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Ohio Al-A-Notes

Summer 2018 AFG of Ohio, PO Box 1024, Hudson Ohio 44236 website: www.ohioal-anon.org Volume 42 Issue 2

Print a copy and take it to your home group, PLEASE!

Issue topic: September is National Recovery Month. Keeping that in mind, “How do you use the Al-Anon Declaration as a guide for encouraging you to do public outreach?” The Al-Anon Declaration is:

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.

Found on page 20 of the Service Manual From our Delegate: Theresa M “Let It Begin with Me.” When my disease is active, this gets translated into the “If you see a problem, it is yours to fix.” While there is a bit of truth in this, being in service has taught me that being open-minded to other possible solutions and seeking help and collaboration is where the truth lies. “Whenever anyone, anywhere reaches out for help…” also can be activated wrongly when I am not connected to my Higher Power. The old tape of only being of value when I am needed and respond with all my heart and soul is not the way this declaration was made to be used! I have to remember it is “let the hand of Al-Anon” not just Theresa’s hand be there even though it begins by me recognizing that help may be needed. My responsibility is to support Public Outreach efforts at all levels and to live a spiritual life that is attractive to others. The program for me is all about finding balance between over and under doing, learning what my true abilities and limits are. Our Declaration embodies that for me. I am responsible for caring the message by healthy attitudes and actions. It is not my job to impose my will upon others while doing so. From our Secretary: One of the most memorable times I heard the Al-Anon Declaration was at the large meeting at the International Convention in Pittsburgh. Thousands of people stood hand in hand stating the words “When Anyone, Anywhere reaches out for help…”. This recollection reminds me of the worldwide fellowship of Al-Anon. Each of us can make a difference and spread the word of Al-Anon to those who need help anywhere in the world. Personally, I try to spread the word one on one. Also I leave copies of Al-Anon Faces Alcoholism in waiting rooms or other public locations. I encourage both of my home groups to order it and distribute them. As Public Information Coordinator for Akron, I talk with professionals and give them literature. Also, I encourage them to order copies of Al-Anon Faces Alcoholism. Most of all, I remember Attraction vs. Promotion. As an Al-Anon member, I need to work my program regularly so I am a good example of the serenity the program can give among other traits. Others will want what I have. So “Let it begin with me.” Yours in Service, Ginny C. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ “Any good that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now.

Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.”

Alcoholism, the Family Disease (P-4) Page 21

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From a past Delegate: Sandy F The Al-Anon Declaration is personal to me. I take it to mean I am to be there as an example of recovery whenever anyone is reaching out. So what do I do? I carry a few copies of Al-Anon Faces Alcoholism in my car and the public outreach bookmark (M-76) in my purse. I remember to forget one every time I have an appointment by sticking a bookmark in a magazine in the waiting room. I volunteer at my local Al-Anon Information Service office and answer the phones, sell literature, and chat with members who drop in. I also talk with professionals who call with questions about Al-Anon. At my home group meetings, I try to greet everyone each week with a hand shake, especially those I do not know. It is a hand of hope and friendship and as the saying goes “Let it begin with Me.” TREASURER: Judy A

Group contributions can be sent to: AFG of Ohio, PO Box 524, Columbiana, OH 44408-0524

Please include your group’s WSO ID Number and District Number on all checks.

District Doings

Districts of Cleveland: The AIS/LDC office has moved! The new AIS/LDC office location is… 14900 Detroit Avenue, Suite 308, Lakewood, Ohio 44107. (Enter on Cook Ave). Their USPS mailing address has also changed: It is Greater Cleveland Al-Anon, PO 42323, Brook Park, Ohio 44142-0323. Their phone number: (216) 621-1381. Office hours are Monday to Thursday 9:30 am to 3:30 pm. Districts of Columbus: Their AIS office reports an increase in the number of calls from professionals since late July. Also, they report an increase in inquiries about the new literature from members.

GROUP PUBLIC OUTREACH September is National Recovery Month. Your home group can help increase Al-Anon’s visibility across the U.S. as the number one resource for the family and friends of alcoholics. Public Outreach can be done at any local health fair or event. FYI: Ohio Area participates yearly in an Area wide event called Addiction Studies Institute. What event can your group do in its location for Public Outreach?

