First meeting

Saturday, November 7, 2026 at 7:00 PM

AA Group Bylaws

GROUP BYLAWS

Charlotte AA Group - Rules of Order & General Guidance

PURPOSE

These bylaws provide simplified parliamentary procedure for conducting business meetings, along with general rules and guidance for how our group operates. They help us maintain order while keeping the spirit of AA unity and group conscience.

PART I: BUSINESS MEETING CONDUCT GUIDELINES

This section covers parliamentary procedure and rules for our monthly business meetings (second Saturday, 8:05-8:30 PM).

GUIDING PRINCIPLES FOR BUSINESS MEETINGS

  • Everyone has the right to participate in discussion before anyone may speak a second time
  • Everyone has the right to know what is going on at all times
  • Only one motion can be discussed at a time
  • We're seeking group conscience, not trying to "win"

VOTING ELIGIBILITY

30-Day Rule: To vote on any matter, you must have been a declared group member for at least 30 days. This ensures voters are familiar with our group's principles and prevents stacking votes.

Business Meeting Attendance: Only group members or those joining the group may attend business meetings. All others will be asked to leave before the meeting begins.

No Proxy or Absentee Voting: Members must be physically present at the business meeting to vote. No email votes, phone-in votes, or proxy representation. Group conscience requires participation in discussion.

Group Membership Definition: To become a group member, you must:

  1. Be an alcoholic
  2. Attend a business meeting and declare your intent to join

Membership is not automatic based on regular attendance. Only registered group members may vote on group matters.

THE MAIN MOTION PROCESS

  1. Make the Motion

    • Member raises hand and waits to be recognized
    • States clearly: "I move that..."
    • Secretary records the motion

  2. Seconding

    • Motion needs a second to move forward
    • IMPORTANT: A second allows discussion; it does NOT signify approval
    • Don't second a motion just to allow discussion - if nobody seconds it, the idea may need more thought

  3. Chairperson Restates

    • "It is moved and seconded that..."
    • Provides clarity before discussion

  4. Discussion

    • Maker of motion speaks first
    • One person at a time, raise hand to be recognized
    • Stay on topic
    • Amendments may be offered: "I move to amend the motion by..."

  5. Call for Vote

    • Chair closes discussion: "The question is on the adoption of the motion that..."
    • Motion repeated word-for-word

  6. Vote

    • "All in favor?" (count hands)
    • "All opposed?" (count hands)
    • "Any abstentions?" (count hands)

  7. Announce Result

    • "The ayes have it, and the motion is adopted" OR
    • "The noes have it, and the motion is lost"
    • Secretary records result

AFTER THE VOTE - MINORITY OPINION

Always ask: "Is there anyone in the minority who wishes to speak?"

  • Allow 2 minutes for minority opinion
  • After hearing minority, ask if anyone wants to change their vote
  • If votes change, re-count
  • The minority opinion often contains wisdom

COMMON MOTIONS WE USE

Main Motion

"I move that we..."

  • Proposes an action or position
  • Needs a second
  • Simple majority to pass

Amend a Motion

"I move to amend the motion by..."

  • Adding words
  • Striking words
  • Striking and inserting words
  • Needs a second
  • Simple majority to pass

Table a Motion

"I move to table this motion"

  • Postpones to next meeting
  • Needs a second
  • Simple majority to pass
  • Automatically happens at 8:30 PM for unfinished business

Call the Question

"I call the question"

  • Ends debate and forces immediate vote
  • Needs a second
  • Requires 2/3 majority
  • Use when discussion is going in circles

VOTE REQUIREMENTS

Simple Majority (more than 50%)

  • Regular business decisions
  • Monthly expenses under $100
  • Minor operational matters

2/3 Majority

  • Charter amendments (after 2 years)
  • Meeting format changes
  • Location changes
  • Closing debate (call the question)
  • Removing someone from service

TIE VOTES

  • The Group Conscience Chairperson does not vote or comment during debate
  • Chairperson only votes to break ties
  • If the Chairperson proposed the motion being voted on, the backup Chairperson breaks any tie

SPECIAL RULES FOR OUR GROUP

One Month Wait

Significant changes must be:

  1. Proposed at one business meeting
  2. Given one month for prayerful consideration
  3. Voted on at the next business meeting

Automatic Tabling

  • Any unfinished business at 8:30 PM is automatically tabled
  • No vote needed - this is our standing rule
  • Continues next month

Spending Money

  • Supply Person and Literature Person each receive $100 seed money at the beginning of the year
  • Monthly reimbursements provided for any expenses beyond that as needed
  • Over $100 single purchase: Bring to business meeting, simple majority to approve

WHAT WE DON'T DO

  • No complex parliamentary procedures
  • No points of order or appeals
  • No "privileged motions"
  • No reconsidering votes from previous meetings
  • Keep it simple - we're alcoholics, not parliamentarians

PART II: GENERAL MEETING & GROUP GUIDELINES

This section covers conduct for our regular meetings (1st-3rd Saturdays) and birthday celebrations (last Saturday), plus general group policies.

