Al-A-Gram

A groundbreaking Public Outreach project, funded by a generous bequest of almost $20,000, kicked off right after the Pensylvania Area Assembly in August.

In 1988 — 31 years ago — Districts across the area were very active and working hard to carry the message of hope that is at the heart of Al-Anon. Here we read Jan K’s report which was published in the Fall 1988 issue of Al-A-Gram. Many of the methods of Public Outreach that are mentioned in the report are still applicable today.

31 years ago, Evelyn N, in her annual report to the Fall 1988 issue of Al-A-Gram, reported that 1,028 people attended the Convention, the largest attendance to date. It’s an interesting “Look back” at our past. The following is her full report.

We talked to Sandra R., this year’s Convention Chairperson, about the Convention and some of her personal perspectives on the theme and the workshops. We found her stories interesting and we wanted to share a few of them with you.

Sandra R. shares her first Convention experience. She had recently moved to Philadelphia and though she had been in Al-Anon over two years, recovery was still elusive for her. She went to the Convention simply expecting to reconnect with old friends from Harrisburg but found so much more. The experience invigorated her recovery and led her to service, ultimately leading her to be this year’s Convention Chairperson.

Deb R., a past Delegate, Panel 37, died this week following a brief illness. 20 years ago at the 1999 World Service Conference (Theme: Carrying the Message — Our Primary Purpose), Deb shared the following story with the World Service Conference.

Beth was talking to her sponsor about how much she’s been benefiting from service work in general, but particularly out of welcoming newcomers. In this sharing, Beth describes the gift that newcomers bring to her own growth and recovery.

Welcome to the new Al-A-Gram! For those of you familiar with the World Service Office’s “In the Loop,” Al-A-Gram has become Pennsylvania’s version of that. A subscription to “In the Loop” provides you with regular news updates from the WSO regarding items of national and global interest, while an Al-A-Gram subscription will provide you news and stories from around Pennsylvania and of more local interest.