fibiray
08-18-2007, 12:09 AM
For many years in AA I have always been encouraged to partake in service at some level. I may not so much get involved with the central service office or the head office in my local area as I find these too political, but I have always been proned to put my hand up to do the secretary of groups, the treasure or simply give a hand in setting up the meeting or washing up afterwards. I am staggered these days at the amount of people that belong to the will not do club. There are so many these days that come into aa and expect the meetings to be open, the coffee to be on and if it is not they are the first to complain. All too often you see the same people doing these tasks while others rely on the "its up to the older sober members to do it" approach. AA gave me a life, a life that should have ended 20 years ago, I dont think it is much to ask. While many of the older sober members are getting older in age, and moving away, who will open the doors for the new comer if these people don't do it? On the other hand we have the opposite thing happening with certain members becoming so involved in the head office or central service office and who become so active in service they do nothing about their program and ultimately we have sick individuals running the so called show. Their egos and pride are hurt if challenged and they have the potential to do a lot of damage particularly for the newcomers. I believe that humility is not a suggested thing but a must. One such member has introduced court cards to those who are facing court for relevant criminal offenses and these people are coming in as a means of escaping jail. I am not so opposed to this however, when a secretary must sign their name on a card where is the anonymity and how accountable is the secretary. This has caused much controversy in the fellowship because we have had men standing over women to have their cards signed at the beginning of the meeting so the individual can take off before the meeting is underway. I myself was challenged as a secretary when a fellow turned up 5 minutes before the meeting closed to have his court card signed. I refused at the time because for all I knew he could have been out doing an armed robbery and to put my name on a court card would have given him an alibi.
Service for me has been the foundation of my sobriety and I have had to learn about getting a balance. This includes putting up my hand to contribute to not just the fellowship but my own recovery and it has also meant saying no at times when I tend to take too much on. Service may also include turning up at meetings and sharing openly and honestly and extending the hand of friendship to the newcomer. It was the human kindness that attracted me back to aa and it is something that I try and apply today. There should be no guilt applied for not doing service but also nor should I rest on my laurels neither. thats me.
Service for me has been the foundation of my sobriety and I have had to learn about getting a balance. This includes putting up my hand to contribute to not just the fellowship but my own recovery and it has also meant saying no at times when I tend to take too much on. Service may also include turning up at meetings and sharing openly and honestly and extending the hand of friendship to the newcomer. It was the human kindness that attracted me back to aa and it is something that I try and apply today. There should be no guilt applied for not doing service but also nor should I rest on my laurels neither. thats me.