The Fellowship's Beacon
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By practicing the Twelve Steps, I’m in the most ready state to observe and respond to alcoholic behaviors, just as I was once prepared to dump a sail, fall off the line, or call for a quick tack to avoid disaster. Oddly, back in the day, I knew the nautical rules and was therefore well aware when I gave up the “right of way” to an offending captain, so as to avoid costly repairs. At the same time, pre-Al-Anon, I was completely unaware I was giving away my rights and my soul to the alcoholic behavior of friends and family.
Today, by actively participating in the Al-Anon Family Groups, I have gained a new level of serenity, and am able to encourage and provide understanding to the alcoholics in my life, while giving comfort to friends and relatives of alcoholics. I do this by demonstrating improved behaviors as I live my life following the Al-Anon principles. Tradition Five keeps me pointed in a good direction. |
Workshop: What Seattle AIS Is … and Isn’t
by Karen L
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Workshop: What Seattle Al-Anon Information Services (AIS) Is … and Isn’t
Ever wonder what Seattle AIS really does? Ever wonder why Seattle AIS doesn’t do ____ (fill in the blank with your question)? Want to hear how Seattle AIS applies the Traditions and Concepts to guide us in policy and business decisions? Interested in hearing why we enjoy volunteering at Seattle AIS? Those are all good reasons to attend the “What Seattle AIS Is…and Isn’t” Workshop on May 15, 2023 from 7-9pm. We may not (honestly probably won’t) answer all of your questions, however, I hope you will hear at least one example that will be meaningful and relevant to you. And who knows…it may even help you find new ways to apply Al-Anon tools in your life. |
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Volunteers & Donations = Service
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Seeking Meeting Directory Editor
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What do you do with the email containing the automated confirmation from WA Area? Open the Meeting Directory file in Office 365. Make the necessary changes, rename it, and save it as a PDF. Then open the website editor and update the link on the appropriate button on the Meetings page. Our website editor is extremely easy to use even for those who have never edited a website. Then send an email to the member, the DR, and the AIS Communications Coordinator letting them know the change has been made.
That’s it! What have I found most rewarding in serving in this position? Every time I make a change to the directory, I get to interact with a member. It is a great way to renew friendships and get acquainted with other members from across our AIS service area. I also consider the newcomer, someone like me who is suffering from the effects of someone else’s drinking. By keeping the directory up to date, I am making it easier for them to find the help and hope that I have been privileged to enjoy. I hope you too will want to experience those rewards of service. Please contact communications@seattle-al-anon.org to volunteer or to find out more about the position. The new editor will be lovingly mentored with gratitude for their service as they learn their new position. |
Step Five Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. 
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Phone Volunteers Needed
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Service in Al-Anon
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AIS Council Meeting
The next Council meeting is Thursday, May 11th, 2023, 7:30-9:00 pm. Click the AIS website 2023 Calendar link on the Events page (https://www.seattle-al-anon.org/events) for the zoom information. Concept FiveThe rights of appeal and petition protect minorities and insure that they be heard.
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. |
Tradition FiveEach Al-Anon Family Group has but one purpose: to help families of alcoholics. We do this by practicing the Twelve Steps of AA ourselves, by encouraging and understanding our alcoholic relatives, and by welcoming and giving comfort to families of alcoholics.
Has Your Meeting Changed?
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 |
Journey Out of Denial |
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Denial is a protective defense mechanism and an essential part of the grieving process. I was born into the twisted world of intergenerational alcoholism and all its discontents. People coped by ignoring heartbreaking realities. As a child I simply could not have multiple caregivers who were dysregulated and punishing. So, I idealized some of them. I utilized magical thinking and denial to try to navigate the intermittent abuse and dysfunction. However, as I approached my teen years, there was a discerning part of me that longed for stability and authenticity.
I have spent much of my life feeling responsible for the choices and happiness of others. I didn’t realize I was allowing manipulators to guilt or bully me into doing things for them. Not doing what someone else wanted generally meant there would be painful consequences. Sometimes I felt compulsive about it, trapped in a cycle of people-pleasing.
There have been key seasons in life where I have embarked on a deeper threshold of recovery. God led me into keen insight through prayer and strategically timed resources. Denial often hangs at the edges of my mind like a dense fog that requires the winds of epiphany to clear the inconsistencies. Al Anon and a book on boundaries opened the first door to my healing. Sitting in a circle in an old Alano Club house, we took turns reading a page from a small book entitled; Courage to Change. Encouraged by the vulnerable shares of others, I found my genuine voice. I thought I was there to “save” my family, but in those rooms, I found the courage to begin to save myself.
