it will act fully on its own responsibility and when it will ask the Conference for guidance, approval of a recommendation, or actual direction.”
As members of a group, we delegate similar authority to our treasurer and other service positions. If our group buys coffee and supplies for the meeting, the person making sure that those supplies are available surely doesn’t need to ask permission every month to buy coffee, sugar, or cream. Likewise, the treasurer doesn’t require approval to use group funds to pay for coffee and supplies. The group decides to have coffee at the meetings, and the trusted servants carry out that direction.
This same principle is carried into my home life. When I was married, my wife enjoyed making the vacation plans while I didn’t. For example, we would decide together if we wanted to go to San Diego to visit family or Hawaii for a week. We would decide on a budget, and she would then make the reservations. Once she found the activities where we would be staying, she would discuss the options, and we would decide as a couple which ones we wanted to do.
I could trust her to make selections she knew we would both enjoy, and if she wasn’t sure to discuss the options, then we would reach agreement before making any commitments. That trust enabled us to split the workload of our daily activities based on our individual skills and interests yet be confident that everything got done and neither of us was overwhelmed with responsibility.
The Al-Anon/Alateen Service Manual (p. 182) tells us that “…the Board of Trustees (operating of course within the provisions of its own Bylaws) should have the right, at all times, to decide when it will act fully on its own responsibility and when it will ask the Conference for guidance, approval of a recommendation, or actual direction.”
As members of a group, we delegate similar authority to our treasurer and other service positions. If our group buys coffee and supplies for the meeting, the person making sure that those supplies are available surely doesn’t need to ask permission every month to buy coffee, sugar, or cream. Likewise, the treasurer doesn’t require approval to use group funds to pay for coffee and supplies. The group decides to have coffee at the meetings, and the trusted servants carry out that direction.
This same principle is carried into my home life. When I was married, my wife enjoyed making the vacation plans while I didn’t. For example, we would decide together if we wanted to go to San Diego to visit family or Hawaii for a week. We would decide on a budget, and she would then make the reservations. Once she found the activities where we would be staying, she would discuss the options, and we would decide as a couple which ones we wanted to do.
I could trust her to make selections she knew we would both enjoy, and if she wasn’t sure to discuss the options, then we would reach agreement before making any commitments. That trust enabled us to split the workload of our daily activities based on our individual skills and interests yet be confident that everything got done and neither of us was overwhelmed with responsibility.
|
Leveraging the Traditions, Concepts, and Service Manual
|
The pandemic has impacted and changed our daily routines. Now we ask, “Is it time to return to in-person Al-Anon Family Group meetings? Is it safe? Are there protocols to return? How will we know when it is time?”
These are questions discussed among my Al-Anon friends and my home group. The discussion often turns to the Twelve Traditions and the Twelve Concepts of Service in search of guidance.
These are questions discussed among my Al-Anon friends and my home group. The discussion often turns to the Twelve Traditions and the Twelve Concepts of Service in search of guidance.
- “The autonomy described in Tradition Four allows each group to decide what works best for its members within Al-Anon guidelines and principles” (Paths to Recovery, p. 163).
- ”In order to make an informed group conscience decision, members need access to all the information about the issue they are being asked to discuss, they need clarity on what their discussions hope to accomplish and they are asked to trust each other’s motives and capabilities” (Al-Anon/Alateen Service Manual, p. 51)
- WSO: WSO posted a COVID-19 update on September 30, 2021. The first two paragraphs are below. For the full post, click here (https://al-anon.org/blog/message-update-to-the-fellowship-regarding-covid-19/).
The World Service Office (WSO) recognizes the emergence of COVID‑19 variants of concern, particularly the Delta variant, has led some groups to begin reevaluating their meeting approach if they have been meeting in‑person or in a hybrid format. As a clearinghouse of information for the Al‑Anon Family Groups, the WSO has no informed guidance to offer on health matters. As in every challenging situation though, our experience, strength, and hope encourage us to rely on the principles found in the Twelve Traditions and Twelve Concepts of Service as guides. In this situation particularly, we recognize the wisdom expressed in Tradition Two which urges the WSO, Areas, Districts, and groups to rely upon “one authority—a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience.”
