Beginners Meeting Format
6:55: Choose someone to read the preamble, How it Works, Chips, closing reading and prayer.
*According to group conscience, we ask you refrain from crosstalk before and after a member shares. Do not give advice or comment on a person’s share but feel free to welcome them when unmuting or thank them when they are finished.
7:00: Mute everyone (uncheck allow the participant to unmute)
“Good evening, my name is ______and I’m an alcoholic.”
“Can we please open this meeting with a FULL moment of silence (at least 10 seconds), followed by the serenity prayer.”
“Can_____________ please read the preamble.”
“Welcome to the What's Good About Today Virtual Beginners Meeting of AA, originating in Amesbury, MA and being hosted from (fill in your location) ______________”
“Can _______________ (usually if no one volunteers) read How it Works.”
We meet here every morning from 7-8:15 am EST. The topic is always What's Good About Today. We also meet every evening from 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday is a Beginners meeting, Thursday is both the Men’s “There Is A Solution” meeting and the Women’s Slogan meeting, Friday is a Living Sober meeting, Saturday is a Speaker meeting, and Sunday is a Big Book meeting. The links and Zoom IDs will be posted in the chat.
I’d like to ask our trusted servants if there are any AA announcements pertaining to the WGAT group? If so, please raise your virtual hand.
The group can also find announcements on our website: www.wgatvirtual.com.
The tradition of the Month
Please read the tradition of the Month:
Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon A.A. unity.
For our group purpose, there is but one ultimate authority—a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern.
The only requirement for A.A. membership is a desire to stop drinking.
Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or A.A. as a whole.
Each group has but one primary purpose—to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers.
An A.A. group ought never endorse, finance, or lend the A.A. name to any related facility or outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property, and prestige divert us from our primary purpose.
Every A.A. group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.
AA should remain forever nonprofessional, but our service centers may employ special workers.
AA., as such, ought never be organized; but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve.
AA has no opinion on outside issues; hence the A.A. name ought never be drawn into public controversy.
Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio, and films.
Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our Traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.
Information will be posted in the chat throughout the meeting.
Visit our website WGATVirtual.com or email us at info@wgatvirtual.com for chips, phone lists, a copy of the big book or any questions.
Anyone Interested in Service can contact us at info@wgatvirtual.com
Our Group Conscience Business meeting is on the last Saturday of the Month. Minutes are available on request via email. Send items for the agenda to info@wgatvirtual.com.
Our meeting guidelines according to the group conscience:
We ask you to PLEASE keep your sharing to 2-3 minutes so more people have a chance to speak. At 3 minutes, the Host may give a gentle reminder if shares exceed this recommended time.
The chat is a great place to connect with other sober members and get numbers, however, hosts can limit or close the chat to keep it safe. We suggest using the direct message feature for conversations with an individual rather than addressing the entire group.
Hosts can turn off video if it is too distracting or inappropriate.
Please refrain from off-color material, profanity, or crosstalk. Crosstalk is defined by AA as giving advice to others who have already shared, speaking directly to another person rather than to the group and questioning or interrupting the person speaking at the time.
We’ll open the meeting with a section for burning desires but please send the host or co-hosts a message in the chat or wave at the screen anytime during the meeting if you have an urgent need to share.
Also, one of the co-hosts (NAME) will be available via the chat for any newcomer, people coming back, or anyone struggling that does not want to share with the entire group.
As this is a Beginner’s Meeting the following are a couple of key points:
All are welcome to share regardless of time, especially the newcomer who may have questions about AA.
You may hear the word God referenced in our readings and shares, but please know that AA is not a religious program, we are a spiritual group.
Lastly, at the end of the meeting, we will ask those with a year or more of sobriety who are willing to speak with a newcomer or become a temporary sponsor to please indicate their willingness by putting a virtual green check by their name.
*** (check allow participants to unmute themselves) **** then ask:
“Is there anyone here at this meeting for the first time? Please let us know so we can welcome you.”
If you are new to AA or to WGAT you can visit our website www.wgatvirtual.com for a welcome package on information about the AA program.
*** (uncheck allow participants to unmute themselves) ****
“Is there anyone new or in their first 90 days that would like to start the meeting? Please raise your hand using the Reactions tab.” (and if not, ask anyone who would like to kick off the meeting to please do so)
During the Meeting
7:25: Remind the group that the burning desire is at 7:30, the 7th tradition will be posted, and the Host will give a gentle reminder if shares exceed 2-3 minutes.
7:30: we are going to pause to see if anyone has a burning desire. A burning desire means you have an “urgent” need to share or are having a problem staying sober today! “Does anyone have a burning desire?”
7:50: Ask if there is anyone with an “Urgent Desire to Share.” Please let the host or co-hosts know via chat or by waving your hand.
Interested in Service? WGAT has many opportunities to do service, and can also provide training. Service can be a crucial part of our recovery, there are many ways to do service and give back what was freely given to you. If you want to learn more, or you’re interested in service, please contact us at info@wgatvirtual.com.
7:55: Anyone with a year or more of sobriety willing to sponsor or speak with a newcomer please indicate your willingness by putting a virtual green check next to your name on the participant list.
7:55: If you were unable to share today, stay after the meeting for fellowship!
**(check allow participants to unmute themselves)**
Chips
“Now we will have _________________ do the chips.”
“In lieu of giving out chips, we still want to recognize everyone on their milestones in recovery. I am going to allow everyone to unmute themselves if you are celebrating an anniversary, please say your name and how much time you have so we can congratulate you!
Does anyone have 0 to 29 days? New, Coming Back, or the desire to stop drinking
Is anyone celebrating 1-11 months?
Is anyone celebrating 18 months?
Is there anyone with a yearly anniversary that we don’t know about?
Can anyone with a year or more please raise your hand to show the program works!
AND…..if you showed up at this meeting or haven't had a drink or drug today, give yourself and your higher power a round of applause.”
Closing
Mute everyone (uncheck allow the participant to unmute)
We suggest that the closing reading be taken from AA Conference Approved Literature -
“Can _____________ please read an AA reading of your choice?”
Remember ….. “Who you see here, what you hear here, let it stay here!”
“Can __________________ lead us with the Closing Prayer?”