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, especially for those attending an ACA meeting, such as Adult Children of Alcoholics. For many individuals, this means a location free of unnecessary noise, distracting surroundings, or physical dangers. It’s advisable to check with local Alano clubs, churches, schools, or civic organizations that offer suitable meeting spaces. Members of other Twelve Step groups may also know of potential meeting locations suitable for dysfunctional families. Some ACA meetings have successfully started in the home of one group member but typically find the need to register ACA meeting in a neutral space within a few months. Don't forget to bring your meeting materials to ensure a productive session.

This section of the ACA text includes many of the readings essential for starting your new ACA meeting. To obtain meeting materials, you can use the Literature Order Form from the ACA website to get a New Meeting Packet. Additionally, you can download literature for Adult Children of Alcoholics at www.adultchildren.org to assist individuals from Dysfunctional Families.

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 for Adult Children of Alcoholics. 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 recovery for Adult Children of Alcoholics and relevant ACA literature. Most new groups find that a discussion format centered on the ACA Twelve Steps, meeting materials such as ACA pamphlets, or chapters from this book, works best. Be sure to register ACA meetings to ensure participation and support.

Hold your first ACA meeting as soon as possible to elect a secretary and determine the meeting format. For assistance, see the information on meeting materials and group officers related to Adult Children of Alcoholics and Dysfunctional Families in this section. If you're looking to register an ACA meeting, this information will also be helpful.

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.