In making informed decisions, we suggest groups, Districts, and Areas access reliable national and local health authorities to gain the knowledge necessary to talk to each other and reason things out. Al‑Anon’s Twelve Traditions offer guidance. Tradition One reminds groups that our common welfare should come first in these conversations. Tradition Four invites groups to be flexible in considering alternatives that limit personal contact, while Tradition Three reminds each group in part that “the only requirement for membership is that there be a problem of alcoholism in a relative or friend.” Of utmost importance is providing an environment which allows Al‑Anon newcomers and members the opportunity to feel safe and maintains the unity of the group. - King County Public Health: Last September, I called to better understand the county’s rules for gathering in groups. The representative was very helpful. She advised that even though we often meet in churches, we should follow the county guidelines for businesses. She referred me to their link that included posters that we use for our in-person meeting. At this time, King County's requirements are diminishing. However, this is the link to get up-to-date King County information:
https://kingcounty.gov/depts/health/covid-19/current-guidance.aspx
Al-Anon Mailbag
|
|
|
Millie from Montlake asks:
I miss the energy of an in-person meeting. Are any available in the Seattle area? Nearly 30% of our meetings have an in-person option!
Some meetings are only in-person, some are Hybrid (Zoom and in-person at the same time), and some are Concurrent (separate meetings with Zoom or in-person options). Please check the Seattle AIS meeting directory to ensure that we have the correct status for the meetings that you attend! https://seattle-al-anon.org/meetings.html Fred from Fremont asks: My regular meeting has returned to In-Person. How does this information get updated in the Meeting Directory? Who do I need to inform? Please report meeting changes HERE. Tradition Three
The relatives of alcoholics, when gathered for mutual aid, may call themselves an Al-Anon Family Group, provided that, as a group, they have no other affiliation. The only requirement for membership is that there be a problem of alcoholism in a relative or friend. 
|
|
|
AIS Service Position Opportunities
|
|
|
Live and Let Live
There has been plenty of emphasis on the last part of this slogan regarding the alcoholic and the Al-Anon. Live and “Let Live.” In my heartbreaking experience, at some point, my alcoholic loved ones are doing more dying than living. But, “Live and Let Die” has already been claimed by Paul McCartney and James Bond. I know that sounds morbid, but most of my energy has been spent on what I thought were heroic “lifesaving” measures!
Witnessing the transition from functional alcoholic to dysfunctional alcoholic is terrifying. Some days it feels like I’m watching a child walk out into oncoming traffic. However, this is an adult who has adamantly chosen a lifestyle that revolves around alcohol and others of similar mindsets. It is sadly a comradery of delusion and denial.
Multiple times while ill or recovering from extensive surgeries, the alcoholic just “disappeared” while under my care. I was paralyzed with fear that they had fallen someplace or worse. It took some sleuthing, but a couple of times, they had secretly arranged for someone to pick them up, and they went out and got drunk! Then they were hostile and belligerent when they finally made it back home. I need to remember that “Search and Rescue” is not a division of Al-Anon!
I have had a rescue complex most of my life. I was parentified as a child and raised to be accommodating and overly responsible. I was surrounded by alcoholism and other family dysfunction. In the last five years, I have had numerous trials by fire and cried through every stinging peel of the onion. Reframing the slogan, perhaps, “Live and Let Go” would also work. In retrospect, most all of my effort to “help” the alcoholic has been fruitless and only served to further deplete my waning resources.
Al-Anon encourages me to keep the focus on myself. The first part of the slogan is “Live.” I have not been “living,” I have been surviving. I recently viewed the movie “Twister” for the n-th time. (I got sucked in!) There was such a mesmerizing pull to get as close as possible to that churning funnel of danger. Letting go of the alcoholic also involves unhooking from all the swirling chaos and insanity surrounding them.
