April 2019 / Quarterly

Al-Anon Information Service Office ~ 9417 Brookline ~ Baton Rouge LA 70809 ~ (225)924-0029Office Hours M-F 9 a.m. til 3 p.m. (call ahead to verify daily volunteer staffing)

WWW.BATONROUGEALANON.ORG

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An Al-Anon BlessingIn our third step we turned our wi l l and our l ives over to the care of God, as we understood Him. Today we gather to give Him thanks for His many blessings.

In the spir it of:

• The 1st Tradit ion – We thank You for the unity and mutual respect that bind us together.• The 2nd Tradit ion – We thank You for expressing Yourself through the people in this room,

teaching us to presume good wi l l .• The 3rd Tradit ion – For bringing us together with people who share our common experience.• The 4th Tradit ion – For teaching us to approach l i fe with freedom and balance.• The 5th Tradit ion – For teaching us compassion and understanding as we help the famil ies

and fr iends of alcohol ics.• The 6th Tradit ion – For teaching us boundaries.• The 7th Tradit ion – For teaching us responsibi l i ty and urging us to recognize the great

abundance You provide dai ly.• The 8th Tradit ion – For teaching us to understand our role in every s ituation.• The 9th Tradit ion – For teaching us to cooperate.• The 10th Tradit ion – For giving us focus.• The 11th Tradit ion – For teaching us humil i ty.• The 12th Tradit ion – For teaching us to place principles above personal it ies.

(Grace) for these gifts and the bounty You have prepared for us this day, we are truly and humbly grateful . Please let this food nourish our bodies so we may do Your wi l l a lways.

(General ) For these many gifts, and for each new day, we are truly and humbly grateful . Let us do Your wi l l a lways. AmenAllan L.GR Wednesday Noon AFGDR Dist. 14

(From the Caterpi l lar Editor - This blessing was offered by Al lan L. at the Heritage Day luncheon and I am grateful several members in attendance encouraged him to submit i t to the Caterpi l lar. )

46th Annual Louisiana Al-Anon Family Groups(AFG) State Convention

July 19 - 21, 2019

SERVICE POSITIONS ARE MORE THAN JUST A TITLE

Without members who are prepared to make the effort to become involved in service work at any level, Al-Anon, as we know it, would have no future. Service is a wonderful opportunity to show our gratitude to those who preceded us! I believe that none of us can sit back and assume that someone else will do the work needed. It is up to each of us to make sure our future is secure.

These are the service opportunities that will be available beginning July 1, 2019 at the Baton Rouge AIS (Al-Anon Information Services) office that will keep it running effectively and efficiently.Elected positions of:

(1) CHAIR, (2) CHAIR-ELECT, (3) SECRETARY, (4) TREASURER

Appointed positions of (a) Newsletter Coordinator, (b) Night Phone Coordinator, (c) CPC {Cooperating with Professional Community} Coordinator, (d) Office Volunteer Coordinator, (e) Office Supplies Coordinator, (f) Literature Coordinator, (g) Schedule Coordinator, (h) Area Liaison/Group Records Coordinator, (i) Website Coordinator, (j) Media Library Coordinator, (k) Public Outreach Coordinator.

If you are interested in any of these positions, contact the AIS office at 924-0029, leave your name and number and you will be contacted.

From WSO & the LA Area Public Outreach coordinator/committee.. .

The WSO accepts Al-Anon Faces Alcoholism (AFA) sharings from members throughout the year. The AFA Writer’s Guide explains what is needed for an AFA sharing (50 to 300 words) to help inform families of alcoholics and anyone unfamiliar with Al-Anon or Alateen about our program. It is important to remember that AFA is intended to motivate families of problem drinkers/alcoholics to start attending Al-Anon.

Stories can include:

Why or how difficult was it to go to your first meeting—what helped you take that first big step?

What was your first meeting like and what did you hear that helped you decide to “keep coming back”?

How is Al-Anon helping you and making a difference in your life?

Thanks for helping the WSO to inform the fellowship that their stories for AFA are needed and what makes AFA a successful outreach tool to families of alcoholics who have yet to attend their first Al-Anon meeting.

Remember:

April is Alcoholism Awareness MonthSeptember is National Recovery Month

JOY FILLED DAYIntimacy in All Relationships’ workshop was held December 1, 2018; approximately 100 Al-Anon members attended.

Workshop facilitator Cindy J. from Tallahassee, Florida was engaging, professional, had a great sense of humor and created an atmosphere where learning was fun.

