In what ways does your group welcome newcomers?
January’s topic is, “In what ways does your group welcome newcomers?”
As always, you can also write about Al‑Anon’s three Legacies. This month features Step One, Tradition One, and Concept One.
Sharings on the Member Blog may be used in future Al‑Anon publications.
New topics are being added each month!
At my very first Al-Anon meeting, the chairman stopped me in the middle of my share and demanded I leave the meeting. I was shocked and humiliated. I ran to my car, crying, having no idea what I had said or done. Thankfully, another member caught up to me, explaining that I had unknowingly violated the 5th Tradition by interchanging the word “alcoholic” and “addict” when describing my [loved one]. Eventually I returned to Al-Anon and shared this story with my home group. This prompted us to hold a group conscience meeting to decide on a “newcomer policy.” Now, each… Read more »
Unfortunately, after Covid our area in-person meetings lost a lot of members to online meeting platforms. On top of this, our area also changed district boundaries, and we were left with no district leadership, only a handful of group reps, and a small number of long-time members. The people who were left had mostly joined during Covid and didn’t really have experience in greeting newcomers as their own introduction to Al-Anon initially took place online. To help members understand the importance of welcoming newcomers, our District wrote out a “newcomer helpful hints sheet” and distributed this to group reps and… Read more »
I feel my home group provides a very warm and loving welcome to the Newcomer. We let them know we are so grateful they are there. We always share the 3 Cs: You didn’t cause it, you can’t cure it, and you can’t control it, and that being the disease of alcoholism. We provide a local and District Meeting Directory, a current Phone List, a Newcomer Packet, and a copy of How Al-Anon Works. I believe the most important thing is that we stay after the meeting to share with them one on one, if they are receptive. Hugs are… Read more »
My group welcomes everyone as they come in, 10 to 15 minutes before the meeting. In our opening, we share a special welcome for those attending their first meetings. We let them know to look in the chat for newcomer resource links. Our literature chair offers an email to receive a newcomer packet in the mail. We also invite them to join us after the meeting for fellowship where questions can be asked. Members are encouraged to put their contact information in the chat for recovery-related issues. Many members in their share will again welcome those new, so many times… Read more »
Newcomers are very important to us at Finding Hope, AFG in Lutz, FL. It took a little while to get all members to participate since many were new themselves. As the former GR, I always made sure when I was chairing or sharing to express the importance of welcoming new people coming in. Today, we have a service position called Greeter. This person is at the front door of the church. We believe it takes a lot of courage to walk through the doors of Al-Anon. First impression we want to make is by a friendly welcome with a smile… Read more »
I believe that welcoming a newcomer is one of the most important things to do in our program. Not only does is assure the continuity of our fellowship, but it also puts Step Twelve into action in carrying the message to ohers who, like us, have been affected by the disease of alcoholism. Over the years in the program, and having the opportunity to attend meetings in many groups, I have seen various ways adopted by groups. Some groups dedicate the whole meeting to Step One, even if another topic had been planned. Some groups keep the chosen topic, but… Read more »
Usually several members will share about their experience when they were new and what the program has done for them. We give them a phone list and a newcomer’s packet, and a copy of How Al Anon Works. We offer hugs if they’re willing. We encourage them to keep coming back.
Our group struggles with getting the welcome of newcomers just right. We easily slip into making the entire meeting just about the newcomer. We don’t have a designated welcome person (or greeter) but we do have a practice of giving newcomers the How Al-Anon Works book and a Welcome packet. Overall, the balance between allowing the newcomer to feel seen/heard and leaving them feeling like they are in a fishbowl is not always easy.
Just a couple of things that have worked well in groups for Newcomers. When my home group has a Newcomer (NC) we have a brief NC meeting for 5 minutes or so. Members share briefly how the program worked for them and we let the NC know that someone would be willing to chat with them after the meeting if they want to. This group also gives the NC a coin to welcome them. In another regular meeting I attend, the group collects past Forums from members and offers/gives them to NCs as they may not be able to afford… Read more »
Our group is a beginner’s meeting, so we often have Newcomers. It tends to be a small meeting, averaging 5-6 people. We welcome them with a Newcomer packet and meeting schedule. We use the suggested format. Subsequently, the leader shares how they got to Al-Anon, and how they are today (for no more than 10 minutes.) Then others share their stories and the newcomer is encouraged to share if they wish. We allow questions, but no advice. We also encourage them to attend 6 meetings and let them know that each meeting is unique, that we have meetings of 10… Read more »
We love newcomers! Shortly after reading the Al-Anon Welcome, we ask if there are any newcomers, ask their first name and write their name and their first meeting date on an envelope that we pass around for members to sign and share their phone #s. Inside the envelope is the Welcome Newcomer! pamphlet and the local LDC business card. We suggest they attend six meetings to allow themselves to understand what Al-Anon offers, and ask if the newcomer can stay after the meeting for a brief orientation from two members. We also explain that they will get an Al-Anon book… Read more »
Welcoming the Newcomer I chaired an evening Al-Anon meeting that included myself and one newcomer couple. After reading our welcome, passing around the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions to read together, introducing ourselves by first name only, and presenting my topic from a Daily Reader, the room fell quiet. I quickly determined that what I had prepared was not going to give this broken couple the experience, strength, and hope they needed. In a moment of inspiration from my Higher Power, I turned to the Service Manual. Beginning on page 21, the text from the CAL pamphlet Understanding Ourselves and… Read more »
I belong to two groups. Each one welcomes newcomers a little differently. My home group has a member who welcomes the newcomer by mentioning the three Cs; suggesting that they try 6 different meetings to see which one fits; that this is a spiritual program, not a religious program; that although we donate to the basket in keeping with the 7th Tradition, the newcomer should not contribute on their first visit; that we are glad they are there and hope they will “Keep Coming Back”. We give them a “Welcome Newcomer” packet along with a meeting list for our local… Read more »
We have a little group since last summer. We have always taken care to recognize new people to our group. We give them a newcomer booklet, offer our phone numbers and take time to chat with them before and/or after the meeting. After our meeting opening, one member is chosen or volunteers to give a welcome to the new person(s). We explain some basics and ask them to stay after to have a chat or ask questions if they wish. Sometimes we stay sitting, especially if there are several new. I think we are doing a good job of this… Read more »
My young people group hosted a Step 3 speaker meeting titled Let **** Go! Step 3 in Action. As this was feeling and spirit that our young people meeting wanted to do an event in the beginning of the new year. The flier was approved and posted on our local AIS website! We were so excited! Our meeting attracted newcomers and newly attended newcomers who have been coming to our meeting for the past three months. Our event format was a speaker from our group to share on Step 3 followed by a god box/goddess, Universe box making crafting activity,… Read more »
When a newcomer arrives, someone welcomes them and introduces themselves to them. We get them a Newcomers Welcome Packet and a copy of one of the daily readers for them to use during the meeting. We have a welcome letter and confidentiality statement we read. At the end of our topic/message, our group breaks up into small groups. We offer the new person a First Step meeting where the topic speaker and key holder take them into a private room and share with them more about Al-Anon and their own story, and then listen to the new person’s story and… Read more »
I will write from the perspective of a newcomer (from a few years back) because I was so impressed by the welcome I received at my very first meeting. It was Christmas Eve and raining very hard. I arrived at the meeting soaking wet, scared to death, and worried about what to expect. I heard people laughing and thought I must not be in the right place. But I was. I soon realized this was exactly where I needed to be. I was given a newcomer packet and when I left after the meeting, someone ran out to catch me… Read more »