cosacall.com

A telemeeting is a meeting held via a telephone conference call. COSA is a recovery program for men and women whose lives have been affected by someone’s compulsive sexual behavior. Based on the 12 steps and 12 traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous, our common goals are recovery from the effects of compulsive sexual behavior and to help others who suffer. For more information about COSA, please visit www.cosa-recovery.org or read “Frequently Asked Questions”.

Q: How does a telemeeting work?
Q: How much does the call cost?
Q: Who can attend?
Q: What happens during a telemeeting?
Q: When are telemeetings held?
Q: What is the telephone number and access code?
Q: Does the number ever change?
Q: How many people attend?
Q: Who can I contact for more information?
Q: How can I reach others on the telemeeting call?
Q: How are the telemeeting contact lists used?

Q: How does a telemeeting work?
A: You will dial a teleconferencing server and enter an access code. All attendees will be automatically joined together in the call. A secretary leads the meeting.
Q: How much does the callcost?
A: The only cost is your usual long distance rate multiplied by the number of minutes the meeting lasts. This charge will appear on your regular telephone bill as a long distance call.
Note: Calling cards may be available from local merchants for rates as low as 4 cents per minute. These charges do not appear on your phone bill.
Q: Who can attend?
A: Men and women whose lives have been affected by someone else’s compulsive sexual behavior can attend mixed meetings.
Q: What happens during a telemeeting?
A: The telemeetings follow a structure that is similar to face-to-face COSA meetings. Each meeting is led by a secretary (a COSA volunteer) who welcomes callers and reads a Secretary Script to guide the meeting. Although each telemeeting may have a slightly different format, they all follow a structure like the following:

Welcome	Callers are welcomed to the meeting.
Introduction	The secretary begins the meeting with a brief introduction.
Serenity prayer	Everyone
Readings	Program-related readings are shared.The secretary will ask for volunteers to read. You are encouraged to print out the readings and participate either by reading, or by following along.
General introductions	Callers are encouraged to identify themselves by first name and the location from which they are calling. Members who acknowledge that they are codependents will say something like, "Hi, I'm John. I'm a codependent calling from Los Angeles, California." Guests or newcomers are invited to introduce themselves by name and location, and to identify that they are new to the meeting so we can get to know you.
Guest reading or Guest Speaker	A Guest Speaker is a COSA member who signs up to share their experience, strength and hope in recovery. A Guest Reader may read from COSA Literature or whatever recovery books (like the AA Big Book, the AA Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions Book, etc.) that particular meeting agrees to.
General Shares	The meeting opens for discussion. The secretary helps moderate as callers are invited to share about the reading or just 'get current.' "Crosstalk," which means direct comment about someone's share or referring to another person's name in your share, is discouraged to promote a safe environment. Sharing is optional, although encouraged.
Anonymity	Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our traditions.
Seventh Tradition	Callers are encouraged to contribute to the continued work of bringing the message of recovery to other codependents. See the Donations page at this website to learn how to do this.
Announcements	Meeting-related announcements (i.e., annual COSA conventions or retreats, upcoming first steps, etc).
Closing Readings	We bring the formal meeting to a close with a couple short recovery readings.
Unity Prayer	Everyone
Fellowship	Callers ask questions, respond to shares, and socialize. Callers are welcome to stay on the call as long as desired.