(((N))) For what it's worth, I'm very glad you asked this question. I've had one similar.

Aloha Neshema

There are copyright laws to consider, however, and in general, it's best practice in ANY forum not to re-post published materials, quotes, etc. unless you've received permission from the copyright holder.

Regarding Al-Anon-only discussion/publications: Next time you hop over to a face-to-face meeting, you might want to pick up a pamphlet called "Why Conference Approved Literature?" It's pretty helpful (but unfortunately I cannot repeat its contents by memory at all.)

Sticking to CAL (conference-approved literature) during meetings is helpful as because what Betty mentioned above, the literature all comes straight from Al-Anon members themselves. There are a few rare occasions where Al-Anon literature contains discussion from non-members.

That said, I have personal favorites, myself in the realms of philosophy, etc. I think a lot of what i read from those folks merges well with what I learn in Al-Anon, but I generally try not to bring those up during meetings because I understand that from a newcomer's perspective, it could appear all of a sudden that Al-Anon follows Eckhart Tolle, (as an example), if I start talking about all the recent stuff I've read from him. Al-Anon doesn't affiliate itself with any outside entities, but newcomers don't know that right away.

Again, this message board isn't a certified Al-Anon meeting, however. I recognize "Getting them Sober" by Toby Rice Drews gets mentioned and suggested here a lot - I even received a copy of the book, myself.

I'm probably not helping at all. I just recognize the conflicts of interest that go on on this board all the time. Sometimes I really want this board to follow all the Al-Anon guidelines, etc., but I also recognize that somehow, the way the board operates as it does seems to help newcomers who maybe are a bit nervous of the structure that Al-Anon meetings have. Sometimes I feel like there's a lot of limitations handed down in Al-Anon, but when I keep an open mind and make an effort to understand why it is they've set certain boundaries I come to respect them and wish to uphold them.

Food for thought. Hopefully it's tasty.

Aloha, thanks for your input....yea, I would never ever do anything w/out asking first unless it is a no brainer, like common courtesy and being respectful and stuff like that

I like to read "hope for today"  which I am not sure is CAL, also, melodie beattie and other books for trauma survivors., how to manage my ptsd/anxiety et al,  but facing it in a "human" way rather then an "expert" way, I can see what Betty is saying.....  I have the "courage to heal"  and "from survival to recovery"  I think those are CAL b/c my old sponsor gave them to me...also the AA book and other stuff  CAL and non CAL

I like what Betty said about us staying vulnerable, honest and individual.....That really resonated w/me.... ...and that posting articles could lead to competition....I like the way things are, now, I just asked b/c I am  so danged curious.....

AND I did not know that you had to get author's permission....I thought it was just "ok" to share their stuff as long as you put their names on it.......WOW...Learn something new every day, LOL

I also can see your point that this is alanon, and alanon does what they do for a reason....Like reading stuff from real alanon members......

Thank you for adding to my learning experience here....

Thanks, John. I feel safer just having some knowledge of where others who have started this board and stayed with it feel about this. I, like Nemesha, want only to put out there what is appropriate and suitable for this message board which is different than the structure suggested for Al-Anon. Posting what is written helps me have a better understanding.

(((((((((John)))))))))))   hey Thanks, my good man.....to be safe??? i am gonna take the "high road" and not do it...

This board means soo much to me...I can't even tell you...B4 my return, I was really slipping back down the CODA rabbit hole....coming back here has pulled me back out in the sunlight

I think I am gonna refrain...keep it , individual and honest and vulnerable......Oh I might say "OH in courage to change"  I learned    bla  bla  bla.....Something on that line

Other than that, To not risk messing up, I think I am gonna "leave it be"....

I sure do appreciate your answering me,  and while I got your ear....How is the neighborhood,  whats up w/the shooting....did the guy make it ok????   U safe????  Whats up??? I watched the news feed on it and you did GREAT in your interview....U didn't look nervous at all, LOL

Thanks for your guidance and continued service to us...To the program.....HUGS

grateful2be wrote:

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Thanks, John. I feel safer just having some knowledge of where others who have started this board and stayed with it feel about this. I, like Nemesha, want only to put out there what is appropriate and suitable for this message board which is different than the structure suggested for Al-Anon. Posting what is written helps me have a better understanding.

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 Oh yea, I would absolutely be heartbroken if I offended anyone or did anything to undermine this board or its members in ANY way , shape, or form.....That is why I always ASK first....People don't get mad when I ask an honest ????  But to just go ahead and do something???  Naaaw that isn't cool...Unless I am real sure , I would rather err on the side of caution.......

I , really, like the individualness of the posts.....and we are telling OUR stories....I think what Betty said really summed it up for me....Aloha clued me in on the copyright rules, and then John came in and cleard up MORE stuff for me.........I think if something aint broken??? why mess with it????? 

thanks everyone for helping me learn proper Alanon conduct.....

I was written by Al-Anon World Service office about 10 years ago, demanding I stop selling their books and remove the pictures of their books from the website because they are copyrighted cover graphics!  They said I would have to be an endorsed "distributor".  I was merely showing pics of the books with a link to AMAZON.COM where they could be bought!

Also, in the online meeting guideline manual, it speaks highly against using Al-Anon literature on the web sites holding those meetings, or even in the meetings!  With specific guidelines on how literature can be used in very small exerts but not in a manner that can be considered collective, or allows the whole page, chapter or book to be printed out.

