Winter 2016Get Busy … Get BetterPage 1

Winter 2016Get Busy … Get BetterPage 1

DRs’ Report(continued from pg 1)

I can give you Chuck’s address should you or your group send your own sympathy card, please contact me after the meeting or via email or phone.

According to the Texas Al-Anon Website as of 22NOV 2015 District 12 has 49 Al-Anon groups, 8 of these are Spanish groups, and there are 2 Alateen groups. District 13 has 12 Al-Anon groups, 1 Spanish and 1 Alateen group.

I attended the SAAIS meeting in December and concerns I had from comments made over the necessity of having a 501 C(3) for the SAAIS and that legal actions could be brought against board members; I researched with my Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Insurance agent to address these questions. I have found that because the TOTAL annual amount generated in the SAAIS account was over $5,000 it was suggested by my CPA the group needed to pay taxes on monies earned or complete a filing for a 501 C (3) if the group met the requirements. According to my Insurance agent a Directors and Officers (D&O) liability insurance can be purchased, there is a cost. If a group of people who wanted to personally invest in obtaining the D&O insurance they the group cost would be less. The reason I looked into this was on District Representative emails WSO sends out this is a question from other states and Districts also the District 12 budget and how we could be effected by the controversy of taxation, donations and IRS audits, finds. Our District currently keeps a low amount of 2-3 thousand in our budget expenses and earnings however I cautioned this is something we as a District should be mindful of and consider for a future meeting.

At our last District meeting Dan M. was elected to fill the District Coordinator position. We still have the Spanish Coordinator position open. The job description is as follows:

Spanish Coordinator (must be bilingual)

-To share information from the Area Spanish Coordinator with the District

-To attend Spanish speaking meetings to share information

-To attend Spanish speaking meetings with the DR to serve as interpreter if necessary

-To interpret letters to Spanish speaking groups for DR if necessary

-To send a report to the Area Spanish Coordinator on District Spanish activities

Public Outreach Coordinator

Due to personal reasons Carola has resigned her position as Public Outreach Coordinator. Carola is an energetic Public Outreach advocate and we will sadly miss her reports and efforts in working this service position.

Public Outreach Coordinator

-To organize volunteers for Public Outreach functions

-To work closely with and share any information with the District that is received from the Area Public Outreach Coordinator

-To respond to requests to start Al-Anon groups in institutions and see volunteers to help

-To assist the Groups and Public Outreach Action Committees with information on how to reach the public and professionals by using literature, posters, letters and Public Service Announcements

-To send a report to the Area Public Outreach Coordinator on what activities the District is and individual group share doing to inform the public.

Both of these vacancies are important to fill for the District and are for the remaining 2 years of the term. Please consider these service opportunities. I have found service work rewarding and provides endless examples of gratitude it also exercises my program in stretching and developing my understanding working the Steps, Traditions and Concepts (principles of the program). I look forward working with two new/returning service members working these vacancies.

I have had an informative email recently from Joyce C. our Area delegate in the email she wrote there is a survey: Beginning January 15, through February 26, a new, anonymous survey will be available for members’ participation, to gather feedback about some of the WSO’s messages to the fellowship. To access the survey, and to find a wealth of information available for Al-Anon members, visit the Members’ Web site, as follows:

-Type al-anon.org/members in your web browser

-For the password, enter your group’s name followed by the letters AFG, with or without any spaces, e.g., serenityseekersafg or serenityseekers afg

-Click on “Individuals”

-Click on “Surveys for Members”

-Click on the link titled “Al-Anon Program Survey”

The survey will take no longer than 10 minutes to complete, but the results will be invaluable.

Joyce also wrote about a number of service opportunities at the WSO level. Please look for her report in the Beacon. Does your group or do you receive an Area Newsletter? Subscriptions are available email the cost is $6.00.

April 16th is Al-Anon’s 65th birthday and our next District meeting. Blessings looking forward to the next 2 years of my term and thank you all for the service opportunity.

