RogerG here,

I always wanted to help others. Over 3 decades
after my first drink at 19, I heard in AA about
carrying a body versus carrying a message.

I had scant little knowledge how to help another
actually become a healthier person.

Arriving at AA in 1974, I gladly helped with
the ABCs. Not many "A" (ashtrays) these days !
Landlords want those outside butt buckets kept
tidy, however !

I did most of the different jobs - GSR, Treasurer,
Secretery, Intergroup rep, office manager & trustee.

There came a point about 1982 that I had an emotional
bottom. I chose a new sponsor who is well respected
by mature AAs. In an interview, he listened to my
tale of woe. Then he described how I had not changed
inside. I had not actually done any tangible step work
for change. Unwittingly, 12&12 step meetings for me
were no more than service and social events.

I had to begin tangible action for change by writing
on step 4. This required solitary time taken from
my AA romance and service obsessions.

The Big Book Step Study meetings had begun on Cape Cod
in 1980. At a speaker meeting, a BBSS member
described page 86 directions for starting and closing
one day at a time. From his revelation that most
step procedures are in the Big Book, I attended
the BBSS meeting. I began "continuous action as a
way of life" on the steps. (quote from 12&12)

Passing on this process gradually produced a host of
friends that lasts. Loneliness is gone.

I unlock a door each morning at a 7AM mtg.
We fine tuned a format that stimulates
AAs to learn. Long time sober, sane fellowship is
a joy at this meeting. Newcomers feel
secure.

Helping others actually be helped is satisfying
in my old age. The closer I follow directions
and use answers to questions described in the chapter
Working with Others, the better the results.

I tell newcomers and my groups to check out with
others the messages I say. Try to verify things
from the Big Book and other credible written sources.

I sleep well each night.

RogerG

From my experience passing on 12 Steps guided by AA literature.
- action details and 4th step worksheets -updated 3/03
http://home.attbi.com/~action-12steps/
------------------------
http://www.bbstepstudy.org a new site by AAs
dedicated to Step work from AA's Big Book.
With audio shares from BBSS meetings.