This is A.A. General Service Conference-approved literature
When is a member ready for sponsorship responsibility ?
Revised per 2004 and 2005 Conferences
Pages 14-15
The most successful sponsors are men and
women who have been in A.A. long enough to
have some understanding of the suggested recovery
program outlined in the Twelve Steps.
The member who has been sober for months or years
is usually - but not always - able to work more
effectively with newcomers than the member who
has been on the program for only a few weeks.
Thus, length of sobriety is a factor, but not the
only factor, in successful sponsorship. Of equal
importance are an individual's capacity for understanding
and patience, willingness to devote time
and effort to new members, and personal example
as a representative of A.A. at work.
A sponsor does everything possible, within the
limits of personal experience and knowledge, to
help the newcomer get sober and stay sober
through the A.A. program:
* Shows by present example and drinking history
what A.A. has meant in the sponsor's life.
* Encourages and helps the newcomer to attend
a variety of A.A. meetings - to get a number
of viewpoints and interpretations of the
A.A. program.
* Suggests keeping an open mind about A.A. if
the newcomer isn't sure at first whether he or she
is an alcoholic.
* Never takes the newcomer's inventory except
when asked.
* Introduces the newcomer to other members,
particularly to those who may share the new person's
occupational or social interests.
* Sees that the newcomer is aware of A.A. literature,
in particular the Big Book, Twelve Steps and
Twelve Traditions, and Grapevine, As Bill Sees It,
Living Sober, and suitable pamphlets.
* Is available to the newcomer when the latter
has special problems.
* Goes over the meaning of the Twelve Steps,
and emphasizes their importance.
* Never tries to impose personal views on
the newcomer. A good sponsor who is an
atheist does not try to persuade a religious newcomer
to abandon faith, nor does a religious
sponsor argue theological matters with an
agnostic newcomer.
* Urges the newcomer to join in group activities
as soon as possible.
* Impresses upon the newcomer the importance
of all our Traditions.
* Does not pretend to know all the answers, and
does not keep up a pretense of being right all
the time.
* Tries to give the newcomer some picture of the
scope of A.A., beyond the group, and directs
attention to A.A. literature about the history of
the Fellowship, the Three Legacies, the service
structure, and the worldwide availability of A.A.
- wherever the newcomer may go.
* Explains the program to relatives of the alcoholic,
if this appears to be useful, and tells them
about Al-Anon Family Groups and Alateen.
* Does not hesitate to help the newcomer obtain
professional help (such as medical, legal, vocational)
if assistance outside the scope of A.A. is needed.
* Quickly admits, "I don't know" when that is the
case, and helps the newcomer find a good source
of information.
* Finally, the sponsor encourages the newcomer
to work with other alcoholics as soon as possible,
and sometimes begins by taking the newcomer
along on Twelfth Step calls.
A sponsor who has been truly putting the program first will not take it as a personal insult if the newcomer decides to change sponsors or to go to other A.A.s for additional guidance.
Source: Questions & Answers on Sponsorship
A.A. G.S.O WebPage: link here
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