This type of meeting has a format in which individuals share for up to 5 minutes about recovery. One variation is that a topic can be chosen each meeting for members to share on, or they may share their experience strength and hope.

LEADER FORMAT

“Hello, and welcome to the _________________ meeting of Crystal Meth Anonymous.  My name is ______________, and I am a recovering crystal meth addict.”

“After a moment of silence for the addict who still suffers, please join me in the  Serenity Prayer:”

      God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage

      to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.

“I have shared that I am a crystal meth addict. Are there any other crystal meth addicts present? Let's go around the room and introduce ourselves, starting on my right.”

[after the introductions]

“Welcome, if you are seeking recovery, you are in the right place. Thank you for being here and celebrating your recovery with us.”

“We ask that you be considerate of others and silence your cell phones.  Also please limit conversations when others are reading or sharing so as not to distract from the intended focus which is our recovery.”

“Crystal Meth Anonymous is a fellowship of people for whom all drugs, especially crystal meth, have become a problem. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stay clean and lead a sober life. The fellowship advocates complete abstinence from crystal meth, alcohol, medications not taken as prescribed as well as all other mind-altering substances. There are no dues or membership lists – each group is expected to be self-supporting through its own contributions. The Twelve Steps of CMA are suggested to provide us with a plan with which to build a sober, better life. We believe that if we work these simple steps we will live a life free of active crystal meth addiction.”

“This is not meant to embarrass anyone but so that we may get to know you better, would those of us in their first thirty days of recovery please raise your hand and tell us who you are?”

“For those who are new, please don't hesitate to obtain a phone list and stay after the meeting to talk to members who have been around a while, we will be honored to share our experience, strength, and hope with you.”

“The format of this meeting is:  Selected readings; General participation; The 7th Tradition; The presentation of chips, anniversary/birthday celebrations of birthdays, Secretary's announcements and closing.”

I have asked __________ __ to read _______________________.

I have asked_____________ to read _______________________.

I have asked_____________ to read “The Twelve Steps of CMA.” (or “The Twelve Steps and How They Work”)

I have asked_____________ to read _______________________.

[Possible readings include, “What is the Crystal Meth Anonymous Program”, “Are You a Tweaker”, “Today I Can”, “The Twelve Traditions” and “I Can Stay Sober”]

“The meeting is now open for general participation.  At this meeting we discourage cross talk, meaning we don’t interrupt others or comment directly on others’ shares during the meeting.  We also suggest that you have 24 hours of "clean and sober time" and that you limit your sharing to 5 minutes so that all who need to may have time to share.  Also, when sharing, we need to be careful in describing drug effects, as some of us may be triggered, and the desire to use may be heightened.  Please remember the recovery of others and avoid glorifying drugs, locations where drugs can be obtained and drug driven sex.  We realize that this is part of many of our stories and needs discussion, however, the secretary may interrupt and refocus if this gets out of hand.”

[Pre-Selected leader qualifies for 5 minutes followed by open sharing]

 

[On the half hour]

“We are self-supporting by our own contributions, the 7th Tradition will now be observed.  Please keep in mind the money collected is used to pay expenses incurred by our meeting such as rent, chips, coffee, etc.  If you have a meeting slip, please place it in the basket. It will be signed, and will be available for you after the meeting is over.”

“The meeting is again open for general participation.”

[7 to 10 minutes before the meeting should end]

“At this time, we have reached the end of the sharing portion of the meeting.”

“We are pleased to celebrate various lengths of clean time.   Our chip person for this meeting is _______________.”

[after chips]  “Thank you. I now turn this meeting over to our secretary.  Thank you for letting me be of service.”

SECRETARY’S FORMAT

“Let's give a round of applause to ______________ for leading a great meeting tonight!”

“I would also like to thank tonight's readers._____________________________”

“Now let's hear it for those who took chips today.   Especially our newcomers who are, without a doubt, the most important people here!”

Newcomers________________30 days______________60 days____________

90 days______________ 6 months______________ 9 months______________

1 Year______________18 months___________ Multiple Years______________

“And thank you to those who have taken commitments and play an active role in making our meeting a success:”

Set up__________________  Coffee________________

Chips__________________  Greeter________________

“Now let's hear from our:”

Treasurer: _____________________

Literature Person: __________________________

Phone List Person: __________________________

[If there are open commitments]  “Commitments are an important part of our recovery.  Please take an active part in your recovery by accepting one of the following open commitments.” _____________________________________

CMA Announcements [Read by the Secretary]

“May we please see a show of hands of those who are willing to sponsor. If you are looking for a sponsor, please see one of these people after the meeting they will be honored to share their experience, strength and hope with you.”

“We leave a space at the close of this meeting for a burning desire. A burning desire is described as: "I will use if I don't share now!"  Before we close are there any burning desires? (wait for a response) If you didn't get a chance to share please grab someone after the meeting.”

“And finally,

I have asked___________ to read ___________________then to lead us in the Serenity Prayer (or a prayer of his/her choice).  Thank you for letting me be of service.”

[Possible readings here include but are not limited to: “Today I Can”, There is Hope”, “I Can Stay Sober”.}

*POSSIBLE SUGGESTIONS*

Some groups read the 12 Traditions while observing the 7th tradition.  Other groups celebrate clean time before the readings.

At the end of the meeting, you might also ask, "Do we have any non-CMA related announcements?"  And/or remind people to "Please remember to pick up your court cards (or meeting slips) before you leave."

The "Leader" might be a rotating commitment (monthly), or picked by the secretary at the beginning of each meeting. A larger meeting might eliminate some readings to provide more time to share.  Most importantly, use your group conscience to establish your own format.