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 Sponsorship--Grapevine April 1961
“Though three hundred thousand have recovered in the last
twenty-five years, maybe half a million more have walked into our
midst, and then out again.
“We can't well content ourselves with the view that all these
recovery failures were entirely the fault of the newcomers
themselves. Perhaps a great many didn't receive the kind and
amount of sponsorship they so sorely needed. We didn't
communicate when we might have done so. So we AA’s failed them.”
Bill W
Key Concepts from the 1940’s
1. Put no block between the newcomer and Step
Twelve.
Get the
newcomer to Step Twelve as quickly as possible, so he or she can
experience the life-changing spiritual awakening that occurs as
the direct result of taking the Steps. Assure the newcomer that
our program of recovery will relieve his or her alcoholism. Show
the newcomer that the process is simple, straightforward and that
it really works.
2.
Call the newcomer.
Demonstrate
that you are there for the newcomer by checking in with him or her
on a regular basis. Remember, the newcomer is very ill and needs
your encouragement and support.
3. Read the
appropriate parts of the “Big Book” to the newcomer.
The newcomer
is in no physical or emotional condition to read, let alone
comprehend, the “Big Book” by him or herself. Therefore, read and
explain the appropriate parts of the book to the newcomer,
specifically those 50 or so passages that pertain directly to
taking the Twelve Steps.
4.
The healing is in
the sharing not in the writing.
Sit down
with the newcomer and guide him or her through the Fourth Step
inventory. If necessary, write the inventory while the newcomer
does the talking. This will help relieve any anxiety or
apprehension the newcomer may have about this part of the program.
5.
Assist the newcomer with his
or her amends.
Work
together on the newcomer’s amends. Be the first person the
new-comer sees after an amends is made.
6.
Share guidance with the
newcomer.
Show the
newcomer that you believe in and are practicing two-way prayer on
a daily basis.
5.
Co-sponsor the next newcomer.
Have the
newcomer accompany you as you work with the next person. This way,
the newcomer will gain confidence in his or her ability to guide
others through the recovery process.
Copyright:
Faith With Works publishing Company, Wally P., 2005 (Rev. 1/08)
To view
a Word version of
"Key Concept from the 1940's," click here.
To view a Word version of "B2B of Sponsorship-2 pg Summary of
BB passages," click here.
To view
"A.A. Sponsorship Styles," click here.
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