How to Start an ACA Meeting

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We need more ACA meetings for Adult Children of Alcoholics and those from Dysfunctional Families to be established. It only takes two people to form a meeting, but you can even do it with just one. Don’t forget to gather your meeting materials and register your ACA meeting to get started!

A group needs a safe place to meet.  For many  this is  a location free of unnecessary noise, distracting surroundings, or physical dangers. Check with local Alano Clubs, Churches, Schools, or Civic organizations that  have meeting spaces. Members of other Twelve Step groups may also know of possible meeting locations. Some meetings have successfully started in the home of one group member, but usually found the need to move into a neutral space within a few months. 

This section of the ACA text contains many of the readings you will need to start your new  meeting. You can use the Literature Order Form from the ACA website to get a New Meeting Packet. You  can also download  ACA Literature from the  ACA WEBSITE at www.adultchildren.org and www.acawso.org

Complete and mail a Meeting Registration Form to the World Service Office at P.O. Box 3216, Torrance, CA, 90510, to register your new ACA meeting. This step ensures that the information about your gathering is posted on our website, helping fellow Adult Children of Alcoholics who come from dysfunctional families to find support. You can obtain a Meeting Registration Form from our website or by writing directly to the WSO, where you can also find meeting materials.

Get the word out about your new ACA meeting . Tell your friends and consider attending a few Twelve Step meetings such as AA, NA, or CA to connect with others before and after the meetings. It’s best to avoid announcing your new meeting during the AA, NA, or CA gatherings, as this would violate the group’s Traditions. You can also create promotional meeting materials like flyers for your new ACA meeting and leave copies at other Twelve Step meetings. Additionally, posting your flyer at local referral centers or business offices that assist people seeking recovery is a great idea—just remember to ask for permission first. Contact your local newspaper to have your ACA meeting listed alongside other Twelve Step meetings. Ensure the announcement includes essential details like the time, place, and focus of the meetings. While promotion can help, it’s not strictly necessary for your meeting.

Begin the new ACA meeting with a focus on  ACA Recovery and  ACA Literature. Most new groups do best by having a discussion format that focuses on the ACA Twelve Steps,  ACA pamphlets, or chapters from this book. 

Hold your first ACA Business Meeting as soon as possible to elect service positions and determine the meeting format. 

For help, go to the  ACA  BIG BOOK pgs. 594-606

For more information about ACA meetings and resources for Adult Children of Alcoholics, please contact us at (310) 534-1815. You can also visit our website, adultchildren.org, to find meeting materials and register for an ACA meeting geared towards those from dysfunctional families.