TIPS
& GUIDELINES TO START
SOS GROUPS!
1) Starting your own Group
2)
Suggested Group Opening Statement
3) The
SOS International Advisory Board
 
Starting
a Group
 Two
people (the bigger the better, as it
always seems like more)
Enthusiasm, Patience & Perseverance. (secular
angels are always welcome)
 A
Meeting Place - community rooms, libraries, schools, colleges,
hospitals, etc.,
Date, time and length of
meeting - when best for the majority. 1-1.5
hours.
Group Name
-
whatever suits your group, language, culture.
Agenda
-
1) chairperson or another reads out SOS Opening Statement (below).
2) sharing - speaking in turn voluntarily, without comment from others)
3) cross-talk - friendly comments from others about others where asked
for.
4) Discussion topic (optional)- introduced for 5-20 mins by member. e.g.
«Sobriety Priority, Abstinence, Urges & Cravings, Feelings, Emotions,
Denial,
Medical base of addiction, Medical problems from addiction, Xmas, Holidays,
Family, Work,
My story, Relapse, Anger, Guilt, Joy, Sober living », etc.,
Officers
-
elected secretary, treasurer, literature organiser. Rotating chairperson
Money
-
There is no membership fee. But a collection is held so people can give what
they wish or are able
Business
-
practical questions for the running of the group.
Closing the meeting
-
no formalities, thank all for coming, give time and agenda for next meeting.
 Publicity
- Produce leaflets, letters of introduction. Mail them to hospitals, doctors,
clinics, associations,
Press releases to newspapers, radio, TV, etc., Pin fliers to notice boards.
Visit other recovery groups.
Offer to speak at professional bodies or other meetings.
Inform details to European and US Website and International Clearing House by
post or e-mail asap!
THINGS
YOU DON'T NEED!
A Charter. SOS groups are independent
A Higher Power, 1200 steps, Belief in God
(a private issue)
A Sponsor ,
People saying "Hi! My name is Hydro, again. Hi! Hydro, again"
A Serenity Prayer, Intolerance of other
people's beliefs.
Someone telling you how to live your life.
WHAT
YOU WILL GET!
Anonymity and confidentiality. Support and
advice on your recovery. Being treated as a responsible adult. Respect for you
as a unique individual, and respect for others' views and paths. Democratic
discussions and time for all to speak. We welcome healthy debate. A scientific
understanding of your illness. Self-empowerment and individual responsibility.
An approach, with methods and tips which you can adapt to suit your own path to
recovery. (see - sobriety priority )
Although, we disagree with 12 step
programmes (as a method for us), try to avoid allowing meetings to turn into
AA/NA bashing affairs. Get on with your own Sobriety. SOS is about Getting
Real. This means we tend to talk about the good and bad things of life here
and now in our efforts to get and stay sober/clean . This doesn't mean it
isn't important to use the bad experiences of our past drinking/using at a
personal and group level to help us keep sober or help others. (see limbic
lizard But we do it as appropriate and not as a ritual or guilt trip.
Sobriety is about reclaiming your life and the group contributions are to help
us do that. The group facilitates self-empowerment and the development of
individual responsibility for your illness in a serious, but friendly and
relaxed atmosphere.
Many groups have both alcoholics and other
drug addicts together; overeaters, gamblers as well; friends and family and
sufferers together; some have separate SOS Family and Friends groups, others
form Womens' Groups. Do what suits you and your group to deal with addiction!
FOR HELP AND ADVICE ON
STARTING A GROUP CONTACT - sos@cfiwest.org
"OPENING
STATEMENT" - (suggested)
Welcome to SOS ; My name
is.....................
SOS stands for Secular Organisations for
Sobriety or Save Our Selves. We are a support group for people who wish to get
sober and stay sober, and/or for friends and family of alcoholics and addicts
who are looking for knowledge and support. People are asked not to drink or use
before coming to a meeting.
SOS is a secular recovery group and does
not use religious or spiritual programmes. Nor is SOS aligned with any political
groups, sects or cults. SOS is open to all regardless of their personal beliefs
and does not attempt to enforce any doctrine or programme.
SOS is only interested in discussing
sobriety and ways and methods which help us along this path. However, we do
respect diversity, encourage debate, rational thinking and scientific enquiry,
and gain strength from the experiences, methods, ideas and opinions of others.
SOS does not have a "programme"
or "steps", but we do have an approach which is called the «
Sobriety Priority », and methods such as « Closing the Gap ». These explain
that life-long abstinence from all mind-altering substances is obligatory for
recovery. In meetings we share our common, well-tested methods for achieving and
maintaining sobriety. However, your own approach for implementing your own
Sobriety Priority must be fashioned in a way that suits you, and feels
comfortable for you. SOS is concerned with self-empowerment and individual
responsibility, through a supportive group.
Our secular meeting are totally anonymous
and strictly confidential. We begin by allowing each person to « get things off
their chest » and share their experiences and problems with the group. This is
without comments from others. A separate part of the meeting is set aside for «
crosstalk », in which everyone is welcome to make constructive comments to
others, unless others do not wish it. And/or a member may introduce a topic for
discussion.
Business is kept to a
minimum necessary for the functioning of the group. There are no membership
dues. However, we are self-financing and a collection is held to pay for
necessary costs."
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