Bakersfield Step Study
Sundays at 1:00 p.m.
Group 131-117
The group began on March 19, 2017. This is a step study workshop. The group uses the Nar-Anon 36 workbook. We typically cover one or two pages in the workbook per week. To keep the meetings relevant to newcomers we typically work steps one through seven and then start over. Members are encouraged to work steps eight through twelve with their sponsor. We are now working step six for the third time.
The group meets in a coffee shop. The shop has agreed that as long as several members buy a coffee or pastry then the other members do not need to buy anything. Because members are encouraged to buy from the coffee shop - so that we pay our own way - the group has no funds and does not collect a seventh tradition.
The group was given some initial funding by the other Bakersfield group. Those funds were used to buy copies of the Nar-Anon 36. When a group copy of the Nar-Anon 36 is sold, another is ordered so that there are always a few copies to loan or sell to newcomers.
We strive to remain anonymous even while meeting in a public space. We do not use signs or any other indication to show who we are, but many of the workers in the coffee shop know us and send newcomers over to us if the newcomer asks for directions. As with most groups, some newcomers only visit, some stay for a while, and a few have become long-time members.
Our workshops have been as small as only two on holiday weekends and as large as ten. We typically have five or six participants. There are many Sundays when only the men show up. When this happens, we claim the title of being one of the very few men-only Nar-Anon groups.