Members enjoyed an opportunity to fellowship, win door prizes and an electronic tablet was the raffle gift. “Breakout” sessions allowed members time to practice using the Al-Anon Conflict Resolution Kit, one of the tools of the program.

The Workshop Task Force sincerely “thanks” all attendees; “hats off” to you! The hope is you will attend future workshops and bring a newcomer, friend, sponsor and/or sponsee. The Task Force is filled with gratitude for a very successful workshop.

Workshop Task Force

Upcoming Events• May 14 – May AIS Meeting 6:15 p.m. at AIS Off ice Open meeting for al l members

• June 11 – June AIS Meeting 6:15 p.m. at AIS Off ice Open meeting for al l members

• July 9 – AIS Multi-District Quarterly Meeting GR’s or Alternate GR’s and Coordinators attend 6:15 p.m. at AIS Off ice

• July 19, 20, & 21 - Al-Anon State Convention Doub leTree Hote l 1521 P inhook Road La faye t te , LA For accomodat ions ca l l : (337) 235-6111 Ask fo r AFG ra te For more information go to www.la-al-anon.org

• August 17 & 18 – Area Assembly in Alexandria Baymont by Wyndham 2301 N MacArthur Dr. Alexandria, LA 71303 www.la-al-anon.org For accomodations cal l : (318) 619-3300 Use code: Louisiana Area Assembly for proper rates

Why I Work in the AIS OfficeWhile at home do you have time to balance your check book? Do you have time to go through your mail – read that new novel? Learn something new – study Al-Anon literature? Do you have days that you wish you were someplace other than home?

Volunteer at the Al-Anon Information Service (AIS) office Monday through Friday from 9:00 to 3:00. Most of the day it’s quiet.

You can attend a meeting at noon, visit with other Al-Anon people that you don’t see regularly, knit, help newcomers who are nervous about attending a meeting for the first time and often have questions. You may have the opportunity to visit with people who come from as far away as Shreveport to buy literature. (We are a distribution center.) You can listen to CD’s all day.

Anonymous

LET IT BEGIN WITH ME

IF YOU HAVE SOME FREE TIME AND WANT TO BE OF SERVICE, PLEASE CONSIDER VOLUTEERING AT THE AL-ANON INFORMATION SERVICE OFFICE.

CALL (225) 924-0029 / MON - FRI FROM 9:00 TO 3:00

THE BECAUSE ATTITUDE

Al-Anon isn’t for me because ...I have the attitude that the alcoholic is the one with the problem, not me. I am also of the attitude that no one else understands the kind of life I live loving an alcoholic. We all experience the same feeling and often the same situations, but mostly we all understand.

I went to an Al-Anon meeting, but I didn’t like what so and so said because...I have an attitude of being superior and I didn’t hear what I thought I should hear.

You probably heard what you needed to hear! There is pain in honesty, but there is growth in pain!

That wasn’t a good Al-Anon meeting because…I have a judgmental attitude.

If all one can walk away with from a meeting is a lesson In patience and not being judgmental, then he or she has just experienced a good meeting.

I don’t have time for Al-Anon service work because...I am of the attitude that all I have time for Is my family, work and hobbies.

Putting the cart before the horse! A sick and not too serene horse cannot pull steady on Its cart.

A Small Change in Attitude can make a Big Change in My Life!

Kathy P.Caterpillar Archives - July 1994

My First Meeting From Anger to Hope

Anger is what drove me to my f i rst Al-Anon meet ing. I was angry at everything, especial ly the alcohol ic in my l i fe. . . my husband. The joy, happiness and contentment I once knew at the beginning of our marr iage, had made i ts exi t ten years pr ior. The conf ident, mot ivated, ambit ious person I once was, gave way to a quiet , resentful and angry person whose sel f -conf idence was sl ipping away by the moment. I found mysel f isolat ing f rom fr iends and fami ly, so my fal l f rom a perfect marr iage and home l i fe could not be detected.

In the midst of my angry state, my higher power somehow guided me to my f i rst meet ing. The reason I bel ieve my higher power guided me is because I know I would not have gone wi l l ingly on my own. After al l , I wasn’ t the problem at home, i t was his dr inking and his behavior that caused this chaos in my l i fe . . or so I thought.

