Need a sample meeting format?

Anonymity and confidentiality are of utmost importance in our meetings remaining safe, non-judgmental spaces. We ask all attendees to remember: "who you see here, what you hear here, when you leave here, let it stay here."

The general format of an OCA meeting is:

• introductions

• format description

• various readings, which may include our blue book foreword, the recovery program description, and the 12 steps

• a topic for discussion or a member qualification (a 10-15 minute share)

• member sharing 3-5 minutes each)

• information regarding group finances

• any announcements

• the promises

• the serenity prayer

You may download any meeting scripts and edit for your meeting's format when viewing a meeting description on our meetings pages, or use the following example, if you choose:


OPENING

(Read) Welcome to the ________ (day of the week) meeting of Obsessive Compulsive Anonymous. My name is ________ and I’m your chairperson for this meeting.

This is a rotating meeting, which means we use a different focus each week, rotating between step, story, qualification and topic. Today's focus is ________. (Read the description for the current week's focus, as provided below.)

• step - our current relation to, or progress in today's step as described in OCA literature

• story - our feelings about or reflections on a story from OCA literature

• a qualification in which (name) will share his or her experience, strength and hope with us, followed by sharing

• topic - a relevant issue, problem, solution or common emotion pertaining to OCD recovery, to be addressed first by the speaker and discussed (optionally) by those who share in the meeting

There is no crosstalk at these meetings - which means we refrain from commenting, criticizing, giving advice or editorializing on what others share in the meeting - to ensure a safe environment for everyone.

It is customary to go around the room at this time and introduce ourselves, using our first names only.

Ask someone to read the Foreword on page iii.

Ask someone to read To Those of Us Who Are "New" to OCD on page vii.

Ask someone to read Some Helpful Suggestions on page 195.

Ask someone to read the Recovery Program and the 12 Steps on page 17.

(Read) Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of our program and a major tool in helping us feel safe to share our OC Disorder with others in the confines of OCA. Would someone please define anonymity? (Who we see here and what is said here is not repeated outside of here.)

The other suggested tools of recovery include meetings, phone calls, abstinence, sponsorship, slogans, service, literature, writing and prayer and meditation.

Ask someone to briefly explain a tool and how it's working for him or her.

The speaker begins the step, story, qualification or topic (approx. 10-20 minutes).

Open the meeting for sharing (participation) and suggest that shares be kept to a maximum of 3 to 5 minutes per person. You may choose to adjust the allotted time per person based on the number of attendees. A timer can be useful for keeping shares moving smoothly. We have found it helpful when sharing to stick to the topic of discussion, although anything may be said by anyone (please respect our 12 Traditions). Crosstalk, or giving advice, feedback or criticism in response to what someone has shared, is not permitted. However, the speaker may comment briefly after a share if he or she chooses. Members often talk with each other after the meeting closes.

TREASURER'S BREAK

At a designated time during the meeting the leader announces a treasurer's break. We have no dues or fees, but are self-supporting through our own contributions. We pass the envelope for those who wish to contribute. The suggested contribution is $2.00. The suggested contribution to the OCA service office is 1/3 of a group's reserve. The literature person presents OCA-sponsored literature. The leader inquires if there are any OCA-related announcements. The meeting is resumed.

CLOSING

Ask someone to read the "promises" on page 34.

(Read) The things you have heard here were given in confidence and should be treated as confidential. The opinions expressed here were strictly those of the individuals who gave them. Talk to each other, reason things out - let there be no gossip or criticism of one another, but only love, understanding and companionship.

Who you see here, what you hear here, when you leave here, let it stay here.

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.

It is suggested that a meeting start and finish on time. Most meetings are 90 minutes in length. For 60 minute meetings, a group conscience may be held if the number of readings should need to be reduced in order to maximize sharing time. In that case, we recommend the foreword, Recovery Program, 12 steps, and promises be included.

We recommend the following be added to all meeting scripts:

Phone calls are a great way to connect with a potential sponsor. We encourage you to reach out and exchange phone numbers with members whose shares you resonated with today. A gentle note for those who are new to OCA: Inappropriate behavior such as manipulating another person in recovery—particularly a newcomer—into a sexual or romantic relationship, or for financial gain, is strongly discouraged here. If you experience or are approached with behavior that feels unsafe or inappropriate, we encourage you to speak with a service member you trust. You may also reach out to one of our OCA Safety Committee members via the contact form on our website or by asking to speak with them directly in a meeting. We suggest all members learn more about safety in OCA by checking out the "Safety in OCA" page on our website. The names of our Safety Committee volunteers can also be found there.