The material presented
here is not Al-Anon Conference Approved Literature. It is a method
to exchange
information, ideas, feelings, problems and solutions on a personal
level.
No, never been to an alanon convention. Have been to NA conventions. Oh wow were those a blast. I love beign around recovering addicts/alcoholics, they really know how ot have fun.
I have been to workshops our district has put on. Those have been so helpful. I also have attened several area meetings representing my group as a group representitive. Those have been neat.
Anything alanon I am all over. Just dpends on location and cost. If I can afford it or not.
Much Love,
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"Today's problems can not be solved if we still think the way we did when we created them" -Albert Einstein
Yes, I go to them as often as possible when they have them locally, and to one out of town every year that is a women's only retreat for AA and Al-Anon women together.
I find that there is a lot of dedicated recovery at these gatherings and appreciate the opportunity to hear from other people in recovery besides the ones in my home group. The out of town conference I find valuable for that reason too, but also because of how meaningful the AA women's perspective has been to my recovery and how much that has helped me with my level of compassion for people suffering from that disease. It has also helped alleviate my fear/intimidation of entering any group of women.
I highly recommend going to conferences if you can make it to them, even to participate just for the day. It is like going to a regular meeting, only on steroids, because you get a lot of recovery and hope and relief all at once, concentrated. I like the elective option too, where there are multiple meetings going on at once and you can choose the one that suits you.
If your concern is about the bars or something like that, the managers usually know about the individuals being in recovery. And I think more or less what's cool is that you meet alot of different people, at different periods of their recovery. You also get some neat perspective on the progress--and lacking--of your own recovery. I stayed away for a long time because I wasn't ready to be told where my program could grow. But after I realized even the strongest among us still has growth in places, well, that solved that problem.
I have gone to Alanon Business Conventions as group rep. This is where we do the business for the whole AB/NWT (alberta, north west territories) business. and word gets passed down to the districts and to the groups.
I have also gone to many many conventions that were all about speakers etc with a theme. I am not sure which you are intending. I know "Convention" as being business during the day, and alot of fun during the evenings and night. In fact, the first time I went I couldn't enjoy it cause I was too busy feeling guilty that my group paid for my room! The second time I went I wanted to change the world... needless to say, each experience was valuable to my recovery via service work. You end up networking with some of the neatest people. I also found that the slogan "take what you like, and leave the rest" came in handy...
I typically go to the annual convention in both my town, and some other neighboring towns.... I have only been once to a larger scale, "hotel-type" of event, and it was awesome! Typically both Al-Anon and AA speakers there, and I find them very encouraging
Tom
__________________
"He is either gonna drink, or he won't.... what are YOU gonna do?"
"What you think of me is none of my business"
"If you knew the answer to what you are worrying about, would it REALLY change anything?"
I have never been to a hotel type convention; what we have around here are called 'round-ups'. Held in a community hall (our local one is in a group campsite, down by the river) they last for the weekend. Lots of meetings, some separate alanon stuff, lots of open AA and alanon meetings - either call up or go around the circle. I find they are very open to alanon, the AA's really want to hear what we have to say. Then on Saturday night there are featured speakers, one AA, one alanon, who speak for about an hour. Sometimes a dance, a banquet, potluck supper, talent show, singing around the campfire, whatever. They are wonderful. I always feel so great after one, so close to my husband as we really are sharing our programs. You get a lot of insight into the A; I find when I hear so many of their stories, it is easier to believe that it is a disease, not just a moral failing and a weakness (which is so easy to fall into thinking, when you are living with it). If you have a chance, go. You may feel uncomfortable, going alone, but you won't feel alone when you arethere, but more part of a great group.
The second time I went I wanted to change the world... needless to say, each experience was valuable to my recovery via service work. You end up networking with some of the neatest people. I also found that the slogan "take what you like, and leave the rest" came in handy... 