Friday, November 16, 2007

An Intergroup?

There's a GR meeting tomorrow and one of the topics is how best to get information out via the phone about Al-Anon--it's purpose, a meeting schedule, and a voice. Without going into detail, because the district we're in doesn't have an Al-Anon Information Service (similar to an AA intergroup), we don't have a contact number listed with the World Service Office.

My thoughts are that we need to have an AIS for our district in order for people who need Al-Anon can have a number to call. I was wondering what your experience has been with having an Intergroup (or AIS) for your district. Do you think that it's an essential and needed service? Is your phone contact rotated among individuals? It is unlikely that there will be "office" for the AIS but a post office box is all that's needed, other than a volunteer to take calls if a voice message is left.

Any thoughts that you might have on this would be much appreciated.

Tradition Five--Each Al-Anon Family Group has but one purpose: to help families of alcoholics. We do this by practicing the Twelve Steps of AA ourselves, by encouraging and understanding our alcoholic relatives, and by welcoming and giving comfort to families of alcoholics.

Concept Four--
Participation is the key to harmony.

7 comments:

  1. Just checking in my friend.
    oxox
    JJ

    ReplyDelete
  2. The area I live in is too small for an intergroup. We do have an answering service tho, that is on tape. We're trying to change that, to get volunteers to take the messages, so there will be a real live person to answer questions. I don't know if they have one for Alanon or not. We should.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Check with Pat.
    Thanks for being loyal to my blog, Syd, even though I've not been around much. I am finally feeling better so I just may get a bit more blogging in.
    Love,
    Scout

    ReplyDelete
  4. I wish I had a really good Al-Anon in my area but I live in a village. Same with the N.A. The nearest town has an A.A. group which is mixed with an N.A. group...and most of it is a farce. The people that go to this group are 'court-ordered' they have to go and get their judgment signed or go to jail....I went to a meeting as support to my son...and all the members thought it was just a lark..it was a sham...the 2nd they got out of the group..they headed to the bars or smoked a joint outside the door...
    We never went back.
    I am trying to change that.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hey Syd, I'm doing some long past due blog stalking today. Loved your post about love and relationships, it was like a light bulb moment for me!
    The poem was beautiful- thanks for sharing it!
    As far as an intergroup office, I think it is probably a good idea, we can only keep what we have by giving it away!
    Love ya!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Syd,
    We have an intergroup. As a matter of fact I just attended a fundraiser yesterday afternoon for our AISDV (DV stands for Delaware Valley). We have an office with a hotline where folks can call and get information about what Al-Anon is, how to find a meeting and dates/times. It is a great organization and our districts are involved in everything from Al-Anon to Alateen to AA. We have workshops. It is worth having and a great asset to the community. Hope this helps.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oh and Syd, our AIS office is run by volunteers as well as the committee.

    ReplyDelete

Let me know what you think. I like reading what you have to say.