OA NoVA Intergroup

Northern Virginia Intergroup of Overeaters Anonymous

Call (703) 823-6682

Sponsorship

Are you a sponsor?
Do you want to be a sponsor but aren’t sure if you are ready?
Do you have questions about sponsorship or are you looking for a sponsor?

The NoVA Intergroup Sponsorship Committee is working hard this year to bring together information about Sponsorship in OA. Please take a moment to let us know what struggles or questions you have about sponsorship in OA by  emailing sponsorship@oanova.org or using the sponsorship contact form below.

As part of our mission, we will continue putting together online resources for all things sponsor-related, including workshops and some exciting fellowship events we hope will help:

  • existing sponsors,
  • those who are just getting started sponsoring,
  • those who are reluctant to sponsor, or
  • those who don’t think they can.

Sponsorship is a great service and a privilege! Let us know your thoughts by submitting comments in the contact form below or feel free to drop us an email at sponsorship@oanova.org. We will add new resources in the coming months to help you.

Connecting to Buddies, Sponsors, Sponsees

Lessons From My Sponsor

If you have a sponsor, what is an important lesson that your sponsor has helped you learn? If you don’t have a sponsor, what is an important lesson that someone (anyone) in program has helped you learn? (Fellow OAs answer these questions below. This article is reprinted from NoVAtions, our monthly newsletter.)

Did you pray about it?” is a frequent question my sponsor asks me. When I’m tempted, when I’m struggling, when I’m doubting and I share my thoughts and feelings, she’ll counter with: Did you pray about it? Now the question comes to me in my own thoughts and as I respond more and more by actually praying about it, the peace and serenity and strength of my HP grows within me.

Alice M.

My sponsor always reminds me to go to God first. Staying close to my Higher Power is the answer to my spiritual malady, and as a precious child of God I am always taken care of one moment at a time!

Anonymous

My sponsor has helped me deepen my understanding of acceptance, caring, and love for another person. She has been there when I needed help.

Suzie/Amelia

My OA sponsor has taught me to accept life on life's terms. He helps me integrate OA into my home and work life. I trust him with helping me with the affairs of the world while I work to stay abstinent; which I have done God-willing for ten months and plan to do the same for the next two months.

Jason B.

My sponsor taught me to put kindness first and to see that every person can be a potential teacher, including me. My recovery buddy reminds me of the many ways that OA steps and tools teach me to "Show up and grow up.

Jody E.

An important lesson my sponsor has helped me to learn is that it's important to look within when I am having a problem, especially when my reaction to the person or situation seems out of proportion

Ruth M.

My Abstinence is an ongoing process or learning how to eat in a serene way. When I make a choice that does not serve my abstinence the key is not about judging it as a "break" of abstinence but rather saying: "What can I learn from this" and "How can it help me in the future."

For example, I am very challenged around buffets (what a surprise for an overeater) and have this desire to taste everything I can. I just spent a week abroad where I had to eat 21 meals in a week off of a buffet. I was very good at having no Red Light foods and minimal Yellow Light foods but struggled with volume on the Green Light foods. So my sponsor said you know that about yourself so the next time you have to deal with a buffet start with a 60 second time out and reflect on that is in front of you. Make a plan of what to put on my plate and how much... So in essence I think of OA and Abstinence as a journey of self awareness and a deeper connection to my HP (which OA is a big part of) for an evolving abstinence.

Alan

What I have learned from my sponsor My sponsor has helped me recognize wins that I have achieved in managing my emotions and related actions. An OA "elder" has taught me that having a plan, the more detailed the better, for the day ahead is a powerful tool for maintaining abstinence.

Molly

Through my sponsor (and reinforced through my relationships with my fellows), I've learned that most mistakes are not fatal. Being honest and forthcoming, I reap the benefit of receiving valuable input and advice from others.

Marti

My sponsor has helped me learn the importance of abstinence to the success of this program. My sponsor has helped me learn to set boundaries. My sponsor has helped me work my program in a more constructive, holistic way.

Anonymous

My sponsor has helped me learn that I can do something with a good intention and let go of the results. Talking to a newcomer is one example. I can’t control if they even come back. But can make the phone call, say a prayer for them, and let go.

