THE GROUP SCOOP. Service Concepts of the Month. How we help one another in Al-Anon. In This Issue. What next?

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Georgina Goodwin
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There are two events I want to highlight. First Lois W., our cofounder s birthday was March 4th. That makes March a good month to consider what Al-Anon has done for you.

1 THE GROUP SCOOP The Al-Anon Information Services Newsletter March/April 2016 How we help one another in Al-Anon In Al-Anon one of the greatest things we have to offer is ourselves. We offer our experience, strength and hope in our groups. We offer our service and our abilities to the district and area. We have a lot that we can give and a lot that we can do. There are two events I want to highlight. First Lois W., our cofounder s birthday was March 4th. That makes March a good month to consider what Al-Anon has done for you. Second, April is Alcohol Awareness month yet another opportunity to learn about the family disease. In this issue of The Group Scoop, you will find many opportunities for learning, service opportunities, general information on our program, speaker meetings and other upcoming events. Many thanks to Will S. outgoing editor. He left big shoes to fill and will still be a contributing author. What next? As the first issue this year, I hope you will provide input as to what is useful to you and what could be improved or added. Just your suggestions to TheGroupScoopPDX@gmail.com. Yours in service, Beth McQ, Group Scoop Editor Service Concepts of the Month Concept Three The right of decision makes effective leadership possible. Concept Four Participation is the key to harmony. In This Issue District Meetings, 2 Speaker Meetings 2, 5, 8 Focus on Alateen, 6 AIS Service Board, 3 Events, 2, 5, 6 Volunteers 3, 4 Visit the Al-Anon Information Services office, conveniently located at the intersection of SW Skyline Boulevard and the Sunset Highway (Rte. 26). In addition, to the outstanding staff and volunteers, you will find a large selection of Al-Anon literature to consider and you can save any shipping fees by picking up your order. The AIS office also offers an excellent selection of Alateen, large print and Spanish language publications. Al-Anon Information Services, serving the Greater Portland Area The Group Scoop 1

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,

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, SW Canterbury Lane, Tigard District 11 3rd Monday of the month, 6:30-7:30 pm, St Paul Lutheran Church, 3880 SE Brooklyn St. Portland (Enter at the door to the right of the main entrance and downstairs; ring bell if door is locked) 1st floor library room/ wheelchair accessible. District 12 2nd Wednesday of the month, 6:30-8:00 pm, Providence Hospital, 4805 NE Glisan St, Portland, Room 2E District 17 1st Thursday of the month; 7:00 pm - 8:30pm; Faith on Hill Church, 3615 SE Hill Rd, Milwaukie AIS Meetings Keep an Open Mind One Day at a Time Easy Does it GOT SOMETHING TO SHARE? Where are you in your Al-Anon/Alateen journey? What is your Higher Power inviting you to do? Do you have a personal sharing on how you are applying the Steps, Traditions or Concepts in your life? How has service enriched your recovery? Write about one of those topics or anything else related to your Al-Anon/Alateen journey and send it to thegroupscooppdx@gmail.com. 3rd Thursday of the month; 7:00 pm - 8:30pm, 1750 SW Skyline Boulevard, Portland Conference Room Service Committee (ISR) (odd months) Some guidelines for submitting articles to The Group Scoop: Keep the focus on your Al-Anon/Alateen recovery. If you include quotes from Al-Anon/Alateen Conference Approved Literature be aware there are restrictions on what can be quoted without first receiving permission from the WSO. Please see the Al-Anon/Alateen Service Manual pages or contact the WSO directly with questions at wso@al-anon.org. 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. Service Board (even months) Let us know if you would like your article published with your first name and last initial or as anonymous. The Group Scoop 2

AIS Officers Al-Anon Information Services (AIS) elections were held in October 2015. New Service Board officers are: Help Needed March is Lois W. our cofounder s birthday.

The following positions are available: AIS Liaison The liaison is the link between AIS, Area World Service Committee (AWSC) and the Area Assembly.

3 AIS Officers Al-Anon Information Services (AIS) elections were held in October New Service Board officers are: Help Needed March is Lois W. our cofounder s birthday. Your Al-Anon Information Services Board still needs a few good members to fill out the AIS Board. The following positions are available: AIS Liaison The liaison is the link between AIS, Area World Service Committee (AWSC) and the Area Assembly. The liaison attends three AWSC and three Assemblies each year and makes a brief report to the AIS Board and Service Committees. Health Fair Chairperson This chair handles requests for Al-Anon to participate in community health fairs and recruits members to take literature and attend the health fair. Office Volunteer Chairperson This chair visits Portland area meetings to talk about opportunities to volunteer at the AIS office or may recruit in other ways for instance by sending articles to the newsletter. Media Chairperson This chair provides information about Al-Anon to newspapers, radio and TV stations. Reflections Liaison This liaison attends Reflections Speaker meetings and reports back periodically to the AIS. Judy W Chairperson Cathy B Asst. Chairperson Caralynn W Secretary Clara Treasurer and Library Chairperson Miriam S Speaker Chairperson and Group and AIS Fundraising Chairperson Beth McQ Newsletter Editor Diana D Meetings on Wheels Chairperson and 12th Step Calls Chairperson Yoda Public Information/Public Outreach Chairperson Will S. Literature Chairperson and Institutions Chairperson Bobbi E. Hospitality Chairperson These volunteers have begun three year terms and attend AIS Board Meetings as well as Service Committee meetings which also include a representative from each group, call the Information Services Representative (ISR). If your Al-Anon Family Group has not yet chosen an ISR, please do so as soon as possible. This is a great service opportunity and ISRs attend Service Committee meeting on even numbered months in the AIS office building. (See page 2 for more information.) Portland Area Alateen Chairperson This chair acts as a liaison between the Portland Al-Anon member in Alateen service (AMIAS) and the AIS office and also helps plan a workshop annually for new volunteers. The Group Scoop 3

