Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a fellowship of people who share their experience, strength, and hope with each other so they may solve their common problem and help others recover from alcoholism. Starting a new AA meeting is an act of service, directly extending the program’s ability to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers. This endeavor is guided by the principles of the Twelve Traditions, which protect the unity and primary purpose of the group. The process involves practical logistics, democratic decision-making, official registration, and establishing a structure for long-term health.
Foundational Steps and Logistics
The establishment of a new meeting begins with a small core of committed members, as the only requirement for an AA group is that “any two or three alcoholics gathered together for sobriety may call themselves an AA Group.” These initial members must agree that a new meeting is needed in their specific location or at a particular time to better serve the community. The next step is securing a suitable and reliable location, often involving renting a room in a church, community center, or other public facility. The venue should be accessible, affordable, and consistently available at the desired day and time.
These decisions must be made through a Group Conscience meeting, which is the collective voice of the group’s members. This democratic process ensures that all pertinent information is discussed and that decisions are reached with substantial unanimity. Once a time and place are secured, the group must prepare necessary supplies, such as AA literature and a collection basket. Consistency of the meeting time and location is important to help newcomers find and rely on the group.
Making Initial Decisions about Format
Defining the meeting’s character is a primary task for the organizing members, determined by the needs of the local fellowship. A fundamental choice is between an Open Meeting, which allows anyone interested in AA to attend, and a Closed Meeting, which is reserved only for those who have a desire to stop drinking. Open meetings are often geared toward public understanding, while closed meetings offer a more confidential setting for members to share their experiences.
The group must also select a format, which dictates the flow of the meeting. Common formats include Discussion Meetings, where a topic is introduced for group sharing, and Speaker Meetings, which feature a member telling their personal story of recovery. Other options are Step Study or Tradition Study meetings, which involve reading and discussing the core texts of the program. The decision on the format is also made by the Group Conscience, aiming to select a structure that best serves the primary purpose of carrying the message.
Official Registration and Listing
For a new meeting to become recognized and accessible to the wider fellowship, it must be officially registered. This begins with notifying the local Intergroup or Central Office, the local service entity that maintains and publishes meeting schedules. Listing the meeting with the Intergroup ensures it appears on local meeting lists, websites, and mobile applications, making it discoverable by newcomers searching for help.
To become an official part of the worldwide AA structure, the group must also register with the General Service Office (GSO), which assigns the group a unique ID number. This is accomplished by completing and submitting a New Group Form, typically downloaded from the GSO website. Registration with the GSO facilitates communication between the group and the entire service structure, providing the new group with a complimentary handbook and initial literature. While GSO registration does not guarantee a listing on local schedules, it connects the group to the area and district service committees.
Sustaining the Group Through Service
Long-term survival requires the group to establish a rotating service structure. Rotation prevents the concentration of power and ensures that new members have the opportunity to take on responsibilities. The group must elect trusted servants for positions like Group Secretary, who handles logistics and meeting announcements, and Treasurer, who manages the group’s funds.
The General Service Representative (GSR) serves as the communication link between the group and the wider AA service structure, including the District and Area Committees. The group’s financial health is managed according to the 7th Tradition, which states that every AA group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions. The Treasurer is responsible for collecting voluntary contributions, paying the group’s expenses such as rent and literature, and ensuring a portion of the surplus is contributed to the local Intergroup and the GSO.