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What is Conference Approved Literature (CAL)?

Why do we use only CAL at meetings?

Why all outside literature, like the A.A. Big Book and religious materials are not used in Al-Anon meetings?*WSO CAL Task Force

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Preserves the Al-Anon message and principles worldwideRepresents members use of the programMeets the needs and interests of a changing fellowshipThe availability of CAL grows steadily each decadeWSO CAL Task Force

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Reading other members experiences Focusing on Al-Anon principles Staying on trackGaining new insights and ideasCAL helps to establish and maintain unity within our groups

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6WSO CAL Task ForceMembers can read what they like on their own

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CAL is written by and for Al-Anon members

CAL has passed a rigorous review process

CAL is identified by this logo

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UnityConsistency Al-Anon focusOur literature contains a unified message, consistent in principle and language, and great care is taken to see that this literature adheres to our principles before it is Conference Approved. Paths to Recovery (B-24), p. 172.

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Tradition One

Our common welfare should come first; personal progress for the greatest number depends upon unity.

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The Traditions that follow bind us together in unity. Although they are only suggestions, AlAnons unity and perhaps even its survival are dependent on adherence to these principles.

2010-2013 Al-Anon/Alateen Service Manual (P-24/27), pp. 15.

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How is CAL used in your meeting to help stimulate discussion and participation for the long timer as well as the newcomer?

How does the fact that CAL is only written by Al-Anon members help keep our message consistent with the Traditions?

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Ensures that Al-Anon remains Al-Anon and avoids confusionOnly Al-Anon materials are used at Al-Anon meetings. We do not impose this restriction to pass judgment on material produced by others, but because, by focusing exclusively on the Al-Anon philosophy in our meetings, we avoid a great deal of confusion. How Al-Anon Works for Family and Friends of Alcoholics (B-22), p. 111.

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The Forum, as a concept, is Conference Approved

2010-2013 Al-Anon/Alateen Service Manual (P-24/27), p. 102.14WSO CAL Task Force

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Have you ever been in a meeting where outside literature was used?Why is the use of CAL important to group unity?How does use of CAL avoid confusion?What CAL would you recommend to discuss this topic?

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We are often asked if A.A. literature is Conference Approved

It is approved by A.A.s General Service Conference for A.A. but not for Al-Anon*WSO CAL Task Force

WSO CAL Task Force

A.A. literature, including the Big Book is:

Not written from the perspective of family members, written by and for the alcoholicDifferent recovery issues, e.g., drinkers sobriety Use of A.A. literature would impact Al-Anon unity Confuses newcomers about Al-Anons purpose

Use of AA literature could be threatening and divisive to Al-Anon Unity Can be confusing as to what Al-Anons message is, particularly to Newcomer *WSO CAL Task Force

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Religious literature

Discussions of Religion: AlAnon is not allied with any sect or denomination. It is a spiritual program, based on no particular form of religion. Everyone is welcome, no matter what affiliation or none. Let us not defeat our purpose by entering into discussions concerning specific religious beliefs.

2010-2013 Al-Anon/Alateen Service Manual (P-24/27), p. 24.*WSO CAL Task Force

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Psychological/Self Help Books and Materials

Focus on the AlAnon interpretation of our program is strengthened when we avoid using professional terms and labels since they may confuse members by implying affiliation with certain persons or specific therapies.

2010-2013 Al-Anon/Alateen Service Manual (P-24/27), p. 117.

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Ours is a spiritual program. Again and again we must place our trust in a God of our understanding to lead us to decisions for our common good and we must practice the principles we know have worked for others in our fellowship. Paths to Recovery (B-24), p. 163.

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Tradition Four: Each group should be autonomous, except in matters affecting another group or Al-Anon or AA as a whole.

When I dont follow the programs suggestions, I seem to hurt myself as well as othersThe price I pay in terms of my integrity and self-esteem, as well as possible damage to the groups that make my recovery possible, just isnt worth it. Hope for Today (B-27) (B-28), p. 55.*WSO CAL Task Force

WSO CAL Task Force

Using CAL Written by and for Al-Anon membersEnsures that Al-Anon remains Al-AnonSubject to rigorous review to ensure it accurately reflects Al-Anon principlesAvoids confusion about Al-Anons focus and purposeEnhances our unity by avoiding outside issues

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What effect could the use of outside literature have on group unity?

What are some ways we could approach a member who uses outside literature in sharing at an Al-Anon meeting?*WSO CAL Task Force

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What ideas have I learned from this presentation?

How can I help my group to understand these ideas?

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Opening Screen

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*What are we going to discuss in this workshop?