Af ter at tending that f i rst meet ing, I real ized that I might f ind some rel ief f rom the anger and resentment that had consumed my ent i re being. I learned that there were others who understood me because they had already walked mi les in my shoes. I saw among them a sense of calm that I badly wanted. I learned about focusing on me, working the steps and the importance of get t ing a sponsor. At last , I saw a path of hope and I was ready to start walk ing,

Robin J.Caterpillar Archives - July 2001

Why I Keep Coming BackThe essence of my continued return to Al-Anon is singular and produces many rewards. I have developed a mindset, which because of Al-Anon, has been born and prevails in my life. This mindset is a non-negotiable, stationary, absolute position on life that I have come to experience through an Al-Anon eye and heart.

A daily revisiting of my powerlessness and the realization of the velvet hammer of profound power of the One whom I choose to call God, sets my tone and balance. On this horizontal plane I do not have to worry or become anxious about the past or future. I know, with certainty that every day will always evolve in my best interest. With one fell swoop, I illuminate the darkness. Negativity, fear and guilt are replaced with active positivity, freedom and certainty. Now, I am in position to thrive, accept and grow within my time and day.

My growth happens in conjunction with others, in total honesty, seeking forgiveness, making direct amends while being surrounded by a sharpening of tempered compassion. Whatever comes, I can squeeze as much joy as possible out of each moment. During the meetings, sorrow is divided among the group and shared.

Al-Anon has become my prescription for life. It has been written through introspection and hard work which has been co-authored by my Higher Power. The cross is complete as I become the vertical plane, my stance set. I return to quiet the chaos, to enjoy the stability of serenity and to continue to reap the loving, overflowing rewards of Al-Anon.

Irene S. Caterpillar Archives - January 2002

MEETING SCHEDULE

Al-­Anon/Alateen  Schedule  for  Baton  Rouge  &  Surrounding  Areas  

April  2019  –  June  2019      

SUNDAY    WOODALE  SUNDAY  STEP  AFG      6:00  PM  Club  12,  1695  Beaumont  Drive                                  u                                              Baton  Rouge                                                                      Dist.  14  RIVER  ROAD  AL-­ANON                                7:00  PM  Most  Sacred  Heart  of  Jesus  (Rectory,  side  entrance)  Gramercy                                                                                Dist.      9  LISTEN  &  LEARN                                                    7:00  PM    AIS  Office,  9417  Brookline  Baton  Rouge                                                                      Dist.  14                                                                          

MONDAY                                                                            MONDAY  DISCUSSION                              12:00PM  AIS  Office,  9417  Brookline    Baton  Rouge                                                                    Dist.      14    STEPS  TO  SERENITY                                  12:00  PM  Club  12,  1695  Beaumont  Drive                                u                                                  (Front  Room)  (Book  Study)    Baton  Rouge                                                                      Dist.  14  ZACHARY  AL-­ANON,  TOO                    12:00  PM  Zachary  United  Methodist  Church                          4205  Church  Street  Children’s  Sunday  School  Bldg.  Zachary    (Hwy  64)                                                      Dist.  16      TRIANGLE  AL-­ANON                                        7:00  PM                            Broadmoor  Methodist  Church                                                            10230  Mollylea  Room  103  of  Adult  Building  (NEW  ROOM)  Building  in  the  middle  of  the  complex  Baton  Rouge                                                                          Dist.  4                            T.G.I.M                                                                                      7:00  PM  Step  &  Tradition  Study                                                            10022  Kinglet  Dr.  (NO  parking  on  Kinglet)  *Park  ONLY  in  Church  Street  Parking  Lot*  Baton  Rouge                                                                        Dist.  9        SOLO  POR  HOY                                                    7:00  PM  Hispanic  Meeting    AIS  Office,  9417  Brookline            Baton  Rouge                                                                Dist.      14  

 TUESDAY  

 CAME  TO  BELIEVE                                        12:00  PM  University  Presbyterian  Church                                                      3240  Dalrymple  Drive                                            Baton  Rouge                                                                      Dist.  13  STRENGTH  AND  COURAGE          12:00  PM  AIS  Office          Step  Meeting  9417  Brookline,  Baton  Rouge                    Dist.  14                                          TUESDAY  NIGHT  AFG                                    7:00  PM  210  Washington  Street                                                          u  Napoleonville                                                                      Dist.  11  NEW  ROADS                                                                    6:00  PM  (Meets  2nd  &  4th  Tuesday  of  each  month)    Pointe  Coupee  Library  201  Claiborne  Ave,  New  Roads            Dist.  16  WE  SURRENDER  AFG                                  6:30  PM  Luke  10:27  Church    536  Centerville  Street    Denham  Springs                                                              Dist.  4                                                                                                                              ST.  FRANCISVILLE  GROUP                  7:30  PM                                                  7:30  PM  St.  Francisville  Methodist  Church   u  9356  Royal  Street    St.  Francisville                                                                  Dist.  16    

