Service Experiences
Thu, 2011-04-07 15:03
Have an experience or question about AA service that you'd like to share? Here's the place to do it.
Sun, 2013-04-21 09:35
#1
Promoting Grapevine at Conference -- Any Ideas?
I am on the Grapevine committee for a state conference. Do you have any ideas for promotion of GV in a conference setting? Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Sun, 2013-05-12 18:16
#2
Paper boys
Remember the old newspaper stands where the newspaper boys would cry out loud : paper here, paper here, take it here!
Well I suggest you could use the same idea instead of trying to reinvent the wheel. How?
1- getting a paper stand and decorating it attractively with GV magazines .
2- getting an uppy person to do the advertising. This is very important otherwise it won't work.
Where is it going to take place? If in CA, get in touch with me. I will gladly come. Hugs,
Victoria G.
Sun, 2013-05-12 18:16
#3
Paper boys
Remember the old newspaper stands where the newspaper boys would cry out loud : paper here, paper here, take it here!
Well I suggest you could use the same idea instead of trying to reinvent the wheel. How?
1- getting a paper stand and decorating it attractively with GV magazines .
2- getting an uppy person to do the advertising. This is very important otherwise it won't work.
Where is it going to take place? If in CA, get in touch with me. I will gladly come. Hugs,
Victoria G.
Tue, 2013-04-23 06:08
#4
Start at the home groups
Home groups have the option of conference level involvement , I am learning that there is a lot more to AA . This information is only passed along at the end of the meeting as AA events by AA members .
Thu, 2013-05-02 16:19
#5
Conference Level Involvement
I have often wondered what happens to messages like
this one which will not be posted. Do they remain somewhere
in outer space where they can be retrived if the need or interest ever arises?
In an article, written by Bill for the A.A.
Grapevine's January 1966 issue, "The Guidance of A.A.'s World Affairs". It begins on page 334 in the book
"The Language of the Heart".
Then chairman of the General Service Board, Dr. Jack
Norris brought up the topic of the make-up of the GSB
being 10 non alcoholics and 9 alcoholic members on the
board. I found it interesting to read on page 335 that
Dr. Jack's plan was ALMOST unanimously recommended by
his fellow trustees. It is obvious that even at that
time some of the trustees wanted the ratio to remain
unchanged. I would assume that some of the non-alcoholic
trustees did not want to give up the power and prestige
of their position. Also that some of the alcoholics did not want to accept the added position of responsibility.
Folks, there was a lot going on at that point in time.
Bill wrote that "Future Historians will no doubt record
this occasion as a major turning point in the unfoldment of
our well-loved fellowship.
Long-winded messages are many times unread, especially
on the small screens of smart phones. This message from
Bill is available by E-Book. Those same opponents of
change still exist throughout A.A. They will refuse to
read and discuss any radical idea.
My point is that the time has come (long overdue)
for our fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous to assume
responsibility for all of its affairs. The reasons for
having non-alcoholics on our General Service Board
no longer exist. When members for the A.A. Foundation
were needed, Bill W's non-alcoholic friends stepped
up to help. They were needed. That need no longer
exists.
My recommendation is that as the non-alcoholic's
term of service is completed it not be filled. We would
be left with 14 A.A. members on the board. They would
all be Class "A" Trustees. Alcoholics Anonymous would
truly "Come of Age".
You might say that just can't be done. But the
21 members of the Board of Trustees have absolute legal
power over all of A.A. They own the Books, control the
finances, the whole fellowship. They can legally do
anything with A.A. that they choose to do.
It boils down to humility and responsibility. The
class A trustees need enough humility to give up the
positions. The class B trustees need enough confidence
to accept the added responsibility.
Where are the Bill Wilsons, and the Dr. Jacks today, when we need them?
Bill left us almost all we need to know in his writings.
We only need to READ and HEED. ANONYMOUS
Mon, 2013-05-06 05:12
#6
RE: involvement
Some say that we need the non-alcoholic trustees to
represent A.A. in public, if the need ever arises. Today
there is a lot of criticism about A.A. But it useless to
deny the critics. Most of the negative comments and
remarks are true. If criticism is completely false, it
is best to ignore it and remain silent. But if there is
the least bit of truth in what is being said and written,
we must make whatever corrections necessary.
