I have been in Al-Anon for over twelve years. I came in like most, pretty darn broken. I had attended a few meetings a few years earlier but didn’t stay. This time I came to support, or at least not be an obstacle, to my now ex-husband’s recovery. I didn’t come from an alcoholic home and knew very little about it. In the South we refer to the drinker as being “nervous” and we talk about it as “taking the edge off.”
Alcohol is so sneaky; I didn’t realize it was a problem in my marriage until it was almost completely full-blown. In the beginning it was just a six pack over the course of a weekend, which seemed normal and no reason for concern, socially acceptable, you know. That’s how cunning alcohol is. You don’t see there’s a problem until it becomes a big one. It starts as “Fun,” then “Fun with Problems,” and then just “Problems.” Your mileage may vary but the destination is the same.
I immediately jumped into service. First was setting up chairs, making coffee, bringing refreshments, and then chairing meetings, which seemed like a big job to trust to me, a fairly new member. It truly made me feel a part of and gave me a reason to go to the meeting when I would waver on attending because I was tired or whatever. . .
Service has been a big part of my Al-Anon recovery; I have served at the group, district, and area level. I was Treasurer at SCV-AFG Intergroup for many years after being the Secretary and serving on the Service Board. I was also the NCWSA Convention Treasurer in 2018. I was the Pink Can Financial Assistant at the area level for several years. Each position was rewarding. Then I took a break from all but being an AMIAS.
I began as a sponsor for an Ala-kids group (five to twelve year olds). I learned so much from them. They surprised me with how much of the program they absorbed. At that age group we had a playtime scheduled. It sometimes seemed that they focused on game time during the meeting but they did actually pick up more than I thought. I certainly wasn’t that poised or sophisticated at that age. I never would have been able to stand in front of a group and speak.
Over the last few years, even pre-pandemic, it has been difficult to get service positions filled. Even with “It’s One Day at a Time” and “We are here to help you”, people were not willing to step up. It continues to be a problem.
I have always admired District 17 because it is small, tight-knit, and it gets things done. At the end of this year many service positions will be open in District 17 and beyond. I encourage you to consider stepping up. It really puts your recovery on the fast track. I encourage newcomers and other members to immerse themselves in service especially now that we are getting back to in-person meetings. Take any position that appeals to you. You will have lots of support.
Service beyond the group level shows you the bigger picture of how Al-Anon works. It has worked relatively unchanged for over seventy years. Thank your Higher Power that it was there when you needed it. Service means that Al-Anon will be there for future newcomers.
Mary C.
Leave a Reply