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 Format for Clutterless Recovery Groups Meetings
Revision 3.0 

Facilitator (or group leader, whatever you want to call yourself) should arrive about 15 minutes early to set up, put sign on door etc. Clutter support meetings should start promptly and should last an hour and a half, unless you have a small group. This gives everyone a chance to share and get feedback. We don't encourage making coffee, tea etc. as it takes time and provides a distraction during the meeting. If members wish to go out for refreshments afterwards, that is encouraged, as it enables us to get to know each other in a social environment.

Meeting format.

“Welcome everyone to Clutterless in ____(your city)______. My name is __________________. I am a reformed clutterer. This is a self-help group where people whose lives have been affected by cluttering, their own or that people close to them, can discuss more lasting ways to overcome it than by applying organizing techniques alone. “Stuff” isn't the issue. It is how we relate to our `stuff' that we learn to change. Our cluttering is often a manifestation of other issues like control, ADD, OCD, anxiety or depression. We are not about quick fixes. We don't `get well' in one meeting. We get better all the time, with the support of others by attending meetings. We have no dues or fees. We do have expenses and request donations, but and no one is turned away for lack of funds. It may be hard at first, but we try not to use the terms "messies, clutterbugs, slobs, packrats, clutter-holics." Many of us find them demeaning. We are clutterers.  Members are encouraged to visit our web site, www.clutterless.org for support and online clutter buddies. Please turn cell phones and beepers off."

Pass the Clutterless Statement of Principles around and let each member read part.

Introductions

“As I said, my name is _______ and I am a reformed clutterer. So we can get to know each other, let's go around the room and introduce ourselves by your first name. We respect the privacy of all. What you say here, stays here. We have a phone list, so we can call upon each other as “clutter buddies” when we begin decluttering projects. This is an integral part of our program. If we could have overcome our cluttering alone, we wouldn't be here. Committing to another person helps us get going. Call your buddy when you start a decluttering project and commit to calling her back in 15-20 minutes. Together, you can celebrate your success or discuss why you are having a hard time. [Pass around a master phone list]. We are no longer islands in the middle of our clutter. We are a family united.”

[When introductions are over]. “Let's all give ourselves a big hand for having the courage to show up!” [Everyone claps. This may feel silly at first, but it really helps everyone feel more “a part of”].

Beginning Visualization ( 5-10 minutes)

“Our meetings have a structure that works well. First, we have a short visualization. This is not meditation and has no religious overtones. Then everyone shares without any one commenting or offering advice (cross talk). We talk about how clutter is affecting our lives. The reason we don't comment is some of us feel like we haven't been listened to or have been criticized when we spoke about our clutter. This is our chance to say what is on our mind, without asking for help or comments. After that, we may have a speaker. If not, we discuss practical solutions to cluttering and getting rid of it. We ask the group for suggestions on something that's bothering us. Then, we make a commitment to the group to do one or two things about our clutter and report on our success from our commitments the previous week. Lastly, we read the affirmations or promises.

[At first, the facilitator should conduct the visualization, focusing on clutter-free images. If, however, another member is more gifted at this, let her do it. Feel free to change the visualization as inspiration leads you. The only suggestion is that the initial relaxation period remain constant. This may be hard for you, but don't worry - there is no wrong way to do it]!

Sample Visualization

“Close your eyes and relax. Breathe slowly, deeply. With each inhale take in the positive, healing energy in this room. With each exhale, let go of the tension and frustration you brought in. Listen to your breathing. Focus on the sound of your breath. Relax your forehead and neck. Let the tensions you carry flow down through your bodies to your hands and out of you.” [Allow about 30 seconds].

“Release the tension in your shoulders. Your chest. Arms. Legs. Tension and worry flows out from your body like a stream to a river, a river to the ocean.” [Allow a couple of minutes in silence].

“Go inward to your quiet, calm center. Deeper inward. Direct your vision to a clutter-free life. [Here, expand on, or create a new visualization as you feel correct. Some suggestions are to imagine a small clear area and make that a sacred space. Or focus on mental or emotional clutter. Whatever feels appropriate is what is correct. There is no wrong way to do this]. Imagine a place where your clutter has ruled. This could be your bedroom, living room, office, or anywhere that bothers you. Put a clear barrier between you and your clutter. You are not your clutter. It is only stuff. View it as unemotionally as possible. You are stronger than your clutter. You are in charge. Clutterless self taking charge. See yourself creating a clutter-free space. Don't worry about where things go. Just get them out of your field of vision. Your goal right now is just to create clear space, not organize. Create order where there was disorder. Feel the texture of the objects you discard. See and feel clarity where there was chaos. Feel the joy and pride that decluttering creates in you. Hold that vision. Draw it into your heart. This is how your life really is. This is your reality.” [Spend about twice as long as before in silence while members see this. When you feel ready, or sense fidgeting, begin speaking again].

