At the 2024 and 2025 World Service Conferences (WSC), delegates were presented with WSC Electronic Area Safety and Behavioral Requirements (EASBR) as part of a conceptual framework for supporting electronic Alateen Groups. At the 2026 WSC, three motions passed that recognize electronic Alateen groups and the WSC EASBR. There will be a full report and discussion at the Fall 2026 Assembly on 10/19/2026 by the VT Area Delegate.
Motion #5:
To recognize electronic Alateen groups as Al-Anon Family Groups.
Motion #6:
To implement the World Service Conference Electronic Alateen Safety and Behavioral Requirements (WSC EASBR) as the requirements for electronic Alateen groups to be registered in the WSC Structure.
Motion #7:
To recognize the Global Electronic Alateen Safety Minimums to be augmented by local geographic legislation related to minors, to allow International Structures to create their own Electronic Alateen Safety & Behavioral Requirements and begin registering electronic Alateen groups.
Al-Anon Member Involved in Alateen Service-Electronic (AMIAS-E)
If and when the Vermont Area decides to opt in to Electronic Alateen meetings, interested members would need to be certified as an Al-Anon Member Involved in Alateen Service-Electronic (AMIAS-E). An AMIAS-E is eligible to serve in the Vermont Area, another Area with Electronic Al-Anon meetings, and in the Global Electronic Area, in adherence to specific guidelines.
Alateens May Join Any Registered Electronic Meeting
An Area can opt in to Electronic Alateen Meetings at any time. Whether our Area opts in or not, teens in our Area may participate in electronic Alateen groups registered in the World Service Conference service structure (the US including Puerto Rico, Bermuda, and Canada).
World Service Conference Electronic Alateen Safety and Behavioral Requirements (WSC EASBR)
In keeping with the 2003 Alateen Motion from the Board of Trustees and current Policy for Alateen, the WSC has determined that the establishment of minimum requirements and a process of certification ensure the following:
- Alateen groups meeting electronically (Electronic Alateen Groups) are recognized as Al-Anon Family Groups.
- WSC Areas have the autonomy to decide whether they want to opt in to accept Electronic Alateen Groups.
- Electronic Alateen Groups are connected to their service structure with voice and vote.
These minimum requirements and the process of certification are defined as the WSC Structure Electronic Alateen Safety and Behavioral Requirements or WSC EASBR. The WSC EASBR is defined to meet the legal requirements of the United States (including Puerto Rico), Canada, and Bermuda.
Areas within the WSC Structure that use the Alateen name and choose to opt in to host Electronic Alateen Groups will be required to create procedures that ensure the minimum requirements and process of certification defined in the WSC EASBR below are maintained.
Alateen Participation Minimums:
- Teenagers must be 13 years old or older to participate.
- Teenagers must participate in a pre-interview with each Electronic Alateen Group they wish to attend.
- Teenagers need to show proof of age with photo identification, provide contact information where they can receive the meeting link, and share emergency contact information of custodial parent or legal guardian before being admitted to an Electronic Alateen Group meeting.
- Alateens need to show photo identification upon each entry to that Electronic Alateen Group, which is verified by the Group Sponsor against the group list.
Electronic Alateen Group Minimums:
- Two Group Sponsors are required for the meeting to take place.
- Meetings cannot be recorded or transcribed.
Electronic Alateen Group Requirements:
- Each Electronic Alateen Group needs to conduct a pre-interview of any new teen wishing to attend.
- Pre-interview needs to be facilitated by registered Al-Anon Members Involved in Alateen Service—Electronic (AMIAS-E) for that specific group.
- Group Sponsors need to maintain a list of information on Alateens interviewed and approved for admittance to that specific group.
- Only group names, meeting day, time, and group email can be displayed on public-facing websites. (Meeting links are not published.) Group email needs to protect member anonymity.
AMIAS-E Certification Process Minimums:
- Al-Anon Members Involved in Alateen Service serving Electronic Alateen Groups (AMIAS-E) need to pass a background check that verifies they have not been convicted of a felony or charged with child abuse or any other inappropriate sexual behavior.
- AMIAS-E need to be mandated reporters. Only AMIAS-E can serve and participate as Group Sponsors for Electronic Alateen Groups.
Timeline Highlights
- In 2020, the Board of Trustees approved the Strategic Plan Strategy to explore Alateen Electronic Group Feasibility. That decision set the wheels in motion and opened the door for us to begin understanding what safe, electronic Alateen groups could look like
- 2024 WSC Summary (p16-17): “Electronic Alateen Validation and Implementation Planning by Sarah S., WSO Director of Programs
- 2026 January WSO Policy Committee Update Letter (p2): “Discussion on the ‘Digest of Al-Anon and Alateen Polices’ Changes Necessary to Support Alateen Groups Meeting Electronically
- 2026 April WSO Chair of the Board of Trustees Update Letter (p2): “Electronic Alateen Validation & Implementation (EAVIP) Strategy