Friday Format

RADICAL CLARITY GROUP 

FRIDAY

Meeting Format -- Printable PDF (Updated 11.27.24)

TECH HOST - 10:59am ET [MUTE ALL]

Welcome everyone.  My name is ______.  I am a compulsive debtor, and my solvency date is _____.  I am serving as the Technology Host for today’s meeting. I just muted the group. Anyone may unmute themselves.  I am about to post two messages in the chat: 1. The link to this format with all the prayers and readings in use during the meeting.  Clicking on the link will not remove you from the meeting; and 2. My phone number.  Please text me to be readmitted if you are accidentally dropped from the meeting.  I now turn the meeting over to _______, our Chairperson. Thank you.

TECH HOST: 11:00am ET

1. Lock the room.

2. Paste Chat message to Everyone: 

https://www.radicalclaritygroup.com/meeting-formats/friday-format

3. Paste Chat message to Everyone: 

If you are accidentally dropped from the meeting please text me at [insert your phone number] for re-entry. 

CHAIRPERSON 

Good morning and welcome to the Radical Clarity Group, Beginner’s Meeting of Debtors Anonymous. My name is _____. I'm a compulsive debtor and my solvency date is _______.  I am your Chairperson for today’s meeting. 

SAFE MEETING PARAMETERS  

Please be mindful, respectful, and kind about your presence on camera as we strive to maintain a safe environment.  The Tech Host may stop any individual’s video as needed and will communicate privately in a direct message to discuss safety concerns.  All Radical Clarity Group meetings are Closed Meetings of Debtors Anonymous – solely for those whose use of unsecured credit causes problems and suffering for themselves and others. 

[TECH HOST: PASTE 3 ITEMS TO “EVERYONE” IN CHAT]

As a Closed Meeting, we ask participants to: 

1. Identify solely with ‘compulsive debtor.’ Those who identify with other symptoms or issues (such as underearning, overspending, or compulsive shopping) will be gently interrupted to re-identify with ‘compulsive debtor’ only. 

2. Join from a private and fixed location. 

3. Keep their still video ON for the duration of the meeting, even if they need to step away briefly (up to 5 minutes) during the meeting.

SILENCE AND PRAYER

Let us now take a moment of silence for the still suffering compulsive debtor, followed by the ‘we’ version of the Serenity Prayer.

MOMENT OF SILENCE 

[PAUSE for 5-10 SECONDS]

PRAYER (READ SLOWLY) 

God, grant us the Serenity to accept the things we cannot change, the Courage to change the things we can, and the Wisdom to know the difference.

WELCOME AND PURPOSE

Welcome to Debtors Anonymous. Debtors Anonymous offers hope for people whose use of unsecured debt causes problems and suffering. We come to learn that compulsive debting is a spiritual problem with a spiritual solution, and we find relief by working the DA recovery program based on the Twelve-Step Principles.

The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop incurring unsecured debt. Even if members are not in debt, they are welcome in DA. Our Fellowship is supported solely through contributions made by members; there are no dues or fees.

Debtors Anonymous is not affiliated with any financial, legal, political, or religious entities, and we avoid controversy by not discussing outside issues. By sharing our experience, strength, and hope, and by carrying the message to those who still suffer, we find joy, clarity, and serenity as we recover together.

COMPULSIVE DEBTING – SPIRITUAL ILLNESS 

I have asked ______ to read ‘What is Compulsive Debting?’ 

Compulsive debting is a disease. We have found that it is a disease that never gets better, only worse, as time goes on. It is a disease, progressive in nature, which can never be cured but can be arrested. Before coming to DA, many compulsive debtors thought of themselves as irresponsible, morally weak, or – at times- just plain “no good.” The DA concept is that the compulsive debtor is really a very sick person who can recover if he or she will follow, to the best of his or her ability, a simple program that has proved successful for other men and women with a similar problem.

