Responsibility of Sponsors

From Central Bulletin November 1942

(Vol. 1 No. 2)

A glimpse at sponsorship in the first decade of Alcoholics Anonymous.

The greatest responsibility any man or woman assumes as a member of A.A. is the treatment or sponsorship of the new prospect.

Upon how thoroughly and conscientiously this job is done by us depends the future happiness and security of the individual concerned.

It is, therefore, important that we assume this responsibility in its entirety, not only for the benefit of the prospect, but for our own protection as well. Our own safety and security depends upon how unselfishly we give of ourselves to others.

It is our duty to be certain beyond the shadow of a doubt that the prospect once left on his own has such a complete understanding of the principles and practices of this movement that he will know what to do under any and all conditions.

This is accomplished only by painstaking effort on our part to the extent that we must be sure that the prospect has received the proper instructions from a great number of contacts, through the reading of the book Alcoholics Anonymous, and by our showing the way properly to make a contact with others.

All this having been done, it is important that we impress upon the prospect the fact that he must then do this job of himself for his own security.

All these things are vitally necessary and it is the sponsor’s responsibility to follow through on this to the point where the prospect is able honestly to recognize the fact that regardless of what the condition or circumstance with which he is confronted a drink is never the  solution to his problem.