Proposed by members of the SMR Meeting
Issue: We move that the members of SMR accept this script revision in response to the proposal, Motion 25-2: Daily Meeting Script Review.
Background: In January, the meeting group unanimously approved revising of the current meeting script, with group service needs announced as needed.
In the month of March, members were invited to comment on the 2021 version of the script and to suggest changes. These changes were compiled into a documment to be brought before our members.
Beginning in July, willing and interested members were invited, weekly, to participate in editing the meeting script, based on the earlier suggestions. Various members met 10 times, for roughly 14 hours to discuss and determine the best wording for the script. The aim was for clarity and brevity, while keeping the newcomer in mind.
The entire process was documented and shared with the membership, from beginning to end. The weekly meeting edits were posted on the website. They can be found at: https://www.acamorning.org/the-smr-meeting-script-review/
Our meeting members are now asked to comment and then approve of the new script.
A side by side comparison of the current and proposed scripts may be found here. Note that the new wording is in bold black lettering.
Vote Here:
Voting open until November 30th
22 thoughts on “Motion 25-9: Adoption of a Revised Meeting Script”
Script Review: A Mindful Journey of Service — Service In-Reach & Service Outreach
including when the “newcomer is me, myself, or I” in the circles of Mindfulness Exploration, Mindfulness Engagement, and Mindfulness Embracement” within myself, within local group, within the conference…. a practice of principles b4 personalities, including:
1. The Power of Process and Transparency (Mindfulness Exploration)
The process itself was an act of Mindfulness Exploration. The group took a conscious, non-judgmental look at its current state.
“Spirit of – Self-Examination”: The unanimous push to review the script (Motion 25-2) was a collective Step 10 (Continuing to take personal inventory). The group recognized its defects (outdated rules, host frustration) and sought improvement.
Transparency: Posting all edits online (Concept 8) and relying on Tradition 2 (Peer Conscience) ensured no shadow or denial could hide in the process. We held ourselves accountable to the truth of our practices.
2. Sharpening Boundaries for Safety and Inclusivity (Mindfulness Engagement)
The fierce debate over the final wording represents Mindfulness Engagement—actively responding to the present needs of the group.
Self-Care: The push to define and enforce boundaries (a key Nine Practice) by citing the BRB (page 573) and empowering the Host was an act of collective self-love and reparenting. The group is saying: “I will protect myself (the meeting) from chaos.”
Acceptance: Ensuring Tradition 3 (Inclusivity) by creating a safe space for every member means accepting the reality of online safety challenges. The group responded to reality rather than ignoring it.
3. “Spirit of Service as Outreach for the Newcomer (Mindfulness Embracement)”
The ultimate goal of clarity and simplification is an act of Mindfulness Embracement—fully accepting and integrating the principles of recovery into service.
“Spirit of Non-Attachment”: The willingness to delete entire pages of the script demonstrates non-attachment to old forms, prioritizing brevity so sharing time—the core of the program—is maximized.
“Spirit of The Golden Rule”: Making the script excellent for the newcomer (me, myself, or I) ensures Tradition 5 (Primary Purpose) is upheld. By serving the person who most needs the message, we serve the inner child within all of us. The script becomes a clear vehicle for Attraction (Tradition 11).
— “Hear, Here” in the “There, There”
I’m confused about what this is.
Thank you to all who worked diligently to make changes to our script. Your dedication and hard work have been seen and appreciated. This will solve some problems I have encountered when I’m room hosting. I especially appreciate the removal of the word “family” from the Chairperson’s script.
Note: IF the vote to change the Business Meeting to the 15th passes, the new script will need to reflect this. The changes never end, do they?!?!
Thank you again!
It did pass and the change to the script will be made. Thanks Betsy.
I appreciate all the thoughtful work that went into this.
I think more is not necessarily better. Trying to get ahead of glitches that come up in a 200+ meeting is just not possible. I suggest one more pass at the added words asking “is this really necessary?”.
We also need to update the website safety section, including ROOM HOST REFRESHER to match changes made in Script. And/or whatever parts of the website intermingles. 😉
Thank you for that insight. Is it possible to note here the changes that will be needed?
