The "Big Book" entitled "Alcoholics Anonymous" is the basic text that presents the A.A. 12-Step program of Recovery from alcoholism. Though the words "sponsor" and "sponsorship" are often heard in A.A. circles, the word "sponsor" does not appear anywhere in the book (go ahead, try to find it!). Nonetheless, the Basic Text emphasizes "carrying the message" to still-suffering alcoholics - in fact, several chapters are devoted to this vitally-important and often misunderstood subject. The purpose of these writings is to "eschew obfuscation", that is, to make the meaning clear - eliminate confusion.
This is from The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language 4th ed.: spon·sor (spŏnsər) noun.
1. One who assumes responsibility for another person or a group during a period of instruction, apprenticeship, or probation.
2. One who vouches for the suitability of a candidate for admission.
3. A legislator who proposes and urges adoption of a bill.
4. One who presents a candidate for baptism or confirmation; a godparent.
5. One that finances a project or an event carried out by another person or group, especially a business enterprise that pays for radio or television programming in return for advertising time.
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Note to website visitors: When you have taken the steps to open an "account" in the "log-in" box to become an "authorized user" who has earned a promotion to "member" status by contributing helpful comments and other input, the webmaster and editors encourage you to add a "book page" giving your thoughts (or language you've found) that would help potential "Sponsors" carry the message. (As examples, there are several "book page" contributions listed below.)
The purpose of "working" the 12 Step Program is to have a "spiritual awakening" that produces the desired "psychic change" described in the Big Book.
The role of a sponsor is to guide a newcomer through the process of taking the steps so that the newcomer has a spiritual awakening.
The only people who can effectively sponsor a newcomer are members of the Fellowship who are real alcoholics (page 21) who have taken the steps and, as a result, have experienced a spiritual awakening. Hard drinkers, fakers, and others who seem to be recovered alcoholics seldom, if ever, have the ability to effectively sponsor a newcomer--they didn't need a spiritual experience to recover, so they have not had one. How can they teach another to experience what they have not experienced themselves? Would you like to go up in a small plane with a "flight instructor" who didn't know how to fly?
Here is a simple qualifying question to ask of anyone you might want to have as a sponsor: "have you had a spiritual experience or a spiritual awakening as a result of taking the steps?" If the answer is "no" or you get a blank look in response, move on to the next candidate. If the answer is "yes" or you get a smile and a twinkle in the eye, continue the "interview" - you've got a live one! Now ask if they've got the time and willingness to help you "work the steps."
Understand this: you are looking for someone to guide you through the steps. You are NOT looking for a friend, a companion, or a buddy. If you want a flight instructor, get a flight instructor. If you want a sponsor, get a sponsor. If you want a friend, look for a friend. If you want a guide in unfamiliar places, wouldn't you want a guide with knowledge and experience?
A sponsor is NOT a therapist, a counselor, a medical or pharmaceutical consultant, a financial adviser, a lawyer, or a companion; a 12-step sponsor is a 12-step sponsor. A sponsor's work is described in Chapter 7 - Working With Others - beginning with Page 89. One result of the work is described in the first paragraph on Page 100 of the Big Book.
Page 18, in paragraph 5. describes the qualifications of a Sponsor (in one looong sentence).
"That the man who is making the approach has had the same difficulty, that he obviously knows what he is taking about, that his whole deportment [his behavior] shouts at the new prospect that he is a man with a real answer, that he has no attitude of Holier Than Thou, nothing whatever except the sincere desire to be helpful; that there are no fees to pay, no axes to grind, no people to please, no lectures to be endured--these are the conditions which we have found most effective."
A potential sponsor is a recovered alcoholic (not a hard drinker) who has discovered the "common solution" presented in the Big Book, the one upon which we recovered alcoholics can absolutely agree and upon which we can join in brotherly and harmonious action (See page 17).
Upon meeting a "newcomer" - a real alcoholic who has not yet taken the steps that produce a spiritual awakening that removes the obsession to drink - the sponsor, a recovered alcoholic who has
If the sponsor persists, "remarkable things will happen" to both the sponsor and the newcomer. "When we look back, we realize that the things which came to us when we put ourselves in God's hands were better than anything we could have planned. Follow the dictates of a Higher Power and you will presently live in a new and wonderful world, no matter what your present circumstances!" (Page 100)
Try it. You'll like it.