WELCOMEWELCOME

Area 64Area 64AssemblyAssembly

2

WorkshopWorkshopGit-R-DonGit-R-Donee

What Could I

What Could I

Do?Do?

Is there a fear associated with speaking with professionals?

Speaking with 20 at once, probably.

With only one, maybe not.

4

Speaking with Professionals

Third Parties often can Third Parties often can Link us to Those who still SufferLink us to Those who still Suffer

5

One AA survey showed that 1/3 of our members found their way to AA through a Third Party’s recommendation

HOW CAN WE HELP?HOW CAN WE HELP?

By becoming a speaker at Non AA Meetings

Spreading the word about what AA does and does not do

Informing….not persuadingMaintaining anonymity at the public

level

6

Who do we contact?Who do we contact?

Health Care Professionals

7

TeachersHR ProfessionalsBusiness Owners

8

CounselorsSocial WorkersCorrections Workers

◦Guards◦Activity Coordinators◦Administrators

Mental Health Personnel

9

11

Religious LeadersSenior CentersCare Givers of All Types

CPC/PI members…CPC/PI members…

Informing the non AA

public

about A.A. What we are, where we are, what we can do and what we

cannot do.

12

Before you jump in, let’s discuss -

What’s involved in talking to non AA professionals

How it differs from talking at AA events

13

But, if you feel like this when you think of speaking in front of others…This may not be the service work for you at this time.

14

Butterflies are normal...

Or, If this looks like you…Or, If this looks like you…think again.think again.

15

SorrySorry

If you have trouble showing up on time. That doesn’t build “good” will.

16

Shy, Cocky or Timid?Shy, Cocky or Timid?

17

Unsure of your Sobriety?Unsure of your Sobriety?

18

So, this service work may not So, this service work may not be right for you at be right for you at thisthis particular timeparticular time

We must be careful in our approachWe must be non combativeWe must not try to persuade -- our

purpose is only to informWe are not professionals, we don’t

have all the answers

19

How do we approach them?How do we approach them?

20

GSO Target AreasGSO Target Areas

Mental Health Provider

Educator Supervisor Coach Military Leader Union

Representative Employee

Assistance Professional

Social Worker

Judge or Correctional Officer

Physician Nurse or Physician

Assistant Clergy

21

We’re looking for We’re looking for membersmembers

ConfidentCalmCompassionate

22

who are:

• Knowledgeable of AA steps and traditions • Appropriate in demeanor and dress

We’ll ProvideWe’ll ProvideSuggestionsPresentationsLiterature

23

If You’ll ProvideIf You’ll ProvideCommitmentTimePatience

CPC/PI – Join UsCPC/PI – Join Us

24

Spreading the WordSpreading the Word

Meeting with the public ◦Outline of what to say◦Discussion of Presentation Styles◦Anonymity◦(A suggested presentation can be found in the

pamphlet, Speaking at Non-AA Meetings)

25

Working to establish contactPhone calls to set appointmentMailing information and invitationsSetting up for seminars and workshops

CPC & PI Committees NeedCPC & PI Committees Need

Contact Links◦Meet individuals one

on one and in small groups

◦Inform without attempting to persuade

Speakers◦Speak before larger

non AA groups◦Time commitment

Organizers◦Phone calls to set

appointment◦Mailing information

and invitations◦Setting up for seminars◦Distributing literature◦Researching possible

venues

26

And You Feel You Can and Should And You Feel You Can and Should Fulfill this Need, Let’s Discuss...Fulfill this Need, Let’s Discuss...

What are the FAQs - the ‘Usual Questions’ that Professionals will Ask Me?

What’s the Best Way to Answer these Questions?

A helpful guide isA helpful guide is

““44 Questions” p-244 Questions” p-227

What’s The Best Definition for What’s The Best Definition for AA?AA?

The Preamble of AA◦Fellowship who share their experience,

strength, and hope with each other◦Solve their common problems and help

others recover from alcoholism◦Requirement: desire to stop drinking◦No dues/fees ◦Not allied with any other organizations ◦No outside controversy◦Purpose: help self & other alcoholics stay

sober

28

What is the Origin of AA?What is the Origin of AA?1934: NY stockbroker sobered up,

realized the only thing that kept him sober was working with another alcoholic

1935: Akron - met an alcoholic surgeonTogether, both sought out other

alcoholics and remained soberThe movement spread - name taken

from the book published in 1939, “Alcoholics Anonymous”

29

How Does AA Work and How How Does AA Work and How Well Does It Work?Well Does It Work?

