The usual approach to working a 12-Step program is to read the literature, go to the meetings, find a sponsor, and work the 12 Steps. This ordinarily involves listening to others share, occasionally raising our hand, and sporadically meeting with our sponsor to discuss a Step or two. 

   This method sometimes works for some; but, for others, a more intensive practice is necessary. Thus, The 12 Steps for Everybody’s one-hour 12-Step Writing Meeting was born. At present there are two such meetings:

   Wednesdays from 7:00-8:00 p.m. in Pacific Palisades at 16730 Bollinger Drive, 90272 (1 block north of Sunset and 6 houses west of Marquez on the left) for those who wish to work the 12 Steps on any habitual problem in their lives. (Basket donations accepted.)

(w. on I-10 to PCH; n.[w.] on PCH; to Temescal; n. on Temescal to Sunset; w. on Sunset to Marquez; n. on Marquez to Bollinger; w. on Bollinger; 6 houses down on the left. The following buses arrive and depart from a block away (Sunset & Marquez): Metro #’s 2, 302, & 430 and Santa Monica’s Big Blue Bus #9. For schedule information call: 1-800-266-6883.)

  Saturdays from 3:00-4:00 p.m. in Mar Vista at SHARE, 5521 Grosvenor Blvd., Los Angeles 90066 (From Lincoln Blvd. in Marina Del Rey, go e. on Jefferson Blvd. 1 mile just before Centinela, then go no. on Grosvenor Blvd. 1.5 blks., on the left.) (Basket donations accepted.)
 
   Call 310-428-0904 or e-mail info@12stepsforeverybody.org for more information.

   In case you are interested in starting a one-hour 12-Step Writing Meeting in your area, you are free to use the Format, the 12 Steps, the 12 Traditions, and The Serenity Prayer listed below. Go to the 3rd page of this website to obtain the “12-Step Questions.” 

T.S.E. FORMAT:

   At 7:00 p.m. (or whatever time),Leader reads: "Welcome to the regular _(day of week)_ meeting of 'The 12 Steps for Everybody.' My name is __________, and I am powerless over whatever. Let us now say the Serenity Prayer: 'God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.'"

   Leader reads aloud: "The purpose of this meeting is to write and share on a particular Step or Steps on whatever addiction, obsessive-compulsion, illness, or problem we have at this moment. Some of us already belong to established 12-Step groups such as A.A., Al-Anon, CoDA, D.A., G.A., O.A., or S.L.A.A. Still others do not belong to any 12-Step program, but the one thing we all have in common is the desire to work the 12 Steps as outlined in the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous on whatever problem we are facing in our lives today."

   Leader reads aloud: "The format of this meeting is that we go around the room, starting on my left, each sharing for 1 - 2 minutes on a particular problem on which he or she would like to work one or more of the 12 Steps today or tonight. We will then each write on one or more of the "12-Step Questions" for approximately 20 minutes, after which we will each read aloud what we wrote. In the time remaining, we will open it up for sharing and discussion."

   Leader indicates person on left to share the individual problem(s) he or she is going to write about today or tonight. After everyone has shared what they are going to write about, Leader reads aloud: "We will now write for 20 minutes."

   After 20 minutes of writing, Leader reads aloud: "Starting on my left each person will now read aloud what he or she has written."

   After each person reads their writing, Leader reads aloud: "That's all the time we have for reading this evening. The meeting is now open for individual sharing. We ask that there be no cross talk or commenting on another person's writing or sharing."

   At 7:55 p.m. (or 55 mins. after start) Leader reads aloud: "That's all the time we have today or tonight. Let's give each other a hand." (Applause.) "We have no dues or fees, but we do have expenses." (Pass the basket.) "Are there any Secretary's announcements?"

   Secretary reads aloud: "You are welcome to write on any of the 12-Step Questions or Worksheets during the week and to bring them to read aloud at the next meeting, if time permits. Let's give our leader a hand." (Applause.) "And now back to our leader."

After Secretary's announcements, Leader reads aloud: "To close the meeting, I would like to ask __________ to lead us in the Serenity Prayer."

THE SERENITY PRAYER: "God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference." 

   (If you so desire, you can read aloud either or both "The 12 Steps" and/or "The 12 Traditions" as printed below at any time during the meeting format.)

THE 12 STEPS:

1. We admitted we were powerless over whatever – that our lives had become unmanageable.
2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God, as we understood God.
4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
7. Humbly asked God to remove our shortcomings.
8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.
9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood God, praying only for knowledge of God’s will for us and the power to carry that out.
12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to others, and to practice these principles in all our affairs. 

   (The 12 Steps are adapted and reprinted with permission of Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.)