Guide for New and Existing EA Groups

 

The following are suggestions for the operation of EA groups which have proven 

successful in encouraging group unity and individual recovery. This should be read 

carefully by the group and kept available for reference and for reading by new members. 

The International Service Center (ISC) staff and your regional trustee are available if you 

have further questions.

 

What is emotions anonymous?

 

EA is a fellowship of people who want to recover from mild or severe emotional illness 

and maintain their emotional health. The basis for recovery in the program is the Twelve 

Steps, Twelve Traditions, and Twelve Concepts. These are the guiding principles which 

individuals and groups follow for the successful functioning of Emotions Anonymous 

and its meetings.

 

What is the purpose of EA? 

 

Emotions Anonymous has the single purpose of helping individuals with emotional 

problems cope with everyday life. Members meet to share their experience, strength, and 

hope as they learn about and use this twelve-step program. Recovering individuals help 

those who are still suffering.

 

How is EA organized?

 

EA groups are not organized in the same way or to the same 

extent as other organizations. There are no requirements for membership other than a 

desire to become well emotionally. Groups do not keep membership lists. Groups are free 

to decide what is best for them as long as their decisions are based on the Twelve 

Traditions and do not negatively affect other EA groups or the entire EA organization.

EA is organized at the administrative level. This includes the EA International Board of 

Trustees, the International Service Center (ISC), and local intergroups. The Board of 

Trustees approves EA literature, formulates policies guiding the EA program, and 

authorizes the services provided to EA groups and members. The Board of Trustees is 

governed by the Bylaws of EA International which have been approved by the 

membership. The regional trustees are elected by the members they serve. The ISC 

publishes and distributes EA books, literature and The New Message magazine. It assists 

groups and members with information about the EA program.

 

What is anonymity?

 

Anonymity means: we do not divulge another member's identity, anyone's membership in 

EA, or anything said by another member at meetings. Anonymity is respected at all 

times. It is each person's own decision whether to exchange full names and phone 

numbers with others. Only first names are used in any news release or news article in 

order to maintain anonymity in the press and on radio and television.

 

What type of meetings are there?

 

EA meetings are primarily "step meetings." At step meetings, members discuss one of the 

Twelve Steps and how it applies to their daily lives, sharing how they have received help 

from the EA program. As we grow in EA, we also grow in our knowledge and 

understanding of the steps. With growth, these steps are always new and exciting as we 

see them from a fresh perspective.

 

Groups may hold public information meetings where the general public is invited to learn 

about the EA program and the availability of meetings. The Public Information Meeting

Guide contains helpful information concerning how to plan and carry out this type of 

meeting.

 

Do professionals lead EA meetings? 

 

There are no professional facilitators at EA meetings. Professionals may join Emotions 

Anonymous just as other people do—because they have emotional problems from which 

they wish to recover.

 

What materials are used at EA meetings? 

 

Only EA-approved books, literature, and The New Message magazine are made available 

at meetings. These items can be purchased from the ISC and sold at meetings. Any other

books, magazines, workbooks, etc. are not allowed at our meetings because our focus is 

on the EA program and not other therapies or philosophies.

 

Are contributions needed? 

 

The Emotions Anonymous program and attendance at EA meetings are open to anyone 

seeking recovery; therefore, no dues or fees are required for membership. Contributions 

are requested at meetings to pay the expenses of the group and to contribute to the ISC 

and your local intergroup. Money is needed by the ISC to provide coordination, 

administration, and informational services to EA groups throughout the world. 

Intergroups need money to provide information, support, and referral services to groups 

in their area.

 

What is sponsorship? 

 

Sponsorship is a mutual agreement between two people who wish to sponsor and be 

sponsored. The purpose of sponsorship is to assist a member in recovery and in working 

the Twelve Steps. Sponsorship is voluntary and sponsors are not assigned to another 

member.

 

How does EA publicize its meetings? 

 

Groups need to inform people in their area about Emotions Anonymous. To do this 

groups can list meetings in the community calendar of local newspapers, distribute flyers, 

and inform churches, social service agencies, therapists, psychiatrists, and other

professionals of their existence. Groups can also participate in Health Fairs and other 

community awareness projects. The ISC has a guide available on how to do these 

projects.

 

What is an intergroup? 

 

If there are several groups in the same area, they may want to form an intergroup. An 

intergroup helps bring groups together to promote EA unity and understanding, and 

enables groups to exchange information and pool resources. Groups elect one or two 

members to represent them and to vote on issues at intergroup meetings. All members of

the group are welcome to attend the intergroup meetings.  

 

How is an EA Group started?

 

Anyone who recognizes his or her own need for this program and is willing to follow the 

Twelve Steps, Twelve Traditions, and Twelve Concepts of Emotions Anonymous may 

start a group. If you wish to start a group, the following suggestions may be helpful.

Become familiar with the EA program. It is best to have some knowledge of the EA 

program before starting a group. This can be done by reading the book, Emotions 

Anonymous, and other EA literature, and )y beginning to work the program on your own. 

The ISC can provide you with information on the EA meeting nearest you. By attending 

those meetings, even if they are too great a distance for your permanent attendance, /you 

can gain experience with the program. Members of that group might help you start a new 

group in your area.

