All "open" meetings?

[daydream]

Something's been bugging me for a little while now and I would just like some input. Not sure whether I should bring this up at group conscience or not.

I'm a member of a new group that started about 5 months ago. The group has meetings 7 nights a week, all open meetings. I could be mistaken, but there seems to have been a shift in the balance between open and closed meetings over the last 10-15 years. When I first came to the rooms in 1989 most meetings were closed and it was quickly pointed out to me why. Most groups in the area where I lived had one open meeting per week and all others were closed. I've seen that shift over time. Now the town I live in has 16 meetings per week, all open meetings I think. People with lengthy clean time, now feeling comfortable in either open or closed meetings, seem to forget that some people feel the need for "protection" that the closed meetings offer. When I first came in, I was a student at a christian university that did not even allow us to dance or wear shorts, much less use. I was terrified of being found out. Later when I took a job as a professional where my credibility would be damaged if clients found out I was an addict, I was even more afraid of being seen in an NA meeting. We often did, and still do, have social work students come in to observe and take notes. We never know when they will show up. I also feel much reluctance to share my feelings in an open meeting with people who come to study us or with those who give clues that they are not respectful of our purpose. Surely there must be others, particularly newcomers, who feel the way I do. I believe I need to bring this up at group conscience so the group as a whole can take a look at it, but I would value your input before I mention it.

[Ngokpa]

Sounds like you'd be more comfortable having closed meetings. If you don't have a business meeting, bring it up for a group conscience. Talk to the secretary of the meeting beforehand to make sure you have the opportunity.

I'm not concerned about having closed meetings myself, but I have a different situation. Allowing people to be comfortable in meetings is a good thing. But having a few dealings with business meetings, I know it's best to try to stay level headed and business-like, and to let go of the outcome. Sometimes people have strong opinions, and business meetings can seem a bit more raw than regular meetings.

[dalin]

in the toronto area most meetings are closed exept for medallions.
our meetings have alot of addicts,always at leat 20.

[Phinneas]

I see your point, DD. I would definitely bring this up with your sponsor and your trusted servants of NA.

[SaTiT]

I'am guessing pretty much all of us have to go through that process
at on time or another. Yes there's a stima and that's why it's anoymouse.
Yeap..those college students trip out.lol

This due shall past, this too shall pass.

Guilt and shame are major roots cuases of our problems.
But we do recover.

And of course " I'm not one of those freaken peaple." stage
What will the nieghbors think and what if a new employer see me in thar.
Is there a backdoor to this surrounding.
mmm...a form of deniel, I'm about as sick as my secrets.
And of course doing the hardcord illigal stuff I almost had a set of
extra eyes growning out of my head.

and of course there's step #1
Admmitting i'm an addict is onething
Accepting I'm an addict ...mmm that's another ball game.
Powerless... that's a pretty strong word in my neck of woods.
For me personally that Acceptence was a SOB, but that
acceptence was also a golden key to my recovery.

There's also slogens in NA.
Would you rather save you're face or your ASS.
GO to church to save your soul ,Go to NA to save your ASS.

Who knows....eventually I started wear NA T-shirts,cap and
slapted a daimond sticker on my bumper too.
Mmm...wouldn't recommend wearing diamonds logo to triangles.lmaf
Maybe you'll have those experinces too.lol
it's a trip.

mmm...I have a profession too.
Btm me sposor is also a MD.
I know a movie star personally in recovery, but that dosen't count.lol
My other half is a social woker and she's also in recovery, sometime she
has to let go of her cases becuase her cases (peaple) are NA members.
My minster is also in recovery.
The family doctor is also in recovery.

Addiction is a disease, it dose not discriminate.

[Blake]

in my area, there are a few closed meetings, but the majority of them are open...My home group is a closed meeting though, I tend to like closed meeting better even though I am completely comfortable with almost anyone knowing that I am a recovering addict.....there are some people that just don't feel that way and at closed meeting they tend to open up more.