AMIAS Training Module 2

Alateen Group Sponsorship:

The Alateen Meeting

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The Alateen Group

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Alateen �Members…

Share their experience, strength, and hope with each other.

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Take responsibility for the group, the meeting, and their own behavior.

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Support the actions of their Alateen Group Sponsor(s) to help keep their meeting safe.

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Serve as personal Sponsors to each other.

Age Range Considerations

• Alateen requires the ability to participate in a shared learning experience.
• Teaching is not compatible with the principle of sharing
• Parents can help their children by attending Al-Anon themselves.
• Lowering the age range is up to the autonomy of the group.

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Age Range Considerations�

• Older Alateens may share things not inappropriate for the younger ones to hear.
• All Alateens, even those who are legal adults, must comply with the Area Alateen Requirements when participating as an Alateen

• Alateens age 18 or 19 are legal adults

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Things to consider…

Alateen Group Sponsors

• Are certified as Al-Anon Members Involved in Alateen Service AMIAS
• Note that AMIAS must be certified 1st in the Area 11 which is Georgia; if serving in another Area, they must be certified in that Area as well.
• Support the Alateens in taking responsibility for their own meeting
• Share recovery!
• LISTEN, LISTEN, LISTEN
• Attend Al-Anon meetings regularly

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Who Can Start an Alateen Group?

• The idea can come from an Al-Anon group or member, an A.A. member, a counselor, a school administrator, a teacher, an Alateen member, or any other young person

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• To start an Alateen meeting, the first step is to contact the Area Alateen Coordinator

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Starting an Alateen Group

• Contact Area Alateen Coordinator or Area Alateen Process Person
• Obtain support from one or more Al-Anon groups if possible
• Obtain certified Group Sponsors and AMIAS for backup
• Find a location for a weekly group meeting
• Discuss age range
• Register through the Area Alateen Process Person
• Review the Alateen Service e-Manual on WSO’s website

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Things to remember…

• All weekly Alateen meetings are closed meetings, attended by Alateens and the affiliated Alateen Group Sponsors and certified backups.

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• Visiting AMIAS must be invited to join a meeting by the Alateen Group Conscience for which they are not a group sponsor.

• Alateen groups may hold an occasional “open” meeting to celebrate the group’s anniversary or for outreach purposes.

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• The District Representative (or other Area-Designated trusted servant) as part of their service responsibility may occasionally attend Alateen groups.

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Al-Anon Support

The support of one or more Al-Anon meetings can help ensure success

The Al-Anon group member can:

• Encourage Al-Anon members to become certified to provide a pool of backup Alateen Group Sponsors.
• Bring their own children/grandchildren to the Alateen meeting.
• Mention the Alateen meeting in the group announcements.
• Help the Alateen group get started financially; it is important that the Alateen group become self-supporting as soon as possible.
• Welcome Alateens, particularly those transitioning, to the Al-Anon meeting.

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Finding a location

• It is helpful to seek a meeting room at same time and place as an established Al-Anon group.
• A teen clubhouse, community room, or juvenile facility may provide a familiar and comfortable place.
• Sometimes a professional will offer meeting space; if they are in a position to refer teens-it’s a win win location.
• Consider transportation and safety.

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Area 11 Process �for Alateen Group Registration

• WSO will only register groups through the Area process using the GR-3 form submitted to the Area Alateen Process Person

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• The Alateen Group Sponsors, CMA, and group contacts must be Area 11 certified AMIAS.

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Role of AMIAS Group Sponsors (GS) �in Alateen Meeting

• Provide direction to assure that emphasis is placed on the Al-Anon program of recovery
• To the best of their ability, maintain an atmosphere that will protect the Alateen members from physical and emotional harm
• Maintain their own appropriate adult behavior

• Encourage Alateens to keep order and take responsibility for themselves and the meeting
• Work with others for the good of Alateen
• Maintain their own recovery

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Role of AMIAS at District or Area Events

• Take responsibility for the Alateens in their care
• Work with Area/District events to be sure there is a plan in place for Alateen safety in compliance with ASBR
• Become familiar with Area Requirements and all WSO and Area Alateen Guidelines
• Communicate with District and Area Alateen Coordinators

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The Alateen Meeting�Safety and Behavior

• Beyond the minimum ASBR guidelines…

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• AMIAS GS can decide additional behavior guidelines.

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• Safety matters are not subject to group vote or approval.
• AMIAS GS can encourage the group to set their own behavioral guidelines and what the consequences of violations will be.

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Resources: Alateen Safety Guideline (G-34)

ASBR

Al-Anon/Alateen Service Manual

Alateen Service e-Manual

Alateen Meeting Procedures

• Alateens chair the meetings and assume responsibility for being Group Representative (GR), Secretary, and Treasurer. (An Alateen Group Sponsor should hold the group’s funds)

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• AMIAS Group Sponsors (GS) may assist by chairing the meeting when the group is new or if Alateens are unwilling.

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• AMIAS GS help to keep the meeting on track by gently guiding the discussion to stay on Al-Anon/Alateen principles.

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Topic and format Ideas

Where to find meeting ideas:

Al-Anon/Alateen Groups at Work (P-24)

Basic meeting format

Meeting ideas

Conference Approved Literature

Alateen Talk, The Forum

Steps, Traditions, Slogans

Meeting formats include:

Discussion - High/Low

Alateen Dos and Don’t

Question and answer

ABC Gratitude

Writing

Sponsorship

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• All AMIAS are Mandated Reporters
• Al-Anon and Alateen confidentiality is not above the law

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Group Sponsors (GS) notify AAPP and DR of changes to their meeting start time, location, or status.

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GS notify AAPP and DR of changes to their own address or phone number.

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Georgia Law�

Under Georgia law, if you work or volunteer at any agency or organization that serves minors, you are a mandated reporter.

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Georgia mandates that any worker or volunteer MUST report any suspected abuse.

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Recommended if you do have to make a report, it is done with two AMIAS.

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Think of ways you can reach out …�

Work with District or Area Public Outreach Coordinator

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Participate in District meetings or events

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What parents need to know about Alateen

What parents need to know about Alateen

Helping the Alateen Group Grow

• Work with your District/ Area Public Outreach committee

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• Provide information to local schools, churches, counseling centers…
• Participate in District and Al-Anon

Information meetings and events

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Starting an Alateen Group in Schools

• Just as with other Alateen groups, meetings in schools must comply with the ASBR.
• Meetings with school officials may require preparation to educate the staff on what Alateen is and is not.
• Working with school regulations may require diplomacy and negotiation. For example, some school districts may require that school personnel sit in on the meetings.
• See guidelines Alateen Meetings in Schools (G-5) for tips and suggestions.

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Al-Anon/Alateen Literature and other Materials

• Conference Approved Literature
• Recovery books, pamphlets, booklets
• Guidelines
• Al-Anon/Alateen Service Manual (P-24-25)
• Alateen Service e-Manual
• Alateen Talk (quarterly)
• The Forum (monthly)
• Websites:
• WSO website: www.al-anon.org
• GA Al-Anon/Alateen website: www.ga-al-anon.org

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Welcome to the �World of Service to Alateen!

Area Contacts for questions:

• Alateen Coordinator:
• Kathy S.
• Email: 22Alateen@gmail.com
• Area Alateen Process Person
• Tammy Y.
• Email: Tammyyoungblood126@gmail.com

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