Collaborating together in service,
we offer strength, courage & hope
to families & friends affected by someone’s drinking
The information below is taken directly from the Al‑Anon/Alateen Service Manual and from the Bylaws of Al-Anon Family Services of Middle Tennessee, Inc.
Group Service Positions
-
The leadership of a group should be kept simple.
A small group needs a CMA (Current Mailing Address), Group Representative (GR), Chairperson, and a Secretary; the latter often acts as Treasurer until the group is large enough to elect one. One or two members agree to be listed as group contacts to take Twelfth Step calls from newcomers.
As membership in the group grows, additional service opportunities can be added, such as Treasurer, Literature Chairperson, someone in charge of hospitality, greeters, and other positions as suggested by the group conscience.
Large groups may choose to have a Program Chairperson, Business or Steering Committee, and Information Service Representative (ISR) in addition to other positions as suggested by the group conscience. When possible, alternates are elected for all positions.
-
Group officers rotate regularly. Rotation gives all members the privilege of serving. Officers/leaders are trusted servants; they do not govern the group. Groups may attain more participation by electing alternates to the group service positions. Depending on group size and format, the group may choose not to fill all positions listed. Groups may also choose to create additional positions to serve the group’s needs.
Group service positions include: chair/leader, program chair, secretary, treasurer, CMA (Current Mailing Address), Group Representative (GR), Information Service Representative (ISR), tech coordinator, greeter, hospitality, and Business or Steering Committee.
-
Opens the meeting by reading the Preamble or the Suggested Al‑Anon/Alateen Welcome and leads the group in reciting the Serenity Prayer; follows the group’s meeting format.
Introduces speakers or announces the subject of the meeting.
Invites members to take part.
-
Asks a member to chair the meeting.
Plans meetings.
-
Handles group correspondence.
Notifies the Area Group Records Coordinator or the WSO of any changes to the group, GR, and/or CMA mailing address, as well as phone numbers of group contacts.
May pick up the mail from the P.O. Box (if applicable), receive group emails, or serve as the CMA (Current Mailing Address).
May keep an up‑to‑date list of members and their contact information to share with newcomers and members.
Makes necessary Al‑Anon‑related announcements at meetings.
Orders Conference Approved Literature in sufficient quantities to supply the group’s needs (if the group does not have a Literature Chairperson).
Encourages support of Alateen by providing information regarding Al‑Anon Members Involved in Alateen Service (AMIAS) certification until the group elects a Group Representative.
-
Maintains the group’s financial records in a manner that reflects the group conscience. Many groups have an actual budget that includes periodic contributions to the District, local Al‑Anon Information Service, Area Assembly, and the World Service Office.
Requests voluntary contributions from members during each Al‑Anon/Alateen meeting in accordance with Tradition Seven.
Groups, in their autonomy, determine how to collect and record member contributions.
Reads the Quarterly Appeal to Members to the group at two consecutive meetings and shares with members how to contribute.
Submits/reports a financial statement to the group at regular intervals.
-
Receives postal and electronic group mail.
Shares the mail with the group.
-
Receives calls from newcomers seeking Al‑Anon’s help or others seeking directions or additional information about the meeting.
-
Acts as liaison between the group and the District, and between the group and the Area Assembly.
Becomes familiar with the current edition of the Al‑Anon/Alateen Service Manual and encourages its use among group members.
Works through the District in helping to initiate public outreach projects.
Encourages Alateen sponsorship in accordance with Area Alateen Safety and Behavioral Requirements.
Serves as local representative of the appropriate Al‑Anon/Alateen member magazine, The Forum, Al‑Anon y Alateen en acción, or Le lien by: (1) acquainting members with its usefulness, (2) suggesting personal subscriptions, (3) submitting group subscriptions to the WSO, (4) encouraging members to write articles.
Is elected for a three‑year term.
Encourages election of an Alternate GR.
Note: Al‑Anon and Alateen members who are also members of A.A. may not serve as GR or Alternate GR.
-
Attends meetings of the Al‑Anon Information Service (AIS/Intergroup).
Acts as liaison between the group and the AIS.
Reports AIS activities to the group.
The Alternate GR may serve as the ISR, and the GR serve as the Alternate ISR.
Note: Al‑Anon and Alateen members who are also members of A.A. may not serve as GR or Alternate GR.
-
Opens and closes the electronic meeting room, clearing meeting chats to ensure confidentiality.
Supports newcomers and members overcome technical challenges during the meeting.
-
Makes sure that all attendees are welcomed, particularly those new to the group.
