For any new Violence Anonymous Meeting
1. Introduction
“Good day, my name is _____ and I will be your moderator today. This meeting is for persons who have been victims, perpetrators and/or rescuers in the cycle of violence.”
2. Serenity Prayer
“God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.”
“You may mute and un-mute your phone by pressing *6. If you are not sharing, please make sure that your phone is muted.”
3. Read the Preamble for Violence Anonymous
4. Read or ask a Volunteer to read: A word to newcomers (it’s on the Resources page too)
5. Read How It Works
6. Member Introduction
“At this time we introduce ourselves by first name only. This is not to embarrass you, but to get to know you.”
7. Sharing
“Now is the time for individual sharing. We ask that there be no cross talk – which means that we keep the focus on ourselves and address our remarks to the group and not to any individual. Please refrain from making remarks during another person’s share, and save questions and comments for after the meeting. Explicit descriptions of violence and/or violent fantasies can be triggering to other members of the meeting. When sharing about violent fantasies, we put our focus on our powerlessness over the fantasy and the feelings that trigger the belief of victimhood. Please acknowledge that you have heard the time keeper give the one minute warning and the word “time” at the end of your share. You may mute and un-mute your phone by pressing *6. If you are not sharing, please make sure that your phone is muted. We are now open for discussion.”
8. Readings, speaker, individual sharing.
9. 7th Tradition
“Our 7th Tradition states that every VA group ought to be fully self supporting, declining outside contributions. We pass a virtual basket and ask that you give what you can. The funds are used to pay the expenses of the fellowship. Contributions may be made on the 7th Tradition page on violenceanonymous.org. We’ll now give time for those who wish to make a contribution to find that page. Know that if you can’t give now, your presence is more important than your money. (Pause)”
10. VA Related Announcements
“Now is the time for both VA and non-VA announcements. First are there any VA announcements that affect this meeting or VA as a whole? Are there any non-VA announcements about tools or outside resources that pertain to VA recovery?”
11. Closing
“The opinions expressed here were strictly those of the person who gave them. Take what you like and leave the rest. The things you heard were spoken in confidence and should be treated as confidential. Keep them within the walls of this room. Talk to each other, reason things out with someone else, but let there be no gossip or criticism of one another. Instead, let the understanding, love, and peace of the program grow in you one day at a time. The line will remain open after the meeting for fellowship. Will all who care to join me in the Serenity Prayer?”
“God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.”