Program
WELCOME
WELCOME
Please join me in a moment of silence for those who still suffer from the effects of alcoholism followed by the Serenity Prayer: God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.
Please join me in a moment of silence for those who still suffer from the effects of alcoholism followed by the Serenity Prayer: God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.
We welcome you to the Moab Wednesday night Al-Anon Group and hope you will find in this fellowship the help and friendship we have been privileged to enjoy.
We welcome you to the Moab Wednesday night Al-Anon Group and hope you will find in this fellowship the help and friendship we have been privileged to enjoy.
My name is ______________ and I will be your chairperson.
We who live or have lived with the problem of alcoholism understand as perhaps few others can. We, too, were lonely and frustrated, but in Al-Anon we discover that no situation is really hopeless and that it is possible for us to find contentment, and even happiness, whether the alcoholic is still drinking or not.
We who live or have lived with the problem of alcoholism understand as perhaps few others can. We, too, were lonely and frustrated, but in Al-Anon we discover that no situation is really hopeless and that it is possible for us to find contentment, and even happiness, whether the alcoholic is still drinking or not.
We urge you to try our program. It has helped many of us find solutions that lead to serenity. So much depends on our own attitudes, and as we learn to place our problem in its true perspective, we find it loses its power to dominate our thoughts and our lives.
We urge you to try our program. It has helped many of us find solutions that lead to serenity. So much depends on our own attitudes, and as we learn to place our problem in its true perspective, we find it loses its power to dominate our thoughts and our lives.
The family situation is bound to improve as we apply the Al-Anon ideas. Without such spiritual help, living with an alcoholic is too much for most of us. Our thinking becomes distorted by trying to force solutions, and we become irritable and unreasonable without knowing it.
The family situation is bound to improve as we apply the Al-Anon ideas. Without such spiritual help, living with an alcoholic is too much for most of us. Our thinking becomes distorted by trying to force solutions, and we become irritable and unreasonable without knowing it.
The Al-Anon program is based on the Twelve Steps (adapted from Alcoholics Anonymous), which we try, little by little, one day at a time, to apply to our lives, along with our slogans and the Serenity Prayer. The loving interchange of help among members and daily reading of Al-Anon literature thus make us ready to receive the priceless gift of serenity.
The Al-Anon program is based on the Twelve Steps (adapted from Alcoholics Anonymous), which we try, little by little, one day at a time, to apply to our lives, along with our slogans and the Serenity Prayer. The loving interchange of help among members and daily reading of Al-Anon literature thus make us ready to receive the priceless gift of serenity.
Anonymity is an important principle of the Al-Anon program. Everything that is said here, in the group meeting and member-to-member, must be held in confidence. Only in this way can we feel free to say what is in our minds and hearts, for this is how we help one another in Al-Anon.
Anonymity is an important principle of the Al-Anon program. Everything that is said here, in the group meeting and member-to-member, must be held in confidence. Only in this way can we feel free to say what is in our minds and hearts, for this is how we help one another in Al-Anon.
Suggested Al-anon preamble to the Twelve Steps
Suggested Al-anon preamble to the Twelve Steps
The Al-Anon Family Groups are a fellowship of relatives and friends of alcoholics who share their experience, strength, and hope in order to solve their common problems. We believe alcoholism is a family illness and that changed attitudes can aid recovery. Al-Anon is not allied with any sect, denomination, political entity, organization, or institution; does not engage in any controversy; neither endorses nor opposes any cause. There are no dues for membership. Al-Anon is self-supporting through its own voluntary contributions.
The Al-Anon Family Groups are a fellowship of relatives and friends of alcoholics who share their experience, strength, and hope in order to solve their common problems. We believe alcoholism is a family illness and that changed attitudes can aid recovery. Al-Anon is not allied with any sect, denomination, political entity, organization, or institution; does not engage in any controversy; neither endorses nor opposes any cause. There are no dues for membership. Al-Anon is self-supporting through its own voluntary contributions.
Al-Anon has but one purpose: to help families of alcoholics. We do this by practicing the Twelve Steps, by welcoming and giving comfort to families of alcoholics, and by giving understanding and encouragement to the alcoholic.
Al-Anon has but one purpose: to help families of alcoholics. We do this by practicing the Twelve Steps, by welcoming and giving comfort to families of alcoholics, and by giving understanding and encouragement to the alcoholic.