MEETING CONDUCT GUIDELINES

Technology & Privacy

  • All phones must be turned off or silenced and kept out of sight during meetings
  • No photography, video, or audio recording at any time - this includes before, during, and after meetings
  • No exceptions to recording policy

Social Media & Anonymity

  • Group members should not post group business on social media
  • Members should not associate themselves with the group online (11th Tradition)
  • Members should not share information about who attends meetings
  • The group maintains no public social media presence
  • We cannot enforce these guidelines, but members will be asked not to violate them
  • Meeting details may be listed in AA directories; member information remains private

Crosstalk

  • We discourage crosstalk, especially when directed at newcomers
  • Share your experience, don't give direct advice or speak directly to another member
  • The chairperson will politely redirect if crosstalk occurs

Time Limits

  • Suggested share time: 3-4 minutes
  • Chairperson may ask someone to wrap up or pass if going too long or off-topic
  • Consider using a 4-minute timer for shares

Late Arrivals

  • If you arrive late, we suggest not sharing out of respect for those who arrived on time
  • Enter quietly and find a seat without disrupting

Seating

  • No saved seats - first come, first served
  • If someone isn't present, the seat is available

Court Cards

  • We sign court cards - pass them to the chairperson at the beginning of the meeting
  • Cards will be returned at the end

Outside Literature

  • Only AA Conference-approved literature may be used for topics or readings
  • No reading from non-AA sources during the meeting

Literature & Materials Inventory

  • The group does not stock "where and when" meeting schedules
  • The group does not stock AA pamphlets
  • The group only sells the Big Book (Alcoholics Anonymous)
  • No other books or literature are stocked or sold by the group

Donations

  • We follow the 7th Tradition - no large one-time donations accepted
  • Exception: Practical items for the group (coffee maker, etc.) may be considered by group conscience

Children

  • Children are allowed but must be supervised
  • No childcare provided
  • Parent is responsible if child becomes disruptive

Political Expression

  • No political discussions during meetings
  • Wearing political attire is considered poor taste and discouraged

Promotion of Outside Entities

  • No promotion of treatment centers, halfway houses, sober living facilities, or other outside enterprises
  • Members may share their personal experience but cannot promote specific facilities

Language & Profanity

  • Profanity is highly discouraged
  • Churches will remove groups for inappropriate language
  • Keep language appropriate for all audiences

Silence During Shares

  • No talking while someone is sharing
  • No side conversations during the meeting
  • Give the speaker your full attention

Food & Drink

  • Coffee is welcome
  • Eating during the meeting is highly discouraged
  • If you must eat, do so before or after the meeting

Non-Alcoholics at Open Meetings

  • Our regular meetings (1st-3rd Saturday) are open. Anyone interested in AA is welcome to attend
  • We request that non-alcoholics refrain from sharing
  • Birthday meetings (last Saturday) are also open to all

HANDLING DISTURBANCES

Chairperson's Authority

The chairperson is responsible for maintaining order during meetings:

  • Crosstalk: Politely remind members to speak one at a time and not interrupt
  • Intoxicated attendees: If someone appears drunk or high, politely ask them to listen without sharing, or invite them to come back next week
  • Disruptive behavior: Ask the person to stop; if it continues, ask them to leave and return when able to participate appropriately
  • Violence/Threats: Person must leave immediately; if pattern continues, group will seek trespass order from church
  • Use the phrase: "We need to maintain an atmosphere of recovery. Please [specific request] or we'll need to ask you to leave for tonight."

Service Position Accountability

  • If someone isn't fulfilling their service position duties, the Steering Committee will speak with them privately
  • The committee should approach with compassion and understanding - sometimes life happens
  • If the person cannot continue, the committee will help them step down gracefully
  • Only if private resolution fails should the matter be brought to business meeting
  • We don't crucify people publicly for struggling with service commitments

Weather/Emergency Closures

  • The group itself never cancels meetings
  • If the church closes their facility, the meeting cannot be held
  • Secretary will call all group members if church closure occurs
  • For those who can't be reached by phone, Secretary will email/text
  • Members should spread the word to others who might not have been contacted

STEERING COMMITTEE

Purpose: Handle emergencies outside normal business meeting hours

Members: All current and past Group Conscience Chairpersons, Secretaries, and Treasurers

Authority:

  • Limited to emergency response only
  • No policy decisions
  • All actions must be reported and ratified at next business meeting

Emergency Definition: Situations requiring immediate action that cannot wait:

  • Meeting space suddenly unavailable (flooding, damage, church closure)
  • Property damage to group assets
  • Other urgent matters threatening group operations

Review: At 2-year mark, group will determine if scope should change or if membership should be limited

PERSONAL CONFLICTS & SPONSORSHIP

The group does not:

  • Mediate sponsor/sponsee relationships
  • Investigate or adjudicate "misconduct" between members
  • Intervene in personal conflicts outside of meeting conduct

These matters are between individuals, their sponsors, and their Higher Power. The group's only concern is behavior during group meetings.

PROPERTY OWNERSHIP

  • Anything purchased with group funds belongs to the group
  • Personal items remain personal even if loaned or donated for group use
  • Upon group dissolution, property is distributed per the charter (Article XIII)

REMEMBER

Every decision should be measured against our primary purpose: to help the still-suffering alcoholic. When these rules don't cover something, common sense and group conscience prevail.

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