Al-Anon’s Service Arms
Al‑Anon Family Groups is a community resource that provides support to anyone affected by a relative or friend’s drinking. Currently, there are over 24,000 Al‑Anon groups and nearly 1,500 Alateen groups meeting in 118 countries.
The Al-Anon fellowship is represented annually at a World Service Conference (WSC). It is attended by one elected Delegate from each Assembly Area, the Board of Trustees, the Executive Committee, and voting members of the WSO staff. Learn more about the New York Area links in the chain that lead to the WSC below:
Groups
The foundation of the Al‑Anon Family Groups is the membership. The basic unit is the Al-Anon or Alateen group, which may consist of two or more individuals coming together for mutual help.
Districts
Group representatives are elected by the group for three year terms, and are responsible for attending Assemblies, connecting the group to the District and the Area World Service Committee. If you have been elected GR by your group, and your group meets in person, you can reach out to the New York South Assembly Area for guidance on connecting with your correct district.
If your group meets online, you may be part of the NY South Assembly Area OR the Global Electronic Area. If you are uncertain about all of this, NY South has provided a useful page of information.
It is recommended that all GRs be members with experience, stability, and an understanding of the Traditions. It is also recommended that they familiarize themselves with the Al-Anon/Alateen Service Manual, which can be purchased from our bookstore or downloaded for free here..
While a GR is not automatically an Information Service Representative (or as we refer to it an “Intergroup Representative”), it is suggested that the Alternate GR serve as the ISR/IR and the GR serve as the alternate ISR. You can find out more about the IR role here.
Al-Anon and Alateen members who are also members of A.A. may not serve as GR or alternate GR. For more on this see “Membership and Group Meetings Conventions” in the Service Manual for more.
Areas
Areas are comprised of groups and Districts in a location that can be geographic or non-geographic. Every group in the Area has a voice and a vote in Area business through their Group Representative.
Al-Anon Information Service (AIS/Intergroup)
An Al-Anon Information Service, also known as an Intergroup, is a local service maintained by one or more Districts or by groups located close enough geographically. Learn more about NYC Intergroup.
For information on donating to service arms, click here.