Lake Highlands Group
Meeting Chairperson Guideline Reference
May 2004
This document is intended to be a reference guide for all interested members and a learning guide for new Lake-Highlands meeting chairpersons delivered through periodic chairperson workshops. Its primary purpose is to present information to better carry the group’s message through our recovery meetings; not to dictate policy.
Table Of Contents
Chairperson Responsibilities: 1
Collection and Deposit of Contributions: 3
The Chairperson with Problems Other Than Alcohol: 4
The Authoritative Meeting Chairperson: 5
The Ad-Hoc Group Conscience: 5
Consultation with Intergroup: 7
The Meeting Chairperson has but One “Primary Purpose” 8
No Implied or Presumed Affiliation: 8
Meeting Schedule Organization: 9
Outside, Controversial Issues: 9
Maintaining an Attractive Atmosphere of Recovery: 10
Spiritual Anonymity and Humility: 10
Lake Highlands Family Group of Alcoholics Anonymous
Meeting Chairperson Guidelines
May 2004
Chairperson Qualifications:
All chairpersons should be a member of Alcoholics Anonymous and preferably a member of the Lake Highlands group.
Term of sobriety for Lake Highlands chairpersons has been determined by group conscience to be 6 months.
Lake Highlands chairpersons should have attended a chairperson’s workshop prior to leading their first meeting. This learning process may be completed in-house at LH (preferably) or at any other group. This qualification may be fulfilled at any time prior to the beginning of this group service.
Chairperson Responsibilities:
The purpose of all AA group meetings, as the Preamble states, is for AA members to share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. LH meeting chairpersons represent the group in facilitating this process and are on the frontline toward fulfilling the 5th tradition which states: Each group has but one primary purpose; to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers.
While the meeting chairperson holds a primary leadership role during recovery meetings it remains the responsibility of the group as a whole and each individual member attending the meeting to assure a positive message of hope and recovery develops from our meeting structure.
The chairpersons’ responsibilities toward this end include:
Commitment: Calendars are posted in the group binder with slots for each meeting daily for every month. Chairpersons should commit to meetings by:
-
Choosing a slot which meets with their individual schedule and placing their names on the calendar; or:
-
Volunteering with the group Assistant Chair for slots she/he may need to fill
If a situation arises that prohibits a chairperson from being available for a committed meeting they are responsible for providing a substitute to fill the slot.
Regular rotation of chairperson for each meeting slot is suggested to create service opportunities for a greater number of individual members and to allow for a variation of perspective.
Preparation: Responsibilities in this area include group setup, development of
relative topics for the scheduled meeting, collection of 7th tradition funds and post meeting cleanup.
Group Setup/Cleanup The meeting chairperson is responsible for assuring the group is opened and prepared for the meeting. Suggestions include:
-
Arrive 20-30 minutes early to unlock the doors
-
Assure the room is clean and presentable prior to the meeting
-
Greet attendees; especially new comers and visitors
-
Make coffee in each pot (regular & decaf)
-
After the meeting; clean and prepare the room for the next meeting
-
Make sure all lights, coffee pots, fans are off.
-
Lock all doors or make sure someone with a key remains as you exit
Topic Development: The meeting chairperson is responsible for preparing topics for discussion meetings, continuing the succession of topics in book studies, scheduling speakers and introducing celebrants at birthday meetings.
Discussion Meetings: The chairperson should develop a topic prior to meeting time. As suggested from the pamphlet “The AA Group”: background for many topic meetings derives from our Big Book, 12 & 12, As Bill Sees it, the AA Grapevine …or The Daily Reflections.
…A few specific topic suggestions would include: acceptance vs. admission, freedom through sobriety, principles vs. personalities, fear, surrender, gratitude, anger, willingness, honesty, attitude, resentments, making amends, humility and tolerance.
Pamphlet The AA Group
The LH meeting chairperson has the option of asking the group for a topic someone may want or need to discuss. If this option is offered, accepted and implemented the chairperson should assure the topic is focused on problems related to alcohol and solution oriented. The chairperson would then define and simplify the topic and present it back to the group.
i.e.: “What I heard her share about was step 7; or humility”.
