A simple question?

[Tazman53]

Do you share any differently at a open meeting then you would at a closed one?

I don't and to be honest I have not noticed a single difference in what is being shared at an open or closed meeting.

BTW I do agree that closed meetings should be alcoholics only.

[mike_mass]

To tell you the truth, I'm not even sure which meetings are open or closed anymore. It doesn't matter to me.

[FightingIrish]

Same here.

I also wonder how you would enforce this requirement, as the only requirement is a desire to stop drinking. Doesn't say anything about stating a desire to stop drinking, just having the desire.

Originally Posted by mike_mass

To tell you the truth, I'm not even sure which meetings are open or closed anymore. It doesn't matter to me.

[Music]

Originally Posted by Tazman53

Do you share any differently at a open meeting then you would at a closed one?

Nope!! I do keep in mind however that to get too personal and long winded in any meeting isn't a good idea. There are things that should be discussed with a sponsor and not at a meeting. I've sat in meetings where the person speaking took everyone else hostage, talking way too long about things that had nothing to do with the topic. A little common sense goes a long way.

[Astro]

Nope. I try to practice rigorous honesty when I share and I also try to remember that I've got nothing to hide anymore. I agree with Music about not being long-winded. In early sobriety it was suggested that I share anything important in one minute or less. Any longer than that and the group probably isn't listening anymore. At our meetings we request that sharing be kept to 3-5 minutes, to allow others time to share.

On the subject of open or closed meetings my feeling is that we're all addicts. It doesn't matter whether it's alcohol, drugs, food, or people. Haven't we all been afflicted with the same mental obsession, or at least something similar? And if someone is at an AA meeting to hear the message, do I have the right to ask them to leave? And how do we determine who is actually an alcoholic and who isn't? Should I not attend closed meetings because I'm also codependent, a "double-winner"?

It can get pretty ridiculous as far as I'm concerned. We had one closed meeting held every day at the Club I attend, and recently they decided to open it to all. There were days when I chose not to attend, the atmosphere was a little too self-righteous to me, but that's just my opinion. I have the power of choice, and I can definitely choose whether to attend a meeting or not. When it comes right down to it, that's all that really matters to me.

OK, I'm stepping down from my soapbox!

:rof

[Jfanagle]

THIS IS A CLOSED MEETING OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS
This is a closed meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous. In support of A.A’s singleness of purpose, attendance at closed meetings is limited to persons who have a desire to stop drinking. If YOU think you have a problem with alcohol, you are WELCOME to attend this meeting. We ask that when discussing our problems, we confine ourselves to those problems as they relate to alcoholism. -
(The 1987 General Service Conference made this statement available as an A.A. service piece for those groups who wish to use it.)

I have capitalized the words in this familiar statement to emphasize that it is a "suggestion" or if you will a "guideline" for the closed meeting. I wanted to provide this statement because I have to admit that the threads on this topic have once again made me realize just how difficult it can be to define the difference between a suggestion and a requirement.

When FightingIrish asks the question, “I also wonder how you would enforce this requirement,.." I hear a proper question that begs the difference between a "rule" and a suggestion. I think that it is my responsibility as a member of the fellowship to encourage and suggest to an attendee of a closed meeting that they are welcome; however it may not be in their best interest to attempt to use AA as a means of getting sober if they are not dealing with an alcohol problem. There can not be an "enforcement" of a suggestion, only a concerned and loving guidance for that person who has found themselves in an environment that will not be the most helpful to them.

As for the sharing in a closed vs. an open meeting, I have never noticed any discernable difference. Much like Mike I can't in most instances even tell you if the meetings that I attend are one or the other. I suspect that through an almost unconscious process I have gravitated to those meetings where sobriety and freedom from the alcoholic life is the sharing that takes place. I will have to look and see if these are predominately "closed" meetings.

Just some random observations about this always interesting topic.

Thanks,

Jon

[cookconfay]

I can't tell the difference, I don't share differently. I'm honest no matter what meeting I'm at....

For my opinion once again. If someone has the gnads to find a meeting, ANY kind of meeting and they are hurting and they CHOOSE to go in and listen, leave 'em alone and let God handle it. Really.....it's hard enough to get to a meeting the first couple of times, don't meet 'em at the door and run them into the ground and out into the street right away. Let them inquire, let them ask.....LOVE PATIENCE AND TOLERANCE TOWARDS ALL......

[RufusACanal]

The Closed Meeting is the safe haven for the Drunk. I do keep the most intimate conversations on a personal basis for a number of reasons.

[Tazman53]

If someone has the gnads to find a meeting, ANY kind of meeting and they are hurting and they CHOOSE to go in and listen, leave 'em alone and let God handle it. Really.....it's hard enough to get to a meeting the first couple of times, don't meet 'em at the door and run them into the ground and out into the street right away. Let them inquire, let them ask.....LOVE PATIENCE AND TOLERANCE TOWARDS ALL......

I liked that. We do in the long run keep the "Washingtonians" in mind though.

[Astro]

Originally Posted by cookconfay

For my opinion once again. If someone has the gnads to find a meeting, ANY kind of meeting and they are hurting and they CHOOSE to go in and listen, leave 'em alone and let God handle it. Really.....it's hard enough to get to a meeting the first couple of times, don't meet 'em at the door and run them into the ground and out into the street right away. Let them inquire, let them ask.....LOVE PATIENCE AND TOLERANCE TOWARDS ALL......

Perfect! Thank you Connie!

[bballdad]

I share the same at all meetings....but you should have seen the crowd today when I identified myself as a recovered alcoholic...lol

[sugErspun]

I love hearing people identify as recovered. If only to watch others get uncomfortable because of it..

[CarolD]

It's not a metter of open or closed for me.


I try to share on the topic
open discussion or a closed meeting.