At a workshop we held with Snake River Intergroup last year, each participant placed a question about sponsorship in our "Ask-it Basket." Then each person chose a question at random from the basket, read it aloud and shared their own experience, strength and hope on the question.  Here are some of their great shares on sponsorship:

Q. How many sponsees is too many?

• It varies depending on your life circumstances.
• You want to have enough time to give them the attention they deserve.

Q. How much in-person vs over the phone/email/text works best? 

• Virtual sponsorship works if you work it.
• A mix is great if you are located in the same geographic area.
• I meet face to face once a week with my sponsor for a "walk and talk."
• I call my sponsor every morning at a set time for 15 minutes.
• My sponsor and I do a combo of texts and calls.

Q. What makes a sponsor a "tough" sponsor?

• Talking truth is important and it may be the first time someone has heard unvarnished truth.
• Setting clear guidelines and sticking to them is important.
• Asking hard questions.
• Asking "What are you willing to do TODAY for your recovery?"

Q. What do I do with someone who can't get abstinent?

• Ask the same question as above "What are you willing to do today for your recovery?"
• Nothing changes if nothing changes...
• Suggest:  Pray for willingness...ask for help...text me before that first compulsive bite...
• Use the Before You Take that First Compulsive Bite pamphlet as a writing exercise.
• Use the 12 Step Workbook of Overeaters Anonymous Step One questions.
• You can't want their recovery more than they do...

Q. What if I can't reach my sponsor?

• Develop your own OA support crew.
• Have the phone  number of members of your meetings.
• Call a newcomer.
• Listen to a podcast.
• Attend a phone meeting.
• Write a letter to your sponsor.

Here are more good questions about sponsorship:

• Should a sponsee always call me or can I call them?
• What is a binge? What is a slip versus a break in abstinence?
• When am I ready to sponsor? 
• How much time does sponsoring take?
• How can I find a sponsor?
• Why should I have a sponsor?  Why should I be a sponsor?

Feel free to share your answers to these questions in the comments.  Together we get better!  

Pat and Nadine - Region 1

​Why are there intergroups? What do they do for us?  How come we have to send them money?  Why do we need to send a representative? AND ……Why should we care? 
​
To me: Intergroups can offer recovery services which individual OA groups really couldn’t do on their own.  Intergroup can provide a website so people can find out about meetings or events which are happening locally (in the old days intergroups paid for a phone number so people could look in the phone book and call to get information).  They bring people together so that recovery events can happen: retreats and workshops; newsletter, meeting list, literature ordered from WSO and provided for people to purchase, sometimes Intergroups provide group insurance so that individuals are covered if someone hurts themselves at a meeting or event, and many more. 

Groups send representatives to Intergroup so that information about all those services can be shared and people are informed about upcoming events so all are able to participate on committees for retreats, workshops, public information events, and all can attend events because they know when events are happening. 

Intergroups can host workshops on Sponsorship, Abstinence, Unity and diversity within OA, or finding a Higher Power.  Or they can sponsor retreats where an outside speaker can share on their recovery. 

These are just some of the wonderful things Intergroups can do together which individual groups could not do alone.

So, support your local Intergroup with your money and time to help your own recovery. 

Margie - Region 1 

This weekend I’ve had the chance to spend some time with trusted servants from all eleven OA regions, gathering to share our wins and enlist support for our challenges. 

I watched my fellows with complex service responsibilities actively applying the steps to the work they do and taking care of themselves in the process.  I definitely wanted what they had, and boy did they spend a lot of time laughing at themselves!
 
In between the business discussions there was spontaneous sharing around personal recovery and the expression of strong support for each other. 

When I look back at my service journey I’ve never stepped into a new service position without the reassurance that I would not be in it alone; that those who have gone before me would be there to answer my questions and support me.  It just seems natural for those of us in recovery to want to be helpful and pass on what we’ve learned.
 
Just as I discovered that I was not alone in my disease of compulsive overeating when I joined OA,  I am not alone in any service that I do.  It’s also my job to be available to anyone stepping into a role I’ve held. 
 
We are Never Alone!
 
Cindy C. - Region 1

Recently another Region One board member and I traveled to Hailey, Idaho to visit with the Snake River Intergroup folks. We were so welcomed. About 30 members came from all over (and that means traveling some BIG distances) to join us for a Sponsorship and Service workshop.

There are two blog topics that have emerged from our good interactions that day. I will share the first with you today and save the other for my next blog post. 

Becoming a LINK in the Chain - Giving Away What We Have Been Freely Given:

We joined in a circle holding hands. Each person turned to the person on their right as we went around and thanked that member for what we had been freely given in OA. What we heard was amazing: freedom, joy, acceptance, love, belonging, physical recovery, emotional recovery, connection with HP...the appreciation went all around.  We took those good thoughts and shared about what each of us could do to be a link in the chain to continue to make sure that OA would be there for the next compulsive eater as OA was there for us. Some of the simplest ideas are really the most profound:

• Text all the members of your meeting on meeting day
• Call/use your sponsor
• with permission, put up OA flyers at other 12 Step fellowship meetings
• send introduction letters about OA to counselors and therapists in your area
• share your peace
• Tell your doctor about OA
• When asked about that new sparkle in your eye, share your source of emotional, physical and spiritual recovery in OA
• Be a sponsor and have a sponsor
• Be willing to be a ride or contact 
• Share Lifeline
• Offer 24 hour coins at your meeting (One Day at a Time)
• Get to a meeting whether you want to or not
• Tell your nutritionist about OA
• Have sponsorship be a topic at your meeting
• USE the PHONE to reach out
• Start a new meeting
• Be brave and take a new service position

There are many ways to make sure OA is alive and well for the next compulsive eater. What are your ideas?????

Thanks to the Snake River Folks. You are wonderful!

Pat - Region 1

Relax.     Take it easy.     Don’t struggle.

Those are words I am trying to remember throughout the day. It is a reminder that God’s in charge, not me.

But, but…I do struggle! I get stressed! I have SO much to do! There’s no end to my list of responsibilities! 

Awareness—Oh look, my shoulders are up around my ears again. I notice I have knots in my belly.  In those moments, I take a deep breath.

​Acceptance—I remember that I am only human. I can’t rise above my humanness.  I am not God. I am not qualified to be God. I look at my past and see how far I’ve come in recovery. I take a deep breath.

Action—I breathe in deeply and consciously feel my body. I cajole the tight muscles to relax. I take a minute and look out the window. I remind myself that God’s in charge. I may call an OA fellow or read literature.  I may listen to a podcast of an OA speaker or I may call into a phone meeting.  Sometimes I even take the dog on a walk and pick up garbage or dog poop in my neighborhood.  Anything to get my mind off myself. 

Breathe in, breathe out. Step Ten and Eleven in action. Thank you, God, and thank you, OA!

Leslie - Region 1