Found this on another website, and thought I'd share:

A sponsors primary responsibility


A sponsors primary responsibility – is to share with the sponsee – his/her experience with the program of Alcoholics Anonymous – the 12 Steps – and how the sponsor has been able to use those principles in his/her own life to recover from their alcoholism. The sponsor can lead and suggest and do the best that they can do. And, in reality – that is the most that a sponsor should do.

The highest position that an alcoholic can hold – and should hold – in A.A., is to be a Member of A.A.

A sponsor is a Member of A.A. A sponsor is someone who is willing to share their time, efforts, and sometimes a little money, if and when it might be appropriate – with the newcomer.

The best Manual on Sponsorship – and the only authorized Manual on Sponsorship that we have – is the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous. A good sponsor will share with the newcomer what they know about the solution in the book. A sponsor sharing anything other than what is in the book – is simply sharing personal and not professional opinions – on anything that is not in the book.

The chapter in the book, that deals with Sponsorship – is Chapter Seven – “Working with others.”

In actual practice – an A.A. Sponsor should be using this chapter as their guide for helping the new person.

A Sponsor – is an A.A. Member. A Sponsor is not a Guru. A Sponsor is not a Savior. A Sponsor is not a Higher Power. A Sponsor is not-God.

The Sponsor is not a spiritual guide, spiritual advisor, psychologist, therapist, doctor, psychiatrist, banker, investor, occupational advisor, relationship counselor, pharmacist, drug counselor, and not a recovery counselor -- or anything other than an A.A. Member who has found the solution of Alcoholics Anonymous – as a solution to their own problem with alcoholism. The only thing the Sponsor is an expert in – is the Sponsors own alcoholism and the Sponsors personal recovery of alcoholism, using the program of recovery in the book and in the Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Our problem has been one of dependence. We depended on a power greater than ourselves to do for us – that which we could not do for ourselves – and that power was alcohol.

Our solution – is one of dependence. Dependence in and on a Power Greater than ourselves – and a Power that is not a substance, and not another person -- that Power is God - as we understand Him.

While it is true – to a certain degree, that all of us must have some sort of faith, trust and confidence in our Sponsor – our Sponsor should be guiding us to place our faith, trust and confidence in God, as we understand God -- through the program of recovery that is in the Big Book.

Big Book, page 83: wrote:

So we clean house with the family, asking each morning in meditation that our Creator show us the way of patience, tolerance, kindliness and love.

Our Sponsor – is not our Creator. Our program teaches us – that we should be asking our Creator. Then, we call our Sponsor, or other trusted A.A. Members (if we have no Sponsor) and share with the Sponsor the answers that we believe that we received from our Creator. And, often, our Sponsor can let us know what they believe about the answer – whether it came from the alcoholic-head, or whether they should do some more seeking and asking. The Sponsor may offer some valuable advice, suggestions and directions – but, the new persons responsibility is to ALSO be seeking guidance and direction from the God of their Understanding – in addition to seeking guidance and direction from their Sponsor.

Big Book, page 98: wrote:

Burn the idea into the consciousness of every man that he can get well regardless of anyone. The only condition is that he trust in God and clean house.

The key point here is “.... he can get well regardless of anyone. (even the Sponsor).... and “that he trust in God – and clean house.”

This is all that is and should be required for any A.A. Member, to meet their responsibility and fulfill their commitment to Sponsor, if they have accepted a commitment to Sponsor.

I believe that every A.A. Member has the responsibility to perform 12 Step Work. However, not every A.A. member – has the responsibility to be a Sponsor. Sponsorship is an A.A. Service. The Sponsor is involved in service work – when they Sponsor. Many A.A. members feel that they are not qualified to be a Sponsor, or – they do not have the time that is required to devote to a newcomer to be a Sponsor. Those A.A. members perform other “works of service” – so that the A.A. Message – Step Twelve – and 12 Step Work – can be provided to alcoholics who are coming to A.A. for help.

Our service work on the local level is always “an avocation” – not a vocation, career, or full time occupation. Some A.A. member’s lives – allow them more flexibility and time and money and effort – to perform A.A. services or 12 Step work. All of our work is done as a volunteer effort. We volunteer to be of service. Some A.A. Sponsors have more time, money and resources – to devote to their volunteer efforts towards Sponsorship. At different times -- we do hire professionals in A.A. to perform professional services. However, our main service work to other alcoholics is always non-professional and Sponsors are not paid for their service.

If we place the requirements and responsibilities of Sponsorship – too high, for A.A. members to meet the responsibilities – we will have no Sponsors.

Sponsoring is a difficult job. For those who think it’s easy – give it a try!

Let’s not raise the Standards of Sponsorship so high – that we end up with a situation where no A.A. Member is willing to volunteer their time, efforts and resources – and, with no members having the qualifications of what it takes to Sponsor.

Let us also remember our Traditions -- and our Singleness of Purpose, and not make the mistake of trying to be all things -- to all people -- trying to solve all of their problems.

The A.A. Sponsor helps the new member to recover from alcoholism -- by using the 12 Steps, the Big Book, and the Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous.

With all that said – an extremely small percentage of us MAY experience the opportunity of having an A.A. Sponsor – that we FEEL is the best A.A. Sponsor in the whole danged world!!! And, if you are one that small percentage – do everything that you can do – to hang on to your Sponsor and to follow the guidance and direction that they give you! And, you, too – will eventually trudge the Road of Happy Destiny!!!