---

History Sections: Nothing happens without a purpose The first club house Moving, growing, moving Sobriety in a winery Settling in and disaster Hard times get better Here we go again No more rent Ready or not, here we come Troubled waters Wham, bam A new beginning Kitchen Menu Informational Brochure Application The 2008 Alano Classic The Alano Club of San Jose 1122 Fair Ave. San Jose, CA. 95122 Tel: 408.297.1878 Fax: 408.297.4100 Directions

TROUBLED WATERS The sixties brought a lot of changes not only in the club, but in society, as well. Membership had dropped significantly, prompting many attempts to perk things up. Committees were formed for almost anything, at one point even a committee to oversee the other committees. It got so desperate that outside advertising was solicited for the club newsletter. The newly expanded parking lot became known as Lake Alano, at one point causing a lawsuit to be filed by a nearby landowner. The club won the suit, but Lake Alano required periodic draining. Society at large experienced a major increase in drug use, and as users became abusers, many looked to AA for help. Meetings at the club began to change as addicts started talking about their problem, often in street language that became annoying to members who viewed their club as a sanctuary. To be sure, foul language had periodically come under fire, including signs posted and warnings given at board meetings, but this new influx who showed little regard for the sensitivities of others was a bit too much for many. At an August 1970 Board Meeting, a letter was sent to New York requesting advice on addicts in AA meetings. The September membership meeting addressed the problem, noting that the by-laws stated the club was for alcoholics, but conceded to allow one meeting a week for addicts. The problem hit AA all over the Valley, prompting a special note read before the definition of AA requesting that only alcohol and related problems be discussed. The problem grew and one club member resigned in January 1973 because he felt addicts should have a chance to get clean in AA. Card games, a mainstay of club activities since the first club opened also came under fire. Many of the younger people coming in didn't join the club, but played cards often winning. Some older members felt there was foul play, and in fact, there seemed to be a general lack of courtesy flowing throughout the club. A struggle began that lasted several years. The older members who had built the club up, although there had been many incidences of dissention and problems along the way, were losing ground. In 1968, a five man Board of Trustees was established to supplement the Board of Directors. Although they had no vote, this group served in an advisory capacity, their clout being to call membership meetings for issues of disagreement. At the end of 1972, the Trustees and Board were merged into a 9 man Board of Directors. The new Board was elected, but by Valentines Day, 1973, five had resigned, two of these being replacements of members who had resigned. Manager and worker problems seemed the order of the day, one reason possibly being the low monthly salaries. The early 70's brought in a range of activities in an attempt to promote interest. Miss Alano pageants pitted men against men to vie for the crown, along with their name inscribed on a trophy. Other trophies were awarded for shuffleboard, golf, bridge, pool and even a turkey shoot. Live bands, always used during most of the 60's, gradually gave way to taped music to cut expenses. Bingo was stopped, then restarted. In June 1972, Harold P. assumed responsibility as administrator of the club after manager Dean W. resigned. Harold had been on the board since 1959, serving as president during most of the time. Gradually, both finances and the general condition of the club improved until he took sick in November 1974. In December, Al B. took his place. Al was elected to the board February 10th, was elected president May 15th, and now would cover until Harold returned. At the December 15th General Membership Meeting, he announced that "a certain amount of money is going to be deposited into the savings account to cover Bingo payoffs." Continue...