To help members and newcomers access meetings, Al-Anon groups share information such as links or passwords to join electronic meetings or location details about in-person meetings. While sharing meeting information helps connect people to resources, it’s important to maintain members’ anonymity when sharing this information publicly.
Tradition Eleven emphasizes the importance of personal anonymity “at the level of press, radio, films, and TV.” This principle extends to the online world, where information can be easily accessed. The “Digest of Al-Anon and Alateen Policies” in the Al-Anon/Alateen Service Manual (P-24/27) further clarifies this by stating that personally identifiable information such as full names, email addresses, phone numbers, or other identifying information should not be shared publicly, even on non-Al-Anon websites.
Here are some ways for groups to maintain members’ anonymity when sharing meeting information:
- create a group email address (e.g., groupname@example.com)
- use a free group phone number
- list the District email address or phone number
These options allow Al-Anon groups to share meeting information while observing the vital principle of personal anonymity.
The Forum, February 2025
“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.