Going Through The Steps
By Clarence Snyder 1944
A.A. Sponsorship Pamphlet
This is the first pamphlet ever written concerning sponsorship. It was
written by Clarence H. Snyder in early 1944. Its original title was to be
"A.A. Sponsorship...Its Obligations and Its Responsibilities." It was
printed by the Cleveland Central Committee under the title: "A.A.
Sponsorship... Its Opportunities and Its Responsibilities."
PREFACE
Each member of Alcoholics Anonymous is a potential sponsor of a new
member and should clearly recognize the obligations and duties of such
responsibility.
The acceptance of an opportunity to take the A.A. plan to a sufferer of
alcoholism entails very real and critically important responsibilities.
Each member, undertaking the sponsorship of a fellow alcoholic, must
remember that he is offering what is frequently the last chance of
rehabilitation, sanity or maybe life itself.
Happiness, Health, Security, Sanity and Life of human beings are the
things we hold in balance when we sponsor an alcoholic.
No member among us is wise enough to develop a sponsorship program that
can be successfully applied in every case. In the following pages,
however, we have outlined a suggested procedure, which supplemented by
the member's own experience, has proven successful.
PERSONAL GAINS OF BEING A SPONSOR
No one reaps full benefit from any fellowship he is connected with unless
he whole-heartedly engages in its important activities. The expansion of
Alcoholics Anonymous to wider fields of greater benefit to more people
results directly from the addition of new, worth-while members or
associates.
Any A.A. who has not experienced the joys and satisfaction of helping
another alcoholic regain his place in life has not yet fully realized the
complete benefits of this fellowship. On the other hand, it must be
clearly kept in mind that the only possible reason for bringing an
alcoholic into A.A. is for that person's gain.
Sponsorship should never be undertaken to -
* Increase the size of the group
* For personal satisfaction and glory
* Because the sponsor feels it his duty to re-make the world
Until an individual has assumed the responsibility of setting a shaking,
helpless human being back on the path toward becoming a healthy useful,
happy member of society, he has not enjoyed the complete thrill of being
an A.A.
SOURCE OF NAMES
Most people have among their own friends and acquaintances someone who
would benefit from our teachings. Others have names given to them by
their church, by their doctor, by their employer, or by some other
member, who cannot make a direct contact.
Because of the wide range of the A.A. activities, the names often come
from unusual and unexpected places.
These cases should be contacted as soon as all facts such as: marital
status, domestic relations, financial status, drink habits, employment
status and others readily obtainable are at hand.
IS THE PROSPECT A CANDIDATE?
Much time and effort can be saved by learning as soon as possible if -
* The man* really has a drinking problem?
* Does he know he has a problem?
* Does he want to do something about his drinking?
* Does he want help?
*The masculine form is used throughout for simplicity, although it is
intended to include women as well.
Sometimes the answers to these questions cannot be made until the
prospect has had some A.A. instruction, and an opportunity to think.
Often we are given names, which upon investigation, show the prospect is
in no sense an alcoholic, or is satisfied with his present plan of
living. We should not hesitate to drop these names from our lists. Be
sure, however, to let the man know where he can reach us at a later date.
WHO SHOULD BECOME MEMBERS?
A.A. is a fellowship of men and women bound together by their inability
to use alcohol in any form sensibly, or with profit or pleasure.
Obviously, any new members introduced should be the same kind of people,
suffering from the same disease.
Most people can drink reasonably, but we are only interested in those who
cannot. Party drinkers, social drinkers, celebrators, and others who
continue to have more pleasure than pain from their drinking, are of no
interest to us.
In some instances an individual might believe himself to be a social
drinker when he definitely is an alcoholic. In many such cases more time
must pass before that person is ready to accept our program. Rushing such
a man before he is ready might ruin his chances of ever becoming a
successful A.A.. Do not ever deny future help by pushing too hard in the
beginning.
Some people, although definitely alcoholic, have no desire or ambition to
better their way of living, and until they do........ A.A. has nothing to
offer them.
Experience has shown that age, intelligence, education, background, or
the amount of liquor drunk, has little, if any, bearing on whether or not
the person is an alcoholic.
PRESENTING THE PLAN
In many cases a man's physical condition is such that he should be placed
in a hospital, if at all possible. Many A.A. members believe
hospitalization, with ample time for the prospect to think and plan his
future, free from domestic and business worries, offers distinct
advantage. In many cases the hospitalization period marks the beginning
of a new life. Other members are equally confident that any man who
desires to learn the A.A. plan for living can do it in his own home or
while engaged in normal occupation. Thousands of cases are treated in
each manner and have proved satisfactory.
