Sunday Format
Radical Clarity Group - Solvency Now
Orientation to Debtors Anonymous
Sundays - 8:30am ET to 9:30am ET
Zoom Meeting ID: 344 119 8990
7-Week Series
Week #1 - Am I Solvent Today?
Week #2 - Recordkeeping
Week #3 - Sponsorship
Week #4 - Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions
Week #5 - Pressure Relief Meetings/Pressure Relief Groups
Week #6 - The Slogans
Week #7 - The Promises
TECH HOST
8:29am - [MUTE ALL] Welcome everyone. I am _____, a solvent compulsive debtor and the Technology Host for today’s meeting. I muted the group. I will post the link in Chat with all the prayers and readings for your use during the meeting. I now turn the meeting over to _______, Co-Chair #1.
[8:30am - 1. Lock the room. 2. Direct Message “Everyone” with the RCG webpage link for the script.]
CO-CHAIR #1 - GUIDES the FIRST HALF
8:30am - Good morning and welcome to the Radical Clarity Group - Solvency Now Meeting of Debtors Anonymous. My name is _____. I'm a solvent Compulsive Debtor. My solvency date is _____. I am co-chairing this meeting today with _______. [Co-Chair #2] Hello, my name is _______. I’m a solvent Compulsive Debtor. My solvency date is _________.
(CHAIR: IF NEEDED, ASK TECH HOST TO POST ANY PORTION OF SCRIPT ON SCREEN)
SAFE MEETING PARAMETERS
A. Please be mindful, respectful, and kind about your presence on camera in today’s meeting, as we try to create a safe environment for everyone in their recovery.
B. The meeting is locked at 8:30am to entry/reentry. Anyone may exit anytime.
C. Radical Clarity Group meetings are Closed Meeting of Debtors Anonymous – solely for those whose use of unsecured credit causes problems and suffering for themselves and others.
D. As a Closed Meeting, we ask that, participants:
1. Identify solely with ‘Compulsive Debtor’. Those who identify other symptoms or issues will be invited to re-identify with ‘Compulsive Debtor’ only.
2. Join from a private and fixed location.
3. Maintain their still video 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] Prayer. 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: 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 D.A. 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.
Newcomers: This group defines newcomers as those joining us for their first DA meeting ever or anyone in their first 30 days of solvency. Please click “Reactions” and “Raise Hand” if you are a newcomer. Not to embarrass you, but only to offer a sincere welcome: When I call on you, please introduce yourself by first name only, your location, and your solvency date, if you have one. [Call on those in the RAISE HAND line.]
[Skip if no newcomers]
A Word to Newcomers: If you are having problems with money and debt and think you may be a compulsive debtor, you have come to the right place. Debtors Anonymous can help you. We offer face-to-face, telephone, and internet meetings, and we suggest attending at least six meetings to have an opportunity to identify with the speakers and become familiar with D.A. before deciding whether or not this program is for you. If you identify with some or all aspects of compulsive debting, we hope you will join us on the path of recovery and find the peace, joy, and love that we have found in Debtors Anonymous.
READINGS
I have asked _____ to read Twelve Signs of Compulsive Debting.
Twelve Signs of Compulsive Debting
Being unclear about your financial situation. Not knowing account balances, monthly expenses, loan interest rates, fees, fines, or contractual obligations.
Frequently "borrowing" items such as books, pens, or small amounts of money from friends and others, and failing to return them.
Poor saving habits. Not planning for taxes, retirement or other not-recurring but predictable items, and then feeling surprised when they come due; a "live for today, don't worry about tomorrow" attitude.
Compulsive shopping: Being unable to pass up a "good deal"; making impulsive purchases; leaving price tags on clothes so they can be returned; not using items you've purchased.
Difficulty in meeting basic financial or personal obligations, and/or an inordinate sense of accomplishment when such obligations are met.
A different feeling when buying things on credit than when paying cash, a feeling of being in the club, of being accepted, of being grown up.
Living in chaos and drama around money: Using one credit card to pay another; bouncing checks; always having a financial crisis to contend with.
A tendency to live on the edge: Living paycheck to paycheck; taking risks with health and car insurance coverage; writing checks hoping money will appear to cover them.
Unwarranted inhibition and embarrassment in what should be a normal discussion of money.
Overworking or underearning: Working extra hours to earn money to pay creditors; using time inefficiently; taking jobs below your skill and education level.
An unwillingness to care for and value yourself: Living in self-imposed deprivation; denying your basic needs in order to pay your creditors.
A feeling or hope that someone will take care of you if necessary, so that you won't really get into serious financial trouble, that there will always be someone you can turn to.
The 12 Signs of Compulsive Debting © 2001 Debtors Anonymous General Service Board, Inc.
Registered D.A. groups have permission for distribution to its members.
Step and Tradition of the Month
I have asked _____ to read Step _____ and Tradition ______. (Click Here to Review the 12 Steps and Traditions)
[Co-Chair #1 Resumes] - Thank you to our readers.
Beginner’s Prayer: Just for this day, I will ask my Higher Power to 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.