Once the topic has been established the chairperson’s role is to facilitate the meeting in such a manner that as many people as possible are given an opportunity to share and that the sharing remains on topic and solutions oriented. Situations that may hinder this include but are not limited to:
-
Chairperson becoming a critic or commentator to what is shared
-
Once the topic is derived the chairperson should remain a facilitator
-
-
Meeting Hogs; members share for extended periods of time
-
In large groups begin by asking the group to limit their sharing to
-
3-4 minutes to allow all members to share
-
-
Politely interject if someone is extending their sharing;
-
-
Cross-Talk; members responding to another’s sharing with advise, criticism or opinions, or talking directly to another with questions or responses.
-
Politely interject reminding that we share our personal experience, strength and hope through “I” statements and should avoid “You” statements common with cross-talk.
-
-
Outside issues or “drunkalogues” dominating the sharing
-
Politely interject and guide the meeting back on track by reviewing the topic to the group and reestablishing a solutions orientation
-
Rely on group members you know to assist in returning to the topic at hand
-
-
Member is noticeably drunk and/or belligerent and insists on sharing
-
Politely interject and ask them to please refrain from sharing and to get with someone after the meeting
-
If overly disruptive; ask another member to escort them outside and persuade them to return to another meeting when in better shape
-
Chairperson should remain focused on maintaining the stability of the meeting; returning to the topic at hand and avoiding ridicule or criticism of the disruptive member.
-
Love and Tolerance of Others is Our Code
P. 84 Big Book
Book Study Meetings: The chairperson should maintain the continuity of the subject matter as these meetings are passed from one chairperson to another. A listing of current page numbers is posted in the group binder on the “Where we Left Off” sheet. At the end of each meeting the page number and/or paragraph should be recorded.
Chairpersons for book study meetings should check the topics currently being covered and make sure they have worked the current step and have experience with the topics at hand.
…obviously you cannot transmit something you haven’t got.
P.164 Big Book
Speaker Meetings: The chairperson is responsible for scheduling speakers for both our outside and in-house speaker meetings. Typically a chairperson would accept responsibility for providing this service for the entire month chosen. Prospective speakers are suggested to be active in a home group and sponsorship. Sources for locating outside speakers include:
-
Asking other members of the group for known solutions oriented speakers
-
Visiting other groups to find persons sharing a positive message of recovery
-
Accessing the Intergroup speaker volunteer list
Speakers for Step and Traditions meetings should be chosen by the group chair and her/his assistant. It is suggested to make these arrangements several months in advance since step speakers usually book their time in this manner.
Birthday Meetings: The chairperson is responsible for the presentation of monthly chips to celebrants under one year and the introduction of either the yearly celebrants’ designated introducer or the celebrant themselves. In preparation suggestions for the chairperson include:
-
Prior to the meeting date, coordinate with the literature chair to make sure all required chips are available.
-
On meeting night make a list from the birthday board to include the celebrant and introducer and arrange in chronological order for presentation.
-
Solicit help to remove food and tables and set up chairs in preparation for a prompt 7:00pm start
-
Before beginning ask the group if there are any celebrants not on the board who would like to celebrate, and add to the list
Collection and Deposit of Contributions: The meeting chairperson is responsible for enacting the 7th tradition by passing a basket during the meeting to collect individual contributions from the meeting attendees. Passing the basket at meetings is our way of meeting our responsibility for the work of A.A. Our own contributions support the group, the General Service Office, and all A.A. activities.
Practicing the principle of self support is vital to the survival of our group and A.A. as a whole; the chairperson should explain to the group what the basket is for. The primary focus of the chairperson should return to the designated topic immediately after starting this process.
At the end of the meeting the chairperson should count contributions from the basket, the donations jar, and any additional donations for literature. Envelopes are provided in the group binder with listings for each donation type. A total should be tallied, the meeting and chairperson information added to the envelope, and then the envelope should be deposited into the group safe; or handed personally to the treasurer if present. Suggestions for this process include:
-
With 15 or 20 minutes remaining in the meeting announce: “Let’s pause for the 7th tradition which states ‘Every A.A. group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions’”.
