What is the Alano Club?

The Alano Club of Battle Creek not really a "club" but a service organization consisting entirely of volunteers from the local community. The Alano Club is needed because 12 Step groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous are prohibited by their charter from owning property, electing leaders, accepting donations or having officers. In contrast, the Alano Club can own property and elect leaders for the purpose of providing a facility for 12 Step recovery programs.

Today, there are literally hundreds of Alano Clubs throughout America, from the smallest town to the largest metropolitan areas. They operate independently as non-profit organizations to provide support and facilities for a wide variety of 12 Step recovery programs. The Alano Club can accept donations to support ongoing programs. Individual A.A. groups cannot.

When was the Alano Club of Battle Creek established?

The Alano Club of Battle Creek was formed in downtown Battle Creek in the early 1950s to provide a safe meeting place for those in 12-Step recovery programs. In 1984, the Alano Club moved into a former police facility at 1125 Territorial Rd. on the west side of Battle Creek, where we remain today. Hundreds of people visit our facility each week to take part in 12 Step recovery programs.

What is the "Building Recovery" capital campaign?

The Alano Club of Battle Creek launched the "Building Recovery" capital campaign in late 2007 to raise funds for a new Community Recover Center. Our current facility is woefully inadequate for the increasing number of people who need 12 Step recovery programs. The new facility will be located on the same land at 1125 Territorial Rd. in Battle Creek. Your tax-deductiblecontributions will make a world of difference to those in need — right here in our own community. To learn more, please visit our "Building Recovery" page or online donation page now.

Who runs the Alano Club of Battle Creek?

The Alano Club of Battle Creek is a non-profit organization run by a volunteer board of directors, many of whom are recovery from substance abuse problems. All decisions regarding the Alano Club facility and operational policies are made by the board or by a subcommittee of the board. Many volunteers also contribute their time, talents and resources to the Alano Club.

What kind of meetings are held at the Alano Club?

Both open and closed A.A. meetings are held at the Alano Club throughout the week, including special group meetings for women only and meetings in Spanish. Once our new facility is built, we aim to increase the number of variety of 12 Step programs, including new services for teens, family members and others in need of recovery help. Click here for the latest meeting schedule.

What's the difference between a "closed" and an "open" meeting?

A "closed" meeting is for alcoholics who have made a commitment to stop drinking. "Open" meetings are open to all visitors, whether or not they have made such a commitment.

What is Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.)?

Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of more than 2 million men and women worldwide who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.

Are there any requirements or fees for joining Alcoholics Anonymous?

The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees for A.A. membership; we are self-supporting through our own contributions.

Is Alcoholics Anonymous affiliated with any religion, church or political organization?

No. A.A. is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy; neither endorses nor opposes any causes. Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety.

How do A.A. members maintain sobriety?

Who can attend an "open" meeting?

What is the A.A. guideline about anonymity (not using names)?

Traditionally, A.A. members have always taken care to preserve their anonymity at the “public” level: press, radio, television, and films. In the early days of A.A., when more stigma was attached to the term “alcoholic” than is the case today, this reluctance to be identified — and publicized — was easy to understand.

As the Fellowship of A.A. grew, the positive values of anonymity soon became apparent. First, we know from experience that many problem drinkers might hesitate to turn to A.A. for help if they thought their problem might be discussed publicly, even inadvertently, by others. Newcomers should be able to seek help with assurance that their identities will not be disclosed to anyone outside the Fellowship.

Then, too, we believe that the concept of personal anonymity has a spiritual significance for us — that it discourages the drives for personal recognition, power, prestige, or profit that have caused difficulties in some societies. Much of our relative effectiveness in working with alcoholics might be impaired if we sought or accepted public recognition.

While each member of A.A. is free to make his or her own interpretations of A.A. tradition, no individual member is ever recognized as a spokesperson for the Fellowship locally, nationally, or internationally. Each member speaks only for himself or herself.

How did A.A. begin?

What doesn't A.A. do?

What are the 12 Steps?

The 12 Steps are part of a time-tested recovery process used by millions of people since 1935. To read the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, click here now. Many other groups, such as Narcotics Anonymous and Gamblers Anonymous, use similar a 12 Step process to help their members recovery from addition and addictive behavior.

What are the 12 Traditions?

While the 12 Steps focus on individual recovery, the 12 Traditions provide guidelines for group meetings, group organization and group philosophy. They apply to individual A.A. groups, but not to the Alano Club, per se. (See the first question at the top of this page for more details.)

What is the Big Book?

The "Big Book" is a nickname for a book formerly titled "Alcoholics Anonymous," which was first published in 1939. It explains the development of A.A. and explains how the recovery programs works for those battling alcoholism. You can find an online copy of the Big Book on our Recovery Resources page.

What is the Little Red Book?

The Little Red Book is filled with practical information for those first days of sober living. It offers newcomers advice about the program, how long it takes, and what to look for in a sponsor. The book also provides in-depth discussions of each of the Twelve Steps and related character defects. It poses common questions about AA and helping others, identifying where to find answers in the Big Book.

Where can I find out more about A.A. and the Alano Club of Battle Creek?

Please visit our Recovery Resources page for more helpful information. Or call the Alano Club of Battle Creek directly at (269) 216-9815. Click here for the latest meeting schedule.