BRIEF UPDATED TIMELINE OF THE AL-ANON CENTRAL SERVICES OFFICE
Early 50’s to 2017
A more in-depth History from the 50’s to 1996 is included in this Scrapbook
Early 50’s started from a modest beginning of a few members at Edith Adam’s Cottage at the Old Sun Building on Beatty St. Vancouver, thus the eventuality of the following events.
· The forerunner of Al-Anon Central Service was “Vancouver Intergroup” formed in 1958.
· “How to Start” an Intergroup was brought to Vancouver from California by an Al-Anon member.
· A project of Intergroup was the “Newsletter”.
· 12 Step calls were received from the AA Central Office and passed along by Intergroup to someone in the caller’s area.
· Intergroup Meetings were held in the basement of the Unitarian Church – 10th Ave West of Granville St. When the church was demolished in 1960 meetings were held wherever it was affordable.
· Feb 1, 1963 -- The Newsletter became the “Bulletin”.
· An earlier site of the office was 205- 576 Seymour St. and stayed for about 5 years.
· November 1966 the new office opened and was called Vancouver Information Centre at
110-615 W. Pender St. The office now had its own telephone number and listing in the Vancouver Directory.
· In the late 70’s the first Bylaws and Constitution were written.
· The name Al-Anon Central Services was adopted in the late 70’s as the office had grown
to represent all of BC/Yukon to a much greater extent through literature orders, Bulletin
subscriptions plus being an information centre.
· 1983 - the next Move– 310-626 West Pender
· Apr/1990 – Bylaws & Constitution signed and sent to Victoria. – Name of Al-Anon Central Service Society was selected as opposed to Al-Anon Central Office Society. June 1990 a few changes made and re-submitted.
· May 31, 1991 - A new chapter began for Al-Anon Central Services – The office moved to two
large spacious rooms 306-307 626 West Pender St.
· Nov. 1, 1991 – Bulletin 55 year’s old
· 1991-2002 – Central Office Committee Business meetings alternated the meeting times to enable
members the opportunity to attend. (11am and 7:30pm) This applied only to the location at
306-307 – 626 W. Pender St.
· Oct/93 – Bulletin printing moved from in-house to outside printers
· 1994 - Daphne C. 14 years and Kal T. 10 years – retired from service at the office.
· May 1994 – A note of interest – there were 400 bulletins completely processed (hardcopies) from the
Al-Anon Central Office.
· May/ 1996 – The office at 306-307 W. Pender had a fire. - No injuries or damage to the office.
· Feb/1998 - Office incurred financial difficulties. Office Manager released with a letter of termination
· 1998 – Kathy S. – bookkeeper –volunteered to enter all manual financial information 1994-1998 into computer. New office procedures put in-place. F/S Reviewed by an accountant.
· Feb/2000 – Archives stored at Al-Anon Central Office. – motion for Assembly to pay for the space. The amount for following years to be determined year by year.
· Jun/2000 – Due to financial pressures the rent increase was beyond our means on the 3rd floor. The lease company offered a smaller office on the 9th floor. The office moved to 910-626 W. Pender St. Members from the Edgemont Men’s Group helped the office to move the 3rd floor to the 9th floor.
· 2000 - Had 3 break-ins – the office had a fire escape which was obviously vulnerable to break-ins. The cash box with $60.00 was gone. The office finally got a retractable iron gate from the superintendent of the building for the window and doors re-keyed.
· 2001 - Archives received the Al-Anon Quilt from the Regional Service Seminar held in Richmond.
· Jul/2002 - Due to the building being sold at 626 W. Pender, the office was given 90 days to vacate. Another move was necessary.
· Sept 2002 - Doris K and Judy K. started the search for another location. Two sites were located, the committee viewed and made the decision for #101-3680 E. Hastings St.
· Sept 2002 – Late Sept began the moved to the current location 101-3680 E. Hastings St. Lovely view, very nice office. Open house Oct 19, 2002.
· 2002 – Office mgr. Norma M. had moved to Roberts Creek, but made a decision to continue working by staying in town for Tues, Wed and Thurs for a trial period of 3 months. She decided it was time to resign as it was becoming too difficult to keep up the travelling.
· Office manager Doris K from mid 2002 – 2010. Retired due to illness.
· Aug/2010 - Elaine B. new Office Manager.
· Sept 2010 – Bulletin became part of the BC/Yukon Assembly, but continued to be processed
out of Al-Anon Central Office (printing/mailing). Motion of Sept/09
· December/2014– Processing the Bulletin finally ended and moved to the responsibility of the BC/Yukon Assembly. Motion
· Oct 2016 - Had our 50th Anniversary of the Al-Anon Central Office.
· 2016 - The By-laws and Constitution were updated to meet the new requirements of the Society’s
Act of B.C.
· 2016-17 - Archives stored at the Al-Anon Central Office have been updated and reorganized by Archive Coordinator. New binder labels, and shelves noted with index of contents. Archival literature sorted and index provided. New project of a Scrapbook for the 65th Year of Al-Anon.
3/5/2017 – Source: from Al-Anon Archives
Updated 11/2018 and 10/2021
· 2018 – On November 28th Central Office received notice of the redevelopment of the building.
No date to move at this point.
· 2019 – We received notice in Jan. and given 6 months (August 15th) to vacate.
Looking for a new location (during the Covid 19) was difficult.
· 2019 – Sept. Office Manager Elaine B. had given her retirement notification for Dec. 2019.
· 2020 - The Committee started the process of looking for an office manager replacement. Unfortunately the Covid19 Virus hit in the new year and we decided to put this on the backburner. Cynthia Y. graciously took the position of temp manager until the situation changed. The office days and hours were cut to Mon. Wed. Fri. 10am-1pm. During this time looking for a new location continued.
· Aug 2020 – The Office Committee decided to see if there was a temporary location for us as time was running out. Fortunately, there was a 150 sq ft office space available in the next block 201-3701 E. Hastings St. Burnaby (1 block up from our current office) which we decided to take Aug 1, 2020, at least we had a home without the worry. It was a monthly rent, and if we found a permanent location could move in 30 days. It was small, but did the job. We stored extra furniture, Archives, and Literature at
members’ homes until a new office was found.
· 2020 - November 1st, moved to a new permanent location in the same building as the temporary location. 222-3701 E. Hasting St. Burnaby, 550 sq ft – lovely office, 3 rooms, carpeted and just across the street and up 1 block from our former location at 101 – 3680 E. Hastings. Very fortunate to find this space which is very accessible and a rent that is attainable.
The office committee viewed several locations, some not so good. This location worked the best for those working and volunteering. We have learned through Al-Anon that we need to treat ourselves, with respect and confidence and not just accept whatever.
During this time of the COVID19 virus, members were very generous, had many newcomers, literature sales good, Cynthia kept a record of Zoom and Face to Face meetings. The office continued to serve Al-Anon!
· August 2021 We have a new office manager, Cynthia Y.
PANDEMIC COVID19 - 2020 and 2021
· October 2021 Many meeting changes – the Office managed very well during this time – Cynthia Y. kept the office open and running very smoothly. A few volunteers also came onboard. Hours remained the same with a new idea of opening the last Saturday of the month. Has been working very well to-date. Office committee meetings are held electronically.
Looking to see what the various service positions entail? We have a full list here.
