March 2025
Spotlight on Alateen
In the February 2025 Bits we announced the opening of three new Alateen meetings. There are now five Alateen meetings in Districts 14-22 (The area served by Al-Anon Information Service). They will be needing lots of support. The Bits will be shining a spotlight on Alateen to encourage your participation and service.
Safety in Alateen
Since the beginning of Alateen, Al-Anon’s primary concern has been to maintain a safe place for teens. Kids who are growing up with alcoholism need to feel free to share, learn and heal. Al-Anon provides clear safety guidelines for Alateen groups and relies on the Areas to implement them. The Areas organize training, certification, support and oversight for the AMIAS (Al-Anon Members Involved in Alateen Service). These dedicated members support the recovery of Alateen members with compassion and empathy, without judgement or advice. They guide the teens to Al-Anon resources and model the application of the Legacies (the Steps, Traditions and Concepts) to solve problems.
The first Alateen group was formed in 1957 by a group of teens who were attending Al-Anon with their parents. They wanted to practice the Al-Anon program, but wanted to have meetings where they could express themselves openly, away from their families. Alateen caught on and grew through the 1960s and 70s. You can read about this inspiring development in Al‑Anon/Alateen Service Manual (P-24/27) pp. 25-26, Lois Remembers pp. 183-188 and Many Voices, One Journey (See index under “Alateen, in general”).
In the late 1980s the World Service Office started to get reports about unsafe conditions in Alateen meetings. The issues included behavior of some adults toward the kids. Reports became more frequent and serious through the 1990s. New stories of unacceptable behavior among the teens’ surfaced. In 1997, in response to reports of sexual, verbal and physical abuse, an ad hoc committee was formed at the World Service Conference to find out how to ensure kid’s safety, protect Al-Anon legally, and raise awareness among all members. Through the late 1990s the problems increased. Some areas were adopting their own policies such as requiring two or more Al-Anon Sponsors in every meeting and asking them to be screened. In 2000 the Service Manual was updated to recommend two Sponsors at each meeting and outline other safety policies.
In the early 2000s, safety in Alateen rose to top priority at the World Service Conference. In addition to concerns about the safety of Al-Anons and Alateens in meeting, and legal accountability, the Conference had to face the loss of credibility of the Al-Anon name and program if these issues were not solved. These challenges went right to the heart of Al-Anon principles regarding dominance. Can the WSC mandate the number of Sponsors at a meeting? What is the difference between “recommending” and “requiring”. Several committees grappled with the pros and cons of a number of proposals.
Finally, in 2003, the Al-Anon Board of Trustees took action. It published the 2003 Alateen Motion which invoked Tradition Four, Concept Seven, and Warranty Four. The motion was controversial at first because it went beyond “recommending” action. It stated consequences for non-compliance. See Many Voices, One Journey pp. 345-353 to read personal stories of how members felt about the Motion and how they used the Legacies to grow in their recovery and in their relationship to the Al-Anon fellowship during this process.
The 2003 Alateen Motion
Today the “2003 Alateen Motion” is the guiding document for maintaining the safety of everyone involved with Alateen. (See Al‑Anon/Alateen Service Manual (P-24/27) p. 232-234.) Here are a few highlights.
Areas must have Safety and Behavioral Requirements (SBR) for AMIAS that meet the minimum requirements of Al‑Anon (see below).
AMIAS and teens who do not follow the Area’s SBR will not be allowed to participate in Alateen.
Each Area must certify AMIAS annually.
If an Area finds that an Alateen group fails to meet the SBRs, it can ask for the meeting to be de-certified at the Al-Anon World Service Office (WSO).
Al-Anon Minimum Safety and Behavioral Requirements include
AMIAS parameters (such as no criminal record or history of behavioral problems that could harm teens)
prohibition of all sexual interaction between teens and adults and all unlawful behavior
procedures for parental permission
review of SBRs by local counsel.
The Motion suggests that Areas require background checks, hold Alateen meetings at the same time as Al-Anon, transport teens to and from events, conduct awareness programs and more.
SERVICE
Mike S. is the Alateen Area Process Person (AAPP) in Washington State. He gave us the following information:
They serve as Alateen Group Sponsors, meaning they are present at Alateen meetings to keep the Alateens safe and model the Steps, Traditions and Concepts. (There must be at least TWO Alateen Group Sponsors present at every Alateen meeting. NO PARENTS.)
LISTEN to the teens and let them figure out their own solutions.
Share their own Experience, Strength, and Hope (ESH) with the Alateens … WHEN ASKED.
They can transport teens to and from Alateen meetings and events.
They keep what is said in the Alateen meetings CONFIDENTIAL.
