1944 A.A. Sponsorship Pamphlet
by Clarence Snyder

http://www.barefootsworld.net/aasponsorship1944.html

Barefoot tells us in his introduction:

This is the first pamphlet ever written con-
cerning sponsorship. It was written by Clarence
H. Snyder in early 1944. Its original title
was to be "A.A. Sponsorship ... Its Obligations
and Its Responsibilities." It was printed by
the Cleveland Central Committee under the
title: "A.A. Sponsorship ... Its Opportuni-
ties and Its Responsibilities."

*******************************************

PREFACE

Each member of Alcoholics Anonymous is a
potential sponsor of a new member and should
clearly recognize the obligations and duties
of such responsibility.

The acceptance of an opportunity to take
the A.A. plan to a sufferer of alcoholism
entails very real and critically important
responsibilities. Each member, undertaking
the sponsorship of a fellow alcoholic, must
remember that he is offering what is frequently
the last chance of rehabilitation, sanity
or maybe life itself.

Happiness, Health, Security, Sanity and Life
of human beings are the things we hold in balance
when we sponsor an alcoholic.

No member among us is wise enough to develop
a sponsorship program that can be successfully
applied in every case. In the following pages,
however, we have outlined a suggested procedure,
which supplemented by the member's own
experience, has proven successful.

PERSONAL GAINS OF BEING A SPONSOR

No one reaps full benefit from any fellowship
he is connected with unless he wholeheartedly
engages in its important activities. The
expansion of Alcoholics Anonymous to wider
fields of greater benefit to more people
results directly from the addition of new,
worth-while members or associates.

Any A.A. who has not experienced the joys
and satisfaction of helping another alcoholic
regain his place in life has not yet fully
realized the complete benefits of this fellow-
ship. On the other hand, it must be clearly
kept in mind that the only possible reason
for bringing an alcoholic into A.A. is for
that person's gain. Sponsorship should never
be undertaken to -

1. Increase the size of the group.
2. For personal satisfaction and glory.
3. Because the sponsor feels it his duty
to re-make the world.

Until an individual has assumed the responsi-
bility of setting a shaking, helpless human
being back on the path toward becoming a healthy
useful, happy member of society, he has not
enjoyed the complete thrill of being an A.A.

SOURCE OF NAMES

Most people have among their own friends
and acquaintances someone who would benefit
from our teachings. Others have names given to
them by their church, by their doctor, by their
employer, or by some other member, who cannot
make a direct contact.

Because of the wide range of the A.A.
activities, the names often come from unusual
and unexpected places. These cases should be
contacted as soon as all facts such as:
marital status, domestic relations, financial
status, drink habits, employment status and
others readily obtainable are at hand.

IS THE PROSPECT A CANDIDATE?

Much time and effort can be saved by learning
as soon as possible if -

1. The man* really has a drinking problem?
2. Does he know he has a problem?
3. Does he want to do something about his
drinking?
4. Does he want help?

*The masculine form is used throughout for
simplicity, although it is intended to include
women as well.

Sometimes the answers to these questions
cannot be made until the prospect has had some
A.A. instruction, and an opportunity to think.
Often we are given names, which upon investi-
gation, show the prospect is in no sense an
alcoholic, or is satisfied with his present
plan of living. We should not hesitate to drop
these names from our lists. Be sure, however,
to let the man know where he can reach us at
a later date.

WHO SHOULD BECOME MEMBERS?

A.A. is a fellowship of men and women
bound together by their inability to use
alcohol in any form sensibly, or with profit
or pleasure. Obviously, any new members
introduced should be the same kind of people,
suffering from the same disease.

Most people can drink reasonably, but we
are only interested in those who cannot. Party
drinkers, social drinkers, celebrators, and
others who continue to have more pleasure
than pain from their drinking, are of no
interest to us.

In some instances an individual might
believe himself to be a social drinker when
he definitely is an alcoholic. In many such
cases more time must pass before that person
is ready to accept our program. Rushing such
a man before he is ready might ruin his
chances of ever becoming a successful A.A.
Do not ever deny future help by pushing
too hard in the beginning.

Some people, although definitely alcoholic,
have no desire or ambition to better their way
of living, and until they do........ A.A. has
nothing to offer them.

Experience has shown that age, intelligence,
education, background, or the amount of liquor
drunk, has little, if any, bearing on whether
or not the person is an alcoholic.

