The Al-Anon Meeting Type designation, which previously referred to whether the meeting was open to visitors or closed to attendance by members only, often confused members and newcomers. It has been replaced by the term Meeting Attendees, and the options have been changed to “Families and Friends Only” and “Families, Friends, and Observers Welcome” on the WSO Group Records Forms.

These new descriptions match the wording approved by the Board of Trustees at their April 2019 meeting. The language is consistent with the Al-Anon spiritual principles of confidentiality and anonymity. The new terms were designed to be clearer to new members and more welcoming to both new and potential new members and professionals seeking to understand our program. For more information about the decision, click here.