Group Inventory Format - Bluidkiti's Alcohol and Drug Addictions Recovery Help/Support Forums

bluidkiti · 09-01-2013, 11:47 AM

Group Inventory Format

Welcome to the "_______________________" group inventory. My name is ______ and I'm an alcoholic. Let's go around the room and introduce ourselves.

We will start by reading a passage from page 63 and 64 from the Big Book...

"Next we launched out on a course of vigorous action, the first step of which is a personal housecleaning, which many of us had never attempted. Though our decision was a vital and crucial step, it could have little permanent effect unless at once followed by a strenuous effort to face, and to be rid of, the things in ourselves which had been blocking us. Our liquor was but a symptom. So we had to get down to causes and conditions. Therefore, we started upon a personal inventory."

Would you please join me in the Third Step prayer followed by 5 minutes of silence for meditation. God, I offer myself to thee...

Would anyone who came in late please identify themselves...

Now is a good time to make any other announcements specific to your group...

I will now read a paragraph on "Group Inventory" from the pamphlet "The AA Group"

Many groups periodically hold a "group inventory meeting" to evaluate how well they are fulfilling their primary purpose: to help alcoholics recover through A.A.'s suggested Twelve Steps of recovery. Some groups take inventory by examining our Twelve Traditions, one at a time, to determine how well they are living up to these principles.
Groups interested in taking regular inventory will find a review of the Tenth Step helpful. The following questions, compiled from A.A. shared experience, may be useful in arriving at an informed group conscience.. Groups will probably wish to add questions of their own."

Past inventories have shown us not to use this time to make motions and vote on new issues, when we did, this process took weeks rather than a few hours. This process is useful for arriving at an informed group conscience. We will individually as well as assign someone from the group to take notes of what comes up and bring those issues of importance to our regular business meetings. So no motions for changes of our meeting will be presented during this inventory process. The point will be continually stressed that this is not about business, it's about discussion. Questions will be allowed to anyone, from anyone through-out the inventory.

For new revisions go to www.thejaywalker.com

Following questions quoted from the A.A. pamphlet â€œThe AA Groupâ€

"The following questions, compiled from A.A. shared experience, may be useful in arriving at an informed group conscience. Groups will probably wish to add questions of their own:"

I will read each question out load for the groups consideration. Notes will be taken of suggestions given by the group for considerations to bring up in the business meeting (group conscious).

1. What is the basic purpose of the group?

2. What more can the group do to carry the message?

3. Is the group attracting alcoholics from different backgrounds? Are we seeing a good cross-section of our community?

4. Do new members stick with us, or does the turnover seem excessive? If so, why? What can we as a group do?

5. Do we emphasize the importance of sponsorship? How effectively? How can we do better?

6. Are we careful to preserve the anonymity of our group members and other A.A.s outside the meeting rooms? Do we also leave the confidences they share at meetings behind?

7. Do we take the time to explain to all members the value to the group of keeping up with the kitchen/housekeeping chores and other essential services that are part-and-parcel of our Twelfth Step efforts?

8. Are all members given the opportunity to speak at meetings and to participate in other group activities?

9. Mindful that holding office is a great responsibility not to be viewed as the outcome of a popularity contest, are we choosing our officers with care?

10. Are we doing all we can to provide an attractive meeting place?

11. Does the group do its fair share toward participating in the purpose of A.A. â€” as it relates to our Three Legacies of Recovery, Unity, and Service?

12. What has the group done lately to bring the A.A. message to the attention of professionals in the communityâ€”the physicians, clergy, court officials, educators, and others who are often the first to see alcoholics in need of help?

13. How is the group fulfilling its responsibility to the Seventh Tradition?

Does anyone have any questions of your own to add for consideration?

For new revisions go to www.thejaywalker.com

Is Our Group Aligned With The Twelve Traditions?

From the pamphlet "The AA Group."
"Some groups take inventory by examining our Twelve Traditions, one at a time, to determine how well they are living up to these principles."

The following questions were taken from the core of what is said in the Big Book page 564 568 and the Twelve and Twelve. I will read the corresponding Tradition out of the Big Book then the consideration. If you can answer yes to any of these it is against the Twelve Traditions

One: Does our group put the interests of any individual above the welfare of the group or of AA as a whole?

Two: Does our group do anything that misrepresents the conscience of the majority of the group?

Three: Does our group exclude anyone with a drinking problem from attending the group?

Four: Does our group do anything that does not conform to AA principles and affect other groups or AA as a whole?