Personally, I do not see how a non-alcoholic could
possibly understand much about how Alcoholics Anonymous
works. They may have surface knowledge, but no real
understanding, of what it is like to be an alcoholic,
or the great miracle of recovery.
The time has come for us, who are alcoholics and are
sober members of A.A. to accept full responsibility for
our own affairs. Sure, it is an awsome responsibility
and we are probably ill-prepared, but to continue down
the dead end path is just not an option. ANONYMOUS
Tue, 2013-05-07 11:17
#7
re non alcoholics on the board
I am of the opinion that we need those nonalcoholic trustees today more than ever. I don’t know about you, but I am fully aware of the alcoholics ego and it’s ability to rejuvenate over time in sobriety. We used to call them “bleeding deacons”. I know, because I spent some time as the head bleeding deacon.
This summer, I believe AA will celebrate 78 years. Since Bill W died in the early 70’s, I think AA has moved from a spiritual progress centered, altruistic movement to a non-drinking society. The average AA member today seems to be less aware of the 12 steps that the AA recovery program is based on, the 12 traditions that our groups use as guidelines to get along with each other, and the 12 concepts for world service. Not that there are not AA members out there with sponsors and a working knowledge of the steps and traditions, it just seems to me that when I came to AA, most were. In the community where I live it’s the exact opposite. Even the old timers seem to be from the treatment center psychological approach were alcoholics and addicts of all kinds are given full membership. God help us if the AA’s in my area were on the board with no non alcoholics to keep us centered. Especially if I was on the board!
Fri, 2013-05-10 13:20
#8
RE: re non alcoholics
Just a few comments: Actually Alcoholics Anonymous has moved from a fellowship of men and women, to a Twelve
Step Program, only one of many such PROGRAMS.
Do me and yourself a service and develop an understanding of why Bill chose non-alcoholics in the first place. They were legitimate reasons. These were special friends and
supporters of Bill. Those reasons no longer exist.
Unless we again plan to solicit money from the wealthy
and the public. That is why they were chosen in the
1940's. We are close to that now; acceptance of gifts
from outside of our own members.
Look for yourself: the warning from Bob P. written
in 1986 has been removed from the service manual. Our
current and past General Service Board members,
both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, have ignored that
warning for years. Last year they deleted it from the
2012 edition of the Service Manual. Around page S72.
The paragraph begins "in 1986".
The alcoholic's EGO might be a little more apparent,
but in my opinion, the Alcoholic and the non-alcoholic
EGO's of our GSB trustees could stand much deflation.
They are ruining what is left of our Alcoholics
Anonymous fellowship. I doubt that any of them could
give you a definition of altruistic. ANONYMOUS
Sun, 2013-03-31 14:34
#9
Service
From my shoes , I am grateful for all the service done by others that the tradition can grow . May my little bit of service with that of others that are good servants help the tradition keep getting stronger . I am grateful for those that have served . That my recovery may be an act in progress . Thanks
Sun, 2013-03-31 10:53
#10
Service
From my shoes , I am grateful for all the service done by others that the tradition can grew . May my little bit of service with that of others that are good servants help the tradition keep getting stronger . I am grateful for all that have and those that now serve . That my recovery may be an act in progress , Thanks
Sat, 2013-03-02 12:27
#11
Just don't call it 12th.Step work
Just because support activity,like making coffee,etc.,helps us stay sober-it does not necessarily follow that it substitutes for true one-on-one 12th.stepping.How many times has someone picked-up a white chip and been ignored,leaving the meeting feeling lonelier than when they got there?The harvest is great and the workers are few."We are not an organization in the conventional sense"but,boy,do we have structure.If you are one of those who think themselves a "big shot in AA"because you are a trusted servant(trustworthy or not)you are not a member of my fellowship unless you take action to sponsor a newcomer.I've sponsored hundreds but I can't sponsor them all.OK,"admin",go ahead and censor me to "help AA".I got it off my chest.wcfrank
Tue, 2013-05-07 06:31
#12
RE: Just don't call it???
