How to Start an AA Club

A long-running AA joke is that "all you need to start an AA club is a resentment and a coffeepot." While many groups have started because of strong disagreements with current leadership, this is not necessary. Maybe there is a need for several new meetings in your area. Starting an AA club is not simple, and takes a lot of dedication and planning.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Time
• Patience
• Help
• Money
• Interest

1. Make sure there is sufficient interest or need for a new AA club. Some people find that many talk about starting a new club, but few are willing to leave the original group. Assign temporary jobs to people to start, and hold a group conscience at the end of your first meeting. When your club is set up you will need officers. More on that later.
2. Research local venues for the AA club. Most are found in small commercial areas. Find out what the average rent is, and how you are going to raise the money. Many times other clubs will help you hold fundraisers for the needed seed money.
3. Talk to leaders of other clubs about business matters. Your AA club should get tax-exempt status from the IRS, open a bank account, and establish benefits of club membership. Consult with a lawyer to save costly mistakes. Many clubs are incorporated, which requires a board of directors.
4. Create buzz for your new AA club. Give it a name. Decide on the number of meetings you want to have per week, and secure chairpersons. Contact your area intergroup and get the meetings listed in the local Where and When. Ask them if they contact the General Service Office, or if you will need to contact them to get the meetings at your club officially recognized. Announce meetings at other groups and have others do the same for you.
5. Hold your first AA club business meeting. Announce elections for key positions. You will need a board of directors if incorporated, a treasurer, president, and secretary. Make sure that the people elected are trustworthy and able to do the job.

Tips & Warnings

• Other AA clubs will be your best support. Remember that an AA club is not AA, but a place where AA meetings are held. Unlike AA, they may have to solicit outside contributions to keep running.
• Don't give up when attendance is low. It can take several months to get a new club going.
• Hold regular business meetings for members to discuss fundraisers, events, money matters, and problematic attendees. Create a plan to take care of problems and always vote on these.