DEAR ABBY:

I'm 15 and live with my parents. My dad is an alcoholic who has finally figured out that he has had a problem for years. When I was in sixth grade, he left me once in the middle of the night (Mom was out of town) to go out drinking. Ever since that night, I have felt so much pain. I feel like I'm not important -- or why else would he leave me?

He thinks it's OK to talk to me about what he does and how much he regrets it. I love him, but I don't want to hear about how he got drunk the night before or anything like that! It has added a lot of stress to my life. I get all A's in school and I'm in accelerated classes, but recently it has become really hard to concentrate with all of this going on at home. What should I do?

-- STRESSED TEEN IN WASHINGTON

DEAR STRESSED TEEN:

Tell your mother exactly what you have told me. Your father appears to be trying to use you as his therapist to assuage his guilt about his drinking. Not only is this unfair to you, it is also not a solution to his problem. He should be talking about those things in a substance abuse meeting, not to his teenager.

Alateen is a support group for children of alcoholics. It would be helpful for you to go online and find the location of the nearest one. The website is or you can call 1-888-425-2666. The group was formed for young people just like you, and you will find it not only informative, but also very helpful.

Yours in Service,

Dolores W.

District 12 Representative

The quarterly meeting of District 12 was held on Saturday, January 9, 2016 at 9:20am at St. George Episcopal Church in San Antonio Texas. District Representative (DR), Dolores W., opened the meeting with a moment of silence followed with the Serenity Prayer, The 12 Traditions, 12 concepts of Service and the General Warranties of the Conference. All were read by the attendees.

Guests and Group Representatives (GR) were welcomed and host group, Wednesday 1pm AFG was thanked for the refreshments, set up and meeting facility.

The roll call was answered by 18 GRs with 23 total in attendance. It was established voting count for simple majority would be 10 voting GRs and 12 would be 2/3rds.

The minutes of the last meeting of October 17, 2015 were published in the Al-Anews Fall edition 2015. There were no corrections therefore the minutes stand approved as published.

TREASURER’S REPORT: Candy N., treasurer noted report to be published in Al-Anews. The Treasurer’s report and updated contribution report were made available to attendees. A total of $41 was collected from ‘basket pass.’ Proposed 2016 budget was presented and discussion ensued.

DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE REPORT: A full report from Delores W., Distrct Representative, can be found on page 1 and 3.

April 16this Al-Anon’s 65thbirthday. A full report will be in the Al-Anews.

COORDINATOR REPORTS:

AL-ANEWS EDITOR: Allison W. reported that the quickest way to contact her was by text, 830/660-4592. She also passed around a roster to be updated. All reports and updated information need to be to her by January 22nd and in Word format so as to be included in the next Al-Anews. She is unable to edit PDFs.

ALTERNATE DR: Lynn S. presented on Love Gifts and the Forum. Announced the availability of New GR packets.

DISTRICT ALATEEN COORDINATOR: Lynn S. reminded us of what an AMIAS is, stands for and responsibilities. Updated on the 2 local Alateen groups and upcoming POSSEE.

DISTRICT ARCHIVIST: Mike B.was absent.

DISTRICT LITERATURE COORDINATOR: Dan M. will be District Literature Coordinator.

DISTRICT PUBLIC OUTREACH: Carola T. was absent.

DISTRICT TRAVEL COORDINATOR: Dan M. reported that there have been no recent requests but he is available when needed.

DISTRICT SPANISH LANGUAGE COORDINATOR: Position is vacant and with 8 Spanish groups in our district, want someone to fill this position to help bridge communication. DR is to contact Brenda M. to serve in this position and Blanca as alternate.

NEW BUSINESS:

2016 District 12 proposed budget: Approved. Rich M. motioned with a 2nd to accept the proposed 2016 budget, motioned passed.

