What you need to know and do to become an Alateen Sponsor

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To serve as an Alateen group sponsor, substitute group sponsor, transportation sponsor or conference sponsor in Minnesota South Area, you must be a certified AMIAS (Al-Anon Member Involved in Alateen Service). There are specific requirements for someone to become an AMIAS and there is a process that must be completed.

There is a lot of information available to help Alateen sponsors. Before you start the process, it is suggested that you download and read the Alateen Service e-Manual (PDF). It is a trove of information about all aspects of Alateen service, from starting a group to Alateen safety. It’s required reading before you attend your first AMIAS training session.

Requirements

1. You must be an Al‑Anon member regularly attending Al‑Anon meetings, working with a sponsor.
2. You must be at least 21 years old.
3. You must have at least two years in Al‑Anon, in addition to any time spent in Alateen.
4. You must complete a background check process verifying that you have not been convicted of a felony and have not been charged with child abuse or any other inappropriate sexual behavior.
5. You must not have demonstrated emotional problems which could result in harm to Alateen members.

All of these but the background check were mandated by an Al‑Anon Family Groups Board of Trustees motion in 2003. Conducting background checks is our way of ensuring that felons and child abusers can't become Alateen Sponsors.

Additionally, every AMIAS is required to attend an AMIAS training session prior to certification. Attendance at a training session must be repeated annually.

These requirements are part of the Minnesota South Area Alateen Safety Policy (PDF) which was developed in response to the Board of Trustees motion. (Final approval by the WSO is pending.) You should familiarize yourself with it before starting the certification process. You should also read the WSO Guideline on Alateen Safety (G34) (PDF).

Process

Our Minnesota South Area Alateen Process Person (AAPP) approves your application to become a certified AMIAS with the assistance of the Area Alateen Coordinator

First you’ll want to attend an AMIAS training, scheduled periodically at various locations throughout Minnesota South Area. Our schedule of AMIAS trainings is posted on the Alateen Sponsors’ page. If no training session is scheduled at a time and place that is convenient, email our Minnesota South Area Alateen Coordinator <mnsa.afg.aac@gmail.com>. Consider asking to be added to our prospective AMIAS email list so you will automatically receive notice of upcoming training sessions.

You should download our AMIAS application package (PDF). Hard copies are also provided at AMIAS training sessions. This package includes the following documents and forms.

• A cover letter from the Minnesota South Area AAPP
• Minnesota South Area AMIAS Application Form
  Among the information you will provide on this form are the names and contact information of two Al‑Anon members who can speak to your commitment to Al‑Anon Twelve Step recovery. It’s preferred that one of the references be your personal Al‑Anon sponsor.
• A questionnaire providing information that is needed for a background check.
  This includes residence and work history.
• Minnesota South Area Volunteer Background Check Release Statement for AMIAS.
  Signing this gives permission for information gathering for the background check.
• AMIAS form for the WSO.
  When the AAPP has completed the review of your information and found no problems, this will be sent to the WSO as the last step in the certification process.

Submit your completed application forms to Donna T, the Minnesota South Area Alateen Process Person (AAPP) <mnsa.afg.aapp@mail.com>. Email her to obtain her mailing address. Please allow 48 hours for a response. Emailing scans of completed forms is preferred since it may be more secure than submitting hard copies via US Postal Service mail.

The AAPP will forward your list of references to the Minnesota South Area Alateen Coordinator, Mariah B. She will call your references to verify that you are who you say you are and to ensure that you are recommended to work with Alateens. The AAPP will submit your information to an outside agency which will carry out a background check after contacting you for more information. The AAPP is the only person who has access to the results.

You should hear something back within a couple of weeks after submitting your application. Contact Mariah B <mnsa.afg.aac@gmail.com> if that doesn’t happen or if you have further questions, have further reference contact information, or would like to discuss your application.