Al-Anon Hi-Lites - Cleveland Al-Anon
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APRIL 2022 ISSUE30
Al-Anon Hi-Lites
Newsletter of the Greater Cleveland Intergroup Council
Cleveland Al-Anon Information Services
TAKE WHAT YOU serving the Greater Cleveland Area
LIKE AND LEAVE THE
REST Cleveland Area Website
www.clevelandal-anon.org
email
Do you want HiLites delivered to your email?
hilites.clev.ais@gmail.com
hilites.clev.ais@gmail.com
Do you want HiLites delivered by U.S. Mail?
Call (216) 621-1381
Send All U.S. Mail to Greater Cleveland Al-Anon
14900 Detroit Avenue, Suite 308, Lakewood, Ohio 44107
Send literature orders to: cleveland.ohio.ais@gmail.com
or call the Cleveland Area Office Location (216) 621-1381
Cleveland Officers &
Committee Chairs
Chairperson: Betty M
Office: Volunteers Alateen: Gary J
Secretary: Sheila C Website: Carolyn P
Treasurer: Patty D Public Information: Regina F
HiLites: Mary Jo M Zoom Host: Sydney P
Office: Julie C, Vivian M,Nancy H, Susan H & Kathleen M Patti S
CLCLEVELAND AL-ANON COUNCIL
Minutes of the Meeting of
March 18, 2022
Zoom log in information: Meeting ID is 847 9751 3760. or dial by phone 312-626-6799 followed by the meeting ID.
The meeting began at approximately 7:07 p.m. The meeting was conducted via Zoom. There were 16 persons in attendance.
The minutes of the February 18, 2022, meeting having been forwarded in advance to council members, the reading of the
minutes was dispensed with. A member suggested a correction to the minutes to the second-to-the-last sentence under Old
Business, #2, to read, "An ample reserve for office monies will be researched." Motion was then made to approve the minutes
with this correction.
VOLUNTEERS/OFFICE REPORT: Vivian noted that the volunteers had no problems. A literature order had been placed, but that
the office is still out of the large-print Courage to change, Hope for Today, and Opening Our Hearts – Transforming Our Losses.
GREATER CLEVELAND AL-ANON WEBSITE: Sheila presented Mary Jo's report from the Webteam as follows:
1. Carolyn P. received six WordPress notifications from the website. Mary Jo followed through on five and Carolyn on one and
there were four false alarms. Carolyn updated two meetings: (1) Cleveland Family of Choice Friday 7:30 is on Zoom now, and
(2) Courage To Be Me Mondays at 6 has a forty minute Zoom. Loretta N. (newest Webteam member) posted the latest WSO
survey, the Brunswick New Dawn 50th (April 25th) Anniversary, and the Sharing & Caring Weekend at Marblehead flier on the
website.
2. Carolyn's web analytics report for February showed a total of 755 visitors to the website in February, with the most popular
searches being made for meetings by day, and the most popular devices used were cell phones to access the website.
TREASURER'S REPORT: Patty presented her report for February which is attached to these minutes. She gave the beginning
and ending office checking account balances, as well as the values of the two certificates of deposit. She also listed the bills that
were paid in February, as well as one donation in the amount of $50.00.
HILITES: Sheila presented Mary Jo's report as follows:
April is coming along. I have received the acronyms and the Ala-Share, and will reach out for the state public outreach letter
and the meeting list download from the Cleveland Webteam. In my efforts to find some help, I previously reported about two
potential newsletter volunteers. When I changed February over to March I created a document which identified eighteen steps
needed to be taken to transition the Hi-Lites newsletter from one previous month to the next month. On Monday this week, I
met with an interested member to work on the newsletter together at Panera's for one and a half hours and showed her how
to successfully learn seven of the steps. She is working three jobs and gave up her morning off to learn this service. I also
reached out to another volunteer who does not have a computer or internet offering to meet her at a public library at her
convenience.
t
CLEVELAND AL-ANON COUNCIL
Minutes of the Meeting of
March 17, 2022
CLEVELAND AL-ANON COUNCIL
Minutes of the Meeting of
I called an office volunteer who has previous Hi-Lites experience to see if she was interested. Instead I received
February 18, 2022
information about a new office volunteer who may be interested. I called her and we are meeting on March 28th. My last
newsletter as editor will be October 2022. Please announce at your groups to see if anyone is interested and have them
email hilites.clev.ais@gmail.com. I will assist in any way to gather a team of potential volunteers and provide them with as
much newsletter experience as possible. Per my service sponsor's suggestion, I am willing and grateful to work my Step
Twelve.
