Group FAQs

What is the difference between an "open" and "closed" meeting? Al-Anon is moving away from using those words. An "open" meeting on the WSO site says, "Student & Professional observers welcome". In the AIS Meeting Directory, an "open" meeting is denoted by the letters "FFAOW" in the cell with the Group name. That signifies "Families, friends and observers welcome." If it is a "closed" meeting, meaning that it is open to Al-Anon members and prospective members only, the letters used in the meeting listing are "FAFO" which stands for "Families and friends only." Anyone who has been affected by someone else's drinking is welcome in all meetings. Please check a directory to see if your Group is listed correctly.
How do I print a meeting directory/schedule? Open the Meetings page and select the desired meeting schedule for our local meetings. That will open a .pdf viewable and printable file. If printing, you can choose to print in black and white or color by choosing the desired setting on your equipment.
Where do we send changes concerning our Group meetings? Go to the WA Area site at http://wa-al-anon.org/ and create a password if you have not already. Then go to: Resources>For Members>Meeting Changes. Check either Permanent, Temporary, or Urgent. The form will expand appropriately. Fill in the information and submit. Please DO NOT submit your Group information directly to WSO either electronically or via email or mail. Please do not mail or email changes to WA Area. By using the WA Area site listed above, the changes will be quicker, will not be lost, will immediately be sent to AIS and your DR, and will prevent confusion. Find step by step instructions here.
Who should I contact if I am having trouble navigating the WA Area site to make the changes? Your District Representative. If you do not have a District Representative, please contact our AIS Meeting Directory Editor. meetingdirectoryeditor@seattle-al-anon.org
How do I find our Group identification number? It is listed in the far right column of the meeting schedule along with your District number.
Does our Group need to have a mailing address? Yes. WSO requires a current mailing address for each Group. Usually a Group member agrees to be the mailing contact for WSO. Some Groups have set up post office boxes of their own. The criteria to be listed on the WA Area site are:
- Must be registered with WSO and have ID# (See Al-Anon/Alateen Service Manual 2022-2025 p 85)
- Have a current CMA (Current Mailing Address) and be in “Active” status
- Consistency in meeting being available for attendees
- Use of CAL and other approved Al-Anon literature at meetings (See Al-Anon/Alateen Service Manual 2022-2025, p 114)
- Makes a good faith effort to adhere to the guidance provided in Al-Anon’s Service Manual including… Steps, Traditions and Concepts.
Who should we let know if we will not be meeting on a Holiday or our meeting is canceled for any reason such as snow or facility problems? Please use the Holiday Changes button on the Meetings page AND go to http://wa-al-anon.org/meeting-changes/ to notify WA Area. Note: On the WA Area site you will have to create a password to access the form. Check the box for temporary change. The form will expand. Complete the online form for the temporary change to get a note added to the online meeting directory so those searching for a holiday meeting will know you are not meeting. This is especially important for newcomers.
Our Group is dealing with some internal problems and would like guidance. Who should we call? Please contact your District Representative. You can find their information on our District Info page.

How do we start a new Group? CLICK HERE Your District Representative is also available to help guide you through the process.
Who should we let know about our NEW Group so we can be listed in the meeting directories at AIS, WA Area, and WSO? Please work with your District Representative. They will guide you in the process including filling out a form at http://wa-al-anon.org/register-a-new-meeting/.