Thank You AIS Office Volunteers and Group Contributors November 2015 Volunteers Diana D. Joan B. Jane R. Fran P. December 2015 Volunteers Joan B. Diana D. Fran P. Judi W. Clara H.

Fran P. February 2016 Volunteers Joan B. Fran P. Diana D. Judi W.

4 Thank You AIS Office Volunteers and Group Contributors November 2015 Volunteers Diana D. Joan B. Jane R. Fran P. December 2015 Volunteers Joan B. Diana D. Fran P. Judi W. Clara H. January 2016 Volunteers Joan B. Diana D. Pat C. Judi W. Fran P. February 2016 Volunteers Joan B. Fran P. Diana D. Judi W. November 2015 Calls Al-Anon 35 Alateen 1 Business 55 AA 1 Other 3 Total 95 And a special thank you to our IT volunteer Matt, who put in countless hours on the updated AIS office computer. January/February Group Contributions December 2015 Calls Al-Anon 52 Alateen 1 Business 40 AA 2 Other 9 Total 104 January 2016 Calls Al-Anon 58 Alateen 3 12 step 1 Business 47 Other 10 Total 119 February 2016 Calls Al-Anon 48 Alateen 4 Business 37 Other 10 Total 119 The Group Scoop 4

Love & Service Meeting Sundays, 5:00 6:00PM 14645 SW Davis Road, Beaverton Desiree C. (503) 449-7763 Deena T.

Mount Scott Community Center, Auditorium, 5530 SE 72nd Avenue, Portland, OR 97206 At 7:30 P.M. April 8, 2016 Ron P (TGIF Vancouver, WA) & Mary D.

5 Love & Service Meeting Sundays, 5:00 6:00PM SW Davis Road, Beaverton Desiree C. (503) Deena T. (503) Babysitting Available Reflections Speaker Meetings Please note the updated schedule for the Reflections Speakers Meetings through January Mount Scott Community Center, Auditorium, 5530 SE 72nd Avenue, Portland, OR At 7:30 P.M. April 8, 2016 Ron P (TGIF Vancouver, WA) & Mary D. (Steps to Serenity, Primarily Parents) 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

Dear Groups in the Oregon Area, This is the Oregon Alateen Conference non-appeal letter!! We have a healthy bank account because of your past generous donations.

6 Dear Groups in the Oregon Area, This is the Oregon Alateen Conference non-appeal letter!! We have a healthy bank account because of your past generous donations. We haven't needed to ask for money from the Oregon Area because of our fundraising efforts and your group donations. And now, we are excited to share with you that we, the Oregon Alateen Conference will NOT be asking for your group financial support in 2016! We will continue to provide scholarships to those teens that need them. You were so generous during our first four years. Many teens received 1/2 scholarships of $45.00 and a few received full scholarships so that they could attend OAC. The recovery and growth that happened at OAC was amazing and you helped our teens get better with your financial support. We and the Alateens are forever grateful!! If you are still interested in supporting Alateens in getting to OAC, please consider helping your local Alateen groups and their teens. They will be having fundraisers to pay for their 1/2 of the registration fee and for gas money and meals during the trip to OAC. They also try to attend other Alateen Conferences. We know that the Alateens would appreciate your direct monetary support of their efforts! The Oregon Alateen Conference will celebrate their fifth year in 2016!!! The conference will be August 5- Aug.7, 2016 at the Molalla Retreat Center!! Our new OAC committee is ready and raring to go! Mark is our new OAC Chairman. He and other members of the OAC committee are willing to speak at your local Al-Anon events. Feel free to invite them to share their experience, strength and hope!! We hope that you'll continue with your emotional support of OAC in Love in OAC Service, Mark M.- Chair Jim A.- Sponsor, Ana R.- Treasurer Cathy C.- Sponsor, Focus on Alateen The Group Scoop 6

