How did your first service experience boost your recovery?
July’s topic is, “How did your first service experience boost your recovery?”
As always, you can also write about Al‑Anon’s three Legacies. This month features Step Seven, Tradition Seven, and Concept Seven.
Sharings on the Member Blog may be used in future Al‑Anon publications.
New topics are being added each month!
My story TODAY makes me laugh. I learned how much I assume and how complicated I make things so you will think I know what I am doing and then need me. :)) One of my first service positions was group Treasurer. I got it because I seemed to be the only one in the room crazy when the past Treasurer put her ledger and the group’s money on the table and left. Of course when I had the nerve to tell the unaware wise ones I was told in not so many words welcome to service. We’ll help. When… Read more »
My first service experience was as Group Representative (GR). I had been in Al-Anon only a month or two when the group’s GR was in a terrible accident. It became clear he was going to need months of hospital care and physical therapy before returning to meetings, so the group needed a volunteer to be the new GR. I felt strongly about the importance of the role; I understood it’s how the group stays connected to the greater Al-Anon fellowship. But I was so new. I thought it would be better for a more experienced member to fill the position.… Read more »
I have been in Al-Anon for about 1.5 years. I was shy at first, but finally opened up. I volunteered to do readings and share. I then helped to set up chairs and the literature and clean up after the meeting. Sometimes I am even asked to unlock the church doors for the meeting. The members trusted me enough to do that. When asked to be a DR, I had to decline as I had not been in long enough. But it was very appreciated that they thought of me. Service never stops. Even if it’s something simple
When I joined Al-Anon my social life was non-existent, my binoculars were focused on the alcoholic and my two small children lived in fear of my rages. I sat in meetings listening, looking at my hands in my lap, my mind swirling with the latest indignity I suffered at the alcoholic’s hands. After I had been attending the meeting for about six months, our Group Representative announced that she had been elected as District Representative and needed to travel to the other Al-Anon meetings in our district as these groups hosted rotating district meetings each month. Her dilemma was that… Read more »
My service experience has boosted my recovery every step of the way in Al-Anon. I was barely past my first 6 meetings when COVID hit and face to face meetings in our area were cancelled. In my workplace we had quickly pivoted to ZOOM and it seemed to me that Al-Anon might be able to do the same, so I contacted the Area Information Services to offer myself as a “host” for AFG meetings. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to use my skills to support the program, and along the way, I’ve met wonderful people from… Read more »
My first service position was as weekly chair of a very small meeting. The person in that position couldn’t continue and I was asked if I could fill in until the end of their term. I was terrified! Why me, of all people? I’m extremely introverted and struggled to share even briefly at meetings. The idea of actually having to talk, every single time, made me feel ill. I have no idea why I said yes—probably my people-pleasing tendencies, plus a push from my Higher Power. But I said yes. That responsibility helped me grow so much. Other members were… Read more »
My first official service commitment at the meeting level was literature for my home group. I got the opportunity to read everything Al-Anon put out at the time and had access to the newest publications. I welcomed newcomers after handing out newcomers packets and current meeting directories. In talking to out of town visitors I learned about meetings elsewhere. For those struggling, I recommended certain Al-Anon literature. And best of all I discovered my Higher Power spoke to me through others. It became quickly obvious through that service commitment, truly I was no longer alone. Best commitment I ever had… Read more »
I entered Al-Anon in late September just before a rotation in Service. The members in my group stressed Service and participation as a whole for growth, peace and serenity. I wanted what they had. My partner was in a treatment program which meant I had time on my hands, lots of it. So the group Information Service Representative (ISR) for the local Al-Anon Information Center (AIS) I became. This lead me to raising my hand to be on the AIS Board as the speaker coordinator and a co-chair for the AIS Annual Fundraiser. I had a purpose and was filling… Read more »
I joined Al-Anon in June 2018. I was lucky enough to find a meeting i could attend during lunch, one day a week. That was the extent of my commitment at the start. One day a week, only experiencing one meeting type. I didn’t follow the suggestion that newcomers try six different meetings. About three months into my weekly reprieve from suffering, the current GR announced that her term was expiring. As a professional “quitter” I wanted, actually needed something to keep me in the program. So, reluctantly and thankfully I became a GR for the only group I ever… Read more »
When I passed the door of Al-Anon, this was the last place on earth I wanted to be. My husband had sent me to the program to learn to mind my business. Needless to say, I was not a happy camper!!! I stayed in the program out of false pride and stubborness. I had a closed mind and was no the least receptive to what was shared. I came in March and in September of the same year the positions for DR/GR (circumstances demanded it) were opened. I was elected, because of surrounding conditions: flight/travel time and absence from work… Read more »
My very first service position entailed setting up the chairs prior to a meeting. When I volunteered, my first thought was oh no, now I’ll have to come to this meeting every week. But, that was actually a good thing. When I arrived early the following week someone was already setting up the chairs. That made me angry! Why did I bother arriving early? Why did this person take over my responsibility? So the following week I arrived even earlier! Another member corrected my choice of chairs. We use the black ones, she said. Not the red ones. That made… Read more »