How to Connect to Meeting Guide

Updated by Lois Lewis

To connect to Meeting Guide you need to complete the following steps. There is no requirement for a specific website software platform to participate in Meeting Guide. The only requirement is that your meeting listings are sourced using a database. Visit our platform page for a list of common website platforms.

Step 1: Display meeting listings from a database on your website

Your meeting data should be stored in a database (separate fields for meeting day, time address etc.). There are four techniques that work for this: 

12 Step Meeting List
The easiest and most popular option is to use WordPress and the free 12 Step Meeting List plug in. There are several benefits to this approach: it is searchable, users can view the listings on a map, and it handles the JSON step automatically.
Google Sheet
Using a Google Sheet is another option. Here is a template that can be used. Your Google Sheet must actually be your website’s meeting finder. It should be embedded on the meetings page, or, if you are using Wix, you can create a table and set its data source to be the Google Sheet. This option also handles the JSON step for you.
Wix Data Collections
Wix has a data collections feature that has been used to provide meeting info to Meeting Guide. This has only successfully been done once as of this writing and requires some technical knowledge to implement. This route requires a valid JSON feed.
Custom Website Database
Finally, you’re welcome to create your own database. Many sites are using custom PHP / MySQL meeting finders, but any technology stack should be fine, so long as you provide a valid JSON feed.
Step 2: Ensure your site is listed on A.A. Near You

Meeting Guide participation is open to all general service areas, districts, Intergroup Central Offices, and international General Service Offices listed on the “A.A. Near You” section of AA.org.

Step 3: Provide access to your live data feed

Once steps 1-2 are complete you can fill out our connection form. You will need to have your sharing key, Google sheet public URL or link to a valid JSON feed. 

Accessing your data feed
Twelve Step Meeting List: Get your sharing key
Sign into your WordPress backend and go to the TSML plugin.
Select Settings on the left side bar.
Scroll to the Feed Management area right-click and copy the URL for the Public Feed.
Google Sheet Public URL
To provide access to your Google sheet data feed you need to publish your sheet. Your Google sheet data feed URL is accessed once you publish it. Visit the Making Google Sheets Public topic from the Google Help Center for detailed instructions. Your Google Sheet must be set to 'public' to connect to the app.

Watch a demo video on how to publish your sheet and copy the URL needed.

To validate your sheet, please test it in our database validator.
WIX or custom database
If you are using a WIX data collection or custom database you need to create a JSON feed and validate it prior to submission.

Use this tool to Validate your JSON feed.

Step 4: Stay in touch

It generally takes up to 24-48 hours for our team to connect you to the app. You will receive an email from the app support team once you have been connected. Moving forward any updates you make to your meetings will be reflected in the app. The app updates every 12 hours.

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