When is a great time to share information about the Al-Anon program in order to help families and friends of alcoholics find us? September offers some definite advantages:
- Many people, including professionals, have returned to work from summer vacations.
- Students are back in schools and colleges.
Special nationwide events related to alcoholism also occur in September:
- September is National Recovery Month in the US.
- Canada’s Recovery Day events are observed this month in cities across the country.
The 2018-2021 Al-Anon/Alateen Service Manual (P-24/27) tells us that cooperation increases awareness of our program (see page 118). One public outreach activity can make a difference. September is a great time to consider:
- Ordering AFA 2019 magazines to distribute to professionals and public places.
- “Adopting” a library to provide Al-Anon’s Outreach Bookmarks (M-76) ([SM-76] Spanish and [FM-76] French).
- Inviting the public and professionals to a meeting where observers are welcome .
Although we are a “One Day at a Time” program, it helps to think about reaching out to families of alcoholics in advance. In the interim, enjoy the summer!
I remember back in the early 2000’s when I was an Alateen Sponsor, later an AMIIAS, that September was Alateen Focus month and our local Alateen Groups held open meetings for Al-Anon members and professionals and would travel to other Alateen meetings that needed support. My Al-Anon home group started a tradition that on the fourth Sunday of the month we would read from the Alateen Daily reader “Alateen a Day at a Time”. This was at a time when Alateen was very active and strong in the New York Area. Public Outreach efforts to attract new members to Al-Anon… Read more »
Thank you for allowing us to be aware of what is coming up. I am going to make another lunge at awareness of our Alateen program by taking information to the Junior High Schools in our area.