(revised 03/27/2010)
Table of Contents
The Minnesota South Area adheres to the policies set forth by the World Service Conference and follows the procedures listed in the World Service Handbook (pp. 115-158 of the 2006-2009* Al-Anon/Alateen Service Manual), except where special procedures in the Handbook have been set aside.
When you have a question about policy, it is important to look both in the World Service Handbook and in the most current version of this folder.
The content of this folder contains all policies approved or modified by the Minnesota South Area Assembly through the April 5, 2008, Assembly.
The policy statements and guidelines on the following pages grew out of the questions and opinions from Al-Anon and Alateen Area-wide in regard to the functioning of the MN South Area.
As Minnesota South Area Al-Anon/Alateen grows and more ideas and questions are received, other than those set forth on the following pages, changes and additions will be made, as circumstances and our growth requires.
Recommendations from the Area World Service Committee
The Area World Service Committee meeting is held twice a year on
the first Saturday of February and the first Saturday of August.
The dates may be changed for good reason, by the Area World
Service Committee or, in an emergency, by the Area officers and the
Assembly Activities Coordinators. At the Area World Service
Committee meeting, ideas, questions, and problems, in regard to the
Assembly, are discussed. Recommendations may be made to the
Assembly to form a particular policy; however, the Area World
Service Committee cannot itself set policy for the Area. (approved
4/5/08)
Recommendations made at the assembly
Area World Service Committee presents policy recommendations to the
Assembly for discussion and vote by group representatives. If the
recommendation is approved by substantial unanimity, it becomes
policy. A recommendation for a policy can also be made at the
Assembly without being reviewed by the Area World Service
Committee. Such a recommendation would be voted on at the next
appropriate Assembly.
Procedure for revisions
In addition to new policies, the same procedure is required for
major revisions of and amendments to old policies
All important decisions of the assembly and Area World Service Committee shall be made by substantial unanimity. The proportion of those voting required to pass a motion is to be decided near the start of each meeting.
Dates of Assemblies
An Assembly is held twice a year, the first Saturday of April and
the first Saturday of October. The dates may be changed, for good
reason, by the Area World Service Committee or, in an emergency, by
the Area officers and the Assembly Activities Coordinator.
Locations of Assemblies
The Assembly is hosted by various districts of the Area. In each
calendar year, one Assembly is hosted by a district outside the
twin city metro area and one Assembly is hosted by a district
within that area. The Minneapolis and St. Paul metro areas will
alternate the hosting of this Assembly.
Assembly officers
The Minnesota South Area will have the following elected officers:
Delegate, Alternate Delegate, Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer. The
Delegate is the Alternate Chair of the Area.
Election Assembly
The Assembly will set aside the Handbook for elections, as follows:
World Service Delegate’s report
The World Service Delegate will report to the Area on the World
Service Conference.
Policies
The following references to sections in the World Service Handbook are relevant to Area
finances. Many of the policies herein are intended as
clarifications and amplifications of Handbook procedures; some represent
deviations from the Handbook. The
page references are referring to the 2006-2009 Al-Anon/Alateen Service Manual:
Finances at the group level: | pp. 133‑134 |
Finances at the district level | pp. 135 |
Finances at the area level | pp. 139 |
Responsibility for Alateen. Alateen is the responsibility of all of us in Al-Anon, as we seek recovery for our families, our friends, and ourselves from the disease of alcoholism. Alateens have suffered as we have and are desperately in need of the twelve step recovery that Alateen can provide. We, in the South Area of Minnesota accept the responsibility to provide safe places for our younger family members to find the hope and healing that we have found in Al-Anon.
Therefore, in accordance with the requirements from the Trustees and the World Service Office, the Minnesota South Area/Alateen Safety Ad Hoc Committee has developed a policy for Alateen safety in Minnesota South Area. The Safety Committee has written this policy, but it will be incumbent on the Alateen Coordinator, the Alateen Safety Committee, Alateen sponsors, and all Al-Anon members to accept this policy and carry it out.
Definition of Alateen sponsors. A sponsor is any person who is directly involved with Alateens in the context of service to Alateen. Sponsors include:
Primary Group Sponsor. Al-Anon member sponsoring an Alateen meeting on a regular basis.
