The Job.  

• Minimum one year of continuous sobriety.

• six-month service rotation.

• Bookie Responsibilities -

  • Commitments background: Many AA groups, including Never Alone Again Group, have monthly obligations on a calendar to visit other AA meetings, hospitals, detox centers, halfway houses, and prisons just to share about their recovery to others who have suffered or are still suffering from alcoholism. And each one of those obligations is what is referred to as a “Commitment.” During the pandemic, the Commitments platform was also initiated via Zoom, NAAG was engaged from the beginning. 

  • The Bookie is NAAG’s Commitments representative responsible for liaising with other AA groups and schedule visits to and incoming commitments for our group.  

  • Bookie Site: Schedule AA Groups to speak at incoming commitment for NAAG Thursdays, 7:30 PM Commitments meetings.

  • Schedule NAAG to visit other AA Groups via Zoom (outgoing commitments) to carry the message of Alcoholics Anonymous by NAAG participants/ speakers sharing their summarized experience, strength and hope.

  • Commitments Calendar:  Create a running calendar aka “BOOK” for the current year of all bookings (hard copy) suggestion: monthly planner 

  • Provide Commitments Calendar draft to Bookie Coordinator/ Assistant before the month starts.

  • Keep in touch with the Commitments Coordinator and provide assistance as needed.

  • Verify zoom info is correct (connect to each scheduled outgoing commitments zoom room before the month starts).

  • When possible, confirm bookings week of outgoing commitments.

  • Communicate with other AA Bookies throughout the month. 

  • Balance the month of outgoing commitments so that NAAG remains active on the Commitments scene.

  • Outgoing commitments future project: Find institutions to visit via zoom to carry the message of hope and recovery.

  • Note: This job and meeting format is unique and mostly used in the Northeast, but in the age of Zoom, the possibilities are endless to whom We as a group can carry the message to and who can bring the message to Us at NAAG. 

The Job.  

• Minimum 3 months of continuous sobriety.

• six-month service rotation.

• Commitments Coordinator Responsibilities -

  • Commitments Calendar: At the beginning of each month, when Bookie provides monthly Commitments calendar, input incoming commitments: AA Group visiting NAAG and outgoing commitments: Dates, times, Zoom Info and NAAG Chair using the Commitments web forms which will automatically feed into the Commitments calendar on the NAAG website.

  • Schedule Outgoing Commitments Hosts:  Find a NAAG “chairperson” for each Outgoing commitment (must have 90 days + continuous sobriety).

  • Provide guidance to Outgoing Commitments Hosts on running meetings and email the host job description and script.

  • Work with the Secretary and Bookie to announce all outgoing commitments at meetings and after meetings to encourage NAAG 4member participation.

The Job.  

• Minimum 3 months of continuous sobriety.

• six-month service rotation.

• Responsibilities -

  • The Outgoing NAAG Commitment host/ chair will serve as NAAG’s lead representative, responsible for kicking off the meeting, providing information about our meeting, introducing designated NAAG speakers and closing out the meeting.

  • The host/ chair is AA strong and conveys enthusiasm about the program. 

  • For newcomers, this is a wonderful opportunity to become an active part of the magic of our fellowship and to strengthen sobriety.

  • Logistics: The Outgoing Commitment host will recruit 6-7 NAAG speakers for their line-up prior to the Outgoing Commitment also with a 90 days sobriety minimum. Assistance will be provided by the NAAG Secretary by communicating member emails who have expressed an interest in sharing at a commitment. The host will also include NAAG members who zoom in on the day of the commitment. (Use the chat to communicate with members.) The host will log into the outgoing commitment meeting 10 minutes before and let the Host/ Chair know that they will be representing NAAG as host. 

  • Send out invitations to the commitments/ Follow the script provided for NAAG uniformity. 

The Job.  

• 24-hour sobriety requirement.

• One-month service rotation.

• This job is a service position of great importance: The greeter is the first person a newcomer might encounter – your kind eyes and warm welcome might be THE factor that keeps a nervous or timid first time caller from hanging up and heading back to despair.  And for returnees -- it feels great to be noticed, to feel one’s presence is important, it can help move a member from half-heartedly listening to the meeting to being an active part of the magic of our fellowship.  