Five: Does our group do anything that conflicts with our carrying the AA message to alcoholics who want a way out from their drinking problem?

Six: Does anything we do affiliate, endorse or bind the group, actual or implied, to any related facility or outside enterprise?

Seven: Are donations received from anyone other than an AA member?

Eight: Are there any fees besides meeting expenses being charged for Twelve Step work,
ie: fellowship, sponsoring, step work, counseling?

Nine: Is there a governing individual or exclusive group authority that dictates organization?

Ten: Does our group do anything that publicly states an opinion or takes sides on any issues or controversy outside of AA?

Eleven: At the general public level of press, radio, film, and television, does the group publicize any individual AA member's name or picture as a self-appointed representative of AA?

Twelve: Does our group give personal distinction to any AA member either among fellow alcoholics or the general public that puts their opinions above the conscience of the group or AA?

For new revisions go to www.thejaywalker.com

bluidkiti · 09-01-2013, 11:48 AM

THE GROUP TENTH STEP
INTO ACTION~CHAPTER 6

Taken from the Big Book of AA and the book "Big Book Awakening"
Adapted by author from considerations for a personal 10th Step in his book
"Big Book Awakening" http://BigBookAwakening.Com

Quoted from the pamphlet "The AA Group"
"Groups interested in taking regular inventory will find a review of the Tenth Step helpful."

Read the Big Book one paragraph at a time from pg.84 through pg.85 and consider the following questions which have been compiled from the Big Book and A.A. shared experience, taking notes of considerations for later discussion.

pg.84-paragraph 2-line 2
How have I focused on or blamed others in the group rather than to continue to take personal inventory of my own conduct? Have I failed to set right any of my own mistakes as I’ve gone along?

pg.84-paragraph 2-line 5
Have I entered the world of the Spirit, the ability to go to that place within and bring that out into the group?

pg.84-paragraph 2-line 6
How have I lacked understanding and effectiveness in my group?

pg.84-paragraph 2-line 8
How have I exhibited selfishness, dishonesty, resentment, and fear in my group? And When these crop up, have I ignored them and just stayed in self instead of discussing them with someone immediately and not made amends even if I have harmed anyone? Have I focused my thoughts only on myself and how I can meet my own needs?

pg.84-paragraph 2-line 14
How have I been unloving and intolerant towards others in my group and not made Love and tolerance of others my code?

pg.84-paragraph 3-line 1
How have I personally continued fighting anything or anyone in the group?

pg.85-paragraph 1-line 1
How have I personally let up on my spiritual program of action and rested on my laurels, believing that what has been achieved or accomplished in the group is enough or all there is?

pg.85-paragraph 1-line 4
Have I failed to seek growth and maintenance of my spiritual condition? How has that effected my group?

pg.85-paragraph 1-line 6
How have my thoughts or actions been self serving rather than trying to carry the vision of God’s will into all of my groups activities, “How can I best serve Me?"

pg.85-paragraph 2-line 4
Have I personally sensed the flow of God’s Spirit in the group and To some extent have I become God-conscious. Receiving strength, inspiration, and direction from God through the goup?

pg.85-paragraph 2-line 7 and pg.85-paragraph 3-line 1
To grow in understanding and effectiveness we must go further and that means more action. In prayer and meditation consider what thoughts have come and what actions may be taken to move the group beyond where it is today?

Final discussion on inventory:

This next part of the process is comparable to Steps 5&6, acknowledging out loud the things we found objectionable in our inventory, the defects we have found (5), and becoming ready to bring everything to God as manifested through our group conscious (6). Experience has shown that failure to follow through with this at a group level is comparable to not doing Step 6&7.

We will now discuss each item we've listed from our inventory. Remember, this is about discussion, no motions will be made at this time. Following discussion on each item we will vote whether or not it's necessary to bring it to our regular business meetings (group conscious) for further consideration. If there are a lot of things on our list we can vote by show of hands on their importance and bring them to the group - most important first.

In closing the inventory:
Is there any Secretaries announcements?...
Thank you all for your participating in the group inventory.
Let's close with the Seventh Step Prayer..."My Creator, I am now willing ..."
http://www.thejaywalker.com/pages/grouptenth.html

*You can also download a printable .pdf version of this group inventory at that link above.

