I swear I read somewhere in AA literature that if you arent in alignment with your home group to find another group. Does anyone know where I can find this in the literature?
My group has 20+ meetings a week. Should there be one group conscience meeting for the entire group? Some members think its the groups (plural) and hold separate group conscience meetings. Is this a matter of autonomy? Is there something in the literature to get clarity on this?
Never heard of a single group holding 20+ meetings a week, seems reasonable to me that it would be subdivided into smaller groups for manageability. As far as AA literature goes, theres a pamphlet on groups.. https://onlineliterature.aa.org/The-A.A.-Group. Dont know if it would answer your question any better. People move to different home groups all the time - its really up to you. For me, the people are the reason I stay in a group - I formed a deep attachment with some of the people in my home group early on in sobriety, then moved about 20 miles away. Never could find another group that I shared a similar attachment with, although I have called one nearby group my home group for years I still occasionally visit the other one and I connect with some of its members online. Some groups will say that you have to attend business meetings to be considered a home group member. Others will say youre a home group member if you say you are. I have become less interested in business meetings over time, the politics is not something I enjoy much. Too many egos, too easy to get my own ego going. If you are that unhappy with the group conscience, it could be a good opportunity to practice the Serenity Prayer - accept what you cant change, decide whether you want to change which home group you attend or just change your involvement within the group you are in, or change your attitude toward it, or change nothing and continue to advocate your view. One thing is for sure - your home group will change over time, with or without your input - and time will tell in what ways it changes. Many people will leave, many more will come, and a few will stay (or leave and come back later). For me, its the other people who bring me back - not the structure of the meeting. But thats just me. To thine own self be true!
-- Edited by FlyingSquirrel on Saturday 1st of January 2022 08:43:43 PM
Hi Beth, Can't really help you with your questions but agree with everything FS has said. I've changed homegroups many times but have had the same one now for about 12 years. I think they are important as you get to know people in the group much better & they get to know you. It helps keep us accountable to each other & we can see when someone is struggling, whether that "someone" be me or another member of the group.