Featured Story

Spotlight on Susan 

Director of Hospitality
Susan L. (Al-Anon) is the generosity that combines fellowship and service to the Woman's Journey experience. 

The Generosity Behind the Woman's Journey

At Woman's Journey, hospitality is about more than coffee, tea, and snacks. It's about caring for one another and creating a place where women can gather, connect, an feel cherished. 

Susan helps bring that spirit of generosity to life.

Susan is looking for someone just like you to help create a place where women can gather and connect (and enjoy beverages and treats!) at this year's retreat.

We invited Susan to share about recovery, service, and why giving back what we've been freely given can become one of the most rewarding parts of the journey. 

Susan Shares Her Generosity 
 

The Warm Welcome Behind Woman's Journey Activities

✨ How many years have you been attending Woman’s Journey?

Earlier in my recovery I was introduced to Woman’s Journey when it was being held at
Neal’s Lodge Near Hondo Texas. I went for several years. Once it was at Mo’s Ranch
and in December. I decided it was too close to the holidays and didn’t attend. Last year
a friend of mine won a raffle basket that included a free registration to the retreat. While
she was talking about it one day she wasn’t sure about going by herself, and I offered to
go with her. we planned our trip and had a great time together.

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💜 What keeps bringing you back each year?

The years I attended regularly, it was earlier in my Al-Anon recovery, and it was a time of learning, change and growth. I was soaking up as many experiences I could get. During the years I did not attend Woman’s Journey, I was actively attending All Texas Al-Anon Convention and any available weekend retreats. Also, I have been to four International Al-Anon Conventions.

 

Now, overall, I keep coming back not only to maintain and continue to grow in recovery, but to gratefully give back what I have been given.

 

🌿 How have you been of service at past retreats? 

I have done service since the day I started Al-Anon. I learned that coming to a meeting
is service to the other members and especially newcomers. My first service position was
as a combo secretary/treasurer, key keeper, coffee maker, you name it. In Pocatello
Idaho, where I started Al-Anon, most of the meetings were small. I sponsor other
women. I have been a GR a few times; and a Treasurer at the group level. In SA I have
been the Meeting Chairperson for our District meetings in the past. I have helped in
many retreats and conventions. I served in one of the Al-Anon Information booths and
as a Greeter during AA’s 75 th 2010 Convention here in SA. I have been an Al-Anon
speaker a few times. At Woman’s Journey last year, I answered the call to serve by
helping put raffle baskets together, stored and transported raffle baskets to the retreat,
and donated a basket as well. I helped sell tickets for the raffle and helped in showing
the baskets as they were raffled and getting them to the winners.

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🌸 This year, you're serving as Director of Hospitality. What drew you to this role?

Today I consider myself a foodie. Growing up I had few cooking or food skills as I
became a young adult. When the Food Network came to TV it changed my life. I
learned how to cook and bake by watching it. Food is essential to life. I have served in hospitality at other retreats as well. Since then, I have donated food to shelters,
celebrations with Al-Anon members, donated cakes for auction. I believed I could put those skills to use at Woman’s Journey as Director Hospitality.

 

​​         If a woman wanted to help with hospitality, what could she expect to do, and how can she get involved? 

Any attendees interested in helping in hospitality have the option to donate their time in 11/2-2-hour shifts at the hospitality area during the conference with a total of nine slots needing filled. I plan to be at each of them as well, so they will not be alone. Their responsibilities include keeping coffee, tea, water and snacks available to attendees when hospitality is open. It will be closed during speakers and workshops so they will not miss out.

 

I will need a few women who will volunteer to bring supplies in their cars to
Mo Ranch as there will be more than what can fit in one car. The information I had
from previous chairs said it took three vehicles to get all the supplies to Mo Ranch. I am thinking they will need to be there around 1 pm, the same time the board members arrive, to have the supplies readily available. I would love to have two women help prepare dinner for the board members and volunteers for Friday night. At this time, it has been suggested we have a potato bar. We will be baking potatoes and preparing toppings and any sides for the meals.

I am hoping to use a sign-up app to send to women interested, and others in serving, so they can sign up for a time slot at the hospitality area, to bring supplies, or help with dinner. I will have my contact information available for questions and sign up as well.

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💜 What would you say to someone who feels nervous about volunteering or getting involved with service for the first time?

I would reassure her/them that feelings are normal, and appropriate when doing
anything new for the first time, that I am a first-time board member. I would make sure they know they won’t, or do not have to be alone at the hospitality area when they are there helping. I would thank them for volunteering and stepping out of their comfort zone to do service. I would let them know I am open to questions, thoughts and ideas during the process as well, that it really is a group effort, and a learning situation for us all, and that we will put all the results of our efforts in the care of our Higher Powers.

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✨ ​And one last question Susan, you are wanting a cold beverage on a hot day what will it be? Water, iced tea, soda or lemonade?

For me, it would definitely be lemonade. It’s very refreshing and has a lovely flavor!