MEETING FORMAT (TYPICAL)
I. Greeting:
Good evening everybody, this is the Monday night meeting of " --------------------------" an open meeting. We will open the meeting with a two minute moment of silence.
II. My name is _______ and I am an alcoholic.
III. AA Preamble:
Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees for A.A. membership; we are self supporting through our own contributions. A.A. is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy, neither endorses nor opposes any causes. Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety.
IV. BBSS Preamble:
“Sobriety—the freedom from alcohol—through the teaching and practicing of the twelve steps is the sole purpose of an AA group.” as quoted by Bill Wilson.
The purpose of this meeting is to help alcoholics recover by the studying, discussing, and practicing of the twelve steps as they are laid out in the Big Book.
It has been our hard-learned experience that other methods did not work with us. Some of us have tried other methods and our results were disastrous, until we looked at the basic and simple approach the Big Book offers.
It has become apparent to us that when we stopped blaming people, places, and things for our problems, and decided to take an honest and fearless look at ourselves as the root cause of our alcoholism, and decided to apply these twelve principles in our lives, we got better.
If discussion strays from the step being studied, the chairperson will remind you of the purpose of this meeting. It is not the group’s intention to be intimidating or insulting to anyone. We only know that if you are talking about the problem, you cannot possibly be talking about the solution. We reserve the right of the chairperson to limit discussion to the step being studied tonight.
*If you have done this step, your fifth step and are into the amends of the ninth step, as it is laid out in the Big Book with a Big Book Step Study sponsor, please share your experience with us on the step we are studying tonight. If you haven’t, we ask that you be open minded enough to listen. If you have a question pertaining to the step, please feel free to ask. Group conscience has voted a five-minute limit on comments.
All of our members are more than willing to talk to you about other things. If you have a situation, feel free to discuss it with someone after the meeting.
V. Tonight we pick up on p. ______ where we are discussing step ______in the Big Book.
VI. We will observe the 7th Tradition, may we have the collection at this time?
VII. Read to the group the last part of the Group Conscience when the speaker is finished.
If you have done this step, your fifth step and are into the amends of the ninth step, as it is laid out in the Big Book with a Big Book Step Study sponsor, please share your experience with us on the step we are studying tonight. If you haven’t, we ask that you be open minded enough to listen. If you have a question pertaining to the step, please feel free to ask. Group conscience has voted a five-minute limit on comments. A hand will be raised to let you know when you have reached four minutes and again after five minutes.
VIII. Closing:
The chapter titled "A Vision For You" closes on page 164 with the following:
"Our book is meant to be suggestive only. We realize we know only a little. God will constantly disclose more to you and to us. Ask Him in your morning meditation what you can do each day for the man who is still sick. The answer will come, if your own house is in order. But obviously you cannot transmit something you haven't got. See to it that your relationship with Him is right, and great events will come to pass for you and countless others. This is the Great Fact for us.
Abandon yourself to God as you understand God. Admit your faults to Him and your fellows. Clear away the wreckage of your past. Give freely of what you find and join us. We shall be with you in the Fellowship of the Spirit, and you will surely meet some of us as you trudge the Road of Happy Destiny.
May God bless you and keep you --- until then."
VIIII. The Lord's Prayer.