So I am not a member of "your" fellowship if I don't
sponsor newcomers? I agree with at least one of our posting
friends that today's concept of sponsorship does much more
harm than good. Maybe our fellowship will return to an acceptable rate of effectiveness when we lose the lable
"sponsor". Thanks "admin" for posting wcfrank's message.
I have heard that in AA there are no big shots and
no little shots; one shot and we are all shot. ANONYMOUS
Mon, 2013-04-22 20:16
#13
I call it 12th step work
Support activity. I don’t accept that there is any such thing as support activity. A recovering alcoholic either contributes to some part of carrying the message and practicing these principals or they don’t. Until I have had a Spiritual awakening as a result of these steps I don’t have a message to carry. I can sure tag along and be the second guy beside the bed and say “What this guy is telling you has been working for me”. That’s important. As a newcomer, seeing someone with years of sobriety meant nothing to me. On the other hand a guy with four months was doing something that I might possibly be able to do.
Working with others is rarely being "The man beside the bed" picture hanging in most meeting places. Carrying the message is usually done in meetings. Walk-ins, court, probation and parole, treatment centers, counselors, angry wives get them to us bodily at least. I highlighted 13 items in Working With Others in my Big Book that are perfectly appropriate for meetings. I couldn’t agree more with your attention to newcomers and its right there in the book. I'm old and I don't need to do any thinking on the subject, it has already been thought out and written down. I just need to read and follow label directions, as usual.
As far as carrying the message, I once wrote a letter to the editor of Time magazine following an issue about spiritual solutions for physical illness. I didn’t dream that they would publish it, but they did. More than one way to carry the message if I believe it and put forth the effort.
Fri, 2013-03-22 06:25
#14
Re: Just don't call it 12th. Step work
To some extent I agree with you, the new comer that walks out of a meeting without talking to any one has been shown a disservice but, when I first arrived inA.A. I had neither the capacity or will to speak with anyone,if it weren't for the coffee maker at the meeting I went to every Sat. Evening Imam not sure I would still be around. He asked if I wanted to help him set up so I started giving hima hand there was no conversation but it instilled a sense of belonging that I might not have gotten any other way. It took many weeks before I started to open up in meetings. Please do not judge 12th step work by what you see, not every new comer is willing to chat before or after a meeting. I am a trusted servant, trusted by my higher power to try my best and trusted by my group to do my best and am glad for the opportunity given me to serve.
Fri, 2013-03-22 06:24
#15
Re: Just don't call it 12th. Step work
To some extent I agree with you, the new comer that walks out of a meeting without talking to any one has been shown a disservice but, when I first arrived inA.A. I had neither the capacity or will to speak with anyone,if it weren't for the coffee maker at the meeting I went to every Sat. Evening Imam not sure I would still be around. He asked if I wanted to help him set up so I started giving hima hand there was no conversation but it instilled a sense of belonging that I might not have gotten any other way. It took many weeks before I started to open up in meetings. Please do not judge 12th step work by what you see, not every new comer is willing to chat before or after a meeting. I am a trusted servant, trusted by my higher power to try my best and trusted by my group to do my best and am glad for the opportunity given me to serve.
Thu, 2013-02-14 12:35
#16
I Stay Sober By Doing Service
I found my sponsor on day 11 in sobriety and she immediately had me start doing service by introducing myself to others at AA meetings. This evolved into my starting a home group and being elected GSR. While GSR I was elected to District secretary. From there I went to ADCM and now am DCM and the Grapevine Chair for my Area. Service was what made me feel useful while working the steps. The steps got me to my Higher Power and my HP keeps me sober. I try to be the best sponsee I can be and I try to be the best sponsor I can be. I love how I feel when I am doing service whether it is one on one with another alcoholic, or as a member of AA at a General Assembly, Service Conference, or any other AA gathering. If I didn't have service obligations I think it would be easy to rest on my laurels and we know what the Big Book says about that - we are headed for trouble if we do. I'm preparing for my first service assembly as Area GV chair and boy, is it keeping me busy. Considering I'm going through some major life changes, I consider this a way of HP saving my life. The more I have to spend my time preparing for this assembly, the less time I have to be concerned with my own problems. What a relief. I have actually spent hours not thinking about myself. That's a miracle in my book. I pray that I'll always say, "Yes, please!" when asked to do service - in and out of AA.