What is Conference Approved Literature (CAL)?Why do we use only CAL at meetings?Why outside literature, like the A.A. Big Book" and religious materials are not used in Al-Anon Meetings?

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*Unless you were a member of one of the original 87 Family Groups in the 1940s or started attending Al-Anon in the 1950s, you have always had access to Conference Approved Literature (CAL). Even members who have been attending Al-Anon for 30 to 40 years are accustomed to having a variety of books, pamphlets, and other materials approved by Al-Anons World Service Conference. It is easy to take CAL for granted.

Learning why and how CAL was created is a journey of gratitude to the generations of members who have gone before us.

When you visit a group or attend an Al-Anon event in another city, state, province, or country, you will find some or most of the same literature. Although the language may be different, the literature reflects members use of the Al-Anon program and its principles.

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*Read the slide to the attendees.

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*CAL helps us in both our personal recovery, as well as in our groups recovery. Many of us start our day reading from one of Al-Anons daily readers. Reading CAL reminds and helps us to maintain positive attitudes and to take actions based upon a Higher Powers will for us, and to utilize the principles of our program.

When we are feeling stuck, complacent, in a crisis, or unsure about an action to take, reading CAL supports us in between or at meetings. We are never alone. The collective wisdom of the Al-Anon fellowship supports us with their written words in CAL. Many members find a new understanding of our Legacies by reading and rereading CAL.

When CAL is used at meetings, groups have found that it keeps their meetings on track. It helps to avoid weakening or modifying the Al-Anon program with the philosophy and purpose of other organizations. This includes Alcoholics Anonymous publications. CAL keeps us focused on ourselves and the Al-Anon program at meetings.

(CLICK)*2010-2013 Al-Anon/Alateen Service Manual page 101: While individuals may use whatever they find helpful as part of their personal recovery outside of meetings, Al-Anon does not evaluate or recommend anything other than Al-Anon materials. When sharing at meetings, members limit any mention of outside material to a brief reference.

This doesnt mean that members shouldnt read non-Al-Anon materials, watch or listen to professionals with a wide variety of expertise. All it means is not to use it or discuss it at our meetings. One of our earliest pamphlets, So You Love an Alcoholic (P-14), encourages members to learn all that they can about alcoholism and its effects on the family.

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*What is CAL? CAL is the acronym for Conference Approved Literature.CAL is written by and for Al-Anon members on various shared experiences and topics from the Al-Anon point of view.CAL contains a unified and consistent message available to members and potential members worldwide. All submissions, publications, and translations have passed a rigorous committee review process to insure they accurately express Al-Anon policies, perspectives, principles, and reflect the group conscience of Al-Anon Family Groups. Conference Approved Literature is easily identifiable with its logo.

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*We use CAL in meetings for unity, consistency, and focus.

Either the presenter or a member of the audience can read the quote to the attendees. Our literature contains a unified message, consistent in principle and language, and great care is taken to see that this literature adheres to our principles before it is Conference Approved. Paths to Recovery (B-24), p. 172.

CAL is a good source of unifying material and most effective as a recovery tool when it is part of the complete Al-Anon program. Only Al-Anon/Alateen literature and materials are used in meetings to ensure our program message stays consistent with our principles worldwide.

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For presenters use/information only; Additional references:Discovering Choices (B-30), pp. 283-285. 2010 -2013 Al-Anon/Alateen Service Manual (P-24/27), p. 101.Paths to Recovery (B-24) pp. 135, 137, 163, 255.he Al-Anon Family Groups Classic Edition (B-5) p. 160*The need to maintain our unity is a foundational concept in Al-Anon. We follow Tradition One when we do what is best to enhance the recovery of the greatest number.

Either the presenter or a member of the audience reads the quote to the attendees:

Tradition One: Our common welfare should come first; personal progress for the greatest number depends upon unity.

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*Either the presenter or a member of the audience reads the quote to the attendees. The introduction to the Al-Anon Traditions states: The Traditions that follow bind us together in unity. Although they are only suggestions, AlAnon's unity and perhaps even its survival are dependent on adherence to these principles.

We only use CAL at meetings because it encourages and protects our unity, provides a consistent Al-Anon message, and keeps the focus on us because it is written by Al-Anon members, for Al-Anon members. As with our adherence to the Traditions, Al-Anons unity and perhaps even our survival depends on only using Conference Approved Literature at our meetings.

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*Presenters note: Encourage audience participation by discussing the questions on the slide with the group.

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*Today, we have more than 60 years of Al-Anon members and groups experiences. We know how the early Family and Al-Anon Family Groups struggled without or with a limited amount of Al-Anon literature. There was a time when our groups relied upon A.A. literature, religious, spiritual, and self-help books that were not written by or for Al-Anon members. As the need for Al-Anon unity grew, so did the need for our own literature as a tool to keep us rooted in our Al-Anon program of recovery.