I want to live. In order to set myself free from the bondage of familiar patterns, I will need to face the unknown. To let go will sometimes feel unloving and even selfish. I will seek clarity and perspective by stepping back and taking care of myself. I will ask my Higher Power to grant me the “Courage to change the things I can.”
Witnessing the transition from functional alcoholic to dysfunctional alcoholic is terrifying. Some days it feels like I’m watching a child walk out into oncoming traffic. However, this is an adult who has adamantly chosen a lifestyle that revolves around alcohol and others of similar mindsets. It is sadly a comradery of delusion and denial.
Multiple times while ill or recovering from extensive surgeries, the alcoholic just “disappeared” while under my care. I was paralyzed with fear that they had fallen someplace or worse. It took some sleuthing, but a couple of times, they had secretly arranged for someone to pick them up, and they went out and got drunk! Then they were hostile and belligerent when they finally made it back home. I need to remember that “Search and Rescue” is not a division of Al-Anon!
I have had a rescue complex most of my life. I was parentified as a child and raised to be accommodating and overly responsible. I was surrounded by alcoholism and other family dysfunction. In the last five years, I have had numerous trials by fire and cried through every stinging peel of the onion. Reframing the slogan, perhaps, “Live and Let Go” would also work. In retrospect, most all of my effort to “help” the alcoholic has been fruitless and only served to further deplete my waning resources.
Al-Anon encourages me to keep the focus on myself. The first part of the slogan is “Live.” I have not been “living,” I have been surviving. I recently viewed the movie “Twister” for the n-th time. (I got sucked in!) There was such a mesmerizing pull to get as close as possible to that churning funnel of danger. Letting go of the alcoholic also involves unhooking from all the swirling chaos and insanity surrounding them.
I want to live. In order to set myself free from the bondage of familiar patterns, I will need to face the unknown. To let go will sometimes feel unloving and even selfish. I will seek clarity and perspective by stepping back and taking care of myself. I will ask my Higher Power to grant me the “Courage to change the things I can.”
|
Concept Three
The right of decision makes effective leadership possible. 
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 MARCH 31st, 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://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. |
2022-2025 Service ManualThis is the most recent news received from WSO AFG connects:
"The 2022-2025 Service Manual version 1 (P-24/27) will be available electronically in English, French, and Spanish at al-anon.org this spring. The printed version will follow in late summer." The 2018-2021 Service Manual remains available in the interim. https://al-anon.org/pdf/P2427_online.pdf Our LDC home volunteers have been providing anyone who is requesting a manual with this information. Do you journal? Have you ever wanted to be a published author?
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 
|
The February 1977 Issue of the Forum
|
|
Right off the bat, I love this specific issue. At first glance, I can see it was well-loved and actually read because there are short notes scattered throughout. For example, the handwritten word “This” appears 7 times! Also, it’s creased right down the middle, so you know it was in someone’s back pocket and probably taken with them to meetings.
As you can see, there is no photo or image on the cover. It’s all text. This “text-first” cover style of the Forum was in use from its inception in 1951 until the April 1978 issue. The Al-Anon logo, as printed at the top, is definitely a beautiful font with the AFG. The current logo has all the words removed, and the center circle is white. I prefer this previous version to today’s design.
Reading it from cover to cover, I can tell people wrote differently back in the 1970s. I can’t explain how they wrote differently, but it does FEEL that way to me. Here are a few examples, besides the first article posted above (which I feel is a fantastic front-page article).
As you can see, there is no photo or image on the cover. It’s all text. This “text-first” cover style of the Forum was in use from its inception in 1951 until the April 1978 issue. The Al-Anon logo, as printed at the top, is definitely a beautiful font with the AFG. The current logo has all the words removed, and the center circle is white. I prefer this previous version to today’s design.
