February 2025
6TH TRADITION:
COOPERATION in RECOVERY
-Photo by Maggie V-P
The Sixth Tradition says, “…Although a separate entity, we should always co-operate with Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.).” For some Al-Anon members, the idea of cooperation with alcoholics may seem like a challenge. What does the 6th Tradition mean? What does “cooperation” look like?
Happily, the Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters has provided us with guidance from our Al‑Anon/Alateen Service Manual (P-24/27) (SM) and Al-Anon Guidelines G-3 (G-3).
In areas where Al-Anon presence is still growing, groups can share facilities, resources, and a newsletter with A.A., but always pay for what they use and maintain a distinct identity (SM p. 130)
Al-Anon can share meeting lists and group contacts with A.A. groups (SM p. 130)
Al-Anon and A.A. groups can conduct outreach together in alcohol treatment centers. (SM p. 131)
Al-Anon groups cannot announce or promote A.A. events in our meetings, unless the event is jointly planned and executed (SM p. 52).
Each Al-Anon group or district is free to collaborate with A.A. in hosting events (SM p. 90). Specific information about how to handle details such as programming and finances can be found in G-3.
A.A. and Al-Anon can exchange speakers for meetings (G-3)
In the area served by Seattle Al-Anon Information Service (AIS) there are many events where Al-Anon groups work together with A.A. Here are two that are coming up in March. .
Burien Little Assembly
A.A. and Al-Anon have been collaborating on the Burien Little Assembly (BLA) for 52 years! You can read more about the history here. It was founded with the purpose of providing “knowledge of service.” BLA continues to fulfill this goal on March 1, 2025, with the 2025 theme of “Working Together, Increasing Trust.”
Through the years Al-Anon Districts 17, 18 and 19 have rotated being the Al-Anon hosts. In 2024 when District 17 was asked to take the lead, District Rep (DR), Karen G., knew that she had a big task ahead. She immediately reached out to DRs who had chaired the BLA before for experience, strength, and hope.
Karen wondered how she was going to get the eight meetings of District 17 to work together. The district is large, but most of the meetings are centered around Renton and Maple Valley. However, the format of the meetings is quite diverse. They include standard meetings in daytime, evening, weekend, a hybrid meeting, a virtual study group, as well as Alateen, and Spanish only meetings. As things worked out, Karen had no problem engaging volunteers to perform the tasks of finding panel participants and interfacing with the A.A. planning committee. The committee members were highly motivated and worked together beautifully.
Some groups or districts may avoid putting on or participating in big events, worrying that burn-out could discourage future participation. The opposite is true in District 17. Although Karen is no longer DR, those who worked on the BLA last year have stepped up to host BLA again in 2025! She also reports that the experience has stimulated the desire in the District for even more service opportunities. Click here for more information.
Celebrating Lois’s Birthday
Hosting a speakers meeting is another way to deepen our recovery by collaboration between Al-Anon and A.A. “Celebrating Lois’s Birthday” is coming up on March 8. There will be Al-Anon, A.A. and Alateen speakers.
This evening of celebration at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church in Bellevue started in 2020 as a response to requests from members who were missing the fellowship of the Al-Anon Information Service (AIS) annual auction. That fundraiser was no longer necessary when AIS changed to an all volunteer service arm of Al-Anon.
Unfortunately, the pandemic prevented repeating this event for two years. In 2023 and 2024, smaller events were held in the AIS Office and Literature Distribution Center (LDC) on Capitol Hill. Now, AIS is bringing back the event to St. Andrew’s on March 8th. Come and join us! Click here for more information.
Lois Remembers
Cooperation between Al-Anon and Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) grew out of the shared experience of both groups. The origins of this and other principles that are part of our Al-Anon way of life are explored in the memoir of Al-Anon cofounder, Lois W., Lois Remembers. (See Chapter 17, The Foundations of Al-Anon).
Lois relates stories of how, at first, as A.A. was getting started, the families of the alcoholics would meet and socialize. Gradually they tried to help each other with their mutual problems. Through the 1940s family groups opened in many places such as Texas, Alabama, Tennessee, New York and even Canada. They communicated with each other but were not as unified as A.A. The A.A. General Service Office had made it clear that their purpose was to support alcoholics, not families or friends. The groups were encouraged by A.A. to define their own purpose and form their own structure.
In 1951, Lois W. and co-founder Anne B. reached out to the existing family groups and about half wanted to work together and have a central service office. Lois and Anne started the “Clearing House” in Lois’s house which quickly proved to be too small. A.A. members offered the Clearing House space in their club in New York City. The A.A. members generously shared their experiences in building an organization. They also volunteered to help set up the office and shared office equipment. Six years later, Al-Anon was financially independent and moved into its own offices.
This experience is reflected in the guidelines for Al-Anon/A.A. cooperation, “In areas where Al-Anon presence is still growing, groups can share facilities, resources and a newsletter with A.A., but always pay for what they use and maintain a distinct identity.” (Al Anon/Alateen Service Manual P-24/27 p. 130)
I encourage everyone to read Lois Remembers to discover more about the roots of the Al-Anon program and how it grew not from ideology or theology, but from solving practical problems through cooperation.
