Sample Meeting 5

Meeting format using the Step Study Workbook

Welcome to the (group name) of Nicotine Anonymous. My name is_______, and I’m your chairperson tonight.

Please remember, we turn off or silence our cell phones during the meeting.

Now, let us have a moment of silence to do with as you wish, followed by the Serenity Prayer. (pause. . . . .)

(Aloud together) God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

We introduce ourselves by first name only. (each introduces themselves)

Welcome everyone. If you are new here, welcome. (if newcomer(s) read Newcomer’s Welcome)

Nicotine Anonymous® is a fellowship of men and women helping each other to live our lives free of nicotine. We share our experience, strength, and hope with each other so that we may be free from this powerful addiction. The only requirement for membership is the desire to stop using nicotine. There are no dues or fees for Nicotine Anonymous membership; we are self supporting through our own contributions. Nicotine Anonymous is not allied with any sect, denomination, political entity, organization or institution, does not engage in any controversy, neither endorses nor opposes any cause. Our primary purpose is to offer support to those who are trying to gain freedom from nicotine.

(Our Preamble—Reprinted for adaptation with permission of the A.A. Grapevine)

The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions (adapted from Alcoholics Anonymous) are the spiritual foundation of this program. By spiritual, we do not mean religious. The reference to God in the Twelve Steps is the Fellowship’s way of involving a power greater than ourselves in our recovery. Each person comes to his or her own understanding of a Higher Power. The Steps guide us in a process that lifts this addiction from our lives. Would someone please serve the group by reading the Twelve Steps? (volunteer reads)

Thank you _____ (volunteer’s name).

The Twelve Traditions provide form and unity to our entire Fellowship. Tonight I will read one, which is

number ____ (chairperson's choice).

In addition to meetings, this Fellowship offers four other tools to help us gain and maintain freedom from this cunning and dangerous addiction: Literature, Phone/Email List, Service, and Sponsorship.

There is also our pamphlet with 55 tips on gaining freedom from nicotine. Most of us have discovered that if we want to be free from nicotine, we need to become willing to go to any length. This program offers us a way to reach our goal.

If you have any questions, please ask someone after the meeting or on the phone.

The format of tonight’s meeting is to continue working through the Step Study Workbook from where we left off last week. Some members have their own Workbooks; some members may have their answers filled in. If you don’t have a Workbook you can borrow one for this meeting, but use this scrap paper to write down your responses to the questions.

As we read each workbook question, we will then go around the circle and each person can share or pass as they choose. Share only what you are comfortable with revealing at this time. Remember, you have a sponsor you can work with on your responses. When we each share our responses, we refrain from cross talk. This means we focus on ourselves and we do not interrupt, criticize, or offer unsolicited advice directly toward another member.

Would someone please start tonight’s reading of ___________?

(The group goes about working the Workbook. The chairperson needs to keep track of the time and stop the Step work in order to leave enough time for the rest of the meeting format to be conducted.)

Closing the meeting:
Thank you all for sharing. Remember, the phone and email list as well as sponsors are available for further support between meetings.

Before we close, can we recognize anyone tonight with a celebration chip? (Chips are passed around)

According to the Seventh Tradition, we are self-supporting through our own voluntary contributions. Our group asks that each member consider the amount of money that used to be spent each day on nicotine. In gratitude we give what we can. The money we collect goes for rent, literature, and when the group votes, to help our regional Intergroup and Nicotine Anonymous World Services serve all nicotine addicts who seek recovery.

As we pass the basket are there any Nicotine Anonymous announcements?

Please remember that after the last meeting of each month a business meeting can be held.

Would a volunteer please serve the group by reading Our Promises? (reads Our Promises)

In closing we remember the Twelfth Tradition because it is essential that anonymity and confidentiality are respected. The opinions expressed here were strictly those of the person who shared them. Take what you want and leave the rest. Nicotine addiction is difficult to stop and can bring up many issues. We can unburden our hearts and minds more freely if we can trust that who we see and what we hear stays within our room. Remember, we suggest using the tools of the program instead of using nicotine.

(At the last meeting of each month we ask someone to read the Third Step Prayer).

In honor of both our willingness to be here tonight and our group’s hope to be free of nicotine, we invite you to join hands, because together we can do what we could not do alone, and then say our Serenity Prayer closing. (Group recites Serenity Prayer, then "it works if you work it, so work it you're worth it”.)

Thank you all for coming tonight. (Chair et al.: Greet any newcomers, answer questions, and invite anyone to be added to the phone/email list.)

See more sample meeting formats, and materials to start a meeting.