Thank you for your service.
RE: cross talk and safety
The need for more clarity regarding cross talk is necessary (see 11/5, 5:39am post). If people are given the page numbers in the BRB, they can review it themselves and make an informed decision about how they wish to speak and engage in the meeting. It is in the section Handbook for Adult Children about how to maintain a group/meeting. Fellow Travelers will have easy access to what the Program literature says about it and go from there. Further, if room expectations are stated directly after the room host introduction, it will be more impactful. Adding the cite sources also adds a level of significance — what ACA states about such guidelines. That, as a Group, we are encouraging using ACA conference approved literature to assist with how the group works.
Additionally, I am confused about the “if you are unable to raise your digital hand…” Do we really need that at all?
Following is a review of the Breakout Room section of the script, and some possible recommendations for changes. Thank you.
IN THE BREAKOUT ROOMS
Page 7
Present: my name is _____ , and I will be your room host for today.
Change: my name is _____, adult child. I am your room host today.
Present:
We hold a gentle and respectful space in this meeting.
Change:
Remove/ tweak
INSERT
“In order to create a gentle and respectful space,
– We speak for two minutes.
– We use “I” statements: use I, me, mine to share personal experiences.
– We honor the no crosstalk guidelines found on page 573 of the BRB: we don’t interrupt, comment on or refer to others’ shares; nor do we try to fix anyone.
– If using the chat, we don’t distract others during shares.
– “In ACA, we simply do not make comments either positive or negative about another person’s share before, during, or after a meeting” (p.575, BRB).
This helps us (ourselves and our inner family) feel seen, heard, supported and safe.”
[* Based on my experience as host and room host, as well as attending other ACA meetings, I believe that adding detail/further explanation about how we converse (and what we actually mean by no crosstalk) IN the “breakout room” provides a safer environment and better meeting flow. This also assists with helping the room host guide the meeting due to more clear boundaries. It helps our inner family feel safe and protected.]
Present:
Please set your time for 2 minutes.
Page 7
Paragraph/line 8
Present:
If you are unable to raise your digital hand….
Change:
Keep this new addition.
* This new insert the team added to the script in October gives more clarity.
Are we speaking about people being physically unable to raise their digital hands, or those whose inner children prevent them from raising their hands or speaking up? And, if they are unable to raise their digital hands (physically), why/how would they raise their digital hands now/later, at the top of the hour? Do they or should they/ wave to the camera, etc.?
This NOTE: needs clarification. And terminology for the room host (for page 8).
Page 8
REMOVE: first two paragraphs about cross talk.
Please remember…
We use…
Remove this section from page 8 (it was added in the beginning of room host script in a previous post (11/5, 5:39am)
Line 7
Present:
NOTE: At the top of the hour…
Change:
This NOTE: needs clarification. (How do we invite shares) (see above on page 7, paragraph/ line 8)
On the “those who can’t raise their digital hands”…. Should the room host say something like…
It’s the top of the hour, this is where we pause for anyone doing service in the meeting, or those who are unable to raise their digital hands, either unmute and share, or give a wave to let me know so I can unmute you. Should we delete this part altogether? Was this muting/unmuting created during COVID?
Thank You for your thoughtful ideas. Sadly they arrive rather late in the process. We will very likely be editing the script in the future and perhaps you could express those ideas at that time. If you feel strongly that the proposed script should not be adopted, as is, you can vote “no” when the voting takes place.
Summary of thoughts
Thank you for all your hard work!!
In reviewing this script, the thought occurred to me that we can delete the entire first section. Do we really need to foreshadow everything we are doing before we do it? For instance, why couldn’t the Host/Chair just open with their name, etc. We are 5 years past Covid and most know how to mute and unmute, etc. Similarly, the room host repeats most of page 2 anyway.
Additionally, there have been some concerns during the Group Service meetings, the after meeting/parking lot, etc. about crosstalk, how to handle safety issues, etc., I believe that what’s most important (re: keeping safety) is restating the crosstalk rules, where people can find them, and why we have them. Also, adding a blurb about the room host having the authority to take necessary action to keep the meeting safe. This will allow the room host to put someone in a waiting room/remove them, as well as gently reminding people of time, crosstalk, etc., should they desire, and/or if it becomes necessary.
