Al-Anon Committees

Interested in Service Work?

Soberfest is a volunteer, non-profit entity, which shall be autonomous, responsible only to those they serve. The Al-Anon committee is guided by the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of the Al-Anon Family Groups. 

Interested in volunteering? Please contact us at info@soberfest.org for more detail or or use this contact form. Also, feel free to attend a Soberfest planning meeting.

Available Positions:

  • Co-Secretary
  • Alanonathon Chair & Co-Chair
  • Public Information Chair & Co-Chair
  • Archives Chair & Co-Chair
  • Alateen Chair & Co-Chair
  • Volunteer Chair & Co-Chair

Unless otherwise noted, all committee positions require a minimum of 1-year continuous Al-Anon membership at the time of the conference. Generally, positions require 2-year commitments; with the first as co-chair and the second year as chair.

* Exceptions

  • Treasurer – 2 years as chair, 2 years as co-chair
  • Technical Support – 2 years as chair, 2 years as co-chair

Our planning committee meets year-round and is divided into a number of subcommittees, which are assigned various responsibilities for the planning, preparation, and execution of all events before, during and after the conference. Interested in learning more about a specific position? Review the position descriptions below and feel free to reach out to the specific committees via email.  When at the conference or the FUNRaisers, feel free to approach any committee member wearing a “COMMITTEE” badge.

Our goal is to provide you with the best conference experience possible, so please feel free to let us know how we can do better!

Click here to see the AA General Service Office Guidelines for Conferences and Conventions.


Al-Anon Subcommittee

A subcommittee comprised of Al-Anon members who handle the planning and preparation for Al-Anon and Alateen activities, including events during the conference and fundraiser. The Committee Chair and Co-chair of the subcommittee are invited to attend the Central Committee meeting in order to ensure proper coordination and smooth operation. Please contact the Al-Anon subcommittee for further information after reviewing the job descriptions below.

Al-Anon Chair/ Co-Chair

Hosts of the conference, these volunteers are charged with carrying ‘The Message’ of Soberfest to the Areas and Districts that support the conference. Must be well-versed in the Traditions of Al-Anon to aid the committee in keeping them. The Chair and Co-Chair need to be familiar with every aspect of each subcommittee and be ready to serve when they need help. Unselfish and unbiased service to all conference attendees, committee members and volunteers in the primary purpose of these elected positions.

The Chair and Co-Chair will be required to attend the pre-conference meeting with the hotel staff on the day prior to the event; typically at around 4:30 pm. This will, in all likelihood, entail taking time off from work. In addition, it is expected that the Chair and Co-Chair be present in the hotel at the beginning of the Conference, as well as throughout the weekend. Please take these requirements into consideration before standing for either position.

Commitment:

  • Requires a minimum of 5 years of continuous Al-Anon membership at the time of the conference
  • Served at least 3 consecutive years on the Al-Anon Committee
  • Entails a 2-year commitment (1 as co-chair, 1 as chair)
  • Past Chair persons are not eligible

Alanonathon

Alanonathon Chair

Coordinate Alanonathon at Soberfest. Come up with leads related to the theme of the weekend. Work at getting speakers to take the leads. Arrange literature/handouts and decor for the room. Mentor Co-Chair.

Alanonathon Co-Chair

Assist Chair in coordinating Alanonathon at Soberfest. Help find volunteers. Take over as chairperson the following year.

Commitment:

  • This subcommittee requires a minimum of 1-year continuous Al-Anon membership at the time of the conference
  • It entails a 2-year commitment (1 as co-chair, 1 as chair)

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Alateen

Alateen Chair

Coordinate and document all Alateen topic leads for the Alateen room at Soberfest, as well as, Alateen activities at Soberfest. Facilitate Alateen leaders to help with activities and functions. Find the Alateen speaker for Soberfest and host them. Find Alateens to help with and run the Alateen Bake Sales at the AA and Al-Anon Fundraisers. Find Alateens to help as announcers during the Al-Anon portion of Soberfest. Mentor the Alateen Co-Chair.

Alateen Co-Chair

Help the Alateen Chair with the above activities. Spread the word at Alateen functions. Take over as chairperson the following year.

Commitment:

  • This subcommittee requires a minimum of 1-year Al-Anon membership at the time of the conference
  • It entails a two-year commitment (1 as co-chair and 1 as chair)

Alateen Check-in

Alateen Check-in Chair

Coordinate the check-in of Alateens who sign up to attend Soberfest. Purchase ID tags or bracelets for identification for different activities. Collect permission slips and registration forms for the Alateen leaders. Most of the work is done in October and November. Mentor the Alateen Check-In Co-Chair.

Alateen Check-In Co-Chair

Assist the Alateen Check-In Chair, as needed. Take over as chairperson the following year.

