Shortly after my District position ended, a notice in The Forum magazine caught my attention: the World Service Office (WSO) was looking for At-Large member applications for the Literature Committee. I decided to apply. The application asked for my Al‑Anon/Alateen service experience and provided a relatively small space to list personal history, education, training, work, and other volunteer experience.
Sometime later, I was notified that my application was much appreciated but that I had not been selected. Slightly disappointed, I quickly thought to myself, “It wasn’t Higher Power’s will,” and I continued to serve Al‑Anon in other ways. Early in my recovery, my first Sponsor had encouraged me to serve. When I saw the rewards of service, I became self-motivated!
Much to my surprise, the following year I received a letter from the Associate Director—Literature, asking me if I was still interested in becoming a Literature Committee member. I immediately said yes, yes, yes! I took on the position without really knowing the details but trusting that my Higher Power would help me learn along the way. And my journey began…
The Literature Committee plays an advisory function to the Board of Trustees; we are not a decision-making body. We consist of an At-Large Chairperson, up to five At-Large members, the Associate Director—Literature (WSO Staff Liaison), and Delegate members from each currently serving panel of the World Service Conference. We meet quarterly via web conferencing, preceding meetings of the Board of Trustees, or as needed.
The Literature Committee’s mission is “to see that every aspect of the Al‑Anon program of recovery is presented in comprehensive written material” (2022–2025 Al‑Anon/Alateen Service Manual [P-24/27] v3, p. 212). One of our tasks is to review new pieces of Al‑Anon/Alateen literature to determine if they are Al‑Anon in content and feeling, responsive to identified needs, factually accurate, timely, and understandable by a broad audience. We also follow up on suggestions from the membership for new literature or changes to existing literature. We discuss the top items at our quarterly meetings and apply the Knowledge-Based Decision-Making (KBDM) process, leading to an informed group conscience. If the majority votes in favor of a suggestion, a recommendation is made to the World Service Conference and the Board of Trustees.
This has been my most rewarding Al‑Anon service position so far. I am learning and growing immeasurably. When I first joined, I felt insecure and full of self-doubt—those pesky symptoms of the family disease of alcoholism! But my fears are slowly subsiding, because the Committee exhibits the spirit of our fellowship through love, acceptance, kindness, open-mindedness, and a firm commitment to serve. Mistakes are handled with humor, and perfectionism is not permitted!
By Ana I.
The Forum, September 2024
Click here to find out more about Al‑Anon At-Large Committees and submit an application to serve.
“Inside Al-Anon Family Groups” presents news, policy, and commentary from volunteers, staff and readers sharing experience through service. Please feel free to reprint these articles on your service structure website or newsletter, along with this credit line: Reprinted with permission of Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc., Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA.