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-   -   Got asked to be discussion leader (first time!) (https://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/alcoholism-12-step-support/292677-got-asked-discussion-leader-first-time.html)

Elisabeth888 04-25-2013 07:02 PM

Got asked to be discussion leader (first time!)
 
It is not until May 13, but wow, I am honored and scared at the same time.

I am such a dork that I have a book called 100 meeting starters and I already have had a topic picked out: Self Honesty.

What was your first discussion topic, were you nervous, how did it go, and do you have any pointers?

Thanks!!! :)

Oh, it is a newcomers meeting if that makes a difference. Is self honesty a bad topic for newcomers?

sugarbear1 04-25-2013 07:04 PM

It's hard not to think about that day now, but if you attempt to live in the moment and realize that the 13th isn't here yet......

relax

I ask my higher power to give me the words (and topic) that someone needs to hear before I talk

I often start with 3 seconds of silence and ask everyone to ask their higher power to join us

3 seconds is all we have when we are agitated or in doubt and that is how long it takes to ask our higher power for help in any situation

:)

How's your today going, Elisabeth?

Elisabeth888 04-25-2013 07:11 PM

Hey Sugar! It is going well! How about you?

LonerMan 04-25-2013 07:34 PM

My first topic was the "Benefits of the 13th Step".

They didn't ask me to lead again until I hit a year.

tomsteve 04-25-2013 07:52 PM

my first time leading a meeting..now THAT was funny!!
was asked a few days ahead iffen i could do it. only about 2 months sober and they want me to chair a meeting? i said "sure" right off. then that fear crept in."will i screw up? what will i say? how do i chair? whats gonna be the topic???"got all worked up about it. kept the courage." how bad can it be?"
the night came. went to meeting location and set up for the meeting.
that table was loooooooooong fromt he end!!!
the meeting usually had 20-30 poeple.
2 showed up.

tomsteve 04-25-2013 07:58 PM


Originally Posted by LonerMan (Post 3936499)
My first topic was the "Benefits of the 13th Step".

They didn't ask me to lead again until I hit a year.

13th step is a topic that i feel should be brought up occasionally. benefits of it? no, prolly shouldnt be the topic. our duty to make a safe for newcomers, safe from 13th steppers? good topic. i'll call out any known 13 stepper at a meeting every time.

Elisabeth888 04-25-2013 08:35 PM

At my HG you have to have 30 days to chair and 6 months to lead the discussion.

Dee74 04-25-2013 08:36 PM

best wishes Elizabeth - I'm sure you'll be great :)

Veritas1 04-25-2013 11:08 PM

I remember leading a meeting and there was an upset newcomer that had shared...

At the Lord's prayer, we all held hands, and I told the newcomer that I was glad he was there and that I loved him.

My sponsor told me it's probably not the best idea to tell a strange man that I loved him.

LOL

~

100 Meeting Starters...is that Mel B's book?

He is a wonderful man. I found him and called him after reading his biography on Ebby.

I love his Walk In Dry Places book also.

Mel is in Ohio, over 60 years sober in AA!!!

How is that for a testimony that it works!

Send him an email at his site, and ask him...I bet he would love to hear you are using his meeting starter book, and he might even have a suggestion or two!

Link to Mel:

Article Index

sugarbear1 04-25-2013 11:47 PM

Life is truly beautiful today! Thanks for asking!

paul99 04-26-2013 05:04 AM

Great to hear Elizabeth! you'll be fine. Don't over prepare - let the Spirit guide you - you'll have the words.

We have about 550 meetings a week here, but the type where someone leads for 15-20 min with a topic, and then everyone shares on it...maybe 3-4 of those out of the 550. We have either speaker meetings or closed discussion which is always out of the literature. So it's not a common thing here. I have spoken several times, and it's always a blast. Nervous, yup, but once you get speaking, it just comes to you.

Great to hear and thanks for sharing that :)

Paul

muvinon 04-26-2013 01:44 PM

Yes, I was very nervous.

>>>>>>>>>>>sister dorkette......:You_Rock_

CaiHong 04-26-2013 03:21 PM

good for you Elisabeth you will be fine, let the spirit guide you.

love
caiHong


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