The Alano Club of Battle Creek is not really a "club" but rather 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 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. For example, we are responsible for paying the electric, heating and insurance bills for the building on Territorial Road, which is used for more than 25 different 12 Step meetings every week. We're also responsible for dozens of other tasks, both large and small, that must be done to operate a safe place for recovery meetings.

Today, hundreds of Alano Clubs exist throughout America, from the smallest towns to the largest metropolitan areas. They operate independently as non-profit organizations. To understand more about the difference between the Alano Club and Alcoholics Anonymous (or other 12 Step programs) .