Here are some suggested handouts for Public Outreach: Are you Troubled by Someone’s Drinking (S-17)

Al-Anon Family Groups Is and Is not bookmark ( M-44)

Public Outreach bookmarks (M-76)

Business cards with local AFG contact Information

Al-Anon Faces Alcoholism

Attracting and Cooperating (S-40)

Al-Anon Welcomes African Americans (S-68)

Al-Anon Welcomes Adult Children of Alcoholics (S-69)

Al-Anon Welcomes Lays and Lesbians (S-70)

Announcements

During the 2018 Two Fall Assembly, an election will be held for the positions of Alternate Delegate and

Area Chairman. Eligibility for both positions is as follows and can be found on page 5 of the By-Laws For Al-

anon Family Groups of Ohio, Inc. “Any Active District Representative, Assembly Coordinator active in their local

district, or Area Officer is eligible for any office providing they have attended or provided an alternate three out

of the four (4) meetings annually in the three (3) year period between elections. (3/95) Eligibility will be based

on Secretary/Registrar’s records of attendance.”

FYI: The annual Group Records up-dates will be mailed to your group in September. Please return the sheet to WSO with any

up-dates, or just return it if all info is correct. Thanks for helping us with Group Records.

Dates to Remember in 2018

Fall Assembly: October 13-14, 2018 Independence, Ohio -For details go to www.ohioal-anon.org click on calendar -Deadline is 10/1

Alateen Fall Rally: October 27, 2018, Clague Rd Cabin, 1400 Clague Rd, Westlake Ohio 44145 10am-3:30pm

Alateen Sponsors Workshop: November 10, 2018 2040 W. Henderson Rd, Columbus, Oh 43220 10am-3:30pm

Ohio Al-A-Notes is the voice of AFG of Ohio, Inc.

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AFG of Ohio Inc. – 2018 Fall Assembly

October 13-14, 2018

DoubleTree by Hilton

6200 Quarry Lane, Independence, Ohio 44131 All Ohio Al-Anon Members Welcome!

Meeting begins at 12:30 pm on the 13th. Join us for the Banquet and Speaker on Saturday night.

Hotel Information: The rate is $109 plus tax per night. Rooms have two double beds or one king bed. Breakfast is included for

two people per room; additional breakfasts are offered at a discount.

RESRVATIONS MUST BE MADE BY OCTOBER 1, 2018 For reservations call; 261-447-1300 and request the Al-Anon group rate.

There is a 72 hour cancellation/change policy for reservations. All reservation must be made prior to that

date in order to take advantage of the group rate.

Directions can be found on our website. www.ohioal-anon.org Click on calendar scroll down to flier.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Dinner Reservation Form

Name:______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Address, City, Zip Code:________________________________________________________________________________________________

Phone# and email: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Dinner Choices: (please inform us of any special issues)

Lemon Pesto Chicken ________ Pork Tenderloin with roasted apples_________ Pasta primavera _________

Dinner includes: salad, roasted garlic mashed potatoes, green beans with roasted red peppers, and

cheesecake. Dinner cost: $35 (includes tip and service fees)

Number of dinners __________ X $35 = Total cost:____________________

Make checks payable to: Greater Cleveland Al-Anon

Mail payment to: PO Box 42323,

Brook Park, Ohio 44142-0323

DEADLINE IS -- OCTOBER 1, 2018

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Ohio Al-A-Notes

Personal Subscription Form

NAME:_____________________________________________________________________

ADDRESS:__________________________________________________________________

CITY, STATE, ZIP:___________________________________________________________

EMAIL ADDRESS:___________________________________________________________

Circle one: NEW RENEWAL Amount enclosed_______________

Cost is $4.50/ year for printed copies (This is the cost for printing and postage per issue X three issues per

year.) Three years is $13.00.

Make checks payable to: AFG of Ohio: mail payment to AFG of Ohio, PO Box1024, Hudson, Ohio 44236