Al-Anon and Alateen are self-help recovery programs for people who believe their lives may have been affected by someone else's drinking. We come together to find help and support in dealing with the effects of alcoholism on our lives. The single purpose of these programs is to help families and friends of alcoholics, whether the alcoholic is drinking or not.

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Answers to the Frequenly Asked Questions

  1. What is the 7th Tradition collected at meetings used for?
    2. The group decides how their financial resources are distributed. It is suggested that money is only a problem when there is too much or too little, hence the suggestion that groups should only keep a prudent reserve. Distribution of money is suggested to be prioritized as follows:
    1. Group Expenses
      • rent
      • literature
      • Group Representative attending Assembly expenses
      • refreshments
      • reserve fund
    2. District
      • rent
      • District Representative travel expenses
      • public outreach
    3. Al-Anon Information Services
      • telephone answering service
      • meeting lists
      • literature
      • public outreach
      • web site
    4. Area
      • assemblies
      • area world service committee meetings
      • delegate and area trusted servant expenses
    5. World Service
      • answer 35,000 toll fee phone calls annually for meeting information
      • assist lone Al-Anon Members
      • provide literature in 30 languages
      • subsidize the cost of The Forum subscriptions
      • connect isolated groups around the world
      • create public service announcements – radio and television
      • encourages professionals to refer individuals to Al-Anon/Alateen
      • underwrite the World Service Conference and Regional Service Seminars
      • maintain services to all Al-Anon / Alateen groups
    Note: the above break down is predominately taken from the Al-Anon Pamphlet S-21: Seventh Tradition. Please see it for a more comprehensive explanation of the Seventh Tradition.
    Groups can also make donations to any Al-Anon function they want. This could include: workshops, anniversary meetings, city wide Al-Anon events, Literature Distribution Centre, Alateen, Regional Service Seminar, etc.
    Most groups have a Treasurer that collects and distributes the financial resources. It is up to the group to approve all disbursements. The Treasurer is the trusted servant who carries out the group’s wishes. The Treasurer is responsible to update the group on a regular basis on its financial situation.
  2. What is a Group Secretary ?
    3. It is an Al-Anon member elected by the group to take minutes or jot down some notes of any business meeting within the group. This provides a record of what decisions where made and why. As membership changes on a regular basis it is healthy to have a record of decisions made. Secretary positions beyond the group level are more structured regarding election, term of position, and responsibilities – similar to the Group Representative.
  3. What are Group Business Meetings ?
    4. Group meetings, or time set aside during a group meeting, to deal with administrative issues regarding the group. These could include financial updates, financial distributions, participation in Al-Anon events, meeting structure, group problems, etc. Some groups hold a separate meeting before or after the meeting while others dedicate some time during a regular meeting to deal with these issues. All Al-Anon members are encouraged to participate in these meetings as everything begins with the individual Al-Anon members.
  4. What is a Monitoring Representative / Monitoring Rep ?
    5. It is an Al-Anon member elected by the group to coordinate volunteers within the group to receive Al-Anon calls during the group’s scheduled monitoring time. They ask members to volunteer for a specific period of time. They relay this information to the Al-Anon Answering Service. The Answering service forwards all calls received at the 24 hour Al-Anon phone listing in the Calgary White and Yellow Pages Directories to the appropriate Al-Anon member volunteer. The Monitoring Representative is a coordinating position, they are not responsible for the actual monitoring of the phones.
  5. What is Monitoring ?
    6. Monitoring is the servicing of our 24 hour Al-Anon telephone listing in the Calgary White and Yellow Pages Directories. Each group within the city is scheduled to receive calls three to four periods throughout the year. This schedule is made up one year in advance. Calls made to the Al-Anon number are received by a telephone answering service. They forward the calls to the Al-Anon members who volunteered to receive calls during a specific time period. Brief calls are handled directly by the Al-Anon member who received the call. Calls of a longer duration are handled a bit differently. The callers name, number, and permission to have someone call them back are obtained. The Al-Anon member then finds another Al-Anon member from the 12 Step List to call the caller back. Al-Anon names and numbers are never to be given to the public in order to maintain anonymity. This allows the caller to receive the necessary help without any time constraints. It also keeps the phone line free for other callers.
  6. What is a 12 Step List ?
    7. The 12 Step List in Calgary is compiled by Al-Anon Information Services. It contains the meeting information of all the groups within, and surrounding, the city. Each meeting has a list of Al-Anon members who volunteer their name, phone number, and available times to receive 12 Step calls. 12 Step calls are calls received by the 24 hour Al-Anon phone number that are longer in duration. This allows the caller to receive the necessary help without any time constraints.
  7. Why only Conference Approved Literature within Al-Anon?
    8. Al-Anon only uses Conference Approved Literature (CAL) in order to keep the focus on what brings us together: to recover from the effects of living, or have lived with, someone else’s drinking. Anything else has the potential of dividing us. The success of our program is rooted in sharing our experience, strength, and hope. It is our common experience that is the foundation upon which this is built.
    Individual members may find other very helpful resources to assist them with their recovery. We encourage members to pursue what works for them outside of Al-Anon. We ask that all members respect our need to remain focused within the confines of Al-Anon events – meetings, workshops, etc. It is only in this way that we can remain focused on recovering from the primary reason that brings us together.
  8. What is Conference Approved Literature (CAL)?
    9. It is literature that has the Conference Approved Literature seal seen here.
    If it doesn’t have the seal, it is not Conference Approved Literature. Conference Approved Literature is written by Al-Anon members, approved by Al-Anon members, is for Al-Anon members, and is written from the Al-Anon point of view. It ensures that all the principles of Al-Anon are adhered to. There is an Al-Anon pamphlet (p-35) that describes this in more detail.
  9. Where can I buy Conference Approved Literature (CAL)?

