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East Valley Information Center
1320 E. Broadway Rd. #109
Mesa, AZ 85204
480-969-6144
http://al-anoneastvalley.org
February 2017 District 11, 12, and 13 Issue 21
East Valley Information Center
Newsletter
AL-ANON
East Valley Information Center
Officers and Coordinators
Chair Lisa R.
Vice-Chair Lee R.
Secretary Jane W.
Treasurer Chelsea G.
Office Mgr. Nancy E.
AA Liaison Rosemary B.
Alateen Mary S.
Archives (open)
Events Karin L.
Fundraising (open)
Home Calls Michelle F.
Info. Distrib. Julie W.
Institutions Janie S.
Literature Mary C.
Meeting List Cecilia D.
Newsletter Marty M.
EVIC Liaison Wendy H.
Public Outreach Christine
Website Mary Ann N.
District 11 DR Ann S.
District 12 DR Carrie T.
District 13 DR Elisabeth B.
EVIC business meetings are
held on the fourth Tuesday of
every month at 7:00 p.m. All
are welcome to attend.
Al-Anon Declaration Let it begin with me.
When anyone, anywhere,
reaches out for help,
let the hand of Al-Anon and
Alateen always be there, and
-- Let It Begin with Me.
Serenity Prayer
God give me the Serenity
to accept the things I
cannot change, Courage
to change the things
I can, and Wisdom to
know the difference.
Help is needed at the E.V.I.C. Office to answer phones
and welcome walk-ins. To help for a few hours a week, call
Nancy at 480-832-5611 on Monday or Wednesday at the
E.V.I.C. office. See page 6 for more information!
Notes from a Convention Workshop…
When I was first in Al-Anon, my sponsor invited me to attend a
convention with her. I wasn’t excited about going, but she felt it
was important and I knew I should open myself to new experiences.
The following list was presented in an workshop entitled
“Alcoholism as a Family Disease.” Many of us will recognize
these as part of our own journey.
Phase 1: Restlessness
The non-alcoholic spouse is embarrassed, irritated or uneasy as
unusual behavior episodes become more frequent. “What will
people think?”
He/she begins feeling real concern over the partner’s drinking.
Uneasiness grows as the alcoholic drinks more and more.
The qualifier is reassured when the alcoholic “behaves well.”
Moderation in drinking has “solved” the problems!
Phase 2: Blame
The non-alcoholic spouse is dismayed, baffled, or angry when
drinking episodes continue. He/she wonders why the alcoholic
is not controlling the drinking this time. “What went wrong?”
“I thought we agreed…”
The qualifier is bewildered, alarmed and angered by the alco-
holic’s lack of responsibility. There is confusion and self-doubt
over the alcoholic’s convincing denials about events occurring
during “blackouts.”
Self-doubt Increases. There are accusations by the alcoholic (Continued on page 2)
2
Step 2:
Came to believe that a Power greater than
ourselves could restore us to sanity.
Concept 2:
The Al-Anon Family Groups have delegated com-
plete administrative and operational authority to
their Conference and its service arms.
Tradition 2:
For our group purpose there is but one
authority—a loving God as He may express
Himself in our group conscience.
Our leaders are but trusted servants—
they do not govern.
District 11 invites everyone to a
workshop based on the book
OPENING OUR HEARTS
TRANSFORMING OUR LOSSES
Saturday, February 18, 2017 - 1:00-4:00
Gilbert Presbyterian Church
235 E. Guadalupe Road
Gilbert, AZ 85234
We have all experienced loss in our lives
including loss of a dream, grieving our
childhood, death of a loved one, and
many other losses. Grief is a process!
Using OPENING OUR HEARTS
TRANSFORMING OUR LOSSES as a
guide, three presenters will share what
spoke to them from different chapters
in this book. After each leader’s
presentation, we will break into small
groups so that we may hear
experience, strength, and hope
from other members.
Bring your book if you have one.
There will be some books
available for purchase.
Bottled water will be available.
Questions?? [email protected]
AL-ANON and AA
OPEN SPEAKER MEETING
2nd Saturday of each month
7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
If there are 5 Saturdays in the month,
there is a second meeting on the
4th Saturday.
Queen Creek Meeting House
19729 E. San Tan Blvd., Queen Creek
that the spouse or family is the “cause of it
all,” and convincing arguments leave the non-
alcoholic spouse wondering where reality
lies.
He/she is bewildered and frightened as per-
sonality changes in the alcoholic become
more vivid. Sudden and unpredictable rever-
sals in the alcoholic’s mood and character
leave the non-alcoholic spouse fearful and
confused, wondering, “What did I do this
time?”
