BB Study Meeting Format

[PaperDolls]

We recently had some controversy at my home group about the way our BB study meeting is run.

The group has been around for 30+ years and during that time, the meeting has traditionally been run this way....We take turns reading a portion and then discuss, read a little bit more then discuss. That's pretty much it. I like it and it's benefited me a ton over the years. Plus, no one likes change. Peopel freak out.

Recently, someone who does not visit our group much at all, may be never?, but has been in recovery for some time signed up to chair the meeting.

She had a different way of running that meeting. I wasn't there but I understand it was more like her talking about the history and sharing her interpretation of the book. Apparently many people left the meeting early because they didn't like how it was run.

At any rate, it was brought up at the business meeting. It got a little heated . I happened to be running the business meeting so I got to tell everyone to quit speaking over each other and calm down a bit. My suggestion was that since we didn't have a meeting format printed up and in the meeting leader book, like we do for most other meetings, we should do that if we expect people to follow any sort of format and run it the way we have traditionally done. So, we all agreed to do that. There's more to the controversy but that's not what this thread is about.

I volunteered to be on a committee to create a format and bring it to the next business meeting for approval. I'm just looking for your input on how your group runs their BB study.

[bbthumper]

My favorite BB study meeting I go to will pick one person to read for the meeting. At anytime during the reading if someone has a comment they knock on the table and share.then everyone is given the chane to share before the reader goes back to reading. Sometimes we get through a paragraphsometimes we get through a chapter. The main thing that keeps the meeting running smoothly is that the chair stops anyone who is getting off topic. This keeps us on track and makes for very productive meetings.

[UpperbucksAAguy]

Recently, someone who does not visit our group much at all, may be never?, but has been in recovery for some time signed up to chair the meeting.

My HOme Group only has home group members chair the meeting.

[KnowHope]

I regularly attend three Big Book study meetings with different formats. The first and the last are my favorites.

At one meeting, we begin by reading the Forward to the First Edition. We then turn our attention to the short form and the long form of a tradition, or a concept, from the back of the Big Book, with a member sharing on it for up to 5 minutes; they may also opt to read from the 12 Traditions Illustrated/12 Concepts Illustrated, which are very good pamphlets. In this way, we cover all 12 traditions and concepts in order before starting over. We will then read one page at a time from the first 164 pages of the Big Book, starting at the beginning of the book and working our way forward in order with each page being read out loud before being opened to the group for sharing on that page. We are a fairly small group averaging 4-8 members, and we generally cover about a page or two per meeting. The attention to the literature, as well as the quality recovery being shared all around, makes for an excellent group. I am so grateful for these meetings, and although I found them challenging and at times even uncomfortable in the beginning I can't express how much I continue to grow and learn as a result. I now feel right at home and blessed to have a meeting where I know any newcomer will find a demonstration of the solution from members who are living the deal and have a passion and joy for carrying the message of AA. I have been the secretary of this meeting for some time now, and I feel like I can't ever do enough to give back for how much has been given to me by the other members there, both inside and outside our meeting.

At a second Big Book meeting we have another small group, yet with a different turnaround that tends to have many visitors. After going through a similar beginning, we ask a volunteer to pick a page from the first 164 pages of the BB, and then we share on it in a similar fashion.

The third type of Big Book study meeting I attend is the most intensive, and although again it took a big of getting used to, I absolutely love it and for anyone that is truly serious about establishing an intimate, working relationship with the contents of the book I cannot recommend it enough. The overall format for the meeting is similar to the first meeting described above, but after we read a page from the Big Book we turn to a Big Book study guide and verbally respond as a group to each of the detailed questions presented within. This is basically a study that combs through the book sentence by sentence, far greater than the sum of its parts. The page is then open to the group for sharing on that page. I feel very fortunate to have a community of other recovered alcoholics who get as excited as I do about the solution, or more appropriately the formula that is designed to get us to the solution.

If you or anyone else is interested in seeing or better yet using this Big Book Study Guide, you can find a link to the entire book here: Study Guide

[FlyerFan]

I go to two big book meetings per week. one is an open meeting on tuesdays and we go through the entire big book front to back, but when someone is new we always read the doctors opinion. (understandably) we had some people get pissed off because we ended up reading it like 4 weeks in a row and one of them walked out. But that is the home groups conscious to do that and if they dont like it they can find another group to be a part of!

