All sentences in red are for the Leader/Chairperson only. Ask for volunteers to read the items in bold below, i.e., (The Problem or the Laundry List, The Solution, The Twelve Steps, The Twelve Traditions, and The Promises).
Hello. My name is _______. Welcome to the _____ ACA meeting of Adult Children of Alcoholics and Dysfunctional Families. This meeting is held from, Example, 6:00 pm until 7:00 pm every Wednesday.
In ACA, we meet to share the experience we had as children growing up in a dysfunctional home, the way it infected us then and the ways it affects us today. As we begin to talk, trust and feel, we break the patterns which were necessary for our survival in childhood. By practicing the 12 Steps, focusing on The Solution and accepting a Higher Power of our own understanding, one day at a time we learn to live happy, joyous and free.
Will those who wish to please join me in the ACA Serenity Prayer?
Will someone please read one of The Laundry List or The Problem?
Will someone please read The Solution?
Will someone please read one of the versions of The 12 Steps of ACA?
Will someone please read the Tradition of the month? (i.e. January = #1)
We are courteous, allowing everyone time to share. Shares are 4 minutes. The time keeper will signal when there is 30 seconds left to wrap up your share. Can I have a volunteer to be our time keeper?
You may have related to our readings even if there was no apparent alcoholism in your home. This is common because dysfunction can occur in a family without the presence of addiction. We welcome you. Let's go around the room and introduce ourselves by our first name. Anyone new to ACA or visiting from another area please let us know so we may welcome you. I'll start, my name is ________.
In the beginning, many of us could not recognize or accept that some of our current attitudes or behaviors were the result of dysfunction we experienced in our childhood. An Adult Child is someone who responds to adult situations with fear, self-doubt, self-blame or a sense of being wrong or inferior. We tend to be outer focused and easily lose touch with what is going on inside ourselves. Without help, we unknowingly operate with ineffective thoughts and judgments. The regression can be subtle, but it is there sabotaging our decisions and relationships. By attending 6 meetings in a row and ACA regularly thereafter, we come out of denial. We share the pain of childhood memories and experience love and acceptance from our ACA group. We learn how to become our own loving parent and live as our True Selves. So please keep coming back. Listen, learn, and most of all, share your feelings.
We make this a safe place by asking everyone to practice these simple suggestions. No one interrupts the speaker until they indicate they are finished. Please give a TRIGGER WARNING If what you are about to share is intense or a sensitive topic. What you hear at this meeting should remain at the meeting. We do not talk about another person’s story or experiences to other people. Please respect the anonymity of those who share with us today.
We protect each other during the sharing time by not Cross Talking. Cross Talk means interrupting, specifically referring to the other person or giving feedback. We let their process flow without interruption and accept without comment what others say because it is true for them. We speak about our own experience, taking more responsibility in our lives rather than trying to fix others. Please recognize that even a well-intended comfort such as a touch, sounds or offering a tissue during a person's share could interfere with their recollections of memories or experiencing emotions, taking them out of their feelings. Please refer to the Cross Talk pamphlet or the BRB for more information. Finally, it is suggested that you use the words “I”, “me”, or “my” to share your message and avoid the use of “you”, “we” and “us” since it takes the focus off your own unique perspective.
The meeting is now open for sharing.
AFTER SHARING around 6:50 (or about 10 minutes before meeting end time)
Are there any brief “burning desires”?
Pass the basket. It’s now time for our Seventh Tradition, which states that "Every ACA group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions." We pass the basket in accordance with the 7th tradition. Monies go for rent, literature, and World Service of ACA.
Are there any ACA related announcements?
Could someone please hand out the chips?(if we don’t have ask & recognize time)
That is all the time we have for tonight. Thank you for joining us and keep coming back. Will a volunteer please read The Promises?
Now let's close with the ACA Serenity Prayer.