South Leawood Group

Types of AA Meetings

12 Steps & 12 Traditions: Kansas' AA programs provide structured guidance through available 12 Steps and Traditions programs. These programs provide essential support for those seeking sobriety. Meetings welcome individuals and their loved ones, offer a supportive network for recovery, and establish skills that translate to lasting sobriety.

As Bill Sees It: As Bill Sees It is a collection of essays and reflections from AA’s founder, Bill W., about the organization and its purpose. The book is often referenced in AA meetings to encourage members to individually and collectively discuss their recovery.

Big Book: In Kansas, AA clients participate in Big Book discussions for inspiration. The Big Book is an anthology that features men and women who overcame alcohol use disorder.

Birthday: In AA, birthdays refer to the last day (or the day after) that a member used alcohol or drugs. Birthday anniversaries are celebrated as milestones to encourage sobriety.

Closed: Closed AA meetings in Kansas are not open to members of the general community. Only members and people seeking help for alcohol addiction can attend. The discussions are informal and everyone is invited to share their experiences with alcoholism and recovery.

Discussion: In Kansas, AA discussion meetings are structured around a specific topic that relates to alcohol addiction. Typically, the speaker will choose a short passage from a related AA text, such as the Big Book, and then briefly share their reflections. Then, other members can reflect on the topic and share their insights.

Grapevine: Grapevine is a monthly magazine published by AA. Its contents, written by AA members, generally feature the experiences of individuals with alcohol use disorder, and articles are often discussed in AA meetings.

Meditation: Meditation AA meetings feature physical and emotional calmness as a main method of healing. The meetings open with 15 minutes of private mediation and close with an additional 5 minutes of meditation.

Newcomer: AA newcomer meetings in Kansas are designed to introduce the program to people who are seeking help for alcohol addiction. Experienced members typically lead the sessions, which often focus on Steps 1 through 3 of AA’s 12 step recovery model.

Open: In Kansas, open AA meetings are accessible to anyone in the public who wants to learn more about how the recovery program works and what the 12 step model of recovery includes. This may include individuals currently seeking help for alcohol addiction, as well as their friends and loved ones.

Speaker: Motivational speakers can help AA audiences reinforce their sobriety. In Kansas, many Speakers are usually AA alumni and use a mix of humor, charm, faith, and raw emotions to connect with participants.

Step Meeting: AA programs in Kansas often include step meetings. In these meetings, clients can discuss how their experience aligns with the 12 Step Program and make suggestions about how to better their recovery.

Wheelchair Access: Kansas AA meetings with wheelchair access may feature ramps and designated parking for non-ambulatory clients. These clients can safely navigate the center to access meeting spaces and amenities.

Wheelchair-Accessible Bathroom: Selected AA centers offer wheelchair-accessible bathrooms for participants. These bathrooms have enough space for a wheelchair to safely navigate, and can include private stalls with guardrails, reachable toilet paper and seat cover dispensers, a wash basin, and other amenities.

Women: Women’s AA meetings in Kansas are community support meetings for women who are affected by alcoholism, including those who are addicted to alcohol and those who have loved ones with alcohol addiction. Held at various neighborhood locations, these meetings use a 12-step addiction recovery curriculum and are free to attend.