Closed Meetings – These meetings are meant specifically for any person that has a desire to stop drinking. Anyone that has a desire to quit drinking is welcome to attend closed meetings. People interested in the program of AA and don’t have a problem with alcohol are welcome to attend Open meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Discussion Meetings – These meetings focus on topics related to recovery in AA. Topics can include sections from the literature of AA, to personal issues related to sobriety.

First 164 – This is a reference to the main text of AA. Whenever this term is used in a meeting description, the focus of the group is on the first 164 pages of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Membership – The only requirement for membership in AA is the desire to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees for membership. “Joining” AA means that you are showing up to the meetings and carrying the message of recovery. Anonymity is fundamental to the success of AA. There is no requirement to share personal information.

Men Only Meetings – Some meetings of AA are gender specific. Men only meetings allow men to focus on recovery without the influence of socializing with the opposite sex.

Open Meetings – These meetings are open to the public. Many times these are Speaker Meetings where members of Alcoholics Anonymous share their stories or offer their interpretation of the literature of AA. Typically there is time towards the end of these meetings for attendees to share and reflect on the comments presented.

Speaker Meeting – These meetings are usually open meetings where members of Alcoholics Anonymous and/or Al-anon share their stories or offer their interpretation of the literature of AA. Typically there is time towards the end of these meetings for attendees to share and reflect on the comments presented.

Step or Steps 1,2,3 or Steps 3 & 11 – Refers to the twelve steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. Meetings with this listing usually cycle through the steps on a weekly basis. Some AA groups focus on specific steps. Please refer to the individual meeting posts for details.

Tradition – Usually refers to one of the twelve traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous. These traditions were developed as a framework to help the fellowship of AA develop and maintain practical, healthy, and sensible relationship within itself and with the community it serves.

Women Only Meetings – Some meetings of AA are gender specific. Women only meetings allow women to focus on recovery without the influence of socializing with the opposite sex.