The Al-Anon Family Groups are a fellowship of relatives and friends of alcoholics who share their experience, strength, and hope, in order to solve their common problems. We believe alcoholism is a family illness, and that changed attitudes can aid recovery.

Al-Anon is not allied with any sect, denomination, political entity, organization, or institution; does not engage in any controversy, neither endorses nor opposes any cause. There are no dues for membership. Al-Anon is self-supporting through its own voluntary contributions.

Al-Anon has but one purpose: to help families of alcoholics. We do this by practicing the Twelve Steps, by welcoming and giving comfort to families of alcoholics, and by giving understanding and encouragement to the alcoholic.

© Al-Anon’s Suggested Preamble to the Twelve Steps, copyright Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc. Reprinted with permission of Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc.

Bylaws

Southern California World Service (SCWS) became a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation in early 1990s, following discussions and a motion passed by the Group Representatives (GR). The decision to incorporate was mainly for the purpose of getting a non-profit discount on mailing our Bulletin newsletter (the largest expenses we had back then). Bylaws were required to legally register with the State of California and they remain in the background today. The Al-Anon/Alateen Service Manual (SM) is our guide (as noted in our Bylaws).

Updates are made to our Bylaws to incorporate motions that the GRs have made which affect our Bylaws. Updates to the Bylaws also incorporate changes from the Al-Anon/Alateen Service Manual, SCWS process changes, and language clarifications. The Al-Anon/Alateen Service Manual is updated about every 3 years. Motions passed by the GRs go into effect immediately, and then are added later to the Bylaws as part of our “housekeeping,” to update the document.

Bylaws Committee Members

Our SCWS past delegates serve on this Bylaws update committee, bringing the historical knowledge they have acquired. Each and every draft change has been discussed and agreed upon by the committee (in this case they met nearly every Thursday for the past 3+ years). The board is kept informed during the process. Then the draft is presented to the full SCWS Area World Service Committee (AWSC, which are your District Reps/DRs, the board, etc). They then decide to put it on the agenda for an upcoming Assembly. Draft changes in the Bylaws’ updates must be voted on by the GRs.

Bylaws

You can read the current Bylaws as voted on November 16. 2024.

SCWS Bylaws Approved December 2024

Please note, that following WSO’s lead, the SCWS Bylaws are a specific legal document and therefore have not been translated into Spanish. However, there is no reason portions cannot be translated into Spanish for Assembly discussions