An Al-Anon Information Service (AIS), also known as an Intergroup, is a local service established and maintained by one or more Districts or by groups located close enough to one another for easy access and communication. Geographical boundaries need not be observed unless one Information Service conflicts with another nearby, in which case a geographical division is set by mutual agreement.
An Al-Anon Information Service usually performs the following functions:
- Maintains a listing in the local phone directory so that those seeking information about Al-Anon and Alateen can easily find it.
- Maintains a post office box or an office address for listing with the World Service Office.
- Receives postal mail, email, and phone inquiries, and forwards them to the appropriate group for response or follow-up.
- In cooperation with Area Group Records Coordinator, updates, publishes, and distributes lists of group meetings in their local area.
- Plans and conducts program exchange meetings where the groups’ Chairpersons or Program Chairpersons exchange teams of speakers for a scheduled period.
- Serves as an avenue for local public outreach service, which is channeled through the Districts whenever possible.
- May maintain a stock of Conference Approved Literature (CAL), and may register with the WSO as a Literature Distribution Center (LDC) to sell CAL.
- May maintain a website that is linked to their Area website.
- Holds periodic meetings attended by all the Information Service Representatives where activity reports, including a financial update, are made and matters regarding the groups are discussed.
- Prints and distributes its own newsletter of local Al-Anon / Alateen activities for the groups that support it.
In geographical regions where an AIS is established, Groups typically have an Information Service Representative (ISR) position as one of the Group officers to attend the periodic AIS / Intergroup meetings.
- Attends meetings of the Al‑Anon Information Service (AIS/Intergroup).
- Acts as liaison between the group and the AIS.
- Reports AIS activities to the group.
- The Alternate GR may serve as the ISR, and the GR serve as the Alternate ISR.
A listing of the AIS / Intergroups within the Southern California World Service area can be found on the meeting information page.