TOPIC and SHARES to 9:20am
This is Week #_____ in a seven (7) week series. We encourage you to attend all seven (7) meetings. The meetings don’t need to be attended in any specific order; and we offer encouragement “real-time” with cross-talk.
Shares in Debtors Anonymous are timed. Time is our Friend. Our Spiritual Timekeeper today is _______. We acknowledge the Timekeeper at the “One-Minute” announcement (keep in mind that a full minute remains). When “Time” is called we bring our remarks to conclusion.
I will share for 4-minutes on what I used to be like, what happened, and what I am like today. [AFTER SHARE] I now turn the meeting over to the Co-Chair.
CO-CHAIR #2 - GUIDES the SECOND HALF
I will now share for 7 minutes on today’s topic: __________. If I ask questions during this time, please Raise Hand electronically to respond. You are free to affirm with kindness what others have said. If you post any questions in Chat, the Tech Host will respond.
Now let us take ____ minute(s) of silence to digest the information. Timekeeper, please time us for ___ minute(s). Thank you.
Share Time: We will now have time for sharing, which can include asking questions. Each person will have 3 minutes for their share. If you have a question during your time, the answer is included within the 3 minutes. Please identify as a Compulsive Debtor and include your Solvency date. Please click on “Reactions” and “Raise Hand”. [Co-Chair #2 calls on those in the Raise Hand line.]
9:20am: We have reached the end of the share time for today. We welcome you to remain after the meeting if you have any questions.
[Tech Host - Set CHAT to “Everyone” and Post 7th Tradition Payment Information]
7th Tradition: DA has no dues or fees. We are self-supporting through our own contributions.
7th Tradition Contributions to our Radical Clarity Group Beginner’s Meeting can be made to the current group treasurer through payment information supplied in chat:
[7th Tradition Payment Information]
PayPal (@montypelto) - it comes up as M & K Family Limited Partnership
Zelle (radicalclarityfun@gmail.com)
Venmo (@Monty-Pelto)
Checks or money orders can be mailed to Monty Pelto, 904 Glen Eden Dr, Raleigh, NC 27612.
The 7th tradition is how we fund our group zoom account and send our GSR to the World Service Conference. It also supports our General Service Office in maintaining our DA website, in producing literature and performing other services that allow still-suffering debtors to find us and get help.
If attending your first meeting, we ask that you not contribute. Or if you aren’t in a position to contribute, that’s okay too. Just keep coming back.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Chat is now available for those to post their contact information. Please create your own outreach list, if needed.
RCG Business Meetings are held on the 1st Saturday of each month in this Zoom Room at 9:45am ET.
The Radical Clarity Group meets on Saturdays, Sundays, and Thursdays at 8:30am ET and Fridays at 11:00am ET.
I now turn the meeting over to the Chip Master. Thank you.
CHIPS
My name is _____, I’m a Compulsive Debtor. The Radical Clarity Group celebrates solvency with virtual chips. At one year of continuous solvency, we send customized anniversary chips to home group members. Please call out your name to claim your virtual chip:
Desire Chip - Is there anyone with a desire to stop incurring unsecured debt for 24 hours who would like to take a DESIRE CHIP?
Next, is there anyone celebrating: 1 month of solvency? 2 months? 3 months? 6 months? 9 months?
Is anyone celebrating a solvency anniversary of 1 year or more?
Would those with 1+ years of solvency, share your name and solvency date?
I turn the meeting back to the Chair.
[CO-CHAIR #2] - Thank you. I have asked ____ to read The 12 Promises of DA.
Twelve Promises of Debtors Anonymous
In the program of Debtors Anonymous, we come together to share our journey in recovering from compulsive debting. There is hope. When we work D.A.’s Twelve Steps and use D.A.’s Twelve Tools we develop new ways of living, and begin to receive these gifts of the program:
Where once we felt despair, we will experience a newfound hope.
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.
We will live within our means, yet our means will not define us.
We will begin to live a prosperous life, unencumbered by fear, worry, resentment or debt.
We will realize that we are enough; we will value ourselves and our contributions.
Isolation will give way to fellowship; faith will replace fear.
We will recognize that there is enough; our resources will be generous and we will share them with others and with D.A.
We will cease to compare ourselves to others; jealousy and envy will fade.
Acceptance and Gratitude will replace regret, self-pity and longing.
We will no longer fear the truth; we will move from hiding in denial to living in reality.
Honesty will guide our actions towards a rich life filled with meaning and purpose.
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 it 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.
The 12 Promises of Debtors Anonymous ©Registered D.A. groups have permission for distribution to its members.
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 DAs 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.
Moment of Silence and Prayer: Let us now offer a moment of silence for the still suffering Compulsive Debtor followed by the Third Step Prayer (page 19, The Twelve Steps, Twelve Traditions, and Twelve Concepts of Debtors Anonymous: Thirty-Six Principles of Recovery).
“Moment of Silence.” [PAUSE] “Prayer.”
DA Third Step Prayer: 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.