09-01-2013, 11:47 AM	#1
bluidkiti Administrator Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 74,204	Group Inventory Format Group Inventory Format Welcome to the "_______________________" group inventory. My name is ______ and I'm an alcoholic. Let's go around the room and introduce ourselves. We will start by reading a passage from page 63 and 64 from the Big Book... "Next we launched out on a course of vigorous action, the first step of which is a personal housecleaning, which many of us had never attempted. Though our decision was a vital and crucial step, it could have little permanent effect unless at once followed by a strenuous effort to face, and to be rid of, the things in ourselves which had been blocking us. Our liquor was but a symptom. So we had to get down to causes and conditions. Therefore, we started upon a personal inventory." Would you please join me in the Third Step prayer followed by 5 minutes of silence for meditation. God, I offer myself to thee... Would anyone who came in late please identify themselves... Now is a good time to make any other announcements specific to your group... I will now read a paragraph on "Group Inventory" from the pamphlet "The AA Group" Many groups periodically hold a "group inventory meeting" to evaluate how well they are fulfilling their primary purpose: to help alcoholics recover through A.A.'s suggested Twelve Steps of recovery. Some groups take inventory by examining our Twelve Traditions, one at a time, to determine how well they are living up to these principles. Groups interested in taking regular inventory will find a review of the Tenth Step helpful. The following questions, compiled from A.A. shared experience, may be useful in arriving at an informed group conscience.. Groups will probably wish to add questions of their own." Past inventories have shown us not to use this time to make motions and vote on new issues, when we did, this process took weeks rather than a few hours. This process is useful for arriving at an informed group conscience. We will individually as well as assign someone from the group to take notes of what comes up and bring those issues of importance to our regular business meetings. So no motions for changes of our meeting will be presented during this inventory process. The point will be continually stressed that this is not about business, it's about discussion. Questions will be allowed to anyone, from anyone through-out the inventory. For new revisions go to www.thejaywalker.com Following questions quoted from the A.A. pamphlet â€œThe AA Groupâ€ "The following questions, compiled from A.A. shared experience, may be useful in arriving at an informed group conscience. Groups will probably wish to add questions of their own:" I will read each question out load for the groups consideration. Notes will be taken of suggestions given by the group for considerations to bring up in the business meeting (group conscious). 1. What is the basic purpose of the group? 2. What more can the group do to carry the message? 3. Is the group attracting alcoholics from different backgrounds? Are we seeing a good cross-section of our community? 4. Do new members stick with us, or does the turnover seem excessive? If so, why? What can we as a group do? 5. Do we emphasize the importance of sponsorship? How effectively? How can we do better? 6. Are we careful to preserve the anonymity of our group members and other A.A.s outside the meeting rooms? Do we also leave the confidences they share at meetings behind? 7. Do we take the time to explain to all members the value to the group of keeping up with the kitchen/housekeeping chores and other essential services that are part-and-parcel of our Twelfth Step efforts? 8. Are all members given the opportunity to speak at meetings and to participate in other group activities? 9. Mindful that holding office is a great responsibility not to be viewed as the outcome of a popularity contest, are we choosing our officers with care? 10. Are we doing all we can to provide an attractive meeting place? 11. Does the group do its fair share toward participating in the purpose of A.A. â€” as it relates to our Three Legacies of Recovery, Unity, and Service? 12. What has the group done lately to bring the A.A. message to the attention of professionals in the communityâ€”the physicians, clergy, court officials, educators, and others who are often the first to see alcoholics in need of help? 13. How is the group fulfilling its responsibility to the Seventh Tradition? Does anyone have any questions of your own to add for consideration? For new revisions go to www.thejaywalker.com Is Our Group Aligned With The Twelve Traditions? From the pamphlet "The AA Group." "Some groups take inventory by examining our Twelve Traditions, one at a time, to determine how well they are living up to these principles." The following questions were taken from the core of what is said in the Big Book page 564 568 and the Twelve and Twelve. I will read the corresponding Tradition out of the Big Book then the consideration. If you can answer yes to any of these it is against the Twelve Traditions One: Does our group put the interests of any individual above the welfare of the group or of AA as a whole? Two: Does our group do anything that misrepresents the conscience of the majority of the group? Three: Does our group exclude anyone with a drinking problem from attending the group? Four: Does our group do anything that does not conform to AA principles and affect other groups or AA as a whole? Five: Does our group do anything that conflicts with our carrying the AA message to alcoholics who want a way out from their drinking problem? Six: Does anything we do affiliate, endorse or bind the group, actual or implied, to any related facility or outside enterprise? Seven: Are donations received from anyone other than an AA member? Eight: Are there any fees besides meeting expenses being charged for Twelve Step work, ie: fellowship, sponsoring, step work, counseling? Nine: Is there a governing individual or exclusive group authority that dictates organization? Ten: Does our group do anything that publicly states an opinion or takes sides on any issues or controversy outside of AA? Eleven: At the general public level of press, radio, film, and television, does the group publicize any individual AA member's name or picture as a self-appointed representative of AA? Twelve: Does our group give personal distinction to any AA member either among fellow alcoholics or the general public that puts their opinions above the conscience of the group or AA? For new revisions go to www.thejaywalker.com __________________ "No matter what you have done up to this moment, you get 24 brand-new hours to spend every single day." --Brian Tracy AA gives us an opportunity to recreate ourselves, with God's help, one day at a time. --Rufus K. When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on. --Franklin D. Roosevelt We stay sober and clean together - one day at a time! God says that each of us is worth loving.