• On days when you are not the greeter, you might consider still being “on duty” by making note of the attendees at the meeting so that you are aware when new names appear.   It’s a tall order with so many people on the meetings, but the names do become familiar. 

• As one of the first attendees, your photo might remain at the top of people’s screen throughout the meeting, so showing engagement for the duration of the meeting helps to communicate that we’re listening to and care about one another. 

Logistics

• Generally the greeter joins when the host joins, (about 20 minutes before the beginning,) so that as soon as the meeting opens the greeter is on to help out. 

• A laptop or desktop computer is recommended for this position.  We have found that greeters have a much easier time when using a full screen device, simply because of the number of "squares" that can be seen at one time.  It is a little difficult..., though not impossible, to manage the process on a phone or tablet.

• When someone first joins, wait for their audio to connect.  If one says hello too soon, they will miss hearing it.  This is especially true if they are connecting by phone. 

• Once the first page of squares fills up, scroll over the next page to catch the people joining.  Keep scrolling as the pages fill, but keep an eye on the previous pages because people with their cameras on slip in on the earlier pages. 

Creating a Welcoming Atmosphere

• One might balance, if possible, the camaraderie among the returning members of the group with making sure that those signing on for the first few times feel welcome.  It’s important to let the laughter and fun flow  -- ours is a program of attraction – and yet one doesn’t want the group to appear to be a private club.  It’s ok to give the chatting returnees a friendly reminder that you need to interrupt to stay on the job of saying hello. 

• If you wish, don’t hesitate to say more than just “hi < name > “ to make a little conversation, you are glad they joined or that it’s nice to see them.   

• You can also invite anyone who might be troubled to speak up during this time if they wish.  If someone needs this time, you might defer to someone with more sobriety to address their needs. 

Etiquette

• If trying to make conversation, it is usually safe to ask about general geographic area and make a positive comment about it, best to avoid their personal appearance, surroundings in the background, or God forbid, politics!

• People with the video off might not want a lot of attention, especially if they haven’t posted a picture, so one might give them a quick hello but focus more on those with the camera on.

• If someone seems put off or called out by being greeted, one can just explain that, as Kim says, you’re not singling anyone out, just welcoming everyone in!    

• Though you might know what day a day-counter might be on, it might be best not to mention it because sometimes the person has slipped and has a new sobriety date. 

Finally

• Everyone puts their own stamp on the role, so be yourself and THANK YOU!!!  

The Job

• Minimum one year of continuous sobriety.

• three-month service rotation.

• Liaison Responsibilities - The newcomer liaison introduces themselves at the beginning of the meeting when the host asks, is made a co-host so they can private chat newcomers during the meeting and then stays on afterwards for at least 15 minutes to answer questions.

• Directing the Newcomer (NC) to Connect with AA & its' tenets.

1. Directing NC not to pick up a drink.

2. Directing NC to plan their next meeting. 

3. Directing NC to find a Sponsor & expand their network of sober people. 

4. It is the Liaison's responsibility to "help" NC to achieve phone numbers.

5. Liaison may give out numbers from individuals who have given consent to do so. 

6. Suggesting NC to ask for #'s.

• Important for Liaison to be understanding to the NC without co-signing NC's lack of responsibility towards their own sobriety.

• It is Liaison's responsibility to direct the NC towards AA approved literature. Specifically to aa.org & neveralonegroup.org

• It is not a Liaison's responsibility to do the work for the NC.

1. NC needs to make a conscious effort towards their own sobriety.

2. NC needs to make their own phone calls. 

3. NC needs to ask for sponsorship.

4. Asking individuals with a year or more of sobriety, according to NAAG'S Group Conscience (GC). Unless NAAG GC changes its' guidelines.

5. NC needs to do their own work to maintain their own sobriety.

• A Liaison is there to help a NC connect the dots in order to achieve sobriety.