-Deborah V.
SERVICE
IT’S TIME FOR A NEW VOLUNTEER!
The AIS Treasurer Position is
Open For 2025
Interview with Outgoing
AIS Treasurer, Gary H.
In this article we refer to Alanon Information Service Bylaws, p. 4 and Standard Rules and Procedures Manual (SRPM), p. 9.
NE (Newsletter Editor): Hello Gary! Thank you for your service as our AIS Treasurer. How long did you serve?
GH (Gary H.): I served the usual one year. A treasurer can stand for re-election, which is probably a good idea, but I have agreed to be the Chair of the Washington Area Panel. I’ve started already!
NE: The Bylaws suggest that officers have experience. The SRPM lists the specific duties having to do with keeping financial records, paying bills, paying taxes, and making reports for AIS Council and the Board. How much experience did you have coming into the job?
GH: I had been Group Treasurer in my home group, I had used QuickBooks a long time ago, and I had studied some accounting at the graduate level, but I was glad that there was a 30–40-page manual just for the AIS Treasurer! Also, I was able to add to my experience because of the way AIS works. Even when the job was daunting, there were people who had been there before who could get me out of a jam. One time I made a deposit in the wrong account. I was anxious. I looked everywhere to find it. I called the member who had set up our account in QuickBooks and she found the money!
NE: The Bylaws also recommend that officers have “stability.” What did that mean to you?
GH: I have the same challenge that many of us have - impatience. This job allowed me opportunities to practice “cultivated calm” when I was asked questions that I did not know how to answer. I learned to ask for time to find out. Also, I sometimes rush just to finish tasks just to tick them off my list. In this job I learned that I had to let my reports sit for a day before presenting. I found a lot of mistakes that way.
NE: The Bylaws also indicate that officers should understand the Legacies, Service Manual, and the Bylaws. Can you think of an example where your familiarity with these was of help to you?
GH: Yes. Concept Ten says, “Service responsibility is balanced by carefully defined service authority and double-headed management is avoided.” To me that meant, “do my job and stay out of others’ tasks.” When I first started as Treasurer, my home group knew that I often went to the AIS Office which is also the Literature Distribution Center (LDC). A few times I offered to pick up books. It was not my job, and I made a mess of things. After that I stayed out of it!
NE: The Bylaws also ask for officers who have “ample time to perform their duties.” Could you share with us how many hours per month you spent doing this job?
GH: I spent about 4-8 hours a month at my desk, using QuickBooks and other programs. Then about 4-8 hours per month in the AIS office handling the more personal side of the business: checks, cash, and mail. The budgeting cycle in November adds 5-8 hours annually.
NE: The SRPM also mentions that the Treasurer may need to recommend changes in insurance and cash management or ensure cost effective management of resources in the LDC. Did you suggest changes and how were they received?
GH: In general, I maintained a policy of clarity, transparency, and open communication. I believe that it helped build an atmosphere of trust in my work and the organization. Also, I learned a lot about other people. I have a rather relaxed attitude about money, so when we were discussing decreasing the amount of Cash on Hand, I was surprised that some members were resistant. Then I remembered that some people in Al-Anon have experienced financial uncertainty and even ruin due to alcoholism. I gained insight and empathy for my fellow members.
NE: Thank you, Gary, for your time and helping us understand how you worked your program while doing service!
NOTE: If you are interested in becoming the next AIS Treasurer, please contact Chair@seattle-al-anon.org
Who’s going to take care of our prudent reserve?
POSITIONS STILL OPEN
FOR 2025!
AIS Phone Coordinator
Outreach Coordinator
See the January 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
HAPPY ALATEEN NEWS
We usually wait for many months before we hear about a new Alateen meeting showing up, but in one month, November, we received announcements of three new Alateen meetings! THREE!
The first one we heard about was to be near Magnuson Park, and soon we knew the specifics, “Wednesday Alateen” at 4:00 PM Wednesdays at Santos Place Community Room. Then on the heels of that news came more. Another new Alateen meeting, “Auburn Alateen Our Place” is starting on Wednesdays, 7:00 PM at South King Alano Club in Auburn!
And then, as if those surprises were not enough, another new Alateen meeting was announced, “Covington Alateen” 7:00 PM Sundays at Covington Community Church. And that is not the end of the good news. Not only will there be a new Alateen meeting, but also a new AL-ANON meeting at the same location and time. And we are still not done with good news. Wait for it ... There is ALSO an AA meeting at the same time and location as these new Alateen and Al-Anon meetings in Covington. How great is that? Congratulation Covington!
And kudos to all for the effort that has gone into starting these new meetings. And let us not forget to appreciate the other Alateen meetings that already existed, “Lake Hills Alateen” on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays at 7:30 PM, and “Renton Thursday Night Alateen” 2nd and 4th Thursdays at 7:30 PM. Thank you also for the commitment by Alateen members, and the AMIAS (Al-Anon Member Involved in Alateen Service), all who make the meetings happen.
In total there are now FIVE Alateen meetings in the Greater Seattle area. And that is Happy News.