    10. In Calgary, Alberta, Canada, there is a Literature Distribution Centre (LDC) located at:

    2nd Floor
    4718 – 1st Street SW
    Calgary, AB
    (stair access only)

    Phone: (403) 287-3397
    FAX: (403) 287-0338

    Its hours of operation are:

    Wednesdays 10:30 AM – 3:30 PM
    Thursdays 11:30 AM – 7:30 PM
    Fridays 10:30 AM – 3:30 PM

    It only stocks Conference Approved Literature (CAL). It distributes literature throughout Area 80 which covers Alberta, Northwest Territories, and Southeastern British Columbia.

    You can also purchase Conference Approved Literature (CAL) on-line from our World Service Office at: www.Al-Anon.org. Click on the literature icon. Please note that prices are in American Dollars.

  10. What is a Literature Distribution Centre (LDC)?

    11. It is a centre which distributes Conference Approved Literature (CAL). The format can range from an actual store like environment to an Al-Anon member coordinating bulk literature purchases from their home.

    The purpose is to make it easier for Al-Anon members to obtain Conference Approve Literature (CAL).

    The Literature Distribution Centre (LDC) located in Calgary has the mandate to service all of Area 80 – Alberta, Northwest Territories, and SE British Columbia. It reports to Area 80.

  11. What is the Al-Anon Central Service Office of Alberta (ACSOA)?
    12. In Alberta it is actually the Literature Distribution Centre (LDC). The names are used interchangeably. The name Literature Distribution Centre (LDC) has been introduced recently as it was felt that it better reflects what the office does. Please see “What is a Literature Distribution Centre (LDC)?” for a complete description - Members FAQ #25.
  12. What is the Forum?
    13. The Forum is a monthly Al-Anon magazine published by World Service Office. It contains: sharings of experience from Al-Anon members all over the world; sharings from Alateen members; listings of Al-Anon, or Al-Anon participating, events in Canada and in the United States. It is a subscription based magazine with an annual term. You can order from our World Service Web Site: www.Al-Anon.org. It comes in the mail in a white envelope with the only Al-Anon identification being the initials AFG in the return address.
  13. What is Al-Anon Information Services / AIS ?
    14. In Calgary it is the Al-Anon organization whose most visual responsibility is servicing the 24 hour Al-Anon telephone listing in the White Pages and Yellow Pages Directories – (403) 266-5850. It is made up of Alternate Group Representatives from all over, and surrounding, the city of Calgary. Other responsibilities include: maintaining meeting lists, monitoring, 12-Step List, newsletters, and public information – to individuals and professionals. They are also responsible for the creation of this web site. It focuses is the coordinating of Al-Anon information within and around the city.
  14. Do I have to be the Alternate Group Representative to attend Al-Anon Information Services (AIS) meetings?

    15. No. Al-Anon Information Services (AIS) meetings are open to any Al-Anon member who wishes to attend.

    Al-Anon Information Services (AIS) meets at 7:30 PM on the first Monday of the month except July and August when they do not meet. It is open to any Al-Anon member wanting to observe, participate, and grow.

    Al-Anon Information Services (AIS) meetings are held at:
    Lutheran Church of our Saviour
    8831 Fairmount Drive SE
    Calgary, AB