Sunday McNabb Public Information and Open Speaker Meeting

This page describes what happens at the Sunday McNabb meeting and provides guidelines on how to conduct the meeting.

About the Meeting

This Al-Anon speaker meeting is open to members of the public who wish to find out more about Al-Anon. It is hosted each Sunday by one of the Ottawa area Al-Anon groups and is held at 11:00 AM at the McNabb Community Center on Percy just north of Gladstone.

At a speaker meeting an Al-Anon member shares his/her experience, strength, and hope and tells his/her story about what it was like before finding Al-Anon, how s/he found Al-Anon, and how Al-Anon has helped him/her recover from the impact of someone else's drinking.

Al-Anon conference approved literature is on display. Copies of the Al-Anon meeting list are available. Pamphlets are free. Books are for display only; you may order a book from the web sites listed on the meeting list or from the literature coordinator at one of the Al-Anon group meetings.

Hosting Guidelines

Sunday Morning McNabb is a public information service provided by local Al-Anon groups and guided by Group Conscience as taken by the Group Representatives at the District level (joint districts #28 and 29). This is an open meeting available to anyone interested in the family disease of alcoholism; students or members of the professional community may be in attendance (Al-Anon Service Manual, p. 43). Also, it is often a Newcomer’s first introduction to Al-Anon. The main focus of Sunday Morning McNabb is to allow newcomers and non-members to hear how the Al-Anon program aids recovery from the effects of the family disease of alcoholism. Hopefully, a newcomer will feel welcome enough to "keep coming back".

The following "helpful hints" are offered to assist your group in preparing to host Sunday Morning McNabb:

Prior to the day of the meeting, it is suggested that your group…

Select a chairperson.
Select a speaker. Ideally, this should be someone who has enough experience in Program to give a talk with the Newcomer in mind. Refer to Al-Anon Speaker Guidelines (G-1) for further guidance.
Invite group members to attend in order to assist with set-up, reading Steps, Traditions, etc.
Take a group conscience to determine how you will close the meeting.

Upon arrival at McNabb Community Centre…

Go to reception desk and request the key to the Al-Anon cabinet in the Community Room (lower level).
Al-Anon materials are located in the cabinet closest to the door, to your immediate right upon entering the room.
Set up the literature table. Do not forget the meeting lists!
Set up coffee (it is suggested to bring a small container of fresh milk).
Set up chairs and speaker’s table.
Hang up the banner listing the 12 Steps and the banner listing the 12 Traditions.
Chairperson asks for volunteers to fulfill the various service opportunities. These include reading the steps, traditions, newcomer's page, and page of the day.

During the meeting…

Follow the “Meeting Guidelines” which are found in the binder in the Literature Box. These guidelines have been reviewed and approved by your trusted servants, the Group Representatives, at a Joint District meeting in May 2002.

After the meeting, please ensure that…

All chairs and tables have been put away.
Coffee pot has been cleaned and supplies put away.
Literature and Steps and Traditions wall-hangings have been put away.
All supplies have been secured (locked) in the assigned Al-Anon cabinet, ready for the next group.
7th Tradition has been picked up by appointed person.
Key has been returned to the Reception Desk.
Any unusual occurences or missing items are reported to your Group Representative for follow-up.