Back To Basics
by Judy F.
If you have been sober for a while you are now familiar with the “foreign language” that is spoken in Alcoholics Anonymous. Today I want you to go back to those first few meetings you went to in the beginning and try to remember the confusion you experienced with the things shared in meetings or the flock of people who came up to you after the meeting. The conversations went something like this; “if you are new here today, don’t leave without a big book; make sure you get a sponsor; don’t leave without a bunch of phone numbers; oh, and by-the-way do you want to go for coffee?”
Do we do a disservice to our newcomers by not utilizing the literature provided by General Service specifically designed for the newcomer? From NY there is the pamphlet A Newcomer Asks, intended for people approaching Alcoholics Anonymous for the first time. It attempts to answer the questions most frequently in the minds of newcomers. Also provided by New York:
And last- but- not- least:
For those of us who need more assistance with this subject there is a whole chapter in our big book dedicated to “Working With Others.” It offers suggestions on how to approach the new person and suggests we move on if the prospect does not respond. There is much work to be done to continue to carry the message and many tools are available to assist us.
Your local Central Office is in the process of compiling “newcomer packets” that will be available to groups/meetings in Santa Clarita Valley. These packets will be available within the next two weeks. Pricing to be determined.