I have asked my friend ___________ to read the Twelve Steps
I have asked my friend ___________ to read the Tradition that relates to this month [e.g., April, month 4, 4th tradition]
INTRODUCTIONS
INTRODUCTIONS
We'll now go around the room identifying ourselves by first name only, please don't identify yourself as a member of any other group. If you are from outside the Moab area, please tell us where you are from.
NEWCOMERS
NEWCOMERS
Is there anyone here who is new to the program? We ask this not to embarrass you, but so that we can give you a newcomer's packet.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Are there any announcements
Are there any announcements
Birthdays [1st Wed of month]: In Al-anon we celebrate birthdays based on when we started attending meetings regularly.
Birthdays [1st Wed of month]: In Al-anon we celebrate birthdays based on when we started attending meetings regularly.
Passing the basket: We have no dues or fees, but we do pass the basket to cover group expenses, including rent, purchase of literature, and support of our trusted servants, and Al-anon service arms. According to our Seventh Tradition, Al-anon groups ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions. We are encouraged to contribute in gratitude for what Al-Anon has given us. The amount is not important; what is important is that we give whatever we can.
Passing the basket: We have no dues or fees, but we do pass the basket to cover group expenses, including rent, purchase of literature, and support of our trusted servants, and Al-anon service arms. According to our Seventh Tradition, Al-anon groups ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions. We are encouraged to contribute in gratitude for what Al-Anon has given us. The amount is not important; what is important is that we give whatever we can.
***Please mute your microphone while others are speaking
TOPIC
TOPIC
I will now introduce the topic or reading for the meeting
I will now introduce the topic or reading for the meeting
[Instructions: You could read the daily reading or specific topic from Courage to Change or One Day at a Time. When newcomers are present it is helpful to focus on Step 1. At this point you could provide your own share or simply open the meeting]
[Instructions: You could read the daily reading or specific topic from Courage to Change or One Day at a Time. When newcomers are present it is helpful to focus on Step 1. At this point you could provide your own share or simply open the meeting]
Guidelines for sharing
Guidelines for sharing
We'll go around the room taking turns sharing. We also ask that you limit your sharing to 3-5 minutes and confine it to the subject of recovery from the effects of family alcoholism. Please allow every person in the room the opportunity to share before you share a second time. We do not interrupt another's share, cross talk or give advice.
We'll go around the room taking turns sharing. We also ask that you limit your sharing to 3-5 minutes and confine it to the subject of recovery from the effects of family alcoholism. Please allow every person in the room the opportunity to share before you share a second time. We do not interrupt another's share, cross talk or give advice.
CLOSING
CLOSING
In closing, I would like to say that the opinions expressed here were strictly those of the person who gave them. Take what you liked and leave the rest. The things you heard were spoken in confidence and should be treated as confidential. Keep them within the walls of this room and the confines of your mind.
In closing, I would like to say that the opinions expressed here were strictly those of the person who gave them. Take what you liked and leave the rest. The things you heard were spoken in confidence and should be treated as confidential. Keep them within the walls of this room and the confines of your mind.
A few special words to those of you who haven’t been with us long: Whatever your problems, there are those among us who have had them, too. If you try to keep an open mind, you will find help. You will come to realize that there is no situation too difficult to be bettered and no unhappiness too great to be lessened.
A few special words to those of you who haven’t been with us long: Whatever your problems, there are those among us who have had them, too. If you try to keep an open mind, you will find help. You will come to realize that there is no situation too difficult to be bettered and no unhappiness too great to be lessened.
We aren’t perfect. The welcome we give you may not show the warmth we have in our hearts for you. After a while, you’ll discover that though you may not like all of us, you’ll love us in a very special way—the same way we already love you.
We aren’t perfect. The welcome we give you may not show the warmth we have in our hearts for you. After a while, you’ll discover that though you may not like all of us, you’ll love us in a very special way—the same way we already love you.
Talk to each other, reason things out with someone else, but let there be no gossip or criticism of one another. Instead, let the understanding, love, and peace of the program grow in you one day at a time.
Talk to each other, reason things out with someone else, but let there be no gossip or criticism of one another. Instead, let the understanding, love, and peace of the program grow in you one day at a time.
Please raise your hand if you're willing to be a sponsor.
Please raise your hand if you're willing to be a sponsor.
I've asked my friend __________ to read the Al-anon promises.
Will those who care to, please join me in closing with the Serenity Prayer