A clear welcome into the purpose of the meeting
How A.A. meetings commonly begin
A meeting usually opens by identifying Alcoholics Anonymous, welcoming those present, and explaining the kind of meeting about to take place. Depending on the group, the opening may include the A.A. Preamble, a moment of silence, the Serenity Prayer, an anonymity reminder, or a reading selected for that meeting.
“It is the members who determine the format of their meetings.”
Information about A.A. meetings opens in a new tab
Why openings differ
Each group develops its own format
A.A. describes several common opening practices without prescribing one script for every meeting. The group’s format reflects its meeting type, local experience, and group conscience.
How A.A. groups organize meetings opens in a new tabWhat a newcomer needs
Enough orientation to enter the meeting
- The name of the fellowship and whether the meeting is open or closed.
- A brief explanation of what will happen next.
- The readings or prayers selected by the group.
- The announced discussion, speaker, beginner, or literature format.
- A welcoming path into the meeting without requiring a newcomer to speak.
What you may encounter at the opening
Common elements in many combinationsThe group’s familiar format
The chair follows the order developed by that group. A regular format helps returning members know the rhythm of the meeting and gives newcomers a clear beginning.
The A.A. Group on meeting formats PDF; opens in a new tabThe A.A. Preamble and brief remarks
Many chairs begin with the Preamble, which states who A.A. members are, what they share, and the Fellowship’s primary purpose. Brief remarks may identify the meeting as open or closed.
Read the A.A. Preamble opens in a new tabA moment of silence or a prayer
Some meetings pause in silence and continue with the Serenity Prayer. Others use a different prayer, another A.A. text, or no prayer.
A.A.’s description of meeting practice opens in a new tabA welcome to newcomers
New people may be invited to introduce themselves by first name so members can offer a welcome. AA.org notes that an introduction is optional.
What happens at an A.A. meeting? opens in a new tabA reading chosen by the group
Common selections include part of Chapter Five, part of Chapter Three, the Twelve Steps, the Twelve Traditions, or an anonymity statement. The choice reflects the meeting’s purpose.
Examples of meeting readings opens in a new tabThe announced meeting begins
The opening gives way to the substance of the gathering: discussion, a speaker, newcomer orientation, or study of a Step, Tradition, or passage from the Big Book.
Common kinds of A.A. meetings opens in a new tabThe Preamble gives the meeting its A.A. identity
First published in 19471947A.A. Grapevine
A concise statement of fellowship and purpose
Written for the June 1947 A.A. Grapevine and drawing on the Foreword to the first edition of the Big Book, the Preamble was widely adopted and later received Conference-approved wording changes. It identifies A.A. as a fellowship, states the membership basis, describes its independence, and closes with its primary purpose.
Readings commonly used near the opening
Recovery · unity · meeting purpose“How It Works” reading
The official P-10 item reproduces the opening of Chapter Five from pages 58–60 of Alcoholics Anonymous. It is the compact reading commonly meant when a format says “How It Works.”
- Length
- Two printed pages
- Use
- Program orientation
- Not the same as
- The complete Chapter Five, pages 58–71
“More About Alcoholism”
AA.org’s meeting guide identifies part of Chapter Three as another reading sometimes used near the opening. The complete official chapter provides the context; a group chooses what, if anything, its format reads aloud.
- Book
- Alcoholics Anonymous
- Chapter
- Three
- Use
- Nature of the drinking problem
Twelve Steps
A Step meeting may read the Steps or the Step under discussion. The official page provides the concise wording and links to the fuller Step essays.
- Purpose
- Recovery program
- Best fit
- Step or general discussion meeting
- Access
- Text, audio, and ASL routes
Twelve Traditions
A Tradition or business-focused meeting may use the Traditions. They concern group unity and fellowship life, so their function differs from a recovery reading.
- Purpose
- Unity and group life
- Best fit
- Tradition study or group context
- Access
- Text, audio, and ASL routes
How the opening changes with the meeting
One fellowship · several meeting forms| Meeting type | What is usually explained | What follows | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open meeting | Nonalcoholics may attend as observers; the group explains its participation practice. | A discussion, speaker, or other announced format. | Information about meetings opens in a new tab |
| Closed meeting | Attendance is for people who have a desire to stop drinking. | The group’s announced closed-meeting format. | A.A. meeting FAQ opens in a new tab |
| Beginners | The meeting is oriented to newcomers and basic A.A. information. | An introduction, discussion, or selected literature. | The A.A. Group PDF; opens in a new tab |
| Step / Tradition / Big Book | The Step, Tradition, chapter, or passage being studied. | Reading and discussion of the named material. | Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions opens in a new tab |
| Speaker meeting | How the speaker portion will proceed. | One or more members share experience, strength, and hope. | The A.A. Group opens in a new tab |
Read the complete material
A.A. guidance for meetings and opening readings
These official pages bring together current meeting guidance, the complete Preamble, “How It Works,” and A.A.’s explanation of anonymity.