What Takes Place at an AA Meeting?
First-time Alcoholics Anonymous attendees are often worried about how to handle themselves in an AA meeting. Although the type of format can vary, there are some format guidelines that most AA groups follow at meetings.
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Types
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There are several types of AA meetings including those featuring a speaker, smoking or non-smoking, discussion groups, open meetings that anyone may attend or closed meetings that are only for alcoholics.
Formats
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The most common format for conducting an AA meeting starts with an introductory statement by the host group's secretary. This is followed by a moment of silence followed by a serenity prayer. Next, a preamble that describes AA and its purpose is read.
Volunteers may be invited to read "How it Works" from the AA Big Book, AA's Twelve Steps and AA's Traditions. At "speaker" meetings, an AA member may tell his story. The group may then break up into smaller discussion groups, followed by group announcements.
Most groups then pass a basket seeking voluntary donations. There is no requirement to donate. Groups close by holding hands and reading the Lord's Prayer.
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First-Time Visitors
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First-time AA meeting attendees often remain silent during meetings other than introducing themselves to the group. There are no requirements for self-disclosure at meetings.
Obtaining Sponsors
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Newcomers are encouraged to seek out an AA sponsor after the meeting ends.
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References
Resources
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Comments
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cascadejack
Oct 21, 2010
It should be noted that groups do not universally close on the Lord's Prayer, as stated above. AA meeting formats vary depending on where they are held. In my area of the United States (greater Seattle metropolitan area), closing on the Lord's Prayer is rare in my experience, and only one meeting I have ever attended closes on that prayer. Here is it much more common to close on the Serenity Prayer as it is expressly for AA and is does exclude people who are not of a Christian faith. Some alcoholics have resentments having to do with religion and closing on an overtly religious prayer could have the unintended effect of aggravating that, so in the interest of AA unity and inclusiveness, I prefer to see the Serenity Prayer used.
