ONE STEP AT A TIME –
March 6, 2023 – For some AA members, their journey of sobriety began at “open” AA meetings, which can be attended by any member of the community, alcoholic or nonalcoholic. Open meetings have long been a vital source of information for anyone who wants to learn more firsthand about the AA Fellowship. The only request is that attendees not disclose the names of AA members outside the meeting so that members’ anonymity may be maintained.
A typical open meeting will have a “leader” and other speakers. The leader opens the meeting, introduces each speaker, then closes the meeting after sharing and discussion. With rare exceptions, the speakers at an open meeting are usually AA members. Each may share some drinking experiences that led them to join AA and they also may talk about how their life has changed because of the AA Fellowship and the Twelve Steps.
