To speak with a Recovering Addict call 619-584-1007 (San Diego County) or 442-456-1168 (Imperial County)
Para hablar con un adicto en recuperación, llame 619-546-0774
How To Start A Meeting
Step-by-step guide for starting an in-person or virtual meeting in San Diego
IN-PERSON
VIRTUAL
The primary purpose of an NA group is to carry the message of recovery to the addict who still suffers. The group provides each member with the opportunity to share and to hear the experience of other addicts who are learning to live a better way of life without the use of drugs.
Narcotics Anonymous – The Group Booklet – pg. 3
Download The Group Booklet
There are many ways of doing things in Narcotics Anonymous. And just as all of us have our own individual personalities, so will your group develop its own identity, its own way of doing things, and its own special knack for carrying the NA message. That’s the way it should be. In NA, we encourage unity, not uniformity. This is a great resource and reference guide.
Planning Your Meeting
These items do not need to be in a specific order.
Find a place to hold your meeting – (pg. 5)
Tip:
Things to consider when finding a meeting – (pg. 6)
* How much is rent?
* Is that realistic, given the number of people you expect to attend the meeting?
* Is there a need for a meeting in this location? Is it conflicting with other meetings in the vicinity around the same time?
* Is the location and parking feasible?
Once you have found a location, congratulations! You may be asked to provide a Certificate of Insurance—this is not a problem. You should also inquire whether a discount is available for nonprofit organizations. In some cases, a facility will offer a discount to qualifying groups.
In either case, both of these items will be provided directly to the facility by requesting them from the RSO using the link below.
Fill out the online form
Tip:
Holding regular NA group meetings in some types of facilities—addiction treatment centers, clubhouses, or political party headquarters, for instance—can compromise the independent identity of the group – (pg. 6)
Pick a day, time of meeting and meeting duration
Pick a name that is recovery-oriented and/or conveys the message of what your group is – (pg. 25)
Tip:
Does the name create the impression that the group is affiliated with the facility in which it holds its meetings? Consider renaming it.
Tip:
Is the name offensive or drug-related? Consider renaming it.
What kind of meeting format will you use? – (pg. 7)
Will this be a “closed” NA meeting? Or an “open” meeting? – (pg. 5)
What group trusted servants are needed? – (pg. 11)
Tip:
Elect a Group Service Representative (GSR) to have your group represented at the monthly ASC meeting for help, support, and to be a part of. – (pg. 14, 17)
What kinds of NA literature does your group want to stock? – (pg. 9)
What kinds of refreshments should be purchased?
Finalizing Your Meeting
Final steps to get your meeting to the addict who still suffers
Determine what area of affiliation you would like to be a part of. (Central, SEBANA, Southbay, etc.)
Attend the next ASC meeting of that area. All ASC meetings can be found under Area Websites.
Announce that you are a new meeting in the area.
Tip:
Gather experience from representatives of other groups in the area, and learn of the services available to your group when you need them.
Ask your ASC if they offer a Group Starter Kit.
The area will assign its Outreach Subcommittee to collect information from you and arrange to visit your group.
Complete the online form to have your meeting added to the online & printed meeting schedules.
SUBMIT MEETING CHANGE
We Need Your Feedback
Help improve this page