2. See that Coffee is made.
3. Make sure people are being greeted as they arrive. (Newcomers!)
4. Pass out the readings. (don’t forget to ask the newcomers to participate)
5. If you cannot be there make sure you ask someone else to chair.
Be prepared in advance:
1. Have appropriate topic ready that follows traditions and your group conscious.
2. Understand our singleness of purpose.
3. Know who the trusted servants are in case a problem should arise and you need to contact them.
4. To stay late and help newcomers find the literature and get phone numbers.
Follow your group conscious determined format for meetings:
1. Read the meeting card (open/closed) to inform those in attendance of the type of meeting.
2. Have members read approved AA readings:
3. Announcements should follow group conscious approval.
4. Readings should be from Conference approved literature.
(Grapevine & Language of the Heart are not conference approved)
a. All AA Pamphlets published by AAWS.
b. All service literature. (listed on p.S78-79 of the service manual)
c. Booklets: Came to believe, AA in prison: Inmate to Inmate, Living Sober
d. Books: Alcoholics Anonymous (Big Book), AA Comes of Age, Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions,
As Bill Sees It, Dr. Bob and the Good Old-timers, “Pass It On”, Daily Reflections,
Experience Strength and Hope.
Maintain Order in the Meeting: (Accountability and Responsibility)
1. Guide sharing to ensure it stays on topic
a. If someone is way off topic lovingly ask them to bring it back to how it relates to Alcoholism.
2. Remind members to give others a chance to share if they insist on dominating the meeting.
a. Limit sharing time if necessary
b. Limit number of times someone shares in one meeting.(If dominating meeting)
c. Limit cross talkers. Let them know they are being disruptive to the meeting.
Handel disruptive situations:
1. When people are off topic: reign them back in.
2. When they insist on interrupting others sharing (cross talk) ask them to wait their turn.
3. If they are drunk and insist on sharing:
a. Tell them they are welcome to stay if “they would like to listen”.
b. Inform them that the meeting is about finding a solution to stop drinking.
c. Ask them to wait till after the meeting and that some members with experience would
be glad to talk with them about their problem, but to no disrupt the meeting.
d. If a drunk continues to disrupt the meeting ask a couple of members (of the same sex) to escort them
out of the meeting to talk, so the meeting can continue.
Remember: Your job as chairperson is to maintain order and to facilitate the primary purpose of AA by conducting an orderly meeting. “Love and tolerance is our code” and “We must not raise barriers”, we should be inclusive
never exclusive.