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.