Primarily works through local meetings where alcoholics help other alcoholics use the AA program to recover

Latest US/Canadian survey states alcoholics◦With <1 year in AA have a 41% chance of

making it through the next year without a drink

◦With 1-5 years have an 86% chance◦With >5 years have a 92% chance

30

The demographics of AA? The demographics of AA? (2004)(2004)

Worldwide – ~2 million members◦105,000 groups in 180 countries

~35% are women & 65% are menAverage length of sobriety 8+ years

◦36% sober more than 10 years◦14% between 5-10 years◦24% sober 1-5 years, 26% < 1 year

Average age 48 years and declining…◦21-30= 8% and 31-40=18% ◦41-50=33% and 51-60=23%◦61-70=11% and over 70=5%

31

Cooperating Cooperating withoutwithout

AffiliatingAffiliatingAffiliate: to associate as a member or

branch.Cooperate: willing to work with

others.

32

Cooperating Cooperating withoutwithout

Affiliating AffiliatingA.A. Guidelines

Cooperation with the Professional Community (5M)

Cooperating with Court, D.W.I. And Similar Programs (12M)

33

Cooperation Cooperation withoutwithout

Affiliation AffiliationWorking within the following

Traditions.

One, Two, Three, Five, Six, Ten, Eleven and Twelve.

34

Is there a Is there a Suggested Outline for a Talk?Suggested Outline for a Talk?

Introduction◦Usually first name ◦Request anonymity be

respected and give the reasons (Traditions)

AA – What it is◦Preamble◦12 Steps (how they

worked for us◦12 Traditions◦Types of meetings

Personal Story◦Drinking pattern &

experience◦Why you decided to

seek help◦What you found in AA

that helped you◦Your life now

How We Can Work Together◦How to contact AA◦What we can do

35

What can the What can the Non-Alcoholic do to Help?Non-Alcoholic do to Help?

Non-professionals - e.g. Friend, Spouse, Acquaintance, Relative, Neighbor, etc. ◦Possibly, may also suspect the problem in

themselves◦Acknowledge their important third-party

role of having knowledge of alcoholism as an illness

and hope for recovery

38

CPC Recap...CPC Recap...AA cooperates, but does not affiliate with

professionals and/or organizationsPurpose is to inform, not persuadeRequests anonymity at public levelTargeting healthcare professionals,

business owners, teachers, counselors, attorneys, judges, law enforcement, clergy, care givers, senior centers, and the general public.

Asks - are you an organizer, contact link or speaker type of person?

39

Next Steps (continued)...Next Steps (continued)...

Review AA pamphlets◦Speaking at Non-AA Meetings ◦How AA Members Cooperate◦44 Questions◦Anonymity◦“White Sheet” aka Information on AA◦Specialty Pamphlets discussing speaking with

Clergy, Health Care Professionals, Medical Community & Correctional Facilities

40

Specialty PamphletsSpecialty Pamphlets

42

Health Care Professionals

Clergy

Correctional Facilities

Professionals

Workplace

Health Care Health Care ProfessionalsProfessionals

44

The family physician's office presents one of the best

opportunities for CPC/PI work.

A.A. A.A. websitewebsite

aa.org

Contact Information?Contact Information?

What are the phone numbers to AA central offices?◦East Tennessee◦Middle Tennessee◦West Tennessee

Where can phone numbers. regarding alcoholism, be found?

How can you tell if a meeting is open?

47

Contact Information?Contact Information?

What are the phone numbers to AA central offices?◦[NE] Knoxville [865] 974-9888◦[SE] Chattanooga [423] 499-6003◦[M] Nashville [615] 831-1050◦[MW] Jackson [877] 426-8330◦[W] Memphis [901] 726-6750

Where can phone numbers, regarding alcoholism, be found? [yellow pages]

How can you tell if a meeting is open? Call AA or look for an ‘O’ in the listing

48

The ProfessionalThe Professional

50

Thank You

51

Openoffice.org