-
An indication of where the monies go may also be beneficial
-
“your contributions help support our group and A.A. as a whole”
-
-
-
Wait until the conclusion of the meeting to count the money
-
The chairperson’s attention and respect should remain focused directly on the meeting, the topic at hand, and the individuals continuing to share.
-
Do not leave the baskets unattended; attend to the process immediately after the close of the meeting
-
-
When depositing the envelope into the safe make sure it drops completely
A.A. Traditions:
Our traditions are a guide to better ways of working and living. And they are to group survival what A.A.’s twelve steps are to each member’s sobriety and peace of mind…Most individuals cannot recover unless there is a group. The group must survive or the individual will not”.
Bill W. The Twelve Traditions Illustrated
We will highlight topics with the traditions as they relate to the chairing of meetings.
Tradition One:
Our common welfare should come first;
personal recovery depends upon A.A. unity.
-
The Noisy Drunk: If he insists on disrupting the meeting, we “invite” him to leave, and bring him back when he’s in better shape to hear the message. We are putting the “common welfare” first. But it is his welfare, too; if he’s ever going to get sober, the group must go on functioning, ready for him.
The Twelve Traditions Illustrated
-
The Meeting Hog: A compulsive talker can ruin the effectiveness of a discussion meeting. I’ve stopped going to that group. Nobody but Joe can get a word in edgewise.
The Twelve Traditions Illustrated
-
The Self-Righteous Gossip: Participating in or allowing gossip within or around the meeting can damage the mutual trust between members that is vital to our individual recoveries.
The Twelve Traditions Illustrated
-
The Chairperson with Problems Other Than Alcohol: In our group preamble we guide each meeting toward our singleness of purpose by proposing: “we ask that all who participate confine their discussion to their problems with alcohol.” When a chairperson introduces themselves as something other than or in addition to an alcoholic it sends a conflicting message to the meeting attendees. On one hand we ask the group to confine their discussions to alcoholism then we lead them by straying from that path immediately.
Our common welfare outweighs the individual’s need to identify their personal problems other than alcohol.
The denial associated with alcohol is cunning, baffling, and powerful… Unless alcoholism is kept relentlessly in the foreground, other issues will usurp everybody’s attention.
About AA Fall/Winter 2002 WSO
-
Cross Talk: For many members AA is the first place they have felt comfortable about sharing their experiences. Cross talk is frequently judgmental, expressing an opinion of a person’s sharing. Avoiding cross talk helps protect unity by guaranteeing safety, protecting privacy and ensuring anonymity. Cross talk is “interference” in the lines of communication critical to recovery in AA. Forms of interference or cross talk that should be avoided during recovery meetings include but are not limited to:
-
-
Offering direct advice; telling another member what to think or how to behave.
-
Speaking directly to another person rather than to the group while sharing.
-
Questioning or interrupting the person sharing at the time.
-
Any comments, negative or positive, about another person’s sharing, experiences or life.
-
Any form of interruption; remarks, side-conversations, gestures, laughter or outbursts.
-
Tradition Two:
For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority; a loving God as He may express himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants, they do not govern.
-
The Ad-Hoc Group Conscience: Decisions concerning meeting structures are developed through the spiritual concept of the group conscience of the entire Lake Highlands group. Its voice is heard when a well informed group gathers to arrive at a decision. The result rests on more than arithmetic; a “yes” and “no” count.
Lake Highlands Group Conscience is held every 3rd Sunday of the month. Topics to be discussed, voted on and implemented are listed on the “agenda” and posted on the bulletin board throughout the month. This prior notification allows research both material and spiritual from each concerned member. Combined with open discussion and guidance from a power greater than ourselves, an informed decision is made.
