11 2/2/2016 Thought Force on Service Charge: To develop strategies to show Areas how service contributes to growth and is an integral part of the Al-Anon program

2Categories To reach members not yet in service *Strategies 1 and 2* To reach members not yet in service *Strategies 1 and 2* To support members already in service *Strategies 3 and 4* To support members already in service *Strategies 3 and 4* To expand horizons and growth of members currently in service To expand horizons and growth of members currently in service *Strategies 5 and 6* *Strategies 5 and 6* 2/2/2016 2

3 Strategy 1 that visits groups to speak about service, highlighting personal benefits received. Establish and participate in a traveling “CARS” (Communicating Al-Anon Recovery in Service) team that visits groups to speak about service, highlighting personal benefits received. 2/2/2016 3

4Pros Non-threatening for newcomers Doesn’t require a service event Doesn’t require a service event Provides personal contact Provides personal contact May bring new vitality to groups May bring new vitality to groups 2/2/2016 4

5 Cons Requires people, time, and expense Requires people, time, and expense May be a challenge to get “invited” to May be a challenge to get “invited” togroups Could become a “personalities” issue Could become a “personalities” issue Is another acronym to learn Is another acronym to learn 2/2/2016 5

6 Strategy 2 Develop a “Take Out Tool Kit” of service items ready for groups to use. 2/2/2016 6

7Pros Provides readily available tools Provides readily available tools Could be used in workshops Could be used in workshops May be a chance to introduce Service Sponsorship May be a chance to introduce Service Sponsorship May help new members feel more confident May help new members feel more confident 2/2/2016 7

8Cons Would take time and effort to create Would take time and effort to create Might be considered reading material only Might be considered reading material only Might not spark service interest Might not spark service interest Only a few groups might use Tool Kit Only a few groups might use Tool Kit 2/2/2016 8

9 Strategy 3 Develop a skit and/or interactive workshop on service to demonstrate how practicing the Al-Anon principles in the safe environment of Al-Anon has had a positive effect in all areas of our lives. 2/2/2016 9

10Pros Injects activity, humor, fun, and enthusiasm Injects activity, humor, fun, and enthusiasm Attracts people’s attention Attracts people’s attention Helps everyone remember why they serve Helps everyone remember why they serve Provides excellent opportunity for brainstorming Provides excellent opportunity for brainstorming 2/2/

11Cons Takes time, effort, planning, and preparation Takes time, effort, planning, and preparation People often too busy to attend People often too busy to attend Attendance might be low because of “service” Attendance might be low because of “service” Communication—links of service 2/2/

12 Strategy 4 Revise CAL service literature— including the Joy of Service and When I Got Busy, I Got Better— to create new CAL. 2/2/

13 Pros CAL available to all members CAL available to all members Could include benefits of service Could include benefits of service Helps members identify gifts of service Helps members identify gifts of service New CAL generates enthusiasm and interest New CAL generates enthusiasm and interest 2/2/

14Cons Some see no need to revise CAL Some see no need to revise CAL Takes considerable time and money Takes considerable time and money CAL may not be affordable CAL may not be affordable May be difficult to solicit enough service stories May be difficult to solicit enough service stories 2/2/

15 Strategy 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. 2/2/

16 Pros Information to willing and qualified members Information to willing and qualified members Small groups easier for sharing and questions Small groups easier for sharing and questions Seeing service stations is helpful Seeing service stations is helpful Some Areas report success with this strategy Some Areas report success with this strategy 2/2/

17 Cons Hindered by lack of space or time Hindered by lack of space or time Members may prefer to sit and listen Members may prefer to sit and listen Areas may already be doing this Areas may already be doing this Requires creating a display Requires creating a display 2/2/

18 Strategy 6 Use the AFG Members’ Web site to host a “Service Blog” with, for example, a “Service Project of the Month” for groups. Members could share their experiences, successes, challenges, and ideas for district/Area service events and workshops. Use the AFG Members’ Web site to host a “Service Blog” with, for example, a “Service Project of the Month” for groups. Members could share their experiences, successes, challenges, and ideas for district/Area service events and workshops. 2/2/

19Pros Easy to implement Easy to implement Faster than revising literature Faster than revising literature May attract “tech-savvy” members May attract “tech-savvy” members Provide a resource for future literature Provide a resource for future literature 2/2/

20Cons Technical issues may discourage some members Technical issues may discourage some members Some Areas still resist the Web site Some Areas still resist the Web site Would require considerable training/education Would require considerable training/education May not generate enough service stories May not generate enough service stories 2/2/

21 Summary CARS Travel Team Take Out Tool Kit Skit/Interactive Workshop Revised Service CAL Service Gallery Walk Web site Blog on Service

22 Discussion Which strategies do you like? Which strategies do you dislike? Are there other strategies? 2/2/

23 Suggested Strategies CARS Travel Team Take Out Tool Kit Skit/Interactive Workshop Revised Service CAL Service Gallery Walk Web site Blog on Service