On behalf of the SCWS Board and the Area’s Al-Anon members you will be serving, we want to thank you for agreeing to serve as a SCWS Officer for Panel 64, 2024-2026. We hope you will enjoy the experience and that we all contribute to and participate in an atmosphere of cooperation and mutual respect to give our very best to Al-Anon/Alateen.

In this spirit, we ask you to read the Concept Nine excerpt regarding “good personal leadership” from our 2022-2025 Al-Anon/Alateen Service Manual v4, pp. 200-203. Also read your Job Descriptions found on our website at https://scws-al-anon.org/area-service-board/area-world-service-board-election-information/.

The elected Officers (3-year term) are 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 as well as Officers of the SCWS Assembly. 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 position.

By agreeing to serve as an Officer, you are asked to be aware that as a service volunteer, you are always representing your Area and to place the needs of Al-Anon Family Groups above personal preferences, whether appearing at an Al-Anon event, or when sharing information at the level of press, radio, film, TV, and internet, including social media. We strive to honor the Twelve Traditions that help Al-Anon groups sustain their unity and fellowship and the Twelve Concepts of Service that provide guidance for service in the Al-Anon Fellowship.

You are also asked to agree to the following:

1. Maintain the scws-al-anon.org email address for your position.
2. Work in cooperation with other Officers to make decisions by group conscience per the Area Bylaws, Area Policies and Procedures, Al-Anon Service Manual, and Al-Anon Legacies.
3. Attend all Officer, Service Board, Area Committee, and Area Assembly meetings. Inform one of the Officers who will inform the other Officers as well as the Group Records Coordinator in advance by email if you are unable to attend or cannot attend a meeting in full.
4. Prepare reports and presentations in a timely manner, including reports for Officer, Service Board, Area Committee and Area Assembly meetings. If unable to attend, submit a written report to the Chair and the Secretary prior to the meeting. Final written reports for the Bulletin newsletter should be submitted no later than two weeks following each Committee and Assembly meeting.
5. Maintain confidentiality regarding written and verbal communications that take place at SCWS Officer meetings and Service Board meetings, and between and among SCWS Officers and Coordinators outside of those meetings.
6. Reply to all emails within 48 to 72 hours. If you cannot respond at that time, let them know you have received their request and why you cannot immediately respond.
7. Participate fully and promptly in any phone calls, email discussions, assignments, and other arranged conference calls or Zoom meetings.
8. Respect and respond to due dates and requests for information.
9. Notify the SCWS Area Secretary of any changes in contact information, be it personal email or telephone number.
10. Contact the Chair or other officer by email or phone to explain any:
    • inability to carry out your Officer duties per your Job Description or responsibilities as listed above,
    • need for assistance,
    • need to step back temporarily, or
    • need to resign from your position.
11. If you need to withdraw from your Officer position prior to the end of your term, you agree to maintain confidentiality about any and all confidential deliberations.
12. In the event of resignation or removal from your position, you agree to return all materials belonging to SCWS within 30 days. This would include, but is not limited to files, equipment, software, and any other digital, physical, or intellectual property.

The SCWS Officers strive to work in cooperation to support each other to:

1. Assist in clarifying job responsibilities and needs for support.
2. Assist in resolving conflicts when communication issues arise.
3. Be available to discuss any situations that may prevent your participation in meetings or your responsibilities, and to provide support to resolve issues, when possible.
4. Keep the SCWS Officers informed of any matters of non-participation and need for assistance or support.
5. Adopt a procedure for communicating with any member who fails to adequately fulfill his or her Officer responsibilities. This procedure will include:
   • Contacting the member by email and/or phone to discuss the member’s participation.
   • Communicate Officers’ agreement to request resignation or, if deemed necessary, remove the member from their position.

Our SCWS Bylaws (Article V, Section C, 5d) specify considerations for removal for the following conditions:

1. Failure to attend two meetings as listed in the service position description without advance notice or reasons according to the group conscience of SCWS and/or
2. Failure to carry out the responsibilities as listed in the service position description.
3. Inappropriate conduct.

Meetings:

SCWS Quarterly Officer Meetings are held in January, April, July, and October as agreed upon by the Officers. Additional Officer Meetings may be scheduled to address specific issues as needed.

SCWS Service Board Meetings are held on a Saturday in: January; April; July; and October, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm on Zoom.

Area World Service Committee (AWSC) meetings are held on the third Saturday in February and August, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm on Zoom or at a location to be determined.

Area Assemblies are held on the third Saturday in May and November, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm on Zoom or at a location to be determined.