Alateen Training Module IV
Dealing with Challenges
in Alateen
Part C:
Understanding the Area Alateen Requirements and
Process
Minimizing Challenges
Arizona Area 1
Challenges with the
Area Alateen Requirements and
Process
• In order to use the Alateen name, all Areas
established Area Alateen Safety and
Behavioral Requirements.
• 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.
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)
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.
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.
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.
AZ
Address:
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:
aapp@al-anon-az.org
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
Area Alateen Process
Alateen Groups
• Alateen groups must have at least one certified
AMIAS serving as Alateen Group Sponsor at each
meeting [NOTE: AZ Area strongly encourages two
sponsors be present at every meeting].
• 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.
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.”
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.
AZ
Address:
ENTER STREET ADDRESS ABOVE—
ENTER CITY ABOVE
ZIP CODE
NO PO BOX ACCEPTED-MUST BE A PHYSICAL ADDRESS
EMAIL:
Home
Phone:
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:
aapp@al-anon-az.org
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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
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 Alateen contact, District Representative, Area
Alateen Coordinator, Area Alateen Process Person, Area
Delegate and other officers, Area World Service
Committee, Area Assembly
• World Service Office
• Members’ Web site: www.al-anon.org/members
Other Resources
 AZ Area Alateen Procedures
 AZ Area Guidelines Section VIII-Alateen Service and
Meeting Requirements
• Contacts for questions:
AZ Area Alateen Coordinator:
alateencoord@al-anon-az.org
AZ Area Alateen Process Person:
aapp@al-anon-az.org
More Resources for Help
•
National 24 hour Domestic Violence Hotline
800-799-7233
http://www.thehotline.org
•
National Sexual Assault Hotline
800-656-HOPE (4673)
•
National Suicide Prevention Hotline
800-273-TALK (8255)
http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
•
Arizona Child Abuse Hotline
888-SOS-CHILD (888-767-2445)
https://www.azdes.gov
•
Peer Counseling Suicide Hotline
Statewide: 800-248-8336
Wrap up
• We are never alone in Alateen
Service…talk to each other, reason
things out with someone else…
• Use the resources available
We are all responsible…
From the Alateen Safety Guideline (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.”