A title indicative of the nature of its operation, eg., "AI-Anon information service"

 A listing in the local telephone directory. Suggested listing: AI-Anon Family Groups Information Service. Cross listings may include: Alateen; Alcoholics, Families of; or Alcoholism, Help for the Family.

 A post office box number or an office address. Your information service will be listed in Getting In Touch with Al-Anon Alateen (S-23), a publication for the membership and the public. In this way prospective members may be referred to AI-Anon without revealing the anonymity of members. Getting In Touch lists all U.S., Canadian and International information services. It may also be used for AISs' to communicate with each other and share experiences. A copy of this publication can be found on the World Service Office World Wide Web site (www.al-anon.alateen.org)

 An operation that conducts activities in addition to Twelfth Step telephone calls. For example: work with local Al-Anon/Alateen service committees, publish meeting lists and perform any other function as outlined in the World Service Handbook section of the Al-Anon/Alateen Service Manual.

A passion for Al-Anon and service!

 Receives phone inquiries and directs them to the appropriate group. A list of group contacts, with addresses and telephone numbers should be kept up to date for this purpose.

 Channels local Alateen, CPC, institution or PI work through the districts whenever possible.

 Maintains a stock of literature to give newcomers, the professional community and the general public.

 Prints and distributes its own newsletter of local activities and articles written by members for the groups which support it. Our Traditions suggest the newsletter not serve as a means of promoting various alcoholism related activities or organizations, nor should it contain quotes from outside publications.

 Holds periodic meetings attended by all the information service representatives where activity reports are made and notes are taken on matters affecting groups. Other topics may include public outreach projects, institutions work and fund raising events.

Volunteers - Phones can be covered by volunteers whenever possible. Coverage works best when the information service chairperson prepares a monthly schedule of members willing to cover the phones. Finding volunteers may be the hardest part of running the information service. It would be helpful to discuss this issue and have service support staff already in place before registering your information service.

Paid Staff - According to Tradition Eight, paid help may be hired for the bookkeeping, correspondence, office duties, etc. A member's personal knowledge of AI-Anon is a value in an office, but he or she is paid for office work only. Who is hired, who will do the hiring, the hours, salary and benefits are usually decided by the information service board. The Twelve Concepts of Service define how paid employees fit into our service structure.

Employees in AI-Anon Service - According to the AI-Anon/Alateen Service Manual, any member gainfully employed in an AI-Anon Service does not serve as a volunteer in a policy-making position, such as group representative (GR), district representative (DR), area assembly officer or coordinator, delegate or WSO trustee.

Answering Service or Telephone Answering Machine. Employing an answering service or using a telephone answering machine may solve the problem of calls received after office hours. When using an answering machine leave a warm AI-Anon related message because many people feel uncomfortable talking to a mechanical device. Meeting information for that day may be included in your message, if time permits. Call forwarding to volunteers at home is one way to have someone available to respond at all times. The use of a beeper is another way for volunteers to respond quickly without being confined.

The information service is supported by the groups it serves within its geographical boundaries. It is suggested that there be a representative from every group at an information service meeting. If the AIS is a function of the district, it is suggested that the alternate district representative serve as a member of the information service board.

 An AIS should not seek or accept support from outside the area it serves. Contributions are voluntary and are not a condition for membership.

As stated in the Policy Digest Section of the AI-Anon/Alateen Service Manual, under Autonomy of Groups, "In keeping with the Traditions and Warranty Five of Concept Twelve, area or WSO service entities have no authority to close a group or engage in other punitive actions against a group because they disapprove of the manner in which a group practices the AI-Anon program."

Often, information service offices also act as literature distribution centers (LDC). When the two entities are functioning at the same location, the WSO will register them with one identification number. See G-18, Literature Distribution Centers for more information about LDCs.