Alateen Training
Module I
Overview of
Alateen Service
Arizona Area 1
Alateen is…
• …part of Al-Anon Family Groups.
• …a fellowship of young people whose lives
have been affected by alcoholism in a
family member or close friend.
(from the Alateen Suggested Preamble)
Alateen is not…
• A program for young people seeking
sobriety.
• A therapy program.
Alateen Includes…
• Alateen members
• Area-certified Al-Anon Members
Involved in Alateen Service (AMIAS)
• Alateen Group Meetings
• Resources to Alateen:
– Supportive Al-Anon groups & members
– Supportive local service arms
(district/AIS)
Alateen Members
• Are members of Al-Anon Family
Groups who are seeking recovery
from the effects of someone else’s
drinking.
• Share their experience, strength, and
hope with each other.
• May include younger
members.
Alateen Motion
• Requires Areas to set safety and
behavioral requirements for all
Alateens and all Al-Anon Members
Involved in Alateen Service (AMIAS).
• These requirements apply to all use
of the Al-Anon or Alateen name in
conjunction with any meetings,
groups, conventions, or any other
gatherings in the Area where Alateen
participation is offered.
Al-Anon Member Involved in
Alateen Service (AMIAS)
• Is an Al-Anon member who is
directly responsible for Alateens
while being of service to Alateen.
• Each Area clearly defines what roles
that involves.
• “Instant” or backup Alateen Group
Sponsors must have completed
certification through the Area Process.
Alateen Safety and Behavioral
Requirements
• Minimum Requirements were set by
the 2003 Alateen Motion.
• Alateen meetings, groups, events,
and Al-Anon Members Involved in
Alateen Service (AMIAS) must
comply with the Area
Requirements.
Minimum Safety and
Behavioral Requirements
1. Every Al-Anon member involved with
Alateen service must:
– be an Al-Anon member regularly attending AlAnon meetings.
– be at least 21 years old. (23 in AZ)
– have at least two years in Al-Anon in addition
to any time spent in Alateen.
– not have been convicted of a felony, and not
have been charged with child abuse or any
other inappropriate sexual behavior, and not
have demonstrated emotional problems which
could result in harm to Alateen members.
Minimum Safety and Behavioral
Requirements (cont’d)
2.
There must be at least one Alateen Group
Sponsor at every Alateen meeting.
The Area Requirements:
3. must prohibit overt or covert sexual interaction
between any adult and Alateen member.
4. must prohibit conduct contrary to applicable
laws.
5. must contain procedures for parental
permission and medical care when applicable.
6. must be reviewed by local counsel.
AZ Area Alateen Safety &
Behavioral Requirements
Qualifications for Al-Anon Members Involved in Alateen
Service (AMIAS) including group sponsors.
 Minimum age of 23 to be a group sponsor.
 Currently attending Al-Anon meetings and an active AlAnon member for at least two years.
 Complete and sign the Area Alateen Sponsor Application
and the WSO AMIAS Form.
 May not have been convicted of a felony.
 Not have been charged with child abuse or any other
inappropriate sexual behavior.
 Not have demonstrated emotional problems, which could
result in harm to Alateen members.
 Note: Parents are advised not to sponsor the Alateen
meeting their child attends.
PROCESS FOR BECOMING A
NEW AMIAS

Contact local District Representative or the Area Alateen Coordinator and
Process Person (AAPP) to locate new AMIAS certification training.

Attend new AMIAS certification training.

Training ideally occurs face-to-face unless special arrangements are
required.

Training is provided by a certified AMIAS trainer and covers the
Alateen Training Modules I & II.