Thu, 2012-12-13 12:47
#17
service
i came to the progam in 1986 and have been involed in inter group .and also area 44 as a dcm and gsr
Thu, 2012-09-20 03:12
#18
Service
I have been in AA and sober since April 4, 1978 and my first sponsor got me involved in service almost immediately. He didn't ask me if I wanted to, he informed me that I did't hve to be ivolved in service, I could choose a different sponsor instead. My first exposure came at an Iowa State Conference in 1978 when I "volunteered" with my sponsor to chair a step meeting, the first step of course. From there I spoke at open meetings in the area and in 1980 spoke at a State Conferense Open meeting in my home group's city, Mason City. I was scared because there were about five hundred people in attendance but my sponsor just repeated what he ha told me many times before I spoke. "Speak from your heart and not your head. If you try to impress us you will look bad but if you tell us your story almost everyone will like it." This is still my direction for speking at any meeting and it still works. I went on to be a GSR, DCM Group and District treasurer and have chaired hundreds of meetings. I tell my pigeons the same thing my sponsor told me. Either get involvd in service or find a different sponsor. So far no one has fired me. I know this approach could seem too tough for some but I know that my servie work kept me sober through some rough times and recommend that all sponsors push their pigeons to get involved in Service.It is one of the better ways to work the twelf step.
Thu, 2012-09-13 12:32
#19
Group Conscience Meeetings
These are my opinions, experiences, and observations. Every A.A. group ought to have
a group conscience meeting on a regular scheduled basis. The first or last meeting day of
the month. An absolute minimum of once a quarter, every three months. Only members who
consider themselves members of that group ought to participate. Others may attend as
observers. The Group Conscience meeting ought to be held outside the meeting time frame,
usually before or after the regular meeting.
The meeting format ought to include this statement: Our Group holds its Group Conscience
meeting on the last meeting day of the month, or whenever it is held.
At the Group Conscience meeting, which will be well attended,(laugh out loud), a chairperson
needs to be chosen to chair the Group Conscience meeting. It is usually the regular group
meeting chairperson, but if he/she is uncomfortable as chair, someone else is nominated
and voted in to chair.
The chairperson needs absolute control of the meeting. If any member speaks out of turn
more than once, that person can be asked to leave the meeting. Call the A.A. POOlice if
necessary. No one speaks from the floor until recognized by the chairperson. Order has to
be kept.
These meetings usually begin with a group treasurer's report, as detailed as possible.
Has the rent been paid? Is there money left over? Can we afford to make contributions to
our district, area and GSO? Are there checks and balances. I find it is best to pay
everything by check or money order. Everything to do with money must be documented and
transparent. The chair asks for a motion to accept the treasurer's report as read. The
motion is made and seconded. A vote is taken. Simple majority vote carries. BUT, there
must always be asked IS ANYONE OPPOSED. If there is any opposition, someone selected
by those opposing MUST be allowed to speak again for the minority opinion. After that
person has finished speaking, the question is asked: Does anyone wish to change Her?His
vote. If no one wants to change their vote, the motion carries. If even one person
wishes to change their vote, another full vote is taken. This vote is final. There
may be an event where the minority opinion will change the vote entirely. Bill W.
advised us about the value of the minority opinion.
Where there are important issues to be discussed and voted on, it is sometimes
best to table the motion to be further discussed at the next Group Conscience
meeting. Important decisions may take more time. Easy Does It!.
Our hope is to pass decisions by a unanimous vote. That does happen often.
