April 2025

SUMMER RETREATS

Kent All Men’s AFG (KAMA)
Fort Worden Weekend at Seabeck

For 36 years the Kent All Men’s Al-Anon (KAMA) Family Group has hosted a men’s weekend at Fort Worden Historical State Park in early June. KAMA was notified in early January that the Fort Worden center would be unavailable in 2025. The facility is part of the state park and is experiencing some problems. This year we will be hosting our 37th weekend at Seabeck Conference Center on June 13-15. Many of you may be familiar with that facility from other program gatherings.

While this will be a strange departure for me, I started attending this weekend in 1998, I have no doubt that I will find the same recovery this year as I have in the past. The men will bring the same experience, strength, and hope to the weekend as always.

The real meat of the weekend for me is the topic meetings where members volunteer to chair meetings on Al-Anon topics that interest them. I have found, over the years, that many of us (me included) will talk freely at Ft. Worden about subjects that we usually only share in private with our sponsor. Speaking in public about these “hidden” issues allows me to get things out in the open that I couldn’t express anywhere else.

For many years I looked at the weekend as a chance to do some serious program work without distractions from my daily life. A few years ago, a longtime friend and regular attendee at Fort Worden shared in a meeting that he no longer planned any serious program work. He looked on the weekend as a chance to relax and enjoy the results of all his hard work, to just have fun.

We each arrive with a different set of goals and needs and somehow everyone ends up finding exactly what they came for!

The weekend is open to all Al-Anon men. Click on the image below for the flyer with the registration form. It is also available at the Seattle Al-Anon Information Service website:  https://www.seattle-al-anon.org/events. Scroll down to find the printable Ft. Worden flyer with the registration form.

-Allen L.

Don’t wait to register. Registration closes after 60 spots are filled!

Summer Seminar Assembly (SSA)

The Summer Seminar Assembly in Washington State has its orgins in the early years of Al-Anon. In the early 1950s, services such as creation and distribution of literature and outreach were handled by volunteers and a few employees from the Al-Anon offices in New York. By the late 1950’s the organization had grown so much that the World Service Office (WSO) struggled to effectively connect with the family groups and build a group conscience.

In 1958 Lois W., Al-Anon Co-Founder, started to lay the groundwork for a national organization that was patterned after the structure of Alcoholics Anonymous, based on the Twelve Steps and Traditions. 

In 1961, the first Al-Anon World Service Convention (WSC) was held. For the purpose of fair representation, the country was divided into four areas each with an equal number of Area Delegates.  Each year the number of Areas grew as did the number of Delegates.  Today each Area is represented at the annual WSC by one Area Delegate.

Area Delegates each have one vote along with voting members of WSO staff and representatives from Service Arms such as AIS. They vote on proposals regarding new literature, public outreach, problems in the Areas that impact Al-Anon as a whole, activities planned by the Trustees, and more.  See the Al Anon/Alateen Service Manual (P 24/27) p. 164-166 for more information.

After attending the annual WSC, Area Delegates return to their Areas and give a report to the Group and District Representatives (GRs and DRs).  In the early years of the Washington Area, the Delegate was expected to travel all over the state to visit the districts and present their report to the districts. This service position required a lot of travel!  So, the Area decided to bring the DRs and GRs to one place annually so that they could hear the Delegate’s report all together and all at one time.  They chose to hold the assembly over a weekend in a retreat setting with workshops and reflection on service. Thus, the Summer Seminar Assembly (SSA) was created.

And what a great opportunity to attend workshops dedicated to learning about service at the District and Group level! What a marvelous setting for all Al-Anon members to share fellowship and recovery together!

This year there will be 12 workshops in which to deepen our understanding of our Legacies. There will be time for fellowship, spiritual reflection, hearing from speakers and walks in nature.

SSA 2025 takes place at Warm Beach Conference Center, Stanwood from May 16-18.   If you are unable to attend in person, you can be present on Zoom for the Delegate’s report on Saturday at 7:00pm, for a selection of workshops throughout the day and a speaker on Saturday at 9:30.

Register NOW! 
Late fee applies after 4-25 and registration closes 5-2.  
Click on the poster for more information, registration and directions.