Gives literature and meeting schedules to all newcomers in accordance with the group conscience. (Many groups also provide or gift newcomers with How Al‑Anon Works for Families & Friends of Alcoholics, available in softcover and electronic versions.)
-
Sets up refreshments if the group provides them.
Makes sure meeting area is cleaned up after the meeting.
-
Deals with questions of policy and local public outreach.
Deals with any internal problems that arise between the group’s regular business meetings.
-
Al-Anon Family Services of Middle Tennessee (AFS) is both an Al-Anon Information Service (AIS) and a Literature Distribution Center (LDC).
AFS maintains a listing in the local phone directory so that those seeking information about Al‑Anon and Alateen can easily find it.
Maintains an office address for listing with the World Service Office.
Receives postal mail, email, and phone inquiries, and forwards them to the appropriate group for response or follow‑up.
In cooperation with the Area Group Records Coordinator, updates, publishes, and distributes lists of group meetings in the area.
Plans and conducts program‑exchange meetings where the groups’ Chairs or Program Chairs exchange teams of speakers for a scheduled period.
Serves as an avenue for local public outreach service, which is channeled through the Districts whenever possible.
Maintains and ships Conference Approved Literature (CAL).
Maintains a website that is linked to the Area website.
Holds periodic meetings attended by all the Information Service Representatives (ISRs) where activity reports, including financial updates, are made and matters regarding the groups are discussed.
Publishes and distributes its newsletter of local Al‑Anon/Alateen activities for the groups.
-
Yes. You’re eligible to serve as Chair, Co-chair, Secretary, Treasurer, or Liaison, provided you (1) have no less than two years of membership in Al-Anon, (2) are not committed in a like capacity in any other Al-Anon services role, (3) are not a dual member of Alcoholics Anonymous, and (4) have not served in the same position for at least one three-year term.
In addition to the above above eligibility requirements, the Treasurer must also have an understanding of basic bookkeeping and financial reporting principles.
-
Monitor the day-to-day activities and business affairs of the AIS/LDC.
Take responsible action when an emergency decision is necessary between regular and AIS meetings.
Follow the directives of the ISRs on matters of general policies and programs that affect Al-Anon Family Services of Middle Tennessee, Inc., providing the policies and programs are within the framework of the 12 Traditions and 12 Concepts.
Attend all regular and special meetings of the AIS and the Board of Directors.
Report proceedings of each of its meetings to ISR at their next regular meeting.
Authorize capital expenditures not to exceed $500.
Refer all matters arising in the Board of Directors meetings that require discussion and action on the part of the ISRs to the next regular AIS meeting.
Determine if and which special Committees are necessary.
Review activities of and act as an advisory body to all AIS Committees.
When a Board of Directors position or Committee Chair is vacated, appoint any eligible Al-Anon member to serve the unexpired term.
Review a yearly budget to be presented to the ISRs at the regular AIS meeting.
Oversees the functions of the AFS office.
-
Preside at all AIS and Board of Directors meetings.
Act as an ex officio member of all standing committees.
May sign AFS checks subject to the approval of the Board of Directors, provided, however, such checks bear the counter-signature of another authorized officer.
Be responsible for the administration of the Board of Directors and maintain contact with the Committees.
Provide orientation for all incoming ISRs.
-
Officiate in the absence of the Chair.
Assist the Chair at AIS meetings.
Serve the unexpired term of the Chair if necessary.
Sign AFS checks, subject to the approval of the Board of Directors, provided, however, such checks bear the counter-signature of another authorized officer (Co-Chair or Treasurer).
Coordinate orientation for all incoming ISRs with the Chair.
-
Record the AIS and Board of Directors meeting minutes and provide a copy to the AFS office.
Act as the custodian of books and records of the AFS Office.
Perform such other duties as may be delegated.
-
Submit a financial report at all regular AIS meetings.
Submit a yearly budget to the AIS for approval.
Comply with, sign for, and submit all governmental fiscal reports and regulations.
Sign AFS checks, subject to the approval of the Board of Directors, provided, however, such checks bear the counter-signature of another authorized officer.
-
Attend AFS Board of Directors meetings.
Serve as the communication link between the AIS and the Area Assembly/Area World Service Committee.
Attend and report to the Area Assembly/Area World Service Committee.
Report back to the Board of Directors following Area Assembly/Area World Service Committee Middle meetings.
-
The periods below are estimates and may fluctuate depending on the time of year and the occurrence of Al-Anon events.
Chair: 2–4 hours per month
Co-Chair: 1–2 hours per month
Secretary: 1–2 hours per month
Treasurer: 4–6 hours per month
Liaison: TBD