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Being of Service
In
addition to finding a spiritual way of life, recovery is about
changing negative aspects of our personalities into positive ones.
We came into the program with big egos but little or no self-esteem.
We thought we were better than other people yet, at the same time,
felt "less than." We were people who took from others and abused
friendships all of our lives. We had no concept of doing anything for
anyone without the thought of some kind of reward. By the sheer grace
of our Higher Powers, we have found several ways of unlearning such
behavior in the program. One way is to be of service to the fellowship
of Cocaine Anonymous. We discovered that the best way to serve God was
to serve our fellow humans, and we found humility in the process. Our
self-centered behavior was gradually replaced with the "attitude of
service." We learned that service is about gratitude and learning how
to contribute to our lives and the lives of others.
Why Be of Service?
To give back what was so freely given to us
To take on a commitment as a symbolic way of making amends
To meet other recovering addicts
To learn how to be part of a team
To learn humility by doing something selfless for someone else
To learn skills or teach others what we know
To learn responsibility Ways To Be of Service
Service Opportunities at the Meeting and Area Level
Meeting Setup - Arrive early to set up chairs, make coffee, and greet
newcomers.
Hotline - Did you find CA through a hotline? Answer the phones for
your area's hotline and be on the "frontline" of helping others find
CA and recovery.
Treasurer - Pass the 7th Tradition basket and keep track of funds for
a meeting - it's a great way to learn responsibility.
GSR/DSR (Group/District Service Representative) - Get involved in the
business aspects of CA by representing one of your meetings or
districts at your District/Area business meeting.
Secretary - Ensure that a meeting will always be there for those who
need it by choosing speakers, paying the rent, and keeping it running
smoothly and consistently. You might even consider helping the
fellowship grow by starting a new meeting.
Committees at the Area and/or World Service Level
Convention - Help plan big sober parties and carry the message of
recovery at the same time.
Literature - If you have writing skills or ideas that could reach out
in print to people who are still suffering, express those ideas on
this World Service committee.
Finance - Put your accounting, business, or money management skills to
good use in CA's financial matters.
Public Information - Reach out through the media to those who have
never heard of CA.
Hospitals & Institutions - Help develop new ways to reach out to
people who are unable to reach out for themselves.
Unity - Enhance communication and outreach among the diverse elements
within our fellowship.
Structure & Bylaws - Formulate bylaws, guidelines, and structures by
which CA can operate.
Conference - Help organize the World Service Conference each year,
where delegates from all over the world meet to conduct CA business.
Area & World Service Office Boards of Directors - Serve as a
Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer, or Director at
Large. Conduct the day-to-day business operations of CA to ensure that
it is there for newcomers the way it was there for you.
Ask your GSR who you can contact for more information about how to be
of service.
Suggestions
Share a commitment, such as a hotline slot, if your schedule doesn't
allow you to have one of your own. Find a place where you can be of
service and then give 100%.
Volunteer at a meeting when help is asked for or better yet, before it
is asked for.
Encourage the people you sponsor to take on commitments and then help
them to keep those commitments.
Ask your sponsor what type of service commitment you could take on
that would best serve the fellowship.
Adopt the attitude of service without reward.
Remember... Time spent working on a commitment is time not spent
getting loaded.
Approved Literature Cocaine Anonymous World Services Inc. ©
2000
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