Greeter Position Guidlines
Welcoming a Newcomer to the Group
Greeters play a critical role in the first experience a newcomer has to a group and to Alcoholics Anonymous. Making a newcomer feel welcome in their first experience could make all the difference on whether or not they return for another meeting.
Before the Meeting
1. Sign in to the meeting 20 minutes before the beginning of the scheduled meeting time.
2. Welcome attendees to the meeting, specifically looking for those that you have not seen before or may be potential newcomers to AA or to The Unfortunates Group.
3. After identifying a newcomer, welcome them and let them know you are available for questions about AA, this meeting, sponsorship, and can help provide them with literature like big books and pamphlets.
Start of the Meeting
7AM Meeting Chat Message:
(Paste in chat at the beginning of the meeting)
Good morning everyone, and welcome to The Unfortunates 7am Discussion meeting.
If you have any questions about AA, this meeting, The Big Book, Sponsorship, or require AA Literature, then please stay on after the meeting, and the Greeters will be happy to help.
If you need confirmation of meeting attendance, please send your email address via private chat to a greeter.
Further information can be found at:
https://www.unfortunates.org/newcomer-information
7PM Meeting Chat Message:
(Paste in chat at the beginning of the meeting)
Good evening, everyone, and welcome to The Unfortunates Literature Study Group.
If you have any questions about AA, this meeting, The Big Book, Sponsorship, or require AA Literature, then please stay on after the meeting, and the Greeters will be happy to help.
If you need confirmation of meeting attendance, please send your email address via private chat to a greeter.
Further information can be found at:
https://www.unfortunates.org/newcomer-information
About Sponsorship Message:
If you’re new or returning to AA and would like to know more about Sponsorship, here’s a useful link to AA Pamphlet P-15:
https://www.aa.org/questions-and-answers-sponsorship
If you’re looking for a Sponsor, then please reach out via the private chat function to anyone on this meeting with (S) beside their name - they’ll be glad to help or, stay on after the meeting to discuss with the Greeters – that’s what we’re here for.
During the meeting
At the Start of the Meeting​
Be aware of potential newcomers throughout the meeting.
Watch the chat to answer any questions a newcomer may have and provide meeting attendance information via email.
Meeting Confirmation Messaging
Recommended Attendance Email Format:
RE: (PERSON’S NAME) - AA Meeting Attendance Confirmation Today, Monday, 27th October 2025.
To whom it may concern,
This is an email confirmation that (PERSON’S NAME) attended the Unfortunates 7:00am CST AA meeting this morning, Monday, 27th October 2025.
Regards,
Dermot (Greeter).
End of the Meeting
Stay on after the close of the meeting, announcing you are available to any newcomers to visit and help answer questions they may have after the meeting.
Provide newcomers with our Newcomer Information Page.
Always be prepared to discuss what AA is (The Big Book, Alcoholics Anonymous) and the importance of sponsorship in the role of actively working the program of recovery, and how it has helped you.
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You can familiarize yourself with potential questions newcomers may have by reviewing the P-24 A Newcomer Asks.
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For questions regarding Greeter roles, email greeting@unfortunates.org