Reading it from cover to cover, I can tell people wrote differently back in the 1970s. I can’t explain how they wrote differently, but it does FEEL that way to me. Here are a few examples, besides the first article posted above (which I feel is a fantastic front-page article).
|
|
|
Other interesting tidbits include: In the Al-Anon/Alateen Calendar, on February 4-6, there was an AA Bermuda Regional Convention with Al-Anon/Alateen participation. BERMUDA!
“The Forum never prints poetry or rhymed essays.” I don’t understand why this was a rule (is it still a rule?), I always felt that Al-Anon poetry only enhances things. Good thing we allow poetry in the Bits.
Cogent Comments. I had to look up what cogent meant, and these quotes are interesting.
An annual subscription was $2.50 for one year, $4.50 for two years.
The image in the “Institutions ’77” box seems devilishly smiling, and I’m not sure why it is doing so.
“The Forum never prints poetry or rhymed essays.” I don’t understand why this was a rule (is it still a rule?), I always felt that Al-Anon poetry only enhances things. Good thing we allow poetry in the Bits.
Cogent Comments. I had to look up what cogent meant, and these quotes are interesting.
An annual subscription was $2.50 for one year, $4.50 for two years.
The image in the “Institutions ’77” box seems devilishly smiling, and I’m not sure why it is doing so.
|
|
February 2021 AIS Council Meeting Minutes (Summary)
|
Photo by Clif H
|
AIS COUNCIL Meeting Minutes, February 10, 2022
Opened 7:31 PM
Minutes respectfully submitted by Elizabeth G, AIS Secretary
Opened 7:31 PM
- 27 Attendees
- Reading Tradition 2, Will W. from Al-Anon 12 Steps and 12 Traditions, p.95
- Reading Concept 2, Karen T. from Paths to Recovery
- Secretary’s Report: January 10th Meeting Minutes as amended passed unanimously
- Chair’s Report: Karen L. will not be attending the in-person Area World Service Conference (AWSC). She will check on an alternative representative.
- AIS vacancies needing filled: Outreach Coordinator, Tech Coordinator, Web Editor
- Treasurer’s Report: Mariann M.: After outlays of money for insurance and new computers for the office, we are good. See treasury report attachments in e-mail from Chair.
- Vice Chair’s Report: We are still waiting for word from the lawyer about the By-Laws
- AIS Digital Report: Teresa H gave a PowerPoint presentation describing last year’s Public Outreach Awareness Campaign. It included YouTube, Spotify, and programmatic display. It was very effective per the metrics.
- Coordinator Reports:
- Outreach - Open Position
- Communications - Cheré F: Encouraged someone to step into Web Editor position. Important to have meeting information up to date with newcomers in mind.
- Bits - Clif H: Bits has room for meeting change notification
- Literature Distribution Center - Doug L and Julie R: 2 Alano clubs submitted orders for pamphlets and gratitude for the LDC. WSO Service Manual, 2018-2021 is still available digitally on the WSO website. The 2022-2025 Service Manual will be available electronically in the next couple of months and the print version is due this summer. Volunteers needed for phone orders and in the office for packing and shipping.
- Phones - Dave M wrote January total call numbers were the same as December. Seeking volunteers to cover the busiest shifts between the hours of 10AM – 4PM.
- Alateen - Mary-Ann N: Sent out questionnaires out to Districts in re Alateen meetings and AMIAS. Looking into scheduling AMIAS training sessions, she will contact Area and Area Safety coordinators, Eliza D and Mike.
- Tech - Doug L, available for tech help until someone else steps up.
- Archives: No report
- Old Business: Poll for meeting time change discussed. It was decided to keep the time 7:30PM-9PM
- New Business: Fellowship Activities. Too late for Lois’s Birthday. Chair needed for a Resentment Bonfire. There is a credit with Seattle Parks and Recreation for the one missed last year due to fire season.
- Time for GR/Alt GR sharing to be scheduled in future meetings
Minutes respectfully submitted by Elizabeth G, AIS Secretary
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: