Suggestions on helping newcomers to keep coming back

[admin]

1. Station greeters at the A.A. meeting room door.

2. At large meetings, ask those present who have attended fewer than
three meetings (or those in their first week or months of sobriety) to
identify themselves--"not to embarrass you but so we can get to know you."

3. Break up large meetings into smaller groups, at least for part of
the meeting.

4. Offer newcomers you phone number and let them know you'd welcome
their call.

5. If newcomers turn out to have a problem other than alcohol, explain
A.A.'s singleness of purpose and offer to take them to a meeting of a
twelve-step program with which they can identify.

6. If you go out for coffee, cake and sharing after the meeting,
include a newcomer. It may be his or her first opportunity to socialize
sober.

7. Stress the importance of the Twelve Steps and sponsorship as vital
to sobriety, and be willing to share these tools as lifelines to recovery in
A.A.

8. Be aware that every day of sobriety counts. The 1989 survey notes
that about 40 percent of members sober less than a year will remain sober
and active in A.A. for at least another 12 months--and that figure jumps to
approximately 90 percent after five years.

Carrying the A.A. message to the newcomers who need our help is a top
priority. By leading a beginner meeting, regularly participating in our
home groups and greeting each newcomer with A.A. love, we A.A.'s are passing
along what was freely given to us.



Box 4/5/9 Oct/Nov 1991