Applicants need to complete both the WSO AMIAS form and the AZ
Area Alateen AMIAS Application and Responsibility Agreement
(Area AMIAS form).
They must bring to the training appropriate ID along with contact
information for two personal Al-Anon references.
This form is the AZ Area Application and Responsibility Agreement (form #A002).
It is two pages. Put a check mark in the box next to each statement on page 1.
This indicates to us that you have read each of the statements and agree with
that statement.
Make sure to sign and date the second page. Please list two personal references
that have known you in the context of Al-Anon, for at least one year. Where it
asks for Al-Anon relationship (on page 2) please indicate if the person is your
sponsor, a member of your home group or how you know them from Al-Anon.
ARIZONA AREA
AL-ANON FAMILY GROUPS
Including ALATEEN
PERSONAL REFERENCES
Below list two personal references that have known you in the context of Al-Anon, for at least one year.
Preferably, one reference being your sponsor and/or a member of your home group.
ALATEEN SPONSOR AND NEW AL-ANON MEMBER INVOLVED IN ALATEEN SERVICE
APPLICATION & RESPONSIBILITY AGREEMENT
Applicant Information - please use black ink and print clearly and DARK.
Full Name:
Last
First
M.I.
Address:
AZ
ENTER STREET ADDRESS ABOVE—
ENTER CITY ABOVE
ZIP CODE
NO PO BOX ACCEPTED-MUST BE A PHYSICAL ADDRESS
Home
Phone:
Other
Phone:
(
)
(
)
EMAIL:
Please provide a photo copy of your driver’s license or some type of government issued picture ID.
An AA member who is NOT an Al-Anon member may not serve as an Alateen Sponsor.
PLEASE CHECK ALL THAT APPLY:
Check in
this
column
PLEASE CHECK ALL THAT APPLY:
1.
I am at least 23 years old.
7.
I will be sensitive to the fact that touch can
be misinterpreted, both by the receiver and
observers.
2.
I have been active in my Al-Anon
program for at least 2 years.
8.
I have not been convicted of a felony.
3.
I attend at least one Al-Anon meeting
per week.
9.
I have not been criminally charged with any
crime of assault or of a sexual nature.
4.
I make a one-year commitment to
Alateen Sponsorship (one meeting at
a time).
10.
I have not been charged with any other
inappropriate sexual behavior.
5.
I am new to the AZ Al-Anon Area and
have attended a home Al-Anon
meeting locally for at least 3 months
before volunteering for Sponsorship.
11.
I currently have no emotional problems that
could result in harm to Alateen members.
12.
I agree that the Alateen Area Sponsorship
Committee, the Alateen Area Coordinator
and/or the District Representative may
conduct an investigation of me consisting of
a review of sex offender registries and
interviewing personal references.
13.
I agree to become familiar with AZ’s Child
Abuse Reporting Statute.
If you checked item #5, where did you
attend meetings (City & State) prior to
coming to your current location?
______________________________
6.
I agree not to have overt or covert
sexual interaction (whether
consensual or not) with an Alateen
member, including but not limited to:
·
·
·
Touching a teen inappropriately
Dating a teen who is an Alateen
member
Holding or hugging in an
inappropriate manner
14.
I have read, understand and agree to abide
by the Area’s Safety and Behavioral
Requirements. I meet the criteria listed
above. I agree to step down as an Alateen
Service Candidate or Sponsor at any time
that I cannot meet these criteria.
FORM #A002 Rev. 2/2014
Page 1 of 2
Check in
this
column
Statement #5 only
needs to be
checked if you are
new to the AZ area.
A check mark next
to the statement in
#5 indicates to us
that you are new to
AZ and have
attended a home
meeting locally for
at least 3 months.
Then if you
checked item #5,
you would write in
the City and State
where you
previously
attended Al-Anon
meetings.
Full Name:
Last
First
Address:
Street Address
Apartment/Unit #
