I finally joined one! I love this group. Although the meetings are sometimes 100+, there are hardly any HG members. Does anyone have any ideas on how to encourage new members? I know I am a fine one to talk, however they are trying to come up with ideas to do that and I thought maybe someone here has some ideas.
Well done. It's like owning your own home. I still love my home group although I moved away from the area. Whenever I visit it really feels good. It's like the warm feeling when I come home.
Nice one, BTY! At some meetings I've been to people will say during the 'AA related announcements' that the group is seeking new members. Also, it wouldn't hurt to share about what made you decide to get a home group and choose that particular group.
Thanks so much for your encouragement. I appreciate it and kind of expected to hear "Well, it's about damn time". (and I know it is). The silly reason I took so long is the driving thing. Still no permit (a fear) and this particular meeting I had volunteered to make coffee around 3 or 4 months into my sobriety. Well, I should have found out the facts before i opened my big mouth. I had to be there an hour earlier and the meeting is several miles and I was worried my bf would have appointments (the type of work he does he gets those) and not be able to bring me. Then I told the member I would take a bus. Well, I found out their closest stop to that church was 2 miles away and too far to walk. I didn't and still don't have money for cab fare and although I probably could afford the price of fare from the bus stop to the church, I was worried about not getting there on time to make it and set up 100 or so chairs for the meeting. Long winded way of explaining, I know. Anyway, I boo hooed through the whole meeting because in the past I have volunteered to do things like women's clubs, at my daughter's school and not followed through with my commitments. I felt like I let the group down, although I wasn't a HG member of it. I had to go back and tell that guy that had been making coffee week after week that I couldn't do it. I felt embarrassed, ashamed of myself and his reaction to me was to fuss at me why I didn't have a driver's license, and to tell me that it was really important to volunteer, so I felt he was upset at me. He hasn't been too friendly to me since that happened. Anyway, I kept going back to this meeting as I love it so very much and told him I would keep bringing treats and do them every week for Tues and Thurs. meetings unless something unforeseen kept me from doing it. I also told him that I would come early and help make coffee whenever I could. I feel better about it as I have always felt guilty since that happened months ago. I'll stop about that. Those six cups of coffee have kicked in guys! Gonee......I have kind of felt that way when I go to this one. It is a nice mix of people. First I thought it was too clique-ish for me and then I realized I was being too judgmental and needed to look at the group as a whole......(a "whole" lot of alcoholics all coming together for the same purpose as me). Also, as this is the largest group I go to, there are more people to help. Only thing is, I feel badly when I feel I don't bring enough goodies for everyone. Those guys devoured my last cake and when others would go up and look in the empty cake pan, I felt so bad. But sometimes I make things and have left-overs. Cupcakes--I just cannot figure out what people have against cupcakes. They are such happy looking little cakes too--in their little paper or foil liners and all....(Gosh, I sound like I am high. Promise I'm not.)
Yes Pappy. And that may have been the type of meeting we had last week because they brought it up. I'll ask. Great advice, Ruby and I will do that. Just need to really work on courage to speak in a group. I know they are going to expect me to chair meetings. BTY
-- Edited by betterthanyesterday52 on Thursday 6th of March 2014 07:29:41 AM
During AA related announcements, I will often say, "I'm a grateful member of this group, if you don't have a home group, this one would be a great choice, hope to see all of you here again with us!"
Sometimes when at a group other than my home group, I will give my home group a plug..."my homegroup is the ...... we meet on.... at ...... if you haven't found a home group or just want some variety in your meetings, please join us for a meeting, we'd love to have you with us."