ALATEEN: Gary presented his report as follows:
Not much going on with Cleveland Alateen. We are still trying to rebuild post-virus. What we really need at this point are
Alateens. There are 3 Face-to-Face Alateen Meetings in the Cleveland Area and all 3 have Al-Anon meetings at the same
time. If you feel that Al-Anon has been beneficial to your recovery and you have a child, grandkid, family friend, niece or
nephew that could use this program, try taking them to 6 meetings and see if it is for them. It might just change their life.
You could go to the Al-Anon meeting at the same time and pick them up afterwards. Hope you all survived the winter and
as always, thank you for all the past support.
Gary J, Alateen Cleveland (res.- 440-835-8807 gjokela@att.net)
PUBLIC OUTREACH: Regina was unable to attend the meeting and there was no report.
DISTRICTS / OHIO AFG LIAISON: Sheila presented Mary Jo's report as follows:
1. Liaison Report From Ohio Area 44. Due to health reasons a new state AAPP person is needed immediately. AMIAS
update deadline is May 15th for annual forms & possible fingerprinting (every five years). Contact aapp@ohioal-anon.org.
The AWSC minutes from March 12. will be on the Ohio website soon. Area Officers, Coordinators, Committee’s Liaisons,
Past Delegates and DR’s will be able to all review the proceedings and the four motions moving forward to assembly on
May 21. Any questions, email secretary@ohioal-anon.org. Youngstown Districts 4 & 9 Annual Spring Day of Sharing WILL
be held May 14. This will be our first Districts 4 & 9 face-to-face event since 2019. The flier will be in April Hi-Lites.
2. Gary J. gave a description of the AAPP position for the members.
OLD BUSINESS:
1. Spring Workshop – After discussion from members on their lack of responses for a chairperson for the workshop, if
was agreed by Council members that there would be no workshop held this year.
2. Office Certificate of Deposit discussion – Hernan remarked that he will report back at the April meeting after he has
more opportunity to review the interest rates further. Sydney and Donna volunteered to put together a proposal
concerning the funds that the office currently holds ("What is an ample reserve for the office?") and will present it at the
April meeting.
3. Zoom account for the office – Patty will take care of the arrangements to reserve the account for another year at the
rate of approx.. $150.00 after Council approved the same.
4. In-person Council meetings for 2022 – Betty noted that our usual conference room was available at Rosary Hall.
5. A member suggested that if there was a group or intergroup rep. who preferred to meet in person rather than via
Zoom that the person look into pairing up with another member to help them log onto the Zoom meeting.
CLEVELAND AL-ANON COUNCIL
Minutes of the Meeting of
March 17, 2022
CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS
3/18-20/22 USNCRDM (U.S. North Central Regional Delegates Meeting)
4/26-30/22 World Service Conference – New York City (to be attended by delegate)
5/21/22 Spring Assembly – time and place to be determined
6/10-12/22 Ohio Area Convention – Findlay, Ohio – flyer is on the Ohio website
7/30-31/22 KOMIAC – time and place to be determined
8/5-7/22 Ohio AA Convention – Dublin, Ohio
8/20/22 Fall AWSC Committee meeting (place to be determined)
10/2022 2-Day Fall Assembly – to be determined
10 or 11/22 Trustee road trip – details to be determined
The meeting closed at approx.. 7:55 p.m., followed by the Lord's Prayer. The next meeting will be held on April 15, 2022, via
Zoom. All are welcome to attend - Meeting ID is 847 9751 3760. or dial by phone 312-626-6799 followed by the meeting ID.
Respectfully submitted, Sheila C., Secretary
CLEVELAND AL-ANON COUNCIL
Minutes of the Meeting of
March 17, 2022
According to the WSO Handbook an AIS (Al-Anon Information Service - that's what
Cleveland is) "prints and distributes its own newsletter of local Al-Anon and Alateen
activities for the groups that support it". That, and the meeting list (printed in this
newsletter) are the two specific requirements for having an AIS. The current HiLites
newsletter editor will be surrendering the position (after three years) in October 2022. Are
you being called to serve? It's a great way to "do Step twelve!"! Just like each group is
autonomous, the editor may choose which software to use to produce the newsletter.
Recent newsletters were produced using Google Docs, currently it's Canva Pro (free to
nonprofits). Also, the current editor will assist in any way possible. The editor is
responsible for attending council meetings or sending a report when unable to attend.