Anonymous

It's a deeply ingrained belief, but my sponsor is helping me learn that people do want to help me, that I'm not a burden, and that we take care of each other in this program. It's something I can accept intellectually, but my heart is having a hard time grasping the concept. Fortunately, my sponsor is patient and doesn't mind repeating herself.

Sarah

It’s not so much what I’ve learned. It is what I’ve experienced. I’ve experienced unconditional love.

Anonymous

And Now a Word from Our Sponsors (Essays)

Podcasts

Sponsorship Workshop – Relapse – Chris
(Download as MP3)

time: 28:33

Sponsorship Workshop – Being Effective – Halee
(Download as MP3)

time: 23:55

Sponsorship Workshop – Getting Started – Mary
(Download as MP3)

time: 24:34

Sponsorship Workshop – Sponsorship – Dan
(Download as MP3)

time: 17:07

Jennifer talks about her sponsorship
(Download as MP3)

time: 9:38

Amelia talks about her sponsorship
(Download as MP3)

time: 6:28

Marti talks about her sponsorship story
(Download as MP3)

time: 10:27

Joanna talks about her sponsorship
(Download as MP3)

time: 10:39

Celesta talks about her sponsorship
(Download as MP3)

time: 10:18

Amy talks about her sponsorship
(Download as MP3)

time: 13:21

Anne talks about her sponsorship
(Download as MP3)

time: 8:16

Publications from OA.org

Temporary Sponsors: Newcomers First 12 Days

The purpose of this paper is to help newcomers, returning OA members, and other members learn about the OA 12 Step recovery program. It also provides OA members with the ability to help a newcomer in a structured way and to experience what it might be like to be a regular sponsor.

Where Do I Start?

Greet newcomers and help them get started with OA's welcome pamphlet. This 32-page pamphlet includes
Temporary Sponsors: Newcomers’ First Twelve Days (a helpful guide for temporary sponsors and newcomers), the Fifteen Questions, Tools (abridged), Plans of Eating, OA Promise, AA Third and Seventh Step Prayers, "Welcome Home," and so much more.

Guide for Sponsors

Whether you are sponsoring for the first time or the twentieth time, this pamphlet offers guidance and support for the vital role you play. Answers questions on why, when and how to be a sponsor. Appendix lists "30 Questions to Ask Newcomers."

Sponsoring through the Twelve Steps

Offers experience, strength and hope for sponsors who are guiding their sponsees through the Twelve Steps of Overeaters Anonymous. Includes recommended readings and thought-provoking questions.

Tools of Recovery

Find indispensable guidance on using the OA program's nine tools: a plan of eating, sponsorship, meetings, telephone, writing, literature, action plan , anonymity, and service.

Sponsorship Kit

Packet of inspiring and helpful information for sponsors includes: The Tools of Recover, #160 A Guide for Sponsors, #200 Sponsoring Through the Twelve Steps, #220 Excerpts from Lifeline magazine featuring stories about sponsorship "Working with Others" article from A Step Ahead

Request a Sponsorship Workshop

The Sponsorship Troubadours: a Mini-Workshop on Sponsorship at Your Meeting

To support sponsorship in the OA NoVA intergroup region, we will bring a mini-workshop on sponsorship to your meeting. (Click on the link to download the informational flyer SponsorshipTroubadours.) We will fit it into the regular time of your meeting (or we can arrange another time. We want to support your group’s members in becoming sponsors and to discuss sponsorship challenges. The mini-workshop will typically include:

  • Intro/What is sponsorship
  • Two speakers on their sponsorship experience
  • Am I ready to start sponsoring?
  • Ways to “practice” sponsorship
  • What if I can’t find a sponsor
  • Resources for sponsors
  • Q&A

If your group has special interests, we will tailor the workshop as best we can. For more information or to request a workshop, email sponsorship@oanova.org or use the Sponsorship Contact Form. If you are interested in being a speaker on your sponsorship experience or leading this mini-workshop in the future, please let us know that as well.

Sponsorship Contact Form

Sponsorship Contact

Donate

When donating via Paypal, be sure to choose the "friends and family" option. We are not selling an item and are not a 501.c.3 organization. As such, the circumstances in which Paypal charges a commission do not apply. We are following Region 7 in this approach.







or send to: NoVA IG
P.O. Box 1992, Annandale, VA 22003

More details available here.

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