[Businessmtg] Newcomer page

[Missy S]

Hello All,

I love the newcomer pages focus. I like the original version and also like
this version! I made some suggested edits below, take what you like and
leave the rest. Thanks for the hard work everyone! :)
Missy S.

Welcome to A Serenity Place, an Al-Anon Family Group Meeting!

You’ve taken the first step—you’ve come to an Al-Anon meeting. We are glad
you are here.  Keep coming back to meetings.  It is here that we get the
support and comfort that help us deal with our personal situation.  You
probably have many questions, including “What does working the Steps mean?”
or “What Al-Anon literature should I read first?”

You likely have questions, we all did! The links that follow will bring you
to the Al-Anon Family Groups website, to an online literature store, and a
section designed for newcomers.

*The Al-Anon Welcome (Can you make this a side link to remove a long
section at the beginning?) *

*Every Meeting is Different*

Each Al-Anon meeting has the autonomy to be run as its members choose,
within guidelines designed to promote Al‑Anon unity. Al‑Anon recommends
that you try at least six *different* meetings before you decide if Al‑Anon
will be helpful to you. A Serenity Place is an e-mail meeting. There are
phone meetings and in-person meetings. A listing can be found at
https://al-anon.org/al-anon-meetings/

*A Serenity Place Meeting Format*

Our group does a different topical meeting every day of the week chaired by
one of our Daily Chair volunteers. Each day’s meeting starts with suggested
Al-Anon readings. The daily chair then shares a reading from Al-Anon
Conference approved literature on a topic of their choice. The chair then
shares a reflection on the reading. All members are then invited to reflect
as well.

We encourage our members to share their personal experience, strength and
hope on the Al-Anon topic of the day. We avoid gossip, crosstalk, and
advice giving in our fellowship as a way to create a safe space for
everyone.

*Al-Anon Literature (CAL) – Books & Pamphlets*

*Books*

There are a number of books in Al-Anon that describe how the Program works
through sharing member stories, the history of Al-Anon, and workbooks into
Steps, Traditions, and Concepts. Member favorites include “How Al-Anon
Works” and “Paths to Recovery” as well as several daily readers offering
daily reflections on different topics. You can find a complete list on the
Al-Anon website
<https://ecomm.al-anon.org/iCommerce/Store/StoreLayouts/Category_BP_Results.aspx?InitialText=Category-Books>
.  Electronic and audio versions are also available for some titles
<https://ecomm.al-anon.org/iCommerce/Store/StoreLayouts/Category_BP_Results.aspx?InitialText=Category-Electronic%20Literature>
.

*Pamphlets (I liked the visual of all in the newcomer packet on the current
page)*

Al-Anon publishes a number of pamphlets; each addressing a particular issue
or perspective. Below are several examples that ASP considers especially
helpful for newcomers.

Most of Al-Anon’s pamphlets are only available in print. There are several
important pamphlets that our World Service Office (WSO) have made available
online.
[image: Al-Anon Newcomer Packet]
<https://ecomm.al-anon.org/ItemDetail?iProductCode=K10>The printed hard
copy version of the Newcomer Packet contains an excellent selection of
pamphlets and bookmarks. (See Below.) They can be purchased separately if
you don’t want the entire packet.

*The Forum** – Al-Anon’s Magazine*

*The Forum* is a monthly magazine published by the Al-Anon World Service
Office. You can subscribe or read some of it online
<https://al-anon.org/for-members/members-resources/literature/magazines/forum-magazine-stories/>
.

*Al-Anon World Service Office's **Newcomers Welcome Page and information
can be found at **https://al-anon.org/series/welcome-newcomers
<https://al-anon.org/series/welcome-newcomers/?utm_source=AllPrint&utm_medium=print&utm_campaign=newcomers>*

*Slogans*

Al-Anon slogans are statements that you may start to hear repeated at
meetings. They are phrases that help us to quickly reframe a difficult
moment and guide us into recovery. Here is a little information on the
meaning and source of those slogans
<https://al-anon.org/for-members/members-resources/literature/al-anon-slogans/>
.

*Sponsorship*

Sponsorship is an important part of recovery. It is often suggested that
you listen to other member shares for messages you relate to and for a
member that seems to have the recovery that you are looking for in Al-Anon.
We suggest you initiate a private conversation with them outside of the
recovery meeting.

It is easy to contact a member of ASP – simply “Reply” to one of their
posts to our recovery meeting and your email app will start a new email
addressed to that member and only that member. If you still feel good about
that person after having private conversation(s) with them, then ask them
to be your sponsor if you like. Sometimes, members of Al-Anon aren't able
to take on a sponsee when asked due to their current time commitments. Try
someone else, you'll find a match.

*The Serenity Prayer*

At Hope for Today, and at many other Al-Anon meetings, we open and close
with the Serenity Prayer.

God, grant me the serenity,

To accept the things I cannot change,

The courage to change the things I can,

And wisdom to know the difference.