Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates for Rhode Island Area Al-Anon
(updated 4/5/20)
Due to health & safety concerns, many Rhode Island Al-Anon meetings have closed until further notice. Please check the Temporary Meeting Cancellations page for known closures. Some groups are continuing to hold "virtual" meetings via Zoom or Conference Call. Please check the Temporary Online & Phone Meetings page for a list of these meetings. (Click here for Secure Zoom Meeting Information.)
Coronavirus Preparedness
The Area has put together some suggestions for groups and members as concerns about meetings and personal safety increase. Please share them with your group and try to make time to discuss them at your next business meeting.
As we deal with this evolving situation, let us not forget our primary purpose: to help families and friends of alcoholics.
Meeting Cancellations/Temporary Closures: Since each group is autonomous, the decision to temporarily close a meeting is a matter of group conscience. Also, the facility where your group meets may establish restrictions on outside groups using the space during the Coronavirus crisis. If your group becomes temporarily inactive or decides to meeting "virtually", please send an email to the Website Coordinator ([email protected]) and she will post the information on the website.
Note: Do not contact WSO with temporary closures or changes. They do not have the resources to manually update the status of every registered group in a timely and accurate fashion nor can they easily modify the display of groups on the WSO website on a temporary basis. Therefore, it is important that temporary meeting closures/changes be reported to the Rhode Island Area’s Website Coordinator ([email protected]).
Personal Contact: Groups may want to take a group conscience on welcoming hugs and holding hands while still retaining the spiritual nature of the closing prayer, allowing for members to opt out if the group decides to continue these practices.
Groups may want to remind members to wash hands or to make hand-sanitizer available. Groups might also consider how to keep materials and surfaces clean.
If you are sick, please stay home. Members are encouraged to reach out to one another by calling an Al-Anon friend, participating in one of the temporary "virtual" meetings in Rhode Island, or to use regular electronic meetings (https://al-anon.org/al-anon-meetings/electronic-meetings/) registered with WSO. Discuss with one another how you might maintain “the loving interchange of help among members,” even when members can’t meet face-to-face.
We are grateful for your cooperation, patience, and understanding as we adapt to this situation, one day at a time.
Coronavirus Preparedness
The Area has put together some suggestions for groups and members as concerns about meetings and personal safety increase. Please share them with your group and try to make time to discuss them at your next business meeting.
As we deal with this evolving situation, let us not forget our primary purpose: to help families and friends of alcoholics.
Meeting Cancellations/Temporary Closures: Since each group is autonomous, the decision to temporarily close a meeting is a matter of group conscience. Also, the facility where your group meets may establish restrictions on outside groups using the space during the Coronavirus crisis. If your group becomes temporarily inactive or decides to meeting "virtually", please send an email to the Website Coordinator ([email protected]) and she will post the information on the website.
Note: Do not contact WSO with temporary closures or changes. They do not have the resources to manually update the status of every registered group in a timely and accurate fashion nor can they easily modify the display of groups on the WSO website on a temporary basis. Therefore, it is important that temporary meeting closures/changes be reported to the Rhode Island Area’s Website Coordinator ([email protected]).
Personal Contact: Groups may want to take a group conscience on welcoming hugs and holding hands while still retaining the spiritual nature of the closing prayer, allowing for members to opt out if the group decides to continue these practices.
Groups may want to remind members to wash hands or to make hand-sanitizer available. Groups might also consider how to keep materials and surfaces clean.
If you are sick, please stay home. Members are encouraged to reach out to one another by calling an Al-Anon friend, participating in one of the temporary "virtual" meetings in Rhode Island, or to use regular electronic meetings (https://al-anon.org/al-anon-meetings/electronic-meetings/) registered with WSO. Discuss with one another how you might maintain “the loving interchange of help among members,” even when members can’t meet face-to-face.
We are grateful for your cooperation, patience, and understanding as we adapt to this situation, one day at a time.