During my 29 years sober I have had the opportunity to commit to many positions of service in Alcoholics Anonymous. The original and most frequent form of service is working with others, especially in the area of sponsorship. “Practical experience shows that nothing will so much ensure immunity from drinking as intensive work with other alcoholics.” (Alcoholics Anonymous, page 89). Having had sponsors and also being a sponsor have definitely made a positive and permanent difference in my recovery from a “seemingly hopeless state of mind and body.” (Alcoholics Anonymous, page xiii). However, I have also been able to participate in service at the group level, district level, and Intergroup level in addition to individual opportunities.
In my early days of recovery, the members of my original home group, especially the old-timers, guided me into group service. It was explained to me that although group and other levels of service are not specified in the Big Book, as AA grew, this type of service also carried the message of recovery to alcoholics who still suffered. It was also explained to me that service is not done on a convenience basis, and I would have to commit (sacrifices) just a little more time and effort than just conveniently filling in the time gaps of my life. In addition, I was promised that any effort I made to commit and follow through as best I could would only enhance and contribute to my own recovery in my new sober life. Those voices of experience were not lying in the least when they passed it on to me.
Even though some large segments of my sobriety have not always permitted me to participate in traditional forms of service, being open to an opportunity, however random, has continued to enhance my recovery. Many times the life commitments of family, education, employment and home have become overwhelming, and service commitments to AA may have seemed impractical; yet, those voices of experience were still there. They continued to remind me to do something other than just being absorbed into the life terms that are present in my life. There have been times that, for various reasons, I have had to relinquish service commitments, but always with a heavy heart. I have found that re-committing to a new service commitment as soon as possible has allowed me to grow in my recovery and maintain and value my recovery experience.
This brings me to the point of the article. I am currently serving as the Corresponding Secretary for Central Florida Intergroup. With the blessings of my Higher Power, I hope to be able to continue my term to its end in May 2019. There are several Central Florida Intergroup Service Committee positions that are to be filled by election at the Delegates’ Meeting this upcoming May 2018. Intergroup Delegates have already been informed of the positions and are to inform their groups in order to make members aware of these opportunities for service.
As the Central Florida Intergroup area encompasses Orange and Seminole Counties, the groups that list their meeting information in the Intergroup “Where and When” spans this entire area.
Many AA members who are willing and able to provide help with the Service Committee positions may be simply overlooked due to not being informed these positions are available. In addition, many groups listed may not be aware they have the right to be represented within Intergroup by providing Delegates and Alternate Delegates to the monthly Intergroup Delegates’ Meeting, where the Delegates approve and decide on the courses of action for the Service Committee members. They also have the opportunity to interface with participating Delegates from the Central Florida area on various AA issues and events.
Not every AA member is a good fit for service at the Intergroup level. However, my own recovery has proven continued service only strengthens and enhances the quality of my recovery and allows for the experience I received to be passed on. Members who may feel there is room for improvement in their recovery may want to take an inventory exercise to address our Legacy of Service. In any case, service in any form may provide an enhancement to the quality of their recovery.
Dennis W., Intergroup
Corresponding Secretary