Skip to content

Thought Forces and Task Forces

The formation of Committees, Thought Forces, and Task Forces are quite common at the Area and World Service levels of Al-Anon; however, this approach to seeking solutions is just as effective for a District or an Al-Anon Family Group (AFG). During the early months of the pandemic, for example, a number of AFGs established Safety Committees to learn more about Zoom as an Al-Anon tool and to make recommendations to these Groups regarding security protocols. Two years later, several AFGs created Thought Forces to explore the details of an effective transition back to in-person meetings.

Thought Force

A Thought Force is a temporary unit of individuals who are asked (or volunteer) to brainstorm ideas, to research key factors and considerations, and to develop strategies pertaining to a well-defined task or activity. They are thinkers, not doers. In fact, the only “thing” that a Thought Force produces is a KBDM document (see the sidebar link to The KBDM Process for details). The collective members of any Thought Force are not expected to have all the answers or to provide a perfect solution, and anything they wish they knew but don’t is noted in answer to this question as part of the KBDM document.

Task Force

By contrast, a Task Force is a temporary unit of individuals who are asked to implement a strategy that has been developed by a Thought Force. These are the doers. One example of this is the Website Task Force, which created (and continues to enhance) the District 11 website that was researched and designed by the Virtual Meetings Thought Force. In keeping with Concept Ten, responsibility and authority are balanced between this Thought Force and Task Force, and their members support one another while avoiding double-headed management. Neither team (the Thought Force or the Task Force) is a decision-making body, as decisions are made in this case by the GRs.

Guidelines

It is recommended that Committees, Thought Forces, and Task Forces be small enough to be nimble and manageable yet large enough to reflect a range of knowledge and experience. A Recorder is chosen from among team members to keep notes and related documentation as their work progresses. A Lead or Chairperson volunteers or is selected to schedule and manage meetings, to maintain a sense of unity, and to keep the focus on fulfilling the team’s assigned objective. Every member of the Committee, Thought Force, or Task Force has an equal voice and shares the following responsibilities:

  • Clarify the charge, the scope of the charge, and the reasons behind this assignment.
  • Acknowledge the difference between what is intended to be accomplished and what is not the responsibility of the team.
  • Be prepared to dedicate time and energy toward fulfillment of the charge.
  • Research and collect pertinent information.
  • Brainstorm with one another, and always share your work.
  • Ask questions, stay on course, and try not to force solutions or impose your ideas on others.
  • Be willing to volunteer for specific activities related to the charge.
  • Respond to the lead or chairperson in a timely manner, letting him/her know if you are able or unable to complete a task or attend a meeting.
  • When the project is reviewed by the originating body, be open to constructive feedback.

In all cases, Al-Anon’s Twelve Traditions and Twelve Concepts of Service can be relied upon to guide the work of a Committee, Thought Force, or Task Force.