Also see Alateen Safety Guidelines (G-34) for more ways that Group Sponsors can help create safe spaces for Alateens.
Five Things
That AMIAS Do
How Do I Go About
Becoming an AMIAS?
Ask your District Representative (DR) or District Alateen Coordinator (DAC) to schedule training.
If you don’t have a DR or DAC, then contact the Alateen Area Process Person at alateen-safety@wa-al-anon.org.
Why Become an AMIAS?
These shares come from current and past AMIAS from local groups.
“In the 1980s I was deeply affected by a new perspective that was growing in Al-Anon – the adult child. At the same time, I was serving in a large Alateen group. The younger kids (4–11 years old) asked us to start a group just for them. They were in the same age range as I was when my parents began their journey to sobriety. I identified with them all. Being with them helped me to remember things from my childhood. It was painful, but I was able to turn my past over using the Legacies. I could only do this because I had been an AMIAS. The burning bushes of their lives are mine, too.” - Helen V
“When I started as an AMIAS, I had no experience in Alateen. By doing this service I learned to listen to what the teens were saying. I watched them heal and that helped me heal.” - Mike S.
“I started to work in Al-Anon as a way of making amends to my son. I was so wrapped up in the alcoholic when he was a child that I neglected him. He has shared with me that my commitment to working the Steps in Al-Anon changed our lives. When I work with the Alateens, I can see what my son may have gone through. The young people are embarrassed by what is going on at home. They do not want to share. They become loners. I can give back by providing an atmosphere of serenity and reassurance. It helped my family, and I hope it helps others.” - Lenni C.
“All I have to do is create a safe space. I don’t have to be in control. The meeting is in control. I am happy to be a trusted person. I must stay on top of my program to be that person. I talk to my sponsor more. I am constantly reminded to stick to the principles, refrain from giving advice and stay in my own lane.” - Kara R.
It is really beautiful being a part of starting an Alateen meeting, spreading the word and seeing it grow. For my own personal recovery, it’s been healing to see the teens open up and share what is going on in their lives. They are unafraid to talk about very heavy topics that affect them. Bravely they share so that they don’t have to carry the weight alone. There is nothing but a surrounding of love, compassion, and a willingness to listen and understand. It is a powerful force. These teens are wise and provide an important perspective. It gives me a sense of what Al-Anon has done for me. I am not alone. Al-Anon has given me the foundation and tools to address the unmanageability in my life but Alateen is helping me heal the past. I have found a supporting, loving environment, a safe place to open up, to be able to look at things, to feel feelings, to get into past trauma and resentments that I have stuffed. I have a new set of tools; it is a real gift. -Tasha P.
POSITIONS STILL OPEN
FOR 2025!
AIS Phone Coordinator
Outreach Coordinator
See the January Bits for more information
Treasurer
See the February Bits for more information
REQUESTING PHONE VOLUNTEERS
What do you need to be a Phone Volunteer?
A desire to help
Access to the Zoom app on a cellphone or computer
A slot of time that works for you to work regularly:
Once a month
Several times a week
A combination of times
Note: all of your personal information remains anonymous.
Contact the Phone Coordinator Phones@seattle-al-anon.org
or call/text 206-625-0000
ANNOUNCEMENTS
GREATER SEATTLE AREA EVENTS
Check out Events — Greater Seattle Al-Anon where you will find:
-Back to Basics: Understanding Ourselves March 15
-2025 National Native American Al-Anon Conference April 25
And more!
WASHINGTON AREA EVENTS
Al-Anon Information Service serves Districts 14-22. If you want to know about Al-Anon meetings, events and resources in the greater Washington Area please go to the website. Check out the Events tab for
-GR Circle Workshop March 6
-Pre-Conference Assembly (Pre-Con) April 5
-Summer Seminar Assembly (SSA) May 16
And more!
MEETING CHANGES
Sunday 7:00 – 8:30 PM Solo Por Hoy GFA, Sunday:
meeting cancelled, meeting Wednesdays only 7:00 – 8:30 PM (1/29)
Monday 12:30 – 2:00 PM Bothell Monday Study AFG: moved to Tuesdays at the same time (1/31)
Monday 12:00 – 1:00 PM Monday Nooners AFG:
room number changed from 121 to 122 (2/5)
Wednesday 7:00 – 8:00 PM Sunset AFG:
meeting closed (2/13)
Wednesday 10:00 – 11:00 PM Issaquah Day AFG: changed from Hybrid meeting 4th week only to Hybrid meeting every week (2/13)
For more info see Meetings — Greater Seattle Al-Anon
GROUP RECORDS
Is your group not listed correctly in the meeting directories? Do you need to make group records changes?