To find information see, "Alateen Meetings".
-Linda W.
Meeting Directory Editor
GROUP RECORDS
Is your group not listed correctly 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 the 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.
MEETING CHANGES
Saturday 11:00 – 12:00 AM Search for Serenity AFG, changed from Hybrid to in person only (12/29)
Wednesday 7:00 – 8:30 PM Auburn Alateen Our Place, meeting length changed form 90 min to 60 min: 7:00PM – 8:00PM (1/8)
Thursday 7:30 –8:30 PM Renton Thursday Night Alateen, meeting length changed from 60 min to 90 min: 7:30- 9:00 PM (1/10)
Monday 7:00 – 8:00 AM Ballard Hope for Today AFG, new in-person meeting starting Feb 3 (1/15)
For more info see Meetings — Greater Seattle Al-Anon
AIS COUNCIL MEETING
The next Council meeting is February 13, 2025 @ 7:30-9:00 pm. Check the AIS Information Page for the Zoom link.
AIS BOARD MEETING
The next Board meeting Thursday, April 17 @ 7:00-8:30 pm. Check the AIS Information Page for the Zoom link.
AIS OFFICE & LITERATURE
DISTRIBUTION CENTER OPEN HOUSE
Saturday, February 1, 11:00am-3:00pm
and the first Saturday of every month
All Pilgrims Church
509 10th Ave. E. Seattle 98102
WASHINGTON AREA EVENTS
What is AWSC?
Area World Service Committee (AWSC) This Committee consists of the officers of the Assembly, District Representatives, Coordinators and liaison members, who meet between Assemblies to discuss Area and District matters, plan the agenda for the Assembly, initiate projects and make recommendations to the Assembly. All Committee members may vote at the meetings of the Area World Service Committee.
— “World Service Handbook” section of the 2022-2025 Al‑Anon/Alateen Service Manual (P-24/27), pages 140 and 138
AWSC Meeting is on February 22, 2025 in Kent Washington.
GREATER SEATTLE AREA EVENTS
Click here to browse Events in the Greater Seattle Area
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.
THE BITS NEWSLETTER DEPENDS ON YOU!
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, please know that we will offer you guidance and provide a sounding board for your thoughts.
Please send in your articles, reflections, poetry and art to newslettereditor@seattle-al-anon.org .
-Artwork by Ruth RL
EXPERIENCE, STRENGTH AND HOPE FROM MEMBERS
Step 11
Like our Al-Anon literature, my spiritual program has grown and developed organically over time. How I pray and meditate is quite different from when I first started the program. Even my concept of Higher Power has changed.
In the beginning, Al-Anon members did not tell me how to practice. Perhaps they were guided by the Traditions to avoid discussion of religion. So, I started to look for instructions on prayer and meditation outside of the rooms.
I took deep dives into various spiritual practices. I held onto some briefly, and I practiced others for many years. Some were conflicting, some were conventional, and some were edgy. It was all useful. Through it all I was able to practice the principle of “Take what you like and leave the rest.”
Eventually I found myself defining my spiritual practice by the groups I was in. “I had this much time in Al-Anon.” “I have attended this number of retreats.” “I held a leadership role in this tradition.” I was definitely not practicing detachment!
So, I dropped it all - including Al-Anon.
I wanted to see if I was still spiritually significant without external validation. I was.
I wanted to see if I could have conscious contact with Higher Power outside of a focused event, like a retreat or even an Al-Anon meeting. I could.
It took time, but I began to show up in my relationship with Higher Power in a way that is organic, fluid, and most importantly, comfortable for me.
Meditation for me now can include drumming, formal timed sits, or silently chanting mantras on my walks.
Prayer for me now can include singing, formal prayers, or silently chanting mantras on my walks. Chuckle.
Prayer and meditation have become pleasurable for me, probably because I gravitate toward forms that I enjoy. I allow myself to change forms as they grow stale. It is not capricious; it is practical. When I am in alignment, I find myself listening WITH Higher Power, rather than listening TO Higher Power. It is a silent and beautiful exchange that deserves conscious care and consideration.
Returning to Al-Anon after this period of discovery has been wonderfully fresh. Rather than trying to fit myself into an idea of what a good Al-Anon member is, I find myself pulling the Al-Anon principles inward. It is my spiritual practice after all.
And through all that exploration, it is great to come back to deeply pragmatic spiritual lessons like “First Things First” and “How Important Is It?”
With love and peace.
The space that sits just past the shot
Where breath exists that’s void of thought
A laugh, a smile, a glimmer caught
Of merging bliss, that can’t be bought
-Andrew H.
ARE YOU LOOKING FOR MORE EXPERIENCE, STRENGTH AND HOPE?
Al-Anon’s monthly magazine features timely sharing’s 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!
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 at newslettereditor@seattle-al-anon.org
Want a hard copy of the Bits?
Thank you for your donations and your support of AIS!
Our funding now comes primarily from Donations by Members, Groups, and Districts
Literature Sales
Please send all AIS mail, including checks for literature orders and donations, to:
Seattle AIS
505 Broadway E #400
Seattle, WA 98102-5023