Serenity Sentinel Volume: Panel 52 Winter 2014 Issue: #8 DONATION INFORMATION ALL Seventh Tradition donations, meaning all contributions from individual members, groups, districts, and AIS offices should now be sent to: MICHIGAN AFG INC. P O BOX 70904 ROCHESTER HILLS, MI 48307 Please share this information with your group treasurer and your district and groups. The Serenity Sentinel, a quarterly publication, is the voice of the Michigan Area Assembly. A complimentary subscription is issued to all AFG groups registered with the Michigan Assembly, District Representatives, Assembly Officers, and Coordinators. Please direct any comments or questions regarding the Serenity Sentinel to the Editor. Please send all group information changes to our MIAFG Area Group Records Coordinator. Is this issue your personal copy? Be sure your group is receiving their free copy of the Serenity Sentinel. AWSC Meetings and Assembly Location Directions *St. Louis is nicknamed the Middle of the Mitten St Louis Church of Christ 1075 West Monroe Road St. Louis, MI 48880 989-681-2524 * From US 127 take the M-46 exit (Saginaw/Edmore) Turn east onto M-46 (aka West Monroe Road) This large church is less than a mile from the exit, on the south side of the road 9AM-Registration Opens * 9:40AM-New Rep Orientation 10AM Assembly Begins AWSC Meetings-park in BACK lot ASSEMBLY-park in FRONT lot Support Our Delegate: April 25-29, 2014 Liz will be at the 54th World Service Conference: Our Spiritual Principles in Action" Please send cards/notes of support to Liz a few days in advance, addressed as follows: Her full name (hold for WSC April 25-29, 2014) Wyndham Virginia Beach Hotel 5700 Atlantic Avenue Virginia Beach, VA 23451 NOTE: Please use Liz s home address as your return address in case your cards/letters of support don t reach her at the hotel in time, that way it will revert to her home. IMPORTANT CHANGE FOR SPRING ASSEMBLY NOTE THE DATE ON PAGE 2!!! Serenity Sentinel Subscriptions Individual subscriptions are available for just $4.00 per year. If you are interested in receiving this Michigan AFG quarterly publication, please complete the form below. Include it with your check or money order ($4.00 for each subscription) made payable to Michigan AFG, Inc. and send it to: Serenity Sentinel c/o Michigan AFG Inc PO Box 70904 Rochester Hills, MI 48307 Name Address Apt # City State Zip Code You are welcome to also order GIFT SUBSCRIPTIONS for your sponsor, those people whom you sponsor, or any other program friends! Please list additional subscription information on a separate sheet of paper.
Serenity Sentinel Sharing Sheet Deadline Schedule for submissions: March 15 June 15 September 15 December 15 Send your shares to the Serenity Sentinel Editor: Steffi K 470 Helen Highland MI 48357 e-mail: steffik216@hotmail.com Use additional pages if necessary Name: Phone: City/State: e-mail: Please indicate your permission on your share as follows: If published, you have my permission to use this article on the Internet and share it with the Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc. Please use my first name & last initial, city-state-provincecountry for credit. Please sign me Anonymous. I am an Al-Anon member I am an Alateen member All sharings become the property of MI AFG and/or Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc. and may be used in whole or in part to develop Al-Anon / Alateen material. (Electronic submission constitutes your agreement.) March 8, 2014 May 16-18, 2014 PLEASE NOTE: JULY 19, 2014 July 2014 August 22-24, 2014 August 9, 2014 October 11, 2014 November 8, 2014 July 2015 May 1-3, 2015 July 2-5, 2015 Year 2018 Year: 2020 Calendar of Events AWSC Meeting use back parking lot Host: District 30 Al-Anon/Alateen 42 nd State Convention Lansing Crown Plaza, Host: District 16, Jodie B Spring Assembly AVAILABLE: Opportunity to Host KOMIAC - Host: Kentucky AA State Convention w/ Al-Anon Participation. Lansing AWSC Meeting use back parking lot Host: Districts 12 & 14 Fall Assembly with Elections Host: District 4 AWSC Meeting use back parking lot Host: District 5 KOMIAC Michigan hosting Al-Anon/Alateen 43 rd State Convention Gaylord, MI, Host: District 41 AA International Convention Atlanta GA Al-Anon International Convention Baltimore, MD AA INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION Detroit, Michigan Gratitudes & Greetings Feel free to send your gratitudes to the Serenity Sentinel. Please put AFG or Serenity Sentinel in the subject line & send to: steffik216@hotmail.com My Gratitude goes to all the many who contributed to this Sentinel issue! Steffi
