District 3 Alcoholics Anonymous

All meetings are nonsmoking.
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DOWNLOAD: Institutional Format(pdf)

Suggested Guidelines

1. Remember that this is basic Twelfth Step service. The goals of A.A. and the
treatment setting are the same: The recovery of the alcoholic.
2. Avoid drunkalogues. Keep comments strictly to A.A.-related matters. Do not comment on the facility’s policies or practices!
3. Familiarize yourself with the pamphlets “A.A. in Treatment Facilities,” “Bridging the Gap,” and “Speaking at Non-A.A. Meetings” before your presentation. Working with members of the Treatment Committee or with your group, it may be helpful for you to run through or even rehearse the presentation the first few times.
4. Provide copies of the following Conference-approved pamphlets: “Questions and Answers on Sponsorship,” “Where Do I Go from Here?,” “A.A. at a Glance,” “Information on Alcoholics Anonymous,” “Problems Other Than Alcohol.” You should also provide copies of a local A.A. meeting list or directory.
5. Always remember that you are representing Alcoholics Anonymous. Be on time, courteous, and well groomed. For many in your audience, this will be their first impression of Alcoholics Anonymous. Make it a good one!

Suggested Institutional A.A. Meetings Format

NOTE: It is suggested that AA members attending the meeting sit separate from each other forcing visitors to be close to one of the members.

VERY IMPORTANT: They are suffering alcoholics. Even if they tell you that their drug of choice is not alcohol, you will find many of them admitting that alcohol caused problems in their lives. Keep to our singleness of purpose.

Presentation by AA Group

1. Introduction: Why you’re there. (To carry the message of Alcoholics Anonymous; what it is and what it is not.)
2. Show an A.A. DVD, such as Hope: Alcoholics Anonymous or A.A. Videos for Young People.
3. Read and explain the A.A. Preamble.
4. Explain, in general, the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions.
5. Briefly describe the various types of A.A. meetings: open, closed, speaker, discussion,etc.
6. Mention the local A.A. meeting list and worldwide availability of A.A.
7. Share some ideas about what they may expect in A.A.: The Home Group, Sponsorship, Fellowship, Service.
8. Tell them about A.A. literature: Books, pamphlets, videos, tapes, the Grapevine, La Viña, etc., and where they may be obtained.
9. Outline the Temporary Contact Program.(Bridging the Gap)
10. Always try to leave time for a general question and answer session. Stick to A.A. and your own experience. Steer discussion away from therapeutic “issues.” Topics: Beginners Guidelines.
11. Thank you and close.

KEEP CONTROL OF THE MEETING AT ALL TIMES!!