Meeting Topics
July 30, 2008 by Mark
Filed under Diseases & Conditions
This entry will be designed to elicit from you a list of meeting topics that can be used in Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.
I sat in a meeting today in a group that has a list numbered one through forty (1-40) yet no one chose any of those. The chairperson was new to chairing and has a lot to learn – this wasn’t his doing – it’s ours. Having asked for a topic or a burning desire and receiving nothing, he resorted to a First Step meeting in a manner that was nothing less than the “easier, softer way.” Can’t think of anything – is there a newcomer in the house? Okay – First Step meeting. So, please leave your topic suggestion in the comments below and I’ll update the post from day to day.
I’ll start with a few close to my heart – 1) Ego 2) Pride 3) Humility plus any one of the Twelve Steps or any one of the Twelve Traditions.
Edited: Yay! We have new topics! From my friend S.;
- Anxiety
- Letting go and Letting God
- Unreasonable expectations
- Setting the bar low
- Projecting outcomes
- Living in today
And from Linda!
- Emotional Pain
- Self-Acceptance
- Getting thru an obsession
- Positive thinking
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It might be worth considering a couple of important points that might help;
What Does A.A. Do?
1. A.A. members share their experience with anyone seeking help with a drinking problem; they give person-to-person service or “sponsorship” to the alcoholic coming to A.A. from any source.2. The A.A. program, set forth in our Twelve Steps, offers the alcoholic a way to develop a satisfying life without alcohol.
3. This program is discussed at A.A. group meetings.
a. Open speaker meetings — open to alcoholics and nonalcoholics. (Attendance at an open A.A. meeting is the best way to learn what A.A. is, what it does, and what it does not do.) At speaker meetings, A.A. members “tell their stories.” They describe their experiences with alcohol, how they came to A.A., and how their lives have changed as a result of Alcoholics Anonymous.
b. Open discussion meetings — one member speaks briefly about his or her drinking experience, and then leads a discussion on A.A. recovery or any drinking-related problem anyone brings up. (Closed meetings are for A.A.s or anyone who may have a drinking problem.)
c. Closed discussion meetings — conducted just as open discussions are, but for alcoholics or prospective A.A.s only.
d. Step meetings (usually closed) — discussion of one of the Twelve Steps.
e. A.A. members also take meetings into correctional and treatment facilities.
f. A.A. members may be asked to conduct the informational meetings about A.A. as a part of A.S.A.P. (Alcohol Safety Action Project) and D.W.I. (Driving While Intoxicated) programs. These meetings about A.A. are not regular A.A. group meetings.
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(1) At “open meetings,” speakers tell how they drank, how they discovered A.A., and how its program has helped them. Members may bring relatives or friends, and usually anyone interested in A.A. is also welcome to attend “open meetings.”
(2) “Closed meetings” are for alcoholics only. These are group discussions, and any members who want to may speak up, to ask questions and to share their thoughts with fellow members. At “closed meetings,” A.A.s can get help with personal problems in staying sober and in everyday living. Some other A.A.s can explain how they have already handled the same problems — often by using one or more of the Twelve Steps.
In London we don’t have topic meetings – that’s a new one for me. We either have closed meetings (although one of the meetings every month is listed as open) or we have a Step or Tradition meeting, where we talk about a particular step or tradition.
Hi Mark. I have a few for your consideration:
Anxiety; letting go and letting God.
Unreasonable expectations; setting the bar low.
Projecting outcomes; living in today.
s.
Thanks S.! I’ve added them…
Interesting Oliver
– does this mean (sarcasm) we really don’t need a topic? (laffin’)
I have sat in quite a few meetings where there is nothing but dead silence. Apparently all are well lol A great topic would be emotional pain or self acceptance or how do you get through an obsession. Anyone listening Does anyone care anymore. I guess things are just hitting the fan for me. Thanks Mark for being there. You truly are a gift from the creator.
Linda – I added positive thinking to your suggestions – because…
My friend, you’re going through a tough time, again, with your grandchild. Added to an already full plate… please, take care of yourself too because – yes, there are many who do care!
Oh… thanks… but, I’m doing nothing more than our Creator had wanted me doing from jump street, that’s all…
My favorite meeting topics are Gratitude and Sponsorship. Gratitude meetings always help me to remember where I came from and where I am at today and that is very important to me. Sponsorship meetings are really good as well because that is how I have gotten to where I am today, through working the steps, finding god, and direction in my life through my sponsor.
I led discussion last week and selected ‘Boundaries’ for a topic. This was kind of an experiment, but it triggered a lot of thoughtful sharing.
Interesting Gary…
What does it mean when you say “this was kind of an experiment?”
Do you really want to hear about the topics that we SHOULD be discussing at AA from a recovered long-timer? When I see “boundaries” and “positive thinking” or other such pop group self-awareness drivel, I fear for our future. WE are AA, not Norman Vincent Peale or EST training. Egads….. how scary does it get? If you really want to hear it, e mail me with your request and then stand back…. Best to All
I feel you must always think positive. It works for me and i no it works for fellow addicts as well. But different stroke for different fokes. I think you should just be opened minded and try to change things in your life besides to just stop using.
I don’t know Ruffio – are you a recovered long-timer? Strange that you have a problem with positive thinking… and then feel some need to put down something that might be working for someone. Who made you recovered long-timers the final judges of all things AA? That is what is truly scary.
I was at a great meeting a couple of weeks ago with the topic “What is your favorite step?”. Everyone had something to say. Also, I agree with Mark; I love long-timers who are humble and patient. Please don’t treat other’s topics as inferior just because you don’t agree with them. Your humility and acceptance will impress us, not your superiority.
Thanks Jayne
Might I add – BINGO!!! Wish I had said it as well as you…
A recent meeting at my home group centered around the concept of ‘Defiance’. It was noted in the opening comments that this was the opposite of Obedience and as alcoholics, we don’t do Obedience very well, but we all seemed to know quite a bit about defiance.