Area Chairperson

Introduction

The elected Officers of the Area Assembly (3-year term) are also affirmed by the Group Representatives (GR) to serve as the Board of Directors of Southern California World Service of AFG, Inc., a California Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation and a charitable 501(c)(3) tax-exempt entity per the Internal Revenue Service. The Officers act in accordance with the spiritual principles of Al-Anon Family Groups while conducting the prudent management of the Area. The Officers accept additional demands on their time and possess some special skills relevant to their positions. 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.
  • Active member of Al-Anon in CA(S) continuously for at least five years, and past or current District Representative for a minimum of eighteen months.
  • Must be in good financial standing with the Area.
  • Strong organizational skills and ability to pay attention to detail. 
  • Possess strong time and meeting management skills (i.e., responds to communications in a timely manner, keeps meetings running smoothly and on time).
  • Willing and able to allot the appropriate time to the position and all that it entails.
  • Has thorough working knowledge of and ability to apply KBDM (Knowledge-Based Decision-Making) when chairing meetings. 
  • Should have a thorough understanding of the 12 Steps, Traditions, and Concepts, current Al-Anon/Alateen Service Manual, Area and World Service structure, SCWS Policies and Procedures Handbook, and SCWS Bylaws. 
  • Is accessible, available, responsive, and flexible.
  • Able to communicate effectively, including planning and preparing public presentations to carry the message.
  • Able to prioritize and work independently and as a team member. 
  • Must maintain confidentiality of non-public information.
  • Willing to work cohesively with all Service Panel members.
  • Able to separate opinion from facts and remain impartial and neutral.
  • 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.  
  • Does not concurrently hold any other position in Al-Anon service beyond the group level. 

Official Duties and Responsibilities

  • All decisions regarding the following are made by the Officers after input, discussion and review, vote, and whenever possible, by unanimity.The Chair administers the decisions in these areas:
    • appoint Area Coordinators, who will be members of the Area Service Panel,
    • appoint an Officer to the Resolution Committee, to the Insurance Work Group, and to approve website postings, 
    • plan, produce and distribute agendas for regular, special and Election Assembly, Area World Service Committee (AWSC), Service Panel, and Officers meetings no later than 30 days prior to the meeting, 
    • make temporary appointments for Officers (other than Delegate) if vacancy occurs, and 
    • appoint Area Thought Forces or Task Forces (ThF or TF) or other committees, as needed.
  • Chair all SCWS regularly-scheduled and/or special Area meetings (i.e., Service Panel, AWSC, Assemblies, see schedule below) both in-person and/or virtual formats. 
    • When meeting in person, reserve rooms annually, sign contracts with venue, and design layout for all meetings and Area events, coordinate with Service Panel members and facility contact person. 
    • When meeting electronically, coordinates Area virtual meetings with Area Website and Area Technology Coordinators to ensure all necessary volunteers are in place to provide technical assistance. 
    • Arrange for a Spanish Language interpreter for Assemblies. 
  • Able to support WSC (World Service Conference) and Area decisions and their implementation objectively without reflecting personal opinion.
  • Participate as a member of the Finance Committee or work with other Officers to appoint an Officer to:
    • review monthly SCWS financial statements, 
    • able to understand, question and learn facts and figures from financial and other reports,
    • ensure that qualified reviewers are selected to perform the annual review, and disseminate final results and recommendations, and 
    • oversee financial matters regarding Southern California Alateen Conference (SCAC).
  • Work with SCAC (Southern California Alateen Conference) Chairperson and Area Alateen Coordinators on organizational and financial matters related to SCAC.
  • May be one of three Officers who respond to groupandmemberconcerns@scws-al-anon.org inquiries. These three Officers (Delegate, Alternate Delegate and Immediate Past Delegate or Chairperson) collaborate on responses, as needed.  
  • Build strong working relationships with and support other officers and DRs, and collaborate with them to resolve conflicts within the Area. 
  • Work toward team building and encourage Service Panel members’ initiative and productivity.
  • Ensure that the Area has proper insurance coverage in force.
  • Ensure that the Area post office box annual fee is paid and mail pick up and distribution is coordinated.
  • Is the primary contact person for the Area storage unit. Keep track of keys to the unit. (Chair, Secretary,  Alternate Delegate, Archives, Hospitality)
  • Serve as the point of contact with WSO for Area Chairs and AFG Connects. Communicate with Area Officers about these matters, as appropriate.
  • Present oral report for each SCWS Service Panel meeting, AWSC meeting, and Assembly, and include written report in  SCWS Bulletin.
  • 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.
  • Able to understand, question and learn facts and figures from financial and other reports. 
  • Reviews Area-wide communications with at least one other Area Officer prior to transmittal.
  • Attend annual Area Sharing of Service (SOS) workshop, and supports Area activities and events. 
  • Willing and able to devote a minimum of 15-20 hours per week on 
    • Area meeting preparation and follow-up, 
    • respond to large volume of emails and phone calls, and
    • may travel to Districts, Intergroup and Area meetings to make presentations, educate members, and assist with conflict resolution.
  • Attend annual Southwest Regional Delegates’ Meeting (SWRDM).

Basic Skills, Personal Qualities, and Experience Needed

  • Effective electronic, written and oral communication skills.
  • Proficient in accessing and navigating:
    • computer, printer, scanner, high-speed internet access, and use of appropriate software and Google apps. (Software provided by Area, as needed.)
    • websites, web-based virtual meeting platforms, downloading web documents and using email with attachments.
  • 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.

Equipment, Technology, and Skills Required

  • Effective electronic, written and oral communication skills.
  • Proficient in accessing and navigating:
    • computer, printer, scanner, high-speed internet access, and use of appropriate software and Google apps. (Software provided by Area, as needed.)
    • websites, web-based virtual meeting platforms, downloading web documents and using email with attachments.
  • 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 3-5 hours/week
Prepare, administer, and follow up / formal and ad hoc meetings and Area matters 15-20 hrs/week
Chair Service Panel, AWSC meetings, Assembly, SOS (6 to 7 hours each + travel time) 8 times/year
Ad Hoc Meetings and Special projects, as needed 4-5 hrs/week

Preparation

Reimbursements

  • Mileage incurred in travel to required Area meetings (see table below) are reimbursable at current approved mileage rate (with required documentation).
  • 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 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
Officers Meetings quarteerly (plus ad hoc) January, May, July, August, October Saturdays and TBD 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
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
DR Workshop February, August 1st Saturday 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
GR Workshop May, November 1st Saturday 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Area Assemblies May, November 3rd Saturday 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
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
SWRDM March 2nd weekend Friday through Sunday

Revised: 08/2026

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