The Greater Cincinnati Intergroup hosted a Sponsorship Workshop this morning at the 10am St. Tim's of Anderson Meeting. The gathering was well organized and had a nice turnout. Here are some highlights!
What are your thoughts of the workshop? How might IG improve? What did you learn? What was your favorite idea shared?
- A sponsor can keep a sponsee focused on his or her growth and progress.
- If someone asks you to be their sponsor it can be very helpful to ask them what their needs and expectations are.
- A sponsor must set boundaries - A sponsor is not a psychiatrist, marriage counselor, sex therapist or financial adviser.
- Being a sponsor and being sponsored can be a very spiritual experience.
- Sponsoring without being sponsored may make one feel as though they are always helping and never being helped, leading them to feelings of resentment or martyrdom.
- Being a sponsor is an important component of the 12th step.
- There is much to be read regarding sponsorship in the Big Book, For Today, Voices of Recovery, and the pamphlets: A Guide for Sponsors, The Tools of Recovery and Sponsoring Through the Twelve Steps.
- Different sponsors have different approaches to sponsorship. If the sponsor or sponsee feel the relationship is not a good fit, it is important to be able to communicate this effectively and for the other party to be understanding and not take it personally.
- If you aren't sure whether you're ready to sponsor, consider a few perspectives: 1) Once you have completed step three, you're ready to sponsor. 2) If someone asks you to be their sponsor, they probably see something in you that they want. Be honest about where you are in your program and whether you pursue the sponsor/sponsee relationship is between the two of you. 3) Your sponsor is likely one of the best references on whether you're ready to sponsor. 4) You can't keep it if you don't give it away. Start sponsoring as soon as you can.
What are your thoughts of the workshop? How might IG improve? What did you learn? What was your favorite idea shared?
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