Alcoholics are known to be fast forgetters due to our obsession.

A fellow on his way to an A.A. meeting when he glances into the rearview mirror and notices a drunk driver weaving in and out the lane behind him. Concerned for the driver and other motorists, he slows down. Intent on doing the right thing, the A.A. member fails to notice the curve up ahead. He drives into the curve and his car rolls over twice. Witnessing this, the drunk swerves to the side of the road and gets out of his car to check on the fellow. “Are you okay?” slurs the drunk. “Yes,” gasps the A.A. member, “Wow, I must have my Higher Power at my side tonight.” “Well,” says the drunk, “Maybe you’d better let Him ride with me before you kill him.”

                    CHAIRING A MEETING

                         OPENING REMARKS

     There are several kinds of meetings: open, closed, discussion, speaker, etc. A concern is how or if the message of A.A. is being carried in discussion meetings. There is not a right or wrong way to chair a meeting, but perhaps a better way to carry the message to the still suffering alcoholic. Questions to ponder: How can a group better fulfill Traditions Five and Eleven? Is the message of recovery being presented? What can you bring to a meeting rather than take away? Are newcomers being attracted? Are they returning? What was it about your first meeting that attracted you to Alcoholics Anonymous? Why did you return?

                       DISCUSSION MEETINGS

     Question: What are the basics for chairing a meeting?

     Response: The chairperson is responsible for opening and closing the meeting, providing structure to the meeting and leading the discussion.

     Refer to the groups’ meeting format and follow all steps outlined; each A.A. group is autonomous and can decide how meetings are to be conducted.

     If you are unsure of anything regarding chairing a meeting, ask your sponsor or a trusted servant of the group.

     If you sponsor people, share with them your experience about chairing meetings.

     Question: What do you do when a person attends a closed meeting that does not fulfill the third Tradition?

     Response: Explain what A.A. is and is not.

     A person does not have to say they are an alcoholic to attend a closed meeting, a desire to stop drinking is the only requirement.

     You are a member of A.A. if you say you are; no one in A.A. decides if anyone is an alcoholic.

     Ask non-alcoholics to leave the meeting and return to an open meeting. Should be done one on one. Public embarrassment should be avoided.

     Keep N.A., Al-Anon and Nar-Anon meetings schedules available. Refer the person to the pamphlet "Problems Other Than Alcohol".

     Question: How do you handle a person who is dominating a meeting.

     Response: Sometimes we have to be unpopular in A.A. and cut people off when they talk too long.

     Explain we are almost out of time and call on someone else who is not likely to talk over-time.

     If the person is a newcomer with problems, suggest that someone talk to them after the meeting.

     Point out that they are members who would also like to share.

     Begin the group discussion by asking people to keep their comments to two or three minutes. (Size of group determines.)

     Cut them off by thanking them for sharing and calling on another member to talk.

     Question: How do you take care of a drunk and disruptive person in a meeting?

     Response: Remember we are all here because we are alcoholics.

     Experienced members can assist the chairperson if they are being hampered by a disruptive drunk.

     The chairperson can call them down and ask them to be quiet.

     Two members can take them into another room or outside to talk to them.

     Question: What do you do if you are unable to chair when you are scheduled?

     Response: Replace yourself with a regular member of the group.

     Call a program committee member to replace you.

     Question: What do you do if the designated chairperson for the meeting does not show up?

     Response: If you are a trusted servant of the group you share the responsibility to chair or ask another member to lead the discussion.

     Question: How do you end the meeting at the scheduled time when people tend to talk over?

     Response: Begin to close the meeting at five minutes before the scheduled closing time.

     Do not ask if anyone has a burning desire at the end of the meeting.

     Question: How do you eliminate or stop "cross talk" during a meeting?

     Response: The chairperson leads and controls the discussion.

     Explain that cross talk is disruptive to others sharing.

     Reiterate the topic and call on someone else to share.

     Question: How do you ensure the topic of a meeting remains A.A. when a member brings up outside issues?

     Response: Remind those present that we are only here to share our experience, strength, and hope-- we cannot fix people.

     Bring up the topic again.

     Question: How do you keep a discussion meeting moving and on topic?

     Response: Be prepared with a topic.

     Call on people to share.

     Remember--you are the chairperson, lead.

     Refrain from commenting after each person shares--none of us are authorities on A.A. or any topic.

                         SPEAKER MEETINGS

     Question: How do you choose a speaker?

     Response: Ask others for recommendations.

     Those you heard before or know.

     Question: What do you do if the speaker does not show up?

     Response: Ask someone else to share their experience, strength and hope.

     Question: How do you chair a speaker meeting?

     Response: Remember speakers speak--chairperson’s chair.

     Follow the group format.

     Introduce the speaker or ask another to do so.

     If the speaker does not talk the entire scheduled length of the allotted meeting time, end the meeting early.