SPONSOR MAGAZINE / Issue 2 �

FOR THE SPONSOR

First Sponsorship Pamphlet

PREFACEEachmemberofAlcoholicsAnony-

mous isapotentialsponsorofanewmemberandshouldclearlyrecognizetheobligationsanddutiesofsuchre-sponsibility.

The acceptance of an opportunityto take the A.A. plan to a sufferer ofalcoholismentailsveryrealandcriti-cally importantresponsibilities.Eachmember,undertakingthesponsorshipofafellowalcoholic,mustrememberthat he is offering what is frequentlythelastchanceofrehabilitation,san-ityormaybelifeitself.

Happiness, Health, Security, Sanityand Life of human beings are the thingswe hold in balance when we sponsor analcoholic.

A. Increase the size of the groupB. For personal satisfaction and gloryC. Because the sponsor feels it his

dutyUntil an individual has assumed the re-

sponsibility of setting a shaking, helplesshuman being back on the path toward be-comingahealthyuseful,happymemberofsociety, he has not enjoyed the completethrillofbeinganA.A.

SOURCE OF NAMESMostpeoplehaveamongtheirownfriends

andacquaintancessomeonewhowouldben-efit from our teachings. Others have names giventothembytheirchurch,bytheirdoc-tor, by their employer, or by some othermember,whocannotmakeadirectcontact.

BecauseofthewiderangeoftheA.A.ac-tivities,thenamesoftencomefromunusualandunexpectedplaces.

CLEVELAND SERVICE COMMITTEE, LATE 1940S

This is the first pamphlet ever written concern-ingsponsorship.ItwaswrittenbyClarenceH.Snyder in early 1944. Its original title was to

be “A.A. Sponsorship . . . Its Obligations and Its Re-sponsibilities.”ItwasprintedbytheClevelandCen-tralCommitteeunder the title; “A.A.Sponsorship...Its Opportunities and Its Responsibilities.”

Thisversionhasbeeneditedslightlyfromtheoriginal.Themasculineformisusedthroughoutforsimplicity,al-thoughitisintendedtoincludewomenaswell.

Nomemberamongusiswiseenoughtodevelopasponsorshipprogramthatcanbesuccess-fully applied in every case. In the following

pages,however,wehaveoutlinedasuggestedproce-dure,whichsupplementedbythemember’sownex-perience,hasprovensuccessful.PERSONAL GAINS OF BEING A SPONSOR

No one reaps full benefit from anyfellowshipheisconnectedwithun-less he wholeheartedly engages in itsimportant activities. The expansion ofAlcoholics Anonymous to wider fields of greater benefit to more people results directlyfromtheadditionofnew,worth-whilemembersorassociates.

AnyA.A.whohasnotexperiencedthejoysandsatisfactionofhelpinganotheralcoholicregainhisplaceinlifehasnotyet fully realized the complete benefits of thisfellowship.

On the other hand, it must be clearly keptinmindthattheonlypossiblerea-son for bringing an alcoholic into A.A.is for that person’s gain. Sponsorshipshouldneverbeundertakento”

� SPONSOR MAGAZINE / June 20��

These cases should be contacted assoon as all facts such as: marital sta-tus, domestic relations, financial status, drink habits, employment status andothersreadilyobtainableareathand.

IS THE PROSPECT A CANDIDATE? Much time and effort can be

savedbylearningassoonaspossibleif-

A. The man* really has a drinking problem?

B. Does he know he has a prob-lem?

C. Does he want to do something about his drinking?

D. Does he want help? Sometimestheanswerstotheseques-

tionscannotbemadeuntiltheprospecthas had some A.A. instruction, and anopportunity to think. Often we are given names,whichupon investigation, showtheprospectisinnosenseanalcoholic,or is satisfied with his present plan of liv-ing.Weshouldnothesitatetodropthesenamesfromourlists.Besure,however,toletthemanknowwherehecanreachusatalaterdate.

WHO SHOULD BECOME MEMBERS?A.A.isafellowshipofmenandwom-

en bound together by their inability tousealcoholinanyformsensibly,orwithprofit or pleasure. Obviously, any new membersintroducedshouldbethesamekindofpeople,sufferingfromthesamedisease.

Most people can drink reasonably,butweareonlyinterestedinthosewhocannot. Party drinkers, social drinkers,celebrators,andotherswhocontinuetohavemorepleasurethanpainfromtheirdrinking,areofnointeresttous.

Insomeinstancesanindividualmightbelieve himself to be a social drinkerwhen he definitely is an alcoholic. In many such cases more time must passbeforethatpersonisreadytoacceptourprogram.Rushingsuchamanbeforeheis ready might ruin his chances of everbecomingasuccessfulA.A..Donotever

denyfuturehelpbypushingtoohardinthebeginning.

Some people, although definitely al-coholic, have no desire or ambition tobettertheirwayofliving,anduntiltheydo........A.A.hasnothingtoofferthem.

Experiencehasshownthatage,intel-ligence, education, background, or theamountofliquordrunk,haslittle,ifany,bearingonwhetherornotthepersonisanalcoholic.

PRESENTING THE PLAN Inmanycasesaman’sphysicalcondi-

tionissuchthatheshouldbeplacedina hospital, if at all possible. Many A.A.members believe hospitalization, withampletimefortheprospecttothinkandplanhisfuture, freefromdomesticandbusiness worries, offers distinct advan-tage. In many cases the hospitalizationperiodmarksthebeginningofanewlife.Other members are equally confident that any man who desires to learn theA.A.planforlivingcandoitinhisownhomeorwhileengagedinnormaloccu-pation.Thousandsofcasesaretreatedineach manner and have proved satisfac-tory.