As compulsive debtors, we have fallen into patterns of spending that do not satisfy our real needs. Some of us have chronically held back on paying our bills and debts, even when we had the money to pay them. Or we have faithfully kept up our payments to one or two creditors and neglected the others. Some of us have simply ignored our debts for some time, hoping against hope that somehow they would miraculously get paid. Some of us have been compulsive spenders, showering ourselves with things we neither needed nor wanted. When we felt needy or lacking, we splurged on something we could not afford. We spent impulsively, incurred debt, felt guilty, promised never to do it again, and only repeated the same cycle the next time the feeling of “not enough” came up. Having overspent, we often had nothing to show for it and wondered where all that money went. Some compulsive spenders are not actually in debt, but they are still welcome in DA. The only requirement for membership is a desire to avoid incurring unsecured debt.

Some of us have been compulsive paupers, leaving ourselves broke time and again, struggling from one financial crisis to the next. Then, there are those of us who find it almost impossible to spend money on ourselves. The TV breaks and stays broken; that pair of shoes, ready for retirement, is made to work yet another year; and even medical and dental problems go unattended. 

This disease affected our vision of ourselves and of the world around us. It led us to believe that we were “not enough” -- at home, at work, in social situations, in love relationships. It also led us to believe that there is not enough out there in the world for us. The disease manufactured a sense of impoverishment in all that we did and saw. In reaction to this, we withdrew into a dream world, fretted over money, and avoided responsibilities. 

–"Debtors Anonymous” Pamphlet, pp. 1-2 

FIRST THREE STEPS and TRADITION 3 

I have asked ___ to read Steps 1, 2 and 3; and Tradition 3.

Step 1: We admitted we were powerless over debt, that our lives had become unmanageable. 

Step 2: Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. 

Step 3: Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God, as we understood Him. 

Tradition 3: The only requirement for DA membership is a desire to stop incurring unsecured debt. 

BEGINNER’S PRAYER

Higher Power, Remove my compulsion to debt, under earn, or overspend. I am willing to go to any lengths to not debt today.

--Bookmark, “Just For This Day” 

DA PURPOSE

Solvency, the primary purpose of Debtors Anonymous, is the practice of not incurring any new unsecured debt one day at a time. Unsecured debt is any form of debt that is not backed up by collateral. 

RCG PURPOSE

The Radical Clarity Group welcomes those suffering with compulsive debting, and those who are solvent. We maintain a safe environment to share our experience, strength, and hope. We believe compulsive debting is a spiritual illness; and we focus on the spiritual solution offered in Debtors Anonymous.

CHAIR: LAST FRIDAY OF THE MONTH ONLY – OTHERWISE, SKIP

TOOL 10 - BUSINESS MEETINGS 

We attend business meetings that are held monthly. Many of us have long harbored feelings that “business” was not a part of our lives but for others more qualified. Yet participation in running our own program teaches us how our organization operates, and also helps us to become responsible for our own recovery.

The purpose of this business meeting is to fill service positions for the coming month.  The service positions are: 

1. Technology Coordinator – Serves for 1 Month

   1. Technology Host – Serves for 1 Meeting

2. Chairperson Coordinator – Serves for 1 Month

   1. Chairperson – Serves for 1 Meeting

3. Chip Person Coordinator – Serves for 1 Month, and 

   1. Chip Person – Serves for 1 Meeting

ASK: Is there anyone willing to serve in the Coordinator positions?

(Note: Each Coordinator asks for volunteers and takes their own notes.)

ASK: Are there any other business items to discuss?

SHARE TIME UNTIL 11:50am ET 

In this meeting, we allow crosstalk and feedback given with kindness and positivity.  We do not interrupt, criticize, or correct one another.  This is a beginner’s meeting, so we encourage members to ask questions.  Solvent members may briefly answer to clarify aspects of the program.  

The topic I have chosen for today’s meeting is: ______________. 

Shares in Debtors Anonymous are timed. Time is Our Friend. I have asked _____ to be our Spiritual Timekeeper today. Thank you. We acknowledge the Timekeeper at the ‘One-Minute’ announcement. When ‘Time’ is called one minute later, please bring your remarks to conclusion. Thank you. 

1. Chairperson Share: I will lead on today’s topic. Timekeeper, please time me for 5 minutes, with a ‘One-Minute’ reminder. Thank you. Hi, my name is _____. I am a solvent compulsive debtor. My solvency date is _____. 

2. Timekeeper Share: Timekeeper, would you like to share for 3 minutes? 

IF YES: Do you need me to time you? 

