Much like sobriety, service is both easier and more enjoyable when we have the benefit of one-on-one guidance from someone whose knowledge and experience we trust. Fully understanding our role in C.A.’s service structure and navigating business meetings often requires asking many questions, but during a service meeting may not be the ideal time to get the answers we seek. This is why many of us have a service sponsor in addition to our recovery sponsor. The purpose of this pamphlet is to explain the difference between the two types of sponsorship and provide a better understanding of how to create an effective service sponsorship relationship.
Most of us have a wonderful recovery sponsor, who has shared their experience and guided us through the C.A. Twelve-Step program. Our recovery sponsor helps us understand how to practice the Twelve Steps and perhaps the Twelve Traditions in our everyday lives. They may or may not have experience at various levels of service. Some of us, inspired by service work at Group level, are interested in committing to serve at District, Area, and World. To help us on that journey, it can be very useful to ask for additional help from a member who has experience of the specific service work we are interested in.
The concept is similar to the relationship an individual has with their recovery sponsor. Quite simply, a service sponsor is a member who can help guide us by sharing their experience and knowledge of service to our Fellowship. Our service sponsor’s goal is to help us become a more effective trusted servant.
This is an excerpt. The complete pamphlet is published by C.A. World Services; you can read more about it on ca.org.