Your Al-Anon Office of Metro Detroit at Work

 This website answers some common questions about our office. We hope it will increase awareness of what we, as members, accomplish through our office

•What are the office hours?
•Who runs the Al-Anon Office of Metro Detroit?
•Do we have paid workers at the office?
•Does Al-Anon’s World Service Office (WSO), Michigan Al-Anon, Inc., or AA support the office financially?
• What are the group’s financial priorities regarding donating to service arms?
•What other services does the office provide?

Your office is an Al-Anon Information Service and Literature Distribution Center. It first opened in 1960 to serve all Al-Anon and Alateen groups in the Metropolitan Detroit area and to direct potential members to the nearest Al-Anon meeting. Al-Anon is a support group for anyone affected by someone else's drinking. Alateen, a part of Al-Anon, is for younger members affected by someone's drinking.

•What are the office hours?
Office hours are Mondays 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Tuesdays - Fridays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The office is currently located on Research Drive in the Freeway Industrial Park, south of Ten Mile Rd., between Halstead and Haggerty in Farmington Hills. You can call the office at (248) 888-8586 for a map or further directions.
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•Who runs the Al-Anon Office of Metro Detroit?
Each and every member of Al-Anon and Alateen in the Metropolitan Detroit area is responsible for the running of your office, and in turn your office is responsible to each member. The office is run based on decisions made at the monthly Council meetings of the Al-Anon Family Groups of the Detroit Area, Inc. At these Intergroup meetings, an Intergroup Service Representative (ISR) from each Al-Anon and Alateen group is eligible to vote on all matters brought up. A Service Board, responsible to the Council, is elected from those ISRs present to oversee operations of the office. The Executive Secretary oversees daily operations and reports to the Service Board. Representatives are elected from each group and attend monthly Council meeting to vote for you.

If your group already has a representative, ask them for a monthly report. Last year only about 10% of our groups were represented. If we are to uphold Al-Anon principles and be truly democratic in thought and action, we need representation and participation from all our groups. The Council meets on the third (3rd) Saturday of every month at 10 a.m., except for the month of July. Present location is at your Al-Anon Office of Metro Detroit in Farmington Hills.
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•Do we have paid workers at the office?
At this time, your office has one full-time employee (the Executive Secretary), and a one- hour-per week employee (the Treasurer). They provide your office with consistent office hours and orderliness not otherwise possible. Our special workers are paid only for their office skills, not for Twelfth Step work. For that we rely on a staff of volunteers (our "Al-Anon Angels").

Any Al-Anon member with at least one year in the program who regularly attends Al-Anon meetings can volunteer. Last year these "Angels" were in your office for at least a portion of 134 days of the year. There were still 111 days when the Executive Secretary had no support, so we can always use your help! Volunteers determine their own hours. To find out more about volunteering at your office, please call our Volunteer Coordinator, Bob, at (313) 531-2741.

The primary purpose of volunteers is to answer all Twelfth Step calls. As time permits, they may help out with other office duties as well, such as preparing literature orders or bulk mailing of our newsletter. Last year over 4,500 calls were answered during office hours. The "Metro Detroit" in our name refers to most of Southeast Michigan. 1,671 of these calls came from Oakland County. 1,546 calls came from Wayne County. 1,007 came from Macomb County and the remainder came from other areas.

After business hours, an answering machine refers callers to members who take calls in their homes (Phone Minders). There are two Phone Minders for each night. CAN ONE OF THEM BE YOU? All it requires is that you are home one night a week and that you have a willingness to let the hand of Al-Anon and Alateen always be there to anyone who reaches out for help. Calls are taken from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. one night of the week for a one-month period. For further information, please call our Phone Minder Coordinator, Betty, at (810) 755-3586 There are also many other ways that members can volunteer to help your office. You can help with fundraising events, public information or many other activities. Attend Council meetings or read What’s the Buzz? to find out what help is currently needed.
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•Does Al-Anon’s World Service Office (WSO), Michigan Al-Anon, Inc., or AA support the office financially?
Your office’s only source of income is from the Al-Anon and Alateen groups we serve, through literature sales, donations and fundraising events. Donations are voluntary. Your office serves all our groups, whether they are able to contribute or not. Last year, 111 of the 222 Al-Anon and Alateen groups serviced by your Office donated. Each March, a yearly donation report is sent out. Appeal letters are sent out at least once a year.

Commitment from your group to regular monthly donations to your office will help your office have a steady income and pay expenses each month. Individual contributions are also welcome. Your office is a non-profit organization and your personal contributions are tax deductible. In recognition and gratitude for service provided, your office donates regularly, when financially feasible, to Michigan Al-Anon, Inc. and WSO.
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•What are the group’s financial priorities regarding donating to service arms?
A group’s first priority is the expense of the group itself. Once rent, literature and other expenses are paid, it is suggested that any excess group funds are passed on first to your district and Al-Anon Information Service, then to the Area (Michigan AFG, Inc.) and then to WSO.
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•What other services does the office provide?
Your office serves as a resource for the professional community when seeking Al-Anon speakers and information. Each year over 1500 pieces of public information literature are mailed free of charge to hundreds of individuals, social agencies, churches and others.

Each year our annual Dinner Dance serves as both a fundraiser and an excellent opportunity for members to get together for an entertaining, recovery-filled evening. Each January an Al-Anon-Athon is held. It is a daylong opportunity for fun and growth, with speakers, panels and round-table discussions about recovery topics. Al-Anon Workshops are also held from time to time. Past subjects have included Habits of Healthy Groups, 4th Step Inventory, Al-Anon Adult Children and Alateen Sponsorship. We also organize Al-Anon and Alateen participation each year at various AA Conferences and Conventions. By cooperating with AA at these events, we ensure an accurate presentation of the Al-Anon program and spread awareness and understanding of our fellowship. See the Calendar for more information.
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