THE GROUP SCOOP. Al-Anon Events. In This Issue: Service Concepts of the Month. Concept Nine. Concept Ten

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1 THE GROUP SCOOP The Al-Anon Information Services Newsletter September/October 2017 Al-Anon Events The Group Scoop is the publication of the Al-Anon Information Services (AIS), so I want to mention first one of my favorite events each year, the AIS Fundraiser (see page 7). Please note the date of this event was moved so it wouldn t conflict with the TEAM event. I hope I will see you on October 28 th at the Tabor Space for this fun and inspirational social event. There is wonderful sharing from Al-Anon and AA speakers and your group could contribute a basket to the silent auction (always my favorite part!). Next the TEAM event is November 3-4 at the Holiday Inn Portland Airport. Again, this is not a business meeting like the Assemblies, but an opportunity for individual growth and learning in a fun and social setting. This event does not occur often and I highly recommend that you set aside time to attend. I ve already registered and with a theme like Service leads to Growth I know it will be an amazing experience (see page 7). It also presents an opportunity to meet our neighbors to the north, since this is a joint conference between Washington and Oregon. You will also meet members and staff of the World Service Organization (WSO) who will attend, share and participate. October 14 - AWSC, Tualatin UM Church, October 28 AIS Fundraiser, Tabor Space (page 7) November 3-4 TEAM Event, HI PDX (page 7) November Oregon Area Assembly, Salem (page 6) March, 2018 Oregon Area Assembly April 20-22, 2018 State Speakers Meeting, McMinnville 9 (page 4, 7) July 6-8, 2018 Al-Anon International Convention, Baltimore, MD Celebrating One Day at a Time 2018 Al-Anon International Convention The international convention will have a theme celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Daily Reader One Day at a Time in Al- Anon Service Concepts of the Month Concept Nine Good personal leadership at all service levels is a necessity. In the field of world service the Board of Trustees assumes the primary leadership. Concept Ten Service responsibility is balanced by carefully defined service authority and doubleheaded management is avoided.. In This Issue: District Meetings, 6 Service Opportunities, 2, 4 Focus on Alateen, 2 Meetings & Events, 1, 3, 6, 7 Al-Anon Information Services Office, serving the Greater Portland Area The Group Scoop 1

Help Wanted: AIS Service Board Positions There are several open positions on the Al-Anon Information Service Board. Below are descriptions of several positions.

2 Help Wanted: AIS Service Board Positions There are several open positions on the Al-Anon Information Service Board. Below are descriptions of several positions. Office Volunteers Chairperson Visits the Portland area Al-Anon/Alateen groups to talk about the opportunity for members to volunteer at the AIS Office. Describes types of work the volunteers might be asked to do, the office hours and gives them the AIS office number to call if they are interested. Literature Chairperson This chairperson reviews and passes on information to AIS, the AIS Board and the AIS Service Committee regarding new literature, changes or revisions, on-line literature or literature going out of print so that AIS can keep the Board, ISRs and groups informed. You can also visit groups and encourage groups to use CAL pamphlets and books as meeting topics. Write articles for The Group Scoop. Public Information/Public Outreach Chairperson Attend all AIS Board and Service Committee meetings. Have contact with the Area Public Information Coordinator for information being passed down from the World Service Office (WSO). Utilize the WSO on-line public outreach guide. Stimulate an interest in carrying the message of Al-Anon to the public and professionals. WSO is a great source of ideas. Posting posters locally, mailings to churches, schools, professionals, writing newspaper articles, meeting lists to libraries and community centers, donating books and pamphlets to medical facilities are some suggested service ideas. Create ideas to help Portland become aware of Al-Anon Family Groups and the help we can provide to families and friend of alcoholics. If you are interested in any of these positions, please contact the AIS office. For additional position descriptions, please go to: Columba River Crossing Round-Up Recap Opportunities for AIS Service Board Positions Available The AIS Service Board is looking for chairs for Public Outreach, Health Fair, Office Volunteers, Media, Literature, Institutions, and Fundraising. Descriptions of the positions are on the AIS website. Please consider this service opportunity for the Portland metro area. Position descriptions are to the left for the positions that are in bold text. For more information, contact the AIS office at AIS Office Please consider volunteering at the Al-Anon Information Services (AIS) Office. There is a staff member there to help you and you can do it according to your own schedule. Call (503) for more information. Service Alateen Sponsors Alateen needs more sponsors in the Portland metro area and beyond. There is a training program and shadowing for at least three months. Call AIS (503) for Happy 60th AIS voted some months ago to participate in this new Round-Up hosted by Alcoholics Anonymous. One of our Al-Anon members volunteered to be the liaison between Al-Anon and the function to encourage participation in the weekend long event of fun and fellowship and also have some members participate in panels and such. Despite enormous efforts, Al-Anon participation was disappointingly limited. It is clear that Al-Anon would benefit from greater cooperation with AA, Therefore, the Service Board voted last month to participate earlier in the process, at the planning stage, for 2018 to avoid barriers to Al-Anon participation. There will be service opportunities and this will be a great way for us to support and participate with AA programs. Please contact the AIS office to volunteer to help with this important work. Anniversary Alateen! The Group Scoop 2