SUGGESTED STEPS*
The following paragraphs outline a suggested procedure for presenting the
A.A. plan to the prospect, at home or in the hospital.
QUALIFY AS AN ALCOHOLIC*
1. In calling upon a new prospect, it has been found best to qualify
oneself as an ordinary person who has found happiness, contentment, and
peace of mind through A.A. Immediately make it clear to the prospect that
you are a person engaged in the routine business of earning a living.
Tell him your only reason for believing yourself able to help him is
because you yourself are an alcoholic and have had experiences and
problems that might be similar to his.
TELL YOUR STORY*
2. Many members have found it desirable to launch immediately into their
personal drinking story, as a means of getting the confidence and
whole-hearted co-operation of the prospect.
It is important in telling the story of your drinking life to tell it in
a manner that will describe an alcoholic, rather than a series of
humorous drunken parties. this will enable the man to get a clear picture
of an alcoholic which should help him to more definitely decide whether
he is an alcoholic.
INSPIRE CONFIDENCE IN A.A.*
3. In many instances the prospect will have tried various means of
controlling his drinking, including hobbies, church, changes of
residence, change of associations, and various control plans. These will,
of course, have been unsuccessful. Point out your series of unsuccessful
efforts to control drinking...their absolute fruitless results and yet
that you were able to stop drinking through application of A.A.
principles. This will encourage the prospect to look forward with
confidence to sobriety in A.A. in spite of the many past failures he
might have had with other plans.
TALK ABOUT "PLUS" VALUES*
4. Tell the prospect frankly that he can not quickly understand all the
benefits that are coming to him through A.A.. Tell him of the happiness,
peace of mind, health, and in many cases, material benefits which are
possible through understanding and application of the A.A. way of life.
SHOW IMPORTANCE OF READING BOOK*
5. Explain the necessity of reading and re-reading the A.A. book. Point
out that this book gives a detailed description of the A.A. tools and the
suggested methods of application of these tools to build a foundation of
rehabilitation for living. This is a good time to emphasize the
importance of the twelve steps and the four absolutes.
QUALITIES REQUIRED FOR SUCCESS IN A.A.*
6. Convey to the prospect that the objectives of A.A. are to provide the
ways and means for an alcoholic to regain his normal place in life.
Desire, patience, faith, study and application are most important in
determining each individual's plan of action in gaining full benefits of
A.A.
INTRODUCE FAITH*
7. Since the belief of a Power greater than oneself is the heart of the
A.A. plan, and since this idea is very often difficult for a new man, the
sponsor should attempt to introduce the beginnings of an understanding of
this all-important feature.
Frequently this can be done by the sponsor relating his own difficulty in
grasping a spiritual understanding and the methods he used to overcome
his difficulties.
LISTEN TO HIS STORY*
8. While talking to the newcomer, take time to listen and study his
reactions in order that you can present your information in a more
effective manner. Let him talk too. Remember...Easy Does It.
TAKE TO SEVERAL MEETINGS*
9. To give the new member a broad and complete picture of A.A., the
sponsor should take him to various meetings within convenient distance of
his home. Attending several meetings gives a new man a chance to select a
group in which he will be most happy and comfortable, and it is extremely
important to let the prospect make his own decision as to which group he
will join. Impress upon him that he is always welcome at any meeting and
can change his home group if he so wishes.
EXPLAIN A.A. TO PROSPECT'S FAMILY*
10. A successful sponsor takes pains and makes any required effort to
make certain that those people closest and with the greatest interest in
their prospect (mother, father, wife, etc.) are fully informed of A.A.,
its principles and its objectives. The sponsor sees that these people are
invited to meetings, and keeps them in touch with the current situation
regarding the prospect at all times.
HELP PROSPECT ANTICIPATE HOSPITAL EXPERIENCE*
11. A prospect will gain more benefit from a hospitalization period if
the sponsor describes the experience and helps him anticipate it, paving
the way for those members who will call on him.
CONSULT OLDER MEMBERS IN A.A.*
These suggestions for sponsoring a new man in A.A. teachings are by no
means complete. They are intended only for a framework and general guide.
Each individual case is different and should be treated as such.
