Chairperson Guidelines

• If the room fills up, ask someone to chair in the spillover room.
• Welcome to the regular ____(open/closed) meeting of the ____ group of Alcoholics Anonymous. My name is ____ and I'm an alcoholic.
• Let's begin this meeting with a moment of silence followed by the serenity prayer. (Please allow 10-15 seconds for a moment of silence. Many members use this time for private prayer, etc.)
• Read the A.A. preamble

  • Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of people 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.

• Ask, "Is there anybody here that's never been to an A.A. meeting?
• Ask, "Are there any visiters here at the ____ group for the first time, that would like to be recognized?"
• If there is someone here for their very first meeting, make the topic the first step - what it was like, what happened, and what it is like now.
• Have someone read:
  • The announcements
  • More about alcoholism
  • How it works
  • 12 traditions
  • Safety Statement
• Read the singleness of purpose (open/closed)
• Note that Alcoholics Anonymous is not group therapy. Out of respect for those here suffering from alcoholism we introduce ourselves as alcoholics in AA meetings and discus issues as they relate to our alcoholism.
• Ask that sharing be limited to 3-5 minutes and that sharing pertain to the topic.
• Ask "Is there anyone having trouble staying sober today and need to talk about it, or have another topic related to alcoholism they would like to hear discussed?"
• Please relate topic to A.A. approved literature (See back of the big book for list of A.A. approved literature)
• If nobody has a topic, please choose one from A.A. approved literature or the A.A. topic guide in the binder.
• It is best to call on an experiences A.A. member to get the meeting started. If the meeting gets off topic, call on an experienced A.A. member to get the meeting back on track.
• Pass the basket and cite the Self Support Statement (Under the glass)
  • The _____ Group is fully self-supporting in accordance with AA's 7th Tradition. Recently we have been struggling to meet this responsibility. Please give if you can when the basket is passed. There are also QR codes for electronic payments on the chairperson's desk and in the basket.
• If you need to talk with someone after the meeting, see the chairperson.
• Have someone give out the chips.
• Close the meeting with the lords prayer.
• Please make sure to turn the coffee pot off.
• Thank you for your service.