Please do not hestitate to email hiltes.clev.ais@gmail.com with any interest or questions
you may have.
WSO Quarterly Appeal Letter
Secretaries: Please read at meetings
From Ohio Area 44
AMIAS people may need the two annual forms filled out (deadline is May 15th) fingerprinting
is once every five years. Contact aapp@ohioal-anon.org. An AAPP person is needed -
interested in volunteering? Email chairman@ohioal-anon.org. The AWSC minutes from
March 12. will soon be on the Ohio website. Area Officers, Coordinators, Committee’s
Liaisons, Past Delegates and DR’s will all be able to review the proceedings and the four
motions moving forward to the assembly on May 21.
Youngstown Districts 4 & 9 Annual Spring Day of Sharing WILL be held May 14. This will be
our first Districts 4 & 9 face-to-face event since 2019. Participation at Districts and regular
meetings has been lower than usual. While Area and Districts continue to be virtual at this
time, most other meetings have returned to in-person gatherings.The WSO Road Trip has
been rescheduled for October 29, 2022 at The Double Tree Hilton in Independence. This is
where the volunteer board bring their meeting on the road for members to witness and
participate. Making reservations now is suggested.
From Ohio Area 44
Contact Theresa M. at chairman@ohioal-anon.org
From OHIO AFG
The Calendar on the Ohio Al-Anon website:
Ohio Area Assembly Calendar
Our Members: Our Hope for the Future
Our Spiritual Principles in Action
Living Our Spiritual Principles
Realizing Our Spiritual Principles
Acronyms
April 2022
STEP FOUR= “Sacred Time Explore Personality. Fearlessly Outline
Unique Revelations”
APRIL =
“Awaken Possibilities, Release Ingrained Limitations”
MINDFUL= “Mental Inventory, New Discoveries, Freedom &
Unconditional Language”
Acronyms shared by Gerri A.
Public Outreach
Happy Spring Friends! March 22, 2022
Our public outreach campaign continues to drive plays in Ohio. We've seen 345 additional plays in
the last month. I’ve attached full results for the 2021-2022 campaign. Please reach out to stations in
your area that have played the PSAs to thank them and encourage them to continue to air them.
Most radio stations can access our PSA though the PSN Bank. If they don’t have access to the PSN
bank, they can send their contact information including the Station call letters, contact name,
number and email address to media@al-anon.org and the Al-Anon PSN will get them access to the
radio PSAs.
Organizations in our communities that want to link to al-anon.org are welcome to with the
understanding that our Traditions prohibit us from linking back to them. All are also welcome to
share our PSAs from our YouTube channel on their websites.
While the PSA’s help us spread information about Al-Anon across the state, there is much we can do
individually to reach individuals and professionals in our own communities, including:
· Using the public outreach resources published on the alanon.org public outreach page at:
https://al-anon.org/for-members/public-outreach/. The WSO continues to develop and post
electronic materials we can easily customize and use locally.
· Emailing our contactless flyer to professionals and organizations in your district.
· Using our printable wraps for distributing Al-Anon Faces Alcoholism to professionals or groups
in your district.
· Adapting our public outreach posters for use locally.
· Using our printable contact cards to share your contact information with newcomers or
professionals
· Emailing electronic materials to professionals and organizations. Materials can be downloaded
at no cost at:
o https://al-anon.org/for-members/members-resources/literature/downloadable-items/
o https://ecomm.al-anon.org/ICommerce/Shop/ICommerce/Store/StoreLayouts/Home.aspx
· Mailing or dropping off print materials where appropriate.
· Encouraging colleges, school districts, community organizations, and other non-media related
groups to publish our PSAs. 15 second, 30 second, and 60 second versions are available on the Al-
Anon YouTube channel.
As always, I would love your thoughts on things we could be doing to support public outreach
across our area.
Sheri Bogardus
Ohio Public Outreach Coordinator
513-252-4703
swbogardus@gmail.com
www.ohioal-anon.org
t
PUBLIC OUTREACH
Reaching out to others in need
A message of hope
AlaShare
Monthly sharing of original essays, poems, lyrics, & ideas
Members wishing to submit a share please send to: hilites.clev.ais@gmail.com
Am I Willing To Change My Mind?
I admitted I am powerless over alcohol and that my life had become unmanageable. When I first came to
Al-anon I thought I was powerless, and that meant without choices. I later came to realize my possibilities
were infinite. And in order to take advantage of them, I learn to change my mind.
