Area Information Service (AIS) / Intergroup Liaison

The elected Officers and the appointed Coordinators (3-year term) are the Service Panel members of the Southern California World Service (SCWS) Assembly. The Coordinators act in accordance with the spiritual principles of Al-Anon Family Groups while conducting the duties of their position for the Area. The Coordinators accept additional demands on their time and possess some special skills relevant to their position. Members of Al-Anon in SCWS who also are members of A.A. are ineligible to hold Al-Anon service positions that vote in matters affecting another group or Al-Anon or A.A. as a whole.

Eligibility and Qualifications

  • Must reside in the Southern California Area during their entire panel term.
  • Must be in good financial standing with the Area.
  • Past or current Group Representative experience is preferred but not necessary.
  • Previous service as an Information Service Representative (ISR) is preferred. 
  • Active member of Al-Anon in CA(S) with good organizational skills and ability to pay attention to detail. 
  • Should have a thorough understanding of the 12 Steps, Traditions, and Concepts, current Al-Anon/Alateen Service Manual, Knowledge-Based Decision-Making (KBDM), Area and World Service structure, SCWS Policies and Procedures Handbook, and SCWS Bylaws. 
  • Must maintain confidentiality of non-public information.
  • Able to communicate effectively.
  • Able to prioritize and work independently and as a team member. 
  • Willing to work cohesively with the other Service Panel members.
  • Able to separate opinion from facts and remain impartial and neutral. 
  • Respond to questions using information found in the Conference Approved Literature (CAL) and ASBR. 
  • Can support and effectively communicate Area and World Service Conference (WSC) decisions and their implementation objectively, even if not in personal agreement with the group conscience.  
  • Is accessible, available, responsive, and flexible.

Official Duties and Responsibilities

  • Serves as the primary contact between the Area and the Al-Anon Information Service (AIS/ Intergroup) and Literature Distribution Centers (LDC) and their respective decision-making entities (i.e., Boards, Oversight Committees, Area Liaison to AWSC, etc.). 
  • Maintains current contact information of all  Area AIS/Intergroup Chairs, AIS/LDC Liaisons to AWSC, and Literature Distribution Center (LDC) personnel and updates any changes to Area Secretary and to Group Records Coordinator.
  • Expected to attend at least two Intergroup or Board meetings of each of the AIS/LDCs and develop and maintain communication with appropriate person(s) at each AIS/LDC including, but not limited to, the Area AIS/Intergroup Liaison. Update these entities with any new information from WSO/SCWS that is pertinent to AIS/LDC procedures.
  • Approximately one month prior to Area meetings (AWSC and Assembly), contact each AIS/Intergroup’s Liaison and personally invite him or her to the Area meeting; orient them to all pertinent issues (i.e., what to post on websites, naming groups, etc.)
  • May use web-based technology to meet with AIS/Intergroup service members, when appropriate.
  • Communicates regularly with the Area Group Records Coordinator (GRC) to ensure that all policies and procedures regarding group records as determined by WSO and the Area/SCWS are being followed by the AIS/Intergroups and are working  collaboratively. 
  • Work with the GRC and AIS/Intergroups to ensure that all AIS/LDCs are using one numerical identification system for all meetings (WSO Group ID number). 
  • Work with AIS/LDCs and Area Literature Coordinator to ensure that literature is readily and easily available to all Area members. 
  • Become familiar with the history and evolution of the SCWS policy: Southern California Policy for Resolving Group and Member Concerns.
    • Represent the Area/SCWS, as appropriate, in any local discussions regarding this Policy. 
    • Communicate with the Area Service Panel when questions and concerns arise regarding the Policy.
  • Able to differentiate policy issues from procedural issues and engage with AIS/Intergroup decision-makers and the SCWS Area Service Panel on policy issues so that all of the pertinent service arms are collaborating, and are coordinating their roles smoothly and efficiently.
  • Sensitive to and knowledgeable about the history of AIS/LDCs in the Area. Adept at listening to unique concerns of each AIS/LDC in order to coordinate their policies with Area so that they are convergent.
  • Attend all SCWS regularly-scheduled and/or special Area meetings (i.e., Service Panel, AWSC, Assemblies, Sharing of Service (SOS), see schedule below) both in-person and/or virtual formats. 
  • Present oral report for each SCWS Service Panel meeting, AWSC meeting, and Assembly, and email written report to SCWS Bulletin Coordinator.
  • Reply to all emails within 48 to 72 hours. Participate fully and promptly in any phone calls, email discussions, assignments, and other conference calls or Zoom meetings.

Equipment, Technology, and Skills Required

  • Computer, printer, scanner, high-speed internet access, and use of appropriate software and Google apps. (Software provided by Area.)
  • Must be adept with email (especially handling attachments); creating and modifying documents using Google apps.
    • Prepares written reports and meets deadlines.
    • Protects security and confidentiality of documents and information.

Anticipated Time Commitment of this Position

Respond to email (> 2-3 times / week) and routine processing

1-3 hours/week

Attend AIS/Intergroup Meetings, as needed

3-8 hrs/monthly

Attend Service Panel, AWSC meetings, and Assembly (6 to 7 hours each + travel time)

8 times/year

Special projects

As needed

Preparation

  • Become familiar with the Area policy regarding Groups That Do Not Consider Al-Anon as a Whole. 
  • Become familiar with Area group records procedures and policies. 
  • Identify staff and decision-makers at AIS/Intergroups and LDC offices, and when they meet. 
  • Meet with outgoing AIS-LDC Coordinator for materials turnover, orientation, and training, as needed.

Reimbursements

  • Mileage incurred in travel to required Area meetings (see table below) are reimbursable at current approved mileage rate (with required documentation). Travel varies from local to 300+ miles round trip.
  • Needed supplies and materials reimbursed by Area, with required documentation.
  • Reimbursement requests are due within 45 days after the expenditure and must include all receipts and appropriate documentation, using the Expense and Mileage Reimbursement Request Form.
  • May claim reimbursement for one approved service event outside the SCWS Area during three-year term. The form for requesting a service panel event is on the password-protected section of the scws-al-anon.org website. (Makes own travel arrangements within budget guidelines.) Written report of experience must be submitted with reimbursement form.

Mandatory Area Meeting Attendance

Meetings Months Days Time
SCWS Service Panel January, May, July, October Saturday 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Area World Service Committee (AWSC) February, August 3rd Saturday 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Area Assemblies May, November 3rd Saturday 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Encouraged Area Meeting Attendance

Meetings Months Days Time
Sharing of Service (SOS) January 3rd Saturday 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Longtimer's Event Last year of 3-year panel 3rd Saturday 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Revised: 08/2026

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