SUGGESTED STEPSThe following paragraphs outline a

suggested procedure for presenting theA.A.plantotheprospect,athomeorinthehospital.

QUALIFY AS AN ALCOHOLIC1. In calling upon a new prospect,

it has been found best to qualify oneself as an ordinary person who has found happiness, con-tentment, and peace of mind through A.A.

Immediatelymakeitcleartothepros-pect that you are a person engaged intheroutinebusinessofearningaliving.Tell him your only reason for believingyourselfabletohelphimisbecauseyouyourself are an alcoholic and have hadexperiencesandproblemsthatmightbesimilartohis.

SPONSOR MAGAZINE / Issue 2 �

TELL YOUR STORY2. Many members have found it de-

sirable 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 ofyourdrinking life to tell it inamannerthat will describe an alcoholic, ratherthanaseriesofhumorousdrunkenpar-ties.thiswillenablethemantogetaclearpictureofanalcoholicwhichshouldhelphim to more definitely decide whether he isanalcoholic.

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 con-trol plans.

Thesewill,ofcourse,havebeenunsuc-cessful. Point out your series of unsuc-cessfuleffortstocontroldrinking...theirabsolute fruitless results and yet thatyouwereable tostopdrinking throughapplication of A.A. principles. This willencouragetheprospect to look forwardwith confidence to sobriety in A.A. in spiteofthemanypastfailureshemighthavehadwithotherplans.

TALK ABOUT “PLUS” VALUES4. 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 ofmind,health,andinmanycases,mate-rial benefits which are possible through understanding and application of theA.A.wayoflife.

SHOW IMPORTANCE OF READING BOOK5. Explain the necessity of reading

and re-reading the A.A. book. Point out that this book gives a de-

tailed description of the A.A. tools andthesuggestedmethodsofapplicationofthesetoolstobuildafoundationofreha-bilitationforliving.Thisisagoodtimetoemphasizetheimportanceofthetwelvestepsandthefourabsolutes.

QUALITIES REQUIRED FOR SUCCESS6. 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,studyandap-plication are most important in deter-mining each individual’s plan of actionin gaining full benefits of A.A.

INTRODUCE FAITH7. 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 begin-nings of an understanding of this all-important feature.

Frequently this can be done by thesponsor relating his own difficulty in grasping a spiritual understanding andthe methods he used to overcome hisdifficulties.

LISTEN TO HIS STORY8. 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 MEETINGS9. To give the new member a broad

and complete picture of A.A., the sponsor should take him to various meetings within con-venient distance of his home.

Attending several meetings gives anew man a chance to select a group inwhich he will be most happy and com-fortable,anditisextremelyimportantto

�0 SPONSOR MAGAZINE / June 20��

ABOUT THE AUTHORClarence Snyder is a vital char-

acter in the early story of AlcoholicsAnonymous.EmergingfromDr.Bob’sfledgling group of Akron alcoholics, Clarence returned to his native Cleve-land to form a new group. Frustratedat the obstacles of the Oxford Groups (with whom the earliest groups wereaffilliated) and the Catholic church pre-vented Clarence’s first prospects form attending. By separating from the O.G. andplacingtheBigBookasthecoreofthe AA Program, Clarence opened thedoors to his Catholic spocees, intro-ducedbookstudyasanecessarypartofrecoveryandkepthisfocusonthespir-itualgrowthreuiredbytheprogram.

Clarence kept himself surroundedbycontroversy.HefoughtagainstBillWilson’s influence and the New York attitudes,he insistedonusinghis fulllastnameinallpublicappreances,andfrequently introduced himself fromthepodiumas“theManWhoFoundedAA.” (He did found the first group to usethename,butthenamecamefromthebookandhewasbarelysoberwhenthebookwasbeingedited.)

Hischangeintheapproachofspon-sorshipfromtheearlierpositionasco-signer of the newcomers hospital de-toxbill,andpersonalspiritualadvisorthrough the work of the first six steps as used by the Oxford Groups, to one personwithtimehelpinganewcomerchangedthefaceofAAworldwide.

let the prospect make his own decisionas towhichgrouphewill join. Impressuponhim thathe isalwayswelcomeatany meeting and can change his homegroupifhesowishes.

EXPLAIN A.A. TO PROSPECT’S FAMILY10. A successful sponsor takes pains

and makes any required effort to makecertain that those people closest andwith the greatest interest in their pros-pect(mother,father,wife,etc.)arefullyinformed of A.A., its principles and itsobjectives. The sponsor sees that thesepeopleareinvitedtomeetings,andkeepsthemintouchwiththecurrentsituationregardingtheprospectatalltimes.

ANTICIPATE HOSPITAL EXPERIENCE11. 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

meanscomplete.Theyareintendedonlyforaframeworkandgeneralguide.Eachindividualcaseisdifferentandshouldbetreatedassuch.Additional informationfor sponsoring a new man can be ob-tainedfromtheexperienceofoldermeninthework.Aco-sponsor,withanexpe-riencedandnewermemberworkingonaprospect,hasprovenverysatisfactory.

Beforeundertakingtheresponsibilityof sponsoring, a member should makecertain that he is able and prepared togive the time, effort, and thought suchanobligationentails.Itmightbethathewillwanttoselectaco-sponsortosharetheresponsibility,orhemightfeelitnec-essarytoaskanothertoassumethere-sponsibilityforthemanhehaslocated.

-- Clarence H. Snyder

IF YOU ARE GOINGTO BE A SPONSOR –

BE A GOOD ONE!

ClarenceS. Snyder

As he looked about the time of writing the Sponsorship Pamphlet

for the Akron Service Committee, 1944.