How Do I Start a Meeting?

All it takes to start a meeting is a time, a place, and a few people willing to commit to the meeting for the first 6 months. The reason for a few people is that healthy service is shared. The best way to start a meeting with a real sense of community is to have a group for group conscience and comittment from the beginning. It is wise to choose a time that is convenient to a large number of people. Possible meeting places include:

A church, synagogue, temple, etc.
A public library's room
A city, county or other public service/community room
A beach, park, pavilion, etc.
A hospital, treatment center or mental health facility
A 12 step clubhouse
A school
An office
Any other facility with space and willingness

Get a Meeting Starter Packet (it's free) from CoRe or download it from the web site.

Then register your meeting. By registering your meeting you insure you are connected with CoDA as a whole. That way you become aware of CoDA groups in your vicinity, seminars, workshops, retreats, conferences and conventions...all of which are opportunities to learn. Your meeting will also be included in the list of meeting available on the national and state website.

The state contact list is also a way to connect with other people interested in starting a meeting in a specific city/area of a state. Click on the link to “state person contact list.”

Other valuable information may be found in the CoDA Service Manual.