What is a Sponsor?

A sponsor is a fellow alcoholic who will guide you through the 12 Steps. Alcoholics Anonymous began with sponsorship. When our founder Bill W. was only a few months sober, he was struck with a powerful urge to drink. This thought came to him: “You need another alcoholic to talk to. You need another alcoholic just as much as he needs you!”

Our members have benefitted greatly from the work they do with their sponsors. Now, they are ready to be your sponsor. 

​How to get a sponsor

 If you are new and want to find a sponsor, we invite you to put your phone number in the meeting chat. Mention that you are looking for a sponsor and invite members to call you to discuss.  When you see and hear someone who you think could be a good sponsor, invite them to have a conversation with you. Our members love it when you ask for help.

You may also send email to secretary@bellyupaa.online, and we'll connect you with members who are willing to sponsor you.  

For info on sponsorship, download this official AA pamphlet 

Questions and Answers on Sponsorship. 

We are "self supporting"

Each AA group is self-supporting through it's own contributions. We don't seek or accept outside financial support. Our members contribute regularly - as little as $1 or $2 per meeting. If you attend each day, that's $5 to $10 per week. Some contribute $30 - $50 per month or even more.

What we do with the money

This meeting has created a non-profit tax-exempt corporation to handle its financial affairs. That entity is called Third Tradition Fellowship. We pay our very minimal meeting expenses, we keep a prudent financial reserve and we contribute the rest to AA organizations and projects locally, regionally, and nationally. Our members vote on the allocation of funds. See the pie chart on the right.

How can I contribute?

We accept PayPal & Venmo. Or go to www.ThirdTradition.org/Contribute. During each meeting, we post the info in chat. We encourage you to contribute regularly. It makes a difference. Starting in 2022, contributions to Third Tradition Fellowship are tax deductible.

Celebrate your progress

If you were a daily drinker (like most of us), your first 30 days of sobriety is a big deal. As one of our members famously says, "it's a long time between cocktails." So we celebrate continuous sobriety with tokens for 30, 60, 90 days, six months, and each year thereafter.

How do I get a token?

You can ask any of your new AA friends to present your token to you at the beginning of our meeting. Then you get to share briefly (3 minutes) about the experience of getting sober. As the Big Book says: "Our stories reveal in a general way what we were like, what happened, and what we are like now." 

​When can I take my token

Anytime after you have reached the milestone in question. It's "one day at a time." So We don't take tokens in advance.

​I go to several meetings. Should I take a token at each one?

Yes, because the act of taking a token is your chance to carry the message to another alcoholic who may still be suffering. It's your chance to pass on what you've been given.