A Few Definitions
12-Step Program
Programs that provide systematic support and guidance to individuals seeking to control an addiction, compulsion, etc. Named after the Twelve Steps, twelve guiding concepts forming part of the Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) program. (adapted from Webster’s New World College Dictionary).
We follow the Practical 12 Steps, an alternative to the original AA Twelve steps , that removes the latter’s reliance on God or a ‘Higher Power’ in favour of rational thought, practical actions and personal responsibility. You probably won’t be too surprised to hear that the program consists of 12 distinct stages (or steps) to be completed in numerical order.
Agnostic
Neither believing or disbelieving in the existence of a God(s).
Anonymity
Anonymity is a key principle of our group. Our meetings are a safe place for discussion and mutual help. Everything you hear (or see) in meetings should not be shared outside the meeting itself.
Atheist
An atheist is a person who believes that there is no God.
Big Book
This is the core text used by most Alcoholics Anonymous groups and contains AA’s original 12 steps. We use an alternative to this (The Blue Book - see below) that does not reference God or religion.
Blue Book
Refers to the book “Staying Sober Without God” by Jeffrey Munn (2019, ISBN-13 978-1-7335880-0-3) which outlines the 12-step programme that we use as a basis for our Long-Term recovery from alcohol.
Group Conscience
A meeting of the members of an AA group to discuss / decide matters affecting the group, such as appointment to meeting roles, what to do with donations etc. Held regularly, usually straight before or after a normal group meeting.
Newcomer Representative
A member of the group responsible for helping new joiners settle in.
Open and Closed Meetings
An open meeting is open to anybody who wants to attend whether they are alcoholics or not. A closed meeting can only be attended by people with a genuine desire to stop drinking.
Preamble
The opening statement read out at meetings by the secretary.
Raised Hand
The raised hand button (circled in red on the picture) let’s you indicate that you would like to speak during a meeting. When you press this, the secretary is alerted and will ask you to unmute when your turn comes around.
If you can’t see the raised hand button, try clicking the ‘participants’ icon at the bottom (or side on some devices) of the screen.
Rationalist
If you describe someone as rationalist, you mean that their beliefs are based on reason and logic rather than emotion or religion (from the Collins English Dictionary, 2020 Edition).
Sponsor
A person that helps guide your personal journey through the 12-Steps described in the Blue Book. Usually an experienced member of the community or a professional therapist / doctor.
Secular
Something that is secular is independent of spiritual or religious matters. In practice, when we say that our secular in nature, we mean that we avoid speaking about God, Religion, Spirituality or a supernatural higher power.
Secretary
A member of the group who facilitates the smooth running of our meetings. The secretary is also the primary contact for our group, and manages all questions / requests etc. Our secretary can be contacted at: contact@soberwithoutgod.com
Service
Voluntary work to support AA (e.g. performing a role such as secretary, new comer rep. etc. for a meeting)
Secretary
A member of the group who facilitates the smooth running of our meetings. The secretary is also the primary contact for our group, and manages all questions / requests etc. Our secretary can be contacted at: contact@soberwithoutgod.com
Tech Host
A member of the group who manages Zoom video controls during an online meeting; updates the group website; and performs any other technology-related tasks for the group
Tradition Seven
Anything related to donation that fund the groups expenses (e.g. website hosting, meeting room hire). This is a reference to tradition 7 of of AA’s 12 traditions which states “Every A.A. group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.”