Suggested Guidelines for Opening and Closing Expert Giver Group Meetings

Mission Statement:

The purpose of Expert Giver Groups is to provide a process led by humility and accountability, which removes the blocks of resentment, anger, and unforgiveness, then enabling love, service, and forgiveness as the means to advance human evolution—regardless of your age, gender, race, economic status, religion, or political beliefs.

The Seven Steps of Expert Giver Groups provides the tools needed to identify and remove the blocks in the way of individuals becoming of service to others.

There are no dues or fees for membership in Expert Giver Groups.

Each group is fully self-supporting.

Expert Giver Groups does not wish to engage in public controversy, and neither endorse nor oppose any causes.

Their primary purpose is for all the members to support each other in becoming Expert Givers.

In the book Expert Giver – No Strings Attached, the topic of “God” is discussed.

However, in the Seven Steps of Expert Giver Groups, “God” or a “Higher Power” are not mentioned.

This allows a place for everyone to work through the steps, regardless of their beliefs.

The 7 steps remove the blocks to one being of loving service to others.

(Read the 7 Steps of Expert Giver Groups — Short Form, and the Ten Guidelines of Expert Giver Groups — Short Form.)

This meeting is from (starting time) to (ending time)

If you have a cellphone, please silence it.

Each person says their name and how long they have been attending the meetings.

After this is complete, say the following:

Everything said here in the group meeting and outside from member to member must be held in confidence.

At this time, we break briefly for the seventh guideline, which states that “Every Expert Giver Group should be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.” We have no dues or fees required. A basket is passed to cover the expense of rent (If rent is necessary— none collected if space is donated.)

(In-person meetings only. An online meeting has no rent and no expenses — nothing is collected, and no basket is passed. If your meeting is online, skip this part and go on to the next line.)

(Pass the basket)

The topic for this meeting will be _______________ _____________________________________________.

(The Chairperson will briefly share with the group about the topic and then invite the members to share. Topics may include one of the Seven Steps)

I would like to say that the opinions expressed here were strictly those of the individuals who gave them. Take what you like and leave the rest.

The things you heard were spoken in confidence and should be treated as confidential. Keep them within the walls of these rooms.

Let there be no gossip or criticism of one another.

Please join me in closing…

(Stand up, hold hands, and then repeat the following together, line by line:)

I will do my best in all circumstances to be kind, patient, tolerant,
humble, unconditionally giving, and forgiving with everyone.
So be it.