Additional information for sponsoring a new man can be obtained from the
experience of older men in the work. A co-sponsor, with an experienced
and newer member working on a prospect, has proven very satisfactory.
Before undertaking the responsibility of sponsoring, a member should make
certain that he is able and prepared to give the time, effort, and
thought such an obligation entails. It might be that he will want to
select a co-sponsor to share the responsibility, or he might feel it
necessary to ask another to assume the responsibility for the man he has
located.
IF YOU ARE GOING TO BE A SPONSOR...BE A GOOD ONE!
(* These headings were not in the original draft for this pamphlet. They
were added for the first, and subsequent printings.)
Before beginning the steps the sponsor must first qualify the person who
has requested to follow the path. Find out if they really are alcoholic
and, just as important, if YOU feel that they willing and ready to go to
any lengths to change their lives and not drink forever. (Page 142, Big
Book: "Will he take every necessary step, submit to anything to get well,
to stop drinking forever?")
Ask your prospect 3 qualifying questions:
* Do you think you have a drinking problem?
* Do you want to do anything about the problem?
* What are you willing to do about it?
If you get the answers: (1) yes, (2) yes, and (3) anything, and you feel
that the person is ready to follow directions without question, you both
are ready to continue all the way.
If you feel that they are not ready, tell them so and go on to the next
person. (Page 96, Big Book: "To spend too much time on any one situation
is to deny some other alcoholic an opportunity to live and be happy.")
The program and your own recovery are not dependent upon winning friends
and influencing people.
If you feel that they are ready, then you start. There are five phases to
the Steps:
STEP 1: ADMISSION,
STEPS 2 and 3: SUBMISSION,
STEPS 4, 5, 6, and 7: CONFESSION,
STEPS 8 and 9: RESTITUTION,
STEPS 10, 11 and 12: THE LIVING STEPS, CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE
STEP ONE: Who's boss -- them or the alcohol? (The above qualification
should pretty much answer the first half of the step)...That our lives
had become unmanageable, not only our drinking -- all phases of our
existence were and are unmanageable. It stands to reason that if we can't
manage our lives and we are acting in a manner that is not very sane
(unmanageability is not sane living) then we have to take...
STEP TWO: Come to believe that a power GREATER than ourselves, something
other than us can manage our lives. A power that can bring sanity back to
the way we live. Who are we to believe that WE are the greatest? When we
did Step 1, we admitted that we couldn't manage our own lives. When we
took Step 2, we said that someone greater than us could manage us and
restore us. We needed new to have a new manager, a living, loving God.
STEP THREE: We made the decision that we needed to come under new
management since our own management got us nowhere. So we turn our wills
and lives over to the care of our new manager -- Jesus. He will take care
of us and manage our lives since we admitted in Step 1 that our lives
were unmanageable, and in Step 2, that He could restore us to a
manageable state and sanity. At this point both of you get down on your
knees... Both on knees, the sponsor says: "Jesus, this is ___(name)____,
he is coming to You in all humility to ask You to guide and direct him.
______(name)_____realizes that his life is messed up and unmanageable.
_____(name)_____ is coming to You Lord in all humility to ask to be one
of your children -- to work for you, to serve and dedicate his life to
You and to turn his will and life over that he may be an instrument of
Your love. Person repeats after sponsor:
"Lord, I ask that You guide and direct me, and that I have decided to
turn my will and life over to You. To serve You and dedicate my life to
You. I ask all this in the name of Jesus Christ. I thank you Lord; I
believe that if I ask this in prayer, I shall receive what I have asked
for. Thank you Jesus. Amen."
Now that we have gone under new management, we believe what it says in
the Big Book at the end of the Steps in How It Works:
A: We were alcoholic and could not manage our own lives,
B: No human power could RELIEVE our alcoholism,
C: GOD COULD AND WOULD IF HE WERE SOUGHT!!!!!
Then we have to take an inventory.
STEP FOUR: Take a searching and fearless moral inventory. We must find
out what we've got, what we need to get rid of, and what we need to
acquire. There are 20 character defects to ask about -- the individual
wrongs are not necessary to go over, just the defects that caused them.
Going over the questions, you ask that the person be honest and admit his
defects to himself, to you, and to God (where two or more are gathered in
His name, there shall He be.) By admitting, the person also takes.
