Phone Coordinator

Below is the description of the Outreach Coordinator role as described in the AIS “STANDING RULES AND PROCEDURES’ MANUAL” (SRPM, pg. 13)…

Purpose

To coordinate volunteers for answering the AIS phone (206.625.0000). The Phone Coordinator prepares and distributes a monthly calendar to volunteers for online signup.

Responsibilities

  1. To ensure adequate volunteer staffing of the phone answering system.

  2. To communicate updates or changes to volunteers.

  3. Provide instructions and training to phone volunteers.

  4. Must attend AIS Council and Board meetings.

Skills Required/Recommended

  • Coordinator and volunteers must have internet access available and be able to perform the steps for call forwarding or to check messages.

  • Be able to communicate up-to-date meeting information and basic information about the Al-Anon/Alateen program.

  • Learning/working with software applications (Office 365 or current applications).

  • Intermediate technology knowledge and willingness to learn and troubleshoot.

  • Good oral and written communications skills.

  • Strong attention to detail and ownership for project timelines.

  • Familiarity with Al-Anon Legacies and principles and an understanding of the links of service.

  • Teamwork.

From a January 2025 Bits Newsletter Article

Time for a New Volunteer
AIS Phone Coordinator
Position Open for 2025

The primary function of the phone volunteers is to ensure anyone calling or texting the Greater Seattle Area AIS (206-625-0000) makes contact with a person, to help them access the information they’re looking for.

I am the outgoing Phone Coordinator. My duties were to:

1. Train new phone volunteers

2. Email the shift sign-up spreadsheet for the upcoming month.

3. Tally calls/texts

4. Delete calls/texts from app, once they are recorded

5. Report on phone activity at monthly AIS Council Meetings (2nd Thursdays, @7:30pm, on Zoom).

Holding this year-long position has been some of the most satisfying service work I’ve ever performed in Al-Anon. I hope you consider stepping into my shoes.

AIS is entirely dependent on volunteers to operate. Rotation of service is critical to the wellbeing of our organization. New volunteers introduce fresh energy and ideas, and limiting terms prevents current volunteers from burnout.

I’ll only need about 90 minutes of your time to train you how to be the new Phone Coordinator–and I’ll be available as support, for as long as it takes for you to become confident in this role.

Please contact me at phones@seattle-al-anon.org

-Heather R.