Carry This Message To Others
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If your AFG is interested in carrying the message of Al-Anon to others, Seattle AIS will support you by sending a FREE Outreach Bundle of 50 Alanon Faces Alcoholism magazines and an assortment of 10 additional Outreach flyers to your Group's current mailing address. Al-Anon's outreach magazine, Al-Anon Faces Alcoholism, is a great resource when doing Outreach to the general public. Email Outreach@seattle-al-anon.org - along with your group's language preference (English or Spanish), your Group name, District number, and mailing address - and we will mail this Outreach bundle to your Group. The winter months are often a time of loneliness and difficulty for many, but you can help Al-Anon reach out with a message of hope to friends and family of alcoholics. 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. |
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We are not able to order the new daily reader ”A Little Time for Myself” from WSO due to their printer company issues. When they give us a ready date we will announce it. Not until probably November. So sorry here at LDC. Access to Al-Anon Literature
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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. We are not able to order the new daily reader ”A Little Time for Myself” from WSO due to their printer company issues. When they give us a ready date we will announce it. Not until probably November. So sorry here at LDC. |
Learning to Ask for Help
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As a man in early recovery, I had to learn that many of the “male characteristics” I had been given, or adopted, were actually detrimental for me. While working with my sponsor it became clear to him that I had developed an exceptionally strong, independent personality. I had always been taught to figure things out for myself. Asking for help was a sign that I was not capable. Men that are incapable were considered “less than” in my world.
My sponsor gave me an assignment, to ask for help twice a week and report back to him on who and what I had asked for help with. I really struggled with the assignment. During our next knee to knee meeting, he asked me how I felt when someone asked me for help. I said it felt great to be of service! He then told me I was incredibly selfish! I said what?!?! He hit me with an Al-Anon fastball, he asked me “Who are you to deny others the experience of feeling great and being of service?”
That really gave me pause. If I was willing to set aside my defective belief that asking for help was a weakness, I could expand my circle. Asking for help gives someone a chance to be of service, and to find that rare feeling of fulfillment.
A number of years ago we made our first downsizing move. I asked for help from my program family and non-program family. Thirty-two people showed up and our move took only four hours! (Including the refrigerator story, but we’ll leave that alone for now). Having learned to ask for help has allowed me to expand my circle, make deeper connections with others, and to feel appreciated and loved.
My sponsor gave me an assignment, to ask for help twice a week and report back to him on who and what I had asked for help with. I really struggled with the assignment. During our next knee to knee meeting, he asked me how I felt when someone asked me for help. I said it felt great to be of service! He then told me I was incredibly selfish! I said what?!?! He hit me with an Al-Anon fastball, he asked me “Who are you to deny others the experience of feeling great and being of service?”
That really gave me pause. If I was willing to set aside my defective belief that asking for help was a weakness, I could expand my circle. Asking for help gives someone a chance to be of service, and to find that rare feeling of fulfillment.
A number of years ago we made our first downsizing move. I asked for help from my program family and non-program family. Thirty-two people showed up and our move took only four hours! (Including the refrigerator story, but we’ll leave that alone for now). Having learned to ask for help has allowed me to expand my circle, make deeper connections with others, and to feel appreciated and loved.
Step TenContinued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly
admitted it. 
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Patterns of Behavior
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I agree that reflecting over a simple cup of coffee might be self indulgent narcissism.
BUT! How many other patterns of behavior and thought have I fallen into where I’m not taking advantage of the good things around me? I tend to think of Step 10, Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it, as it relates to my relationships with other people. Maybe I should apply it to myself. Just maybe I should do that tenth step about how I treat me and learn to treat me as well as I treat my friends. Maybe it’s as simple as putting both sugar and some cream in my morning coffee. Tradition TenThe Al-Anon Family Groups have no opinion on outside issues; hence our
name ought never be drawn into public controversy. 
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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 
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AIS Council Meeting
The next Council meeting is Thursday, October 12th, 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. AIS Board MeetingThursday, October 19th, 2023 at 7:00-8:30 pm. Check the AIS website calendar (https://www.seattle-al-anon.org/events) for the zoom link. Concept TenService responsibility is balanced by carefully defined service authority and double-headed management is avoided.
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. |
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Serenity Within the Darkness
Sunsets come earlier, and a distinct crispness replaces the sultry summer evenings as autumn approaches the Pacific Northwest. I love this reflective season of burrowing inward and embracing the epiphanies that the “dark night of the soul” may reveal.
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I was raised in the Evergreen State, but lived in a sunnier climate for a couple of decades before my unplanned return. At the time, I thought it was a temporary stopgap, but I guess my Higher Power had other musings. I went from owning my home and the delicious autonomy of living solo…to being housed back into the alcoholic family system of my traumatic upbringing!
I had reached milestones in personal growth and recovery, but never anticipated being thrust backwards into the constant chaos and crises of alcoholism. I was often verbally attacked, mocked or bullied in encounters. I quickly became hypervigilant, succumbing to sleepless nights of anguish, and catch 22 choices. Al Anon and other meetings filled my nights like a life raft bobbing on a tumultuous sea.
I had been accustomed to seeing the sun and enjoying the outdoors every day in my former life. Suddenly I was faced with the abysmal gloom of long grey winters plus daily exposure to the insanity and volatility of alcoholism. The palpable fear of the alcoholic dying by their own belligerent risk taking and stupidity often engulfed my heart. The night was so black at times, and the alcoholic so cruel; it felt like God had abandoned me.
