A Brief History of Napa Valley Alano Club

The Napa Valley Alano Club was established in 1961 when Alcoholics Anonymous had existed in Napa for about twelve years. It was felt by the charter members that the Alano Club could help meet the needs of the 12-step groups and their members by providing some of the groups a permanent meeting place. The Alano Club was established as a non-profit, tax-exempt corporation in accordance with AA tradition number 6 (...separately incorporated and managed...), and has existed continuously in that form.

From 1961 - 1983 the Alano Club was a tenant of the Napa Valley Unified School District; first, at 1200 Jefferson Street and then in 1974, when it moved to 1455 Pueblo Street. During this period the total membership in Napa AA was much smaller than today and the facilities leased by the Alano Club were able to accommodate the average attendance of the AA groups comfortably.

In 1981, due to a considerable increase in the membership of AA in Napa an effort was made by the Alano Club to find a larger building to accommodate the increased attendance at meetings. Since the buildings that were available at that time did not meet the needs of the Alano Club, a building fund was established.

By early 1983 the need for a larger building had become a matter of urgency. In June of 1983 the Alano Club located a building portion in the Soscol Center which met its needs for the foreseeable future. A lease was entered into between the Soscol Center and the Napa Valley Alano Club. This lease agreement was for a term of five (5) years beginning July 1, 1983 and entitled the Napa Valley Alano Club an option to renew for a three-year term. The City of Napa Planning Commission granted a use permit and on August 14, 1983 the Alano Club moved to its present location at 1115 Jordan Lane.

The use of the building was a light industrial application and many of the amenities that are in the building today did not exist at the time the lease was negotiated. The Soscol Center incurred the cost of adding a second rest-room and meeting the Fire Marshall's requirements with additional exits, emergency lights, and lighted exit signs, but all other improvements to the building have been the responsibility of the Alano Club. To date these improvements include such things as: building the snack bar, closing of the old meeting room downstairs so as to prevent future problems installing additional electrical outlets, painting, carpeting, building storage closets, and many other items.

In general, the Alano Club has maintained its operations as established in 1983. However, on February 22, 1995, the membership of the Napa Valley Alano Club voted to open the Alano Club to all 12-step groups and their members.