Here are some tips to make sure that your complaint is NOT ignored.

Keep Your Cool It’s difficult to do this when you are “mad as all get out” but it’s a key step to making sure you’re complaint gets heard. Act reasonably and politely.

Make person on other end of your complaint WANT to help you. Losing your temper can cause other person to become “defensive” instead of cooperative and helpful.

Identify Yourself Don’t start out with “what” you are - “I’m a lawyer”, “I’m a doctor”, “I’m a trash collector”. Start out with “who” you are - “My name is Jim”. You want them to see you as a person, not just another problem.

Give them your name and telephone number. This allows other person to respond more effectively and follow-up with results. Remaining anonymous doesn’t establish one-on-one relationship you need in order to have your problem resolved.

You might want to check a directory to check if meeting is still at that location, Preferably, drive by building at least day before so that you know where building is, since many of meetings are at night, and it may be difficult to locate an address in dark.

2. If you are self conscious about going to our first AA meeting, or going to a new group, you might want to find someone to go with you who is a member of this group, or knows someone in group.

3. Have a positive expectant attitude.

If it’s first time that you are attending any AA meeting, you might want to talk with someone who is already a member of AA, who can explain how meetings work, or even take you to a meeting.

4. Take a nice bath that day if you can.

Not only will it help you relax and make you feel better as soon as you do it, but you may also feel more comfortable in meeting.

5. Wear comfortable clothes.