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It is like living in a petri dish and experiencing the phenomenon of “Alcoholism as a Family Disease” at the amebic level! My efforts to authentically connect and be of service to my loved ones tragically turned into being manipulated, criticized and exploited. My old patterns of over responsibility, displaced loyalty, and rescue emerged once again. I was getting chewed up by the machinery of this insidious disease. It was like pouring my resources out into the gutter, and having nothing left for myself.
As the months turned into years, the messy endeavor of recovery, with its peaks and valleys, has yielded a harvest of steadfast growth and healing. Over time I have found safe harbors of sanctuary in ocean getaways, camping, and contemplative hikes among wildlife and nature. I have found relief and comfort in the presence of my Higher Power who holds space for all my thoughts and emotions.
Recently, I was overcome with grief by the toll alcoholism is inflicting upon my life and loved ones. I took refuge in the trees. I started sobbing and collapsed onto a log. As I released everything to God, the darkness lifted as serenity enveloped my soul.
I had reached milestones in personal growth and recovery, but never anticipated being thrust backwards into the constant chaos and crises of alcoholism. I was often verbally attacked, mocked or bullied in encounters. I quickly became hypervigilant, succumbing to sleepless nights of anguish, and catch 22 choices. Al Anon and other meetings filled my nights like a life raft bobbing on a tumultuous sea.
I had been accustomed to seeing the sun and enjoying the outdoors every day in my former life. Suddenly I was faced with the abysmal gloom of long grey winters plus daily exposure to the insanity and volatility of alcoholism. The palpable fear of the alcoholic dying by their own belligerent risk taking and stupidity often engulfed my heart. The night was so black at times, and the alcoholic so cruel; it felt like God had abandoned me.
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It is like living in a petri dish and experiencing the phenomenon of “Alcoholism as a Family Disease” at the amebic level! My efforts to authentically connect and be of service to my loved ones tragically turned into being manipulated, criticized and exploited. My old patterns of over responsibility, displaced loyalty, and rescue emerged once again. I was getting chewed up by the machinery of this insidious disease. It was like pouring my resources out into the gutter, and having nothing left for myself.
As the months turned into years, the messy endeavor of recovery, with its peaks and valleys, has yielded a harvest of steadfast growth and healing. Over time I have found safe harbors of sanctuary in ocean getaways, camping, and contemplative hikes among wildlife and nature. I have found relief and comfort in the presence of my Higher Power who holds space for all my thoughts and emotions.
Recently, I was overcome with grief by the toll alcoholism is inflicting upon my life and loved ones. I took refuge in the trees. I started sobbing and collapsed onto a log. As I released everything to God, the darkness lifted as serenity enveloped my soul.
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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! |
August 2023 AIS Council Meeting Minutes (Summary, not yet approved)
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Meeting Opened at 7:30 PM with the Serenity Prayer
Attendance: 17 individuals Introductions: all Readings: Concept 9 Secretary: Kathy K: Reading and Approval of the August Minutes. Treasurer: Gary H: Financial reports: Seattle AIS remains financially stable, as they work toward achieving the accepted Ample Reserve. Chair: Karen L, Chair: November Elections: All positions are for 1 year. The officers are elected at the Council Meeting and Coordinators are appointed by the Chair. Please contact Karen L. if interested or desire more information. She will not attend Fall Assembly but Karen T. (Renton Sat Morning) is going and will represent AIS. She would rather have monies spent on outreach since she doesn’t have a vote. Vice Chair Report: Dave M: September Open House Report: There were people inspire of it being Labor Day Weekend and were engaged in fellowship with some literature sold. He is scheduled out to the end of the year. He thinks we should continue in 2024. The hours continue to be 11-3PM on the first Sat of the month. He is sending thank-you notes to groups and individuals who are donating. Coordinators: Outreach: Solveig W: : She continues to send newcomer’s packets. She has received inquiries re: starting an Alateen meeting and a Somali women’s meeting. There has been a request for literature to an ICE detention center. We will be donating 42 copies of Al-Anon literature in paperback both in Spanish and English. She also sent 50 pamphlets for a Seward Park Community Health Fair. |
Communications: Jackie T: Wren is the new meeting directory and Pierre is serving as back up for both the web and meeting director. Please send any meeting changes to WA area so we all have the same information. The AIS office hours are posted on the Home and events page.
LDC: Mary R: The Garden Party on August 20 was a success. AIS had just over $550 in literature sales and a good time by all. Phones: Dave M (outgoing Coordinator): It was a very quiet month. Dave will continue until Dec. 2023 as Phone coordinator unless someone steps up sooner. A new coordinator is needed. Tech: Pierre J: Please contact him if help is needed. Old Business: Need phone coordinator. New Business: : Solving, Outreach Coordinator, is not sure digital ads are a good use of our money and wants to support AFGs doing OR more directly especially as groups are coming back to in person. The question was asked about how we want to spend the money and the general consensus that it would be a better investment at the group level rather than digital ads targeting the internet. There was discussion of the options presented above and the general consensus was that whatever we can do to support outreach at the group level should be our priority. Seventh Tradition: https://www.seattle-al-anon.org/donationinfo.html Next Council Meeting: Thursday, October 12, 2023 from 7:30-9:00 PM Next Board Meeting: Thursday, October 19th, 2023 at 7:00 PM Adjournment: Al-Anon/Alateen Declaration at 9:05 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
The following changes were made during September.
Best, Wren B Seattle Al-Anon Information Service Meeting Directory Editor |