WEST TEXAS AREA 54

SAFETY AND BEHAVIORAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ALATEEN , ALATEEN GROUP SPONSORS AND AL-ANON MEMBERS INVOLVED IN ALATEEN SERVICE*

1.  Every Al-Anon member involved in Alateen service must:
            a) Be an Al-Anon member regularly attending weekly Al-Anon meetings.

            b)  Be at least 21 years old.

            c)  Have at least two years in Al-Anon in addition to any time spent in Alateen.

            d)  Not have been convicted of a felony.

            e)  Not have been criminally charged with any type of child abuse.

            f)  Not have been criminally charged with any crime of a sexual nature.

g)  Not engage in any overt or covert sexual interaction (whether consensual or

      not) with an Alateen member including but not limited to touching an

      Alateen member inappropriately, Dating an Alateen member, Holding or

      hugging in an inappropriate manner.

h)      Not have demonstrated emotional problems, which could result in harm to Alateen members.

i)        Not conduct themselves in a manner contrary to applicable laws.

j)        Have a satisfactory background check, which will be repeated only in the event of an absence of more than (1) year from active Alateen Sponsor Service.

2. Every Alateen Group meeting must:

a)      Have a minimum of 1 certified Sponsor at each meeting, and 1 additional adult from Al-anon.

b)      Be registered through the Area with WSO annually.

c)      While Alateen Groups have the autonomy to select their group sponsors, they will be restricted to those candidates who meet the area’s requirements.

d)      Have the Alateen Group Sponsor who will arrive early and stay until the Alateens leave the meeting place or are in the company of a parent/guardian/custodian.

3. All Area Assemblies, Alateen Conferences, Mini-Conferences, etc. will abide by the Area Safety and Behavioral Requirements and any other guidelines adopted by their governing body.

4. Any Alateen asked to speak at any event will be accompanied by an Alateen Group Sponsor, an Al-Anon Member involved in Alateen Service or their parent, guardian or custodian. 

5. Any Alateens not transported by their parent/guardian/custodian will have signed transportation/medical form with them.

6. Attend 2 (or more) Area Sponsors’ meetings, and attend at least 1 District meeting in a year’s time.

7. Annual Re-certification:  No later than December 31, 2004, and for each succeeding year, Alateen sponsors will complete the re-certification and submit to Area Alateen Coordinator.  A copy of the form will be given to the Area Chairperson and then mailed to WSO.  The form states that each Al-Anon member involved in Alateen service has met the area’s safety and behavioral requirements and agrees to abide by them.

*Al-Anon members involved in Alateen service is defined as those members who are in direct contact with Alateens and have the care and responsibility for Alateens while being of service to Alateen.  This would include, but not limited to, Sponsors, Drivers, Chaperones, etc.