• Newcomer Liaisons are not Doctors or Therapists

1. Therefore should not give medical, legal, relationship or mental health advice under any circumstances.

2. Liaison may however direct an individual to seek medical or mental health advice from those that are qualified.

The Job

• Minimum 30 days of continuous sobriety &  have a sponsor.

• three-month service rotation.

• Co-host / Message Poster Responsibilities - 

* Assists the Host by Posting items to the Chat Room according to the Posting Script Timeline available online.

* Assists the Host by requesting volunteers, during the meeting, to read specific AA literature aloud to the group.

* Helps to keep the room secure from bombers and intruders according to the group conscience guidelines.

* Participates in a 5-10 minute instructional to learn the Co-Host functions.

GROUP CONSCIENCE 

As with all Service work, once you have accepted a position we ask that you commit to the days and times agreed upon, notifying the host if you will not be able to serve a particular meeting.  Service positions typically are the same day, same time, every week, for one calendar month.

The Job

• Minimum one year of continuous sobriety.

• Three-month service rotation.

• Host Responsibilities - 

  • • Opening the Meeting:  The host should schedule time to open the Zoom meeting room 30 minutes prior to the official start of the meeting in order to accomodate pre-meeting fellowship. Meeting instructions on how to open the room are available to all hosts.

    • Scheduling Speakers:  Our meetings by and large are all Speaker Meetings.  The speaker slots belong to everyone and anyone with at least 90 days of sobriety is encouraged to share their Experience, Strength and Hope.  It is the resposibility of the Host to ensure that there has been a speaker assigned to their meeting each week.

    • Building the Meeting Team:  Hosts assist in finding members to fill the Newcomer Liaison, Greeter and Co-Host/Poster service positions for their meetings.

    • Running the meeting:  The host will run the meeting according to the script available on-line.  Because things may be added to or removed from the script, verbiage may change, etc; It is recommended that the online host script be read directly from the website.  This will insure that hosts are putting out the same message at each meeting.

      • Read through the "housekeeping" items at the beginning of each meeting.

      • Welcome Newcomers and Visitors and ask them to introduce themselves to the group.

      • Introduce the Newcomer Liaisons to the group and ask them to introduce themselves.

      • Introduce the Speaker, remind them of the 15-20 minute time limit and ask them to suggest a topic for discussion when they conclude.

      • Call on participants to share their thoughts on the speaker's topic

      • Close out the meeting according to the script.

      • Reintroduce the Newcomer Liaisons and assign one of them as host before departing the meeting.

  • The host bears the responsibility of managing his or her meeting in such a way that allows members to feel safe, comfortable and welcomed. Following the guidelines that the script and host instructions provide is designed to make that easier.

  • For many of us, the Host position has been a great opportunity to re-introduce scheduling, accountability & organization back into our lives.

• Minimum of one year of continous sobriety.

The NeverAlone Again group uses a hashtag system in our meetings to signify that you have at least a year of sobriety and are willing to speak with other alcoholics in need.

Your willingness to step up, speak with, and share your experience, strength and hope with another alcoholic has the potential to make real change in that person's life; especially if for a newcomer. That is not to be taken lightly. Remember that we are not medical professionals and your conversations should be limited to the benefits you have found in the program of AA.

HOW IT WORKS:

Our Zoom platform has a wide reach. Ideally we would provide your contact information to anyone within close proximity to your location. However, It could also be someone that just needs to speak with another alcoholic, making distance a non-issue.

These initial connections are designed to be telephone conversations, text messages or emails simply to offer kind words of support. If in time you develop a sponsor-sponsee exchange you would pursue that with the same attention that you would with any AA connection.

Please click this link for additional information or to include your name on the Hashtag list and allow others to reach out to you directly.

https://forms.gle/52Hp1Ju4PHLQPynv7

HOW IT WORKS:

Every month we have a business meeting where new business is discussed at the end of the meeting. This allotted time is for members to bring forth any motions they may have to make changes to our meeting/group conscience. Please use this link to submit any motions at least 8 days prior to the business meeting. The business meeting currently takes place on the first Thursday of each month. This gives the Secretary time to submit the agenda for upcoming the business meeting before the newsletter goes out on Sunday. 

Click this link to submit an agenda request