Being Of Service In Recovery

Recovery Meetings

There are many ways to be of service and one of the most common is in the recovery meetings. Whether it be making coffee, greeting people at the door or taking a service position such as secretary or chair, they will all provide value and substance for you. Here are some more details on the many ways to be of service inside the rooms of recovery:

• Coffee: Someone has to show up prior to the meeting to make the coffee that’s usually served. They may also put out cups, spoons, napkins, stirrers, creamers, etc. Some meetings choose to offer cookies or other snacks. Some will bake fresh cookies or other snacks; others stop on the way to the meeting to buy them. The meeting will reimburse for this expense.
• Set up: Each meeting needs tables and chairs. Some meetings are held in rooms where the setup is permanent. Others will need to have someone serve the group by doing this bit of service, setting up tables and chairs before the meeting.
• Greeters: Some meetings have greeters who shake hands or offer hugs to each member coming in for the meeting. They generally stand by the door to catch members as they come in.
• Secretary: Each group has a secretary elected to take charge of the meetings. The secretary arrives early each week to ensure the meeting begins as scheduled.

• Treasurer: This person will keep the donations (no dues or fees are collected); but 12-step groups support themselves by donations made by members. This is generally $1.00 or so, collected during the meeting. The treasurer collects money and pays the bills for the meeting, such as coffee, snacks, rent on the facility, etc.
• Phone Lists: Some meetings have a list of members with phone numbers, so newer members can call when they need extra support or to find sponsorship in the group. This person will keep phone numbers and information current.
• Cake: The batter that matters!
• Clean Up: Usually several volunteers who take down tables and chairs, if needed; empty trash, clean coffee area, and pick up the room after the meeting.

Giving back to those who relate to what you have gone through and are going through is a rewarding experience.

Hospitals & Institutions

The Hospitals and Institutions (H+I) service is carried out by sober members who take meetings into facilities where the general public is not allowed. For instance, these facilities include jails, prisons and treatment centers that prohibit their clients from leaving for outside meetings.

Other Types of Service

• Conferences and conventions are held by groups, communities and other groups of members, usually annually, to provide gatherings for fellow members to travel to and attend.
• Events within fellowships are held, sometimes monthly or annually for purposes of making money or to allow social interaction with other members; sometimes serving both purposes.

Gratitude is a part of recovery. It’s the feeling of being thankful for having received something. In recovery, one is grateful for having received the tools and knowledge from rehab or a support group to stay sober. Helping others is an important component of recovery and provides so many benefits:

• Improves self-esteem and self-confidence
• Feel more empowered in your recovery
• Improves your resilience against mental illnesses, such as depression
• Helps improve your community
• Find more purpose and meaning in your life
• Stay connected and not isolate
• Develop new skills
• Gain a better perspective of what life is like now in recovery, what’s really important to you and the benefits of living clean.

Helping people because someone helped you is a way of saying thank you. It helps you stay focused on the road of recovery and stay connected with others. Helping and sharing your own experiences with others can be reasons that someone finally discovers peace in their life or experience some relief from an awful day they may be having. Giving back to others is one of the greatest gifts in recovery.

If you want to learn more about being of service or would like to talk to someone about your recovery situation, please feel free to contact us