The holidays are approaching quickly. For newcomers seeking help at this time of year, please make sure that your group meeting information is correct.
Ask yourself and your group, “What did I need when I went to my first meeting?” Specific location or login instructions about your meeting can be helpful to a newcomer attending Al‑Anon or Alateen for the first time. We want everyone to feel welcome in our Al‑Anon and Alateen meetings!
- Has the group’s temporary electronic meeting information been removed from your group record if you’re back to meeting in person? Is it current? If not, you can update it here.
- Is there a special door to gain access to the building or a room number for the Al‑Anon or Alateen meeting?
- Are there passwords or login instructions needed to join the Al‑Anon meeting electronically?
- Is there a sign on the door or chat notice to alert people if your group won’t be meeting that week? (For example, “Not meeting on Thanksgiving.”)
- Is there a volunteer from the group to be a “Greeter” for those attending your Al‑Anon or Alateen meeting for the first time?
Submit your Al‑Anon group changes online anytime throughout the year. For help with submitting Alateen changes, contact your Area Alateen Process Person.
The Forum, October 2024
“Inside Al-Anon Family Groups” presents news, policy, and commentary from volunteers, staff, and readers sharing experience through service. Please feel free to reprint these articles on your service structure website or newsletter, along with this credit line: Reprinted with permission of Al‑Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc., Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA.
We greet newcomers by offering to mail them a newcomer packet, and stay after the meeting to answer any questions they may have as well as give them information on newcomer meetings locally and electronically. Our meeting has a person who greets them via chat and offers a phone list because we’re an electronic meeting in an area that offers both in person and electronic meetings.