BIRTHDAY NIGHT FORMAT

Charlotte AA Group - Last Saturday of Each Month

OPEN MEETING

OPENING (Chairperson)

"Welcome to the birthday celebration of Charlotte AA Group. This is an open meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous. My name is _______ and I'm an alcoholic.

Let's open with the Serenity Prayer."

(Serenity Prayer)

VISITORS & NEWCOMERS

"Are there any visitors from out of town or newcomers who have never been to this meeting before? We ask that you raise your hand and introduce yourself - not to embarrass you, just so we can get to know you a little bit."

(Welcome visitors/newcomers)

"Please turn off or silence your cell phones and keep them out of sight during the meeting. No recording or photography is permitted."

ALCOHOLISM IDENTIFICATION

"I've asked _______ to read from page 44 of the Big Book - the first two paragraphs of Chapter 4, 'We Agnostics,' which describes what an alcoholic is."

(Reading from page 44: The first two paragraphs describing the alcoholic's inability to stop drinking)

SPONSORSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT

"Our experience is that sponsorship is a vital part of recovery. Will everyone willing to sponsor please raise your hand? If you don't have a sponsor, feel free to raise your hand now or talk to someone after the meeting."

CELEBRATION FORMAT

"Tonight we celebrate annual birthdays - those celebrating another year of sobriety."

(Chairperson introduces celebrants by name and years)

Format Guidelines (not read aloud):

• During first two years:
  • One celebrant: May share for 30 minutes or select a 30-minute speaker
  • Two celebrants: Each gets 15 minutes; person with more time may select speaker
  • Multiple celebrants: Time divided equally; person with most time determines format
• After two years:
  • Group members only (subject to group conscience based on group size)
  • No outside speakers - celebrants share their experience, strength, and hope

CELEBRATION

(Celebrants share according to format above)

CHIP PRESENTATION (7:55 PM)

"Now we'll have sponsors come up to present chips to those celebrating."

(Each sponsor comes forward to present their sponsee's chip and share a few words about their recovery. If sponsor is unavailable, celebrant may choose someone else to present.)

Chairperson ensures presentations conclude by 8:00 PM

CLOSING (8:00 PM)

"Thank you to everyone celebrating tonight and to the sponsors who guided them through the steps.

Let's close with the Lord's Prayer."

(Remain seated and recite Lord's Prayer)

"Keep coming back!"

Meeting Time: 7:00-8:00 PM NO announcements
NO burning desires
NO cake until after the meeting