Alternate Delegate s Report AWSC Meeting November 9, 2013 It doesn t feel like I ve been Alternate Delegate for almost two years. Maybe in another year I ll feel worthy of this service position. I am coming to believe that this position is no more difficult than I make it. All I have to do is follow those who have gone before me; Liz, Debbie, Sue, etc. and add in my own recovery. I hope that there are some members thinking about next November and their own recovery through service. It will be here before we know it. As with every Assembly in this Panel, we had a conference call with the Area Coordinators leading up to Fall Assembly to see if they needed anything from the Executive Committee to help them do their Action Committees. Fellowship Communications and Group Services had gotten together before the conference call and came up with a great project that they worked together on. The enthusiasm was outstanding and the project was also. At Fall Assembly there was a great turnout once again. There were 19 new Group Representatives at Orientation. There were over 130 members in attendance. The Area Coordinators spot-lighted Fellowship Communications and Group Services and did their Action Committees as a combined effort. Like Spring Assembly they put together a skit and a writing exercise that the G.R.s could take back to their groups and reenact. The skit was about our newsletter editor putting together the Serenity Sentinel with questions and answers from the membership to the coordinators. It was fun and very informative. The writing exercise allotted a short time to write sharings for the Sentinel. After Assembly I was thinking about the skit and the questions that were asked of me during free time at Assembly. In my many 24-hours of service in Al-Anon I have asked many questions; often the answer was It s in the Book. So I sent these questions that were asked of me and where the answers could be found in the Service Manual (P24/27) to Steffi, your Serenity Sentinel Editor. You may see a new section in the Newsletter if Steffi chooses to use the idea. As liaison for AWSC to the 2014 Convention in Lansing, I have been attending all host committee meetings. The committee is doing well and things are moving right along. There s a lot of member participation in the planning of this convention and a lot of members willing to help at the convention. Our 2015 convention will be held at Treetops Hotel in Gaylord, as voted on at the last AWSC meeting in August and now it s time to start looking for the 2016 convention site; the last site that I will be involved in researching for Michigan AFG. I have been contacted by Double Tree in Bay City, Crystal Mountain in Manistee and I am looking for other places that we have not yet been to. I was invited to talk on October 19 th at an Al-Anon day in Lake City. The theme was Live, Laugh, Love. I had a great time; besides having the 3 - L s; they also had the 3 Fs: fellowship, food and fun. Of course, I have been in contact with Liz and Debbie many times. Thank You for the opportunity to serve. In Service, Mike D, Alternate Delegate Sentinel Sharing The concept of service came slowly to me. Eleven years in Al-Anon and I d never done more than lead a meeting or make coffee. All that changed when I took on the responsibilities of Group Representative. This opened a whole new world to me. Now, I remain active in my district and with our AIS/LDC. I have received back far more than I have given, and I wonder why it took me so long to get involved in more service work. The rewards are tremendous. Bill C., Ferndale MI Archives Sorting and organizing of the Archives continues and I'm also looking at different ways of displaying them. Perhaps using note cards with a brief explanation of what's in the binders being displayed. Having some separation at the conferences from AA's literature and archives is possibly helping the family members at these conferences focus on Al-Anon's recovery from the disease of Alcoholism. I would also like to introduce public announcements that run continuously where the Archives are displayed. Hey it could be fun. Till later, Hugh W.
