Visit INSIDE AL-ANON monthly to see news and interesting articles from Al-Anon’s World Service Office.
New Al-Anon meeting has opened in Mayfield, KY
April 2026
2026 World Service Conference Mail
Name (Hold for WSC 4/20-4/24, 2026 )
Newport News Marriott at City Center
740 Town Center Dr.
Newport News, VA 23606
Please plan to have your mail arrive after April 17. Remember to use your trusted servant’s name and home address as the return address in case mail delivery is delayed.
Al-Anon’s 66th World Service Conference will convene in Newport News, Virginia, USA, from April 20 to April 24, 2026. The Conference, Al-Anon’s annual business meeting, provides guidance to the World Service Office (WSO) on service matters that are brought to its attention.
Delegates and other trusted servants enjoy receiving mail from members and groups in their Areas while they are at the Conference. We invite you to send cards and notes of support to Conference members. We ask that members and groups refrain from mailing boxes, packages, or large envelopes (love gifts) to the hotel as Conference members who wish to share love gifts with other attendees will be limited to what they can carry with them to and from Conference.
75 Years of Experience, Strength, and Hope
In May 1951, Lois W., Anne B., and several other volunteers staffed the very first Al‑Anon Clearing House. They received mail from groups and typed letters in response.
Today, the Clearing House, now known as the World Service Office (WSO), receives phone calls, emails, direct messages, and yes, even mailed letters from groups and members around the world.
While technology has changed, our purpose remains the same: to serve the worldwide fellowship of Al‑Anon Family Groups, which includes Alateen, by sharing our collective experience, strength, and hope.
Members Share in The Forum
April Members Blog Topic
Please share with us at al-anon.org/member-blog
Sharings on the Member Blog may be used in future Al-Anon publications. New topics are being added each month!
The Power of Participation in Recovery
As Concept Four states, “Participation is the key to harmony.” Participation marks a turning point—from isolation to belonging. By sharing our experience, strength, and hope, sponsoring others, or doing service, we not only strengthen our own recovery but also build meaningful connections. When we participate, we connect to something greater than ourselves.
April’s blog topic is: “How has participation been significant to your recovery?”
As always, you can also write about Al-Anon’s three Legacies. This month features Step Three, Tradition Three, and Concept Three.
2026 World Service Conference
The 66th World Service Conference (WSC) will take place April 20–24, 2026 in Newport News, Virginia, USA. The WSC is “Al‑Anon’s annual business meeting, which is attended by all Delegates from the World Service Conference Structure, representatives from other countries, members of the Board of Trustees and Executive Committee, voting members of the World Service Office (WSO) administrative Staff, and other WSO personnel. The Conference provides guidance to the WSO on service matters that are brought to its attention” (“World Service Handbook” section of the Al‑Anon/Alateen Service Manual [P-24/27], page 141).
Each year, following the WSC, the WSO compiles a World Service Conference Summary that provides a full report of the proceedings. The 2026 Summary will be posted on al-anon.org this summer. Meanwhile, consider taking a look at what has occurred at past WSCs. All Summaries, from 1961 through 2025, are available at al‑anon.org/wscsummary
What Do Al-Anon Principles Have to Do with My Money?
A new piece of literature, approved for development by the 2024 World Service Conference, is seeking sharings about members’ relationship with finances in Al-Anon recovery.
The family disease of alcoholism impacts us physically, emotionally, spiritually, and financially. How have you been affected? How have you applied Al-Anon principles to your financial life? Please share your experience, strength, and hope with us!
Go to al‑anon.org/sharing to see the writing guide and submit your sharing.
Subscribe to Al‑Anon Magazines
Did you know that The Forum is just one of three print-subscription magazines published by Al‑Anon’s World Service Office (WSO)? For our Spanish- and French-speaking members, we publish the bimonthly magazines Al‑Anon y Alateen en acción and Le lien respectively. All our magazines feature articles by members sharing their experiences finding hope and help in Al‑Anon, along with news from the WSO.
Visit al‑anon.org/shop and subscribe today to receive a regular dose of recovery in print—in English, Spanish, or French!