What is Sponsorship?"
A Sponsor is someone with whom a member can discuss personal problems or questions; someone who willingly shares the experience, strength, and hope of the Al-Anon program."
Sponsorship, What It's All About (Al-Anon Pamphlet #p-31)
In short, a sponsor is the way that the Al-Anon program becomes personalized. If the newcomer goes to meetings, reads the literature, uses the fellowship, there is a certain limitation that is inherent. When a person takes the step of becoming vulnerable with another person in the program, there is a depth that evolves that is virtually indescribable. The program comes to life in a way that it simply couldn't without that intimate, personal, human connection.
What is a Sponsor for?
A sponsor is a fellow member who practices the program in such a way as to attract others to themselves. Typically, the sponsor guides the newcomer through the steps and other nuances of the program. Getting a sponsor may seem like a monumental task; but there is no way around the simplicity: just ask someone. Using a sponsor can seem odd for some of us at first, since it involves reaching out and opening up to someone. Most of us have become accustomed to "going it alone", and we all have deep trust issues. Here are a few guidelines about getting and working with a sponsor:
Call your sponsor - regularly. Try to work out a time that is convenient for you both. Try to go to the same meetings as your sponsor. This will put you in contact with your sponsor and the program fellowship at the same time.
Read what the Al-Anon literature has to say about sponsorship.
Be honest, direct, and compassionate with your sponsor. Remember that your sponsor is only a human being and is prone to mistakes. If you can communicate your feelings, what is working and what's not, etc. it will help both of you.
Try to work on tasks or objective assignments. Open-ended discussions and talking are essential, but a pre-defined program of working the steps will take you on a journey that is very likely to produce that which we all desire: Serenity and Spiritual Connection.
Develop regular meetings with your sponsor in person - once per week is great; once a month when things are stable is good, too. Make these informal gatherings part of your regular schedule.
Am I Ready to be a Sponsor?
Typically, a sponsor has been around the program for a while and has worked through the steps with someone. A good length of time is about a year. This gives the program time to sink in. There's something magical about having worked the program through all four seasons. If you're on the verge of becoming a sponsor, consider the rewards: there's no sense of accomplishment like seeing the lights come on in someone who has never before known personal connection, fellowship, or direction. By all accounts, sponsorship helps the sponsor as much as, or more than, the person who is being sponsored.
A Sponsor is someone with whom a member can discuss personal problems or questions; someone who willingly shares the experience, strength, and hope of the Al-Anon program."
Sponsorship, What It's All About (Al-Anon Pamphlet #p-31)
In short, a sponsor is the way that the Al-Anon program becomes personalized. If the newcomer goes to meetings, reads the literature, uses the fellowship, there is a certain limitation that is inherent. When a person takes the step of becoming vulnerable with another person in the program, there is a depth that evolves that is virtually indescribable. The program comes to life in a way that it simply couldn't without that intimate, personal, human connection.
What is a Sponsor for?
A sponsor is a fellow member who practices the program in such a way as to attract others to themselves. Typically, the sponsor guides the newcomer through the steps and other nuances of the program. Getting a sponsor may seem like a monumental task; but there is no way around the simplicity: just ask someone. Using a sponsor can seem odd for some of us at first, since it involves reaching out and opening up to someone. Most of us have become accustomed to "going it alone", and we all have deep trust issues. Here are a few guidelines about getting and working with a sponsor:
Call your sponsor - regularly. Try to work out a time that is convenient for you both. Try to go to the same meetings as your sponsor. This will put you in contact with your sponsor and the program fellowship at the same time.
Read what the Al-Anon literature has to say about sponsorship.
Be honest, direct, and compassionate with your sponsor. Remember that your sponsor is only a human being and is prone to mistakes. If you can communicate your feelings, what is working and what's not, etc. it will help both of you.
Try to work on tasks or objective assignments. Open-ended discussions and talking are essential, but a pre-defined program of working the steps will take you on a journey that is very likely to produce that which we all desire: Serenity and Spiritual Connection.
Develop regular meetings with your sponsor in person - once per week is great; once a month when things are stable is good, too. Make these informal gatherings part of your regular schedule.
Am I Ready to be a Sponsor?
Typically, a sponsor has been around the program for a while and has worked through the steps with someone. A good length of time is about a year. This gives the program time to sink in. There's something magical about having worked the program through all four seasons. If you're on the verge of becoming a sponsor, consider the rewards: there's no sense of accomplishment like seeing the lights come on in someone who has never before known personal connection, fellowship, or direction. By all accounts, sponsorship helps the sponsor as much as, or more than, the person who is being sponsored.
Four ways my Al-Anon Sponsor helped me deal with fear…
Throughout the holiday season, some family members find themselves filled with worry and fear as the reality of a loved one’s drinking problem often overshadows the gifts and any new happy memories. In Al‑Anon, those worried about someone’s alcoholism or alcohol addiction come together to find support and to learn new ways to cope with the effects of loving someone who has a drinking problem.
Anna, an anonymous Al‑Anon member, shares how her Sponsor helped her overcome her fear of the unknown. Watch her interview to find out more. CLICK HERE TO SEE THE VIDEO
Disclaimer:
This interview was recorded at the 2018 Al‑Anon International Convention in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. Members were asked to share about various aspects of the Al‑Anon program and their personal experience. Members’ anonymity is protected so that they can share openly and honestly about their experience with a loved one’s drinking and with the Al‑Anon program. The opinions expressed in this video were strictly those of the person who gave them.
Throughout the holiday season, some family members find themselves filled with worry and fear as the reality of a loved one’s drinking problem often overshadows the gifts and any new happy memories. In Al‑Anon, those worried about someone’s alcoholism or alcohol addiction come together to find support and to learn new ways to cope with the effects of loving someone who has a drinking problem.
Anna, an anonymous Al‑Anon member, shares how her Sponsor helped her overcome her fear of the unknown. Watch her interview to find out more. CLICK HERE TO SEE THE VIDEO
Disclaimer:
This interview was recorded at the 2018 Al‑Anon International Convention in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. Members were asked to share about various aspects of the Al‑Anon program and their personal experience. Members’ anonymity is protected so that they can share openly and honestly about their experience with a loved one’s drinking and with the Al‑Anon program. The opinions expressed in this video were strictly those of the person who gave them.