Suggestions For Chairing an AA Meeting
(Prepared by Live At Five Group Conscious)

CONTENTS

1. General suggestions for chairing a meeting
2. Preparing for the meeting
3. Starting the meeting
4. Chairing the meeting
5. Keep the meeting going
6. Pass the sign-in book at about 20 minutes after the hour
7. Pass the basket
8. End the meeting on time
9. Announcements  
10. Clean up


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1. General suggestions for chairing a meeting

• Rule #1 - this is God's meeting - you are performing very important service work but it is from beginning to end God's meeting.
• If things don't go exactly the way you planned - maybe it was not supposed to go that way (see rule #1)
• Ask questions from others who have chaired meetings - we learn from each other.
• Follow the script prepared by the group you are chairing for. The Group conscious decides what readings are required, the order of announcements, giving out chips etcetera.
• Have at least one topic for discussion ready before you come to the meeting. There are times when no one wants to bring up a topic. Plenty of topics are in the big book and other AA literature. Suggestions:
  • Steps or traditions
  • Daily Reflections (today's reading or there is an excellent index in the back and you can choose a topic ie "Patience, Peace of mind, Powerlessness, Prayer, Pride …"  etc)
  • Consider previous topics that you have found valuable.
  • Don't hesitate to bring up an AA related problem or solution from your own life.
  • If you still can't think of one - pray to God. Ask Him to give you a topic.
• If you are scheduled for chairing a meeting and you know you can't make it, try and coordinate with someone to replace you. If you don't find one, you can be assured there will still be a meeting.

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2. Preparing for the meeting

• Arrive 10 - 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time to complete the following suggested preparations.
• Straighten up the room if required. Ask help from other group members if required.
• Distribute the AA materials being read at this meeting (following the group's script).
• Choose volunteers to read one or two of the following readings (example: "How it Works" and "The 12 Traditions"). Printouts of these may be found in the back of the group binder.

   o       Chapter 5 - How It Works
o       The 12 Traditions
o       Chapter 3 - More About Alcoholism
o       The Promises
o       A Vision For You
o       Other books from the bookstore

• Greet members when they come in.

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3. Starting the meeting

  ·   ·   BEGIN THE MEETING ON TIME - It's important to begin the meeting on time.
·    Announce the start of the meeting
·    Introduce yourself
·    Welcome everyone to the "Live At Five" AA meeting
·    Start by asking everyone to join you in a moment of silence followed by
     the Serenity Prayer
·    After a brief moment of silence lead the group in the Serenity Prayer.
·    Read AA PREAMBLE - Who we are and what we stand for (and don't stand for)
·    READ - Have volunteer(s) read one or two AA conference approved readings
     (follow the groups script)
·     Ask if there are any "Newcomers  to AA - anyone who is at their first AA
     meeting". If you see one raise their hand ask them for their first name. Then
     ask if they think they may have a problem with alcohol.

•     If they say yes then you probably have your topic - a new comers meeting.
•     If they express that they don't think they have a problem with   
      alcohol/drinking, welcome them to the meeting but it is not necessary to
      have a newcomers meeting (unless there is another newcomer who
      indicates they may have a problem).
•     Regardless - welcome the new comers. We want them to feel as comfortable
      as possible.
   
• Ask if there is anyone from another group that would like to be recognized. Welcome anyone who identifies themselves as a visitor.
• Remind everyone to:
  • Turn their cell phones and pagers to silent mode
  • Limit their sharing to 5 minutes or less.
  • Keep their sharing to their experience as it relates to alcoholism.

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4. Chairing the meeting

• Ask if anyone has a topic - a problem or a solution in dealing with our common problem, alcoholism.
• If no one offers a topic bring out one of the ones you prepared (see section 1).
• Once the topic is chosen keep the meeting going with a minimum of quiet time
  • Ask for volunteers
  • Choose someone to share
  • You can tell the group to red-ball it. The last person who shares chooses the next person to share. Once or twice during the meeting you might ask "is there anyone who wants to share". If not continue to red-ball.
  • Start at one end of the room and just follow the seating arrangement.
• The chairperson can share just as any other member. The chair person should refrain from commenting after each person shares. An occasional brief comment is acceptable.
• If a number of folks walk in after the start of the meeting it may be appropriate to announce the topic (after a person has finished sharing).

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 5. Keep the meeting going

• Keep the meeting going by asking for volunteers to share or choose someone
• If someone shares past the normal 5 minutes consider the following:
  • If the person is rambling or repeating him or herself say something like "thank you Paul for sharing that, who's else would like to share..."
  • If the person is on topic and appears to need to share let them continue past the 5 minutes but be aware that some people will talk 10 or more minutes if you let them. They need to be gently reminded that the group has decided on a 5 minute limit. Sometimes looking at your watch will give the person the message he or she should wrap it up.

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6. Pass the sign-in book at about 20 minutes after the hour.

7. Pass the basket
 

• About 20-30 minutes before the meeting ends, collect the 7th Tradition.
• Count the 7th Tradition.
• Label a "rent" envelope with today's date, group name, time, and the amount collected. Be sure to put the envelope in the slot for the safe just outside the bookstore, to the right of the bookstore door.
• Sign any court forms that came in and leave them on the desk (opened) to be picked up after the meeting. If someone asks you to sign a form during the meeting so they can leave, do so as long as it does not interrupt the meeting.

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8. End the meeting on time

• It's important to end the meeting on time.
• Normally give yourself 5 minutes before the end of the hour.
• At around 5 minutes before the end of the hour you might ask if "anyone has a burning desire to speak".

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9. Announcements  

• Ask if anyone has AA announcements.
• Ask if anyone has non-AA announcements.
• Sometimes announcements are on the desk - chairperson should read them as appropriate.

• Give out the chips or ask someone to give out the chips.
• You may ask for volunteers to help clean up
• Close meeting with the prayer of your choice (usually the Lord's Prayer).

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10. Clean up

• Put envelope containing 7th Tradition inside the slot outside the bookstore.
• Clean off desks/tables. Throw away any trash. Straighten up the room (chairs, tables).
• Put the AA meeting material in the drawer assigned to this group.
• Help any newcomers that may have questions for you. Ask other members to participate as needed.
• Offer newcomers a temporary sponsor call list.
• Turn off lights on your way out.

Thanks for Chairing the meeting!

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