So you want to start a new meeting?
Did you know there are over a thousand in-person meetings a week in the Greater Seattle area and hundreds more on Zoom?
Before starting a meeting, be sure to ask yourself a few pertinent questions:
- Does this meeting fill a need that is not being filled already?
- Do we have the resources and support to start a new meeting? Money for literature, rent, coffee, etc.?
- Are there other meetings I can support and become involved with rather than starting a brand new meeting?
The General Service Office has this to say about starting a new meeting:
Reasons for starting a new group vary, but the ways to go about it are basically the same. Important to establishing an A.A. group is the need for one as expressed by at least two or three alcoholics; the cooperation of other A.A. members; a meeting place; a coffee pot; A.A. literature and meeting lists; and other supplies.
If, after careful consideration, the decision is made to start a new meeting, we at Seattle Intergroup are here to help.
These steps pertain to both in-person and online meetings:
- The first step to establishing the meeting is to fill out the Group Meeting Listing Form and submit it to Greater Seattle Intergroup. You can do this by mailing the filled-out form to us or dropping it by the office at 5507 6th Ave. S., Seattle, WA 98108
- The next step is to go to the Western Washington Area 72 website and fill out the Group Meeting Information form
GSO states: Once the group is off to a good start, it would be helpful to announce its presence to neighboring groups; your local intergroup (central) office, if there is one; your district and area committees; and the General Service Office. These sources can provide much support. - Then, the General Service Office will need to be notified of your meeting details and contact information. GSO is where your group number will be issued. You can click here to get there.
At Seattle Intergroup, we offer starter kits that include How It Works, 12 Traditions, a suggested meeting outline, and useful information for the group treasurer. These can be purchased for $5.00 in the office, or we would be happy to send one to you — give us a call during open office hours.
Some facilities are requiring groups to have liability insurance. If your group needs assistance with this, Seattle Intergroup can help. We only provide insurance to groups within our service area. Please look at the District Map if to ensure your group is within our service area.
This application will need to be printed, filled out and returned to Seattle Intergroup. Follow the instructions on the application.
Online meetings
If your meeting is going to be online only, you will need to choose the online format that you will use to host your meeting. Most meetings use Zoom as a platform. However, there are other formats, such as Google Meets.
Please do not ask Seattle Intergroup to list meetings that did not originate within Seattle Intergroup’s service area. If the meeting is outside our service area, please ask the local Intergroup Office (where the founders or acting GSR reside) and the corresponding Area to list the meeting on their respective websites. Any online group is welcome to register the group with the Online Intergroup Office.
If your meeting is online only, please consider joining the General Service structure and participating in Area 72’s Online Only District 25. Area 72 is one of the only areas in the country that recognizes online groups with their own district. Please take advantage of this opportunity to have your group’s voice heard.