ADDITIONAL NOTESfrom DR CPA interview reported that IRS could audit account(s) and apply fines for not reporting, over 5 K per year in transactions suggested file a tax form, questioned bank account how is the account registered isn’t there a tax number?

INSURANCE AGENT: there is Director and Officers insurance (D&O) that could be purchased to protect board members and would be cheaper if a number of people were under one policy.

According to the WSO's FAQs for opening bank accounts ("Al-Anon/Alateen Group Bank Accounts Frequently Asked Questions, June 2012"), we are "mutual support groups" not non-profit organizations or not-for-profit businesses. That is, we are not 501(c)(3) organizations. I cannot envision what the purpose of incorporation would be as I imagine that district bank accounts are similar to group bank accounts, if with a little more money in them, though hopefully not too much more than quarterly expenses. I've attached the 2012 memo on group bank accounts, but I don't have a PDF of the FAQs, which is very similar.

A Day in Al-Anon workshop 2016: flyer was handed out.

Literature Coordinator research update by DR: Dolores W. reported that her research to answer concerns on this position I wanted to do has left me in a “frozen” state if you will because I do not wish to cross any traditions or concepts for 2016. On reasoning this out with my sponsor who has told me not to make a mountain out of a mole hill I am going to just express what I have found out to date. The Literature coordinator position had a job description however at the last election the job description was left off and this lead to an ad hoc committee recreating what already existed. The current Literature Coordinator Job description is:

-To help generate an interest in Conference Approved Literature by making groups aware of the many books and pamphlets available from WSO

-To help Groups understand why Al-Anon uses only CAL, how CAL is produced and why outside publications are not permitted

-To pick up, sell and return San Antonio Al-Anon Information Office literature at the District meetings when applicable

-To encourage members and groups to subscribe to the Forum

-To share information received from the Area Literature Coordinator with the District

The previous Literature Coordinator position was not located. Additional discussion on this again with District at this meeting. Nancy M offered to fill position however Dolores had already spoken to Dan M if he would be willing to fill the position. Dan M spoke briefly on what he would do if working the position and would like to “keep it simple” and provide literature on request also providing information to the District about Conference Approved Literature (CAL). Dan M. will write and informative report for the upcoming Al-Anews.

Delegate’s annual meeting in April 2016: Lynn S. reported in Alternate DR report about love gifts.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

EAST TEXAS AL-ANON ALATEEN AREA ASSEMBLY: Dolores W. noted that she will be sending the final report to the Area at the end of this week. District 12 had 14 voting GRs in attendance at the meeting in addition to many volunteers from our District working the Fall Assembly. There were over 150 registered in attendance. The District has a deficit in the returning the seed monies to Area. The budget short fall was due to the added expense to rent the stage platform at a cost of $600.00. The original price was $800.00 however the Tammy the hotel event planner was able to have the rental reduced to $600.00. At the time of hotel reservation contract was signed no hotels researched were comping meeting rooms in their facilities, only offering a reduction in hotel rate and in having to pay for all rooms used was an increased expense. The Fall Assembly was the first event of its type held at the Staybridge. Although there were challenges with trash removal from the Hospitality room and the elevator breaking down, we had many compliments on the efficiency of the registration process, Spire meeting room, and the meals given in the hospitality room.

GROUP CONCERNS: How groups are listed in ‘Church’ information, was posed. Discussion ensued. It was also noted that we have a new group in the District. Strength and Hope AFG have secured permission to display Al-Anon Faces Alcoholism magazine in the BAMC/SAMMC Emergency Room and the Courage to Change La Vernia AFG will continue to provide the magazine to the hospital chaplains.

