I was told to pick up chips to show OTHERS that the program works. My sponsor said it had nothing to do with me and that it was service work.
I have never heard "to show that I was powerless". I would never ask a sponsee to "show" that she was powerless.....she came through the door, didn't she? No further proof required.
The program and fellowship are about becoming an agent of AA and carrying the message to those who need it. That is our purpose. Picking up chips can be a part of that or not...neither is wrong. I only talk to sponsees about getting chips if they ask me. I am not a life coach or micro-manager. They can do the chip tour if they want. To some it is terrifying and to some it is a great comfort. To each her own.