Understanding Anonymity

1. Understanding Anonymity Al-Anon Family Groups’ World Service Conference Anonymity Task Force

2. Why is anonymity important to Al-Anon and Alateen? Confidentiality of members’ identity Confidentiality of sharing Guard against any member seeking public recognition Freedom for members to determine their own level of anonymity “Spiritual foundation of all our Traditions” (Tradition Twelve)

3. There are three approaches to anonymity • Personal • Within Al-Anon: member-to-member • Outside the Al-Anon fellowship: the media (press, film, TV, and the Internet) and professionals

4. Let’s look at anonymity from where you are or where you have been in your Al-Anon or Alateen program!

5. In my Al-Anon or Alateen Group, I can use: My first name only My first name and first initial of my last name My full name A pseudonym As a newcomer I might have questions about…anonymity in a meeting

6. On the other hand, I might have been in the fellowship for awhile and become active in service beyond the group level. My questions might be about…anonymity — with other members in service

7. I can give them my Full name My postal and e-mail addresses My phone number(s) It is okay to give other members in service my contact information so that we can communicate with each other!

8. Even if I am not yet involved in service beyond my group, I might attend: • A group anniversary • A workshop in my district • An Al-Anon convention • Any other special Al-Anon or Alateen function It’s okay for me to give new friends my full name, address, e-mail or phone number!

9. When I send an Al-Anon related letter or e-mail message to a member… I use “AFG” instead of the Al-Anon/Alateen names on the envelope or in the subject line of an e-mail message.

10. My anonymity is broken when my full name is included… …on a program-related report, flyer, or newsletter posted on an Al-Anon Web site that is open to the public.

11. When I become comfortable enough in my program, I will want to tell others outside of our fellowship about the recovery I have found in Al-Anon and Alateen. I will need to know about…

12. Anonymity and carrying the message outside of our fellowship

13. If I say I am an Al-Anon member and appear in or am quoted in ANY type of media… I only use my first name or a pseudonym. I do not show my full face. I don’t identify any other Al-Anon, Alateen, or A.A. member. I'm Sue

14. 456-6789 How can I reach you? When I communicate face-to-face about Al-Anon or Alateen with any individual, the media, or a professional… I may give them: • My full name • My personal contact information

15. …When I speak I need to think about who is in the audience…

16. As a speaker, I’m free to decide how much anonymity I want

17. I need to remember that when I state my full name and I am being recorded my sharing may be posted on a Web site.

18. When I use e-mail to reach out to professionals or the media, I use my own or an Al-Anon-related e-mail address instead of my work e-mail address

19. I have choices when I send a letter to professionals or the media • I can use the Al-Anon name in the return address of the envelope. • I can sign a letter using: • My full name, if I ask in writing that it not be published. • My first name and first initial of my last name along with the name of an Al-Anon group or service arm.

20. Because I want to be considered a credible source of information about Al-Anon and Alateen, I want the media and other professionals to know how to contact me!

21. To review, when I give my personal information to anyone outside Al-Anon/Alateen… I need to tell them about anonymity by: Explaining Tradition Eleven Asking them specifically not to use my full name or a full face picture of me in print, radio, films, TV or on the Internet! Tradition Eleven

22. All of the these situations were about myanonymity. What about the anonymity of others?

23. That’s easy! I carefully guard against revealing the name of any Al-Anon, Alateen, or A.A. member to anyone, inside or outside the fellowships! It’s their choice, not mine!

24. I can look at our 2006-2009 Service Manual (P-24/27) to learn about anonymity • Al-Anon and Alateen “Groups at Work” section • Pages 50-51 & 52-53 • “Digest of Al-Anon and Alateen Policies” section • Pages 83-84 & 99 • Pages 109-111 (Notes and Updates)

25. Our Service Manual is availablefrom several sources • Your group • On-line on the Members’ Web site • Your local AIS or LDC • The World Service Office

26. Summing it all up • There are three approaches to anonymity: • Personal • Within Al-Anon • Outside of Al-Anon

27. Summing it all up • There are different ways for me to communicate depending upon my degree of anonymity. • I need to consider to whom I am speaking before I respond to them.

28. Summing it all up • When I am speaking outside of Al-Anon, I can uphold Tradition Eleven. • The Al-Anon/Alateen Service Manual is here for me as a resource.

29. “Anonymity in Al-Anon is a sacred trust, basic to our fellowship and its survival.” 2006-2009 Al-Anon/Alateen Service Manual (P-24/27) page 50

30. The End Are there any additional comments or questions?