A useful piece of literature

A member kindly sent in a scan of the following piece of Al-Anon literature (cheers!) (unfortunately this is not available as a free download from the Al-Anon site. Similarly to AA it would seem that they've failed to grasp the concept of being fully self-supporting ENTIRELY on the basis of VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS .. and not via profits from literature sales – which do not constitute “voluntary contributions”

That aside it's a pity that AA guidance on sponsorship is not as explicit as that outlined here. You'll note how far Al-Anon philosophy on the subject diverges from that practised by the cult (who incidentally have also tried to infiltrate Al-Anon). According to Al-Anon sponsorship is “a confidential relationship”. However it is not uncommon for cult sponsors to pass on information communicated to them privately (eg. Step Four/Five) to their sponsors under the guise of obtaining 'guidance' - not much trust to be found here! And hardly a 'private relationship”. Further:

“Sponsorship Is: ….

...built on equality [again not part of the cult approach where the sponsee is regarded more like a piece of 'property' to be ordered about]....

A commitment to practice healthy communication – not based on intimidation or demands [again a process entirely at odds with the cult ethos if it can even be called that! Cult sponsorship is based purely on a set of demands – you MUST do this and you MUST do that with the implied, and frequently explicit threat that failure to comply will be met with the ultimate sanction …. YOU WILL DRINK AGAIN! Or the lesser, and in our view much to be desired sanction – YOU WILL BE FIRED!]........

Not a teacher-pupil relationship [see above – cult sponsorship is more like a master-slave relationship].......

An experience [not] based on … shame or judgement [again an approach running directly contrary to the cult approach which is all about “shame” and “judgement”].....

… no strings attached [again with the cult there are not so much strings attached but bloody great ropes with anchors]......”

And: 

“Sponsors – Members who are: 

….Respectful of the anonymity of others [see above] ….

Willing to freely give their time to the relationship [a bit difficult if you have more than two or three sponsees on the go .. and impossible with twenty or thirty sponsees … not unknown in cult circles]......

Continuing to work on their own recovery [again a bit difficult if you're busy running other peoples' lives]......

Comfortable to be with; encouraging, not pushy [the precise antithesis of any kind cult sponsor/sponsee relationship].....

Open minded listeners [ditto]......

Equal partners in recovery [see above]......

Able to listen without giving advice [forget it! Not going to happen with a cult sponsor. And REMEMBER - they don't give advice - they give DIRECTIONS!]

Maybe this book mark should be REQUIRED reading for all cult sponsors. They might get the idea …. eventually. But don't hold your breath!

Cheerio

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)

PS Also see our “Newcomers Pack”