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Chatroom Meeting Protocol

Meetings in the chatrooms use a variation of what is called 'Standard Online Protocol' to simulate the procedures used at face to face AA meetings.

When the meeting starts, the member opening the meeting will send a message like this...

...and that signals the start of the meeting. You are then requested to remain silent and not interrupt the speaker. Whispering, or private chat, can be used as this does not appear in the main chat window and is not seen by members and guest users attending the meeting.

Type ! if you wish to share - this is equivalent to raising your hand at a meeting. We ask members not to raise their hand until the meeting leader has finished their opening share. That way no one will be missed.

Type ? if you have a question - it will be answered using a whisper or private chat.

Type GA when you're finished sharing. GA means Go Ahead.

Please wait until you're called on - GA UserName - by the meeting leader before sharing.

Meetings run very smoothly when we follow this simple protocol.

Meeting Format

Our meetings follow a very standard format and if you are an AA member you will feel immediately at home. However, we follow a UK format and there may be minor differences in the functions of those running the meeting or in the names of those functions, so we will detail the format below...

CHAIR The chair announces that the chatroom meeting protocol is in effect.
Then he/she reads the AA Preamble.
Then he/she will invite the main speaker to share.
When the main speaker has finished, the chair will invite those who wish to share on the topic to raise their hands by typing an exclamation mark - !
He/she will then call upon members to share, usually in the order in which they raised their hands.
At the end of the meeting, the chair will finish by reading the Serenity Prayer.
Lastly, he/she announces that the meeting protocol is finished.

(Members chairing a meeting will have at least 90 days of continuous sobriety.)

SPEAKER The invited speaker will choose the topic for the meeting and will open the discussion of the topic by sharing. Speakers normally speak for about 10 minutes during the opening share.

(Invited speakers will have at least 90 days of continuous sobriety.)

SHARING When you have raised your hand and are then invited to share by the chair, you may share for up to 10 minutes. We ask members to remember that others may wish to share. We also ask that members confine their remarks to problems with alcohol and recovery from alcoholism.

(Any member may ask to share, there are no requirements. Newcomers are particularly welcome to make themselves known and share a little.)