Sponsor Resources
Take what you want and leave the rest!
Be honest and open about your own program with those you sponsor. Share your successes and hard times; if you attempt to disguise your struggle, your sponsee will realize it.
Live in your own program to the best of your ability. You cannot give to others what you do not possess; live in the Steps and use the Tools.
Realize that the answers to questions and suggestions for recovery are in OA literature and the Big Book. You do not have to know all the answers—only where to find them.
Your experience is your foundation for sponsoring. Share your experiences while remembering that theirs may be different than yours—and that’s okay! If your guidance is in accordance with the program, you are fulfilling your obligation.
Explain to a new sponsee what you are going to do, then do it. Explain that we are compulsive because we have problems dealing with life’s issues. Explain that the process of working the Twelve Steps provides us with the tools to face and enjoy life, to the extent that the need to compulsively overeat will be lifted. Explain that your sponsorship is intended to guide them through that process.
Explain to a new sponsee what their responsibilities are. Agree on exactly what you will do and what they will do about such issues as food plans, calling, writing, etc. Whichever path you choose, an agreement between the two of you as to how to approach recovery is essential. It may be a specific or very general agreement, and the agreement may change but begin by walking the path together.
Listen and accept. There is no good or bad recovery. We all do the best we can. Accept and support, but always offer the program, even if you believe it threatens the relationship. We never need to apologize for offering recovery, as that is all we have to give.
- Where Do I Start? – Download PDF
- Tools of Recovery pamphlet – OA Bookstore
- A Guide for Sponsors: Why, When and How to Be an OA Sponsor pamphlet – OA Bookstore
- Sponsoring Through the Twelve Steps pamphlet – OA Bookstore
- Temporary Sponsors: Newcomers’ First Twelve Days – Download PDF
- Sponsorship Kit – includes The Tools of Recovery, A Guide for Sponsors, Sponsoring through the Twelve Steps, Excerpts from Lifeline magazine featuring stories about sponsorship, Strong Abstinence Checklist and Writing Exercise pocket card, Twelve Stepping a Problem pocket card, Abstinence Literature Resource Guide – OA Bookstore
- Sponsorship Success – a nine-part podcast series. Members from various regions share their experience, strength, and hope with using the tool of sponsorship. Website
- Chapter 7 of The Big Book: Working with Others – Download PDF
- OA Lifeline Articles about Sponsoring – Website
Traits of a Good Sponsor
I am abstinent, and abstinence is the most important thing in my life.
I invite my higher power into my sponsor-sponsee relationship.
I welcome my sponsee’s calls and emails about my sponsee’s food plan and program work.
I gently reflect on OA Tools and spiritual Principles with my sponsee.
I share honestly, and willingly about my experience, learning, stumbles, growth, and gratitude in recovery.
I highlight areas of growth I notice in my sponsee’s physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual recovery.
I encourage my sponsee to be open and willing with me and seek assistance from other OA members and trustworthy professionals as needed.
I listen for yellow and red flags in my sponsee’s recovery and talk about these openly, honestly, and willingly.
I let go and let God when I can’t be helpful to a sponsee.
I celebrate recovery.
I help my sponsee work through the Twelve Steps.
I honor my sponsee’s anonymity if that is what my sponsee requests.
I have the time to spend talking with my sponsee.
I am available when needed for an emergency.
I am available for personal contact in addition to the telephone.
I am committed to the program, sponsoring, and trying to pass on the message of recovery to others.
I live in recovery on all three levels – physical, emotional, and spiritual. I “walk the walk” as well as “talk the talk.”
I have a strong foundation in program Principles, the Steps, Traditions, Tools, and particularly the Big Book.
I have knowledge and experience in working the Twelve Steps.
I try to apply the Steps to everyday living.
I keep the phone call focused on the Steps and program rather than social things.
I am a good listener.
From the beginning, I set out clear expectations, limits, and goals for the sponsor/sponsee relationship.
I know my limits.
I do not play God, therapist, counselor, or social worker.
I recommend my sponsee seek professional help if issues arise.
I share my program experience only.
I know when to say, “I don’t know,” “I have no experience,” or “Perhaps this is a situation where you might need some help outside the Twelve Step rooms.”
I do not allow myself to be put on a pedestal.
I am rigorously honest about myself.
I do not enable my sponsee.
My approach tends to be compassionate tough love.
I help my sponsees to grow, learn to do new things, take risks, and learn from their mistakes.
I demonstrate compassion, empathy, patience, a sense of humor, and a positive attitude about life.