Document 2: Meeting Essentials
Introduction
The purpose of FA meetings is twofold: to help members get and stay abstinent and to carry the message of hope to newcomers. Registered FA meetings occur in-person, and by videoconference and phone. While the meeting type may vary, all FA meetings exist so that members can share their experience, strength, and hope with newcomers and each other. When starting new meetings, or attending existing ones, FA members typically select a time that supports abstinence – times that lie outside of meals, sponsee calls, quiet time, or sleep.
The FA Meeting Formats and Meeting Requirements ensure that wherever a food addict travels in the world, whether in person or via phone or video, that person will experience FA recovery. Registered FA in-person meetings are required to meet in a public facility and set chairs in rows. This encourages members to focus their attention on the speaker rather than themselves or the group. All groups are also required to meet for 90-minutes, with a break half-way through to greet the newcomer. Rather than ending early, members can share again or read a short piece of FA literature (e.g., Connection, the Just for Today card, etc.). There are several additional factors to consider to ensure that FA meetings are welcoming, inviting, and effective.
Sharing (for all meeting types)
Overcoming Isolation. Prior to reading, sharing, or qualifying, FA members begin by saying their first name only, and identifying themselves as a food addict. At in-person meetings, members who are able, stand in front of the room to speak (even when the group is small), as facing the group helps food addicts feel they are part of the group. Similarly, many members at video-conference meetings find that displaying their video throughout the duration of the meeting helps them to overcome their isolation.
Maintaining Neutrality. To keep the message of recovery clearly universal, members avoid the use of specific religious terms or references when sharing. FA is focused on recovery from food addiction through a spiritual program that has no opinion regarding any religion. For the same reason, members avoid sharing on political topics. It is best to avoid references to inside jokes and personal experiences shared with other fellows. It’s always best to keep the focus on our own experience.
Focusing on Addiction. The Fifth Tradition emphasizes that the purpose of every FA meeting is to share the message of recovery with newcomers. Only members with 90 days or more of continuous abstinence in FA who are working with an FA sponsor are invited to share their experience, strength, and hope. Members talk about their experience in food addiction, describe what happened when they joined FA, and share about what their lives are like now. This kind of sharing is vital for newcomers who need to know that they are not alone, and reminds existing members where they come from. Extensive sharing about problems at work, family issues, and other personal matters are best left to phone calls and private conversations.
Avoiding Crosstalk. Crosstalk means interrupting, referring to, commenting on, or using the content of what another person has shared. This practice can make the original speaker feel judged or misunderstood, especially if something they shared has been taken out of its intended context. Even well-meaning praise can feel like unsolicited advice, opinion, or commentary. Members are encouraged to stick to “I” statements and avoid using “you.” A better time to personally relate to a member’s share is a one-to-one conversation during the break, after the meeting, or on a phone call. Avoiding comments directed to an individual keeps us in the moment and allows us to share authentically. In that spirit, leaders refrain from ad-libbing when reading the format and members avoid making comments during the meeting.
Best Practices
Reaching Out to Newcomers and Returning Members. The Fifth Tradition reminds us that we are all responsible for carrying the message to the newcomer. This is especially before, after, and during the break at each meeting, and at all types of meetings. Whether in person or in a breakout room, members are encouraged to help newcomers find a sponsor and exchange phone numbers. A special effort should be taken to welcome those who are returning to the program.
Being Present. During virtual meetings,it is important to be alone in the room without people and pets, and to not multitask (e.g.,including household chores, handicrafts, or being on any other device). And sometimes, because we are all human, members may feel sleepy at meetings or find it hard to stay focussed. One solution to this is to stand at one’s chair/desk if at home or on the phone, and toward the back of the room at an in-person meeting.
Group Conscience. Group conscience is the collective opinion of a meeting’s members, usually as the result of a discussion and/or vote at business meetings. Some examples of decisions that can be made by group conscience include the meeting format type (e.g. qualification, literature, sharing, speaker recording), additional meeting disciplines, and conversations relevant to the health of the meeting.
Small Meetings. Even when meetings are small, members are encouraged to read just one tool at a time. Small meetings can make use of a variety of FA meeting format options.
Meeting Logistics
Facility. All members are best served when in-person meetings are held in places that are religiously neutral, such as hospitals, libraries, and community centers. If a religious space is the only option, parish halls, Sunday school rooms, or any place other than the sanctuary or worship hall are suitable for meetings. A meeting’s leader should never sit by an altar or speak from a pulpit, bimah, or any other location identified with a religious celebrant.
Accessibility. Many FA members or newcomers to in-person meetings use wheelchairs, walkers, or may have physical difficulties related to weight. Meetings best maintain accessibility when they find meeting rooms and places that are a short walk from the parking lot or main entrance, avoiding rooms with steep stairs, tight aisles, or chairs with narrow seats and arms.
Literature.At in-person meetings literature should be neatly displayed on a table or other surface ten minutes before the meeting begins. Only Conference-approved and board-approved literature (Twenty-Four Hours A Day, Alcoholics Anonymous, The Little Red Book, The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, Connection magazine, and all FA pamphlets and books) belong on the literature table along with meeting directories, phone lists, and communications from World Service, intergroups, and chapters. At video conference meetings this literature is posted in the chat function for members to access.
Signs. For in-person meetings, groups use laminated signs to direct newcomers from the parking lot to the meeting room. Some have found that lawn signs are helpful. To protect anonymity, signs should be labeled “FA Meeting” instead of “Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous Meeting.”
Meeting Format. To assist members with impaired vision at in-person meetings, an FA meeting format may be printed in large font. A meeting may also order a Braille format from the FA office.
Hearing Impairment. For in-person meetings, sound equipment is encouraged in large rooms or when a member has difficulty hearing. Often, groups can use the equipment at their facility. Interpreters must abide by a strict code of confidentiality, so members need not be concerned about anonymity. During a literature meeting, some groups may decide to read the selected material from the front of the room. During video conference meetings, if a member requires closed captioning, there are online options available for this service.
Service Animals. Persons with service dogs are welcome. Members are asked not to bring companion/therapy animals or pets into meetings.
Medical Needs. At in-person meetings, the group is encouraged to make an effort at the monthly business meeting to understand and accommodate the needs of members with medical issues such as chemical sensitivities. A statement addressing the issue could be added to the list of meeting disciplines.
Phone access. Ensure Meeting Contacts have the meeting dial-in phone number and meeting ID/passcode available for newcomers/members who do not have access to the internet.
For Additional Help
MESA (the Meeting Effectiveness, Support, and Assistance subcommittee of the World Service Twelfth Step Committee) is available for any questions or concerns. MESA can be reached at mesa@foodaddicts.org.
In rare instances, groups need to address behavior or comments that are disruptive to the meeting. Guidance can be found here and members can contact MESA for additional support.
Revised June 2024