The material presented
here is not Al-Anon Conference Approved Literature. It is a method
to exchange
information, ideas, feelings, problems and solutions on a personal
level.
I wwent to my first area meeting as a alternative group representative yesterdat and loved it. I enjoyed learnin more about al anon.
One of the topics on our agenda was al ateen
England does have some al ateen groups but it is not as strong as it shouls be and our area liverpool has none. A gentleman fed back about al ateen it seemed very negative all the problems to setting it up and the dangers to male sponsors of working with these children. there was a discussion and again it seemed to highlight the difficulties rather than problems solve. Lots of poeple wanted to share on this but the chair moved the meeting on before some people had a chance to. At the end of the meeting our group rep brought everyones attention back to the subject he stated that he was upset that a full discussion had been cut short and that no decissions had been made and it was getting left again for another 6 months. He has teenage children and is very passionate. Our view is if we help the kids before they have their own children we ca truley try and battle this disease.
I then commented that I work in schools going to meeting about kids who are struggling and a lot are suffering from affects of al coholism but the school does not know where to send them. I suggested could we make links with the school to see if al ateen meetings could be held on school premises(off course making sue anominity is respected). So know we have decided to have a sub meeting just about this subject any ESH would be appreciated. In england anyone deal with children has to have a criminal check and what do you do about sponsoring protecting yourself from alagations etc.
Hi Tracy, Whenever you are dealing with children, you have to protect yourself. With that said, having a meeting after school, in the school, for the kids who would be most needy would be something that you can set up with the school itself. You can call it Alateen, or not, or anything else you want to call it. You can use Alateen literature, or not, depending on what you want. You already word in the school and know what need there is there. You already know the school social workers and can ask them what resources they have available. In my own humble opinion, you don't need to have the official sanction of Alateen to start a meeting. In fact, "whenever we are gathered and have a problem of alcoholism in family or a friend" we can be an AlAnon/Alateen meeting.
Just do it. In the USA we also have to have criminal checks whenever we deal with children. (Yes, I have been fingerprinted and background checked by our State Police because I worked in a school.) That is why the school is such a logical place. However, where I am, the AlaTeen meetings were asked to leave the school grounds because some people thought it was religious and our public schools are supposed to be secular. (I don't agree, but it is what it is.) A few schools are quietly bringing it back, though. I think you could start by starting one meeting. It may start a better discussion in your AlAnon groups, too.
You know the folks at Alanon WSO are always kind an friendly to seek their ESH from on this topic. It is so easy to contact them with your questions as to how to set up the meeting.
Background checks are a must for us here for Alateen meetings. Also we are required to get continuing edu hours every three years to recertify as an alateen sponsor.
For me I would reach out to WSO for the best guidance on this topic.
