 Closed Meeting
A Brain-storming session
"TONIGHT, we are going to try something a little different. It is called 'brain storming,'" said the leader of the closed meeting.
"No relation to 'brain washing,' I hope, though maybe I could stand a little brain washing of the right type," said Eddie in the front row.
"No relation to 'brain washing.' This is 'brain storming.' It is used by Madison Avenue ad agencies and big corporations to apply the benefit of group thinking to specific problems. Something like we do here, only the pace is quicker, the technique more mechanical," continued the leader.
"Here is how it works. A group sits around a table, just like this, with a chairman and a secretary. Then everyone makes suggestions as rapidly as possible, no matter how impractical they may be. There is to be no evaluation or criticism of any suggestion at the brain storming session. Everyone must feel free to spiel forth any idea, even if it is silly. If even two or three per cent of the suggestions are worth further consideration, that is all we can hope for.
"Our question tonight is, 'What more can our group do to carry the message to the alcoholic who still suffers?' That's what the Fifth Tradition calls for, you know. Edna, here, will act as secretary and will take down all the suggestions. She will make a list to be considered by a committee to consist of Joe, Harry, Freddie, Marie, and Edna as secretary. We'll expect the committee to report back in a couple of weeks with recommendations.
"Are you ready to start? Let's make the suggestions brief, snappy, without elaboration. One suggestion should lead to another, which is the basic purpose of the whole technique. 'What more can our group do to carry the message to the alcoholic who still suffers?' Eddie, will you start?" asked the leader.
"Let's run an ad in the newspaper," said Eddie.
"O.K.," said the leader, "Let's keep it rolling. What does 'newspaper ad' suggest to you, Susie?"
"Let's run an ad every week telling about our open meeting and offering free literature," said Susie.
"Why not call on the editor see about an article on AA?" added Joe.
"Maybe a series of articles. You can't tell enough in one issue," said another voice.
"Yes, George here is good at that sort of thing. He could do one installment on group therapy, one on public health and even one from the woman's angle," said another contributor.
"Actually our members come from all over and there are quite a few newspapers in the county. Some one should look into that."
"There are also several magazines and lots of churches have little publications that could take shorter pieces."
"Get more publicity for special events. Our group anniversary is coming up soon. Write it up from the reporter's angle and send it in."
"Have a countywide meeting. That would serve two purposes. You could get good publicity for it and some new prospects might show up."
"Start a speakers' bureau," said another voice.
"Some one could speak to the Kiwanis Club at a club luncheon and tell them about AA."
"Don't forget the Rotary, Lions, University Club, and the men's clubs in the churches."
"Why not the PTA and the woman's club? Most of us were pushed in here by women," added the group cynic.
"Does the library have our books? Have someone check all the libraries in the county."
"Maybe we can donate the AA books if the library will catalogue them."
"Perhaps the library will make a display of our books in the reference room with a big colored poster drawing attention to them."
"Don't overlook the high school library."
"Yes, some high school students are old enough to understand about alcoholism."
"All of them are old enough, and some of them have had adequate personal experience," added another.
"No comments on the suggestions," said the leader.
"Let's do something for the physicians," said Louie, changing the subject.
"Every member should go to his physician, explain about AA, and offer to help with other patients suffering from alcoholism, when they're interested."
"Let's write a letter to every doctor in our area telling them about AA in one typewritten page which they can file for reference."
"And include some literature for the doctor and his best prospects."
"Include the names of some members whom the doctors can call for further information and for future help with patients."
"Be sure you have the permission of the members for use of their names."
"Why not write to the dentists also? They may have opportunities to pass on the message."
"Nurses, too," said a feminine voice.
"The local hospitals could stand a little briefing but I don't know how you could get the story across or to whom."
"Maybe one of the doctors would know, but in any event we can find out."
"Can something more be done with the local prison? Why not talk to the warden?"
"General Service Headquarters has had a lot of experience working with prisons and other institutions. Why not write them for advice?"
"There are quite a few big corporations in our area. They must have alcoholic problems. Can we visit the personnel managers?"
"Chiefs of Police and judges can be helpful. Maybe we should have a committee to work with them."
"Let's not forget the personal approach. Many of us have friends who are alcoholics. Have we done our best to get our message across to them?"
"One of our best ads is personal example. Practicing the AA program 100 per cent is something we can all try to do."
"Who said there is not enough Twelfth Step work to go around!" said the leader.
"If we were really serious about carrying the message; if we would take these many fine suggestions, and everyone help a little, the results would be spectacular.
"Our committee is going to take these suggestions, discard those which are impractical, and back with recommendations on those that merit further attention. Perhaps the committee will work out a well-rounded program with a little assignment for each one of us who is willing to help.
"I notice that there are quite a few members here from other groups. Perhaps, if they liked our meeting tonight, they will try a 'brain storming' session in their own groups on the question of doing a better job of carrying the message.
"Shall we close the meeting in the usual way?"
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