With email communication, your group becomes able to send and receive time-sensitive information relevant to all group members such as:
- Announcements to support Al‑Anon/Alateen events, as well as A.A. events with Al‑Anon/Alateen participation that are connected to the Area.
- Minutes taken at the business meeting so that all group members are made aware of decisions and discussions.
- Last-minute meeting cancellations due to inclement weather.
As a group, you can determine if being responsible for email communication needs to be a new a service position or if it can be incorporated into a current position, like the Group Representative’s or Secretary’s. Here are some suggestions:
- Create an email address that reflects the name of the group (i.e. MondayNightAFG)
- Record email login and password with other general group information, so it can be easily passed on when it’s time to rotate service.
- Pass around an email address sign-up list (like a phone meeting list) for any member of the group who wishes to receive group emails.
- Protect email recipients’ anonymity by using the “Bcc” (aka blind copy) address line: When sending a group email, the sender places his or her email address in the “To” line and the other members’ email addresses in the “Bcc” line.
Read more about this in the 2018-2021 Al-Anon/Alateen Service Manual (P-24/27) on page 100, under “Service Communication.”
As an Area Reocrds Coordinator, having a group establish a group email would be helpful on my end as some CMA’s and GR’s do not have an email themselves, and some CMA’s are the groups. And it can be difficult to reach those groups with news for their Area and from WSO.
Also as a DR I will be bring this to the groups as well/
It’s very easy to update group information online at al-anon.org. Click here to start: https://al-anon.org/for-members/group-resources/group-records/changes-existing-al-anon-group/group-records-change-form/. On the “Status” box select “change” from the drop down menu and then check “Current Mailing Address.” A new window will open where you can enter the required information. The group email which will replace a personal email from the CMA if one was previously provided. If you need additional assistance, please reach out to AFG Records at 757-563-1600
I love the idea of a group email , but not sure how to get the email information to the WSO. I assume I should set up the email and then go on line to the WSO web site where you go to register a new group. Can anyone fill me in? Thanks
I am a new DR and think this is a very good idea. I will be bringing this up at our first district meeting.
We’ve been texting instead.
I have been encouraging our groups to obtain their own email for their groups. I feel like having a specific group email and not a member’s personal email is important for anonymity. In our Area, we run a very successful Google platform so having a Gmail address is beneficial.
Sounds were organized, that’s a goos thing! I will bring the idea to our upcoming bus meeting,
S. A. R. Carmel Ca.
I think it’s a great idea for our group to create a group email address.
Our group already has a group email but not with its own unique name..One of our members is our email communication person and send out info to everyone on our email list. That way if you miss a meeting for what ever reason you still get important information
Thank you!! I’ve been meaning to do this since Spring VA Assembly. I heard the recommendation but did not know the “how to”.
I think this is a great idea and will discuss it with the Wednesday night Hamilton Square Al-Anon Group.