PRESENTING THE PLAN

In many cases a man's physical condition is
such that he should be placed in a hospital,
if at all possible. Many A.A. members believe
hospitalization, with ample time for the
prospect to think and plan his future, free
from domestic and business worries, offers
distinct advantage. In many cases the hospit-
alization period marks the beginning of a new
life. Other members are equally confident that
any man who desires to learn the A.A. plan
for living can do it in his own home or while
engaged in normal occupation. Thousands of
cases are treated in each manner and have
proved satisfactory.

SUGGESTED STEPS*

The following paragraphs outline a
suggested procedure for presenting the A.A.
plan to the prospect, at home or in the
hospital.

QUALIFY AS AN ALCOHOLIC*

1. In calling upon a new prospect, it has
been found best to qualify oneself as an
ordinary person who has found happiness,
contentment, and peace of mind through A.A.
Immediately make it clear to the prospect that
you are a person engaged in the routine
business of earning a living. Tell him your
only reason for believing yourself able to
help him is because you yourself are an alcoholic
and have had experiences and problems that
might be similar to his.

TELL YOUR STORY*

2. Many members have found it desirable 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 of your
drinking life to tell it in a manner that will
describe an alcoholic, rather than a series
of humorous drunken parties. This will enable
the man to get a clear picture of an alcoholic
which should help him to more definitely decide
whether he is an alcoholic.

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 control
plans. These will, of course, have been
unsuccessful. Point out your series of unsuccessful
efforts to control drinking...their absolute
fruitless results and yet that you were able
to stop drinking through application of A.A.
principles. This will encourage the prospect
to look forward with confidence to sobriety
in A.A. in spite of the many past failures he
might have had with other plans.

TALK ABOUT "PLUS" VALUES*

4. 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 of mind, health, and in
many cases, material benefits which are possible
through understanding and application of the
A.A. way of life.

SHOW IMPORTANCE OF READING BOOK*

5. Explain the necessity of reading and
re-reading the A.A. book. Point out that this
book gives a detailed description of the A.A.
tools and the suggested methods of application
of these tools to build a foundation of
rehabilitation for living. This is a good
time to emphasize the importance of the twelve
steps and the four absolutes.

QUALITIES REQUIRED FOR SUCCESS IN A.A.*

6. 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, study and application
are most important in determining each indivi-
dual's plan of action in gaining full benefits
of A.A.

INTRODUCE FAITH*

7. 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 beginnings of an understanding
of this all-important feature.

Frequently this can be done by the sponsor
relating his own difficulty in grasping a
spiritual understanding and the methods he
used to overcome his difficulties.

LISTEN TO HIS STORY*

8. 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 MEETINGS*

9. To give the new member a broad and
complete picture of A.A., the sponsor should
take him to various meetings within convenient
distance of his home. Attending several
meetings gives a new man a chance to select
a group in which he will be most happy and
comfortable, and it is extremely important
to let the prospect make his own decision as
to which group he will join. Impress upon
him that he is always welcome at any meeting
and can change his home group if he so wishes.

EXPLAIN A.A. TO PROSPECT'S FAMILY*

10. A successful sponsor takes pains and
makes any required effort to make certain that
those people closest and with the greatest
interest in their prospect (mother, father,
wife, etc.) are fully informed of A.A., its
principles and its objectives. The sponsor
sees that these people are invited to meetings,
and keeps them in touch with the current
situation regarding the prospect at all times.

HELP PROSPECT ANTICIPATE HOSPITAL EXPERIENCE*

11. A prospect will gain more benefit from
a hospitalization period if the sponsor
describes the experience and helps him anti-
cipate 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 means complete.
They are intended only for a framework and
general guide. Each individual case is
different and should be treated as such.
Additional information for sponsoring a new
man can be obtained from the experience of
older men in the work. A co-sponsor, with
an experienced and newer member working on
a prospect, has proven very satisfactory.
Before undertaking the responsibility of
sponsoring, a member should make certain
that he is able and prepared to give the time,
effort, and thought such an obligation entails.
It might be that he will want to select a
co-sponsor to share the responsibility, or
he might feel it necessary to ask another
to assume the responsibility for the man
he has located.

IF YOU ARE GOING TO BE A SPONSOR...BE A
GOOD ONE!

[* These headings were not in the original
draft for this pamphlet. They were added
for the first, and subsequent printings.]