THE GROUP SCOOP the Al-Anon Information Services Newsletter May/June 2016
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THE GROUP SCOOP The Al-Anon Information Services Newsletter May/June 2016 State Speaker Meeting Service Concepts This issue of the Group Scoop contains a recap of the Oregon State Speak- er Meeting (SSM) May 13-15, 2016 which was held in Milwaukie. This suc- cessful sharing and fellowship event was the result of a lot of hard work, of the Month cooperation and dedication. The article on page two will give you an idea of the scope and tone, but nothing can take the place of being there in person. Concept Five The fellowship of the Al-Anon rooms is so present and the concentration of “The rights of appeal and experience, strength and hope is unmatched. petition protect minorities The hardworking committee, headed by Caralynn, several District groups and insure they can be heard.” and many individuals put their hearts and souls into the event. Besides speakers which inspired us to both tears of gratitude and smiles of enlight- enment; there were crafts (magic hat making!), skits, talent, good food and Concept Six the friendship which comes from getting to know other Al-Anons. “The Conference The July/August issue of the Group Scoop will have an official report from the SSM committee with regards to attendance and fundraising, but I could- acknowledges the primary n’t resist sharing my experiences as a participant in the hopes that some- administrative responsibilities day, you too will attend. ~Beth McQ of the Trustees.” In This Issue: District Meetings, 3 State Speaker Meeting, 1, 2 Focus on Alateen, 6 Spring Fling, 7 Meetings & Events, 5, 6, 7 Volunteers/Service, 2, 4, 8 Sharing, 2, 7 Al-Anon Information Services, serving the Greater Portland Area The Group Scoop 1 State Speaker Meeting Recap Opportunities The theme of the May 13-15, 2016 Al-Anon Oregon State Speaker Meeting was “Celebrating the Magic of Recovery.” The meeting opened Friday even- for Service ing in Milwaukie when about 40 early birds shared their Tools of Recovery and enjoyed the fellowship of an ice cream social followed by skits and a parade. AIS Office Saturday, close to 100 people from across the state filled the rooms. The Please consider volunteering at the Al- morning started with a panel discussion on Diversity of the people in Al-Anon; Anon Information Services (AIS) Office. all were encouraged to ask their home groups how to best welcome people There is a staff member there to help you from all backgrounds and to consider accessibility when choosing meeting and you can do it according to your own and event locations. schedule. Call (503) 292-1333 for more information. The Alateen Panel including sharing by teens, their sponsors and parents. The recovery and maturity demonstrated by the teens was awe inspiring. And more sponsors are needed to support this amazing program. November There were AA and Al-Anon meetings going on throughout the day, as well as Assembly a walking Al-Anon meeting, which took place in a light drizzle. Throughout Districts 9, 11 and 12 will be hosting the Saturday, there was also a parallel Spanish Speaking program. The two November Assembly (see page 7). Vol- groups came together for meals, fellowship and the keynote speakers. unteers are needed to coordinate Regis- tration, Greeting and Hospitality. Please Saturday afternoon, the meeting broke into table groups to discuss the im- contact Mary W. for more information: portance of Service in Al-Anon. Among many topics, the groups considered [email protected] . the many types of service, giving back as part of recovery and how much ser- vice is too much. Alateen Families in Recovery was a panel which discussed detaching with love, com- passion and family dynamics. In particular, the use of the Al-Anon traditions in Sponsors families hit home with many, as well as the importance of forgiving oneself Alateen needs more sponsors in the and others. Portland metro area and beyond. There is a training program and shadowing for After a delicious dinner and more fellowship, the group gathered to hear the at least six months. Call AIS (503) 292- Keynote Speakers, Al S. from Portland and Beverly B. from Texas. Both shar- 1333 for more information. ings could not have been more inspirational and thoughtful. The speakers spoke from the heart and touched the audience with their honesty and com- passion. A lively Dessert Auction and Talent Show closed the evening with more fellowship. Sunday morning, Beverly B. returned to hold The Magic of Recovery Work- shop. She shared more of her experience, strength and hope within in the framework of the recovery process; as well as the tools which help her to ex- perience the magic of recovery. These tools included meditation to set her direction