“Slowly, when you are ready, return to this room, slowly coming back from your vision. When you are ready to begin making it real on the physical plane, first return to this vision of a clutter-free environment.”

Individual Sharing (30 minutes)

“Now we share our experiences with cluttering and how it affects us. We may talk about our feelings or the physical aspects of our clutter. Please confine your comments to clutter-related issues. If you're here because of someone else's cluttering, please talk about how it affects you. So that everyone may share, please keep your sharing brief, about 3 to 5 minutes [depending on group size]. During this sharing, everyone should be heard without cross-talk. This is your chance to express your feelings without judgment or blame. Cross-talk is commenting on, or offering advice to the person sharing. During the discussion period, we ask for advice. Who'd like to start?”

[If it is a large meeting, a few minutes before the allowed time is up]. “OK, let's move on. Is there someone with a desire to share briefly, who didn't get a chance? [Allow one more person to share]. “If you didn't get a chance to share, or if you need to talk more, please talk to a fellow clutterer after the meeting. We are here for each other.”

Speaker Part (20 minutes)

[If you have a speaker, introduce him/her briefly and give him the floor. Speakers may be from one of the helping professions or a clutterer who has some recovery to share. If you have no speaker, go to the question and answer period. Sometimes the Q&A will expand itself, but appear to be going nowhere. In this case, you should exercise leadership and redirect everyone's energies to discussing cluttering].

Discussion Period (15-20 minutes).

“Now we can ask the group for help on some specific aspect of cluttering. Cross-talk is encouraged. After hearing the question, anyone can tell us how they deal with the same issue, or offer suggestions. If you hear something that makes sense to you, take it home. If not, leave it here. Remember, no one is telling anyone what to do. No one is an expert on your clutter. While the discussion is going on, we pass the basket for donations to keep our group alive. We have rent to pay, literature to print, and World Headquarters expenses for outreach to clutterers. $5 is the suggested donation. Please be generous. There is free literature on the table. There are copies of our books, Stop Clutter From Stealing Your Life and Clutter-Proof Your Business for sale after the meeting. Please look at them after the meeting. Who has a question?"

Commitments (5-10 minutes)

“Making a commitment to the group helps us in our decluttering. We report on our commitments from last week and make new ones for the coming week. We pick one or two projects that are doable. Keep it short. Pick something that is realistic and manageable. Clearing off a desk or table (or part of a desk or table) is realistic. Decluttering a whole room is not. Don't feel like you have to pick a project if you don't feel comfortable doing so. A commitment to return to the next meeting may be plenty for you. Often we will do another project than the one we committed to. That's fine. Whatever we do is a success. Let's go around the room.”

Closing (5 minutes)

“Thank you all for attending and sharing. Please pick up after yourselves and help us return our meeting place to the condition we found it. Our next meeting is at __________. [This is only applicable after you have been around for awhile]. We support new groups with our attendance. Does anyone have another meeting they would like to mention?”

“Let's close with a reading of the affirmations [or Promises. Often, you won't remember what you read last, so ask the group which they want to hear]. There are ___ promises or affirmations. We can each read __.” [Pass the affirmations or promises around.. Everyone should get a chance to read].

“Thank you all for a great meeting. See you next week. And happy decluttering! Some of us like to get together at ___________ for fellowship afterwards. Everyone is welcome. Let's give ourselves a round of applause for showing up!”

[It is a good idea to have an “after the meeting meeting” by going to a coffee shop or inexpensive restaurant nearby. I stress “inexpensive” because I have seen groups lose members when they chose a fancy restaurant. Remember, some of us are still struggling financially. We get together afterwards is so everyone can feel included, so please be considerate, even if some of the members are affluent - and some will be.]

[At first, you won't have a treasurer, so don't worry about it]. When the meeting is over, the group leader should count the money collected and put it in an envelope, with the amount and name and date of the group written on it. If you have a treasurer, give it to the treasurer. Enter the amount collected in the financial report sheet in your meeting kit. If collections are small, do not despair. As your group grows, they will increase. This is a non-profit organization, a helping organization, but we are not freeloaders. If the group is not collecting enough to pay the rent, buy literature and make a donation to World Headquarters, bring that up at a group conscience meeting.

END

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