When the vote is close, hard feelings may develop. Avoid this if possible,
but not at all costs. We need to be responsible and reasonable. Group
Unity is important. It is our first tradition, followed closely by our
second Tradition. Without an understanding of the Tradition Two, this
message is irrelevant. Comments, Criticism will be appreciated. ANONYMOUS
Sat, 2012-07-28 04:33
#20
re: Service Experiences | AA Grapevine
I joined AA at age 18 after I realized I couldn't stop drinking once I started. I feared I would drink myself to death so I called the AA central office here where I live. The woman who answered the phone guided me to my first meeting. I began working the program. I listened, put some money in the basket, shared and learned about the steps. Then I saw an opportunity for service. I asked a sober member if I could come up to the club and clean between meetings. He thought that would be all right. I wasn't sober but I wanted to be so that sober member and I came to the club between meetings and cleaned. I am grateful for that man who helped me clean. He gave me the opportunity to do service. I am sober today and I believe it's because of that service work I did cleaning the club with the sober member because I got sober a short time after I did that service. A few years after I got sober I was on an intergroup committee at another club and had a key. I invited a newcomer to come up to the club and clean the club with me between meetings. He came up to the club and did a very good job cleaning. Then I started going to meetings at a different club and lost touch with that newcomer but I hope he is sober today too. Thank you AA.
Tue, 2012-06-19 07:06
#21
jail service
I volunteer for corrections meetings to remind myself that even though I haven't been incarcerated that I could be if I don't follow the program of AA each day,and to start the seed of there is a reason we do harmful things either by alcohol depression moments or just the fear of non acceptance.
Fri, 2012-06-15 07:37
#22
AA Service
I lived in Haywardt to , Ca: My service experience was at a place called the Alameda County Sheriffs Work Fulough Center, I was contact chair for a H&I meeting, it was Tuesday nites, I went to a regular meeting at the Park St. Center, in Alameda, then after the meeting, it was from 5:30 - 6:30 PM one of the regulars from the meeting asked me where I was going I said Into a Jail, his eyes got real big, I said not I am not a guest, I just go there to put on a meeting and then after the hour I get to leave, he said oh ok. It was one of our regular meetings, one of the men was going back east to his moms funeral, he had asked his parole officer and the judge if it was ok if he went, they both said ok, as long as he attended meetings while he was there, so before he left he asked me If he could have a couple of blank cards at this time they were double sided, I gave him a couple. so he went to the funeral and also went to meetings and when he came back the judge and his parole officer told him to go and get his stuff and go home. why because he asked first before he left and second he went to meetings while he was gone. This was one of the many men and women I had the privilage to put on meetings for, I started out as a contact chair, them became chairman, then was asked to be the coordinator of the meeting, it was a mandatory meeting so there was a signup sheet that went around, it was copies and went to the different sargeants of the Sheriffs Dept. That was a great meeting, I saw several men and women get sober and stay sober, at first in the Work Furlough center, and then at other meetings, they would say thanks, when they saw me on the Bart Train, yet I always replied that it was your choice and your higher powers to nurture the seed of sobriety that I and a few other men and women planted.
That was back in 1991= 1996, the county finally had to close the place due to budget cuts.
Tue, 2012-03-27 10:00
#23
Service
I was the GSR for my group and attended the monthly meetings
and brought the flyers and other information back to my group. I would give a GSR report at our monthly business/group conscience meeting. I was informed at one
business meeting that the local AA answering service system
was not working. I picked up the phone at home-there were
few cell type phones at that time- and dialed the number
listed in the phone book for Alcoholics Anonymous. I still
remember the answer I heard. "The number you have dialed is
no longer in service. Be sure you have the right number and
have dialed it correctly." I got involved and formed an
answering service committee. About three weeks later I
dialed the same AA phone number. The message I heard was:
The number you dialed has been changed, the new number
is:____. We are resonsible to insure that anyone who needs
AA can reach us. Service is anything we do to help the
suffering alcoholic, and anything that we do to make an
AA group available. The solution is found in the AA group.
Some may believe that the solution is found in the steps.
I believe recovery is made possible by the AA group. ANONYMOUS
Tue, 2012-03-20 23:45
#24
Why does Alcoholics Anonymous go to jails and prisons?
Why does Alcoholics Anonymous go to jails and prisons?
Was asked this very interesting question by someone who does not think that AA should be inside.
My answer was "Have never gone, so I do not know."
Also provided the person the link to:
http://www.aa.org/pdf/products/p-20_AMessagetoCorrProf.pdf
Please no slogans or a cliches. Straight answers only.
Quick replies greatly appreciated.
