Hi everybody. My name is Andy and I am an alcoholic... and I'm a little bit scared by this trip to Las Vegas for
Yearly Kos.
I've been sober for a couple of years but I know how my mind works. I'll be alone at this convention with all these people who I regard really highly and admire. That's intimidating to me. I'm going to want to be self-confident so that I can impress these people.
The only way I have ever found to feel instant self-confidence is to drink.
But I don't think I'll have to do that this time. I have an idea that I am hoping my fellow recovering alcoholics, addicts, gamblers, codependents and others can help me pull off. More below flip.
A couple of years ago I attended a Pagan festival and had a lot of the same worries and feelings. But a wonderful woman there did something I had not experienced before - she hosted a 12 step meeting that was open to everyone in any kind of recovery so that we could get to know each other and know who we could talk to if we needed a little help or encouragement. We had drunks, addicts, al-anons and codependents attend that meeting and it was wonderful.
I was thinking we could do something similar.
Gina has agreed to schedule a 12 Step Caucus for those of us in recovery to have a meeting. It is taking place from 7-8am Friday morning June 9th in the Capri room 112 and 113 (they must think a bunch of us are in recovery for some reason). There will be coffee. I'll ask folks to throw in a couple of bucks each to contribute to coffee - we'll be self supporting just like any other 12 Step meeting.
This meeting is open to members of any 12 Step Program or other Recovery program. It would be wonderful to have people with gambling issues, eating disorders, alcoholics, addicts, you know, all the fun people - attend. The idea is to create a safe place where we can meet, get to know each other and then, if that roulette table or whiskey on the rocks is calling your name later, you'll know who you can go to for a helping hand.
I'll be chairing this meeting and my plan was to use the format I was most familiar with - that of Alcoholics Anonymous meetings here in Texas. Below is an outline of how I envisioned the meeting. If you have suggestions for something different, let me know and I will consider it. We want to be as inclusive as possible.
Meeting Opening
My name is ____ and I am a ____. I'd like to start by having a moment of silence followed by 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.
Paraphrased A.A. Preamble
Hello and welcome to the first annual YearlyKos 12 Step Caucus!
The YearlyKos 12 Step Caucus is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problems and help others to maintain their recovery.
The only requirement for membership is a desire to remain in recovery. There are no dues or fees. This 12 Step Caucus is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy, neither endorses nor opposes any causes. Our primary purpose is to stay in recovery and help others to do so as well.
Introduction
Let's go around the room an introduce ourselves by stating our first name and if you wish, what you are in recovery for or what concern brings you here.
Go round the room
Topic
Put any topic suggestions in comments!
Please feel free to speak on this topic or anything that is important to you right now.
Sharing
Close
Pass the hat or basket or whatever to take up a collection for the coffee and donuts
In Texas we close with the Lord's Prayer. I'd prefer we end with the Serenity prayer.
Couple of quick things to wrap up this diary: no, I am not suggesting that this take the place of other recovery meetings, nor am I suggesting this type of thing for long term recovery. The idea is just a one time thing to help those who (like me) know they will be tempted while at the convention. Short term solution for a short term problem.
Regarding the serenity prayer - I don't want atheists and agnostics to feel left out, yet I feel it is important to invite a Higher Power into the meeting. So unless everyone hates it, the Serenity Prayer stays.
And finally, anyone is welcome. If a conservative wingnut shows up, s/he's welcome in this meeting. This is not about partisanship - it is about recovery. If a reporter shows up, so long as they are showing up as someone in recovery, not as a reporter, they are welcome. Once the meeting is over we can get back to politics, but for this one hour in this one location, it is all about recovery.
So remember, Friday, June 9th at 7am in the Capri Room. Hope I see you there!