GRIEF AND LOSS ANONYMOUS
Sample LIVE Meeting Format Short version (60-minute meeting)
Welcome to the regular [Hope and Healing or other meeting name] meeting of Grief and Loss Anonymous. My name is ______ and I am recovering from grief and loss. I am the chairperson for today’s meeting. Please unmute and join me in the Serenity Prayer after a moment of silence to remember who we are, why we’re here, and to remember those still suffering from grief and loss, both inside and outside of these rooms.
God, grant me the SERENITY to accept the things I cannot change, the COURAGE to change the things I can, and the WISDOM to know the difference
This is a closed meeting, open only to those who identify as recovering from grief and loss or those determining if this program is right for them. If you are new to G.L.A., we encourage you to attend at least 6 meetings to see if this program is right for you.
May we have a volunteer read the G.L.A. Preamble?
May we have a volunteer read the short version of Characteristics of Powerlessness over Grief and Loss?
May we have a volunteer read the Twelve Steps of G.L.A.?
G.L.A. is non-professional. It is not therapy and offers no treatment of any kind. It is not a social club. It is not a place for dating. If anyone approaches you in a manner that seems inappropriate, we encourage you to share this with another member.
Let's all introduce ourselves. My name is ______ and I am recovering from grief and loss.
Our business meeting is the first week of each month and takes place here on twenty minutes before the general meeting. All are welcome, everyone’s voice is encouraged, and anyone in attendance may vote. Does anyone have any G.L.A. business or announcements?
Are there any birthdays or other G.L.A.-related anniversaries?
In accordance with the Seventh Tradition, G.L.A. is supported entirely through our voluntary contributions. This money pays for our meeting space and other program expenses. The treasurer’s Venmo account will be noted in the basket. This meeting asks that you give $3. Otherwise, give what you can and keep coming back. [If newcomers are present] Newcomers, please be our guest. We're just glad [G.L.A.d ] you're here.
- On the first week of the month, we have an experience, strength, and hope lead on grief and loss.
- The second and fourth weeks are topic weeks, with three topics suggested by those present.
- The third week of the month is a topic lead, the topic chosen by the lead-giver.
- If there is a fifth week of the month, we read the G.L.A. 12 Spiritual Principles of Recovery.
This is the time of the meeting when we share. In sharing we focus on the reading or lead and get current in our G.L.A. recovery. We avoid crosstalk, which means we do not comment directly on another group member's comments and avoid abusive language. Anyone who is uncomfortable with another person’s share may raise their hand and the speaker is asked to respect this person’s discomfort. Shares are limited to [CHAIR’S DISCRETION] and a timer will let the speaker know when time is up. Do we have a volunteer to be the timer? May we hear the time’s up sound?
We speak as the spirit moves us. The floor is now open for comments.
It's now 10 minutes before the meeting ends.
- [If newcomers are present and have not shared] Are there any newcomers who wish to share for up to 3 minutes?
- [If not everyone has shared] May I see a show of hands of those who wish to speak before we close the sharing in 5 minutes. Remaining shares are limited to [CHAIR’S DISCRETION].
- [If everyone has shared] We have some time left before we close. Is there a motion to allow for more sharing before we close this additional sharing time in 5 minutes? [If there is] Is there a second? [If there is a second] We’ll now take a group conscience vote. All those in favor? Against? Abstaining?[Results announced.]
- [If sharing continues] These last shares are limited to [CHAIR’S DISCRETION].
It’s now time to close the meeting. If you didn't get a chance to share and needed to, find someone to talk with after the meeting. Will members willing to be a temporary sponsor please raise your hand? If you’d like to add your name to the meeting phone list, please do so in chat. Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of this program. Everything shared today is to remain confidential.
May I have a volunteer read the
-[ODD WEEKS] 12 Signs of Recovery?
-[EVEN WEEKS] 12 Signs of Sobriety?
To close the meeting, will all those who care to, please stand and join me in the long version of the Serenity Prayer.
“God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the
things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Grant me patience for the changes that
take time, an appreciation for all that I have, tolerance for those with different struggles, and
the strength to get up and try again one day at a time.”
Anything in red refers to text available on the G.L.A. website