What’s in a name?

What’s In A Name?

Do you know that there is a policy in our Service Manual for choosing a group’s name? In the  2022-2025 Al-Anon/Alateen Service Manual, there are two sections about this policy: Naming The Group (p24) and Choosing A Group’s Name (p85). 

 Identifiers In Group Names

That policy supports the use of identifiers in group names. Examples of identifiers as listed on p28 include: “men, women, parents, adult children, young adults, other gender identification/sexual orientation, etc.”

The WSO (World Service Office) Staff process for registering new groups and for group record changes includes reviewing group names in accordance with the policy. This policy is under discussion.

Group Naming Policy Under Discussion

At the 2024 World Service Conference (WSC), a motion passed that said names with identifiers for new groups or groups wishing to change their group name would not be accepted during the group records registration process. 

  • At the 2025 WSC, the WSC 2024 motion was put on Hold. (See p3 of the WSO Policy Memo updated 5/15/2025.)
  • A new motion, motion #7, passed at the 2025 WSC that temporarily suspended the implementation of the 2024 WSC motion.
  • The 2026 WSC will decide how to proceed based on Area feedback.
  • At the 10/18/2025 Fall 2025 VT Assembly, we will hold a group naming workshop.

Fall 2025 VT Assembly Group Naming Workshop

At the Fall Assembly on Saturday, October 18, 2025, we will hold a workshop to get members’ concerns, thoughts and opinion on this policy. This feedback will inform our delegate when she attends the 2026 WSC.

2025 WSC Motion #7

MOTION #7 : Allow group names to continue to include identifiers such as those currently listed on page 28 of the 2022 – 2025 Al – Anon/Alateen Service Manual (P – 24/27) v4(a) including “men, women, parents, adult children, young adults, other gender identification/sexual orientation, etc. with the understanding that in keeping with Traditions Three and Five, the groups will welcome anyone affected by someone else’s drinking” until the 2026 World Service Conference to allow WSC Structure Areas to discuss the implementation of the 2024 WSC – approved “Choosing a Group’s Name Policy.”

The goal of the motion is to provide Conference members the opportunity to bring the discussion to their respective Areas to explore concerns, thoughts and opinions on the Policy and its implementation through spiritual conversations with the groups.” (See p3 of the WSO Policy Memo updated 5/15/2025.)

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