SERVICE

Dec 18, from “Strengthening My Recovery” daily reader

“The purpose of service in ACA is to support one another in becoming responsible for our own well-being.” BRB p. 354

It can be difficult to start doing service when service seems to carry such a heavy responsibility. The idea that we can help another person recover feels similar to our having tried to save our families. 

Yet service in ACA is what provides others the opportunity to assume responsibility for themselves. Opening the meeting, being the secretary, keeping the books, and picking up chairs after the meeting are all things that keep a meeting open and provide the means for ourselves and others to recover.

As members turn to us for guidance, we realize that we can share our experience, strength and hope, but that also, the directions are right in front of them. The “Newcomer’s Pamphlet,” the BRB, the Yellow Workbook, and other pieces of literature will answer any question the member may have.

Our goal is to support adult children as they become comfortable with the idea that they can be responsible for their own well-being. It may be very frustrating to the newer member to understand that by allowing them to find the strength to love themselves, we are expressing a deep level of love. However, if done with a spirit of love and a short explanation, they will feel the strength of the program filling in the vacuum they had long sought to deny.

On this day I will give service, realizing that every part of setting up a meeting creates an opportunity for ACA’s to become empowered to love themselves.”

My experience:

When I heard that service work in the meeting was voluntary, I wondered if voluntary really meant volun-told, which has been my experience in my current work situation.  I was afraid someone would volun-tell me to be the Secretary of the meeting or some other “high level” position.  When I entered the room I felt broken, unloved and useless.  I didn’t have it in me to do anything but sit there and weep. As I started to feel some healing though, I started staying and helping break down the meeting, not even realizing that what I was doing was service work.  Then I realized that volunteer really does mean volunteer in this setting.  As I got stronger and realized this meeting was helping me, I wanted to do service work in order to ensure this meeting continued. I then raised my hand to be the literature person.  Being the literature person is just one small task that needs to be accomplished to ensure the appropriate literature is on hand for all.  You ensure there are enough flyers, pamphlets, and books available. And if you run out of something for this meeting, there is no reason to feel bad; you just try to have it there the next week.  No one is judging you on your literature person acumen, or your abilities to perform any of the service work that is available at all meetings.  None of the service work positions are “high level” but rather small roles done collectively by volunteers to help all of us.  It is a joy to know I help the meeting, which has given me so much, to survive through service work.