Bridging the Gap

Making the journey from treatment to continuing participation in AA meetings can be a big step for many people. The “Bridging the Gap program” offers the opportunity for active AA members to assist the newcomer in this step. The “Speakers Program” is for seasoned AA members to speak at treatment centers, describing their own experience, AA meetings, and answering questions about Alcoholics Anonymous. Generally, these discussions entail roughly one hour and are an excellent opportunity for people to see AA at a more personal level.

The “Temporary Contact” program involves the AA member meeting one-on-one with a person from a treatment group, discussing AA, and accompanying them to a few meetings. At these meetings, they would be introduced to other members and learn how AA works. Unlike sponsorship, volunteers can do this 12 Step work by spending a short period getting the newcomer acclimated and then moving on to help another if they choose.

If you are interested in volunteering for either program, please email Greg S. at BTGFortWayne@gmail.com or call the Intergroup Office at (260) 471-6262.

Can AA help me stop drinking?

The video “Hope: Alcoholics Anonymous,” emphasizes the importance of having a temporary contact as the essential link between treatment and recovery. It is suggested that the temporary contact take the newcomer to a variety of AA meetings; introduce him or her to other AAs; ensure that he or she has the phone numbers of several AA members, and share the experience of sponsorship and a homegroup.

Members also explain how Alcoholics Anonymous works and what to expect in meetings. Learn about sponsorship and home groups and how the Twelve Steps can help you recover from alcoholism and live without drinking.

Please watch the video “Hope: Alcoholics Anonymous, it emphasizes the importance of having a temporary contact as the essential link between treatment and recovery. A temporary contact will take you to local AA meetings and introduce you to other AA members.

AA’s primary purpose is for members to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety. To learn more about AA, visit www.aa.org.

Click here to view this video.

Precisely How We Have Recovered Part 1

Welcome to this four-part series developed by Michael M. of Wheaton, IL. Below is a breakdown of what this series will be focusing on over the next few months.

• Part 1 – Steps 1, 2, and 3
• Part 2 – Steps 4 and 5
• Part 3 – Steps 6, 7, 8 and 9
• Part 4 – Steps 10, 11 and 12

Here is a breakdown of the first video titled “Precisely How We Have Recovered Part 1 (Steps 1, 2 & 3)”:

1. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol — that our lives had become unmanageable.
2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.

The Twelve Steps are outlined in the book Alcoholics Anonymous. They can be found at the beginning of the chapter “How It Works.” of the Big Book.

Link to the Intro: https://youtu.be/ANPhJideoRo

Link to Part 1: https://youtu.be/J0JWTBMInLo

What is “hashtag heard in a meeting?”

“#HeardinaMeeting” can be used on social media to make it easy to find posts that are related.

For instance, when we are sitting at this meeting, and someone says something awesome, and it is a phrase that we have never heard before or we’ve heard it 20 times and always forget it, and we want to remember it, we can tweet it or post it on Instagram with “#HeardinaMeeting.”   Later we can easily search social media and find it.

In the AA Grapevine Half-Hour Variety Podcast Episode 6: Getting Comfortable with the Second Step, they debuted their particular segment, “Hashtag Heard in a Meeting,” in this episode.

The AA Grapevine Half-Hour Variety Hour. Featuring AA members Don and Sam, it premiered on October 4, 2021. Each week Don and Sam will interview a different member about their experience, strength, and hope, in a casual “meeting after the meeting” manner. Special features such as “#HeardinaMeeting,” will enhance each episode. To hear the podcasts, go to aagrapevine.org/podcast.

AA Gratitude Talk

Learn more about John R’s journey in November’s edition of AA Gratitude Talk. Click here to download the pdf.