for the day, sponsorship and sponsoring, the principles of Al-Anon and much more. The meeting closed with a Spiritual Speaker who shared the touching evolu- tion of her relationship with her Higher Power over the course of her recovery. It was the perfect uplifting finale for the meeting. After the centerpiece auc- tion, basket and quilt raffles the meeting concluded and the grateful partici- pants headed back across the state ~ Beth McQ State Speaker Meeting Magic! The Group Scoop 2 DISTRICT MEETINGS District 9 3rd Wednesday of the month from 7 to 8 pm at the Alano Club, 909 NW 24th Avenue, Portland District 10 3rd Tuesday of the month, 7:00 - 8:30 pm, Calvin Presbyterian Church, 10445 SW Canterbury Lane, Tigard District 11 Al-Anon Conference Approved Literature is also available in Spanish at the AIS Office 3rd Monday of the month, 6:30-7:30 pm, St Paul Lu- Visit the Al-Anon Information Services office, conveniently located at theran Church, 3880 SE Brooklyn St. Portland the intersection of SW Skyline Boulevard and the Sunset Highway (Enter at the door to the (Rte. 26). In addition, to the outstanding staff and volunteers, you will right of the main entrance find a large selection of Al-Anon literature to consider and you can and downstairs; ring bell if door is locked) 1st floor li- save any shipping fees by picking up your order. The AIS office also brary room/ wheelchair ac- offers an excellent selection of Alateen, large print and Spanish lan- cessible. guage publications. District 12 Keep an Open Mind One Day at a Time Easy Does it 2nd Wednesday of the month, 6:30 - 8:00 pm, GOT SOMETHING TO SHARE? Providence Hospital, 4805 NE Glisan St, Portland, Room 2E Where are you in your Al-Anon/Alateen journey? District 17 What is your Higher Power inviting you to do? Do you have a personal sharing on how you are applying the Steps, Tradi- 1st Thursday of the month; tions or Concepts in your life? 7:00 pm - 8:30pm; Faith on Hill Church, 3615 SE Hill How has service enriched your recovery? Rd, Milwaukie Write about one of those topics or anything else related to your Al-Anon/Alateen jour- AIS Meetings ney and send it to [email protected]. The deadline for the July/ 3rd Thursday of the month; August Group Scoop will be Friday, July 15, 2016. 7:00 pm - 8:30pm, 1750 SW Skyline Boulevard, Some guidelines for submitting articles to The Group Scoop: Portland Conference Room Keep the focus on your Al-Anon/Alateen recovery. Service Committee (ISR) If you include quotes from Al-Anon/Alateen Conference Approved Literature be aware there (odd months) are restrictions on what can be quoted without first receiving permission from the WSO. Please see the Al-Anon/Alateen Service Manual 2014-2017 pages 102-103 or contact the WSO directly with questions at [email protected]. Service Board (even months) Due to length and available space in the printed version, it is possible your sharing will only be published in the Online Version of the Group Scoop. Let us know if you would like your article published with your first name and last initial or as anonymous. The Group Scoop 3 Literature Sales/ Pick Up Is your group having trouble getting to the AIS Office during regular business hours to pick up more books and pamphlets? Your group’s ISR or GR can pick up literature on the third Thursday of the month prior to the AIS Board or Service Committee Meeting. Please call in your order during office hours and plan to come by the AIS office by 6:30PM at the latest. Thank You AIS Office Volunteers and Group Contributors March Volunteers May/June Group Contributions Joan B. Fran P. Diana D. Barbara O. Don H. Judi W. March Calls AL-Anon 120 Alateen 4 Business 39 Other 6 Total 169 April Volunteers Diana D. Joan B. Fran P. April Calls Al-Anon 110 Alateen 8 Business 42 Other 11 Total 171 The Group Scoop 4 THEY WANTED A MEETING… THEY NEEDED A MEETING… AND NOW THEY HAVE A MEETING IN AURORA… Please come and support us. EVERY Sunday night from 7:00 – 8:00 pm. (AA meets here too) *SUNDAY NIGHT WINNERS* CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCH 15029 2nd Street, SE Aurora, OR 97022 For more info call Jill @ 541.870.5413 Love & Service Meeting Sundays, 5:00 – 6:00PM 14645 SW Davis Road, Beaverton Desiree C. (503) 449-7763 Deena T. (503) 330-6709 Babysitting Available Reflections Speaker Meetings Please note the updated schedule for the Reflections Speakers Meetings through January 2017. Mount Scott Community Center, Auditorium, 5530 SE 72nd Avenue, Portland, OR 97206 At 7:30 P.M. Mark you calendar for these future meetings: August 12, 2016 – Panel/Workshop on “Principles Above Personalities.” January 13 & 14, 2017 – Kathy H., Cincinnati, OH The Group Scoop 5 2016 Alateen Roundup April 23, 2016 was the Alateen Roundup at the HOW Alateen Meeting site on Sunnyside in Clackamas.