Delegate

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. 
  • Willing and able to allot the appropriate time to the position and all that it entails.
  • 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. 
  • 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 other 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) and Word Service Office information 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.
  • Delegate agrees to serve an additional three years as Immediate Past Delegate (IPD) for the following three-year Panel. (See IPD job description).

Official Duties and Responsibilities

  • Attend all SCWS Area Assembly and Area World Service Committee (AWSC) meetings, and Service Panel and Officer meetings, as called by the Area Chairperson, prepared to arrive early and stay late.
  • Able to allot appropriate time to position and all it entails, including assignments from Area, WSC and the Al-Anon World Service Office (WSO).
  • Serve as the primary communication link between the Area’s groups, Districts, and AWSC members, and the WSO and the BoT via the WSC and AFG Connects.
  • Is the contact between Area members who have questions for the World Service Office staff.
  • Review Area-wide and WSO communications with at least one other Area Officer prior to transmittal.
  • As a member of the WSC, represents Al-Anon as a whole, brings the Area’s viewpoint to the WSC, and communicates to the Area the broader perspective, views and spirit of the world-wide Al-Anon fellowship.
  • Prepare for annual WSC:
    • read large volumes of documents, 
    • research and write reports and create presentations,
    • make and return phone calls, participate in conference calls, 
    • write material for Thought Force (ThF), Task Force (TF) and/or Committee assignments.
  • Fully participates in all sessions of the annual WSC, including serving on select WSC committees, Thought Forces (ThF) and/or Task Forces (TF).
  • Participate in the selection process for Regional Trustee.
  • Present WSC report to the Area: 
    • explain financial and other reports, 
    • describe Conference decisions, and
    • communicate the global vision of the worldwide fellowship. 
  • Is available to make presentations and give reports to District meetings.
  • Able to understand, question and learn facts and figures from financial and other reports. 
  • Actively develop a strong working relationship with and support for other officers and DRs, and collaborate with them as needed to resolve conflicts within the Area.
  • Serve on Area Thought Forces (ThF) or Task Forces (TF) or Area Committees as requested by Area Chairperson.
  • Is 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.  
  • Present oral report as appropriate for 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.
  • 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), Area Sharing of Service (SOS) workshop, and support Area activities, workshops, and events.
  • Attend International Convention of Al-Anon or of A.A., whichever occurs during the Delegate’s term. (See relevant excerpts in current Al-Anon/Alateen Service Manual for other details. See 2009 motion for information if both events occur during the same term.)
  • Maintain the “Delegate’s Corner” on scws-al-anon.org. 
  • Prepare for and presents online and/or hybrid Area workshops, as needed.

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 large volume of email and routine processing 5-10 hrs/week
Address Area, WSC & WSO issues and concerns; prepare reports/presentations 15-20 hrs/week
Read/respond to information posted on AFG Connects; share relevant information with Area. 2-3 hrs/week
Attend Service Panel, AWSC meetings, Assembly, SOS (6 to 7 hours each + travel time) 8 times/year
Ad Hoc Meetings with Officers, Districts, Intergroups; 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
Area Assemblies May, November 3rd Saturday 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
GR Workshop May, November 1st Saturday 10:00 AM to 12:00 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
Annual WSC April 5 days
International Convention AA or Al-Anon July 4 days

Revised: 08/2026

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