A ‘panel’ is a meeting taken into a facility on a regularly scheduled day and time. Panel meetings are held at the invitation of the respective facilities’ administration and therefore those who participate are guests of the facility and act accordingly. Although we are not affiliated with these facilities, we strive to maintain the spirit of cooperation in our service. A panel is always held under the auspices of a qualified VCAAHI Committee member (Panel Leader), who is accompanied by a minimum of at least one other eligible panel participant. Panels are otherwise closed to outside participation. Most panels are scheduled weekly and take place four and sometimes five weeks in a month. Individual panel leaders are assigned for each week of the month, at each facility. Panels may be for men or for women only or can also be co-ed – depending on the facility. Facility residents attending a panel are often unable to purchase literature due to circumstances. A selection of AA Literature is brought by the panel leader and provided free. This literature is financed by the generosity of AA members who contribute to VCAAHI.

Please note: Facilities information is intended for current H&I members only. Please do not contact any of these facilities unless you have a legitimate reason. For example, you are a panel leader and the facility has requested that you call to confirm your scheduled meeting. Please contact H&I first with all other concerns.

The Ventura County Alcoholics Anonymous H&I Committee strives to ensure that all of our panels are covered each and every night that we are invited to participate. There is a continual need for additional members to fill panels and service commitments. Come join us and discover all the opportunities to be of service. VCAAH&I Committee Meetings are held the second sunday of the month.

SIGNING UP FOR A PANEL: If you would like to sign up to participate on an H&I panel, attend the monthly H&I Committee Business Meeting. Signup sheets will be provided for upcoming panel speaking positions.

H&I ORIENTATION WORKSHOP: If you have not spoken on an H&I panel, it is recommended that you attend the orientation workshop. The Orientation Workshop occurs at 3:00 pm before the Monthly H&I Committee Business Meeting at the same location.

JAIL CLEARANCE: To speak on most jail panels, you must have prescribed length of sobriety and clearance from the Sheriff’s Department. For more information on obtaining clearance, attend the Monthly H&I Meeting.

BECOMING A PANEL LEADER: If you would like to take a monthly commitment bringing a panel into a hospital or institution, please speak with an Area Coordinator at the monthly meeting.

A panel leader has one of the most important commitments in Hospitals and Institutions’ service work. Leaders and other participants are often the face of Alcoholics Anonymous in the facilities that we serve. The following are sug- gested guidelines for Panel Leaders:

• Panel Leader is responsible for attending panel commitment or finding a suitable replacement when necessary.

• Communication with Area Coordinator and/or Panel Coordinator is necessary and helpful for any facility issues that may arise. Changes in personal contact information or sobriety dates shall be provided as soon as possible.

• Panel Leaders respect facility guidelines for starting and ending meeting on time.

• A Panel, by definition, is more than one person. Attending alone is discouraged and may be disallowed by facilities.

• Panel Leader is responsible for informing participants of acceptable behavior and informing them of our commitment to our primary purpose.

• Dark nights are to be avoided. Communication with Panel Coordinator, Area Coordinator and/or other H&I members is sometimes necessary, and often successful, for the purpose of assuring that we keep our commitment to the facility.

• Communication with Area Coordinator and/or Panel Coordinator is necessary and helpful for any facility issues that may arise.

• Changes in personal contact information or sobriety dates shall be provided as soon as possible.

• Panel Leaders are responsible for attending the Committee Business Meeting quarterly. This is NOT a requirement and the Director may excuse absences.

• Panel Leaders are encouraged to get a Co-Leader.

• Panel Leaders, especially new ones, moving forward, are encouraged to practice the spirit of rotation.

Panel Participants may well represent the first exposure to Alcoholic Anonymous for facility staff, clients or inmates. We serve our fellowship well when we project a positive image and conduct ourselves appropriately. “That which experience has taught us” suggest the following:

• We are guests in the facility and we conduct ourselves accordingly. Unfavorable commentary regarding the facility, the staff or the members is unproductive and discouraged.

• Appropriate attire is important. Knowledge of facility dress code is mandatory, if there is one. If unsure of guidelines, consult with panel leader. If in doubt, take the high road. Revealing attire or clothing depicting alcohol, drugs or vulgarity is not allowed. Jewelry and/or cash will often prevent entry to facility.

• There is a suggested minimum requirement of 90 days sobriety for panel participation. The facility may well have sobriety requirements of their own. Clearance application and orientation are often required as well.

• Please share your experience, strength and hope. Qualification and identification may be best balanced with recovery and sobriety. This is our attraction.

• There is nothing to be gained by talking down to any group. The use of profanity or vulgarity is discouraged.

• There is no need to exchange personal information with those attending the panel. Promises of jobs, favors, financial assistance and sponsorship are undesirable.

• Often, the only thing that you will be allowed to take into or out of the facility is approved AA literature.

• If you have a friend or relative at the facility, please refrain from participation. Often we are required to step aside, sometimes temporarily, when personal relations may conflict.

• Always keep your commitment. Maintain communication with the Panel Leader and notify of any difficulties.