Service is one of the three sides of Al-Anon’s equilateral triangle, as essential as Unity and Recovery. The slogan “When I got busy, I got better” reminds us that when we the take the focus off the alcoholic, we can make more progress in our own recovery.
Service in all its forms carries the message of hope in recovery – while giving us the opportunity to practice the principles with others on the same spiritual journey.
As the Declaration states, “When anyone, anywhere, reaches out for help, I want the hand of Al-Anon and Alateen always to be there – and for that I am responsible.”
Check the ANNOUNCEMENTS page for the latest ways to get involved. The Public Outreach Committee welcomes volunteers to help distribute materials!
One of the easiest ways to provide service is by helping out the meeting you attend regularly. Most meetings have basic responsibilities that need a small commitment so that meetings run smoothly. Consider what may be a good fit for you, and discuss them with someone before or after a meeting, or listen for announcements when there is an availability:
Meeting Chair/Secretary – Opens the meeting by reading the Preamble or the Welcome and leads the group in reciting the Serenity Prayer; follows the group’s meeting format. Introduces speakers or announces the subject of the meeting. Invites members to take part.
Speaker Seeker – For speaker meetings, responsible to schedule fellow members to visit the meeting to speak.
Treasurer -Manages the contributions collected at meetings, and meeting expenses. Submits a financial statement to the group at regular intervals.
Literature – Manages the literature orders as needed.
Group Representative – Acts as liaison between the group and the district and between the group and the Assembly.
Alternate Group Representative – Attends meetings of the Al-Anon Information Service (AIS). Acts as a liaison between the groups and AIS, and reports AIS activities to the group.
An Alateen group must have two AMIAS present each time they meet, so many more AMIAS are needed. These Alateen sponsors sponsor the group, not individuals. They help guide the group, sharing their experience when appropriate, especially with the slogans, Twelve Steps and Traditions. Having more than two sponsors committed to a meeting allows them to rotate and lightens the load. If you have found the Al-Anon program helpful, imagine how vital it can be to a child living with alcoholism. You may be amazed by their insights as well!
If you are at least 21 years old, have been an active member of Al-Anon for at least two years, and you are willing to share your program, Alateen service may be for you. Find out more by reading p.4-5 of the Alateen Service e-Manual or by visiting the area Alateen website.
If you are interested, please email Kristin, the Area 24 Alateen Coordinator.
Al-Anon Information Service (AIS) exists to aid the groups it serves in the common purpose of carrying the Al-Anon message to the families and friends of alcoholics. AIS is a workgroup which serves as an avenue for local public outreach cooperating with the professional community and public institutions. The Baltimore AIS serves groups in Baltimore City and the following counties: Baltimore, Harford, Cecil, Carroll, and Howard. The monthly meetings (ten meetings per year) attended by all Alternate Group Representatives and Baltimore AIS service positions. All AIS positions are held for three year terms. Alternate Group Representatives are elected by September 1st and then participate in the AIS elections at the October meeting.
Baltimore AIS meetings are held the 2nd Tuesday of each month – except June & December – at 7:00 pm, and are now hybrid. In person, go to Hiss United Methodist Church, 8700 Harford Rd in Parkville, 21234. The Zoom meeting ID is 819 8280 9606; the password is baltoAIS.
Baltimore AIS Service Positions: those with ** are available, as of July, 2024
Click on the blue title to email the person currently serving in each position.
Baltimore AIS Chairperson – directs monthly meetings, supports the work of AIS coordinators, maintains notes on items that remain open at the end of an AIS meeting, proofreads the Secretary’s bulletin and minutes, attends the Spring and Fall AWSC meetings each year, and responds to general inquiries via email, forwarding as appropriate.
Baltimore AIS Co-Chairperson – officiates in the absence of the Chairperson, assists the Chairperson during meetings, proofreads the bulletin and minutes after they are written by the secretary, attends the Spring and Fall AWSC meeting in the event that the Chairperson cannot attend, and serves out the term of the Chairperson if necessary. The Co-Chair also collects information from new AGRs and maintains a list of current AIS members.
Baltimore AIS Secretary – records the minutes of the AIS meetings, prepares a monthly bulletin which also includes announcements and references for AGRs, and distributes these to AGRs and the web manager to post on the website.
Baltimore AIS Treasurer – prepares a yearly budget, manages the finances, and safeguards financial records of the Baltimore AIS. Retrieves mail from the post office box, collects and deposits funds from groups donations, the Literature Depot, and AIS coordinators. Pays bills, reconciles bank statements, and presents financial reports at AIS meetings.
Baltimore AIS Answering Service Coordinator – recruits volunteers to return calls coming in, and reports the statistics at monthly AIS meetings.
Baltimore AIS Public Outreach Coordinator – helps carry the message, working with volunteers to deliver directories, pamphlets, and posters for display across the AIS territory. Provides literature to newcomers through a form linked to the AIS website. Coordinates with professionals to provide materials and speakers at events.
Baltimore AIS Health Fair Coordinator – arranges to send volunteers and printed materials to local health fairs being put on by entities such as churches, nonprofits, hospitals, and government agencies.
Baltimore AIS Directory Coordinator – revises and contracts the printing of directories of meetings in the Baltimore AIS territory, usually about twice a year. Consults with website manager, Area Group Records Coordinator, and Answering Service Coordinator to keep information up to date.
Baltimore AIS Website Manager – updates the website, including meeting information, announcements, and flyers. Supported by a professional technical support service who can solve problems and backs up the site daily.
Baltimore AIS Corporation Coordinator (Registered Agent) – responsible for the Baltimore AIS legal entity which is formally called the Baltimore Area Al-Anon Information Service, Inc. This includes protection of AIS assets, tax responsibility, maintaining non-profit tax exemption, and securing liability insurance for the AIS board (Chair, Co-Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer).
Baltimore AIS Alateen Coordinator – a current AMIAS, collaborates with the Area Alateen Coordinator (AAC) for Area 24 to start and support Alateen meetings and outreach activities. Presents reports at AIS meetings.
Literature Depot Coordinator – maintains a prudent inventory of books, pamphlets and other CAL. Orders the appropriate literature from WSO, fills orders for the groups, collects payment, and delivers checks and cash receipts to the AIS Treasurer. Cooperates with the Outreach and Health Fair Coordinators, and Literature chairs of the Area Fall and Spring Conventions. Files monthly forms for the payment of sales tax to the State of Maryland.
**Birthday Luncheon Coordinator – works with a co-chair and volunteers to secure facilities (one year in advance, choose a theme, recruit speakers, create a flyer, set a schedule and emcee for the day of the event, and sell tickets. On the day of the event, oversee a decorations committee, greeters, ticket takers, and clean up
**Currently available positions. Email Baltimore AIS to express your interest in these positions, or to ask any questions.