WHAT IF THAT HAD BEEN YOUR FIRST A.A. MEETING?
The above question keeps going through my mind. What I write is meant to be critical but it is meant to be constructive, not destructive.
The other day I was at a meeting and the protocol of the meeting is to ask if this is anyone’s first A.A. meeting, ever. If so, they conduct what they refer to as a “First Step Meeting.” With all my heart I believe those involved had good intentions in their hearts and did what was done to them and what they have observed since. I believe very few of them if any are aware of the conference approved pamphlet entitled “How To Conduct Beginner’s Meetings.”
One person read the newspaper and others chatted with another during the reading of How It Works. Hope he keeps coming back to see our love demonstrated. If the first impressions are lasting, wonder what his impression of our beloved fellowship is and if he will be a good ambassador for us.
The chairperson asked if this was anyone’s first meeting. If we would of found out before the meeting started then this fellow could of “been introduced” instead
of introducing himself which he did. The folks in the room then shared how it was, and how it was and how it was. I guess they forgot about what happened and how it is now.
At the end of the meeting chips are given out. This fellow had no idea in the world about chips of course but someone he got the idea that he was to pick up a white chip which he did. Then folks gathered in the back of the room to form a circle and say the Lord’s Prayer. At the close of the meeting No one thought about explaining to the newcomer this and he just sat in his chair. He was finally coaxed to join in.
O, did I mention that the fellow did not receive anyone’s phone number let alone anyone getting his or giving him a Big Book which the group conscience states is to give newcomers Big Books. Guess everyone was to busy and just plain forgot.
After the meeting was closed and everyone kind of stood around in little circles in the meeting room and outside and this fellow walked out, through and around these little groups and down a drive way to the street which is a few hundred yards away. Folks just stood around talking, what they had to talk about I guess was more important than a bran spanking new person walking away from a meeting with his head hanging low a long ways to the street. But again, I’m sure what folks had to say to each other was more important.
In conclusion: This was fellow was picked up and given a ride to his destination and was talked to and given a Big Book and some other material and phone numbers were exchanged with one AA member. Wonder how much impact this had on his first impression of our Fellowship and our respect for newcomers.
Hope he keeps coming back for more.