Taking an ad-hoc vote to change meeting structures abolishes the “informed” decisions of the group and directs the meeting toward a rush to judgment driven by the emotions of the moment. This pits personalities against principles as members are forced to either abstain or vote against their personal as well as the group’s conscience. Areas of concern for chairpersons to avoid would include but not be limited to:
-
Changing Closed Meetings to Open/Open to Closed
-
Changing Non-Smoking to Smoking/Smoking to Non-Smoking
-
Voting to allow a member to attend a men’s or women’s meeting
Please see “special interest” meetings in Tradition Three
-
The Authoritative Meeting Chairperson: The chairperson serves the group as a trusted servant while leading recovery meetings. The basic premise of service should be maintained at all times: they serve for the good of all, without authority over any.
-
-
If a topic is presented by the group the chairperson should respect the choice and guide it toward a message of hope and recovery
-
Every member should be given an opportunity to share; favoritism should be avoided in meeting structures
-
Adherence to group policies and procedures should be upheld
-
Tradition Three:
The only Requirement for A.A. Membership
Is a Desire to Stop Drinking.
Our membership ought to include all who suffer from Alcoholism.
Hence we may refuse none who wish to recover…
3rd Tradition Long Form
-
Closed Meetings: These meetings are limited to alcoholics. Or those who have a drinking problem and “have a desire to stop drinking”. They provide an opportunity for members to share with one another on problems related to drinking patterns and attempts to achieve stable sobriety. They also permit detailed discussion of various elements in the recovery program.
(www.aa.org) (The A.A. Group)
-
-
In closed meetings the chairperson should listen to each attendee for an identification of being an alcoholic during introductions. Afterward the chairperson should readdress a person failing to identify and ask if they are an alcoholic; or do they think they have a problem with alcohol?
-
Denial of alcoholism is so strong that a newcomer may not be able to voice that he/she is an alcoholic. A simple declaration that they think they have a problem with alcohol is sufficient for membership and inclusion into closed meetings.
-
Once the member identifies a problem with alcohol they achieve membership no matter what other problems they may identify or express.
-
The operative word in this “requirement” is a desire to “stop” drinking. The chairperson should not offer questions to the attendee such as “do you have a desire ‘not’ to drink today”. A person who has never had a drink probably has a desire “not” to drink today but they are not alcoholic, nor do they have a problem with alcohol.
-
-
It has also been learned that there is no possible way to make
non-alcoholics into A.A. Members.
(Bill W. 2/58 Grapevine)
-
-
If an attendee does not identify themselves as an alcoholic the chairperson should politely explain that the meeting is a closed meeting for alcoholics only, and cordially invite them to please join us at another time for an open meeting. Suggestions to perform this action include:
-
Ask a member to escort the attendee outside to explain the difference between open and closed meetings.
-
Offer them a meeting schedule and identify the times for open meetings.
-
Offer any assistance necessary to mitigate feelings of rejection.
-
-
-
-
Open Meetings: As the term suggests, meetings of this type are open to alcoholics and their families and to anyone interested in solving a personal drinking problem or helping someone else to solve such a problem.
-
-
The LH preamble for open meetings states; “In keeping with our singleness of purpose and our third tradition which states; ‘the only requirement for AA membership is a desire to stop drinking’; we ask that all who participate confine their discussion to their problems with alcohol.” Therefore only A.A. members should be asked to share during open meetings.
-
-
Special Interest Meetings: Men’s meetings / Women’s meetings.
“…by their own account, those attending “special interest” groups consider themselves A.A. members first.” The twelve traditions illustrated.
-
-
Our responsibility as A.A. members stands paramount above all special interests accommodated for in the LH meeting schedule.
-
If someone enters a special interest meeting the chairperson should bring it to the attention of the member that this time slot is dedicated to the particular interest.
-
The member should be given the option of whether they would like to stay and attend the meeting or come back at another time.
-
As A.A. members we should not vote as to whether or not an alcoholic seeking help will be allowed to attend a meeting.
-
-
I am responsible…
When anyone, anywhere, reaches out for help,
I want the hand of A.A. always to be there.
And for that: I am responsible.
Tradition Four:
Each Group Should be Autonomous Except in Matters
Affecting Other Groups or A.A. as a Whole
…, we AAs have universally adopted the principle of consultation.