City
Phone:
(
State
)
ZIP Code
Al-Anon
Relationship:
sponsor etc.
Full Name:
Last
First
Address:
Street Address
Apartment/Unit #
City
Phone:
(
State
)
ZIP Code
Al-Anon Relationship:
I understand that as an Alateen sponsor, my primary goal is to help the Alateen members
follow the Al-Anon program. Should anything interfere with this objective, i.e. accusations,
controversy, threats of personal harm etc. and/or being asked by the Area Alateen
Coordinator to resign, I will step away from sponsoring an Alateen group. Even if I feel totally
blameless, I understand that my removal from the situation will not only protect the Alateen
members, but will preserve the unity of the fellowship as well. I understand that stepping
away from sponsoring an Alateen group is not an admission of guilt.
As a condition of serving as an Alateen Sponsor and/or being involved in Alateen service, I
give permission to the Al-Anon Family Groups of Arizona to conduct a background check of
me. I agree to hold harmless the Alateen group, my Al-Anon District, District Representative,
AZ Area Officers and volunteers of Al-Anon Family Groups, Inc.
Signature:
Date:
Please submit completed form to:
[email protected]
FORM #A002 Rev. 2/2014
Page 2 of 2
Al-Anon Member Involved In
Alateen Service
It is required that this form be completed by all Al-Anon members involved in service to Alateen.
(Please Print)
First & Last Name:
Street Address:
City, State/Province:
Zip/Postal Code
Phone:
e-mail:
District
I am in compliance with my area’s safety and behavioral requirements and agree to
abide by them.
________________________________________
Signature
____________________
Date
To the best of my knowledge, the above Al-Anon member meets the area’s safety
and behavioral requirements.
____________________________________
Authorized Area Signature
____________
Area #
_____________
Date
Please Print Name Below:
Each area must certify to the WSO annually that each Al-Anon member involved in
Alateen service has met the area’s safety and behavioral requirements and has
agreed to abide by them.
WSO Assigned ID Number: __________________
For Area Use:
WSO FORM
Revised February 2010
This is the WSO AMIAS
form. It is filled out when
you take the New AMIAS
Certification training.
Please print clearly and
use a dark color of ink,
with enough pressure to
ensure good duplication
quality. These forms are
usually scanned and then
sent to the WSO. Once
you sign the form you can
stop there.
DO NOT WRITE BELOW
YOUR SIGNATURE
Alateen Group Sponsors
• Provide support and
encouragement to the
Alateen group as a
whole.
• Avoid one-on-one
interactions.
• Parents are advised not
to sponsor the Alateen
meeting their child
attends.
Responsibilities of an Alateen
Group Sponsor
• Make sure your group is registered and information
updated annually.
• Continue attending Al-Anon meetings regularly.
• Have a working knowledge of the Twelve Steps, Twelve
Traditions and Twelve Concepts.
• Become familiar with the Alateen literature.
• Participate in Alateen Group Sponsor meetings/workshops.
• Familiarize yourself with state law regarding reporting of
abuse and your role. Refer to
https://www.azdes.gov/dcyf/cps/reporting.asp
• Attend your Alateen meeting each week or arrange for a
certified substitute Alateen Group Sponsor if you can’t be
there.
Responsibilities of an Alateen
Group Sponsor
continued
• Respect and protect the Alateens’ anonymity.
• Provide a safe meeting place.
• Prohibit overt or covert sexual interaction between any
adult and any Alateen member.
• Uphold all established behavior guidelines.
• Guide the Alateens towards working the Twelve steps for
personal recovery.
• Help the Alateen members take responsibility for the affairs
of the group.
• Coordinate the participation of Alateen members in District
and Area Al-Anon functions.
PROCESS FOR BECOMING A
GROUP SPONSOR

