First meeting

Saturday, November 7 at 7:00 PM

AA Group Charter

GROUP CHARTER

Charlotte AA Group

MISSION STATEMENT

We believe that Alcoholics Anonymous in the Charlotte area needs more Big Book and sponsorship-focused meetings. This group exists to study and apply the program as outlined in the first 164 pages of the Big Book, maintaining freedom from outside influences that may dilute the message. Our singular focus is the instructions for and experience of working the steps as laid out in the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous.

EXPLANATION OF CHARTER

This charter establishes the foundation and operating principles for our AA group. These provisions are non-negotiable and cannot be amended, modified, or suspended for any reason during the first two (2) years of operation, ending [Date - 2 years from founding].

The two-year protection period serves to maintain the group's original convictions while allowing the group to grow within those established constraints. This ensures the group reaches a level of maturity and diversity before any changes to the central tenets can be considered. By then, the membership will have experienced the group's approach long enough to make informed decisions about whether these founding principles serve the group's primary purpose.

Note on Two-Year Provisions: Several articles contain escalating requirements after two years (sobriety requirements, birthday meeting restrictions, etc.). These are designed to grow with the group's maturity. If the group reaches sufficient size and stability before the two-year mark, these provisions may be reconsidered by group conscience after the charter becomes amendable. The intent is to protect the group during formation, not to impose permanent restrictions.

ARTICLE I: PURPOSE

Our primary purpose is to carry the message of Alcoholics Anonymous as outlined in the first 164 pages of the Big Book. We maintain focus on the instructions for and experience of working the steps as laid out in the Big Book, keeping our message free from outside influences that might dilute or complicate the program of recovery found in our basic text.

ARTICLE II: MEETING FORMAT

  1. Type:
    • Regular meetings (1st-3rd Saturdays): Closed Big Book discussion (alcoholics only)
    • Birthday meeting (Last Saturday): Open Big Book discussion
  2. Topics: Must be selected exclusively from:
    • The first 164 pages of Alcoholics Anonymous
    • The Doctor's Opinion
    • Doctor Bob's Nightmare
  3. Required Readings:
    • How It Works (Chapter 5)
    • Alcoholism identification statement (from page 44)
  4. Opening Prayer: Serenity Prayer
  5. Closing Prayer: Lord's Prayer
  6. Prohibited Elements:
    • No reading of the AA Preamble
    • No reading of the 12 Steps or 12 Traditions (except as referenced)
    • No safety statement or safety card
    • No announcements of any kind (no exceptions - written notes may be given to chairperson)
    • No burning desires
    • No outside literature or topics

ARTICLE III: GROUP MEMBERSHIP

  1. Definition: To become a group member, you must:
    • Be an alcoholic
    • Attend a business meeting and declare your intent to join
  2. Official Membership Process:
    • Group membership requires attending a business meeting and declaring intent to join
    • Membership is not automatic based on regular attendance
    • Members must self-identify at a business meeting to be added to the registry
    • Only registered group members may vote on group matters or attend business meetings
  3. Membership Records: The group will maintain digital records including:
    • First name and last initial
    • Email address (optional)
    • Phone number (optional)
  4. New Member Packet: Upon joining the group, each new member will receive a printed packet containing:
    • Group Charter
    • Group Bylaws
    • Service Positions document
    • Meeting formats (regular, birthday, and business meeting)
    • Two-Year Inventory document (for reference)
    • Roberts Rules of Order Simplified
    • Current member contact list (names, emails, phone numbers of all group members)
  5. Members may opt out of record-keeping at any time
  6. Only registered group members may vote on group conscience matters

ARTICLE IV: SOBRIETY STATEMENT

  1. Group Position on Sobriety: This group defines sobriety as freedom from alcohol, marijuana, narcotics, and misuse of prescribed medication. This position exists to give the newcomer the best possible chance of recovering.
  2. Enforcement: We don't enforce this position. We're not the sobriety police. This statement is read at each business meeting so folks know what our position is. The only requirement for AA membership is a desire to stop drinking (Third Tradition). However, AA membership is not the same thing as group membership or the ability to celebrate at our birthday night, which is really the whole point of this statement in a practical sense anyway.
  3. Application:
    • This statement will be read at each business meeting
    • It will NOT be read during regular meetings
    • Those celebrating birthdays at this group are expected to adhere to this definition
  4. Purpose: This statement represents what we collectively believe as a group about sobriety, while respecting that AA membership requires only a desire to stop drinking.

ARTICLE V: BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS

  1. Schedule: Last Saturday of each month
  2. What We Celebrate: Annual sobriety birthdays (not monthly milestones)
  3. Eligibility During First Two Years:
    • Open to anyone (member or non-member) who has maintained sobriety as defined in Article IV
  4. After Two Years: Birthday celebrations limited to group members only (no exceptions)
  5. Format:
    • One celebrant: Celebrant shares for 30 minutes or may select a 30-minute speaker
    • Two celebrants: Each gets 15 minutes; person with more time may select speaker if desired
    • Three or more celebrants: Time divided equally among celebrants (no outside speaker)
    • After year two: No outside speakers (defined as anyone not a member of this group) - only celebrants share
    • Person with most sobriety time among celebrants chooses format when applicable

ARTICLE VI: SPONSORSHIP

At each meeting, the chairperson will:

  1. Ask all members willing to sponsor to raise their hands
  2. Invite anyone without a sponsor to raise their hand or speak with someone after the meeting

ARTICLE VII: BUSINESS MEETINGS

  1. Held the second Saturday of each month at 8:05 PM (following regular meeting)
  2. Maximum duration: 30 minutes (ends at 8:30 PM)
  3. All group members may attend and vote
  4. Sobriety statement (Article IV) read at opening of each business meeting
  5. Service position reports heard (GSR, Treasurer, Treatment Rep, etc.)
  6. Decisions affecting group welfare require thoughtful consideration
  7. Quarterly commitment sign-ups handled at business meeting
  8. Unfinished business at 8:30 PM automatically tabled to next month

ARTICLE VIII: TWO-YEAR INVENTORY

  1. Mandatory Review: At the completion of two years of operation (or earlier by group conscience if needed), the group will conduct a comprehensive inventory using the Two-Year Inventory document
  2. Format: Special meeting separate from regular meetings
    • Announced well in advance with date agreed upon by group
    • No time limit - continues until inventory is complete
    • Suggested format: Sunday afternoon via Zoom or alternate location
    • May use outside facilitator (non-member) for objectivity
  3. Scope: Reviews both standard AA group health questions and charter-specific provisions that were locked during formation
  4. Process:
    • All recommendations compiled during inventory
    • Brought to next business meeting for vote only (no debate)
    • Charter amendments follow normal amendment process (2/3 majority + 1 month prayer period)
    • Operational changes require simple majority
  5. Participation: All group members strongly encouraged to attend

ARTICLE IX: GROUP POSITIONS

  1. Quarterly Commitments (3 months, no sobriety requirements):
    • Meeting Coordinator (schedules chairpeople)
    • Coffee Maker
    • Greeter
  2. Annual Commitments:
    • Secretary: 1 year sobriety required
    • Treasurer: 1 year sobriety (2 years after group's second anniversary)
    • GSR: 1 year sobriety (2 years after group's second anniversary)
    • Supply Person: 1 year sobriety (2 years after group's second anniversary)
    • Group Conscience Chairperson: 1 year sobriety
    • Treatment Center Representative: 6 months sobriety (1 year after second anniversary)
  3. Chairperson Responsibilities:
    • Make sure the meeting begins and ends on time, that the format is followed
    • Handle any disruptions - ask people to pass if they've been talking too long, things like that
    • Their job is to make sure that the meeting runs smoothly
  4. All positions rotate to allow others to serve
  5. Full position descriptions in separate Service Positions document

ARTICLE X: FINANCES

  1. Group is self-supporting through member contributions
  2. No outside contributions accepted
  3. Bank account to be opened at most convenient institution upon group formation
  4. Prudent reserve not to exceed 2 months' expenses
  5. Big Books sold at cost - newcomers encouraged to value their sobriety by purchasing their own Book or asking a member for help
  6. Excess funds to be used for:
    • Maintaining Big Book inventory for sale
    • Running Google Ads for our group to attract new members seeking Big Book-based recovery
    • Group activities (anniversary dinners, potlucks, etc.)
  7. Note: While AA groups traditionally support the service structure, it is not required. This group has chosen to prioritize direct carrying of the message through outreach and literature distribution for the time being.
  8. Property Ownership:
    • All items purchased with group funds belong to the group
    • Personal items remain personal even if loaned or donated for group use

ARTICLE XI: DIGITAL INFRASTRUCTURE

  1. Website: Maintained at charlotteaa.com
    • Provides group information and meeting details
    • Serves as outreach tool for those seeking Big Book-based recovery
    • Maintained by founder until another member volunteers
  2. Email Communications:
    • Monthly email to registered members with business meeting minutes
    • Updates on group activities and upcoming topics
    • May serve as reminder/connection for inactive members
  3. Digital Records:
    • All group records maintained digitally (Google Docs/Sheets)
    • Group laptop purchased when financially feasible
    • Secretary maintains digital infrastructure
  4. Privacy: Member information never shared outside the group

ARTICLE XII: MEETING CONDUCT

  1. Meeting length: 60 minutes
  2. Regular meetings (1st-3rd Saturday): Closed, alcoholics only
  3. Birthday meeting (Last Saturday): Open meeting
  4. Sharing limited to experience with alcoholism
  5. No crosstalk during shares
  6. No announcements or burning desires
  7. No standing or joining hands during prayers - remain seated
  8. Time limits at chairperson's discretion (suggest 3-4 minutes per share)
  9. Focus remains on experience, strength, and hope from working the program in the Big Book

ARTICLE XIII: AMENDMENTS

This charter cannot be amended before [Date - 2 years from founding]. After this date:

  1. Significant changes (charter amendments, meeting format, location changes):
    • Require one month of prayerful consideration
    • Must be proposed at one business meeting and voted on at the next
    • Require 2/3 majority of members present
  2. Minor operational decisions (coffee brand, literature display, etc.):
    • Can be decided by simple majority at any business meeting
    • Note: What constitutes "significant" vs "minor" is determined by group conscience

ARTICLE XIII: DISSOLUTION

Should the group close, all remaining funds after expenses will be donated to the facility/church that provided our meeting space.

Adopted: [Date]

Back to Documents