SERVICE

How can you and your group support Alateen?

In the February Bits we celebrated the opening of two new Alateen meetings in the Seattle area. In the March Bits we talked about safety in Alateen and becoming an AMIAS (Al-Anon Members Involved in Alateen Service).  In this edition will explore ways for you or your group to support Alateen.

AMAIS

Group Sponsor
Alateens are responsible for their own meeting.  They take the same roles as Al-Anon members do in their meetings.  However, adults are needed to ensure the safety of teens and to conduct legal and financial functions that minors cannot do.

Substitutes
Group Sponsors may not be able to attend meetings at all times, AMAIS who do not want the full responsibility of group sponsor can agree to be a backup to those who do.

Chaperones
In addition to Group Sponsors, AMAIS are required for conferences, camping trips or assemblies in which Alateens will be transported to locations other than their usual meeting and possibly stay overnight.

Drivers
Must also be AMAIS, but do not have to stay with the Alateens when they are in activities.

NON-AMIAS

  • Outreach

    • Al-Anons can work together with Alateens and members of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) to provide information about support for families of alcoholics in treatment centers.

    • Distribute fliers in school.

    • Spread the word about Alateen in Al-Anon meetings.

  • Attend open Alateen meetings and celebrations such as anniversaries.

  • Help with an Alateen newsletter.

  • Be a liaison with parents.

  • Alateens must have paperwork signed by parents, releasing them to the care of AMIAS.  Volunteers can help facilitate gathering permissions and getting them notarized.

  • Find locations and help secure them for workshops and events.

  • Encourage Al-Anon members to bring their children to Alateen.

  • Volunteer to be an Al-Anon speaker at Alateen events.

FINANCIAL SUPPORT

Supporting Alateen financially is not the same as raising money for a kid’s sports team.  Alateen groups are expected to follow the Steps, Traditions and Concepts. 

Fully Self Supporting
Al-Anon groups may contribute to rent, literature, refreshments, art supplies, etc. while the group is getting started.  Alateen meetings are expected to be fully self-supporting… eventually.  Group Sponsors help the teens to gradually take responsibility and experience the spiritual growth that the Seventh Tradition brings.

Anonymity
Al-Anon groups can help Alateens raise funds by inviting them to be involved in events within the Al-Anon fellowship.  Inviting the general public to participate contradicts Traditions Seven (self-support) and Twelve (anonymity) and is not appropriate for raising money in Al-Anon and Alateen groups.   

Sales
Al-Anon Groups can invite Alateens to sell items at Al-Anon events provided that the items relate to our spiritual principles, are made by Alateen or Al-Anon members, and are not commercialized. 

Raise money for scholarships
Al-Anon groups may have fundraisers to create scholarships for Alateen members and AMIAS who cannot afford to attend conferences, retreats and remote meetings.

Indirect Donations
Alateen receives support from the World Service Office (WSO), the Washington Area and the Districts.  When you donate to any of these service arms, you are indirectly supporting Alateen.

Find out more about how to support Alateen.  See: G-1 Members Interested in Speaking, G-16 Alateen Conferences, G-19 Starting an Alanon Group, G-24 Area Alateen Coordinators, G-34 Alateen Safety Guidelines, Al‑Anon/Alateen Service Manual (P‑24/27) pp. 35, 106-108

Book mark and God box created by Alateen members for sale at events

Special Events:
How To Find an AA Speaker

Is your group or district ready to host a special event? If so, do you know how to find a speaker from Alcoholics Anonymous? (AA)? We reached out to Greater Seattle Intergroup of AA. Here’s what they suggest.

  • Be sure that your event committee has decided on the location, schedule, theme of the meeting as well as desired details such as gender, age, etc.

  • Ask one member of your event committee to communicate with Seattle Intergroup by email: info@seattleaa.org

  • Let them know what you need, and they will send you a list (chosen from 300 speakers) that fits your request.

  • How can you know if the speaker is right for your event? You can listen to them on the Seattle Intergroup You Tube Channel.  Once you are on the site, type the name of the speaker in “search,” find their video and see what you think.

  • Once you make your selection, you can contact the speaker directly to make the arrangements.

