Proposed Meeting Formats
Suggested Draft Meeting Formats
Suggested Discussion Meeting Format Draft
Welcome to the open Ross Avenue Group ____ meeting.
I'm _______ and I'm an _________
(Sobriety / clean date optional)
Co-chair does same
Announcements
Highlight things that are happening in the immediate future. Point out that H&I 12 Step opportunities are on the door at the back of the room. The complete list is at RossAvenueGroup.org/announcements. Ask if there are any AA related announcements from the floor.
Ask that phones be silenced.
Explain the 7th Tradition (Pay Rent, Fund Birthday Night, Buy Books, QR code, Attendance Papers) and to put attendance sheets to be signed in the basket.
(Readings)
How It Works
12 Traditions
Read the preamble
Say that, at this group, addicts can share and identify as addicts, as long as you also have a desire to not drink.
Explain the type of sharing you will use Volunteer OR Going in Order
If timing:
Briefly explain it.
Say that you have a topic but is there a recovery related topic someone would like
to hear discussed. If none, briefly introduce the topic you or your co-chair has prepared.
Say that they do not have to talk about the topic or they can pass.
About halfway through the meeting pass the basket.
One of the chairs signs the papers. counts the money, puts it in the envelope, and puts it in the safe.
Restate the meeting topic.
IF YOU ARE NOT GOING TO GET TO EVERYONE say that If you didn't get to share, please stay after the meeting and talk to one of us and ask those who hadn't had a chance to share to please introduce themselves.
If, everyone has had a chance to share, and there is time left, ask if anyone who passed would like to share. Ask if anyone would like to double dip. You can introduce a new topic. You can end the meeting.
ENDING THE MEETING
Desire Chip
Ask: “Is anyone here for their first meeting or just returning?”
If there is, offer a desire chip. An outward symbol of an inward desire to stop drinking.
Thank everyone for coming.
Close with an AA prayer: (Serenity, 3rd Step, 7th Step), or the AA Responsibility Statement, or the Lord's Prayer.
Suggested Book Study Meeting Format Draft
Welcome to the open Ross Avenue Group ____ meeting.
I'm _______ and I'm an _________
(Sobriety / clean date optional)
Co-chair does same
Announcements
Highlight things that are happening in the immediate future. Point out that H&I 12 Step opportunities are on the door at the back of the room. The complete list is at RossAvenueGroup.org/announcements. Ask if there are any AA related announcements from the floor.
Ask that phones be silenced.
Explain the 7th Tradition (Pay Rent, Fund Birthday Night, Buy Books, QR code, Attendance Papers) and to put attendance sheets to be signed in the basket.
(Readings)
How It Works
12 Traditions
Read the Preamble
Say that, in this group, addicts can share and identify as addicts, as long as you also have a desire to not drink.
The Chair and Co-chair read from the book being studied and comment, then ask for comments (or go around the room).
About halfway through the meeting pass the basket.
One of the chairs signs the papers. counts the money, puts it in the envelope, and puts it in the safe.
IF YOU ARE NOT GOING TO GET TO EVERYONE ask those who hadn't had a chance to share to please introduce themselves.
If, when everyone has had a chance to share and there is time left, ask if anyone who passed would like to share. Ask if anyone would like to double dip. You can introduce a new topic. You can end the meeting.
Desire Chip
Ask: “Is anyone here for their first meeting or just returning?” If there is, offer a desire chip. An outward symbol of an inward desire to stop drinking.
Thank everyone for coming.
Close with an AA prayer: (Serenity, 3rd Step, 7th Step), or the AA Responsibility Statement, or the Lord's Prayer.
Suggested Speaker Meeting Format Draft
Welcome to the open Ross Avenue Group ____ speaker meeting.
I'm _______ and I'm an _________
(Sobriety / Clean date optional)
Announcements
Highlight things that are happening in the immediate future. Point out that H&I 12 Step opportunities are on the door at the back of the room. Complete list is at RossAvenueGroup.org/ announcements. Ask if there are any AA related announcements from the floor.
Ask that phones be silenced.
Explain the 7th Tradition (Pay Rent, Fund Birthday Night, Buy Books, QR code, Attendance Papers).
Read the preamble
Introduce the speaker
If Story speaker, say they will share How it was, What happened, and What it's like now.
If a Step Speaker, say they will share their experience with the 12 steps.
Halfway through the meeting, without interrupting the speaker, pass the basket.
Sign the attendance papers. count the money, put it in the envelope, and put it in the safe.
When the speaker is done:
Thank the speaker.
Offer Desire Chip:
Ask: “Is anyone here for their first meeting or just returning?” If there is, offer a Desire Chip. An outward symbol of an inward desire to stop drinking.
Thank everyone for coming.
Close with an AA prayer: (Serenity, 3rd Step, 7th Step), or the AA Responsibility Statement, or the Lord's Prayer.
Suggested Meditation Meeting Format Draft
Say: Welcome to the open Ross Avenue Group Meditation meeting.
I'm _______ and I'm an _________
(Sobriety / Clean date optional)
Co-chair does same
[announcements]
For details go to RossAvenueGroup.org/ announcements. H&I opportunities are also posted on the back of the door.
Ask if there are any AA related announcements from the floor.
You will need a Big Book.
Please silence your phones
Let's have 2 minutes of silent meditation followed by the Serenity Prayer.
[time for 2 minutes, then start the Serenity Prayer.]
Say:
Let us say the 3rd Step Prayer on pg 63, 2nd paragraph, in the Big Book. [Pause briefly then start] “God…”
Now the 7th Step Prayer (pg 76). “My Creator…”
[Turn to pg 82, read the last paragraph to the end of the chapter.]
Say:
Please turn to page ____ paragraph ____ in the personal stories where we left off yesterday.
We'll take turns reading. When you are ready to pass reading to the next person say “pass”.
Ask for a volunteer to start.
[Stop the reading at 7:25
Make a note of where we stopped.]
Say: to turn to pg 99 in 12 &12 or come get a copy of the St Francis Prayer, [a.k.a. the 11th Step Prayer] Let's say the 11th Step Prayer together.
[Read a Set Aside prayer.]
Say: Turn to page 164 in the Big Book and read the last paragraph together.
Close with an AA prayer (Lord's Prayer) or the AA Responsibility Statement.