ASK IT BASKET: There were none.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

  • A Day In Al-Anon March 12, 2016 flyers at Groups and in Al-Anews
  • District 12 Quarterly Meeting: April 16, 2016 at 9:30 am Location: La Vernia Hermann Sons lodge #180 122 Bluebonnet La Vernia TX 78122 Hosted by the: Courage to Change AFGALSO Al-Anon’s 65thBirthday
  • District 12 Quarterly Meeting: July 16, 2016 at 9:30 am Location: St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church 801 Kitty Hawk, Universal City, TX 78148 Hosted by the: Monday Night Gratitude AFG
  • District 12 Quarterly Meeting: October 15, 2016 at 9:30 am Location: 7100 281 N Spring Branch, TX 78070Joyce C Delegate visit with report and district fellowship potluckHosted by the: Spring Branch AFG
  • ETAAA Spring Assembly PEACE May 13-15 2016, Kerrville TX

Meeting adjourned at 11:30am.

In Service,

Donna D.

District 12 Secretary

What is an AMIAS? Al-Anon Member Involved in Alateen Service. Al-Anon members interested in sponsoring or helping an Alateen sponsor with an Alateen group meeting can become an AMIAS by meeting these requirements:

  1. Every AMIAS must:
  1. Be an Al-Anon member regularly attending Al-Anon meetings.
  2. Be at least 21 years old.
  3. Have at least two years in Al-Anon in addition to any time spent in Alateen.
  4. Not have been convicted of a felony, and not have been charged with child abuse or any other inappropriate sexual behavior, and not have demonstrated emotional problems which could result in harm to Alateen members.
  1. All AMIAS must pass an annual Criminal History Background Check.
  2. All AMIAS must participate in AMIAS training. Training is required for the first two consecutive years as an AMIAS and every three years thereafter during continuous service as an AMIAS.

District 12 and District 6 hosted an AMIAS workshop on December 12, in the Austin Al-Anon/Alateen Information Center 6301 Manchaca Rd, Austin 78604. Attendance was 3 from District 6 and 6 from District 12 were Michael O., Bill P., Deb S., Nancy P., Angela M., and Patty Jo H.

The next AMIAS training workshop will be Program of Sponsors Sharing Everything (POSSE) March 18-20, 2016 in Gonzales, Texas. POSSE is a weekend with Alateen group sponsors sharing Alateen experience, strength and hope of their Unforgettable Adventure in Alateen group sponsorship. The cost of the weekend is $125.00 that includes two nights lodging and four meals. Registration deadline is March 4, 2016. Registration packets are available on the website and via email at .

The revised (May 30, 2014) East Texas Area Safety and Behavioral Requirements did eliminate the requirement to attend District meetings and District Alateen Sponsors’ meetings, but just as it is important to attend Al-Anon meetings to complete our own recovery triangle so are the District meetings to our service side of our recovery triangle. It is highly recommended that we attend at least one District and District Sponsors meeting. I am willing to hold a District Al-Anon Members Involved in Alateen Service (AMIAS) meeting at any District 12 meeting in 2016.

The two Alateen groups in District 12 both meet on Thursday, Pass It On Alateen at 6:00 pm in Rolling Oaks Christian Church 7150 Stahl Road, San Antonio 78247 contact Nancy 210-658-6816 and North Loop Alateen at 7 pm in Coker United Methodist Church 231 E North Loop Rd San Antonio 78216 Wesley Building 801 (upstairs) contact Jennifer 210-386-2373.

If you have any questions about starting an Alateen group in your area of District 12 contact me and I will come to your meeting and give a short talk on Alateen group meetings and Alateen group sponsorship.

Last but not least for the Alateens the Texas East Area 53 Alateen Conference (TEA AC) will be held April 29-May 1, 2016 in Gonzales, Texas. The cost is $90.00 per person; Alateens must be 13-19 years old and be regularly attending Alateen meetings for at least 6 weeks prior to Conference. All Alateens and AMIAS must register with an active Alateen group.

TEA AC is an Alateen Conference offering Alateens, along with their group Sponsors and other AMIAS an opportunity to increase their understanding of the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of Alateen through the sharing of ideas, fun and fellowship. Questions? Contact Norma W. 281-850-5964 or Pat E. 512-834-3697.

In Alateen Service,

Lynn S.