8/31/21 Tonight’s All-In Men’s meeting topic was based on service and working with others. Kind of a fitting topic because at the spiritual retreat this weekend, I was informed that I might be getting out of balance. I might be doing too much and taking away from other areas of my life, like family time. I was told that I need to delegate and let others do service work. Speak up when things need to be done. One guy said that I had the ability to see when things need to be done before others even know there is an opportunity. With that, I need to let others have an opportunity to do some service work.
Two years ago, I asked McWane if he would let me be of service with the role of Intergroup Representative for our Tuesday night men’s AA group. The Intergroup Rep (IR) position is a two year service commitment where I had to show up each month to the Intergroup Business Meetings. There we discussed any changes in locations or requirements for the meetings (like if mask were required) or not. We discussed literature changes that the Intergroup office would keep in-stock. I was able to hear monthly a report from each of the groups that sent a rep. Normally, there were about 12-15 people who would so up for the meetings. I like the connection to the heart of the AA meetings in town. I could hear which groups were doing well, which were struggling for members, which were raking in the contributions, and which were struggling to keep the lights on and the coffee pot running. Drew R. stepped up (or was volunteered) to take on this position and I’m am grateful and know he will do an awesome job.
Tonight, I mentioned in my 3-minute share that I was going to be asking for volunteers or nominations for the new Intergroup Representative so that I can focus on taking on sponsees now. Since I completed my 9th step amends list (of 67 people), I was ready to start sponsoring people. My sponsor said that I am doing my 10th step daily inventory, I’m doing 11 daily, and I’m helping others. I’m already doing 10, 11 and 12 every day. Those are referred to as the maintenance steps of the recovery program.
The other service position that I have held, and helped to create really, is called the Literature Chair. This is a position that I pushed hard to create about 2 years ago. I felt that our group needed to keep a few key pieces of literature on hand for those who were hungry to get going into the steps or reading in our basic text. So, I volunteered to be the Literature Chair. That simply means that I am the person at the end of every meeting when the Chairperson asks if there are any AA announcements, I would simply say, “Hey guys, my name is Matt, I’m an alcoholic. As your literature chair, I want to make an announcement that we have Big Books and 12 & 12’s available in a box over there. If you are interested, please come see me or the chairperson after the meeting and we can get you one.”
That is all I would normally say….something to that effect. At first, we were going to charge people the cost of the books, but that went away. We collect so much money on a weekly basis that some of ‘the kitty’ goes to replenish our key literature. Every quarter or so, I make a trip down to the Intergroup office down off Devine Street and I’ll pick up about 6 Big Books, six Little Big Books, and 6-8 12&12’s. Then, I’ll bring back the receipt and Barry or whoever is the treasurer will reimburse me the money.
Tonight, when I made the announcement that I was going to hand over that service commitment, Scott R. stepped up to the plate. He was one of the last people I would have thought to raise his hand, but you know what, I think that is awesome. It might help drag his rear end to meetings because he knows that he needs to make that service announcement at the end of the meetings. That’s what helped keep me sober. Service is a pillar in recovery and I’m excited about my new chapter in service by helping newcomers get sober, one day at a time.