Substitute Group Sponsor. An Al-Anon member sponsoring an Alateen meeting when a Primary Group Sponsor is absent.
Conference Sponsor. A person working with Alateens to plan, organize, or supervise Alateen activities at any conference that has Alateen meetings, speakers or other activities. This includes Alateen-specific conferences, such as Midlake, in which Minnesota Alateen groups and sponsors participate in planning.
Transportation Sponsor. A person who provides rides for Alateens going to and from meetings, conferences, or speaking engagements. This does not apply to private arrangements initiated by an Alateen or parent.
Anyone available to serve Alateen in these capacities shall be referred to as an “Alateen Sponsor” and must meet the minimum safety and behavior requirements defined below. For the purposes of this document, all sponsors will be referred to as “ Al-Anon Members Involved in Alateen Service.”
Responsibility for supervision of Alateens
Minimum safety and behavior requirements. What follows are the minimum requirements that must be met by all Alateen sponsors (as defined above), Alateen groups, and conferences with Alateen participation in Minnesota South Area. All Alateens, Al-Anon Members Involved in Alateen Service, and other participants must adhere to the Area’s safety and behavioral requirements or they will be prohibited from participating in Alateen Service.
Number of Al-Anon members involved in Alateen service at Alateen meetings. There must be at least one Al-Anon Member Involved in Alateen Service at every Alateen meeting. For the protection of Alateens and their sponsors, it is strongly recommended that there be two Al-Anon Members Involved in Alateen Service present at every Alateen meeting.
Overt or covert sexual interaction. Overt or covert sexual interaction between any adult and Alateen member is prohibited. Overt or covert sexual interaction between Alateen members on meeting property is prohibited.
Conduct contrary to law. Members Involved in Alateen Service and Alateens are prohibited from engaging in behavior that is contrary to federal, state, and local law. Use of alcohol or illegal substances by Al-Anon Members Involved in Alateen Service and Alateens is prohibited at Alateen meetings and on meeting property.
Ratio of Alateens to Alateen sponsors. There must be one Al-Anon Member Involved in Alateen Service in attendance for every four Alateen members at Alateen-specific conferences such as Midlake, taking place in Minnesota South Area or planned by Sponsors and Alateens from Minnesota South Area.
Approval of Primary Group Sponsors. Alateens attending Alateen-specific conferences, such as Midlake, must have the approval of their Primary Group Sponsors, prior to attending the conference.
Liaison requirement. All conferences with Alateen participation, including Alateen-specific conferences, must have a liaison to the Minnesota South Area assembly.
Parental permission requirement for transportation or overnights. Written permission of a parent or guardian is required when transporting Alateens to meetings or conferences. A medical release signed by parent or guardian must be secured when the Alateen will be away from home overnight. See G34, Alateen Guidelines, for suggested forms to use for parental permission and medical release. Where unforeseen circumstances arise and written permission of a parent or guardian has not previously been obtained, Sponsors should attempt to obtain verbal authorization to transport teens before doing so.
Workshop requirements. Primary Group Sponsors and Substitute Group Sponsors must attend at least one Alateen Sponsor workshop prior to sponsoring, and one Alateen sponsor meeting or workshop annually while they continue to serve as a Sponsor. It is highly recommended that sponsors attend two meetings.
Group sponsor commitment. A commitment of one year, preferably two years, is strongly recommended for Group Sponsors. When stepping down as a sponsor, time should be taken to find, qualify, and orient a new sponsor before the final meeting.
Help for solving problems within an Alateen group. If there are problems in the Alateen group that cannot be easily resolved within the group, a District Representative and/or the Alateen Coordinator is the first person to contact for help. Contact can be made by an Alateen member, a sponsor, or a parent. The Twelve Traditions and the Concepts of Service can be studied to help find solutions. A District Representative can help the Alateen group discuss the problems and have a group conscience.
Solving problems not appropriate for a group discussion. There may be problems of a more serious nature that would not be appropriate for group discussion or problem solving, such as violent behavior or an accusation of sexual abuse. If situation of this nature occurs, the following steps must be taken.