Mon, 2013-03-25 17:36
#25
why
An old time bank robber from year ago who's name excapes me once was ask why he robbed banks, his reply was,"That's where the money is." We go into jails because that where the drunks are. M.
Wed, 2012-07-11 13:43
#26
Because I know I if they came
Because I know I if they came in (well maybe I could of got some help sooner.)
Tue, 2012-05-29 14:58
#27
re: Why does Alcoholics Anonymous go to jails and prisons?
Because approximately 38,664 of the USA and Canadian AA members are in correctional facilities at the moment. 1,555 AA groups are held in correctional facilities. (Figures from membership estimates, Box 4-5-9, Summer 2012, page 2) http://aa.org/lang/en/en_pdfs/en_box459_summer12.pdf
More info can be found in the following: Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age: pages 5, 6, 30, 89 f, 197. The Language of the Heart page 118. Hope this info helps.
Mon, 2012-05-28 09:01
#28
The end result of alcoholism
The end result of alcoholism is either jail, institutions or death. Many alcoholics end up behind bars and have no access to meetings. There but for the Grace of God, go I.
If the cliche fits, use it!!
Sun, 2012-03-18 01:07
#30
GSR - New Freedom
Being a GSR showed me a new way of freedom from outside of myself. Many AA members kept suggesting on how to run the business meetings. What I discoverd from the last business meeting was to let the group conscience lead so that I may follow. Annoymous
Tue, 2012-03-20 10:37
#31
GSR- New Freedom
By doing service work, I can completely relate with what you are saying. I have also found a new freedom by listening to the group and taking their ideas and suggestions. Although I don't always like what everyone hs to say all of the time, I do take the time out to see if it applies to myself.
This allows me the freedom to keep myself in check with the Steps and the Traditions so that I can continue to provide the best possible service to my homegroup. Thank you for your insight and may you continue on your journey in sobriety.
Patty B- LR
Wed, 2012-10-17 16:19
#32
New Freedom
I am so thankful to know now that I have a choice in living and dieing.......let go and let god thy will be done.....one day at a time......ty god my higher power....amen
Tue, 2012-03-20 01:17
#34
LR- One More Chance
I have currently been elected to the position of literature rep for my homegroup. Although I am young in the fellowship, I have learned a few tips from oldtimers and many others along my journey in recovery. I came to the fellowship in the summer of 2005, and for many years there after was plagued by waves of guilt and remorse over my inability to stop drinking.
I have learned that by doing service work, it has filled the hole in my heart of losing my son. Due to issues beyond my control I made the sacrfice for him to get a better life. Now I have the chance to be free one more time so that one day he will come back to me and I will be stronger both spiritually and emotionally. Thank you AA for giving me one more chance at life, love, and friendship.
LR-Beeville, TX
Wed, 2011-11-23 15:44
#35
Hi,
I got sober doing a brief
Hi,
I got sober doing a brief stint in a Correctional facility.
Over the years I have done Institutional work on and off with my friend Paul in a state prison called Calipatria many hours from home.
Few of these guys will ever get out and the world is a safer place that way. Trust me!
One of these men, (his name is best protected here), was a Hispanic with a huge mustache. He set up the meetings and kept them going. He had never been to an outside AA meeting, but he understood Service and Acceptance as we practice them in AA. He also became my friend.
One day he said that the Chief of the Mexican Mafia there brought him in to his cell and told him "We see that you are serious about changing your life. We're giving you a pass. You don't gotta stand with us no more."
People are regularly murdered there whose lives evolve away from the rigid gang hierarchy. Passes on that are almost unheard of. My friend's story rang true with me then and continues today in demonstrating the power of a loving and forgiving God as expressed through Recovery, Unity and Service.
Amazingly enough, a few months later, my friend disappeared__he was transferred to a much lower level prison and may be one of the few to actually get out of Calipatria and live a sober life.
Behind the wall at Calipatria are lifers, Level 3 specials can't leave the cell without an escort, cannot go out on the yard after dark, guys who never get out due to the extreme violence of their crimes. These guys die in gang wars and prison riots. Sometimes suicide is the only exit.
My AA inmate friend set an example that was noticed even there by both the Mexican Mafia and Staff--in the darkest and bleakest place one can imagine.