It is ironic that I chose not to drink for 15 years, thinking I could influence my alcoholic loved ones into recovery! At the time I lived over a thousand miles away from them. During those early meetings I witnessed people making decisions for themselves and considering multiple options. It was like a “lightbulb” moment when I could see that it wasn’t “selfish” to allow yourself choices. At the time, I was in a domestic abuse situation, but it was out of my awareness. These meetings helped me devise a “Plan B” to contend with the growing insanity and chaos of my homelife.
Denial is often referred to as peeling the layers off of an onion. That is rather poetic as tears often accompany the process of both. What I find most challenging is living in the hot zone with active alcoholism. Sometimes when the fog begins to clear, it suddenly returns, clinging to my thoughts like a disorienting cloak. Nonetheless, I progress through the mist, to discover a new level of growth.
I have spent much of my life feeling responsible for the choices and happiness of others. I didn’t realize I was allowing manipulators to guilt or bully me into doing things for them. Not doing what someone else wanted generally meant there would be painful consequences. Sometimes I felt compulsive about it, trapped in a cycle of people-pleasing.
There have been key seasons in life where I have embarked on a deeper threshold of recovery. God led me into keen insight through prayer and strategically timed resources. Denial often hangs at the edges of my mind like a dense fog that requires the winds of epiphany to clear the inconsistencies. Al Anon and a book on boundaries opened the first door to my healing. Sitting in a circle in an old Alano Club house, we took turns reading a page from a small book entitled; Courage to Change. Encouraged by the vulnerable shares of others, I found my genuine voice. I thought I was there to “save” my family, but in those rooms, I found the courage to begin to save myself.
It is ironic that I chose not to drink for 15 years, thinking I could influence my alcoholic loved ones into recovery! At the time I lived over a thousand miles away from them. During those early meetings I witnessed people making decisions for themselves and considering multiple options. It was like a “lightbulb” moment when I could see that it wasn’t “selfish” to allow yourself choices. At the time, I was in a domestic abuse situation, but it was out of my awareness. These meetings helped me devise a “Plan B” to contend with the growing insanity and chaos of my homelife.
Denial is often referred to as peeling the layers off of an onion. That is rather poetic as tears often accompany the process of both. What I find most challenging is living in the hot zone with active alcoholism. Sometimes when the fog begins to clear, it suddenly returns, clinging to my thoughts like a disorienting cloak. Nonetheless, I progress through the mist, to discover a new level of growth.
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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! |
May 2023 AIS Council Meeting Minutes (Summary, not yet approved)
Meeting Opened at 7:30 PM with the Serenity Prayer
Attendance: 19 individuals
Introductions: all
Readings: Concept 4 Karen T
Secretary: Kathy K: Approval of the March Minutes: Solveig W moved that the March Meeting Minutes be accepted as presented. Mary R seconded. Motion Passed.
Chair: Karen L: LDC Co-Coordinators are officially appointed. Mary R and Linda H, who have been serving in the role will be co-coordinators. WSO AIS/LDC Community WebEx:
WSO held a WebEx video conference for all AIS and LDCs on Mar. 11. Mary R, Linda H and Karen L participated. Washington State was represented by Pierce County AIS and Seattle AIS (the only 2 AIS officially in WA). The information presented was basic with 3 primary messages.
1) AIS(s) should stay in their geographical boundaries. Karen L felt this may be related to the issue of Permanent Electronic Groups (PEGs).
2) Keep the WSO office contact up to date.
3) Reminder that AIS(s) are self-supporting.
4) We will be able to pre order the new daily reader which will debut at the International Convention in July.
We have been asked by WA Area to present a workshop at SSA. Gary H has volunteered for this.
Treasurer: Gary H: Financial reports: Statement of Financial Position: Total assets of $57,704.15.
Statement of Activity Comparison: Donations were down from 2022 and significantly more literature sales.
Vice Chair Report: Dave M: Open House Report: April open office was quiet with 2 visitors and about $80.00 of literature sold. It was the same weekend as Pre-Con which may have affected attendance and sales. May and June are staffed. There is a need for a few more volunteers. We can provide pre-order pickups.
