Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a global fellowship dedicated to helping individuals recover from alcoholism by sharing experiences and mutual support. AA utilizes several distinct meeting formats to convey its message of recovery. The AA speaker meeting is a popular and widely attended gathering, serving a specific purpose for both members and the broader community. This article defines the speaker meeting format, details its unique structure, and clarifies who is welcome to attend.
How Speaker Meetings Differ
A speaker meeting fundamentally differs from a standard AA discussion meeting by focusing primarily on a single narrative. One designated sober member shares their personal story for the majority of the meeting time. This single focus provides concentrated identification and inspiration to the audience.
The core content is sharing their “Experience, Strength, and Hope.” This personal narrative is typically structured around three parts: life before sobriety, what happened to bring them into AA, and life now in recovery. Unlike discussion meetings where multiple people participate in dialogue, the speaker meeting emphasizes listening to one person’s journey without interruption or cross-talk.
This format removes the expectation of audience participation, creating a listening environment distinct from shared dialogue. The speaker’s extended story offers a comprehensive look at the transformative power of the AA program. The speaker is selected beforehand, often by the group’s steering committee, and may have a minimum period of continuous sobriety.
What Happens During the Meeting
An AA speaker meeting follows a structured sequence. The meeting begins with a chairperson or secretary welcoming the group and opening with traditional readings, such as the AA Preamble, a statement on the group’s purpose, and often the Serenity Prayer. A moment of silence is frequently included to honor those still suffering from alcoholism.
The chairperson may introduce the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of AA as the foundation of the program. They then formally introduce the designated speaker, who takes control of the floor for their allotted time. The speaker’s share is a detailed, chronological account, usually dedicating time to the hopelessness of active drinking, the specific events that led them to seek help, and the solution they found in AA.
The majority of the meeting is dedicated to the speaker’s personal account, serving as an example of recovery in action. As the speaker concludes, the chairperson typically resumes control to manage the closing portion. This closing often includes passing a basket for voluntary contributions to help cover the group’s expenses, such as rent and literature.
The meeting concludes with brief announcements regarding future meetings or service opportunities. Finally, attendees often stand and join hands for a closing prayer, such as the Serenity Prayer, which signals the formal end of the meeting. Many attendees remain afterward for informal conversation and fellowship.
Knowing Who Can Attend
The attendance policy for a speaker meeting is generally welcoming, as most are designated as “Open” meetings. An Open AA meeting is available to anyone interested in the AA program, including non-alcoholics. Friends, family members, students, and other observers are invited to attend an Open speaker meeting to learn about alcoholism and the fellowship’s approach to sobriety.
The primary request for all attendees is to respect the anonymity of the members and what they hear inside the room. This commitment ensures that members can share without fear of outside exposure. While most speaker meetings are Open, some groups may choose to host a “Closed” speaker meeting, which is exclusively for those who have a desire to stop drinking.
If a meeting is listed as Open, non-alcoholics are welcome to attend as observers, though they are asked to refrain from participating in the discussion or sharing time. The Open speaker format is a common way for newcomers to experience the program or for the general public to gain insight into the recovery process. Consulting the meeting’s listing beforehand is the best way to determine if it is an Open or Closed gathering.