This Could Be Your Group

I AM an alcoholic. I belong to a group in Charlotte, N. Car. In all of our group meetings, whether open or closed, the secretary or the presiding member asks if there are any new members, guests or visiting AAs. The visiting AA is asked to introduce himself to the group and to say a few words if he cares to. When the program chairman has concluded the program and turns the meeting back to the secretary for closing, the secretary again asks if there are any visiting AAs who were not recognized at the beginning of the meeting (for the benefit of those who might have come in late) and as before, these are asked if they would like to say something. Immediately after the closing prayer, our members introduce themselves to the visitor and in turn introduce him around to the rest of the members. He is offered coffee and cake and generally made to feel at home and at ease. More often than not, one of the members will ask a few members and the visiting AA to "drop by for some coffee or coke" on the way home.