I began to see my friend's face when up we closed our eyes and prayed at AA meetings, (that still happens 5 years later).
I had the pleasure of telling him that before we last parted. His eyes lit up as only a sober drunk's can. He thanked me and we will always exist together in the language of heart that I first found in AA Corrections and treatment work.
Many blessings,
Bob C
Oceanside, CA
Sat, 2011-11-12 22:33
#36
Service
Some in service forget why we are in service...to give back what was freely given us! One of the hardest and most spiritual things I have done is rotate and let someone else enjoy the gift and experiance being of service, not hold onto it like a mad dog. I have seen thousands pf examples of service and few of them brag about the decades they spent in a position. I've had many postions and loved them all but the best title is still member. How can I repay you all for my life? I pray each day to do God's will and not mine.
Sun, 2011-11-06 16:16
#37
Service? count me in
Lip service is easy to give to people already here count me in, but if you are talking about helping someone who knows nothing of A.A. and has never been here before, like pick them up and bring them? or go to a hospital and visit them?
I will have to think about that.
Wed, 2011-12-07 12:03
#38
RE: Service? count me in
There are few things in a sober AA life, as thrilling as
bringing a suffering human being into a place where he/she can get well, and help others to get well. Bill writes that this is an experience you dare not miss.
Recently I searched and found a phone number of the friend of a family member. I had never met this mother who
is in despair over her son's addiction to alcohol and/or drugs. I explained who I was and shared some of my experience of what parents go through. I asked her to go
with me to a local AA meeting, although she in not an
alcoholic. She invited her son and he agreed to go with
us. The speaker that day expressed the remorse, regret,
and shame he felt because he had hurt his parents. The mother wept through the whole meeting. At break she came over and hugged me warmly. I have no way of knowing if her
son will recover. But I am convinced that his mother is
on the way to recovery.
But this not my purpose of writing this message.
I have picked up and brought many members to AA. I have
visited them in hospitals. I may have to think about doing that at the present time. But hopefully I will still go.
But my real purpose for writing this is this: Recently
an AA member shared that he visited someone he knew in a
hospital bed, suffering from alcoholism. He stated that the
first thing he said to the patient was "ARE YOU READY YET?"
This approach did not work. The patient was drunk the day
after release from the hospital.
When we visit someone on " a twelth step call" we are
doing it to preserve our own sobriety. We only ask for a
few minutes of the patient's time, and share our own story,
what we were like, what happened and what we are like now.
Thank them for their time and exit, leaving a meeting
schedule and a phone number where you can be reached. It
really is that simple, and how can we go wrong if we just
share own story.
I do believe that we are responsible to always have the
hand of AA available when an alcoholic approaches us. But that hand does not have to be my own personal hand. We
are responsible to insure that an AA meeting is available and that the meeting is conducted properly. There are many
ways we can be of service to our fellow alcoholic, but I
am convinced that showing up for a meeting is the greatest. ANONYMOUS
Wed, 2011-10-12 20:02
#39
Service
I was sentenced to AA august of 2001 . 1 month later my shrinking had become so bad, that when 9/11 happened , I had a nervos break down . Living in kansas, an wichita being the air capitol of the world, we were a possibility for a terrorists attack here. What a day to quit drinking. Every thing I knew as life was gone, I'm being evicted, no place to go. Treatment want sounding so bad. the day before I went to treatment I ended up at an a.a. hall. It had to be a god thing.the men or side the hall, said somebody in this meeting, knows your story. I couldn't imagine someone else knowing what my life was like . I'm different . I finally felt my self being nudged to go in . I was looking to die that nite. Not attend an aa mtng . I heard my story that bought . the mtng was about service. After the mtng.a lady came to me an said do you have a sponsor?" I said no, it's my first mtng . She told me, I'm your sponsor an were going to wash the ash trays . I was so sick an eaten up in side, that I went to 270 mtngs in 90 days . I was going to get better quicker than y'all, an I wouldn't have to wash these nasty ash trays. In all honesty I went to that many mtngs because I was afraid to leave. I just knew i'd get