Phase 3: Control
The non-alcoholic spouse tries to control the
alcoholic’s drinking by manipulating social
schedules, the duration of “cocktail hour,”
types of entertainment, and even friends in
hope of restricting the alcoholic’s drinking.
He/she resolves to “try harder” with each fail-
ure to control the alcoholic’s drinking and
feels it is a duty to “do something” about the
drinking. The qualifier hides bottles, dilutes
or pours out the contents, reasons, distracts
by encouraging hobbies or sports, and pro-
motes “geographic cures” to move away from
the problem.
The qualifier assumes more and more of the
alcoholic’s routine responsibilities and takes
over an increasing number of tasks previous-
ly handled by the alcoholic such as balancing
(Continued from page 1)
(Continued on page 3)
3
Looking for Stories of Experience, Strength,
and Hope
Share your writing with members of E.V.I.C.
in this newsletter. You may remain
anonymous or sign your first name. Help is
available for proofreading and editing. Submit
your writing to the newsletter coordinator at:
E.V.I.C Incorporation and Technology Upgrade
The East Valley Information Center has incorporated as a
non-profit in Arizona and has received federal 501C3 status
with the help and contribution of the many East Valley Al-
Anon groups. As of this month, all contributed funds will
now go to assist with their technology upgrade which is
about halfway finished. These graphs show the progress
that has been made. Groups are asked to continue to discuss
this issue and contribute as they can so that we can complete
the work. Thank you to all who have donated so far!
Everyone is welcome
to the District 12 Al-Anon
Longtimers Tea
When: Saturday, March 11, 2017
Time: 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Where: St. Peter’s Lutheran Church
1844 E. Dana, Mesa, AZ 85204
Seating is limited
Reservations are highly recommended
For reservations and to set table:
Email Barby T. at
or call 480-235-1456
Speakers: Greg W. and Toni G.
the checkbook, household chores, and child
care because “somebody has to do them.”
He/she becomes resentful over increasing
burdens and develops a sense of martyrdom
and self-pity. “Why me?”
Family members “walk on eggs” to avoid
upsetting the alcoholic and unite in extreme
efforts to avoid controversy or confrontation
they feel might “set the alcoholic off again.”
They cover up for the alcoholic. Fearing for
reputation and financial security, the non-
alcoholic spouse goes to great lengths to
maintain appearances of “normalcy.”
Phase 4: Personal Defenses
The non-alcoholic spouse seeks opportunities
to avoid contact with the alcoholic by work-
ing more hours, going shopping, etc.
He/she “invites” compliments from others to
bolster self-image by doing volunteer work,
joining committees, coaching teams, etc.
The qualifier becomes self-indulgent and
goes on irrational spending sprees or gets in-
volved in extramarital relationships.
He/she withdraws from usual social activities
with close personal friends and relatives;
communication with the “outside world”
shrivels.
He/she considers separation or divorce. Half-
meant threats of the past now look like the
only option.
Phase 5:
The non-alcoholic spouse undergoes a pro-
found personality change. Sense of humor,
(Continued from page 2)
(Continued on page 5)
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Service Opportunity!
Are you available on Sunday mornings at 9:00 a.m.?
Have you been through all 12 Steps with a sponsor?
Would you like to share your Experience, Strength, and Hope
about how you worked the steps and how they worked for you?
Are you able to make a five-week commitment?
If so, the Sunday Beginner’s Step Meeting
is looking for you! We are an all speakers all the time meeting, and we
group the steps as follows:
Week 1: Steps 1, 2, and 3 Week 2: Steps 4 and 5 Week 3: Steps 6 and 7 Week 4: Steps 8 and 9 Week 5: Steps 10, 11, and 12
The same person speaks every week
for 5 weeks and is also the chairperson. Because we have a lot of newer members and attract a lot of newcomers, we start
every week with Steps 1, 2, and 3 — the foundation steps.
Does this sound interesting? Come and join
us for a few weeks! We love our meeting and we’re sure that you will too!
Pigeon Coop
4415 S. Rural Road — SE corner of Rural and US 60 behind Denny’s in the strip mall
next to the bowling alley
Contact Elisabeth for more information at 480-567-4829
E.V.I.C. Literature Report
December literature sales were $844.18. Yearend
inventory is valued at $3778.68. In 2016, we
brought in about $2500 more than the cost of our
literature; this includes approximately $250 in
literature that didn’t appear to be
paid for. I just want to remind
groups that the booklet AL-ANON
FACES ALCOHOLISM is not a
free item; the cost is $.40 each. I
have ordered 400 of these and
they will be available in a couple
of weeks for groups to purchase
and use for Public Outreach.
