Alcoholics Anonymous:

Birthday Nights

The Birthday Night is a very unofficial tradition that only exists in some AA groups.  Many groups simply do not have enough members to celebrate birthdays.  Others simply choose not to make the effort.  

But, some groups believe very strongly in having a special monthly event that honors the efforts that individual members have made in their efforts to stay clean and sober.  (Similar events are held in NA and other fellowships as well.)

For example, checking the schedule of meetings for Northeast Louisiana, we find that the "New Freedom Group" has a Birthday Night scheduled on the last Saturday of each month.  A Potluck supper begins at 7:30PM, followed by an open, non-smoking Birthday Night meeting ("O,BD,NS Last Sat" on the schedule).  At this meeting, celebrants receive chips and are given a moment (typically 1 or 2 minutes) to speak.  Chips are given for durations of continuous sobriety that range from 30 days to multiple years.  And, at Birthday Nights, members usually "share their stories."

In addition to Birthday Nights, special events and conventions are very popular among many members of AA, NA, OA and other fellowships.

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