drink . Somewhere in that 90 days I realized that I had begun to like washing the ashtrays. I loved the look on peoples faces when they picked up an ashtray on the way to their seat, an it was clean. Since this is an anonymous program, I won't share my sponsors name. I know when she reads it , she will have a smile on her face an I'll know she knows. Thank you to my group, for allowing me to be of service to you . Deb B wichita ks
Tue, 2011-09-27 04:37
#40
grateful to be sober thanks to service in AA
I joined AA at age 18 after I realized I couldn't stop drinking once I started. I feared I would drink myself to death so I called the AA central office here where I live. The woman who answered the phone guided me to my first meeting. I began working the program. I listened, put some money in the basket, shared and learned about the steps. Then I saw an opportunity for service. I asked a sober member if I could come up to the club and clean between meetings. He thought that would be all right. I wasn't sober but I wanted to be so that sober member and I came to the club between meetings and cleaned. I am grateful for that man who helped me clean. He gave me the opportunity to do service. I am sober today and I believe it's because of that service work I did cleaning the club with the sober member because I got sober a short time after I did that service. A few years after I got sober I was on an intergroup committee at another club and had a key. I invited a newcomer to come up to the club and clean the club with me between meetings. He came up to the club and did a very good job cleaning. Then I started going to meetings at a different club and lost touch with that newcomer but I hope he is sober today too. Thank you AA.
Sat, 2011-09-24 14:41
#41
Service
With election season upon us, I am reminded of an experience I had several years ago. I have some strong opinions (imagine that!) about politics. I was wrestling with whether I should put a bumper sticker on my car for "my guy." I had picked up a newcomer for a meeting and on the way home there was a commercial on the radio for "my guy." My newcomer launched into a rant about "my guy" then sheepishly said "I hope I wasn't out of line." I didn't let on about whose camp I was in other than to say with a smile "we don't talk politics in AA." I had my answer about the bumper sticker. If I had one on my car, it may have made it difficult for me to 12 Step that guy.
Tue, 2011-09-13 02:15
#45
service
if it was'nt for some of the old timers that conned me into chairing meetings i probaly would not of stuck around. i was court ordered into aa and was just hanging around till my aa sentence was over with and some of theold timers tricked me into service but it was for my own good.every excuse i came up with they counter punched me with kindness. example i told them i couldnt chair meeting because i could not make it till 8:10 so they said we will get everything set up and when you get here you can take over. thank god for guys like them. i really dont think i would be sober if i had'nt got involved.being of service is the crux of the whole program. we alkies love to say (someone else will do it) thank god bill and bob didnt say that or none of us would have found a way out.get a job in aa and you will increase your chances of staying sober by 50% the other 50% comes from steps10,11, and12
Tue, 2011-09-13 00:16
#47
Service ?
Service is something you do and don't have to talk about afterwards -
Unless of course it's the outside sponsorship system lip service in A.A. you are referring to.
Sun, 2011-09-11 00:46
#48
Service
the best kept secret in Alcoholics Anonymous is Service. The West Central Regional Service Forum is life changing.
Thanks GSO
Sam B Area 40
Wed, 2011-08-10 18:33
#49
Court Ordered AA attendence
I think I can rightly assume that many courts across the
country try to sentence defendents to AA when alcohol is
involved. Most of us know that legally they cannot do this
due to the religious nature of Alcoholics Anonymous. I
believe AA has rightly been declared a religion, by a
judge or judges.
I will ask this question: Can a judge rightly require
a defendent to do community service? If so, why not allow
the time spent at an AA meeting be counted as community
service. This way the 100 hours of community service
requirement, which would be voluntary, could include
AA meetings.
We need the newcomer as much as he/she could
possibly need us. So the defendent would be doing a
service for us, and maybe even find help for himself.
I actually made this arrangement with a new
member about 20 years ago. His parole officer accepted
attendence at our meeting as community service. He
asked that attendence to be verified by the Priest
in charge at the church where we met. That was done.
That member is still in AA today. In my personal
experience, a young man was sentenced to 100 hours
of community service to be served by 10 hours a month
for ten months. So ten AA meetings a month would meet
the requirement. Does any of this make sense? ANONYMOUS