Coronavirus impact on Al-Anon meetings across Pennsylvania
“Rotation of Service”
As we approach the end of the term of service for Panel 58 (2018 through 2020), Lori F, our Alternate Delegate for the Area World Service Committee, reflects on the importance of Rotation of Service at all levels of service — at the Group, District, and Area levels.
Are you considering stepping up to serve?
If you are already serving, is it time to try something new?
What’s in your service toolkit?
Lori reflects on these questions as well as her own experience in the Alternate Delegate’s Corner.
Check out her latest post.
In the Know: Staying Informed by Supporting Al-Anon’s Service Arms
Many members think of the World Service Office (WSO) as an authority that makes decisions that affect Al-Anon Family Groups as a whole. In fact, the WSO is a clearinghouse of information. The annual World Service Conference (WSC) acts as our largest representative group conscience, where members discuss and deliberate on world service matters.
Other Coming Events!
The Art of Welcoming
Lately, as many groups approach their eighth month of meeting virtually during this pandemic, my heart goes out to the many families and friends of alcoholics who are unable to attend meetings or have not yet even found Al-Anon. Fortunately, a few groups have been able to resume face-to-face meetings across the state, and some people may have new opportunities to find help and hope in Al-Anon.
Given our situation, it is more important than ever to think about how we are welcoming newcomers, visitors, and even our regularly attending home group members, whether we are meeting in person or virtually.
The image above is from Al-Anon’s ‘Welcoming Checklist’ that groups may find helpful as they transition back to face-to-face meetings or prepare for it when it is safe to do so. It can be downloaded for free from the WSO website.
“Having a plan in place to welcome newcomers and visitors to your group throughout the year helps newcomers and members alike.” (Welcome Checklist)
Lori F., Alt. Delegate, Panel 58
Returning to Face-to-Face Meetings
We have been receiving a lot of questions recently regarding the reopening of Face-to-Face (FTF) meetings. These questions address temporary Electronic Meetings (such as Zoom, Google Meets, etc.), when and how to return to FTF meetings, and the possibility of having a “hybrid” meeting (some combination of FTF and simultaneous virtual meeting).
We are providing this letter based on the questions members have been asking. This information has been compiled after consulting with other Areas and includes input and guidance from staff at the World Service Office (WSO). The WSO has also been receiving many inquiries from members all over the country about how to safely reopen our FTF meetings.
The letter contains Questions & Answers that are intended to offer some guidance as our members reason things out with one another in order to reach an informed group conscience regarding how their group will meet in the future.
Please read the letter and share it with your groups.
Welcome to the PA Area Al-Anon Web Site
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.
PA Al-Anon Events
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Are You Ready? – “Newcomer Preparedness Checklist”
With the holiday season on the horizon, October through December is the busiest time of the year for many people. It is also a period of added stress, especially for families and friends of alcoholics. It is an opportunity to remind us to prepare ourselves and our groups to welcome newcomers who find their way to Al-Anon.