Meetings Men Recovering Al-Anon Family Group is seeking new members. We are the only men s meeting on the east side. We meet Thursday nights 6-7 PM at Church of St.

3 Meetings Men Recovering Al-Anon Family Group is seeking new members. We are the only men s meeting on the east side. We meet Thursday nights 6-7 PM at Church of St. Joseph the Worker 2310 SE 148 th Avenue THEY WANTED A MEETING THEY NEEDED A MEETING Love & Service Meeting Sundays, 5:00 6:00PM SW Davis Road, Beaverton Desiree C. (503) Deena T. (503) Babysitting Available 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 nd Street, SE Aurora, OR For more info call The Group Scoop 3

4 WHAT I HEARD/LEARNED AT THE MANUAL STUDY MEETING: I learned the difference between promotion and attraction We let people know what we are, what we do and how to find us. We are attracting people to Al-Anon with colorful, large Bus Signs. This is not promoting or pushing. Al- Anon has no promises or guarantees. AA's donate abundantly to their program, they are truly grateful. Al-Anon s income depends on our literature sales. Our Groups service position rotated at 6 month intervals works best. Some groups think sharing of 3 C's and Sponsorship has been more valuable for newcomers than ESH sharings. Why dogs are not allowed at assemblies. My group needs to order AFA's for When your group is struggling, use the service manual for solutions. AND we discussed...when a meeting buys used Al-Anon literature at thrift stores, and gives them away at their meetings...is this a violation of our traditions?? THERE IS AN EAST SIDE AND WEST SIDE MANUAL STUDY MEETING IN PORTLAND, THEY MEET ON THE FIRST SATURDAY OR THE FOURTH SATURDAY, 9:30 TILL NOON. CHECK WITH AIS FOR THE ADDRESS. ~Judy J State Speaker Meeting Update - April 2018 The State Speakers Meeting (SSM) is a state wide speakers meeting in which all members and their family are invited. There will be an out-of-town Al-Anon speaker and a local AA speaker. This is a fundraiser for the state but a fun time for all. The next SSM will be April 20-22, 2018 in McMinnville with a theme of Filling Our Recovery Tool Box. Our Out of State Speaker will be Tarcilia F. (Past Delegate) from Tennessee and our AA Speaker will be Madeleine P. (Past AA Delegate and Trustee) from Happy Valley, Oregon. Our committee is trying hard to encourage everyone to come. Attendance has dropped off the last few years and we would like to turn that around. We want to remind everyone to talk it up, there is no cost to attend a State Speakers Meeting. The only cost will be your fuel, place to sleep and food. The committee worked really hard to make a great, inexpensive meal package that will be available, not required. It will be $8 for Lunch and $12 for Dinner. There are voluntary donations requested but the most important thing is that any Al-Anon member wanting to attend is able. There is a suggested motel a few blocks from the venue, but other suggestions are rooming with other Al-Anon members in the area, camping, renting a house If you have any questions please contact the committee at SSM@oregonal-anon.org. Does your group have a 2018 SSM Give it up Fundraiser cup? Can you give up a cup of coffee, bottle of water, candy bar... and donate the funds to the State Speaker Meeting? Please pass your cup around according to your group conscious but suggested once or twice a month. A big thank you to all of you who have already started filling your Give it Up Fundraiser cups and sending in the money. We have a treasurer and we want to keep him busy, help us to do so. Please mail all donations to 2018 State Speakers Meeting P.O. Box 921 Tualatin, OR and note on the checks that the money is from the cup campaign. District 10 and 15 have been actively working on making this a fun experience for all. Our committee is also selling lanyards for $5.00 and we have an assortment of Al-Anon Slogan signs for sale at Assemblies or if you contact us. Please come and support your 2018 State Speakers Meeting. Last but not least we are in search of someone that can sing or at least initiate songs from the crowd. We have some fun times planned but none of us on the committee feel we are the right to start the group out in song. If you or someone you know may be The Group Scoop 4