This means that if a single AA group wishes to take an action that
might affect surrounding groups, it consults them. Or, it confers
with the intergroup committee for the area, if there be one.
Trad 4/A.A. Grapevine March 1948
-
-
-
Consultation with Intergroup: LH meeting schedules are listed with the Intergroup office and posted in Dallas Area A.A. meeting booklets distributed area wide. AAs seeking help depend on relative, current information from our group.
-
-
-
-
-
-
Chairpersons should maintain the meeting structure voted on by the LH group conscience.
-
-
-
Tradition four is a combination of both tradition one and two in this respect.
-
Tradition 1: Our common welfare should come first:
-
AAs locating a closed/non-smoking/young person’s meeting on the Intergroup directory should find one upon arrival at LH
-
-
Tradition 2: “Informed” decisions from the group conscience
-
-
All changes in meeting structures should go through the processes of group conscience.
-
Consultation with the Intergroup office should convey relative, current scheduling.
2. The “right to be wrong”: We are guided by the experience of those who walked before us, but we learn through our own actions. Meeting chairpersons should:
-
-
-
-
Allow themselves to make mistakes / apply the lessons they learn
-
Pick themselves up with laughter, going on to better things
-
Apply Rule #62: “Don’t take yourself too damn seriously”
-
-
-
Tradition Five:
Each Group has but One Primary Purpose…
To Carry Its Message to the Alcoholic Who Still Suffers
Sobriety—freedom from alcohol—through the teaching and practice of the Twelve Steps, is the sole purpose of an A.A. group. Groups have repeatedly tried other activities, and
they have always failed. It has also been learned that there is no possible way to
make non-alcoholics into A.A. members. We have to confine our A.A. groups
to a single purpose. If we don’t stick to these principles we shall almost
certainly collapse. And if we collapse, we cannot help anyone.
Bill W. 2/58 A.A. Grapevine
-
-
The meeting chairperson has but one “primary purpose”; to carry the Lake Highlands group’s message in our recovery meetings.
-
The chairperson is many times the first hand of A.A. that the newcomer sees reaching out. They stand on the frontline in carrying the group’s message to alcoholics seeking help:
-
-
-
Recovery: Support singleness of purpose: common problem/common solution
-
Unity: Support our common welfare first; personal recovery depends on it
-
Service: Support group policies and procedures through personal commitment
-
-
Alcoholics Anonymous does not offer any panaceas for the multitude of problems that A.A.s may experience in sobriety. For these difficulties, extra help should be sought. A.A. does
offer a solution to one problem: alcoholism. This singleness of purpose unites
alcoholics in a common bond, which is the key to recovery in A.A.
Excerpt from “A.A. in treatment facilities handbook
Tradition Six:
An A.A. Group Ought Never Endorse, Finance or Lend the A.A. Name to Any
Related Facility or Outside Enterprise, Lest Problems of Money, Property
or Prestige Divert us from our Primary Purpose.
-
No implied or presumed affiliation: The meeting chairperson should assure there is no implied or presumed affiliation between the Lake Highlands Group or A.A. as a whole with anything outside A.A. The A.A. policy is “cooperation but not affiliation”
-
No monies should be solicited for outside enterprises; rehabs etc.
-
No endorsements should be made for facilities by members or chairpersons
-
All attendees should share in meetings as A.A. members rather than counselors or experts
A.A. members employed by outside agencies “wear two hats” —but Tradition Six cautions any such members against wearing both at once! On the job, they are not “A.A. counselors.”
At meetings, they’re just A.A.s, not alcoholism experts.
Trad 6 The Twelve Traditions Illustrated
Tradition Seven:
Every A.A. Group Ought to be Fully Self Supporting Declining Outside Contributions.
“Self-support begins with me, because I am part of us — the group. We pay our rent and
utility bills, buy coffee, snacks and A.A. literature. We support our central office,
our area committee, and our General Service Office. If it were not for those
entities, many new people would never discover the miracles of A.A.”
