The Board of Trustees of Emotions Anonymous International, like many 12-Step Fellowships, has identified theneed to provide additional clarity about the types of meetings available. This is to make it easier for people whohave an interest in a particular meeting to find what best meets their needs. To this end, the Board of Trustees
has developed standard definitions of “Closed” and “Open” meetings. This effort, along with other commonlyused definitions from other 12-step fellowships was done to strengthen EA as a whole while at the same time
maintaining group autonomy. Each group can decide if they want to use the definitions in their meeting
descriptions. There will be examples of the agreed-upon meeting definitions that will be shared with theFellowship in the next few months and a pamphlet is being created as well. If questions arise as you learn more
about the definitions, please the Board of Trustees or the EAI Director.
“Why is it important to define what kind of meeting I am attending? This is a common question, and theanswer is found in our 4th Tradition. “Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting othergroups or EA as a whole.” Many will contact a trustee or the EAI office and ask “How do I know if I am at an
approved EA Meeting?” “I went to a meeting and no one even read the 12 Steps, are groups allowed to noteven read the 12 Steps?” The most unsettling question that I have heard is “How do I know that the meeting issafe and it’s not open to the public or professionals?” EAI has not officially defined the types of meetings thatare available. It has been left up to the individual groups to construct a script for their meeting. It has been an“honor system” as to if the Helpful Concepts, Traditions, and Steps are being read and upheld in a meeting.
It has been decided that with the increase in calls questioning how to navigate individual meetings; it is time togive more structured guidelines for the meetings to identify themselves to the newcomer, professional,student, and support systems. The intent is not to dictate the scripts that are to be used in a meeting. It is anattempt to create a safe environment for everyone who attends an EA meeting by being transparent with some
simple definitions.
Here is a list of the types of meetings a person can find in most approved 12-Step Fellowships.
1) Closed Meeting: The meeting is reserved for people who identify with Tradition 3. The only
requirement for EA membership is a desire to become well emotionally.
2) Open Meeting: The meeting is open to observers, professionals, and family and friends who want to learn
more about EA. Members are welcome to attend both Closed and Open Meetings.
3) Step Study: These meetings will focus on reading the EA Step Literature and applying it to theirrecovery.
4) Tradition Study: These meetings will focus on reading the EA Tradition Literature and applying it to theirrecovery.
5) Speciality Meeting: These meetings will focus on a common experience between the members that isunique. Examples: Military, Men, Women, PTSD, Medical Conditions, Grief, LGBTQ, BIPOC, etc. These groups
still uphold Tradition 10. Emotions Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence, the EA name ought
never to be drawn into public controversy. These meetings are created to allow for safety and not as responses
to politics, religion, national, or international issues, conversations, or opinions of the labels themselves. Thesemeetings can also focus on a particular Step such as a Step 11 Prayer and Meditation meeting.
6) Topic Meeting: These meetings will focus on topics with approved literature and focus on personalrecovery.

7) Workbook Meeting: These meetings will use approved EA Literature that is in a workbook format.
Each Group will need to decide as a group if they want to be listed as an Open or Closed Meeting. The Groupwill also need to discern which meeting description fits them the best. It is also highly recommended to start a
new meeting with at least three people because it is pretty much impossible to practice and model fellowshipwithout others. If you have questions about where to find others to start a meeting; attend other open 12-stepmeetings and experience fellowship for yourself and ask questions.