Suggested Meeting Practices

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1.  Follow a script (ACA sample script)​

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• It makes it easier for members to lead a meeting​

• It prevents the meeting chair from improvising and going off topic

• It creates a stable and predictable environment, something that was missing from many ACA's homes of origin

• It creates a consistency between ACA meetings across the world

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2.  Don't crosstalk

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• Crosstalk is interrupting, giving advice, making comments about another person’s share, or making distracting noise during sharing time.

• We do not cross talk because as adult children we come from family backgrounds where feelings and perceptions may have been judged as wrong or defective.

• Today we accept without comment what others say because it is true for them.  ​

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3.  Use a timer during shares

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• Contributes to a sense of equality

• Allows more members to share

• Prevents any one individual share from dominating the meeting

 

4.  Rotate service positions

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• Positions are filled by rotating trusted servants rather than long term leaders

• Doing service is part of recovery, rotation allows more members to participate

• Can invigorate a meeting (prevent it from feeling stale)

 

5.  Make newcomers feel welcome

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• Makes the newcomers feel part of the group

• Contributes to a safe environment

• Encourages newcomers to come back and continue their recovery journey

 

6.  Hold a group conscience meeting (regularly)

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• Allows everyone to have a voice in how the meeting is run

• Provides an environment to conduct business and resolve differences of opinion

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