AREA 81

ALATEEN SAFETY AND BEHAVIOURAL GUIDELINES (2005)

 

PREAMBLE:   An Al-Anon Member Involved in Alateen Service (AMAIS) as defined by WSO and Area 81 British Columbia/ Yukon is: any Al-Anon member who is in a position of trust with Alateen members including sponsors, conference or event chaperones or transportation providers.

1.         Every Al-Anon Member Involved in Alateen service must:

a)     Be an Al-Anon member regularly attending at least three meetings, other than Alateen, a month.

b)     Be at least 23 years old.

c)      Have at least two years in Al-Anon, in addition to any time spent in Alateen.

d)     Not have been convicted of an indictable offence, and not have been charged with child abuse or any other inappropriate sexual behavior, and not have demonstrated emotional problems which could result in harm to Alateen members.

 

2.         There must be at least two Al-Anon Members Involved in Alateen Service at every Alateen meeting.

3.         The Area prohibits overt or covert sexual interaction between any adult and Alateen member.

4.         The Area prohibits conduct contrary to applicable laws.

5.         The Area has developed procedures for obtaining parental permission and medical care, when applicable.  (Area 81 Permission and Transport of Alateen Form)

6.         The Area requirements will be reviewed by local counsel who will provide a written legal opinion.

7.         The Area requires a yearly Criminal Records check, for each Al-Anon Member Involved in Alateen Service, to be completed and submitted to the Area.

8.         The Area requires that all Alateen and Al-Anon members involved in any Alateen meeting or activity of Alateen consider their behavior before, during and after and ensure it is appropriate to representing the Alateen and Al-Anon name.  (see Sample Alateen Behavior Guidelines Form)

9.         It is suggested that, where possible, any Alateen meeting be in the same location where an Al-Anon meeting is held, in succession to that Al-Anon meeting.

10.     Transporting an Alateen or Alateens to and from any event must be done with at least two active Al-Anon members, if a parent or guardian is unable to provide transportation, and an Area 81 Permission and Transport of Alateen Form must be signed by the parent or guardian.

11.     Al-Anon Members Involved in Alateen Service, along with, when possible, an Alateen GR or any Alternates, are encouraged to attend District meetings.

12.     Al-Anon Members Involved in Alateen Service are required to familiarize themselves with BC and Yukon law and their role in the reporting of abuse.

13.     Interested Al-Anon members must review any materials developed and provided by the WSO and the Area for education on being involved in Alateen service.

14.     Each Alateen Group must complete any form applicable to registration or group changes and send it to the Area Alateen Process Person – the Area Alateen Coordinator.

15.     Each Al-Anon Member Involved in Alateen Service, whether of an existing group or new, must complete the form “Al-Anon Member Involved in Alateen Service” and forward it to their District Representative, who will sign and send it to the Area Alateen Coordinator for processing with WSO.

 

The Board of Trustees, under Concept Seven and Warranty Four, is entrusted with the authority and responsibility to protect the Al-Anon and Alateen names and the organizational identity.

 

Now, therefore, the Board of Trustees resolves:

 

1.         As soon as possible, but no later than December 31, 2004, if an area within the World Service Conference Structure uses the Al-Anon or Alateen name in conjunction with any meeting(s), group(s), convention(s), or any other gathering(s) in the area where Alateen participation is offered, the area must have safety and behavioral requirements for all Alateen members and Al-Anon Members Involved in Alateen Service.  These safety and behavioral requirements must meet the minimum requirements of Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc.

 

2.         Al-Anon Members Involved in Alateen Service and all Alateen members must adhere to the Area’s safety and behavioral requirements or the Area will notify the WSO that those members are prohibited from participating in Alateen service.

 

3.         As soon as possible, but in any event, no later than December 31, 2004, and for each succeeding year, each Area must have a process to certify, and must so certify to the WSO annually, that each Al-Anon Member Involved in Alateen Service has met the Area’s safety and behavioral requirements and has agreed to abide by them.

 

4.         The World Service Office will register only those Alateen groups whose registration it receives through the Area’s registration process.  The WSO will remove from its registration list any Alateen group that the Area determines does not comply with Area safety and behavioral requirements.  The Area’s request for removal of an Alateen group must be stated in writing to the Associate Director/Alateen.  This applies to all Alateen groups whether currently registered or not.

 

5.         If the Area states in writing to the Associate Director/Alateen that a group, meeting, convention, or gathering is failing to meet the Area’s safety and behavioral requirements, prior registration or interaction with the World Service Office shall not constitute any continuing right to use the Al-Anon or Alateen name.