In our neck of the woods, we have a pretty good group of guys and a couple of gals around setting up and making coffee prior to meeting start ... (usually that many, from as early as 20 to 30 minutes before the meeting) ... If we see a person come through the door that's not a member of the group, then one or two of us will go introduce ourselves and a few others will follow suit ... If that person comes in after the meeting has started, we do the same thing after the meeting has ended ...
AND IF the new person has indicated they are 'first' time attendees to AA then we do a '1st Step' meeting ... you know, to let them get a feel for whether or not THEY feel they're alcoholic or not ... AND they are given a list of phone #'s to call and a meetings listing of the different groups in the area ...
When the meeting is over, we make sure the new person has someone talking to them AND that they are shown the 'pamphlet' rack and a variety of books for sale ...
Pappy
-- Edited by Pythonpappy on Monday 13th of August 2012 05:57:04 PM
__________________
'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'
I just returned home from our noon meeting. It's heavily populated by males, and today it was no different. A woman came in and let us know it was her first meeting at the club. I noticed after the meeting that the other two females had left without welcoming this woman, so I hurried over to do so. She confided that it was actually her first meeting ever. I felt unsure of exactly what to do or say. I was not welcomed personally, so I don't have the experience. I believe it would have been helpful to me, had someone sort of taken me under their wing, but I don't know for sure.
I spoke with her for a bit, told her how scared I was, and how I could only cry (she was crying through out the meeting and after) for a good month. That I felt she was so brave for coming, and asked her a little about what got her through the door. She did not open up about any of that, and was fidgeting in her purse mostly (just like I did - kept my head down - just wanted to get out of there).
I offered to buy her a big book, got her a phone list and a meeting schedule. I offered to pick her up tonight to take her along to my home group meeting. She agreed. We exchanged phone numbers, I gave her a hug - she darted off.
What made you feel most welcome when you stepped through the doors?
How do you welcome people at their very first meeting?
__________________
Thanks for everything. Peace and Love on your journey.
generally we have a greeter in England, in Scotland the home group members are allus on the watch out. If a woman comes to her first meeting, a woman is fetched to chaperone the woman. If it's a bloke there's usually plenty of blokes.
Certainly in Barnsley, it tends to be 'Eyup, this your first meeting, aye, well come and get a cuppa...' and on it goes.
Same in Scotland, but the accent is different.
__________________
It's not having what you want, it's wanting what you got. BB
In our open meetings newcomers are welcomed by the chairman or the secretary of the group. He is also asked to see the secretary after the meeting, to pick up a venue list and some literature. At tea after the meeting, older members will ask the newcomer if they need any help.
At our closed meetings, newcomers are welcomed by the group and everyone is first introduced to the new person before the meeting starts. After the meeting, same procedure.
I try to greet as many people as possible and try to notice new people especially and out of town visitors and 1st time people at the group to make sure they are welcome. I also try to introduce them to a lot of other people.....not good if I'm their only network.
Keep up the good work!
__________________
Rob
"There ain't no Coupe DeVille hiding in the bottom of a Cracker Jack Box."
In our neck of the woods, we have a pretty good group of guys and a couple of gals around setting up and making coffee prior to meeting start ... (usually that many, from as early as 20 to 30 minutes before the meeting) ... If we see a person come through the door that's not a member of the group, then one or two of us will go introduce ourselves and a few others will follow suit ... If that person comes in after the meeting has started, we do the same thing after the meeting has ended ...
_______________________________________________
I've been to meetings all over the south and the folks in GA, AL, and MS are the warmest most hospitable folks anywhere. You stop and ask them for directions and they'll invite you for dinner.
Yeah Dean, ... It's still that way for the most part ... But we don't have the corner market on 'hospitality' here ... Wherever I traveled, the AA groups seem to mean instant 'family' and the welcomes are great ... As far as the public at large goes, the 'niceness' has slowly changed over the years ... of course it's more prominent in the rural areas ... but around the big cities, you only see this attitude in churches and AA clubs and other such organizations ... it is the very 'essence' of what 'fellowship' means ... (we love our 'potluck' dinners too) ... LOL ... Got a 'potluck' coming up Sunday the 26th 5:30p.m. ... Ya'll come!!!
God Bless, Pappy
__________________
'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'
What you did sounds pretty perfect to me. I know I still just want to talk and be spoken to right now. Tasha that was really sweet. I am sure it made her feel welcome.