Obtain a group conscience from membership of group
to be sponsored. (If at all possible).

Inform the District Representative for the district in
which the Alateen meeting is held, that you are going
to be sponsoring.

To determine the district, members can contact the
Area Group Records Secretary.

Anytime the primary Alateen Group Sponsor(s) is
changing, complete a GR-3 form and submit it to the
AAPP.
When to step down
• As a sponsor, remember, “Whenever anything
interferes with the need to protect yourself, i.e.,
accusations, controversy, threats of personal
harm, etc., discontinue serving as a sponsor.
Even if you are totally blameless, stepping aside
will not only protect both the Alateen members
and you, it will preserve the unity of the
fellowship as well.” (G34)
AZ PROCESS FOR RE-CERTIFYING
AS AN AMIAS
• Attend at minimum, one re-certification conference call in
the spring of each year before June 1
• The purpose of the call is for AMIAS to have an opportunity to ask
questions of each other and share their experience, strength and
hope in service to Alateen.
• The re-certification conference call agenda includes covering
selected materials from Modules 3 and 4 (a, b & c), discussing any
updates from WSO regarding Alateen as a whole, as well as
dialoging on AMIAS questions solicited in advance through
circulation of the agenda or voiced during the call.
• The Area Alateen Coordinator will conduct a minimum of four
conference calls each spring and will notify members of the dates
for those calls, at the Fall Area Assembly and by email in the
following January. A toll free number paid for by the Area, will be
provided for those who do not have national free long distance.
AZ PROCESS FOR RE-CERTIFYING
AS AN AMIAS continued
• The conference call will last one hour.
• AMIAS who certify between January 1 and June 1 each year
are not required to attend a re-certification conference call
that year, although attendance is encouraged.
• The Area AMIAS Re-certification Application form
must be completed and submitted in time to reach
the AAPP by June 1 each year.
• No WSO AMIAS form is required for re-certification.
• Failure to submit the Area AMIAS Re-certification
Application form, in time, will result in a lapse in AMIAS
certification and the Al-Anon member will be required to
attend NEW AMIAS training before resuming work with
Alateens.
AZ PROCESS FOR RE-CERTIFYING
AS AN AMIAS continued
• Once every panel (3 years), attend a faceto-face AMIAS training or fellowship and
review meeting.
• The purpose of these face-to-face meetings is for
AMIAS to have an opportunity to ask questions of
each other and share their experience, strength
and hope in service to Alateen.
• New AMIAS certified within the panel are not
required to attend an additional face-to-face
meeting but attendance is encouraged.
ARIZONA AREA
AL-ANON FAMILY GROUPS
Including ALATEEN
ALATEEN SPONSOR AND AL-ANON MEMBER INVOLVED IN ALATEEN SERVICE
RE-CERTIFICATION APPLICATION
Applicant Information - please use black ink and print clearly and DARK.
Full Name:
Last
First
M.I.
Address:
AZ
ENTER STREET ADDRESS ABOVE—
ENTER CITY ABOVE
ZIP CODE
NO PO BOX ACCEPTED-MUST BE A PHYSICAL ADDRESS
Home
Phone:
EMAIL:
Other
Phone:
(
)
(
)
I understand that as an Alateen sponsor, my primary goal is to help the Alateen members follow the AlAnon program. Should anything interfere with this objective, i.e. accusations, controversy, threats of
personal harm etc. and/or being asked by the Area Alateen Coordinator to resign, I will step away from
sponsoring an Alateen group. Even if I feel totally blameless, I understand that my removal from the
situation will not only protect the Alateen members, but will preserve the unity of the fellowship as well.
I understand that stepping away from sponsoring an Alateen group is not an admission of guilt.
As a condition of serving as an Alateen Sponsor and/or being involved in Alateen service, I give
permission to the Al-Anon Family Groups of Arizona to conduct a background check of me. I agree to
hold harmless the Alateen group, my Al-Anon District, District Representative, AZ Area Officers and
volunteers of Al-Anon Family Groups, Inc.
Signature:
Date:
Please submit completed form to:
[email protected]
SPACE BELOW YOUR SIGNATURE IS TO BE COMPLETED BY COORDINATOR AND AAPP
Date conference call was attended: ______________________
Re-certified on WSO website: YES
