How do I get a sponsor?
DOS: 11/6/10
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Florida Panhandle, USA
Posts: 736
How do I get a sponsor?
I am beginning going to meetings... and I did get one woman's phone number yesterday, but is there a process for asking about sponsorship?
And I'm also wondering if it will be more of a challenge since I essentially work nights (and that is my time to stay out of trouble)...
I am leaving for my meeting in a while but didn't know if anyone here had any insight.
Thanks!
And I'm also wondering if it will be more of a challenge since I essentially work nights (and that is my time to stay out of trouble)...
I am leaving for my meeting in a while but didn't know if anyone here had any insight.
Thanks!
Forum Leader
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Scottsdale, AZ, one big happy dysfunctional family!
Posts: 23,061
There's a great AA pamphlet on sponsorship, see if it's available at your meeting.
The sponsors I've chosen had something I wanted, a peace, serenity, spirituality, and life that I admired. I listened to them at meetings and outside of the rooms, and also felt they'd be considerate of my work ethics and parenting schedule. It was also important to me that they were at meetings frequently, that they had a devotion to their program of recovery.
Be honest with whoever you do ask about your work schedule. Most likely they'll be understanding about the challenge.
One thought I'm having though is that in some ways recovery should be a challenge. We need to have that willingness to do whatever it takes to achieve and maintain our sobriety.
The sponsors I've chosen had something I wanted, a peace, serenity, spirituality, and life that I admired. I listened to them at meetings and outside of the rooms, and also felt they'd be considerate of my work ethics and parenting schedule. It was also important to me that they were at meetings frequently, that they had a devotion to their program of recovery.
Be honest with whoever you do ask about your work schedule. Most likely they'll be understanding about the challenge.
One thought I'm having though is that in some ways recovery should be a challenge. We need to have that willingness to do whatever it takes to achieve and maintain our sobriety.
Coffee Drinker
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Lobstah Land
Posts: 1,122
My thoughts,
A potential sponsor should:
Be someone who 'walks the walk' as in goes to meetings regulary.
Have a sponsor. (This way you get a grandsponsor too).
Have worked the steps.
Be of the same sex.
Be someone you feel comfortable around.
My suggestion, as always, is to ask the coffee maker to reccommend someone. They are probably somewhat new (like you) and therefore should be very approchable. Also, you can be certain that they have a sponsor (that's why they're making the coffee!) and they will know who the regulars are.
Of course this also applies to the greetor, the person doing the raffle, etc.
Best advice, show up early and see who is doing the twelth step work of setting up the hall. By doing this important humble service work they are demonstrating by their actions that AA is important to them and they are not above doing lowly tasks to ensure that the meeting is held.
Anyone else have suggestions?
A potential sponsor should:
Be someone who 'walks the walk' as in goes to meetings regulary.
Have a sponsor. (This way you get a grandsponsor too).
Have worked the steps.
Be of the same sex.
Be someone you feel comfortable around.
My suggestion, as always, is to ask the coffee maker to reccommend someone. They are probably somewhat new (like you) and therefore should be very approchable. Also, you can be certain that they have a sponsor (that's why they're making the coffee!) and they will know who the regulars are.
Of course this also applies to the greetor, the person doing the raffle, etc.
Best advice, show up early and see who is doing the twelth step work of setting up the hall. By doing this important humble service work they are demonstrating by their actions that AA is important to them and they are not above doing lowly tasks to ensure that the meeting is held.
Anyone else have suggestions?
Forward we go...side by side-Rest In Peace
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Serene In Dixie
Posts: 36,740
Before you ask anyone to sponsor...
Look on the free literature rack for
"Questions and Answers on Sponsorship"
That pamphlet is the official AA guideline.
Good for you!...
Look on the free literature rack for
"Questions and Answers on Sponsorship"
That pamphlet is the official AA guideline.
Good for you!...
Open Minded
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: NZ
Posts: 226
Hiya, I was wondering the same thing - you can download the leaflet from here
http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org/...cfm?PageID=161
:0)
http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org/...cfm?PageID=161
:0)
Carpe Diem
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: I live by the riiiver!
Posts: 149
Hi Sunrise,
For me, getting a sponsor was a little scary but well worth it. I simply met a woman whom I liked immediately (you can tell with some people early on if you'll get along) and I was really hurting. She had chaired a meeting and I liked her message of recovery and hope. She spoke to me afterward and asked if I had the Big Book which I didn't at the time (I had five days). She bought it for me and signed it and put her number in it. I called her a few days later and asked if she would be my sponsor because I was struggling and I really liked her. She said yes immediately. I felt very comforted that she had over 15 years and worked her program daily. It has been a lifesaver for me to have the courage to reach out. So, I say, break out of your comfort zone and try it! Good luck!
For me, getting a sponsor was a little scary but well worth it. I simply met a woman whom I liked immediately (you can tell with some people early on if you'll get along) and I was really hurting. She had chaired a meeting and I liked her message of recovery and hope. She spoke to me afterward and asked if I had the Big Book which I didn't at the time (I had five days). She bought it for me and signed it and put her number in it. I called her a few days later and asked if she would be my sponsor because I was struggling and I really liked her. She said yes immediately. I felt very comforted that she had over 15 years and worked her program daily. It has been a lifesaver for me to have the courage to reach out. So, I say, break out of your comfort zone and try it! Good luck!
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