From ConnecticutIntergroupSLAA
Corozal Although what follows here is a general way that meetings work, by no means is it the only way nor the best way, but one of many ways that meetings may be run.
Most SLAA meetings follow a general format. There are several kinds of formats which may include (but are not all)
- Step meetings
- Tradition meetings
- Journal meetings
- Topic meetings
- Speaker meetings
- Newcomer meetings
- Ask-it-basket
- Business meeting
Other type of meetings may include (and are CERTAINLY not limited to)
- Step study meetings
- Tradition study meetings
- Round robin study meetings
- Literature meetings
If you see a meeting type you’d like to have listed here and wish to share with us and your fellowship, leave a posting here (and link).
Each meeting is autonomous. Each meeting choses its own format, trusted servants, way of handling the flow of meetings but 12 Step groups use Group Conscience rather than the power of voting to make decisions. Finding what each group wishes to do is done by taking a Group Conscience
There are, however, general rules and direction which each meeting follows.Opening the Meeting
Most meetings start with an opening prayer, most often the serenity prayer. This is followed by a statement of introduction of the chairperson and an introduction, by first names only, to preserve and respect anonymity.
Our Preamble
There are often additional readings. One favorite is the SLAA Preamble. This spells out the five pillars of our recovery from Sex and Love addiction. We say that to counter the destructive consequences of sex and love addiction we draw on five major resources:
- Sobriety. Our willingness to stop acting out in our own personal bottom-line addictive behavior on a daily basis.
- Sponsorship/Meetings. Our capacity to reach out for the supportive fellowship within S.L.A.A.
- Steps. Our practice of the Twelve Step program of recovery to achieve sexual and emotional sobriety.
- Service. Our giving back to the S.L.A.A. community what we continue to freely receive.
- Spirituality. Our developing a relationship with a Power greater than ourselves which can guide and sustain us in recovery.
Some meetings may also incorporate an explanation of what is Sex and Love Addiction so that each of us, each time we attend a meeting will know and remember why we are here.
Welcome and Introduction
At this point the chair may ask if there are any newcomers at the meeting. If you are new to the program this link will help you understand the Language of 12 Step programs.
Work of the day
The chairperson will then declare and explain the type of meeting, Step, or Topic, or Speaker.. Some meetings may be specifially for newcomers, called Beginners Meetings.
Many reading may be taken from the Basic Text, sometimes called the Big Book. It has information for Sex and Love Addicts at all stages of recovery from the very new to the ‘old timer’ who seeks to stay current and one day at a time with recovery.
Usually the chairperson will explain about the use of Crosstalk, Feedback or Triggering langauge and then begin the meeting.
Meeting Break and Announcements
Usually about 45 minutes after the meeting has begun the chairperson will suggest a break for 5 -10 minutes. At this break it is an opportunity to meet and speak with others who are attending the meeting.
Sobriety Markers
Once the break is over, the chairperson generally asks for announcements relating to the group, the intergroup or FWS as a whole. Following announcements recognition is given to those who have abstained from their Bottom line behavior for at least 24 hours.
Getting Current
The meeting continues with a section for Getting Current. Getting current gives us an opportunity to share in a safe, sober and supportive environment, those activities, behaviors and actions which pose a threat, here and now to our maintaining our sobriety.
7th Tradition
Following getting current a request for 7th Tradition contributions is made.
Closing and Serenity Prayer
After the 7th tradition is closing of the meeting. There may be some meditation followed by a prayer, usually the serenity prayer.
Fellowship
A part of becomming clean and sober is learning to associate in sober ways. Most meetings encourage some form of fellowship after the meeting.
To help with the organization of meetings, we have enclosed some formats which are in use in some of our meetings. (not activated as of 10 Feb 2006)
Please note that the Newcommer guidelines are NOT conference approved but are used by one of our Connecticut fellowships to bring newcommers into our program and let them know more about how we work.
As other formats are received, they will be posted. Please note these are customized for individual meetings. You may download them in PDF, ODT or DOC format.
DOC is a Microsoft copyrighted format for use with Word. ODT is an Open Document format. PDF is a Portable Document Format and may be read with Adobe Acrobat.