Reacting to the alcoholic’s behavior was making me sicker. I spiraled down to paralyzing depths of
despair. I could no longer act myself, but rather crumbled under the weight of responsibility and the
unknown. Alcoholism is like a runaway freight train, and I knew I had to jump off or be crushed by its
inertia. Lonely nights with my thoughts slowly took its toll. I didn’t recognize myself, ever irritable and
controlling, hypervigilant and condescending.
Easy does it. Meetings changed my perception. Hearing others’ experience, strength and hope gave me
the nourishment I needed to go on. I was able to get out of my own head and way, learning that I no
longer had to allow the disease to dictate how I was to act or feel. With the help of my higher power,
sponsor and program, I was able to look at the world not as it should be but as it really is. Living each
moment, I was allowing others the dignity to decide their own destiny. Living a life without scrutiny set
me free. A process of belief in oneself, to believe I could get better was the power I needed. It was within
me all along.
Accepting alcoholism as a disease took some time. Wrapping my mind around the concept and separating
it from the person took determination. I had to as we say in Al-anon Detach with Love, which changed my
resolve. Was I willing to do the work it took to see my partner and the world differently? I wanted what
others had found. The ability to look at my life as full of wondrous possibilities, instead of dreading each
moment. I wanted to do no harm. I wanted serenity.
Should I stay or should I go? I chose to stay which meant changing my perception again. In order to live
and to thrive in an alcoholic environment took strength I didn’t realize I had. When I got busy I got better.
Changing someone else’s mind is beyond my control but changing my mind was obtainable.
Let it Begin with me. When I changed, the situations at home followed. No longer was I willing to engage
in petty arguments or slashing insults. I started to take my own inventory and to Live and Let Live. By
using the Al-anon tools, twelve steps and member support I was able to bear the ending of our story
together.
Just for today I will have a program. I will be open to new possibilities and opportunities. Today I have the
power within me to consciously make a difference in my own life. I can change my world with the power
of a single thought. Today I will change my mind for the better, unleashing my power and sending it out
into the Universe. I will hurtle insurmountable obstacles with courage and transcend disbelief.
Am I willing to change my mind? I have a choice. Take every opportunity within reach and change how I
consciously see the world and my place in it, or I can remain on the battlefield of my mind. I can choose to
live in the moment and take each minute, hour and day at a time or be limited by smallness of mind. I can
change my life by changing my mind.
~Laura B. Willoughby Fourth Step SaturdayAlateen Corner Happiness is Alateen AFG 63401 D47 Tuesdays at 8 pm. Rocky River Presbyterian Church, 21750 Detroit Rd., Al-Anon mtg. at the same time. Masks & social distancing. Indy Alateen AFG Wednesday 7 pm at Lutheran Concordia Church 6705 Brecksville Rd. Brecksville. Al-Anon meeting at the same time but separate Sunday Alateen Sharing AFG 30717037 D38 Sunday 7:30 pm Church of the Good Shepherd 23599 Cedar Road Lyndhurst. AAPP: Need an alternate AAPP immediately - replacement due to health reasons. KOMIAC: Currently planned for Indiana, last weekend in July 29-31. Alateen Rally Plan for in person Alateen Rally at Clague Road Cabin in Westlake on 4/9/2022, working on details. AMIAS Members (Al-Anon Member Involved in Alateen Service): it's time to update your records and possibly get fingerprinted again (if needed). To find out if you need to, email cmialanon@gmail.com. All forms and fingerprints must be submitted by May 15 to meet the June deadline.
March 27 thru month of April LIVE
(at Nite and Day club Willoughby)
and zoom from 6:00 - 6:40 pm
Garfield Gratitude AFG Mondays 12:30 pm Meeting ID 306 289 0223
Rock Community Church 9403 Garfield Passcode DhG3bR
Boulevard Garfield Hts. Plan for May is to continue LIVE.Details: Starting April 7, 2022, In-
Person ONLY. OPEN, Wheelchair
Accessible
Notes: Masks optional
g
There isn't anything I can say to the alcoholic that he
hasn't said to himself already.Separate the disease from disease from the person..
What is an AIS? AIS stands for Al-Anon Information Service. That’s what Clevland is! It is also an LDC (Literature
Distribution Center) which includes the office & bookstore in Lakewood. According to the WSO (World Service Office)
Service Handbook: an Al-Anon Information Service “updates, publishes, and distributes lists of group meetings in their local
area.” An AIS also “prints and distributes its own newsletter of local Al-Anon/Alateen activities for the groups that support it”.
