Al‑Anon/Alateen Service Arms

Al‑Anon Information Services

An Al‑Anon Information Service (AIS), also known as an Intergroup, is a local service established and maintained by one or more districts or by groups located close enough to one another for easy access and communication.  An AIS often has an office where Al‑Anon Conference Approved Literature is available for purchase and provides a website with meeting schedules and other Al‑Anon/Alateen information.  Groups served by an AIS send Information Service Representatives or Intergroup Representatives to regularly scheduled meetings.

There are two AISs in the Twin Cities metropolitan area, Al‑Anon/Alateen Information Services of Greater Minneapolis and St. Paul Al‑Anon/Alateen Intergroup. Their monthly meetings are on the second Wednesday and second Tuesday, respectively.

Both AISs have bookstores which stock virtually all Al‑Anon Conference Approved literature. They jointly sponsor this web site and provide telephone support for those seeking information about Al‑Anon and Alateen. They recommend speakers for open meetings and other events, and staff informational booths at health fairs and the like. They rely heavily on volunteers to function effectively. See below for how you can help.

Both have their own pages on this web site, al-anon-alateen-msp.org/pages/MplsAISHome/ and al-anon-alateen-msp/pages/SPIGHome/.

Al‑Anon/Alateen Areas

Al‑Anon and Alateen in the United States and Canada is made up of 67 Areas. In the US, most Areas consist of an entire state. Minnesota is divided into two Areas, Minnesota South and Minnesota North. The boundary consists of the north borders of Washington, Anoka, Wright, Meeker, Kandiyohi, Swift and Big Stone counties.

Most of the groups served by this website are in the Minnesota South Area; a few are in the Minnesota North and Wisconsin Areas. All three Areas maintain their own websites with schedules of Al‑Anon and Alateen meetings, news about Al‑Anon and Alateen events, and other information.

There are many opportunities for Al‑Anon and Alateen service at the Area level. Some information about Minnesota South Area is on this web site, including maps and descriptions of the 21 districts which make up the Area.

Group Representatives (GRs) from groups in an Area come together on a regular schedule for Area Assemblies. In Minnesota South Area, assemblies are normally held the first Saturday in April and October. Similarly, GRs from groups in a District come together regularly for District Meetings.

You can download a Links of Service pamphlet (S28) which provides a concise summary of how Al-Anon service is organized.

Service Opportunities

Answering Phones

Office volunteers who are members of Al‑Anon carry the Al‑Anon message by answering questions from callers to Minneapolis AIS or St. Paul Intergroup seeking information, meeting times and locations. After hours, home phone volunteers answer the phones from their homes. No experience is necessary and simple training is provided.

See the Home Phone Volunteer page for information on answering the phone at home and a list of times when volunteers are needed.

See the Office Volunteer page for information on volunteering in the Minneapolis and St. Paul AIS offices, together with a summary of times when volunteers are needed.

Alateen Sponsors

An Alateen group cannot exist without adult Sponsors who are Al-Anon members.There are some specific requirements for Alateen sponsors. See the Alateen Sponsors’ page for more information, news about workshops for Alateen Sponsors and to download necessary forms.

Speaking

The purpose of Al‑Anon is personal growth through applying the Twelve Steps and sharing our experience, strength, and hope. It is from Al‑Anon and Alateen members that we hear the ideas and experiences that guide us in our personal recoveries.

To volunteer to speak call (952) 920-3961 or email info@aismpls.org for Minneapolis or call (651) 771-2208 or email stpaulafg@pobox.com for St. Paul. You can also call these numbers if you need an Al‑Anon or Alateen speaker for a meeting.

Web Site

This web site is maintained by a volunteer. Currently, it is primarily built with BlueGriffon but also has pages written directly in HTML, and is uploaded using DAV. If you think you might be interested in helping maintain it, call Minneapolis AIS at 952-920-3961.

Updated 2 January 2024