The AA Preamble

Copyright © The Grapevine Inc

Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.

The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees for A.A. membership; we are self-supporting through our own contributions. A.A. is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy; neither endorses nor opposes any causes. Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety.

In practicing our Traditions, The AA Grapevine, Inc. has neither endorsed nor are they affiliated with District10NIA.org.The Grapevine®, and AA Grapevine® are registered trademarks of The AA Grapevine, Inc.

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AA Meetings 

Two common types of meetings are:

1. Open Meetings:  As the term suggests, meetings of this type are open to alcoholics and their families and to anyone interested in solving a personal drinking problem or helping someone else to solve such a problem.

During the meeting there is usually a period for local A.A. announcements, and a treasurer passes the hat to defray costs of the meeting hall, literature, and incidental expenses. The meeting adjourns, often followed by informal visiting over coffee or other light refreshments.

Guests at A.A. open meetings are reminded that any opinions or interpretations they may hear are solely those of the speaker involved.

All members are free to interpret the recovery program in their own terms, but none can speak for the local group or for A.A. as a whole.

2. Closed Meetings: These meetings are limited to alcoholics. They provide an opportunity for members to share with one another on problems related to drinking patterns and attempts to achieve stable sobriety. They also permit detailed discussion of various elements in the recovery program.

For more information on meetings available in the District, please see the menu item to the left titled "Meeting Schedule".  Once viewing the schedule, the 5th column has Type of meeting and those meetings that state "open meeting" are open to non-alcoholics, all others are closed meetings.