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RufusACanal · 10-20-2007, 02:28 AM

Good stuff c0. I am grateful for your writing and welcome to SR. Who knows where the one year began. Suffice to say that many folks who think they are carrying the message to the still suffering Alcoholic are not.

"Why do we ask newcomers to wait one year before sponsoring people? Why is one year a magical turning point?"

"Ebby wasn't sober a year when he approached Bill.
Bill wasn't sober a year when he carried the message to Dr Bob.
Dr. Bob started carrying the message with about a month of sobriety."

Citing the founders of AA as support for early sponsorship is all well and good, yet even they took several years in determining what guidelines would most help in leading the suffering Alcoholic in their new lives. That help came in the form of the Big Book of Alcoholic Anonymous. Most today, do not work the steps nor use the Text as those recovered men and women did years ago and that reason is supported in your above posting.

This is a softer, easier world c0 and regardless of the truth, fundamentally many today have all of the answers.

"However, for the first time in AA history, large numbers of newcomers were showing up who were physically recovered and feeling good about themselves. This removed one of the most effective tools we have in working with a newcomer- the feeling of hopelessness coupled with a desire to do anything to get over it. Many of these newcomers had worked the first 5 steps with the help of their counselors and arrived with the feeling that they had already done the steps. Many had acquired many non-AA therapies mixed with the Twelve Steps and brought this into the program. Most arrived far less teachable than they ever had in the past. Most were not assigned sponsors, but told to find someone they could relate to and call them to talk about their problems."

I believe fundamentally in a new life as a recovered man; if a man has been lead through all of the steps and is living a new life recovered, then he must sponsor. No time limits. Truly, helping the man with 15 days when I have 30 is an example of right direction by the Sponsor and the right action by me the Sponsee. I do not consider this “Sponsorship”; This is the hand of AA.

How many are recovered in a year and then capable of leading the newcomer as a Sponsor? Maybe the question is not "why one year", but why are none "recovered"? Why not work the steps in a night or over the weekend? Why not?

C0, you are on to something here. Its 300AM and I am going back to bed. Thank God for a new life, because without the new life, I would not have this chance to be up and enjoy your fellowship in the wee hours of the morning. Now that's good stuff!!

10-20-2007, 02:28 AM	#9 (permalink)
RufusACanal Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 1,927	Good stuff c0. I am grateful for your writing and welcome to SR. Who knows where the one year began. Suffice to say that many folks who think they are carrying the message to the still suffering Alcoholic are not. "Why do we ask newcomers to wait one year before sponsoring people? Why is one year a magical turning point?" "Ebby wasn't sober a year when he approached Bill. Bill wasn't sober a year when he carried the message to Dr Bob. Dr. Bob started carrying the message with about a month of sobriety." Citing the founders of AA as support for early sponsorship is all well and good, yet even they took several years in determining what guidelines would most help in leading the suffering Alcoholic in their new lives. That help came in the form of the Big Book of Alcoholic Anonymous. Most today, do not work the steps nor use the Text as those recovered men and women did years ago and that reason is supported in your above posting. This is a softer, easier world c0 and regardless of the truth, fundamentally many today have all of the answers. "However, for the first time in AA history, large numbers of newcomers were showing up who were physically recovered and feeling good about themselves. This removed one of the most effective tools we have in working with a newcomer- the feeling of hopelessness coupled with a desire to do anything to get over it. Many of these newcomers had worked the first 5 steps with the help of their counselors and arrived with the feeling that they had already done the steps. Many had acquired many non-AA therapies mixed with the Twelve Steps and brought this into the program. Most arrived far less teachable than they ever had in the past. Most were not assigned sponsors, but told to find someone they could relate to and call them to talk about their problems." I believe fundamentally in a new life as a recovered man; if a man has been lead through all of the steps and is living a new life recovered, then he must sponsor. No time limits. Truly, helping the man with 15 days when I have 30 is an example of right direction by the Sponsor and the right action by me the Sponsee. I do not consider this “Sponsorship”; This is the hand of AA. How many are recovered in a year and then capable of leading the newcomer as a Sponsor? Maybe the question is not "why one year", but why are none "recovered"? Why not work the steps in a night or over the weekend? Why not? C0, you are on to something here. Its 300AM and I am going back to bed. Thank God for a new life, because without the new life, I would not have this chance to be up and enjoy your fellowship in the wee hours of the morning. Now that's good stuff!!