Did you ever wonder how Al‑Anon is held together? How is it that the Al‑Anon program of hope is the same everywhere that Al‑Anon meetings take place? What is a structure? What is a panel? How can members know what to do, how to do and when to do service work?

The answers lie in our 2018-2021 Al‑Anon/Alateen Service Manual (P-24/27) in the section titled, “World Service Handbook.” Over the past three years, there have been major revisions to this section, which describes how Al‑Anon is held together worldwide. It also explains the various links of service, starting with the groups.

As a new season of service rotation approaches, it is a good time to review the Handbook. As Al‑Anon members, we can all work to ensure that Al‑Anon is present in every community to help anyone affected by the family disease of alcoholism.

The Forum, October 2018