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Thought Force on Thought Force on ServiceService

Charge:Charge: To develop To develop strategiesstrategies to show Areas how to show Areas how serviceservice contributes to growth contributes to growth and is an integral part of the and is an integral part of the Al-Anon programAl-Anon program

22

CategoriesCategories To reach members not yet in To reach members not yet in

service service *Strategies 1 and *Strategies 1 and 2*2*

To support members already in To support members already in service service *Strategies 3 and 4**Strategies 3 and 4*

To expand horizons and growth of To expand horizons and growth of members currently in servicemembers currently in service

*Strategies 5 and 6**Strategies 5 and 6*

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Strategy 1

Establish and participate in a traveling “CARS” (Communicating Al-Anon Recovery in Service) team that that visits groups to speak about visits groups to speak about service, highlighting personal service, highlighting personal benefits received.benefits received.

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44

ProsPros

Non-threatening for newcomers

Doesn’t require a service eventDoesn’t require a service event

Provides personal contactProvides personal contact

May bring new vitality to groups May bring new vitality to groups

  

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55

ConsCons Requires people, time, and expenseRequires people, time, and expense

May be a challenge to get “invited” toMay be a challenge to get “invited” to

groups groups

Could become a “personalities” issue Could become a “personalities” issue

Is another acronym to learn Is another acronym to learn

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66

Strategy 2Strategy 2

Develop a Develop a “Take Out Tool “Take Out Tool Kit” Kit” of service items ready of service items ready for groups to use. for groups to use.

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ProsPros

Provides readily available toolsProvides readily available tools

Could be used in workshopsCould be used in workshops

May be a chance to introduce May be a chance to introduce Service Sponsorship Service Sponsorship

May help new members feel more May help new members feel more confidentconfident

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88

ConsCons

Would take time and effort to createWould take time and effort to create

Might be considered reading material Might be considered reading material onlyonly

Might not spark service interestMight not spark service interest

Only a few groups might use Only a few groups might use Tool KitTool Kit

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Strategy 3Strategy 3

Develop a Develop a skit and/or interactive skit and/or interactive workshopworkshop on service to on service to demonstrate how practicing the demonstrate how practicing the Al-Anon principles in the safe Al-Anon principles in the safe environment of Al-Anon has had environment of Al-Anon has had a positive effect in all areas of a positive effect in all areas of our lives.our lives.

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ProsPros Injects activity, humor, fun, Injects activity, humor, fun,

and enthusiasm and enthusiasm

Attracts people’s attention Attracts people’s attention

Helps everyone remember why Helps everyone remember why they serve they serve

Provides excellent opportunity Provides excellent opportunity for brainstorming for brainstorming

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1111

ConsCons Takes time, effort, planning, Takes time, effort, planning,

and preparationand preparation

People often too busy to attendPeople often too busy to attend

Attendance might be low Attendance might be low because of “service”because of “service”

Communication—links of service

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Strategy 4Strategy 4

Revise CAL service literature— including the Joy of Service and When I Got Busy, I Got Better— to create new CAL.

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ProsPros

CALCAL available to all members available to all members

Could include benefits of serviceCould include benefits of service

Helps members identify gifts of serviceHelps members identify gifts of service    NewNew CALCAL generates enthusiasm and generates enthusiasm and

interestinterest

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ConsCons

Some see no need to revise Some see no need to revise CALCAL

Takes considerable time and moneyTakes considerable time and money

CAL may not be affordableCAL may not be affordable

May be difficult to solicit enough May be difficult to solicit enough service storiesservice stories

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Strategy 5Strategy 5

Hold a “Service Gallery Walk” event at Assembly. Set up stations for current service positions, displaying an informative poster and providing a brief “handout” of skills/talents needed for the positions. Rotate small groups through these stations for information and questions.

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ProsPros   Information to willing and qualified Information to willing and qualified

membersmembers

Small groups easier for sharing and Small groups easier for sharing and questionsquestions

SeeingSeeing service stations service stations isis helpfulhelpful

Some Areas report success with this strategySome Areas report success with this strategy

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ConsCons

Hindered by lack of space or time Hindered by lack of space or time

Members may prefer to sit and Members may prefer to sit and listenlisten

Areas may already be doing thisAreas may already be doing this

Requires creating a displayRequires creating a display

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Strategy 6Strategy 6

Use the AFG Members’ Web site to Use the AFG Members’ Web site to host a host a “Service Blog” “Service Blog” with, for with, for example, a example, a “Service Project of the “Service Project of the Month” Month” for groups. Members could for groups. Members could share their experiences, successes, share their experiences, successes, challenges, and ideas for challenges, and ideas for district/Area service events and district/Area service events and workshops.workshops.

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ProsPros

Easy to implement Easy to implement

Faster than revising literatureFaster than revising literature

May attract “tech-savvy” membersMay attract “tech-savvy” members

Provide a resource for future Provide a resource for future literatureliterature

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2020

ConsCons Technical issues may discourage some Technical issues may discourage some

membersmembers

Some Areas still resist the Web siteSome Areas still resist the Web site

Would require considerable Would require considerable training/education training/education

May not generate enough service storiesMay not generate enough service stories

  

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Summary

1. CARS Travel Team2. Take Out Tool Kit3. Skit/Interactive Workshop4. Revised Service CAL5. Service Gallery Walk 6. Web site Blog on Service

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Discussion

Which strategies do you like?

Which strategies do you dislike?

Are there other strategies?

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Suggested Strategies

1. CARS Travel Team2. Take Out Tool Kit3. Skit/Interactive Workshop4. Revised Service CAL5. Service Gallery Walk 6. Web site Blog on Service