The second one is a womens only big book study on saturday nights and whoever chairs the meeting gets to choose a chapter or story to read and then we all discuss it. I like that one very much.

[PaperDolls]

Originally Posted by UpperbucksAAguy

My HOme Group only has home group members chair the meeting.

Yes, that was part of the controversy.

------

FF = you go through the entire BB in a one hour meeting?!

[FlyerFan]

Originally Posted by PaperDolls

Yes, that was part of the controversy.

------

FF = you go through the entire BB in a one hour meeting?!

oh God no. LOL! I mean we go over one chapter/story per meeting. and then when we get to the end we start all over again

[bbthumper]

Originally Posted by KnowHope

The third type of Big Book study meeting I attend is the most intensive, and although again it took a big of getting used to, I absolutely love it and for anyone that is truly serious about establishing an intimate, working relationship with the contents of the book I cannot recommend it enough. The overall format for the meeting is similar to the first meeting described above, but after we read a page from the Big Book we turn to a Big Book study guide and verbally respond as a group to each of the detailed questions presented within. This is basically a study that combs through the book sentence by sentence, far greater than the sum of its parts. The page is then open to the group for sharing on that page. I feel very fortunate to have a community of other recovered alcoholics who get as excited as I do about the solution, or more appropriately the formula that is designed to get us to the solution.

If you or anyone else is interested in seeing or better yet using this Big Book Study Guide, you can find a link to the entire book here: Study Guide

I have a copy of this study guide sitting on my dresser because a few friends and I are going to be starting a study at my house using it. The website you mentioned also has a sound clip of the Primary Purpose Group meeting in Dallas which is helpful in understanding how to use the guide. In addition you can contact the folks who started the meeting if you have any questions about it. Its a cool format and I am looking forward to starting the group at my house. The website also has a ton of cool AA history for you history junkies out there.

Thanks for your insight on that Knowhope. Cant wait to start using the guide.

[PaperDolls]

Oh, thank goodness.

[BadCompany]

Pretty standard AA controversy. Let me ask you this; Did any of the people who now have their panties in a wad attempt to chair the meeting themselves? In my experience probably not.

Unless this lady snaked her way into running the meeting it would be rude to demand she change the way she is running the meeting.

[PaperDolls]

It was mentioned by several people to those so up in arms about it that they didn't sign up to lead it. That wasn't they point they said ..... in my opinion, some people like to complain about the problem and not try to find a solution.

I'm not against sticking with the format our group traditionally uses. I don't think it's unreasonable at all. What is unreasonable is to expect anyone to follow a format without the aid of some sort of guide like we have for all other meetings (whether they are a "member" of our group or not).

Supposedly, this woman had someone who is a regular member of the group sign her up for it. I don't know what the truth is really, it's not important to me.

A wise man piped up during the business meeting after hearing someone say "She's not a member of this group." He reminded us that anyone is a member if they say they are.....I tend to agree.

During the meeting when people were so upset. We had voted on it and we had agreed that we want that meeting to stick with our groups tradition.....people kept complaining even after the vote. I finally piped in, being the chair for the meeting, trying to get it on track. "How about a solution?" I said. "Who wants to volunteer to tell this women off ..... or may be we should just talk with her, explaining that it had been brought up. Our group conscience was that we preferred the format be like it has traditionally been." No one volunteered. I hope they got my point. Sometimes I just need to say what I mean I guess.

[UpperbucksAAguy]

In my opinion, only home group members should chair a meeting. Not just to keep the whiners quiet, but because it is the right thing to do.

[PaperDolls]

I tend to agree with that AAguy ..... it make me wonder though, how do you qualify as a "member"? I know what my answer is .... but it's something to think about. May be she was "sneaky" about it, I don't know. What I do know is that the discussion got way off track and people were going about it in the wrong way. People were awfully angry about it but again, I wasn't at the meeting so who knows, may be I would have been too.

Any way ... I've googled BB Meeting formats and found some examples. I needed something to start with. I think there are many things we could implement that could help it be a better meeting. That's what I'm going to focus on.

Thanks for those of you who have shared your experiences. I realized I haven't been to many BB study meetings outside of my group. I need to do that more often.

[UpperbucksAAguy]

Qualify as a member- You regularly attend the business meetings and are active in the group. Showing up for the meeting is not service, and is not automatically an active member. Has your group done a group inventory? Mine does one once a year it helps to form a vision and direction for your group.