09-01-2013, 11:48 AM	#2
bluidkiti Administrator Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 74,204	THE GROUP TENTH STEP INTO ACTION~CHAPTER 6 Taken from the Big Book of AA and the book "Big Book Awakening" Adapted by author from considerations for a personal 10th Step in his book "Big Book Awakening" http://BigBookAwakening.Com Quoted from the pamphlet "The AA Group" "Groups interested in taking regular inventory will find a review of the Tenth Step helpful." Read the Big Book one paragraph at a time from pg.84 through pg.85 and consider the following questions which have been compiled from the Big Book and A.A. shared experience, taking notes of considerations for later discussion. pg.84-paragraph 2-line 2 How have I focused on or blamed others in the group rather than to continue to take personal inventory of my own conduct? Have I failed to set right any of my own mistakes as I’ve gone along? pg.84-paragraph 2-line 5 Have I entered the world of the Spirit, the ability to go to that place within and bring that out into the group? pg.84-paragraph 2-line 6 How have I lacked understanding and effectiveness in my group? pg.84-paragraph 2-line 8 How have I exhibited selfishness, dishonesty, resentment, and fear in my group? And When these crop up, have I ignored them and just stayed in self instead of discussing them with someone immediately and not made amends even if I have harmed anyone? Have I focused my thoughts only on myself and how I can meet my own needs? pg.84-paragraph 2-line 14 How have I been unloving and intolerant towards others in my group and not made Love and tolerance of others my code? pg.84-paragraph 3-line 1 How have I personally continued fighting anything or anyone in the group? pg.85-paragraph 1-line 1 How have I personally let up on my spiritual program of action and rested on my laurels, believing that what has been achieved or accomplished in the group is enough or all there is? pg.85-paragraph 1-line 4 Have I failed to seek growth and maintenance of my spiritual condition? How has that effected my group? pg.85-paragraph 1-line 6 How have my thoughts or actions been self serving rather than trying to carry the vision of God’s will into all of my groups activities, “How can I best serve Me?" pg.85-paragraph 2-line 4 Have I personally sensed the flow of God’s Spirit in the group and To some extent have I become God-conscious. Receiving strength, inspiration, and direction from God through the goup? pg.85-paragraph 2-line 7 and pg.85-paragraph 3-line 1 To grow in understanding and effectiveness we must go further and that means more action. In prayer and meditation consider what thoughts have come and what actions may be taken to move the group beyond where it is today? Final discussion on inventory: This next part of the process is comparable to Steps 5&6, acknowledging out loud the things we found objectionable in our inventory, the defects we have found (5), and becoming ready to bring everything to God as manifested through our group conscious (6). Experience has shown that failure to follow through with this at a group level is comparable to not doing Step 6&7. We will now discuss each item we've listed from our inventory. Remember, this is about discussion, no motions will be made at this time. Following discussion on each item we will vote whether or not it's necessary to bring it to our regular business meetings (group conscious) for further consideration. If there are a lot of things on our list we can vote by show of hands on their importance and bring them to the group - most important first. In closing the inventory: Is there any Secretaries announcements?... Thank you all for your participating in the group inventory. Let's close with the Seventh Step Prayer..."My Creator, I am now willing ..." http://www.thejaywalker.com/pages/grouptenth.html *You can also download a printable .pdf version of this group inventory at that link above. __________________ "No matter what you have done up to this moment, you get 24 brand-new hours to spend every single day." --Brian Tracy AA gives us an opportunity to recreate ourselves, with God's help, one day at a time. --Rufus K. When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on. --Franklin D. Roosevelt We stay sober and clean together - one day at a time! God says that each of us is worth loving.

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