Category: sponsorship

Step Study groups are groups of codependents working through the Twelve Steps (and often the Twelve Traditions) in a structured format, usually outside of a regular meeting.Step Study groups often have the same objectives as co-sponsors, but with more people, and members often make contact outside the group. Please see the Step Study Group section of the ORG for information and details on starting a Step Study Group. It is recommended that members do have sponsors outside of the Step Study Group, but the group work often inspires the desire to “go to all lengths” to find a sponsor.

Co-sponsoring occurs when two CoDA members sponsor each other. Co-sponsors meet or call regularly to share what they are learning about the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions. They share experience, strength, and hope equally, growing in their own way and at their own pace.

As in all sponsor relationships, the recovery goal in CoDA co-sponsorship is to have a mutually beneficial relationship. Working the Steps, changing our behavior, and growing spiritually frees us from advising, controlling, and rescuing.

Co-sponsors may choose to have another CoDA member guide them, especially through difficult situations or when they get stuck.  Sometimes co-sponsorship is a good model for sponsorship when utilized in conjunction with a Step-Study Group.

The place to begin the search for a sponsor is often in your home group or local meetings. Some meetings offer a list of CoDA members willing to be sponsors (but many members who are eager and qualified to be sponsors are not on the list). Over a period of time we listen to these people when they share, perhaps spending some time with them after the meetings. It may take time to get to know someone well enough to consider them for a sponsor. It is important to remember that no sponsor is “perfect”, as our program teaches us that all people are “perfectly imperfect” human beings.

We may find ourselves in a group in which there are no members willing or able to sponsor. In this case we can travel to another CoDA group in the area or perhaps a regional CoDA event. Other options are to attend a phone or online meeting and try to find someone there with whom you identify.

Did you know that the Sponsorship Workshop which takes place 4 times a year in London has been designed for groups to pick up and deliver wherever they are?

All the materials are available in the script; you will just need a couple of people to help with service. The Sponsorship Committee members are happy to assist and guide you. The workshop has also been held online temporarily and more details will be added on this soon.

Are you willing to do a 10 minute Chair, giving your experience strength and hope (ESH) working the steps as a Sponsor, being Sponsored, working in a Step Group, as a Co-Sponsor?

Are you willing to do service to support the workshop? Opportunities for Service on the day:

• Giving 10 minute chair
• Being Chair Finder
• Reading Script
• Booking person to contact venue and secure place
• Treasurer
• Literature person (purchase it and sell it at the meeting)
• Spiritual Timekeeper 
• Door keeper, 
• Greeter
• Newcomers rep
• Zoom host and co-hosts
• Experienced coda member for each breakout room

The proposed script of the zoom version of the workshop is held at: 

Proposed Sponsorship script

You can follow that link and post comments on the document. 

We organize ourselves through a service committee, and we meet before the workshop to go through the script to see if it can be improved, and incorporate comments and suggestions. And decide who is going to do what.

If you would like to do a service position, or join the service committee, please email sponsorship@codauk.org