A New Panel Begins – We are not Alone in Service!

Hi Friends! My name is Lori F. and I have the privilege to serve as the Panel 64 Chairperson of the Pennsylvania Al-Anon Assembly.  The Panel term is three years, 2024-2026.  It is an honor to be given this opportunity to serve.  In this article I wanted to introduce myself and highlight a couple important aspects of our PA Area Service journey that we are beginning.  

My home group is Open Mind AFG Thursday Night at 7 pm on the east side of Erie which is in District 12, Northwest Sector off the shore of Lake Erie.  I came to Al-Anon after years of trying to help my husband stop drinking. Now I have learned to live the Serenity Prayer one day at a time and I am forever grateful for the recovery that the Twelve Steps and service continue to give me.  I thank God for his help along the way knowing that I am a work in progress.  I thank Him and thank you all of you for my life today! I am happy to give back in any way I can.

For the past three years I served as Delegate for PA Al-Anon.  This was a treasured experience and I very much enjoyed the part of that position when I was able to help our trusted servants and our members.  I learned alot from being part of the World Service Conference and working alongside Trustees, WSO Staff, and fellow Delegates from various states and provinces.  I bring this experience with me into the role as Area Chair and thank you for honoring with me your trust to continue serving Pennsyvania Al-Anon and this fellowship we all love.

With the beginning of the new year and Panel, I and many others continue our service journey!  I am excited and grateful to serve and am looking forward to all the next three years hold for Pennsylvania Al-Anon.  Be assured I will give my best efforts to my role and I ask for your prayers.

The main role of the Area Chair is to plan and conduct the Area Assemblies and Area World Service Committee (AWSC) meetings over their three-year term.  Thankfully, I do not have to do this alone!  The Area Chair serves alongside the four other Area Officers that were elected by the PA Group Representatives at our Area Assembly as well as many dedicated AWSC members.  It is my pleasure to introduce the Panel 64 PA Area Officers with our contact emails.  Please let us know how we can be of service!

Panel 64 – PA Area Officers

Delegate – Ralph H. [email protected]
Alt. Delegate – Suzanne H. [email protected]
Chair – Lori F. [email protected]
Secretary – Maureen M. [email protected]
Treasurer – Ed M. [email protected]

Excited to serve, we really hit the road running.  The dates are set for this year’s Area service meetings and it has been rewarding to start planning the details.  The AWSC meetings are attended by the AWSC members which includes – Area Officers, District Representatives, Area Coordinators, AIS Liaisons, AA Liaison, PA Convention Chair and NO-MAAC Chair.  The annual PA Area Assembly is the annual meeting of Group Representatives (GR).  I am happy to announce the dates of the PA service meetings for 2024:

Area World Service Committee(AWSC) Meetings

February 9-11, 2024 – Carlisle, P
May 17-19, 2024 – Altoona, PA
November 15-17, 2024 – Calisle, PA

PA Area Assembly

August 16-18, 2024 – Harrisburg, PA

If you are serving as a GR, please mark your calendars and plan to attend the Area Assembly and be the voice and vote for your group (Concept One).  You will be receiving more information about the Assembly in late May through the links of service.  Participation is the key to harmony (Concept Four).  Thank you for your service as this vital link in our service structure.

With preparations for our first AWSC meeting underway, our new Panel and journey begins!  I look forward to when our paths cross and all we will do together for Pennsylvania Al-Anon and our prospective members. Wishing you peace and joy in your recovery.  Thank you for carrying our message of help and hope to families and friends of alcoholics.  All my best to you and your group!

“Focus on what you can do, then do it with all your heart.” – Lois W.