FORM #A003
NO
2/2014
This is the Area
form that you will
need to be fill out
when you re-certify
as an AMIAS
(form#A003). It is
only one page.
Don’t forget to sign
and date the form.
You will send the
completed form to
the current AAPP.
The form can be
sent electronically
or via snail mail.
This form recertifies
your commitment to
Alateen for another
year.
The New Alateen Meeting
• The first meeting will be exciting for all
concerned.
• Ask the group to set its own behavioral guidelines
with your guidance. Remind them they are
responsible for their group. Safety guidelines
(throwing things, hitting etc) are not negotiable
but the Alateens are encouraged to make their
own behavioral guidelines.
• Remember it’s the Alateens’ meeting!
• Alateen meetings are closed, attended by
Alateens and the Area-certified Alateen Group
Sponsors only.
Sample of Behavioral Guideline
•
No texting during meeting.
•
Avoid crosstalk.
•
If it has an on/off turn it off.
•
Keep sharing to 5 mins.
•
Stay on topic.
•
No swearing.
•
Respect one another.
AZ AREA PROCESS FOR STARTING AN
ALATEEN MEETING
• Once the idea is suggested, the District Representative,
Area Alateen Coordinator and AAPP will determine if the
District can support a new meeting and supply a minimum
of two qualified sponsors. If there are not already two
wanting to sponsor the new meeting.
• Select a meeting time and place (Alateen meetings are best
served by meeting at the same time and place as an AlAnon meeting).
• Register with the Area by submitting the GR-3 form, listing
two Alateen Group Sponsors, to the AAPP. Wait to hear
your group has been registered before holding your first
Alateen meeting.
Who can attend Alateen
meetings?
This is taken from our AZ Area Guidelines:
•Young people who are or have been affected by
someone else’s drinking (parents, relatives or
friends).
•Potential Alateen Group Sponsors with permission
from the members and sponsors.
•Alateen Group Sponsors of other Alateen groups
with permission from its members and sponsors.
•District Representatives, Area Alateen Coordinator,
or AAPP.
Alateen Group
Responsibilities
• Keep the Alateen focus.
• Respect and protect each other’s anonymity including the
sponsors’.
• Establish behavior guidelines to maintain appropriate
behavior.
• Avoid and prohibit any overt or covert sexual interaction.
• Prohibit conduct contrary to applicable laws.
• Resolve group problems by use of the Group Inventory (G8).
• Respect the meeting facility.
• Become financially self-supporting.
Alateen Personal Sponsors
• Alateens are encouraged to ask
another Alateen member to be their
personal Sponsor, with whom they
can discuss personal problems and
program questions.
AMIAS Responsibility
Statement
“AMIAS are to provide direction to assure
that emphasis is placed on the Al-Anon/
Alateen program of recovery and, to the
best of their ability, maintain an
atmosphere that will protect the Alateen
members from physical and emotional
harm.”
The Responsibility Statement can be found on the WSO Alateen
Safety Guideline, G-34.
Safety Checklist
Al-Anon Members Involved in
Alateen Service:
• Work their own Al-Anon program, and participate
in local/Area Al-Anon/Alateen events.
• Avoid one-on-one interactions with Alateens.
• Know when to step down as an Alateen Group
Sponsor.
• Attend district and Area service meetings
whenever possible.
• Participate in Alateen Sponsor Workshops,
conference calls, etc.
• Stay informed—connect with the Area Alateen
Coordinator.
• Use all your resources!
Talk to each other, reason things out with someone else…
Alateen Resources
WSO Alateen Guidelines
• Alateen Safety Guidelines (G-34)
• Starting an Alateen Group (G-19)
• Alateen Meetings in Schools (G-5)
• Alateen Conferences (G-16)
• Area Alateen Coordinators (G-24)
Other Alateen Resources
• District/Area trusted servants
–
–
–
–
–
District Representative
District/AIS Alateen Chair/Committee
Area Alateen Coordinator
Area Alateen Process Person (AAPP)
Area officers
• World Service Office
– Guidelines/service tools
– Members’ Web site
www.al-anon.org/members
– Staff
– Alateen E-Manual
(found on WSO web site above)
AZ Area Resources
 AZ Area Alateen Procedures
 AZ Area Guidelines Section VIII-Alateen Service and
Meeting Requirements
• Contacts for questions:
AZ Area Alateen Coordinator:
[email protected]
AZ Area Alateen Process Person:
[email protected]
Welcome to the world of Alateen Service!