For example… (proposed change)/ quick intro/welcome
RECOMMENDED CHANGE
INTRO AND WELCOME SECTION
Hello Fellow Travelers. Welcome to the SMR meeting. My name is:___________________ . Let’s have a moment of silence (pause for 3-5 seconds) and open with the serenity prayer.
This is a meditation meeting.
We read from Daily Strengthening My Recovery. [introduce whoever is reading]…
DELETE PAGE 2 completely
INTRODUCTIONS SECTION
WELCOME
GROUP COMFORT RULES/GUIDELINES
TECH HOST
BREAKOUT ROOMS
The breakout room host gives the sequence and guidelines of the sharing portion of the meeting (which includes what was on page 2 anyway).
Page 3 last line
Present:
(That there be no crosstalk…)
RECOMMENDED Change:
DELETE – that there be no crosstalk
INSERT— Instead of “that there be no crosstalk”
“In order to create a safe and kind space together, we honor the no crosstalk guidelines found in the BRB on page 573.”
KEEP/add as the “second sentence”:
The term crosstalk means interrupting, referring to….
INSERT:
We feel it is important to mention this here, as other 12 step programs may not have the same understanding or sensitivity as ACAs, where feelings and perceptions were judged as wrong or defective. In ACA, we create a safe place to open up and share. We also work toward taking more responsibility in our lives rather than giving advice to others. We strive to become our own loving parents.
The deadline to apply, was that November 7, 3025? I saw that previously when I opened “motions/proposals” there were three. 25-9, the after meeting, and one other. I had to dig deep to find this. Can you put it back to the main page? Thank you.
I do have feedback. Yet I need a day to finalize it. Thank you.
Trying to post feedback and it’s not working. I will try again in the morning.
Thanks to all who participated in the script revision process Here are a few of my thoughts after reading the revision.
I would like to see All announcements at the end, not the update trainings before the serenity prayer. I like the idea to those who may not know who to raise their digital hands, educate people how to raise their hand. And I like it when the room host says at the beginning, “when there are no hands raised, we sit in meditative silence …; not say that statement when it is quiet. And the emojis that go up the screen can be distracting for me. And question, are the emoji’s considered cross talk?
I say that we try the revised script as it’s being presented now. Thanks to all who participated in the revision process!
I believe that the proposed script is an improvement over the original script. For example replacing “just chime in” with “participation” is more in keeping with the spirit of the Concepts of Service or the Third Legacy. I think the script has changes that have come from my personal experience in hosting a room. For example, one of the changes that mentions how to raise your digital hand was brought up in an after meeting by a person new to zoom. Some of what I assume is clarity may be confusion to another and prevent a share or participation. Thanks to all for the participation and commitment required over the past weeks/months to develop this revision.
All the proposed changes will likely add around two more minutes of speaking time, which means approximately eight fewer sharing opportunities. Apart from the first change — which I support, as it aims to include people from all over the world — I don’t see the need to adjust something that has been working quite well for almost six years.
I proposed that we delete page 2, as it is stated already (once again) by the RoomHost. I’ve also recommended removing a few other things. That should free up some time.
It isn’t necessarily working as “quite well”, as the business meetings, service meetings, and some of the after meeting/parking lot, discuss host frustrations, and members concerns about cross talk. There is always room for improvement. For example, ACA literature suggests a group inventory as part of a meeting/group practice.
Page 4, referring to “while connections are encouraged…” is a bit confusing. Maybe reword it to say “please also keep in mind that while we encourage members to reach out to one another, emojis sent during or following shares, can be distracting.
I came her to say exactly this. I would just add to the previous point in the script: “Emojis can also be distracting.”
Agree. Could add to the previous point, at the end: “Emojis can also be distracting.”
I got an error message the first time I tried to post a comment, so I hope this isn’t a duplicate.
I believe emojis are also a form of cross talk, based on BRB, Handbook Section, “CrossTalk.”
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