Alateen Training Module IV Dealing with Challenges in Alateen After the introductory slides OR completion of Part B, start here for Part C. Key points for facilitator: Note what will be covered in this section. Part C: Understanding the Area Alateen Requirements and Process Minimizing Challenges

Challenges with the Area Alateen Requirements and Process All Areas have established Area Alateen Safety and Behavioral Requirements that meet or exceed the minimums set in the 2003 Alateen Motion from the WSO Board of Trustees. All use of the Alateen name in the Area must be in compliance with the Area Requirements. When Al-Anon members are not in compliance with the Area Alateen Safety and Behavioral Requirements, it creates a challenge for the Area. Key points for facilitators: The next section reviews the background on Alateen Requirements. References: 2003 Alateen Motion (posted on the Members’ Web site) Alateen Safety Guidelines (G-34) Area Alateen Safety and Behavioral Requirements Members’ Web site: al-anon.org/members

Area Alateen Process Area Requirements “…if an Area within the World Service Conference Structure uses the Al-Anon or Alateen name in conjunction with any meeting(s), group(s), convention(s), or any other gathering(s) in the Area where Alateen participation is offered, the Area must have safety and behavioral requirements for all Alateen members and Al-Anon members involved in Alateen service. These safety and behavioral requirements must meet the minimum requirements of Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc.” (2003 Alateen Motion) Key points for facilitators: This is a legal requirement for the Area to have Alateen in our Area. References: 2003 Alateen Motion (available on the Members’ Web site) Alateen Safety Guidelines (G-34) Area Alateen Safety and Behavioral Requirements 2014-2017 Al-Anon/Alateen Service Manual (P-24/27), “Alateen Policy” section, pages 87-90 Members’ Web site: al-anon.org/members

Area Alateen Process Area Requirements and Area Processes In order to use the Alateen name, Alateen groups must be currently registered with WSO and in compliance with the Area Alateen Safety and Behavioral Requirements. The procedures for applying the Area Requirements are outlined in the Area Alateen Process. Key points for facilitators: Discuss: What do the Alateen Safety and Behavioral Requirements mean: In the Alateen Group? To the Alateen Group Sponsor? To all Al-Anon Members Involved in Alateen Service (AMIAS)? At Alateen events, conventions, and conferences? References: *2003 Alateen Motion: “The World Service Office will register only those Alateen groups whose registration it receives through the Area’s registration process. The WSO will remove from its registration list any Alateen group that the Area determines does not comply with Area Safety and Behavioral Requirements.” Alateen Safety Guidelines (G-34) Area Alateen Safety and Behavioral Requirements

Area Alateen Process Minimum Requirements In addition to minimum requirements for Al-Anon Members Involved in Alateen Service (AMIAS), the 2003 Alateen Motion set the following minimums: There must be at least one Alateen Group Sponsor at every Alateen meeting. The Area Requirements must prohibit overt or covert sexual interaction between any adult and Alateen member.* The Area requirements must prohibit conduct contrary to applicable laws. The Area requirements must contain procedures for parental permission and medical care when applicable. The Area requirements must be reviewed by local counsel. Key points for facilitators: Minimums for our Area’s AMIAS certification are covered in another module (insert them here if you like) [Go thru one by one; focus on any Area Requirements that exceed these minimums] Discussion: How do we handle Alateens that are legally adults (age 18+)? References: 2003 Alateen Motion Area Alateen Safety and Behavioral Requirements *Alateen Conferences Guideline (G-16): “…all Alateens, even those who are legal adults, are required to comply with the Alateen conference guidelines and Area Requirements when participating as an Alateen.” (page 2) 2014-2017 Al-Anon/Alateen Service Manual (P-24/27), “Alateen Policy” section, pages 87-90 Members’ Web site, al-anon.org/members

Area Alateen Process Area Requirements [Note: Area Alateen Safety and Behavioral Requirements were covered in Module I. You have the option to insert them here as well. Use as many slides as you need] Key points for facilitators: References: Area Alateen Safety and Behavioral Requirements

Area Alateen Process Alateen Groups Alateen groups must have at least one certified AMIAS serving as Alateen Group Sponsor at each meeting [NOTE: Your Area’s Requirements may require two]. Alateens are members of Al-Anon Family Groups, and are always welcome at Al-Anon meetings. When no Alateen Group Sponsor is available, Alateens can attend an Al-Anon meeting that meets at the same time and place. Alateen groups promptly update their group information whenever a change is made. Note that a change in Sponsor or CMA must be updated immediately, as groups do not qualify for registration without active AMIAS in these service roles. Key points for facilitators: Discussion: what are the advantages and disadvantages of having more than one Alateen Group Sponsor? Discussion: are our Al-Anon groups welcoming to Alateens? Discussion: How can we keep our records up to date? References: 2003 Alateen Motion 2014-2017 Al-Anon/Alateen Service Manual (P-24/27), pages 32-34 and 87-90. Note to Facilitator: Be sure to clarify Area process regarding updating of Alateen records. Add slides as needed.