Thank You AIS Office Volunteers and Group Contributors Volunteers & Calls Group Contributions Year-to-Date Volunteers July 2017 Joan B Fran P Caralynn W August 2017 Joan B Fran P Caralynn W Val V

Information Services office, conveniently located in Portland at the intersection of SW Skyline Boulevard and the Sunset Highway (Rte. 26).

5 Thank You AIS Office Volunteers and Group Contributors Volunteers & Calls Group Contributions Year-to-Date Volunteers July 2017 Joan B Fran P Caralynn W August 2017 Joan B Fran P Caralynn W Val V Cheryl F Phone calls July Al-Anon 118 Alateen 3 AA 1 Business 34 Other 7 Total 163 August Al-Anon 130 Alateen 2 AA 2 Business 26 Other Step 3 Total 180 AIS Office Information Visit the Al-Anon Information Services office, conveniently located in Portland 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 (CAL) literature to consider.. The AIS office also offers an excellent selection of Alateen, large print and Spanish language publications and is open Monday through Friday from 9AM 5PM. For more information visit the website: anonport- The Group Scoop 5

Focus on Alateen - OAC Report The Oregon Alateen 2017 Conference (OAC) was amazing & a big success!!! Because of the dry conditions & many fires, we didn't have a fire at the fireside meeting.

6 Focus on Alateen - OAC Report The Oregon Alateen 2017 Conference (OAC) was amazing & a big success!!! Because of the dry conditions & many fires, we didn't have a fire at the fireside meeting. But one of our sponsors created a fire look alike and the meeting went off without a hitch! The luminary walk was dedicated to those still suffering from the disease of alcoholism and other diseases. The Alateen respectfully walked in silence as they honored the suffering. Ezra did an amazing job as OAC Chair. He kept the conference moving and the teens appreciated all that he did. No guidelines were broken which is always a wonderful thing! Last year the teens requested that three workshops be held on Saturday morning rather than two. They appreciated that the OAC committee listened to them and they enjoyed the third workshop!! This was the first time that the OAC committee invited the Oregon Delegate to spend the entire weekend with them. Cindy gave her Delegate's Report on Saturday after lunch. She had a table full of love gifts from the World Service Conference for the teens. They were so surprised by the love gifts and the gifts disappeared quickly at the end of the meeting!! Our speakers, John, Denise and Francisco, shared from their hearts and inspired the teens. Myzanne lead the Sunday morning meeting. All wanted to participate which is always very special! Elections were held and Myzanne will be the 2018 OAC chair. She attends the Tigard Alateen Meeting. Myzanne choose DJ as her co-chair, Luke as her sponsor and Mikki as her co-sponsor. Our Milwaukie Legend, Abbey H., attended her last OAC as a teen. She helped get OAC started in 2012 and attended all 6 conferences. So, it was with sadness and joy that we had the cinnamon roll circle of love to send her off to Al-Anon. Al-Anons: Thank-you for your generous donations to help the teens with their OAC registrations!! We are looking forward to another exciting year preparing for the 2018 Oregon Alateen Conference!! Love in Alateen Service, Cathy C. November Assembly Information 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 Thursday of the month, 6:30-7:30 pm, St Paul Lutheran Church, 3880 SE Brooklyn St. Portland (enter at the door on the Tibbetts St.) 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 3rd Thursday of the month; 7:00 pm - 8:30pm, 1750 SW Skyline Boulevard, Portland Conference Room Service Committee (ISR) (odd months) Service Board (even months) The Group Scoop 6

