Meeting Descriptions

(Note: Other geographical areas may have
different names
or descriptions for the meetings listed below)OPEN meetings are for persons
who may have a problem with the substance / behavior discussed,
also for friends and family and for those seeking understanding.
Basically, open to anyone, addicted or not addicted.CLOSED meetings are for persons
who may or do have a problem with the substance / behavior
discussed. Basically, closed to observers and is reserved for
those who share the addiction discussed.DISCUSSION meetings allow
members to select the topic for discussion for that meeting.
Unless otherwise specified, all meetings are discussion meetings.
May be Open or Closed.BEGINNER meetings typically
concentrate on the first 3 Steps. May be Open or Closed, not only
for beginners. (see 1st step meetings)SPEAKER meetings are almost
always Open meetings where a selected person shares their
experience, strength and hope with the group and is allowed the
entire session.1st STEP meetings occur when a
person who may have a substance abuse / alcohol / behavioral
problem attends a meeting for the first time any time, anywhere.
This meeting allows the group to tell a little about how it was,
what happened, and what it’s like now. Usually this meeting
instills hope in the person and reveals a common bond with those
in the group. Newcomers are allowed at Closed meetings. Speaker
meetings are not allowed to become 1st Step meetings, however,
most others are, because we can only keep what we have by giving
it away.MEN’S meetings are reserved for
men only. May be Open or Closed.WOMEN’S meetings are reserved
for women only. May be Open or Closed.PODIUM meetings are where the
group is too large for a typical discussion meeting and each
member is asked to speak from a podium so all can hear when they
choose to speak. May be Open or Closed.BIG BOOK STUDY meetings follow a
format of reading from and discussion of the “Big Book”
of Alcoholics Anonymous.BASIC TEXT STUDY meetings follow
a format of reading from and discussion of the “Basic
Text” of Narcotics Anonymous.12 x 12 meetings follow a format
of reading from and discussion of the “12 Steps and 12
Traditions” of Alcoholics Anonymous.LITERATURE STUDY meetings follow
a format of reading from and discussion of any selected
literature.TRADITION STUDY meetings discuss
the 12 traditions.TOPIC meetings are when a
pre-selected topic is discussed by the lead speaker for some
length of time followed by open sharing by the group members.FISHBOWL meetings are when a
bowl is filled with cards or pieces of paper with topics written
on each. They may contain the 12 Steps, the 12 Traditions, or any
other suitable topic. The topic for the meeting is then selected
from the “Fishbowl”.FIVE AND DIME meetings discuss
the 5th and 10th Steps and how they affect our life today and as
an opportunity to keep our side of the street clean.BUSINESS meetings are required
regularly to settle the business dealings of the group.BOARD meetings are for the
business dealings of the Board of Directors of The Alano Club of
Rockford.COMMITTEE meetings are like
business meetings where the committee members review the progress
of the committee’s objective and assign tasks to be accomplished.