Coordinators:
LDC: Mary R and Linda H: They continue to process Literature orders via email to LDC and are shipping orders each Thursday. We still need another two volunteers for the office. Office job usually entails about 2-3 hours per week. Training is provided.
AIS had an opportunity to buy some Spanish literature from District 8 in the Vancouver, WA Area. They bought items needed, saving LDC over purchasing from WSO while maintaining good inventory levels.
There seems to be a little trend of districts wanting to get out of the literature business.
Linda H and Lynne W attended Pre-Con to sell literature and offered those attending an opportunity to purchase the new Service Manual.
Linda H’s recommendation is that in the future we only accept invitations to provide literature in Western Washington locations that would not require an overnight stay.
Mary R’s input would be that if a hosting district wants AIS to provide literature sales, that the hosting district pays for the registration, and room if overnight is required.
Action: None
Seattle AIS was also invited to sell CAL at the Annual Spanish Al-Anon Conference. More than 300 people gathered in Seattle. The sale of Spanish and English literature was a huge success as demonstrated by the below results. Sold to 120 members from all over the US, Mexico and South America. In total 637 items were sold (Pamphlets and Books). There is an article by Evelyn B in the April BITS with more detail.
Communications: Jackie T: Reviewed the members of the Communications Committee: Web Editor, BITS editor, Events Editor, Meeting Directory Editor and Archive Editor (currently inactive position)
Phones: Dave M (outgoing Coordinator): The coordinator position is open. 64% of the shifts were covered, and daytime shifts were covered completely. There were 55 calls and 24 people needed assistance. There were 3 texts and 5 voice mails. He has written an article for the May BITS and is hoping to recruit new phone volunteers.
Outreach: Solveig W: Not a lot of activity during the past month. She is now the person who sends newcomer packets out to individuals requesting. She is answering the emails that are sent to Outreach which are usually people in need.
Tech: Pierre J: He is out of town so no report this month.
Old Business: Need a replacement phone coordinator.
New Business: Karen L has sent an email to Board members in regards to doing a workshop about AIS. In general; what it does and doesn’t do. In the past our helpfulness has led to double headed management which has caused problems. She is proposing a work-shop in May and after a head count of council attendees, it is now proposed to be May 15 from 7-9 p.m. She is suggesting reading the Service Manual (p. 65-66) and using the WSO website under the Members tab to get more information about AIS prior to the workshop. The workshop would be open to all interested members.
Seventh tradition: Solveig W asked about Venmo and Gary is working on it.
Next Council Meeting: Thursday, May 11th, 2023 from 7:30-9:00 PM
Next Board Meeting: Thursday, April 20, 2023 at 7:00PM
Adjournment: Al-Anon/Alateen Declaration at 8:38 PM
Submitted by Kathy K, Secretary
Attendance: 19 individuals
Introductions: all
Readings: Concept 4 Karen T
Secretary: Kathy K: Approval of the March Minutes: Solveig W moved that the March Meeting Minutes be accepted as presented. Mary R seconded. Motion Passed.
Chair: Karen L: LDC Co-Coordinators are officially appointed. Mary R and Linda H, who have been serving in the role will be co-coordinators. WSO AIS/LDC Community WebEx:
WSO held a WebEx video conference for all AIS and LDCs on Mar. 11. Mary R, Linda H and Karen L participated. Washington State was represented by Pierce County AIS and Seattle AIS (the only 2 AIS officially in WA). The information presented was basic with 3 primary messages.
1) AIS(s) should stay in their geographical boundaries. Karen L felt this may be related to the issue of Permanent Electronic Groups (PEGs).
2) Keep the WSO office contact up to date.
3) Reminder that AIS(s) are self-supporting.
4) We will be able to pre order the new daily reader which will debut at the International Convention in July.
We have been asked by WA Area to present a workshop at SSA. Gary H has volunteered for this.
Treasurer: Gary H: Financial reports: Statement of Financial Position: Total assets of $57,704.15.
Statement of Activity Comparison: Donations were down from 2022 and significantly more literature sales.
Vice Chair Report: Dave M: Open House Report: April open office was quiet with 2 visitors and about $80.00 of literature sold. It was the same weekend as Pre-Con which may have affected attendance and sales. May and June are staffed. There is a need for a few more volunteers. We can provide pre-order pickups.