 TUESDAY  (continued)  

 COURAGE  TO  CHANGE                              7:00  PM  Lutheran  Church  of  Our  Savior  3555  Jones  Creek  Road  Baton  Rouge                                                                          Dist.  4                                              

WEDNESDAY    

WEDNESDAY  NOON  AFG                    12:00  PM  AIS  Office,  9417  Brookline  Baton  Rouge                                                                        Dist.  14                                            OLD  PERKINS  ROAD  GROUP            6:00  PM    New  Song  Church-­Main  Bldg                                      u    18465  Old  Perkins  Rd.  Prairieville                                                                                Dist.    9  APRENDIENDO  A  VIVIR  GFA            6:00  PM  Hispanic  Meeting  AIS  Office,  9417  Brookline    Baton  Rouge                                                                Dist.      14  STEPPING  STONES  (Step  Mtg.)    7:00  PM  Magnolia  United  Methodist  Church                      u                                                    16024  Greenwell  Springs  Road  Greenwell  Springs                                                      Dist.  16                                                                                  MOLLYSHARP  DISCUSSION              8:00  PM  Broadmoor  Methodist  Church                                    u  10230  Mollylea  Room  103  of  Adult  Building  (NEW  ROOM)  Building  in  the  middle  of  the  complex  Baton  Rouge                                                                          Dist.  4                                                  

THURSDAY    

DOWNTOWN-­NOON  AFG                    12:00  PM  (Al-­Anon  Adult  Children)  St.  Joseph’s  Cathedral  4112  North  Street-­New  Parish  Hall  Enter  East  side  (Main  Street)  (Mtg.  Rm  2)  Baton  Rouge                                                                      Dist.  14  FAITH  &  HOPE                                                        12:00  PM  AIS  Office  (Al-­Anon  Adult  Children)  9417  Brookline,  Baton  Rouge                  Dist.  14        GONZALES  AFG,  TOO                                  6:30  PM    Stepping  Stones,  1027  N.  Burnside  Ave.  Gonzales                                                                                  Dist.    9        t.  9        BAYOU  AL-­ANON                                                  7:00  PM  First  United  Methodist  Church                        23645  Church  Street  Plaquemine                                                                          Dist.  13  ZACHARY  AL-­ANON                                          7:00  PM  Zachary  United  Methodist  Church                          4205  Church  Street    (Hwy.  64)                          Children’s  Sunday  School  Bldg.  Zachary                                                                                      Dist.  16    

FRIDAY    

POWERLESS                                12:00  PM  Alternate  Step/Tradition  Meeting  AIS  Office,  9417  Brookline  Baton  Rouge                                                                  Dist.  14  

 SATURDAY  

 JUST  FOR  TODAY                                                  9:00  AM  University  Methodist  Church                                          u   u Trice  Building,  Upstairs                  3350  Dalrymple  Dr.,  Baton  Rouge      Dist.  13  

 SATURDAY  (continued)  

 MORNING  GLORY                                                  9:00  AM  AIS  Office,  9417  Brookline                                                                                                                    Baton  Rouge                                                                    Dist.      14    SATURDAY  NEWCOMERS                      2:00  PM  Club  12,  Front  Building                                                          u   u                      1695  Beaumont  Drive  Baton  Rouge                                                                        Dist.  14                                    PRAIRIEVILLE  AFG                                              6:30  PM  St.  John  Catholic  Church                                                    u                    Educational  Building  (in  Library)    Hwy  73,  Prairieville                                                      Dist.    9    

u  AA  also  meets    

Al-­Anon/Alateen  225-­924-­0029  (24  Hour  Phone)  

 AA  PHONE  225-­930-­0026  

 Baton  Rouge  Al-­Anon  

www.batonrougealanon.org  Louisiana  Al-­Anon  www.la-­al-­anon.org  

Al-­Anon  World  Service  www.al-­anon.alateen.org  

 

Brookline

 

All meetings are non-smoking.

Baton Rouge Al-Anon Information Services

9417 Brookline, B. R., La. 70809