We do have OUTREACH BOOKMARKS avail-
able that are free. Also, the new PATHS TO RE-
COVERY WORKBOOK which is to be used in
conjunction with the hardback PATHS TO RE-
COVERY is now available, and EVIC will have a
few of those for sale in a couple of weeks as
well.
I want to ask that you contact Nancy, the EVIC
office manager, at 480-969-6144 or myself at
[email protected] or my cell at 602-316-
6843 to let us know if you have an event coming
up that you may need extra literature for so that
we may have it available for you.
Thank you for letting me be of service.
Mary Cancik, your new literature coordinator
Family Recovery Night
Saturday, February 25
St. Peter’s Lutheran Church
1844 E. Dana Ave. — Mesa
5:30 — Fellowship
7:00 — Al-Anon and AA Speakers
Babysitting will be available during
the speaker meeting.
More details to follow!
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Announcing...New Monthly Speaker Meeting
Everyone is welcome to join us and hear experience, strength,
and hope on the 4th Monday of every month at the “Changed
Attitudes” Al-Anon Family Group meeting:
7:00 p.m.
Desert Palm United Church of Christ, 1230 E. Guadalupe Rd,, Tempe.
Many Voices — One Journey!
Muchos voces un mismo viaje!
2017 AFG of Arizona Al-Anon/Alateen
Convention with AA Participation
July 14-16, 2017
The Sheraton Crescent Hotel
2620 W. Dunlap Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85201
Register now! Bring a friend!
For complete details and information
on registering, go to:
http://www.azal-anonconvention.org/
**Registration form available
on page 8**
Save the date!
FAMILY RECOVERY PICNIC
Sunday, April 2, 2017
Lost Dutchman State Park
Palo Verde Ramada
More details to follow!
feelings of creativity, and sense of personal
identity, direction and purpose are crushed
beneath the weight of the disease. A sense of
failure and rejection mount.
He/she has fallen into a love/hate relationship
with the alcoholic. True concern for the alco-
holic alternates with anger and disgust.
The qualifier has increasing emotional and
physical ailments. Sleeplessness, tremors,
uncontrollable crying, temper flare-ups, di-
gestive upsets, head and back aches, circula-
tory problems, migraine-like headaches, al-
lergic reactions, asthma attacks and skin dis-
orders are a few examples.
He/she experiences growing morbid fears and
imaginings and is haunted by vague and irra-
tional terrors, fantasies of suicide, or serious
doubts of one’s own sanity develop. Life has
lost all meaning or value.
Many of us were lucky enough to get to Al-Anon
before “completing” this list. You probably
know someone with whom you can share this.
—Marty M.
(Continued from page 3)
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From Nancy E.,
Manager at the E.V.I.C. Office –
Thank you to everyone who has come to the
E.V.I.C office to attend meetings, get infor-
mation, and buy literature. We currently need
staffing for the following shifts:
Tuesday: 1:00-4:30
Thursday: 9:30-1:00 and 1:00-4:30
Friday: 9:30-1:00 and 1:00-4:30
Anyone willing to volunteer to fill in any
of the openings above may contact
Nancy at 480-969-6144 or 480-832-5611
or email her at [email protected]
Call ahead to make sure we are
here if you want to come in!
We are looking for used Al-Anon books that
we can resell for half price. We have a some
gently-used books available for purchase.
We need your help!!
Volunteers needed to work at the EVIC office for either the
morning (9:30-1:00) or afternoon (1:00-4:30) shift on Friday.
Volunteers will be trained and there is an office worker’s notebook to refer to.
Your duties will include: answering the phone selling literature fielding questions distributing materials
Feeling energetic and want to do more work at the office? You can:
vacuum and clean up organize literature spruce up the place
Feeling like you’ve got a lot of your own things to do? You can:
read a book or write a letter knit or sew bring your laptop or tablet —
we’ve got wi-fi!
Call Nancy at 480-969-6144 or 480-832-5611
Share your experience, strength, and hope.
Submit your story to
If you want to share but need some help, I can
assist. Let’s work together to help others!
— Marty M.
Would you like to receive the
Message Carrier?
The Message Carrier is
published after each
AWSC and Assembly
and carries all the
reports from Area Offic-
ers, Coordinators, and
Districts Representatives.
You request a print and/or electronic copy by
contacting the newsletter distributor at:
[email protected]. Links to
previous issues are available on the Area web-
site at al-anon-az.org in the Members section.
You may also subscribe from there.
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