Q PERSONAL STORY MEETING STRUCTURE
1 – CHAIRING THE MEETING: Chair introduces her/himself and welcomes everyone to the meeting.
2 – MOMENT OF SILENCE: Led by the Chair. “Let’s start the meeting with a moment of silence to remember why we’re here, and also anyone out there that we feel would benefit from a space like this”
3 – Q PREAMBLE
4 – VALUE STATEMENT
5 – Personal Story: So today we’ll be hearing a personal story of a Q member, which we have _____________ (eg. once a month at this Q meeting). An important part of the 12 Steps is sharing your “experience, strength and hope” and The Way suggests to “always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give a reason for the hope that you have”. So, one way to do this is by writing out and sharing our personal journeys of what life was like before Q, what happened, and what its like now.
If you have a differing opinion than the writer, or care to chat with another member about what you’ve heard, we encourage you to stay & visit or invite others to a meeting after the meeting. As with all Q meetings, feel free to take what you need, and leave the rest.
So, today as Q we will be reading _______________ (eg. Jenn’s story). We will each read a paragraph or two, and then pass to the person beside us to continue reading. Introduce yourself, start where the last person left off, and when you’re done reading we thank you as a group and continue with the next person.
When you hear the story we ask you to consider the following questions:
1) What experiences or feelings could you identify with in the reading?
2) What was it like for you to listen to this story? Did any other memories come up for you?
3) What are you taking away from today’s experience listening to the reading, and/or your other Q members shares?
You can share on any of these questions, or wherever you’re at today.
6 – ARE THERE ANY NEWCOMERS?
IF SO, WELCOME THEM BY 3 EXISTING Q MEMBERS INTRODUCING THEMSELVES, AND SHARING WHY THEY ARE HERE. (This can be why they are here today, or why they come to Q in general). OFFER THE NEWCOMER THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE AT THE END IF THEY WOULD LIKE TO.
But before we get started, we have a tradition at Q that if there are any newcomers we take a moment to welcome them, and a few of us will introduce ourselves sharing about why we come to Q, either why we’ve come today, or why we come to Q in general. At the end, (newcomer), we’ll offer you an opportunity to share what’s brought you here, or you can feel free to pass if you’d like.
So welcome (newcomer), and (Q member) would you like to share first?
Thanks to everyone who shared, and now let’s start on the reading. __________ would you like to read first?
7 – WHEN READING COMPLETE, CHAIR OPENS THE CONVERSATION. Chair will choose people to share however they’re led. Can pick people specifically, or go in circular format etc.
8 – GENEROSITY BOX: Do this when there is 5 minutes left in the meeting time. (Can be passed when reading The Prayer of St. Francis)
10 – ARE THERE ANY Q RELATED ANNOUNCEMENTS?
11 – SERENITY PRAYER: All.
MAY WANT TO HAND OUT PAPER COPY, MAY CHOOSE NOT TO.