   1. Yes? – Time the timekeeper – and then go to #3. 

   2. No? – The timekeeper times themself – and go to #3.   

TO 11:30am ET: BEGINNER SHARE TIME

3.    Less than 1 year: We offer the first 15 minutes of 3-minute shares to those with 0 days up to 1 year of solvency. Please identify with ‘compulsive debtor’ and your solvency date, if you have one. Click ‘Raise Hand’ and I will call on each person in turn. Thank you. 

[11:30am ET - PAUSE] 

11:30am – 11:50am ET: OPEN SHARE TIME for ALL 

4.   At this time, everyone is welcome to share, including those with 1 year and more of solvency. Please identify with ‘compulsive debtor’, and your solvency date. I will continue calling on those in the line-up. Thank you. 

[11:45am ET - TIME CHECK - 5 MINUTES REMAIN]

11:50am ET: We have reached the end of share time. Thank you to all who shared and all who listened. We welcome you to remain for a fifteen-minute ‘meeting-after-the-meeting’ for fellowship and further guidance.

[TECH HOST - ENABLE “EVERYONE” IN CHAT]

11:50am – 12:00pm ET 

7th TRADITION

We have no dues or fees.  In accordance with the 7th Tradition, every group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions. The money collected pays for our Zoom subscription and sends our Group Service Representative to the annual World Service Conference.  The Radical Clarity Group also supports our General Service Office to maintain our DA website, produce literature, and perform services that allow the still-suffering compulsive debtor to find us and get help.  If you are attending your first meeting or you are not yet solvent, we ask that you not contribute.  Just keep coming back. 

The Tech Host has posted the donation methods.  We accept donations via PayPal, Zelle, and personal check or money order.  Thank you.

[CHAIR: GO TO ANNOUNCEMENTS NEXT PLEASE]

[TECH HOST: PASTE TO “EVERYONE” IN CHAT]

7th Tradition contributions can be made to the current group treasurer via: 

PayPal: radicalclarityfun@gmail.com

Zelle: radicalclarityfun@gmail.com

Checks or Money Orders: Made payable to “Radical Clarity Group” and  please email radicalclarityfun@gmail.com for the Treasurer’s address.

ANNOUNCEMENTS 

1. The Chat is now available to post contact information. Please create your own outreach list, if needed.

2. This meeting conducts its monthly 15-minute Business Meeting on the last Friday of the month.  The full Radical Clarity Group Business Meeting is held at 9:45am ET on the 1st Saturday of each month in this room.

3. RCG hosts a total of 5 meetings per week in this room:

   1. Tuesdays at 8:30pm ET

   2. Thursdays at 8:30am ET

   3. Fridays at 11:00am ET 

   4. Saturdays at 8:30am ET and 

   5. Sundays at 8:30am ET

4. I now turn the meeting over to the Chip Master. Thank you.

CHIP MASTER

Thank you. My name is _____, and I’m a compulsive debtor and Chip Master today. Here at Radical Clarity “Time Is Our Friend” and we celebrate time with virtual chips and virtual hugs. 

1. The first chip is a 24-hour DESIRE CHIP. This chip you pick up 3 different ways:  The first is when you first start counting your solvency days.  The second is if you need to restart counting your solvency days, which there is nothing wrong with that - sometimes things happen and you just have to start recounting.  The third way is if you just want to remind yourself that you have today and you don’t have to worry about yesterday or tomorrow.  Who would like to pick up a desire chip?

2. The next chip is a 30-day chip - 30 days and 30 nights.  Anybody have 30 days? 

3. How about 60 days? Then we go to 90 days? 6 months? and 9 months?

4. Then when you get to 1 year of solvency, we actually mail you two chips; one has your year marker and the other one has your name and your solvency date.  These chips we have custom made, we send them to you, and each year you get to collect a new chip.  Starting out, you get a 1 year chip and a chip with your name and solvency date. Does anybody have 1 year we are not aware of?  

5. Now we go around the room and people with 1 year or more of solvency identify their solvency dates so the rest of us see that you can acquire time and that Time Is Our Friend.  Who has 1 year and more of solvency?