That's why I opened the MIP forums message board to be inclusive of other reading materials.  I felt Al-Anon had registered our online group at the time, and yet had tied our hands when it comes to utilizing their material, and literature.  I still think it is faulty to register a group, through their outreach committee, and then not allow the group full access to and use of the literature so the Al-Anon message doesn't get distorted, and newcomers get a very clear picture of what Al-Anon is and isn't, does and doesn't do, and most importantly how to apply the application of the 12 Steps and 12 Traditions.  I understand that the conference approved literature makes up about 70% of the World Service Office funding... and they would rather it is bought directly from them so they don't lose any of this money.  (Obviously, WSO didn't obtain exclusive distribution rights to the literature, so it can and is sold by the printing agency, directly to the public (ie. Amazon.com, Book-A-Million, and so forth) which cuts the WSO out of its much needed monies generated by the literature.  Thus, we are encouraged to buy it directly off the WSO web site, or through the groups literature committees, that purchase through WSO.  Another event that put the WSO in ultra protective mode; AA had lost its copyrights to the 2nd edition of the Big Book (about 20 years ago) because  they failed to protect it and published it online and then didn't do anything about others putting the whole book online all over the internet.  I think Al-Anon learned a very valuable lesson from this AA experience and now is overly protective of the literature that helps millions of people a year, in order to really just protect their main means of income at the World level.

So, post what you will, provided you give credit to the Author or Agency that published it, use exerts (1 paragraph and absolutely no more than two).  Just be sure it is suitable for a site such as ours, and is geared towards self care, self love, loving the sometimes unlovable, ... and/addresses topics that are in the normal range of self improvement... with God's help.  I think we'll be okay if we stick to this.

John

-- Edited by John on Thursday 18th of July 2013 07:10:07 AM

Thanks again, John. I loved to learn the history of this board's formation. I appreciate some of the thoughts, sayings, quotes, prayers and excerpts that are posted on this board. I also appreciate the informal support coupled with Al-Anon tools, principles and traditions that this board affords those of us who choose freely to come to this board. I see it as fellowship after the meetings rather than a meeting and I appreciate it all. Our meetings last an hour. Sometimes, there are 30 to 40 people in a small room. People tend to form cliques - which is human - and not everybody finds the fellowship that is promised in the program - due to multiple reasons. I can't read minds - so can't list 'em. I think this board offers folks(me) a way to find and or continue the fellowship they(I) need to cope with the disease and its effects. If it were "strictly" Al-Anon meeting format, I think it would be confusing because there is no physical presence. It could also get to be a board where folks(read me) who need the support and information provided are afraid of being rejected because they aren't following the rules - which Al-Anon tries to guard against. Just my personal experience/opinion.

Although we are all affected by the disease, we are all different people with different life experiences, needs and ways we interpret what we read here.  I appreciate the fact that we can take what we like and leave the rest as we do in our meetings.  I enjoy seeing different folks' way of looking at themselves and their lives and can glean what I want from the way they express themselves to help me enjoy the journey more.

-- Edited by grateful2be on Thursday 18th of July 2013 09:56:47 AM

Thank you John for MIP and the freedom that comes with that.

You a created a winner. Thank you Neshema and Dave  for your input.

Bettina

-- Edited by Bettina on Thursday 18th of July 2013 03:26:07 PM

Bettina wrote:

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Personally, I like a little more freedom and as long as its ok, and John said it was, I will continue to quote good stuff. I find it encouraging. If people don't care for it, they can take what they like or leave it.
What I like about MIP is that its not bogged down in religion and it has stayed pretty close to that . It truly is non denominational and spiritual.
If I'm wrong please correct me. I don't want to offend anyone.

Bettina

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 yea, I like this....seems John is "Ok" if we just use a quote and say   "i read in melodie Beattie that if I do such and such"  and leave it at that....I am gonna be real conservative b/c I don't want to run afoul of my home here.....and yea, MIP is not inundated w/religion b/c there are so many flavors of people here...atheists....agnostics like me.....and u got others, I am sure.....And it appears as long as we respect each other and I don't see anyone pushing their God on anyone else,  Phewww big one for me....I can't stand folks trying to PUSH their beliefs on others....I never ever do that.....so yea, Bettina I think we have a great home here and I sure aint messing it up, LOL.....

from David    In our preamble it says: "Our thinking becomes distorted by trying to force solutions, and we come irritable and unreasonable without knowing it." For me this really sums up the big Coda word, but in a much more simple form.

Alanon has a great structure- from the top to the bottom- any changes would take a whole lot of time... ...I think groups have a certain amount of leeway under tradition four.I think this is a great forum- there is a true bond here, like at any Alanon meeting. Most, if not all of us, are wise well beyond our years. For me it is a true bond of affection and trust. I think it is great 'to test the water' and to change sometimes... ... but not move too far away from the centre- which for me is life itself.

 

Sentence #1 fits me to a tee.....trying to force outcomes...not able to just do my best and let go the rest...well, I just have to ACT AS IF as John said that I have already done this....letting go....just keep acting the part......David I agree w/u about the bond here on this board....for me it is real....true...the people here care....that means a lot to me

hey Aloha, WOW,  that is very very interesting.....and I can so see what U R saying......good to know that SOME groups or organizations are from the heart instead of the wallet