Institutions Coordinator

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.

  • 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.
  • Active member of Al-Anon in CA(S) with good organizational skills and ability to pay attention to detail. 
  • Some experience on panels or in Al-Anon meetings in Institutions is highly recommended. 
  • 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, including planning and preparing public presentations to carry the message.
  • Able to prioritize and work independently and as a team member. 
  • 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) 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

  • Inform Assembly members of tools for Institutions work, such as WSO Guidelines, and WSO PowerPoint presentation, Al-Anon Outreach to Treatment Facilities, and other material.. 
  • Gather records on Institutions panels and meetings coordinated by each District and Intergroup and to help service arms work cooperatively and avoid duplication of effort. 
  • Respond to requests from Institutions for Al-Anon meetings and panels, coordinating with Districts and Intergroups.
  • Develop list of Institutions in the area including Corrections State Prisons, County Jails and Juvenile Halls, Domestic Violence Shelters, Sober Living Homes, Residential Substance Abuse Treatment Centers, and Homeless Shelters to name a few institutional settings, and provide them with Al-Anon and Alateen literature, as needed. 
  • Regularly and actively cooperate and consult with the other two SCWS Public Outreach Coordinators (i.e., Public Information and Cooperating with the Professional Community/CPC) to fulfill requests from public entities. Various requests may overlap between Coordinator positions. 
  • Maintain computer files to keep track of Institutions panels, meetings and volunteer information.
  • Comfortable initiating phone contacts with personnel at institutions. 
  • Serve as the primary point of contact with WSO for Public Outreach/Institutions matters and AFG Connects. Communicates with Area Officers and others 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.
  • 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. 
  • 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, as needed.)
  • 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

2-3 hours/week

Respond to and coordinate with Institutions/Districts/Intergroups

7-8 hrs/monthly

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

8 times/year

Special projects (i.e. speak at Districts, Intergroups, Institutions, etc.)

As needed

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-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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