Area Alateen Process Annual Recertification The 2003 Alateen Motion states, “…each Area must have a process to certify, and must so certify to the WSO annually, that each Al-Anon member involved with Alateen service has met the Area’s Safety and Behavioral Requirements and has agreed to abide by them.” Key points for facilitators: The annual recertification is required in order to use the Alateen name in our Area, districts, and groups. [add your Area’s process for AMIAS to recertify each year to the following slide(s)] References: 2003 Alateen Motion Area Alateen Safety & Behavioral Requirements

Area Alateen Process XX Area Recertification Process [Insert the process for the Area’s Annual Recertification. Use as many slides as you like] Key points for facilitators: References: Area Alateen Safety and Behavioral Requirements

Area Alateen Process Alateen events Any event using the Alateen name must be in compliance with the Area Alateen Safety & Behavioral Requirements. Any event using the Alateen name is connected to the Area in which it is held. Any open meetings at events including Alateens have a safety plan to insure that the Alateens are always in the care of certified AMIAS or a parent.* When Alateens attend an event with their parent/guardian, the parent/guardian is responsible for their children before and after Alateen meetings and scheduled Alateen events. Key points for facilitators: ALL events using the Alateen name must be connected to the Area and in compliance with the Area Alateen Safety and Behavioral Requirements. Alateens must be in the care of certified AMIAS at all times during any event using the Alateen name. References: Alateen Safety Guidelines (G-34): “Allowing the freedom for the members involved to make their own decisions within the boundaries of safety and the Area’s minimum Requirements insures integrity to Al-Anon/Alateen principles and fulfills the purpose of an Alateen conference: to encourage the growth of Alateen and to increase understanding of the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions through the sharing of ideas, fun, and fellowship with other Alateens and Alateen Group Sponsors.” *Alateen Conferences guideline (G-16): “An Alateen Conference with an open meeting(s) should develop a way to identify the Area-certified Al-Anon Members Involved in Alateen Service (AMIAS) and a safety plan to insure that the Alateens are always in their care.” (page 4) Area Alateen Safety & Behavioral Requirements

Area Alateen Process Alateen events Alateen Conferences Al-Anon/Alateen Conventions A.A. Conventions with Al-Anon/ Alateen participation Roundups, fundraisers, open houses Whose responsibility is it? Area requirements See Module III for more detail on Alateen Events. Key points for facilitators: Review: Alateen events that take place in Area in each category References: Alateen Safety Guideline (G-34) Alateen Conferences guideline (G-16) 2014-2017 Al-Anon/Alateen Service Manual (P-24/27), “Events with Alateen Participation” section, page 90 Al-Anon/Alateen Area Conventions (G-20) Al-Anon/Alateen Participation in an A.A. Convention (G-7)

Minimizing challenges Have more than one Alateen Group Sponsor at each meeting. Set behavioral guidelines for the meeting with the Alateens. Review them frequently. Encourage Alateens to police themselves. Set boundaries with the Alateens. Don’t accept unacceptable behavior. Seek support from others: AMIAS, Alateen Group Sponsors Al-Anon group(s) District and Area Trusted Servants Participate in local/Area Al-Anon/Alateen events. Have a burnout prevention plan! Key points for facilitators: Discussion: How can we minimize challenges in Alateen service? Have co-Sponsor(s) and back up AMIAS available. Don’t try to do it all alone. Connect with other Alateen Group Sponsors and Al-Anon trusted servants. Encourage study of the Traditions and holding group inventory. References: Alateen Safety Guidelines (G-34): “What Can Alateen Group Sponsors Do?” (page 2) Alateen—Hope for Children of Alcoholics (B-3): “It’s important for Sponsors to continue to go to Al-Anon meetings for their own recovery. This helps them to keep the focus of Alateen meetings on the Al-Anon program and aids them in answering questions asked by the Alateen members.” (page 93)

Minimizing Challenges Supportive Al-Anon groups: Are a source of certified AMIAS as backup Alateen Group Sponsors Welcome teens to their meeting Let the group know that Alateen is available Encourage their members to bring their children to Alateen See Module I: Alateen Overview Key points for facilitator: Discussion: How can Al-Anon groups provide support to Alateen Group Sponsors and the Alateen group? References: Alateen Safety Guidelines (G-34): “What can Al-Anon as a whole do?” (page 3). “Experience shows that forming a new Alateen group that meets concurrently with an Al-Anon group increases safety for Alateen members and Alateen Group Sponsors… Also, because Alateen is a part of Al-Anon, Alateens may go to the Al-Anon meeting if a substitute Alateen Group Sponsor is not available when the regular Alateen Group Sponsor(s) is not present.” Note: Substitute Alateen Group Sponsors must be Area-certified Al-Anon Members Involved in Alateen Service (AMIAS)

Minimizing Challenges Remember your resources We are never alone in Al-Anon/Alateen…we have: Twelve Traditions and Twelve Concepts of Service Other certified Al-Anon Members Involved in Alateen Service Area Alateen Safety and Behavioral Requirements & Area Alateen Process Conference Approved Literature & service tools Al-Anon/Alateen Service Manual (P-24/27) Alateen guidelines The links of service: district/Area trusted servants World Service Office Alateen Service e-Manual on the Members’ Web site: al-anon.org/members Key points for facilitators: This slide is a recap of some of the resources we have cited. Alateen guidelines include: Alateen Safety Guidelines (G-34) Starting an Alateen Group (G-19) Alateen Conferences (G-16) Alateen Meetings in Schools (G-5)

Wrap Up Contact for questions [may be DR] Area Alateen Coordinator: [Insert Contact name, phone, e-mail] Area Alateen Coordinator: [insert name, phone, e-mail] Area Alateen Process Person (AAPP): Key points for facilitators: These are your local resources…

Wrap up We are never alone in Alateen Service…talk to each other, reason things out with someone else… Use the resources available Key points for facilitators: We hope this information gives you more confidence that you are not alone in Alateen service. Please don’t work in isolation Use your resources References:

We are all responsible… From the Alateen Safety Guidelines (G-34): “Before recovery can take place, an environment of trust and safety must exist. It is the responsibility of Al-Anon and Alateen as a whole to work together to maintain a healthy, loving, and supportive environment.” Facilitator closing