For More than 50 Years, Al-Anon Family Groups have been Helping Friends and Family Members Affected by Someone's Drinking

Service Opportunities

Why Service?

Service is a vital purpose of Al-Anon. Perhaps you have seen us at Health Fairs or talked with someone on the phone, at your church, or in your schools. All those actions take place as a result of members donating their time and energy to an organization that has saved our lives. As such, we need your help. If you are a member of Al-Anon or Alateen and are willing to give something back, we will find something for you to do.

The slogan "When I got busy I got better" demonstrates that taking the focus off of our own problems aids our recovery.

Anything done to help a relative or friend of an alcoholic is service: a telephone call to a despairing member, sponsoring a newcomer, telling or listening to one's story at meetings, forming and supporting groups, arranging for public information, distributing literature, and financially supporting Al-Anon through voluntary donations. Carrying the message is suggested in the 12th Step of Al-Anon's Twelve Steps.

• Service can help you to grow. You can see that you are recovering from the effects of someone's drinking by how you can help other people in a healthy way.
• Service can be fun! You can meet a lot of new people and have people that you already know begin to see you in a new light.
• Service can be rewarding. You can form new relationships, broaden existing relationships, develop new skills and discover things about yourself and the Al-Anon that you may have never known before.

If you are willing to be of service, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator Audrey A. at volunteer@coafg.org, Intergroup Chairman Sean K. at chair@coafg.org, or the coordinator listed next to the various service opportunities below. Also, feel free to call Central Ohio Al-Anon Family Groups @ (614) 253-2701.

Volunteers Needed

Alateen Coordinator - The Alateen Coordinator works with Al-Anon members and Alateen Sponsors to encourage the growth and development of Alateen groups through sponsorship, speakers and workshops. It is suggested that Alateen sponsors meet on a regular basis for support and exchange of information.

Alateen Sponsors - Are you an Al-Anon member and interested in helping teenagers affected by someone's alcoholism? We need your help! We have schools and communities throughout Central Ohio that would like Alateen meetings. Unfortunately, we don't have enough willing volunteers to meet the large number of requests.

District 26 and District 32 Representatives - A District Representative (DR) represents its District and the Intergroup of the Districts of Central Ohio Al-Anon, as well as Ohio Area World Service Committee. For additional information, see the Suggested Intergroup Guidelines for Central Ohio Al-Anon Family Groups and the World Service Handbook for Al-Anon and Alateen Groups.

Literature Coordinator - Facilitates literature distribution for community events and groups.

Office Volunteers - Al-Anon & Alateen of Central Ohio is able to function as a result of non-professional volunteers. This includes, in part, working at the Literature Distribution Center and the Area Information Service - lovingly referred to Central Office. You can help by answering the phone, stocking shelves, selling literature, and greeting people in a warm and enthusiastic way.  You can volunteer one hour or all day. Volunteer everyday or once a month. There is always something that needs done. Contact Volunteer Coordinator Audrey A. at volunteer@coafg.org or call Central Ohio Al-Anon Family Groups @ (614) 253-2701.

Public Outreach - There are many rewarding opportunities to share your experience, strength and hope. We have many great volunteers now, but can always use more. We would also love to have more substitutes. Contact Central Ohio Al-Anon Family Groups@ (614) 253-2701 or e-mail the Institutions Coordinator or the Public Outreach Coordinator for more information about these service opportunities.

• Talbot Hall is the Ohio State University East Addiction Center. For more information, e-mail the Institutions Coordinator.
  • Mondays @ 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Speak with addicts and alcoholics about what it was or is like to live with someone who was or is drinking or using drugs.
  • Saturdays @ 11:00 a.m. –11:45 a.m. The Rising from the Ashes Al-Anon Family Group meeting is frequently attended by newer Al-Anon members and has a fair number of first timers. Chairpersons are needed for each Saturday. Can you commit to take a month/year or one Saturday/month? Would you be a substitute?
• Maryhaven is a treatment center for women who are alcoholics or addicts and their children. For more information, e-mail the Institutions Coordinator.
  • Speak once a month about Al-Anon & Alateen Family Groups. Many alcoholic persons also benefit from attendance at Al-Anon meetings.
• Riverside Methodist Hospital. For more information, e-mail the Institutions Coordinator.
  • Saturday @ 10:00 to 10:30 a.m. Speak at Behavioral Health Units. Many people within this unit have been affected by someone else's drinking.
• Parkside Treatment Center. For more information, e-mail the Institutions Coordinator.
  • 1st and 3rd Saturdays @ 10:00 a.m. Speak with families and patients.
• More opportunities! We get requests for speakers at schools, health fairs and more. Send an e-mail to the Public Outreach Coordinator who will contact when requests for speakers are made.

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