Your first meeting can be intimidating. What is this? What will they say to me? Why are they chanting? (just kidding)
Here's a quick outline of our meeting format, don't worry our program is based on experiences not suggestions on how to live your life.
Virtual links found at bottom of post.
Meeting opens with the serenity prayer.
Grant me the serenity
To accept the things I cannot change
Courage to change the things I can
And the wisdom to know the difference
The opening to the meeting is read by the leader. Members take turns leading a meeting so there is no "one" leader of any group.
We read the S-Anon preamble.
We take turns readying the Twelve Steps.
We take turns reading the Twelve Traditions.
A member reads the S-Anon problem.
Another member reads the Keys to Recovery.
A different member reads the Obstacles to Recovery.
7th Tradition collection is taken. Most groups ask the newcomer to not contribute for their first meeting. This is a donation only run organization, you put in what you'd like.
Guidelines to the meeting are read by the leader. For definition of some of the language, see our About page Glossary of Terms.
Daily reading is read.
Leader (or other member) shares their experience and what brought them to find S-Anon. This only happens when there is a newcomer.
The meeting is then given a topic and opened for sharing. We stay quiet and wait for someone to come forward.
As each person shares, they same their first name only, then share their experience on the topic. Once they are done sharing they say pass.
12 minutes before the end of the meeting, the newcomer is given a chance to share their story, or they may say pass. No one has to share, ever.
The closing guidelines are read by the leader.
A member reads the Gifts of the S-Anon program.
Members are invited to stand together, holding hands in a circle and say the closing prayer. This prayer can be any prayer from the conference approved literature.
Once the meeting is closed you are welcome to talk openly about any topic, ask questions or obtain contact information.
Suggested Meeting Format Virtual Link | Suggested Meeting Readings Virtual Link
