Being of service to others comes up as a topic every once in a while. Not often enough for my taste. Service to others is a critical part of our program. In The Promises, number seven shows how “We will lose interest in selfish things and gain interest in our fellows.” Years ago, sponsors would have their new person making coffee, setting up the hall, greeting people as they came in, cleaning ashtrays, and, after the meeting, putting everything away. This is how I remember it. I don’t see that happening much in the past ten years. Promise six is the payoff when a new person does the detailed work. “That feeling of uselessness and self-pity will disappear.” They become part of the group, not just someone attending meetings.

Several groups have closed because no one stepped up to take responsibility for opening the doors. Right now, one group has an 84-year-old coffee maker. He has been at the helm every Sunday for the past ten years, trying for months to have someone step into his shoes. So far, most would rather see the meeting fold. Where is the old-time spirit of helping others?

 Just showing up for a meeting isn’t being of service to anyone but you. Sure, your ego may say something inspirational when you speak, but for the most part, you’re there because you fear what might happen if you don’t go. Picking up after yourself isn’t considered a service either. Stick around and help clean up. Show up early for the setup. Just because you have a few years under your belt doesn’t mean you’ve put some service in the bank.

Let’s get the new people active again. Have them do what you did to stay sober in those first few years. My sponsee has been making coffee since he first came into the program. He is also the treasurer and secretary. Oh, and he gets the cakes once a month for Anniversary Night. For that, he now has the gift of six years of sobriety. I believe in rotating positions, but it only works if someone is willing to serve. These days, I don’t see it.

What a shame it would be for future alcoholics if AA just faded away because there was no one to open the door. The old timers probably won’t let it happen, but just think of all the benefits that could be gained by new people getting involved. If you are sponsoring someone and they aren’t involved with a group, in my opinion, you are not doing your job. Let’s all pitch in and help the new person help themselves.