Sponsorship: A DYING ART? (AA Grapevine, November, 1987)

The article that follows was taken from a “Message on Sponsorship” sent in 1952 to all Chicago groups by the Metropolitan Rotating Committee in that city.

We have provided the original article in pdf form (which can be downloaded here) as well as in text form below. We believe it to be an excellent exposition of how sponsorship should be conducted in AA, and propose moreover that it be disseminated throughout the Fellowship as an example of "best practice" (that is in contrast to cult sponsorship which can only be regarded as what constitutes "worst practice")

Briefly - and to inform newcomers to this site - cult sponsorship essentially revolves around the notion that "sponsor knows best", that his/her word is "law", and that failure to comply will lead inevitably to "relapse". We quote precisely from one well-known cult website on this subject:

"It is suggested that you phone daily and do exactly what your sponsor tells you. If you don't have a sponsor, look upon every meeting you go to as a chance to find one.

NB If anything is unclear, ask your sponsor."

We have termed this approach "sponsorship idolatry" to emphasise the fact that within the cult the sponsor has effectively replaced God or a Higher Power (of your understanding) as the cornerstone of an individual's recovery. Now we come to the Chicago "system".
[our own commentary is included in square brackets thus]

"In the early days of the Chicago group, sponsorship was done most thoroughly. Indeed, groups elsewhere in the country spoke of the “Chicago system” of sponsorship.

The picture has changed. Perhaps it is a natural result of growing big. At any rate, the old style of sponsoring, with the sponsor utterly devoted to his prospect, is seen infrequently.

There is no way of checking the probable large number who have failed because of the lack of proper effort by their sponsors.

Chicago’s Suggested Program

1. Responsibility is the first principle of good sponsorship; the sponsor is the one who assumes responsibility for the person seeking help. If one is unable to devote the time and attention essential to good sponsorship, one should not undertake such an assignment, at least without a strong co-sponsor.

2. Sponsorship must be approached with the most serious attitude. AA is a life or death matter to the alcoholic seeking help; if we fail, the new man or woman has been denied the good chance he could have had with another sponsor. Prepare yourself for the first call on a prospect by rereading the chapter “Working with Others,” in the Big Book.
[This section of the book seems to have remained virtually unknown to cult sponsors –that is if their actual conduct is anything to go by. “Working with Others” is a virtual template for how to carry out effective 12 Step Work, and what follows below is an admirable summary of that chapter]

3. Visit the new prospect as soon as possible after he calls for help; presenting the recovery program to him at the psychological moment he reaches for it may be the factor that saves his life.

4. On your first visit, tell the prospective AA, frankly and simply, some of your own story—with enough pauses that he may chime in with some of his own experiences and reactions. Let him ask questions. Explain how AA works, but keep your
presentation brief and simple. Do not wear out your welcome. When he becomes restless take your leave, making an appointment to see him again as soon as practicable.
[Note: this is what is called “sharing” experience as opposed to thrusting your views down somebody else's throat. It establishes a rapport with the “prospect” and encourages within them a sense that their experience is worth listening to as well. “Do not wear out your welcome” - again another concept completely unknown in cult circles whose particular interpretation of this function includes badgering newcomers, and subjecting them on occasion to a deluge of phone calls (sometimes from complete strangers) with each so-called 12 Stepper simply meeting their quota of contacting newcomers (again another part of the cult “suggested” programme)]

5. In presenting the program to a prospect, don’t thrust your personal views upon him. Tell him about the AA program as it is presented in the book, and let him do his own interpreting, especially in regard to the spiritual aspects. He will get the views of many other AAs, in addition to yours, at meetings and in conversations. Out of all that, with what guidance you can give him, he will find a way to apply AA principles to his own life and problems.
[Again the point is emphasised that one's own views should not be imposed on the newcomer. This is called having “respect for another human being”, again another quite alien notion amongst cult members. Moreover it is made clear that the “prospect” is even to be encouraged to use their own judgement when it comes to grasping the principles of the recovery programme. Moreover that he/she should have the opportunity to listen to the views of other AAs in order to produce a synthesis which works for them. This approach is all quite contrary to the cult's mode of action where any independent thinking is strongly frowned upon, and the newcomer is enjoined to avoid all contact with “sick” AA (a view commonly held within the cult “asylum”, and this quite ironic given the “insane” values that underpin their own conduct]

6. Be prepared to sacrifice much of your time for a considerable period to give the prospect the greatest possible chance. Make yourself available to him daily for counsel and companionship.
[This is what is termed “friendship” - something which exists in purely synthetic form amongst cult members]

7. See that the prospect becomes acquainted with many other AAs, so that he may get a broad picture of the AA program and find his own interpretation and application of its principles. Make the prospect truly your friend. Give of yourself without stint in trying to help him. Invite him to your home, preferably for a meal.
[Again see above. The emphasis in very much on encouraging the individual to exercise their own judgement and autonomy, and not to become dependent upon one individual ie. their sponsor, but rather on a Higher Power – and then in whatever form that might manifest itself]

8. See that your prospect immediately gets a copy of the book Alcoholics Anonymous; it is best that he buy a copy. Ownership of the book once was a virtual symbol of AA membership; regular reading and rereading of the book is recommended practice for every AA as a tool of recovery.
[This enables the newcomer to have direct access to the original recovery programme, and ensures furthermore that he/she does not have to rely on others' interpretations (especially those corruptions of this text presented by the cult). We agree moreover that each member should be responsible for buying their own copy of the book. This is not to undervalue the generosity sometimes exhibited by AA members (or groups) in donating a copy to each new man or woman but the psychological act of taking responsibility for one's own recovery has to start somewhere, and we believe it should start here]

9. Do not take on, in your enthusiasm, more prospects than you can properly handle. AA is strong medicine. It affords the recovered alcoholic a unique opportunity to serve his fellow man. The temptation to run up a big score of saved souls is strong. But one new member a year well sponsored is a better result than fifty given the once-over lightly.
[Again this is in contrast to the “assembly line” techniques of the cult with some of their members actually boasting of sponsees running into double figures (and all of which runs counter to the advice above – that is of developing a personal relationship with the sponsee; real friendship takes time and cannot be “mechanised”]

10. Emphasize the importance of regular attendance at meetings, by precept and example. Even if you have grown careless about going to meetings, it is your responsibility to accompany the prospect to several such (and this may save you from a relapse).
[Again the emphasis here is very much on leadership by example as opposed to the cult practice of “Do as I say, not as I do” - this last is termed “hypocrisy”, again a much practised 'virtue' in cult circles. The last injunction serves as a timely reminder that the sponsor too owes much to his/her sponsee in assisting them in their own recovery. This is called “humility” for those cult members who seem to have forgotten - that is if they ever became acquainted with - this “true perspective”].

Reprinted for the Godless Heathens Group, Oakland, California”
[Finally we don't know who this group is but they sound like fun, and not people who take themselves TOO seriously]

Cheerio

The Fellas

(our usual thanks to the member who directed us towards this useful information)