Closed Meetings

[Hangnail]

How do you guys feel about closed meetings? What is the purpose of closed meetings. I know what I have read about them but just want some of your feedback.

[Peter]

When I first started meetings I felt a lot safer sharing in closed meetings.

I never really felt good speaking with the various kinfolk fidgeting in the room.

Today I don't really give a rat's rear end who wants to listen in.

I do however respect all meeting formats and will abide by meeting rules.

[Blake]

I love closed meetings, my home group is a closed meeting....I don't know, it just seems that people tend to get more real in a closed meeting knowing that everyone there is an addict.

I will share what ever I need to share despite if the meeting is open or closed, its just that some people feel safer there and are more free.

I love them and wish we had a few more in the area...

[REZ]

I agree, closed meetings really do serve an important purpose. For me, and many other people I have known, one of the big issues with open meetings is that that people may attend who will break your anonymity, even if they are instructed not to. I felt very uncomfortable as a professor attending open meetings where students (at my university) were observing as guests.

[Moontime]

Echo all the sentiments above. A lot of our meetings are around the University of Virginia and it has a large nursing program. We have a lot of nurses come in to view our meetings. That being said I've been out and about and having one or two come over and say "Hey, I saw you at that meeting....etc..." In the profession I am in my recovery is on a need to know only basis. My bosses and supervisors know but I sure don't want any irresponsible people knowing.

[tramp]

i never liked speaking at a meeting where someone was taking notes.
AYE, closed meetings.

[Hangnail]

thanks for all the feedback family. The reason I brought that up is there is a meeting that they ( they meaning one long time member and the rest new comers ) just voted a meeting closed because they don't want the members kids there and thats the only reason. I have a hard time supporting that, how do you feel?

[buhda]

I have twins that are three years old they go to all the closed meetings with me they sit and be quiet and lovw to go to meetings with me everyone always comments on how well my kids are behaved therefore I have never had a problem my kids probably know more about recovery than someof these people that think they know everything there is about recovery closed meetings doesnt mean no kids alanon is allowed at most closed meetings that i have seen or been to most closedmeetings are for court people that dont care to be there the judge just makes them go if youre serious about youre recovery it should not matter who is there... sorry this is my pet peeve

live life on lifes terms

[Moontime]

if youre serious about youre recovery it should not matter who is there..

Can you expand on this please? thanks

[Blake]

my home group is a closed meeting like I said before, and closed meetings around here do mean no kids. We tried to allow kids at this meeting, but we meet in a small intimate environment at a really nice place, the parrents would let their kids just roam around the building and before you know it, they found the kitchen and broke some stuff and made a huge mess. So no kids at my home group. The sunday night meeting here is an open meeting, but it doesn't allow kids there either, for similar reasons, they almost lost their meeting place b/c of damage some kids did and closed it off to kids.

Besides, there are just some things that small children should hear in some NA meetings.....so now people around here have 2 to share that kinda stuff at.

[godsonmyside]

I believe that some meetings do indeed need to be closed to the public!!! If a member has kids and needs to take them to a meeting, Ther eis not a person that will tell me I can not bring my kids if I need to bring them. I have been blessed with a wife who lets me go and doesn't really think they should be there, They come to my Anniversary meetings and when they do they are on their best behavior. I have been to meetings where the kids are running around making noise and are very distractive, we have had to remind the parent to keep an eye on there kid.

Closed meetings in this Area are pretty much the H & I meetings. So, its been a while since I dealt with alot of the closed meetings.

Peace,
Todd J.

[REZ]

Kids in meeting are a separate issue. Kids can come to open or closed meetings. But...just because a meeting is open does not mean it is okay to bring noisy kids. Some meetings in our area are known to be kid friendly. In these means, several people attend with kids and they can put up with each other's noise. I have brought kids to meetings before and I understand the need to do this. Childcare is not always available. However, I have made every effort to prevent my kids from being disruptive.

[Hangnail]

Thanks guys I really value all the feed back.