STEP FIVE: The inventory is of our defects, not our incidents. Here are
the defects:
* Resentment, Anger
* Fear, Cowardice
* Self pity
* Self justification
* Self importance, Egotism
* Self condemnation, Guilt
* Lying, Evasiveness, Dishonesty
* Impatience
* Hate
* False pride, Phoniness, Denial
* Jealousy
* Envy
* Laziness
* Procrastination
* Insincerity
* Negative Thinking
* Immoral thinking
* Perfectionism, Intolerance
* Criticizing, Loose Talk, Gossip
* Greed
Now that you've admitted these defects, ask, "Don't you want to get rid
of them?" These same defects caused your life to be unmanageable. How can
you ask God to get rid of the THINGS you did in your past? YOU CAN'T!!
You can ask to get rid of the defects, which caused you to act in the
manner you did by taking...
STEP SIX: You were ENTIRELY ready (not almost, not just about, not
partially) to have God remove ALL (not some) of these defects. He cannot
remove things that have already happened. You are ready to get rid of ALL
of them, even the ones that are fun. REMEMBER, YOU TURNED YOUR WILL AND
LIFE OVER TO GOD IN STEP THREE. Now comes...
STEP SEVEN: On your knees you ask that these defects be removed, these
shortcomings listed in your inventory... Both on knees, the sponsor says:
"Lord, here is your child, ____(name)___. He is coming to you in all
humility to humbly ask your forgiveness, believing that anything he asks
in prayer, he humbly shall receive. Person repeats after sponsor: "I,
___(name)___, humbly ask you oh Lord, to remove my shortcomings and
forgive me, my sins and trespasses, and ask in all humility that you will
remove my defects and shortcomings because I am one of your children and
I truly believe. Thank you Jesus, Amen." Sponsor: "Your sins are removed
in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit." Both: "Thank
you Jesus, Amen."
STEP EIGHT: You make a list of all persons you have harmed, starting with
yourself, family, friends, employers, employees, etc. If the person was
involved in the occult, God's forgiveness must be asked. We discuss
briefly this list, and ask if they are willing to make restitution and
amends. (Since the sponsor is boss - you really don't ask... it is
assumed.) Then restitution is made to all as soon as possible, except in
certain instances where it is turned over to God. They will have done
STEP NINE: by making restitution. After doing these 9 steps, your slate
is wiped clean. You are reborn as it says in the Big Book on page 63, "We
were reborn." II Corinthians 5:17 says, "Therefore if any man is in
Christ, he is a new creature: the old things are passed away; behold, all
things are made new!
STEP TEN: We continued to take personal inventory every night: did you
harm anyone, have you done something wrong? Do you deserve a gold star or
a black mark? You ask forgiveness honestly, and all is forgiven by the
Lord -- clean slate. When you are wrong, promptly admit it. When you
don't, use the inventory at night to do so. Deal with your life by the
four absolutes: ABSOLUTE LOVE, ABSOLUTE HONESTY, ABSOLUTE UNSELFISHNESS,
and ABSOLUTE PURITY. Did you act out of Love? Were you honest? Were you
unselfish? Were your motives pure? All things must be based on these four
things...
STEP ELEVEN: Prayer is talking to God -- meditation is listening to Him.
Pray, go to church, read the bible, read the Big Book. Get to know the
Word of God so that you will understand it when you meditate. Thy will,
not mine, be done!!!!
STEP TWELVE: A spiritual awakening is THE RESULT of working, doing, and
LIVING, ALL of the 12 Steps! Then you have this message to carry to
others. There is no message unless you have done the first 9 Steps and
are living the last three. You can't give what you don't have. You must
practice these principles in ALL your affairs.
Now it is your responsibility to give this message to others as you have
received it. Not changed, watered down, or how others may want it in
their lives. If they want what you have, they must do what you did. It is
now your legacy to hand down, AS IT WAS GIVEN TO YOU -- NO OTHER WAY!!!!
It is recommended that two people work with the newcomer through the
steps whenever possible, so that both may learn as well as give.
There is no easier, softer way -- this is it. This is the PROGRAM OF
RECOVERY as it was in the 1930's in Ohio, as Dr. Bob gave it. You can and
DO recover, you don't have to stay sick -- you can and do get WELL!!!
This is the solution; this is HOW IT WORKS.
Don't trudge the Happy Road to Recovery; walk with your head high,
knowing that through you, God will help others to RECOVER as you have.
May God bless and be with you.
Contact:
The Legacy Group of Alcoholics Anonymous © 2005