[UpperbucksAAguy]

This is what my group uses as an inventory format:

Group Inventory Format

Welcome to the "_______________________" group inventory. My name is

______ and I'm an alcoholic. Let's go around the room and introduce ourselves.

We will start by reading a passage from page 63 and 64 from the Big Book...

"Next we launched out on a course of vigorous action, the first step of which is a

personal housecleaning, which many of us had never attempted. Though our

decision was a vital and crucial step, it could have little permanent effect unless at

once followed by a strenuous effort to face, and to be rid of, the things in ourselves

which had been blocking us. Our liquor was but a symptom. So we had to get

down to causes and conditions. Therefore, we started upon a personal inventory."

Would you please join me in the Third Step prayer followed by 5 minutes of silence

for meditation. God, I offer myself to thee...

Would anyone who came in late please identify themselves...

Now is a good time to make any other announcements specific to your

group...

I will now read a paragraph on "Group Inventory" from the pamphlet "The AA

Group"

Many groups periodically hold a "group inventory meeting" to evaluate how well

they are fulfilling their primary purpose: to help alcoholics recover through A.A.'s

suggested Twelve Steps of recovery. Some groups take inventory by examining

our Twelve Traditions, one at a time, to determine how well they are living up to

these principles.

Groups interested in taking regular inventory will find a review of the Tenth Step

helpful. The following questions, compiled from A.A. shared experience, may be

useful in arriving at an informed group conscience.. Groups will probably wish to

add questions of their own."

Past inventories have shown us not to use this time to make motions and vote on

new issues, when we did, this process took weeks rather than a few hours. This

process is useful for arriving at an informed group conscience. We will individually

as well as assign someone from the group to take notes of what comes up and

bring those issues of importance to our regular business meetings. So no motions

for changes of our meeting will be presented during this inventory process. The

point will be continually stressed that this is not about business, it's about

discussion. Questions will be allowed to anyone, from anyone through-out the

inventory.


Following questions quoted from the A.A. pamphlet “The

AA Group”

"The following questions, compiled from A.A. shared experience, may be useful in

arriving at an informed group conscience. Groups will probably wish to add

questions of their own:"

I will read each question out load for the groups consideration. Notes will be taken

of suggestions given by the group for considerations to bring up in the business

meeting (group conscious).

1. What is the basic purpose of the group?

2. What more can the group do to carry the message?

3. Is the group attracting alcoholics from different backgrounds? Are we seeing a

good cross-section of our community?

4. Do new members stick with us, or does the turnover seem excessive? If so,

why? What can we as a group do?

5. Do we emphasize the importance of sponsorship? How effectively? How can we

do better?

6. Are we careful to preserve the anonymity of our group members and other A.A.s

outside the meeting rooms? Do we also leave the confidences they share at

meetings behind?

7. Do we take the time to explain to all members the value to the group of keeping

up with the kitchen/housekeeping chores and other essential services that are partand-

parcel of our Twelfth Step efforts?

8. Are all members given the opportunity to speak at meetings and to participate in

other group activities?

9. Mindful that holding office is a great responsibility not to be viewed as the

outcome of a popularity contest, are we choosing our officers with care?

10. Are we doing all we can to provide an attractive meeting place?

11. Does the group do its fair share toward participating in the purpose of A.A. —

as it relates to our Three Legacies of Recovery, Unity, and Service?

12. What has the group done lately to bring the A.A. message to the attention of

professionals in the community—the physicians, clergy, court officials, educators,

and others who are often the first to see alcoholics in need of help?

13. How is the group fulfilling its responsibility to the Seventh Tradition?

Does anyone have any questions of your own to add for consideration?


Is Our Group Aligned With The Twelve

Traditions?

From the pamphlet "The AA Group."

"Some groups take inventory by examining our Twelve Traditions, one at a time, to

determine how well they are living up to these principles."

The following questions were taken from the core of what is said in the Big Book

page 564 568 and the Twelve and Twelve. I will read the corresponding Tradition

out of the Big Book then the consideration. If you can answer yes to any of these it

is against the Twelve Traditions

One: Does our group put the interests of any individual above the welfare of the

group or of AA as a whole?

Two: Does our group do anything that misrepresents the conscience of the

majority of the group?

Three: Does our group exclude anyone with a drinking problem from attending the

group?

Four: Does our group do anything that does not conform to AA principles and

affect other groups or AA as a whole?

