As a long timer AA member I just continue to follow the simple directions of the AA program to stay recovered from alcoholism. It will always be important for me to maintain by recovery through the daily practice of steps 10 and 11 along with step 12 as often as is reasonably possible. As we read in the AA Book, the practice of step 12 is important for long term recovery.
In my early days, AA service work was an entry into the selfless effort of doing step 12. Why is step 12 work so important? Simply because the people who wrote our basic text, the book "Alcoholics Anonymous" say it is. They wrote an entire chapter on working with others and state this at the beginning of the chapter.
Practical experience shows that nothing will so much insure immunity from drinking as intensive work with other alcoholics. It works when other activities fail. This is our twelfth suggestion: Carry this message to other alcoholics! You can help when no one else can. You can secure their confidence when others fail. Remember they are very ill.
A great way many new members can start on step 12 and work toward sponsorship is to take an AA group service commitment. Many commitments are usually available in meetings of the fellowship. One experienced AA member has been heard making this statement. "It seems about 5% of AA members do 100% of the service work.
Taking an AA service commitment, being serious about it, honoring it and understanding it's a privilege.
Let's take a look at some of the great benefits of AA fellowship service.
1) It is an excellent way to start in practicing the 12th step. And as the Big Book says this is ACTION that works when all other measures fail.
2) If the commitment is a secretary or chairperson position it is providing the vital service of making an AA meeting available for those still struggling. In meetings all over the world there are alcoholics looking for help. Many of them may be going to their first AA meeting. If you have made a commitment to be a chairperson it is just that - a commitment for a certain amount of time. It should be taken seriously as it is providing a VITAL service: Holding an AA meeting. It is a commitment to do service for an AA group. If one is serious about practicing the program these commitments should not be taken lightly. They should be a priority in ones life. Why? Because step 12 is vitally important to maintain our connection with God and receive the gift of relief from the insanity of the first drink. Another important consideration is that making an AA meeting available could literally save a persons life. Alcoholism is a deadly illness and making good AA meetings available could be a matter of life or death for real alcoholics looking for help.
3) AA service is a privilege. It is the privilege of taking selfless action and the opportunity "do as we think he would have us and humbly rely on him" (page 68 Big Book). The fundamental principle of spirituality the AA way is selfless action. 12th step work is nothing but selfless action and serving God and those about us. In this way we can maintain and grow our spiritual condition and continue to be given relief from alcoholism and a way to live sober.
Service complacency and the pitfalls of being lazy or irresponsible in AA service. Here are a few examples.
It's seems, from my experience, that a party line we hear in the fellowship is absolutely true. That a large number of people who relapse let the life AA
gave them get in the way of AA service and practice of the 12 step
program. AA members who take service commitments and don't follow
through are doing a disservice. Not only to themselves but worse yet
alcoholics still struggling.
First example could be the group treasurer who is tasked with keeping
the accounting of the group but doesn't attend the business meetings
regularly to make their reports and irresponsibly loses track of the
contributions or is late in paying meeting hall rent and other expenses.
Another example could involve a person who has taken a chairperson position for a certain day at a certain time and every few weeks calls the group secretary or texts the group chat a couple hours before the meeting and leaves a message saying they can't do it. They inconsiderately off load the job of finding a substitute last minute onto the group or group secretary. This is nothing short of inconsiderate and typical alcoholic behavior. This is not practicing spirituality. It is quite the opposite of spiritual behavior. It's self centered. A good group would replace such a person with someone more reliable who takes AA service seriously. A group that allows this kind of casual attitude is allowing an alcoholic to be irresponsible and in essence co-depending alcoholic behavior. Of course everyone has issues and emergencies that come up but consistent tardiness, last minute cancellations or not showing up at all places a burden on the group who's sole purpose is to provide meetings in order to carry the message of AA. Again, it is possible that a particular meeting might mean the difference between life or death for an alcoholic. One can never know just how important a single AA meeting might be.
There are many other forms of skirting AA service commitments but I hope to make it obvious that if one wants recovery the AA way keeping AA a priority in ones life is vitally important. This includes being responsible when taking AA service commitments, doing service courteously and making it a priority.