Area Records Coordinator AWSC November 10, 2013 Since August, six (6) new groups have been added. A new meeting list will be sent to the Michigan AFG website in the next week. If you notice anything that needs to be corrected, please let me know. I will work with our Web Tech for new ways to get faster updates. It is very important to keep your group s information updated. I will update the Michigan records along with the WSO information. This keeps everything in sync. My email is listed below. Do not send directly to WSO, even when you receive the annual update sheets. Fall Assembly was a great success. Information was provided and how and why to keep records updated via a skit on the creation of the quarterly Sentinel. The WSO e-community site will be down in the next week for upgrades. This is also impacting the ability to update the WSO group information. I will be heading up a Thought Force group on the topic of Redistricting. More information to come in 2014. Thanks, Renee F, Area Records Coordinator miafgrecords@yahoo.com 248-821-3359 Sentinel Sharing. It occurred to me at Fall Assembly that the main reason I m still able to attend Al-Anon meetings is because of the members in this room who are dedicated to service and all those members before me who kept meetings going through many obstacles. Hanging in there when the meeting attendance drops, driving in bad weather, chairing and setting up meetings, etc. My heartfelt gratitude to all who have kept our program going through service to their group. Chris S., Dowagiac MI Sentinel Sharing I never thought about how things happened or worked when I first came to Al-Anon. I guess I just thought the Al-Anon Fairy made literature appear, decided to have meetings, and told us what Al-Anon was. Then my sponsor asked me to attend a Regional Service Conference; that s when I learned that I am an Al-Anon Fairy. I can help my group and my fellow members. I have learned that service makes the Al-Anon world go round. Service is what helps make Al- Anon what it is today. Take a step for Al-Anon step into service. Michele R., Adrian MI ATTENTION ALL ALATEEN SPONSORS We have a total of 28 Alateen Meetings in Michigan 155 Al-Anon Members involved in Alateen Service. We held an Alateen Sponsorship Workshop on December 7 th and had 10 Sponsors sharing their experience, strength and hope on ways to help increase the members of Alateen and ways to get the word out about our meetings. Thank you to those who attended. It was very insightful for me. We are putting together another one to be held sometime in the early spring. Hopefully all will be able to attend. We need your input. On January 25 th we will begin holding our meetings for the 2015 Alateen Convention. Please bring your Alateens with you. Hopefully, we will be able to work on ideas as to what we should do. It may seem like a long time till July 2015 but it will be here before we know it. I plan to send out re-certification Sponsorship Letters in January. Please fill these out and return them as soon as possible. As I receive the forms, I will start the recertification process and hopefully keep ahead of the game. Hope everyone had a safe and peaceful holiday season and are looking forward to all that 2014 has in store for us. Let It Begin With Me Marte D, AAPP
ROTATION OF SERVICE Fellow Al-Anons, It is very important to each of us that we be offered the opportunity to grow in our program. One of the best ways to grow is by doing service work. You have probably already noticed that many of our service terms (Group and District Representative, Coordinators, Board, etc.) have a requirement of three years. In this way, we have a chance to really learn about our role, a chance to work that role, and a chance to help prepare others to take these positions after us. 2014 will be another MIAFG election year. We would like to provide every member of our area with the opportunity to determine which type of service they are ready to try. You will therefore find in this issue of the Serenity Sentinel, and in the next issue, information on the opportunities that are becoming available. This should help you make an informed decision on how you are ready to move forward in your personal growth in Al- Anon. Additional information will be presented at our next AWSC meeting (March 8, 2014) and at Spring Assembly (June 14, 2014). Actual voting for our next MIAFG Panel will be held at our Fall Assembly (October 11, 2014). Please take an extra few minutes to read the service articles and fully consider what type of service you d like to do next. I m looking forward to watching you grow! Steffi SERVICE CONSIDERATIONS Taking a Leadership Inventory Do I See Myself as an Al-Anon Leader? Concept Nine tells me that I can demonstrate leadership by following program suggestions, thus inspiring others to follow as well. I asked myself some questions to determine if I model healthy leadership behavior: Have I made a commitment to attend a specific meeting unless I m sick or out of town? Do I listen attentively when others share? Do I take complex problems to my sponsor instead of to the meeting? Do I volunteer for service? Am I informed, and do I take part in group conscience meetings? Hope for Today, pg. 40 Personal Reflection Questions Where am I in my growth toward becoming a leader in Al-Anon? Do I believe I can be a leader? Why or why not? Do I believe serving Al-Anon is a responsibility? Why or why not? How can I Keep it Simple? Sentinel Sharing I truly did not want to come to Fall Assembly today. NOW however, I am glad I m here because I m meeting nice people, I got a few phone numbers, bought a few books.. Right now, I m very glad to be here! Theresa D. Wisdom From Leaders Who ve Gone Before Us My Service Experience I have a heart full of gratitude for the opportunities I ve had to serve Michigan Al-Anon, beginning with my home group. I came to Al-Anon to find a way to stop the family disease of alcoholism that had taken over the lives of each member in our family. When it was suggested that I become the GR of my home group, I felt unqualified and knew it would interfere with my controlling the family disease of alcoholism in our lives. With the urging of my group and sponsor, my journey in service in Al-Anon began with being a GR, followed by DR, Michigan Area secretary and then the area Delegate. With each position, I was filled with fear and felt I lacked the knowledge to fulfill the duties. Each time I was assured that there were Al-Anons who went before me and they would be available to share their experience and guide me and they were. Also, I had learned that the God of my understanding was always available to give me strength and courage when fear crept in. I found that when I challenged myself with each position, it stopped the insanity I had with the effects of living with the family disease of alcoholism. The slogan When I got busy, I got better is exactly what service did for me. Panel 52 officers and coordinators are ending their term this year; it is an opportunity for others to accept the challenge of being a trusted servant of our wonderful World Wide Fellowship of Al-Anon and Alateen. So don t wait until you think you know enough, or are good enough to volunteer for a service position, that time may never come. Let a current board member know you are interested in a service position. Step up to service and learn what When I got busy, I got better really means. You will find joy, friendships, and a better understanding of the Steps, Traditions, and Concepts. Skeet J., a grateful member of the World Wide Fellowship of Al-Anon and Alateen.
Date: MICHIGAN AFG SERVICE INTEREST FORM List in order, your areas of interest for an officer position (Delegate, Alternate Delegate, Secretary, Treasurer, Chairperson) 1 2 3 4 List in order, your areas of interest for a coordinator position Technical Coordinator, Alateen, Group Records, Archives, Forum/Literature, Newsletter Editor, Public Outreach) 1 2 3 4 ********************************************************************************** Personal Information: Daytime Name: Phone: Evening Address: Phone: Home Years Active in Al-Anon / Alateen: Group: Al-Anon/Alateen service experience - beginning with the most recent (include dates): Group Experience: Dates (from - to) : Area Experience: World Service Office Experience: Other Information: Personal history, including education, training, work, and other volunteer experience or skills relted to the position(s) you are interested in. Tell us something about yourself
Michigan AFG Treasurer s Report Fall Assembly, October 2013 We now have three (3) MI AFG Inc. accounts at Chase. A checking, a Prudent Reserve Savings and a MI AFG Convention Savings. Group donations through October 4 th, 2013 are $14,415.62. During the same period last year we received $17,219.14, which is a difference of -$2,803.52. The Group Donations report from June 6 th - October 4 th, 2013 is now available. This Group Donations year to date report is now 8 pages long. I have a master copy available; I can also email the full report upon request. Carefully check over the report for your donations. Thank you to all the groups who included their WSO number and group name on their check, this assures that your donation will be correctly documented. The fall appeal letter was sent to the printer yesterday. Please share this information at 3 meetings to insure it reaches everyone. Our donation to World Service of $525.45 has been sent. Additionally, I will be sending our Delegate s expenses for the 2014 World Service Conference soon. I look forward to confirmation that the Assembly would like me to send the full amount ($1,907.00) for our delegate to attend. I have also registered our 2014 Domestic Nonprofit Corporation Information Update. Grateful for Al-Anon, Kristine G. MI AFG Treasurer