Fall Upcoming Events 2018 State Speaker Mtg. What is TEAM? Washington and Oregon will host a combined TEAM event.

What: A day and a half event focused on service hosted by our areas in partnership with the World Service Office.

expand members understanding of the Al- Anon worldwide fellowship.

7 Fall Upcoming Events 2018 State Speaker Mtg. What is TEAM? Washington and Oregon will host a combined TEAM event. TEAM stands for Together Empowering Al-Anon Members and is a joint effort between our areas and the World Service Office (WSO). What: A day and a half event focused on service hosted by our areas in partnership with the World Service Office. The joint committee and the WSO are working together to plan an interesting and fun agenda of workshops and presentations to help us understand the ins and outs of service and expand members understanding of the Al- Anon worldwide fellowship. It s a way to provide folks an opportunity to network and to be of service to one another in a meaningful interaction of speaker panels and other AFG events, all jam packed into one weekend. Friday will begin with sharing from the amazing WSO staff and Saturday you will have a slew of workshops to choose from! Where: Holiday Inn Portland Airport When: November 3-4, 2017 How: Registration is open now at The Group Scoop 7

GOT SOMETHING TO SHARE? Where are you in your Al-Anon/Alateen journey? Do you have a personal sharing on how you are applying the Steps, Traditions or Concepts in your life?

8 GOT SOMETHING TO SHARE? Where are you in your Al-Anon/Alateen journey? 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. The deadline for the November/December Group Scoop will be Friday, November 10, 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@alanon.org. Let us know if you would like your article published with your first name and last initial or as anonymous. Bus Campaign 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 The Campaign which we started talking about and asking for money in about March-April 2017 raised ~$12, (Including $900 grant money from District 17 not received yet.) Our initial goal was $7,000 and we blew it out of the water. Due to a 45 day waiting period between signed contracts and buses being in route, so much unknown and the extreme abundance received with the campaign we chose to keep it simple and leave this year as proposed. This means there are currently 37 buses traveling throughout the metro area with our Al-Anon Public Outreach sign that reads: ( When you don t know where to turn..because someone drinks too much ) on the back of them. 13 Buses leave daily from the Central Garage, 12 from the Merlo and 12 from the Powel garages. They do not follow the same routes each day. There are 5 of the buses that are in Spanish and 5 are Alateen. Each bus is said to make an impression on 23 thousand people. We chose to have the buses run the month of August, our longest month to have as much natural light and as many people see them as we can. There was a bonus to this. The agency actually placed them on the buses July 24 th and has said that there is a possibility that some of them could Let s play a little I Spy game. If/When you see a bus or a member in your group sees a bus please come into the office or ais@alanonportlandoregon.org and tell them the cross streets. They are placing pins on a map at the office to see where members have seen the buses in route. This will give us a nice visual when the campaign is complete. be on as long as December at no additional charge. The cost was $7,030 for this campaign. That leaves about $5, that can be used for a second campaign. We would like to see how this campaign goes and then receive input as to any changes our members would like to see. Please become an active member and get involved. PO-PDX@oregonal-anon.org or district- 10@oregonal-anon.org. 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