I have a few suggestions for the first meeting;
1. I nominate the following group name --> "The Alternative Lifestylers". If nothing else we can be considered the "Citadel Homegroup".
2. It would probably be best to follow the N.A. format as I suspect that most of us are "garbage can junkies". Also I suspect this "kinky" group may be more "welcomed" by N.A. Then again I could be wrong as I'm not sure of the current "politics" in AA or N.A. at the area/regional levels. So I know ... group conscience.
3. Regardless of which way we go (N.A., AA, etc.) I would like to see this group "sanctioned", put on a meeting schedule and properly pimped.
4. Elections 1st thing. Meeting format (group discussion, speaker, scheduled changing format, etc.) can be decided at the first meeting or two.
5. 7th tradition. I suggest after the coffee and supplies are paid for then a 50/50 split with the Citadel (since August isn't charging "rent") and whatever group we decide to go with (if we decide to go with any group!)
1. I nominate the following group name --> "The Alternative Lifestylers". If nothing else we can be considered the "Citadel Homegroup".
2. It would probably be best to follow the N.A. format as I suspect that most of us are "garbage can junkies". Also I suspect this "kinky" group may be more "welcomed" by N.A. Then again I could be wrong as I'm not sure of the current "politics" in AA or N.A. at the area/regional levels. So I know ... group conscience.
3. Regardless of which way we go (N.A., AA, etc.) I would like to see this group "sanctioned", put on a meeting schedule and properly pimped.
4. Elections 1st thing. Meeting format (group discussion, speaker, scheduled changing format, etc.) can be decided at the first meeting or two.
5. 7th tradition. I suggest after the coffee and supplies are paid for then a 50/50 split with the Citadel (since August isn't charging "rent") and whatever group we decide to go with (if we decide to go with any group!)
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SF Bay Area
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Re: Suggestions (Cross Talk Allowed) ;O)
Thu, December 27, 2007 - 7:37 PMSounds like a good idea, i'm not as familiar with the NA format as the AA format. i could practically secretary an AA meeting in my sleep. Personally i never really gave a shit about the politics between the two groups, all drugs are all inclusive IMHO. When i ran a meeting before i made sure it was on the AA schedule as well as the SOJ calendar. i wish we could advertise as a combined meeting so we could get on both schedules but i don't think that would be accepted.
If we do get sanctioned, however, then we have to start kicking down to the Central Office, etc. etc. and maybe we don't want to do that? Not sure, we will need a few meetings to work these things out and i would love to hear everyone's input on this. -
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Re: Suggestions (Cross Talk Allowed) ;O)
Fri, December 28, 2007 - 8:51 AMYeah, I've never really understood the politics. I only started going to AA over NA because I found my Godless Heathens group, and plus for whatever reason the NA meetings that were easy for me to reach seemed to have very angry people in them (like getting yelled at by the secretary for mentioning AA). But really, just the idea of an inclusive, friendly group seems to be the thing, however it's done. I'm really much more of a drug addict than I ever was an alcoholic but I agree, it's really all the same thing . . . -
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Re: Suggestions (Cross Talk Allowed) ;O)
Fri, December 28, 2007 - 9:03 AM<<I'm really much more of a drug addict than I ever was an alcoholic but I agree, it's really all the same thing . . .>>
More people should have this approach. I'm more of a drug addict myself...but the difference is, that alcohol was my drug. Even though this group is about an hours drive I'll do my best to attend when possible.
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Re: Suggestions (Cross Talk Allowed) ;O)
Sun, December 30, 2007 - 12:14 AM>>(like getting yelled at by the secretary for mentioning AA)<<
The verbiage nazis turned me off, too. I'd raise my hand and introduce myself as being clean *and* sober. That was enough to piss off most of those folks. It's almost like they didn't have enough to do so they'd police the "language" used. And even though there was supposed to be no cross talk allowed there as plenty of it going on. A lot of the meetings in my area turned very sucky like that. -
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Re: Suggestions (Cross Talk Allowed) ;O)
Sun, December 30, 2007 - 11:42 AMThat's why i'm reluctant to assign a specific title to this meeting. i'm a no frills kinda girl, i just introduce myself as a drunk and a dope fiend. If we end up on the AA schedule NA won't like it and if we end up on the NA schedule AA won't like it. i'd rather avoid all that if possible. -
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Re: Suggestions (Cross Talk Allowed) ;O)
Sun, December 30, 2007 - 1:53 PMThis could be hashed and re-hashed. Therre are a number of "private" meetings conducted in private homes but the key is that no one who shows up is turned away. I see no reason why this can't be a self supporting "off the books" kind of meeting as long as the doors are open to those who suffer.
Thats my 2 cents, but I'll be sure to throw a buck or two in the basket. -
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Re: Suggestions (Cross Talk Allowed) ;O)
Sun, December 30, 2007 - 2:51 PMpandora -->>If we end up on the AA schedule NA won't like it and if we end up on the NA schedule AA won't like it.<<
I was wondering if kind of crap was still going on. I've been "away" but still clean and sober for 5 or so years. One word keeps echoing in my head ........ *openmindedness* .......... my aching arse. I have yet to see a well represented example in either camps when it comes to acceptance of each other in this regard --> reciprocity of ideas.
Bottom line ;
AA = Didn't quite cover the field of substance abuse. A drug is any mind/mood altering substance. Alcohol is a drug. And other controlled substances were being abused back then.
N.A. = So worried about being unique (different from AA) but still uses the words in the steps and the traditions totally lifted from the mother program.
A complete joke IMO.
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Petaluman -->>Therre are a number of "private" meetings conducted in private homes but the key is that no one who shows up is turned away.<<
I wondering if this is the rule in a lot of areas now. "Private" meetings, that is. I began witnessing this phenomenon back in the early 90s. Note that I make a difference between a "private" meeting in someones home because of "_________________ ." and that of "we can't find a space to rent".
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With all that said I'd still like to try to get the blessing of either one and represent ourselves at the appropriate level(s). Getting it from both won't happen and it shouldn't. They are two different entities. That's *their* making it that way, not ours. I'm about repsecting people or groups for who they are, not as I would have them.
I'm also about respecting the group conscience whether I agree with it or not unless it threatens my recovery. This is a case where it wouldn't threaten it.
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