Commitment:

  • This subcommittee requires a minimum of 1-year continuous Al-Anon membership at the time of the conference
  • It entails a 2-year commitment (1 as co-chair, 1 as chair)

Archives

Archives Chair

Track down and coordinate display of archives for Soberfest weekend. May involve contacting area and district leaders for displays of items, records, etc. Set up the display at Soberfest. These are our conference historians. A historical look back at past McHenry’s Soberfest conferences will be provided. Mentor the Archives Co-Chair.

Archive Co-Chair

Help Archives Chair track down and coordinate display of archives for Soberfest weekend. Take over as chairperson the following year.

Commitment:

  • This subcommittee requires a minimum of 1-year continuous Al-Anon membership at the time of the conference
  • It entails a 2-year commitment (1 as co-chair, 1 as chair)

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Fundraiser

Fundraiser Chair

Organize and coordinate Al-Anon Fundraiser and silent auction in August. Most of the work is done in May to August. Mentor Fundraiser Co-Chair for the following year.

Fundraiser Co-Chair

Assist the Fundraiser Chair whenever necessary. Take over as chairperson the following year.

Commitment:

  • The subcommittee requires a minimum of 1-year continuous Al-Anon membership at the time of the conference
  • Entails a two-year commitment (1-year as the co-chair, 1-year as the chair)

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Literature

Literature Chair

Coordinate the purchase, pickup, setup, and the return of Al-Anon literature that will be sold at Soberfest. Most of the work is done in October and November. Mentor the Literature Co-Chair.

Literature Co-Chair

Assist the Literature Chair as needed. Help find volunteers. Take over as chairperson the following year.

Commitment:

  • This subcommittee requires a minimum of 1-year continuous Al-Anon membership at the time of the conference
  • It entails a 2-year commitment (1 as co-chair, 1 as chair)

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Public Information (PI)

Public Information (PI) Chair

Get the word out!! Bring info about Soberfest to meetings whenever possible. Help with printing/ layout of informational flyers. Attend as many meetings as possible to spread the word. Mentor the PI Co-Chair.

Public Information Co-Chair

Assist the PI Chair. Attend as many meetings as possible to get the word out. Take over as chairperson the following year.

Commitment:

  • This subcommittee requires a minimum of 1-year continuous Al-Anon membership at the time of the conference
  • It entails a 2-year commitment (1 as co-chair, 1 as chair)

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Secretary

Secretary Chair

Take minutes at all meetings and distribute them on a timely basis to all committee members before the next meeting. Keep and update contact list of committee members. Mentor Secretary Co-Chair.

Secretary Co-Chair

Assist Secretary Chair when unable to attend meetings or distribute minutes. Act as chairperson the following year.

Commitment:

  • This subcommittee requires a minimum of 1-year continuous Al-Anon membership at the time of the conference
  • Entails a 2-year commitment (1 as co-chair, 1 as chair)

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Speaker

Speaker Chair

Listen to speaker tapes and contact speakers for future Soberfest weekends. Coordinate travel and expenses for the speaker with the Treasurer Chair. Arrange for or act as host for speakers at Soberfest. Mentor the Speaker Co-Chair.

Speaker Co-Chair

Assist Speaker Chair. Take over as chairperson the following year.

Commitment:

  • This subcommittee requires a minimum of 1-year Al-Anon membership at the time of the conference
  • It entails a 2-year commitment (1 as co-chair, 1 as chair)

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Technical

Technical Chair

The Technical Subcommittee maintains the Al-Anon portion of the Soberfest website (www.soberfest.org). Assist as needed with the maintenance of Soberfest online accounts.

Requirements:

  • Experience with WordPress and WordPress plug-ins is helpful
  • A basic understanding of HTML and CSS is helpful
  • Employment in IT or past experience with web hosting is appreciated

Commitment:

  • This subcommittee requires a minimum of 2-year Al-Anon membership at the time of the conference
  • It entails a 4-year commitment (2 as co-chair, 2 as chair).

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Treasurer

Treasurer Chair

Keep accounting records of the committee. Make committee payments. Run program for silent auction at the fundraiser. Keep account of cash boxes and records at Soberfest. Provide a current treasurer’s report at monthly meetings. Mentor the Treasurer Co-Chair.

Treasurer Co-Chair

Assist Treasurer Chair. Take over as chairperson the following year.

Commitment:

  • This subcommittee requires a minimum of 5-year continuous Al-Anon membership at the time of the conference
  • It entails a 4-year commitment ( 2 as co-chair, 2 as chair)

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Volunteer

Volunteer Chair

Coordinate volunteers to work assigned time slots for the Alanon fundraiser in August and during Soberfest weekend in November. Establish a schedule and make reminder calls. Work with committee chairs to determine times needed. A great job for a person who attends a lot of meetings or doesn’t mind attending new meetings and spreading the word! Mentor the Volunteer Co-Chair.

Volunteer Co-Chair

Assist the Volunteer Chair in any way possible. Help coordinate volunteers and make a schedule. Take over as chairperson the following year.

Commitment:

  • This subcommittee requires a minimum of 1-year continuous Al-Anon membership at the time of the conference
  • It entails a 2-year commitment (1 as co-chair, 1 as chair)
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