6. I turn the meeting back to the Chair. Thank you for the opportunity to serve. 

[CHAIR RESUMES] 

CLOSING READING

I have asked _______ to please read:

Just For This Day (Odd Months: Jan, Mar, May, Jul, Sep, Nov)

OR

The 12 Promises (Even Months: Feb, Apr, Jun, Aug, Oct, Dec)

JUST FOR THIS DAY

Just for this day, I will be grateful that I have enough food to eat and a place to sleep. If I lack either of these, I will ask for help. 

Just for this day, I will ask my Higher Power to remove my compulsion to debt, under earn, or over spend. I am willing to go to any lengths to not debt today. 

Just for this day, I will be clear with my money. I will keep a record of every penny I earn or spend knowing that clarity leads to freedom. 

Just for this day, I will accept that I cannot solve all my problems at once. I will take at least one small action toward my recovery. 

Just for this day, I will live in this moment, right here, right now. I will set aside my fears of the future and my regrets about the past, accepting everything exactly as it is at this moment. 

Just for this day, I will remember that there are infinite sources of help available to me. I do not have to be alone. I will reach out to another D.A. member and find hope and encouragement for my situation, even if it seems hopeless to me right now. 

Just for this day, I am willing to believe in a power greater than myself--even if my current understanding of that power is limited. 

Just for this day, I will face life with courage. With the help of D.A. and my Higher Power, I have what I need to live through whatever this day brings. 

Just for this day, I will be of service. I will help someone else and allow someone else to help me. 

Just for this day, I will refrain from comparing myself to others. I will honor my own unique gifts and experiences. 

Just for this day, I will set aside time for quiet reflection, prayer, and meditation. I will let this nourish and replenish my soul. 

Just for this day, I will be grateful for the abundance in my life. I will recognize that there is enough money, enough time, and enough love. 

THE 12 PROMISES

In the program of Debtors Anonymous, we come together to share our journey in recovering from compulsive debting. There is hope. In working D.A.’s Twelve Steps, we have developed new ways of living. When we work D.A.’s Twelve Steps and use D.A.’s Tools, we begin to receive these gifts of the program:

1. Where once we felt despair, we will experience a newfound hope.

2. Clarity will replace vagueness. Confidence and intuition will replace confusion and chaos. We will live engaged lives, make decisions that best meet our needs, and become the people we were meant to be.

3. We will live within our means, yet our means will not define us.

4. We will begin to live a prosperous life, unencumbered by fear, worry, resentment or debt.

5. We will realize that we are enough; we will value ourselves and our contributions.

6. Isolation will give way to fellowship; faith will replace fear.

7. We will recognize that there is enough; our resources will be generous and we will share them with others and with DA.

8. We will cease to compare ourselves to others; jealousy and envy will fade.

9. Acceptance and gratitude will replace regret, self-pity and longing.

10. We will no longer fear the truth; we will move from hiding in denial to living in reality.

11. Honesty will guide our actions towards a rich life filled with meaning and purpose.

12. We will recognize a Power greater than ourselves as the source of our abundance. We will ask for help and guidance and have faith that they will come.

All this and more is possible. When we work this program with integrity and to the best of our ability, one day at a time, a life of prosperity and serenity will be ours.

CLOSING STATEMENT

In closing, we would like to remind you that in Debtors Anonymous we practice Tradition Twelve, which is the principle of anonymity. This assures us the freedom to express ourselves at meetings and in private conversations without fear that our comments will be repeated. We keep what is shared at meetings confidential. As we work the Steps and practice DA's Traditions and Concepts, we are reminded that recovery is possible and that we are all here for a common purpose – to recover from compulsive debting one day at a time. 

SILENCE AND PRAYER

Let us now offer a moment of silence for the still suffering compulsive debtor followed by the DA Third Step Prayer.

MOMENT OF SILENCE 

[PAUSE for 5-10 SECONDS]

PRAYER (READ SLOWLY) 

Higher Power, I stand before you ready to be transformed. I place myself in your hands. Guide me on my recovery path. Remove my compulsive debting, my self-centered fear, and my own self-will. May I shine to others as a beacon of your power. May I choose to remain on your path always. 

–The Twelve Steps, Twelve Traditions, and Twelve Concepts of Debtors Anonymous: Thirty-Six Principles of Recovery, p. 19

Revised 11/27/2024