Public Outreach
Public Outreach informs the general public about who we are, what we do, and how to get in touch with Al-Anon and Alateen through outreach to the media, professionals (counsellors, doctors, etc), institutions such as rehabilitation centres, organisations e.g. SANCA and by going directly into the public arena.
Our goal is to attract all families and friends of alcoholics to Al-Anon Family Groups, so that everyone in every community who needs our programme can find help and hope. In Public Outreach, we strive for name recognition and credibility for Al-Anon and Alateen as viable resources for local, regional, and national communities.
There are a number of Public Outreach resources for Al-Anon members available on the WSO website: https://al-anon.org/for-members/public-outreach/ . These include materials to post online, downloadable pamphlets and suggestions for groups to do as Public Outreach projects.
Members should be exercise caution when using all Public Outreach materials and resources especially regarding:
Copyright of WSO literature
It is vital to respect the copyright regulations of WSO literature, WSO made the following statement
“Al-Anon copyrighted literature is one of our primary sources of revenue within the fellowship, not only for the WSO but also for the literature distribution centers and GSOs throughout the world. By respecting our copyright, we are protecting our own Tradition Seven, “Every group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.” If we allowed others to copy and reprint our literature freely, we would be diverted from our primary purpose, ‘helping families and friends of alcoholics,” by becoming entangled in outside issues (legal disputes) which would be a violation of Tradition Ten.”
Also:
“The WSO grants permission for certain materials to be printed out or posted on web pages, but the postings need to acknowledge a credit line as follows: ” Reprinted with permission of Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc., Virginia Beach, VA.” Compliance with Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc.’s copyrights and trademarks is required.”
Anonymity
The assurance of anonymity is essential to Al-Anon’s efforts to help more families and friends of alcoholics. It is important to remember that no Al-Anon, Alateen, or A.A. speaker or member be identified by full name or picture in published, broadcast, or Internet reports.
Al-Anon Family Groups Southern Africa Branding Guide
This Guide, ‘ZA Branding’, is meant to ensure that all communications, both internal and public, have the same look and feel, formats, conform to WSO style guides, and have the correct usage of our logos. This guide may be found here
Al-Anon Faces Alcoholism
Al-Anon Faces Alcoholism (AFA) is our annual Public Outreach magazine and is available in three languages: English, Spanish, and French. It is a great way to introduce Al-Anon to people who are unfamiliar with us, to inform professionals that Al-Anon is a wonderful resource, and to motivate patients/clients to attend their first meeting. The pages of Al-Anon Faces Alcoholism include articles by professionals. These article increase Al-Anon’s credibility among other professionals, potential newcomers, and the general public. There are also stories written by members that are specifically geared to the newcomer. They describe the impact of drinking on the families and friends of the alcoholic, the importance of family recovery, and some of the benefits of practising the Al-Anon programme.
The SA Public Outreach Chairperson, Bette may be contacted on: Cell +27 82 576 9739 Email publicoutreachza@gmail.com
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