  • AA speakers do not charge a fee for speaking, but they may request that their expenses be covered.

Positions Still Open For 2025!

Outreach Coordinator 
See the January Bits for more information

Treasurer
See the February Bits for more information

Requesting Phone Volunteers

What do you need to be a Phone Volunteer?

  • A desire to help

  • Access to the Zoom app on a cellphone or computer

  • A slot of time that works for you to work regularly:
    Once a month
    Several times a week
    A combination of times

Note: all of your personal information remains anonymous.

Contact the Phone Coordinator Phones@seattle-al-anon.org or call/text 206-625-0000

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Greater Seattle Area Events

Washington Area Events

Al-Anon Information Service serves Districts 14-22.  If you want to know about Al-Anon meetings, events and resources in the greater Washington Area please go to the website. Check out the Events tab for

Pre-Conference Assembly (Pre-Con) April
Summer Seminar Assembly (SSA) May 16
and more!

Meeting Changes

Saturday 8:00 – 9:30 AM Hour of Hope AFG (Enumclaw)
NEW in-person meeting (2/27)

Tuesday 7:00 – 8:00 PM Normandy Park Perspectives AFG
NEW in-person meeting (3/4)

Monday .6:30 - 8:00 PM Saltwater AFG
meeting dissolved (2/25)

For more info see Meetings — Greater Seattle Al-Anon

Group Records

Is your group listed incorrectly in the meeting directories? Do you need to make group records changes?

In Person and Hybrid Groups Submit your correct information to WA Area by using the form on the WA Area website. You may have to log in first. If you don’t have an account, you will need to set one up. Click here.  

Online ONLY Groups Submit your correct information to WSO by using the Electronic Group Change Form. If this is your first time using that form, here are some handy instructions.  

AIS will be sent a copy of the changes by WA Area and by WSO via the Area Group Records Coordinator.

AIS will make the change as soon as possible. For Online ONLY groups, please allow up to 10 days for the change to appear on the AIS meeting directory. If your listing is correct on WA Area and WSO, but not on AIS, please email meetingdirectoryeditor@seattle-al-anon.org.

AIS Council Meeting

The next Council meeting is April 10, 2025 @ 7:30-9:00 pm. Check the AIS Information Page for the Zoom link. 

AIS Board Meeting

The next Council meeting is April 17, 2025 @ 7:00-8:30 pm. Check the AIS Information Page for the Zoom link. 

AIS Office & Literature
Distribution Center Open House

Saturday, April 5, 11:00am-3:00pm
and the first Saturday of every month
All Pilgrims Church
509 10th Ave. E. Seattle 98102

Need A Free Newcomer Packet?

Anyone local to Seattle who is a newcomer and wants an individual newcomer packet (or in Spanish, too!), please submit your request via the New To Al-Anon page or send an email to outreach@seattle-al-anon.org with the name and mailing address.

EXPERIENCE, STRENGTH AND HOPE FROM MEMBERS

The Week Tradition One
Came to Life!

Tradition One: “Our Common Welfare should come first;
personal progress for the greatest number depends upon unity.”

Last year I asked a friend to work through Reaching for Personal Freedom with me so that I might have more options when sponsoring.

When we got to Tradition One, I was initially resistant, then just plain uncomfortable, not really ‘getting’ why it was so important. My friend shared that applying the Traditions to her life had been miraculous! I prayed to Higher Power to help surrender my doubt and give me willingness to understand.

At our next meeting Tradition One came to life for me. My friend explained that to build real unity in a group or family we must look for the common purpose that binds us together.

I shared that I had been upset with my son-in-law because he didn’t have a “real” job, with a regular paycheck and benefits. I spoke of him as if he were lazy and not carrying his load. My daughter was the sole bread winner. I had been watching her become increasingly exhausted while working, paying the bills, and caring for their new baby. I wondered if she should stay married to him. I was not looking at the fact that he is a great dad who cares for his son while his wife is at work. I voiced frustration, disgust, and anger to my friend.

She stopped me. She asked me to look for the common denominator in our family. After listening, she suggested that the one thing that we could all agree on was the welfare of their darling baby boy, my grandson! I agreed!