In 2010, Al-Anons World Service Conference, the group conscience of the Al-Anon fellowship, approved Motion #8 to modify the wording in the Digest of Al-Anon and Alateen Policies in the Service Manual, p. 101, to remove the word suggested to strengthen the policy, the Digest of Al-Anon and Alateen Policies in the Service Manual now reads:

To keep AlAnons message in focus and encourage unity, only AlAnon/Alateen Conference Approved Literature (CAL) and AlAnon/Alateen service tools are displayed, distributed, and used at AlAnon and Alateen meetings, including meetings at conferences and conventions. These items reflect the informed group conscience of the AlAnon Family Groups as expressed by its World Service Conference since 1961.

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*Either the Presenter or a member of the audience reads the quote to the attendees:Only Al-Anon materials are used at Al-Anon meetings. We do not impose this restriction to pass judgment on material produced by others, but because, by focusing exclusively on the Al-Anon philosophy in our meetings, we avoid a great deal of confusion.

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For presenters use/information. Additional references: How Al-Anon Works for Family and Friends of Alcoholics (B-22) (B-32), p. 111.*In 1979, the World Service Conference approved a statement about The Forum to clarify its role as a recovery tool in Al-Anon.

Either the presenter or a member of the audience reads the following to the attendees: The Forum can be used, and is encouraged to be used, by all members and groups for meetings. The Forum, as a concept, is Conference Approved, but it is not possible for each issue to follow the full procedure for Conference Approved Literature. However, everything published in it - personal stories and issues affecting the fellowship is reviewed for its fidelity to the Al-Anon program and principles.

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For presenters use/information. Additional references: 2010 -2013 Al-Anon/ Alateen Service Manual (P-24/27), pp. 101,102.

*Presenters note:Read the questions on the slide to the attendees for group discussion.

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*We are often asked, What about A.A. literature? Is it Conference Approved ?

Yes, it is approved by A.A.s General Service Conference for A.A. members and groupsbut not for Al-Anon. Approval by the A.A. General Service Conference does not mean the Big Book is approved for use at Al-Anon meetings and events.

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*The use of A.A. literature including the Big Book is not an accepted practice: Not written from the perspective of family members Different recovery issues Use of A.A. literature would impact Al-Anon unity Can be confusing as to what Al-Anons message is, particularly to the newcomer

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*Discussion of religion is one of Three Obstacles to Success in Al-Anon.

Either the presenter or a member of the audience reads the quote to the attendees: Discussions of Religion: AlAnon is not allied with any sect or denomination. It is a spiritual program, based on no particular form of religion. Everyone is welcome, no matter what affiliation or none. Let us not defeat our purpose by entering into discussions concerning specific religious beliefs.

2010-2013 Al-Anon/Alateen Service Manual (P-24/27), p. 24.

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*Using professional terms in Al-Anon meetings may create confusion regarding their meaning and be contrary to Al-Anon principles. It may also confuse members by implying affiliation with or adoption of a particular psychological school of thought or idea.

Either the Presenter or a member of the audience reads quote to the attendees: Focus on the AlAnon interpretation of our program is strengthened when we avoid using professional terms and labels since they may confuse members by implying affiliation with certain persons or specific therapies.

2010-2013 Al-Anon/Alateen Service Manual (P-24/27), p. 117.

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*We follow the Steps, Traditions, Concepts, and guidelines set forth in the Service Manual, not because we have to but because we have learned that by doing so we place our common welfare first and accomplish personal progress for the greatest number, through unity.

Either the presenter or a member of the audience reads quote: Ours is a spiritual program. Again and again we must place our trust in a God of our understanding to lead us to decisions for our common good and we must practice the principles we know have worked for others in our fellowship.

Paths to Recovery (B-24), p. 163.

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*The best way to recover from the effects of someone elses drinking is to follow the suggested guidelines that have worked for so long and for so many. CAL unifies us; gives a consistent Al-Anon message; and is written by members, to for and our common recovery and to address our unique experience, strength, and hope.

Either the presenter or member of the audience reads the quote to the attendees: When I dont follow the programs suggestions, I seem to hurt myself as well as othersThe price I pay in terms of my integrity and self-esteem, as well as possible damage to the groups that make my recovery possible, just isnt worth it.

Hope for Today (B-27) (B-28), p. 55.

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*Presenters note: Read slide to the attendees.

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*Presenters note: Read the questions on the slide and provide time for discussion by the attendees.

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*Presenters note: Read the questions on the slide and provide time for discussion by the attendees.

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