Coordinators:
LDC: Mary R and Linda H: They continue to process Literature orders via email to LDC and are shipping orders each Thursday. We still need another two volunteers for the office. Office job usually entails about 2-3 hours per week. Training is provided.
AIS had an opportunity to buy some Spanish literature from District 8 in the Vancouver, WA Area. They bought items needed, saving LDC over purchasing from WSO while maintaining good inventory levels.
There seems to be a little trend of districts wanting to get out of the literature business.
Linda H and Lynne W attended Pre-Con to sell literature and offered those attending an opportunity to purchase the new Service Manual.
Linda H’s recommendation is that in the future we only accept invitations to provide literature in Western Washington locations that would not require an overnight stay.
Mary R’s input would be that if a hosting district wants AIS to provide literature sales, that the hosting district pays for the registration, and room if overnight is required.
Action: None
Seattle AIS was also invited to sell CAL at the Annual Spanish Al-Anon Conference. More than 300 people gathered in Seattle. The sale of Spanish and English literature was a huge success as demonstrated by the below results. Sold to 120 members from all over the US, Mexico and South America. In total 637 items were sold (Pamphlets and Books). There is an article by Evelyn B in the April BITS with more detail.
Communications: Jackie T: Reviewed the members of the Communications Committee: Web Editor, BITS editor, Events Editor, Meeting Directory Editor and Archive Editor (currently inactive position)
Phones: Dave M (outgoing Coordinator): The coordinator position is open. 64% of the shifts were covered, and daytime shifts were covered completely. There were 55 calls and 24 people needed assistance. There were 3 texts and 5 voice mails. He has written an article for the May BITS and is hoping to recruit new phone volunteers.
Outreach: Solveig W: Not a lot of activity during the past month. She is now the person who sends newcomer packets out to individuals requesting. She is answering the emails that are sent to Outreach which are usually people in need.
Tech: Pierre J: He is out of town so no report this month.
Old Business: Need a replacement phone coordinator.
New Business: Karen L has sent an email to Board members in regards to doing a workshop about AIS. In general; what it does and doesn’t do. In the past our helpfulness has led to double headed management which has caused problems. She is proposing a work-shop in May and after a head count of council attendees, it is now proposed to be May 15 from 7-9 p.m. She is suggesting reading the Service Manual (p. 65-66) and using the WSO website under the Members tab to get more information about AIS prior to the workshop. The workshop would be open to all interested members.
Seventh tradition: Solveig W asked about Venmo and Gary is working on it.
Next Council Meeting: Thursday, May 11th, 2023 from 7:30-9:00 PM
Next Board Meeting: Thursday, April 20, 2023 at 7:00PM
Adjournment: Al-Anon/Alateen Declaration at 8:38 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
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 ...
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MEETING SCHEDULE: registered Al-Anon groups in the Greater Seattle Area. Hybrid, Concurrent, and in-person meetings are listed.
Please visit our Members section for the most up-to-date information on:
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Meeting NewsNews from the Meeting Directory Editor
Please consider volunteering to serve as the Meeting Directory Editor. Information about the position can be found in this issue. Again this past month, there were very few meeting changes. So if you see a date at the top of the Meeting Directory that is a week or two old, please don't assume that our schedule is not up to date. All changes are usually made within a couple days of their submission to WA Area via the form on their site. AIS is immediately notified when you submit the change to WA Area. The following changes were made from March 22 through April 24. • Saturday, 8:30 AM, West Seattle Saturday Morning AFG, Face Masks Optional [updated 3/28} • Thursday, 10: AM, GFA Un Regalo Para Mi, Meeting day and time changed to Friday at 7:00 PM [updated 3/28} • Sunday, 6:00 PM, Enumclaw Sunday Night AFG, Hybrid {updated 3/28} • Monday, 7:30 PM, Richmond Beach AFG, New Zoom Log In and Passcode {updated 4/11} • Friday, 7:00 PM, Practice Makes Progress Women AFG, Disbanded (updated 4/11} • Wednesday, 7:00 PM, Courage to Change AFG – Seattle, Face Masks Optional, No Vaccination Required {updated 4/15} • Sunday, 7:00 PM, Ballard Sunday Night AFG, Face Masks Optional {updated 4/17} • Tuesday, 12:30 PM, Kirkland Tuesday Afternoon AFG, Activated as In Person for FAFO {updated 4/23} |