Information for AMIAS (Al‑Anon Members Involved in Alateen Service)

About Alateen Sponsorship

Alateen is Al‑Anon and is a program of recovery for young people affected by the drinking problems of others — parents, grandparents, siblings or friends.

Join us in the great adventure of Alateen Sponsorship! You don’t have to do it alone! Many of us have walked this road before you, and we will help you on the way. This page can help you get started.

Most Alateen groups follow a similar format to regular Al-Anon groups. They differ in that (1) membership is limited to teenagers (this sometimes may include preteens), and (2) an Alateen group must have at least one Al‑Anon member (preferably two) as group sponsor. Only Alateens and Al-Anon members who have been certified to be Alateen adult sponsors may attend an Alateen meeting, unless the meeting is explicitly open and anyone may attend. Thus Alateen cannot exist without Al-Anon members willing to be Alateen sponsors.

Those who are or who have been Alateen sponsors can testify that being an Alateen Sponsor is a rich Step 12 experience.

Become an Alateen Sponsor

To ensure the safety of Alateen members, at the direction of the Al-Anon Family Groups Board of Trustees, Adult Alateen sponsors and other Al-Anon members who work with Alateens (AMIAS) are required to register with and be certified by Minnesota South Area.

Each AMIAS must meet certain requirements detailed in the Minnesota South Area Alateen Safety Policy:

• Is at least 21 years old
• Have been in Al-Anon at least two years, not counting time in Alateen
• Regularly attending Al-Anon meetings and working with a sponsor
• Complete a background check
• Attend at least one AMIAS workshop before certification
• Attend at least one AMIAS workshop each calendar year

The requirements extend to volunteers who provide transportation to Alateen events or who work with Alateens at a convention such as Gopher State Roundup or Midlake Alateen Convention since they are also considered to be AMIAS. All of these but the background check were mandated by an Al‑Anon Family Groups Board of Trustees motion in 2003. Conducting background checks is our way of ensuring that felons and child abusers can't become Alateen Sponsors.

If you think you might be interested in becoming an AMIAS, as a group sponsor, substitute sponsor, transportation sponsor or conference sponsor, you should read a summary of the requirements and the certification process. You can download the forms and other information that you will need to get the certification process going in the Resources section below.

AMIAS Application Process

Each AMIAS must meet certain requirements detailed in the Minnesota South Area Alateen Safety Policy:

• Attend an AMIAS training; if no training session is scheduled or works with your availability, contact our MNSA Alateen Area Process Person mnsa.afg.aapp@mail.com
• Review the AMIAS application package
• Submit your completed application forms to the MNSA Alateen Area Process Person; please allow 48 hours for a response
• Wait for a completion of your references check and background check
• Contact the MNSA Alateen Area Process Person if you have questions, reference contact information or to discuss your application

Resources

Resources for Becoming an AMIAS

• Alateen Service Manual
• MNSA Alateen Safety Policy
• AMIAS Application Package
• AMIAS Recertification Form for 2023 - current AMIAS need to renew annually by April 30
• Schedule of AMIAS Training Workshops
• WSO Guidelines for Alateen

Contact: MNSA Alateen Area Process Person, mnsa.afg.aapp@mail.com

Alateen is the responsibility of all in Al-Anon as we seek recovery for our families, our friends, and ourselves from the disease of alcoholism. Younger family members have suffered as we have, and are desperately in need of Twelve Step recovery in Alateen. We in the Minnesota South Area accept the responsibility to provide safe places for Alateen members to find the hope and healing that we have found in Al‑Anon.