In Person and Hybrid Groups Submit your correct information to WA Area by using the form on the WA Area website. You may have to log in first. If you don’t have an account, you will need to set one up. Click here.
Online ONLY Groups Submit your correct information to WSO by using the Electronic Group Change Form. If this is your first time using that form, here are some handy instructions.
AIS will be sent a copy of the changes by WA Area and by WSO via the Area Group Records Coordinator.
AIS will make the change as soon as possible. For Online ONLY groups, please allow up to 10 days for the change to appear on the AIS meeting directory. If your listing is correct on WA Area and WSO, but not on AIS, please email meetingdirectoryeditor@seattle-al-anon.org.
AIS COUNCIL MEETING
The next Council meeting is March 13, 2025 @ 7:30-9:00 pm. Check the AIS Information Page for the Zoom link.
AIS BOARD MEETING
The next Board meeting is Thursday, April 17, 2025 @ 7:00-8:30 pm. Check the AIS Information Page for the Zoom link.
AIS OFFICE & LITERATURE
DISTRIBUTION CENTER OPEN HOUSE
Saturday, March 1, 11:00am-3:00pm
and the first Saturday of every month
All Pilgrims Church
509 10th Ave. E. Seattle 98102
NEED A FREE NEWCOMER PACKET?
Anyone local to Seattle who is a newcomer and wants an individual newcomer packet (or in Spanish, too!), please submit your request via the New to Al-Anon page, or send an email to outreach@seattle-al-anon.org with the name and mailing address.
EXPERIENCE, STRENGTH AND HOPE FROM MEMBERS
Alateen was the only place where
I could be my authentic ME
In many respects, the Alateen program has played a pivotal role in shaping the woman I have become. At the ripe age of twelve, I entered the rooms of Alateen not out of desire to stop my mother’s drinking, but instead out of necessity to survive my alcoholic home. My parents met in the rooms of Alcoholics Anonymous. I often tell folks I meet in Al-Anon that my qualification for this program was predestined. However, just as alcoholism is a progressive illness if left untreated, my continued attendance at Al-Anon meetings into adulthood is the remedy I need to maintain my recovery. At every life success, change, or mistake—the members of these rooms, particularly Al-Anon Members involved in Alateen Service (AMIAS), have been there to guide me without judgment or criticism.
My early recovery began in a poorly lit room on the second floor of a church located on the edges of San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles. Alateen began in Southern California in 1957. Although I didn’t know it at the time, I was so blessed to be surrounded by well-rooted Alateen recovery right from the start. While many other teenagers would have chosen to spend their Friday nights out with school classmates, I chose to spend it with a different set of friends who accepted my shortcomings with love, hope, and understanding. For a long time, Alateen was the only place where I could be my authentic ME. It was the one place where I didn’t feel the need to hide the fact that alcoholism had led my mother into and out of treatment centers and jail. I didn’t need to lie or cover up the fact that alcoholism was the reason that my parents lost my childhood home, and my father gave away our family dogs. By the grace of God, I could finally understand why I felt different from other kids at school. I knew that in the rooms of Alateen, there were other kids just like me who were learning to cope with the effects of alcoholism in their families.
Just as the saying goes, “When I got busy, I got better.” I started taking Alateen service commitments that led me all over Southern California. I accepted Alateen speaker engagements that took me out of state and on an airplane for the first time! I learned that wherever I went or whatever new place I moved to, the Al-Anon fellowship would always be there. Alateen, with the support from devoted AMIAS, showed me that I was an intelligent, capable human worthy of love. I no longer needed to live in the past or harp on all the what ifs. I did not have to accept unacceptable behavior. I could choose to become a better authentic ME every day.
-Madison L.
ARE YOU LOOKING FOR MORE EXPERIENCE, STRENGTH AND HOPE?
Al-Anon’s monthly magazine features timely sharing’s from Al-Anon and Alateen members, suggested meeting topics, and the latest information on worldwide Al-Anon recovery. Experience and insight you won’t find anywhere else!
Sample these articles from the February 2025 edition of the Forum
Today, I Will Dance
Miracles of Sponsorship
If you like what you read, give this a try: Subscribe to the Forum.
THE BITS NEWSLETTER DEPENDS ON YOU!
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WHAT’S ON YOUR MIND?
We welcome your thoughts, reflection, comments and suggestions about anything that you have read or seen in this newsletter. Please share them with us at newslettereditor@seattle-al-anon.org
ART WORK
Unless attributed to an individual, images used in this publication are AI Generated and in the Public Domain. They do not represent any specific individual or place and therefore respect the anonymity of our members and the intellectual property of the artist.
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