7 Hope at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility Greetings from the inny/outty members of the "Hope at Coffee Creek" weekly Al-Anon meeting! Coffee Creek Correctional Facility (CCCF) is a women's prison and prisoner intake center in Wilsonville operated by the Oregon Department of Corrections (Oregon DOC). We've given out about two cases of How Al-Anon Works books as well as custom newcomer packets. Last Spring we had 75 newcomers attend our annual open house, they each received a customized literature packet, and heard sharings from inside/outside members. Our regular, Wednesday night meeting usually gains 8-15 new members following this event. We also ensure that the Oregon DOC staff we coordinate with has a copy of How Al- Anon Works and a schedule of meetings. Staff are invited to attend the open house as required and we strive to keep the sharing at a safe level for inside members. Our 2016 open house will be on March 30th. Four of our outside members have recently stepped down from their service at CCCF after 2-4 years: Barbara H., "Fuff", Loretta P., and Fiona. Our thanks, love and best wishes go with them all. Being a pebble in the pond really does make a difference! Two new people checking us out now, to see if CCCF service calls to them: Jane R. and Donna B. Sharing The following is a sharing from one of our inside members who wanted to tell our fellowship how Al-Anon has changed her life: "My name is Crystal and I am an enabler. When I was 18 years old I very ignorantly thought that by removing the "original" alcoholic from my troubled life, my troubles would lessen. Well, I married an alcoholic and someone suggested that I attending Al -Anon to save my marriage. Just attending meetings didn't fix my marriage and I didn't have time to live the Al-Anon life style. I eventually divorced and moved on to my next "rescue mission", and the next one and so on...until I wound up here at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility. Now, I have nothing BUT time. Successful AIS Fall Fundraiser The Al-Anon Information Services held its annual fundraiser in November 2015 at TaborSpace in SE Portland. This year due to the support of the area groups and the fundraising committee, the event raised well over $3000. Thank you for your support. Lost and Found At the November Al-Anon Information Services Fundraiser, a clear glass pie plate was left behind and it is searching for its owner. Please contact the Group Scoop if this lost item belongs to you. Otherwise, the plate will be left on the buffet table next year s fundraiser in the hope of finding its owner that way. So when I heard there was an Al-Anon meeting inside, every Wednesday, and I needed something to do, I started attending meetings again. After really listening to what the other members were saying, I started joining in the sharing. I began to see that I had brought the "original" alcoholic with me everywhere I went and into every relationship I ever tried to have. I can now look back and honestly see how I have mothered and cared for everyone in/around my life, but me! I took care of my alcoholic mother since I was 5 years old, learned to become the care-taker and never stopped. I couldn't allow anyone to take care of me...that would be mean. I failed my job as a mother. By attending again and again, my Al-Anon family has helped me find that broken and scared little girl, living inside me, and taught me to take care of her first. This is helping me to gradually allow others to love and care for that same scared little girl. With the love and support of this wonderful new family, my outside relationships are beginning to show small signs of new and healthy growth, and even more amazing, I have been told the old, broken enabler seems to be fading, while a new and whole person is starting to show through." Crystal is now an outside member. I've assured her that the same open arms and hearts await her, wherever she goes. We love you Crystal! For more information on this service opportunity or to make a donation of support, please contact: Cheryl F. (503) or Constance T. (503) In Loving Service & Fellowship, Edy, Sean, Leanna, Jane, Constance, Cheryl The Group Scoop 7

8 Reflections Speaker Meeting Changes Thank you for participating in the recent survey on the future of the Reflections Speaker Meetings. We received a lot of positive, valuable feedback, and honestly a few things that were pretty hard to hear. But we are grateful that we now have some clarity. Awareness & Acceptance: 1. We need 8-10 new committee members in order to achieve a healthy rotation of leadership. 2. We need 8-10 new committee members in order to implement the majority of the suggested changes necessary to increase attendance. 3. Those suggested changes are mainly related to 2 things: the venue itself and the meeting format. 4. As current committee members, we ve been entrusted to care for Reflections, but Reflections belongs to all of us. Action: So what is our plan? We will hold the April 2016 and January 2017 meetings as planned. In addition, August 2016 will be a workshop or panel discussion on Principles Above Personalities. (See Group Scoop page 5) There will not be meetings on the other months, but the committee will continue to meet as needed. We will send out notices of scheduled committee meetings and we encourage your participation. This plan allows all of us time to come up with an alternative to closing the Reflections meeting after the January 2017 birthday meeting. Would your group or district like to take on this opportunity for service? Please us at AFGReflections@gmail.com for more information. You may also call the Portland AIS office at (503) to reach the current committee chair. Contact Us Al-Anon Information Services 1750 SW Skyline Blvd., #133 Portland, OR (503) ais@alanonportlandoregon.org Open Monday Friday; 9:00AM 5:00PM Spanish Information: (503) Monday Friday; 9:00am 5:00pm Saturday Sunday; 10:00 am 5:00PM Visit us on the web at Al-Anon Information Services Al-Anon Information Services 1750 SW Skyline Blvd., #133 Portland, OR PLACE STAMP HERE The Group Scoop 8

THE GROUP SCOOP. Upcoming Bridge Walk & Annual AIS Fundraiser! In This Issue: Service Concepts of the Month

THE GROUP SCOOP. Upcoming Bridge Walk & Annual AIS Fundraiser! In This Issue: Service Concepts of the Month THE GROUP SCOOP The Al-Anon Information Services Newsletter September/October 2016 Upcoming Bridge Walk & Annual AIS Fundraiser! September is Recovery Month. A time for us to consider the state of our