Cypresswood Group — Meeting Formats & Downloads

Before the Meeting

• Arrive early and ensure the room is clean and orderly.
• Start the meeting on time.
• Follow the approved Group Meeting Format.

During the Meeting

• For open discussion meetings, bring a topic from AA-approved literature.
• Pass the basket halfway through the meeting.
• End discussion five minutes before the scheduled end time.
• Hand out chips.
• Count money after the meeting; record and place envelope in the safe.

After the Meeting

• Clean and straighten the room; empty and rinse coffee pots.
• Set A/C to 75°; turn off lights; lock doors.

Sobriety Requirements

• 6 months sobriety to chair a meeting.
• 3 months sobriety to co-chair a meeting.

Chairperson Do’s and Don’ts

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Cypresswood Open Meeting Format
(Please refer to Chairperson responsibilities/duties on front of binder)

Hi! My name is __________________ and I'm an alcoholic. This is a regular open meeting of the
Cypresswood Group of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength,
and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others recover
from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are
no dues or fees for A.A. membership; we are self-supporting through our own contributions.
A.A. is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution; does not
wish to engage in any controversy; neither endorses nor opposes any causes. Our primary
purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety.

Please join me in a moment of silent prayer or meditation followed by the Serenity Prayer.

This is an open meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous. In support of our Twelfth Tradition, which states
that anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our Traditions, who you see here and what you
hear here, let it stay here.

In support of A.A.’s singleness of purpose, we ask that when discussing our problems, we confine
ourselves to those problems as they relate to alcoholism.

• Birthday nights are celebrated on the last Friday of each month.
• Speaker meeting is on the 3rd Saturday of each month.
• Are there any other A.A.-related announcements?

We request that all electronic devices be silenced during the meeting. Please be aware of the
parking diagrams posted throughout the club to prevent you from parking in a restricted area.
Coffee is $1.00 per cup; please put your money in the slot on the counter.

Meeting Qualification Questions:

• Is there anyone attending their very first AA meeting?  
  (If someone raises their hand, please ask the following to determine the type of meeting needed:)
    o Do you think you have a problem with alcohol, or do you have a desire to stop drinking?
    o If “yes,” Cypresswood’s Group Conscience voted that the group will hold a Step 1 meeting.

• Is there anyone attending with less than 30 days of sobriety?

• Do we have any visitors to the group who would like to be recognized?
Readings

______________ has volunteered to read “How It Works” (or another reading from the Big Book).

Please limit your sharing to no more than 3 minutes, and please remember the lack of profanity will offend no one. In accordance with AA's 7th tradition, which states that every AA group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions, we will pass the baskets halfway through the meeting. Although there are no dues or fees for membership, your help is greatly appreciated in supporting this tradition.
This is a non-smoking meeting and a non-smoking facility. Before leaving, please remember we are self-cleaning.

Closing
• Hand out chips
• Lord’s Prayer

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Cypresswood Closed Meeting
(Please refer to Chairperson responsibilities/duties on front of binder)

Hi! My name is __________________ and I am an alcoholic. This is a regular closed meeting of the
Cypresswood Group of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength, and
hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others recover from alcoholism.
The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees for A.A.
membership; we are self-supporting through our own contributions. A.A. is not allied with any sect,
denomination, politics, organization or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy; neither
endorses nor opposes any causes. Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to
achieve sobriety.

Please join me in a moment of silent prayer or meditation followed by the Serenity Prayer.

This is a closed meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous. 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.

In support of A.A.’s singleness of purpose, we ask that when discussing our problems, we confine
ourselves to those problems as they relate to alcoholism.

Birthday nights are celebrated the last Friday of each month. Speaker meeting is the 3rd Saturday of
each month. Are there any other A.A.-related announcements?

We request that all electronic devices be silenced during the meeting.

Meeting Qualification Questions:

• Is there anyone attending their very first AA meeting?  
  (If someone raises their hand, please ask the following to determine the type of meeting needed:)
    o Do you think you have a problem with alcohol, or do you have a desire to stop drinking?
    o If “yes,” Cypresswood’s Group Conscience voted that the group will hold a Step 1 meeting.

• Is there anyone attending with less than 30 days of sobriety?

• Do we have any visitors to the group who would like to be recognized?

Reading 
______________ has volunteered to read (“How It Works” or another reading from the Big Book).

Please limit your sharing to no more than 5 minutes, and please remember the lack of profanity will offend no one. In accordance with AA's 7th tradition, which states that every AA group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions, we will pass the baskets halfway through the meeting. Although there are no dues or fees for membership, your help is greatly appreciated in supporting this tradition.
This is a non-smoking meeting and a non-smoking facility. Before leaving, please remember we are self-cleaning.

Closing
• Hand out chips
• Lord’s Prayer
please refer to Chairperson responsibilities / duties on front of binder.

Download PDF