Thursday Format

RADICAL CLARITY GROUP - STEP STUDY 

THURSDAY

(Updated 4.6.22)

Chairperson 

1. Book: 12 Steps, 12 Traditions, 12 Concepts of DA

2. Reading: Step/Tradition/Concept of the Month

3. Reading: 12 Tools of Debtors Anonymous

4. Reading: 12 Promises of Debtors Anonymous

8:29am - TECH HOST: Welcome everyone.  I am _____, a solvent Compulsive Debtor and the Technology Host for today’s meeting.  The Chairperson will start the meeting shortly.  I will now mute the group. 

[8:30am - TECH HOST: Lock the room.  Chat is Auto Locked.]

CHAIRPERSON

8:30am - Greeting: Good morning and welcome to the Radical Clarity Group, Step Study Meeting of Debtors Anonymous. My name is _____. I'm a solvent Compulsive Debtor. My solvency date is _______. I am your Chairperson for today’s meeting.

SAFE MEETING PARAMETERS

These parameters ensure group safety and confidentiality:

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 Third Step Prayer, found on page 19 of the DA Triple-12 book.

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.

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 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.

First DA Meeting: Is there anyone joining us today for their first ever DA meeting?  Not to embarrass you, but so that we may welcome you, would you please identify with your first name only?

First 30 Days: Is there anyone joining us in their first 30 days of solvency?  Please identify with your first name, compulsive debtor, and your day count (or solvency date).

[For newcomers present - 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.] 

Anniversaries: Is anyone celebrating a solvency birthday of 1 year or more today?

READINGS

Step / Tradition / Concept of the Month: I have asked ___ to read Step ____, Tradition ___, and Concept _____.

12 Tools of Debtors Anonymous: I have asked ____ to read the opening paragraph of the 12 Tools, the title of each tool, and the paragraph corresponding to the month.

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.

READ and SHARE to 9:25am

Step Study: In this meeting, we read from The 12 Steps, 12 Traditions, and 12 Concepts of Debtors Anonymous: 36 Principles of Recovery. 

Spiritual Timekeeper:  I have asked _____ to be our Spiritual Timekeeper today. Thank you.

Introductions: So as to ensure a smooth flow of reading, I will call on each person to introduce yourself with your name, compulsive debtor, and your solvency date. 

Reading: Please RAISE HAND if you would like to read.  I will start and call on each person.  Re-introduction is not needed. Please read up to one page.  

Sharing: We now open the meeting for 3-minute shares.  Please acknowledge the Timekeeper at the “One-Minute” mark; and when “Time” is called please wrap it up.  Please click on RAISE HAND if you would like to share.

[9:20am - Time Check - Share Time: 5 minutes remain.]

9:25am: We have reached the end of our share time for today.  Please join us next week to continue our journey through the steps. 

9:25am – 9:30am [Tech Host: Set Chat to “Everyone” and Post 7th Tradition]

[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

1. The Chat is now available for those who wish to post their contact information.  Please create your own phone list, if needed.

2. This meeting conducts its monthly 15-minute Business Meeting on the last Thursday of the month.  The RCG holds full Business Meetings on the 1st Saturday of each month in this Zoom Room at 9:45am ET.

Closing Reading: I have asked _____ to read The 12 Promises of Debtors Anonymous.

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:

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 D.A.

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 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 D.A.'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 / Closing Prayer: Let us now offer a moment of silence for the suffering compulsive debtor followed by the DA Responsibility Pledge, found on page 62 of the DA Triple-12.

I pledge to extend my hand and offer the hope of recovery to anyone who reaches out to Debtors Anonymous.