There is no real protocol for "informal" chat gatherings, but if you want to have a formal "meeting" in a chat room, these guidelines can help make it work more like a face-to-face meeting.

Just as in a face-to-face meeting, someone serves as the "chairperson" in order to keep the meeting focused on the topic discussion and members take turn sharing on the topic.

If you wish to share, type an exclamation point like this: !

The chair of the meeting will then call on the next person to share. In our chat rooms it is best to type short lines followed by ". . ." which indicates that you are not finished. Like this:

One of the best tools I have found ...
When I find myself under stress ...
Is the Serenity Prayer ... [done]

The [done] at the ends shows that you are finished and it's okay for others to "go ahead."

That's it. Those simple tools can keep order even in a full chat room.

What is a Closed Meeting?
What is the difference between "open" and "closed" meetings? How do you become a member of a group?

Recovery Chat Room
You will need to have a Java-enabled browser to use the chat room. Instructions are available.

Chat Schedule
Check the schedule for regularly scheduled meetings that may be of special interest to you.