Obtain meeting facilities. Contact a community facility which has public meeting rooms 

available such as ;churches, synagogues, libraries, banks, community centers, or 

hospitals. Arrange for a specific day and ;time which can be available throughout the 

year. Discuss paying rent since Tradition Seven requires EA groups to be self-supporting. 

Each group has the obligation of compensating the facility for the use of their premises. Try to find a place which is accessible to people with handicaps. Also, the meeting room 

should provide privacy and be easy to find. Restrooms should be available. Find out if 

smoking is allowed and decide if the group will permit it. If there are no facilities for 

making coffee, etc., make certain it is permissible for you to bring in what you might 

want. Inquire about a place to store meeting supplies.

Send for needed literature. The following materials are found in our "Starting A Group"

packet: General instructions for forming a group, listing of EA meetings in your area, 

catalogue and order form for EA socks and literature, group registration form, Welcome 

to a New Way of Life, The Yellow Pamphlet, Suggested Format for EA Meetings, Guide 

for New and Existing EA Groups, News Release Information and How Our Meetings 

Work. This packet is complimentary and can be obtained by contacting the ISC. EA also 

offers a Starter Packet which contains many necessary pieces of literature at a discounted 

price. Included in this packet is the booklet, The Traditions, which explains in detail the 

Twelve Traditions on which Emotions Anonymous is based. This information will help 

guide your group when making decisions.

Register the group. After arranging for a meeting place, notify the ISC of your meeting 

day, time, location, and the contact person's full name, address, and phone number. A 

form for this purpose is included with the materials for starting a group. The full name

and address of the contact person is used by the ISC for EA-related mailings which 

include the group's copy of the quarterly New Message, annual convention information, 

and any mailings from your regional trustee or other EA groups.

It is very important for your group to keep the ISC informed of changes in your meeting 

day, time, location, or contact person information. Up-to-date information will insure that 

people find your meeting and that all important information from the ISC is received by 

your group. The meeting information is printed in the EA World Directory, in the list of 

EA meetings for your area, once in The New Message magazine, and with meeting 

information on our web site. The contact person's first name and phone number are made 

available so people can call about specific information or with questions concerning your 

meeting.

 

Arranging the meeting room. It is best for chairs to be arranged so as to allow everyone to 

feel a part of the group. This usually is in a circle or around tables. Theater-style seating 

is not recommended because it can incorrectly indicate that the leader is the authority of 

the group and those sitting in rows are merely the audience. Signs are posted directing

people to the meeting room. EA meeting signs can be purchased from the ISC. The 

Suggested Format for EA Meetings is a useful guide for conducting meetings. EA 

literature is sold at your group's cost with the price indicated on each item. You are a

guest at this location and the room needs to be left neat and clean, and those attending the 

meeting must be courteous to others using the building.  

 

Group leadership:The person or persons who form the group accept the responsibility of regular attendance 

and leadership until other group members are able to share in this responsibility. When 

this happens group leadership should rotate. The group should not become dependent on 

any one person. The basic duties of the leader are to conduct the meeting, have the 

meeting start and end on time, and see that everyone has an opportunity to participate. 

Meetings usually last 1 to 1 '/2 hours. It may also be helpful to have different members in 

charge of setting up the meeting room, literature and refreshments. The groups decides 

what officers are needed and the length of their service. The only officers absolutely 

necessary are treasurer and contact person.

 

Group Conscience: 

 

Understanding "group conscience" is important as EA decisions concerning the group 

and group issues are decided by it. When a issue arises, a period to discuss the issue 

should be set. It is important those voting are well informed and understand the issue at 

hand. When everyone has had an equal opportunity to speak and discuss the issue, a vote 

should be taken. A majority vote indicates "group conscience" and the action to be taken.

When problems arise, the literature Maintaining Group Serenity and the Group Inventory 

might be helpful in providing solutions.

 

Group Finances: 

 

Weekly contributions should be counted by the treasurer and another member. The 

amount should be recorded on the Treasurer's Weekly Record Form. This form can also 

be used to record the group expenses. It is advisable for the group's bank account to 

require two signatures on all checks. The treasurer should make a monthly report to the 

group. If your treasurer is absent, contributions should b( collected by an established 

member and given to the treasurer at the next meeting. For security of the( group's 

money, it is desirable for the treasurer to be someone who has attended the group for a 

year or more< and expects to remain involved. This person needs to be honest and 

trustworthy.

 

Steering Committee:

 

Once the group is established your may want to form a Steering Committee. It might

consist of a coordinator, secretary, treasurer and member-at-large. Steering Committee 

meetings usually are held before or after the regular meeting. These meetings should be 

announced in advance as al members are welcome to attend. Steering committee action 

should be submitted to the group for approval.

 

The Steering Committee should lead a group business meeting every four to six weeks to 

discuss the treasurer's report, expenses, group activities, information from the New 

Message, how the meetings an progressing, group problems, etc.

 

We wish you and your group success and recovery.If we can be of further assistance, contact:

 

Emotions Anonymous International 

Service Center P.O. Box 4245 

St.Paul.MN 55104

Phone: 651-647-9712  Fax: 651-

647-1593 E-mail: 

info@emotionsanonymous. org 

Web site: EmotionsAnonymous.org

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