Five: Does our group do anything that conflicts with our carrying the AA message

to alcoholics who want a way out from their drinking problem?

Six: Does anything we do affiliate, endorse or bind the group, actual or implied, to

any related facility or outside enterprise?

Seven: Are donations received from anyone other than an AA member?

Eight: Are there any fees besides meeting expenses being charged for Twelve

Step work,

ie: fellowship, sponsoring, step work, counseling?

Nine: Is there a governing individual or exclusive group authority that dictates

organization?

Ten: Does our group do anything that publicly states an opinion or takes sides on

any issues or controversy outside of AA?

Eleven: At the general public level of press, radio, film, and television, does the

group publicize any individual AA member's name or picture as a self-appointed

representative of AA?

Twelve: Does our group give personal distinction to any AA member either among

fellow alcoholics or the general public that puts their opinions above the

conscience of the group or AA?


THE GROUP TENTH STEP

INTO ACTION~CHAPTER 6

Taken from the Big Book of AA and the book "Big Book Awakening"

Quoted from the pamphlet "The AA Group"

"Groups interested in taking regular inventory will find a review of the Tenth Step

helpful."

I will now read the Big Book one paragraph at a time from pg.84 through pg.85 and

consider the following questions which have been compiled from the Big Book and

A.A. shared experience, taking notes of considerations for later discussion.

pg.84-¶2-L2

How have I focused on or blamed others in the group rather than to continue to

take personal inventory of my own conduct? Have I failed to set right any of my

own mistakes as I’ve gone along?

pg.84-¶2-L5

Have I entered the world of the Spirit, the ability to go to that place within and bring

that out into the group?

pg.84-¶2-L6

How have I lacked understanding and effectiveness in my group?

pg.84-¶2-L8

How have I exhibited selfishness, dishonesty, resentment, and fear in my group?

And When these crop up, have I ignored them and just stayed in self instead of

discussing them with someone immediately and not made amends even if I have

harmed anyone? Have I focused my thoughts only on myself and how I can meet

my own needs?

pg.84-¶2-L14

How have I been unloving and intolerant towards others in my group and not made

Love and tolerance of others my code?

pg.84-¶3-L1

How have I personally continued fighting anything or anyone in the group?

pg.85-¶1-L1

How have I personally let up on my spiritual program of action and rested on my

laurels, believing that what has been achieved or accomplished in the group is

enough or all there is?

pg.85-¶1-L4

Have I failed to seek growth and maintenance of my spiritual condition? How has

that effected my group?

pg.85-¶1-L6

How have my thoughts or actions been self serving rather than trying to carry the

vision of God’s will into all of my groups activities, “How can I best serve Me?"

pg.85-¶2-L4

Have I personally sensed the flow of God’s Spirit in the group and To some extent

have I become God-conscious. Receiving strength, inspiration, and direction from

God through the group?

pg.85-¶2-L7 and pg.85-¶3-L1

To grow in understanding and effectiveness we must go further and that means

more action. In prayer and meditation consider what thoughts have come and what

actions may be taken to move the group beyond where it is today?

Final discussion on inventory:

This next part of the process is comparable to Steps 5&6, acknowledging out loud

the things we found objectionable in our inventory, the defects we have found (5),

and becoming ready to bring everything to God as manifested through our group

conscious (6). Experience has shown that failure to follow through with this at a

group level is comparable to not doing Step 6&7.

We will now discuss each item we've listed from our inventory. Remember, this is

about discussion, no motions will be made at this time. Following discussion on

each item we will vote whether or not it's necessary to bring it to our regular

business meetings (group concsious) for further consideration. If there are a lot of

things on our list we can vote by show of hands on their importance and bring them

to the group - most important first.

In closing the inventory:

Is there any Secretaries announcements?...

Thank you all for your participating in the group inventory.

Let's close with the Seventh Step Prayer..."My Creator, I am now willing ..."

[PaperDolls]

Yes, we just recently did a group inventory.

[UpperbucksAAguy]

Was the issue of non members taking service commitments addressed? Did the group see it as a non issue? If so, then there really is no controversy

[PaperDolls]

It wasn't an issue then and I haven't seen it ever be an issue since I've been going there, a little over 3 years now.

[bbthumper]

Upperbucks, thanks a ton for the inventory format. Its a huge help!

[sugarbear1]

Our Group Inventory & a Group Conscience put page numbers to be read & the format in writing.