A.A. Pamphlet; Self Support –Where Money and Spirituality Mix
All pertinent chairperson information is listed under;
“Collection and Deposit of Contributions”
Tradition Eight:
Alcoholics Anonymous Should Remain Forever Non-Professional,
But our Service Centers May Employ Special Workers
As chairpersons we should always remember:
Freely Ye Have Received; Freely Give
Trad 8/A.A. Grapevine March 1948
Tradition Nine:
A.A. as such, Ought Never be Organized: But We may Create Service Boards
Or Committees Directly Responsible to Those They Serve.
-
Meeting Schedule Organization: The Lake Highlands meeting schedule is organized through the spiritual concept of the group conscience.
-
-
The assistant group chairperson is responsible for maintaining and populating the monthly meeting schedule calendar
-
The meeting chairperson is responsible for committing to meeting slots which meet their personal availability
-
Those who take part in A.A. service work are assuming responsibility
-- not taking on authority.
Trad 9 The Twelve Traditions Illustrated
Tradition Ten:
Alcoholics Anonymous has No Opinion on Outside Issues;
Hence the A.A. Name Ought Never be Drawn Into Public Controversy
Practically never have I heard a heated religious, political, or reform
Argument among A.A. members. So long as we don’t argue these
matters privately, it’s a cinch we never shall publicly.
Trad 10—12&12
-
Outside, Controversial Issues: The meeting chairperson should assure the meeting stays focused on A.A.’s singleness of purpose, freedom from alcoholism. Outside controversial issues which should be avoided include but are not limited to:
-
Alcohol Reform
-
Sectarian Religion
-
Politics
-
Drug Addiction / Reform
Tradition Eleven:
Our Public Relations Policy is Based on Attraction Rather than Promotion;
We Need Always Maintain Personal Anonymity at the Level of Press, Radio and Film
Alcoholics will not be attracted to A.A. if they don’t know that it exists or if they have distorted, unfavorable impressions of its members or its program.
Trad 11, Twelve Traditions Illustrated
-
Maintaining an attractive atmosphere of recovery: The first A.A. meeting visited by an alcoholic or a loved one could be the beginning of a new way or life or the last time the rooms are visited. We as a group are responsible for assuring an attractive atmosphere for anyone who walks into our home.
The meeting chairperson is responsible for leading our recovery meetings in a manner which will develop this attractive atmosphere. The chairperson stands on the frontline in promoting our responsibility to always be there when someone reaches for help.
-
Public Information: If someone walks into the group asking for information but not intending to attend a meeting, the meeting chairperson should offer as much help as possible without disrupting the meeting itself. Suggestions include but are not limited to:
-
Have a member gather information pamphlets and go outside to talk to the visitor.
-
Give the visitor information to contact the Dallas Central Office.
-
Intergroup:
6162 E. Mockingbird Ln.
Dallas, TX 752
(214) 887-6699
To the million alcoholics who have not yet heard our AA story, we should ever say, "Greetings and welcome. Be assured that we shall never weaken the lifelines which we float out to you. In our public relations we shall, God willing, keep the faith."
Trad 11/A.A. Grapevine March 1948
Tradition Twelve:
Anonymity is the Spiritual Foundation of All Our Traditions;
Ever Reminding Us to Place Principles Before Personalities
Anonymity:
Sacrificing Personal Ambition for the Common Good
Trad 12 The Twelve Traditions Illustrated
-
Spiritual Anonymity and Humility: Anonymity, as we observe it as meeting chairpersons is at its root a simple expression of humility. It is the spiritual base that guides our application of the preceding traditions. It ever reminds us to place principles before personalities through our ability to:
-
Have respect for members who desire to be nameless
-
Not take credit for our own or others’ recovery
-
Place the common welfare of the group and A.A. above personal or individual interests
-
Our AA Traditions are, we trust, securely anchored in those wise precepts; charity, gratitude, and humility. Nor have we forgotten prudence. May these virtues ever stand clear before us in our mediations; may Alcoholics Anonymous serve God in happy unison for so long as he may need us.
Trad 12/A.A. Grapevine March 1948