In preparing for the next meeting with my friend, I read a question in Reaching for Personal Freedom p. 70, “In what way have I used Tradition One to alleviate division in my family?” I realized that I had experienced the miracle my friend had spoken of! I had moved away from the negative thoughts about my son-in-law, and focused on our common good, my grandson! At every opportunity I was given to be supportive of our son-in-law, I was! I stopped asking him or my daughter questions that implied judgment like “is he looking for a job yet?” or “what time did he come home last night?” The next time he came to our house, we had a conversation, and I just listened. I was welcoming and not in a hurry. I found my son-in-law to be quite engaging. Imagine that!

The positive energy overflowed to my daughter. She had stopped complaining about her husband, too! That was huge! She then shared that he was working on his resume to return to work. I could hear my friend’s words, “You won’t believe what will happen when you apply Tradition One!”

I do now! I am seeing the fruits of Tradition One in our family. I learned that having the goal of unity, finding whatever it is that binds us each to one another and supporting it, literally transforms behavior and allows miracles to happen!

-Judy DR

The Gratitude Container

Over the last many years, I have collected notations of gratitude on slips of paper. As I was describing my process of collecting these notes into a vessel to a friend in the program, I wasn’t sure what to call it. I groped for the right term. It’s not a can, it’s not a box, it’s not a bowl. It is, however, very special to me. It is handmade and includes a lid. The word that finally came to mind was “urn.” At the time even that word didn’t feel quite right. Hmm, I needed to consider that further.

Why did I even start collecting these paper bits of gratitude? It began while working with my sponsor. They noticed that I was not grateful for the many beautiful things in my life. In fact, I was grateful for virtually nothing. My alcoholic was at the top of the list of things for which I was ungrateful. So, I started identifying things for which I was grateful. It didn’t come easily.

Back to the concept of the urn. I looked up a few definitions of the word. One, is simply “a closed vessel.” That certainly fits. However, the definition that caught my attention was more specific – “a vessel of various forms used especially for preserving the ashes of the dead after cremation.” At first, I did not think that this definition fit. But did it? Like my vessel, I too have been handcrafted by my Higher Power. The slips of paper that I put into the urn represent beautiful things that I have recognized through the efforts of recovery, and living my life following the Legacies. In short, through the death, the transformation of the “old me”, the pre-Al-Anon me, I am a better person today.

Inside my urn there is a growing collection of people, places, things, attitudes and thoughts for which I am grateful. Today, there seems to be no limit or bounds on what might end up being stored there. One of them, captured in multiple contexts, is the alcoholic who helped me get involved and invested in Al-Anon. It’s no longer necessary for me to force myself to write down and store these snippets of gratitude. Today, recognition of items for which I’m grateful is an ongoing, nearly daily exercise that takes no outward thought, it is simply part of who I am and how I live my life.

-Share and photo by Vernon B.

Are You Looking For More
Experience, Strength And Hope?

Al-Anon’s monthly magazine, the Forum, features timely shares from Al-Anon and Alateen members, suggested meeting topics, and the latest information on worldwide Al-Anon recovery. Experience and insight you won’t find anywhere else!

Sample these articles from the April 2025 edition of the Forum.
I Gave Myself Another Look
Balance from My Center

 If you like what you read, give this a try: Subscribe to the Forum.

SHARE YOUR E/S/H

If you have never written an article for the Bits, please click Guidelines for Bits Articles to find out how to do it. If you are hesitating, we will offer you guidance and give you a sounding board for your thoughts. please send in your articles, reflections, poetry and art to newslettereditor@seattle-al-anon.org.

What’s On Your Mind?

We welcome your thoughts, reflection, comments and suggestions about anything that you have read or seen in this newsletter.  Please share them with us atnewslettereditor@seattle-al-anon.org.

Art Work

Unless attributed to an individual, images used in this publication are AI Generated and in the Public Domain. They do not represent any specific individual or place and therefore respect the anonymity of our members and the intellectual property of the artist.

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Thank You For
Your Donations To AIS!

Our funding comes primarily from Donations by Members, Groups and Districts and Literature Sales. Please send all donations, to:

Seattle AIS
505 Broadway E #400
Seattle, WA 98102-5023