How does this happen in the Cleveland AIS? Two volunteers. Yes, you read that correctly: two. Putting together a meeting
list and a newsletter takes time. If you feel called (from the comfort of your own home or library) to assist in the creation of
Cleveland meeting lists and/or newsletters (giving as little or as much as you wish) your help is greatly needed and would be
very much appreciated. Please email cleveland.ais.website@gmail.com or hilites.clev.ais@gmail.com with any interest or
questions you may have.
Acting responsibly commends respect
from others.Literature Order Form
To see the literature order form, please click here
Please send literature orders to:
cleveland.ohio.ais@gmail.
You may have your books shipped. We also have literature
pick-up at the office (14900 Detroit Ave. Suite 308 in
Lakewood). Please call (216) 621-1381 to place an order and
arrange pick-up. The P.O. Box is closed so please address all
payments and correspondence to the office address (14900
Detroit Ave Suite 308 Lakewood, OH 44107.
7th Tradition with the Three Arms of Service
For All Contributions: Please include your group # on the check memo line!
How to contribute to Greater Cleveland Al Anon Office:
Please send checks made out to: Greater Cleveland Al-Anon14900 Detroit Ave Suite
308 Lakewood, OH 441073 or try our new Paypal button on the website!
How to contribute to Ohio Area Assembly:
Make all checks payable to AFG of Ohio and mail to: AFG of Ohio, Inc. PO Box 42084
Brook Park, OH . 44142-0084
How to contribute to Alateen:
Make Checks payable to: Cleveland Alateen 14900 Detroit Ave Suite 308 Lakewood,
OH 44107
How to contribute to WSO:
Make checks to AFG Inc. & send to Al-Anon Family Groups Inc. 1600 Corporate
Landing Parkway Virginia Beach VA 23454-5617 or at al-anon.org.
Contribution Information Your Group’s Gift to Us AllI must take chances in order to grow.
Brunswick New Day 50th Brunswick New Day Al-Anon Family Group will celebrate it's 50th Anniversary on Monday, April 25th. Join us at 6:30 for 'eats'. Meeting 7:30 - 8:30. We will have 2 leads; Al-Anon & AA. Raffle drawing after leads. Come help us celebrate our first 50 years.
Spring Day of Sharing - Directions to Grace Lutheran Hubbard, Ohio
From PA - Westbound to Ohio
Take I-80 West to Hubbard exit (first exit in Ohio). Veer right on exit ramp
Follow Routes 7 and 62 South.
Go over railroad tracks - then go through 4 lights to the center of town.
At light by Walgreens, turn RIGHT. Follow Routes 7 and 62 (East Liberty Street)
Go through two lights, getting in the LEFT lane.
At next light by 717 Credit Union in plaza, turn left on Hall Ave.
(If you have passed Taco Bell, you have gone too far.)
Grace Lutheran Church will be on the left.
Handicapped parking is around the back of the church.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From Ohio Eastbound - on I-80 I-76
From - Route 11 Southbound from Warren
From - Route 711 - Connector Northbound
From I-680 Northbound from Boardman/Canfield
Take I-80 East to first Hubbard exit 234-A
Turn right off exit ramp to follow Routes 7 & 62
Go over the railroad tracks - then through four lights to the center of town
At light by Walgreens, turn RIGHT. Follow Routes 7 & 62 (East Liberty Street).
Go through two lights, getting in the left lane.
At the next light by 717 Credit Union in plaza, turn LEFT on Hall Ave.
(If you have passed Taco Bell, you have gone too far.)
Grace Lutheran Church will be on the left.
Handicapped parking is around the back of the church.
Help Carry the A
l-Anon Message
Intergroup Share-A-Day Workshops from New York Al-Anon at
nycalanon.org
Until further notice,
Share-a-Day will be hosted on Zoom
Saturdays,
. 12PM to 4:00PM
.
Mark your calendars:
Apr 30 New Beginnings: How Al-Anon Works
May 21 Applying Al-Anon Recovery in Daily Life
June 25 Surrender, Sanity, Serenity
July 30 Many Voices, Backgrounds & Cultures in Al-Alanon
Aug 27 The Family Dynamic: Parents, Friends, Children
Sep 24 Gratitude
Oct 29 Surrendering with Steps 3 and 11
Nov 19 Practicing Detachment
Dec 17 Keep Coming BackYou can also read
