• 12 Steps & 12 Traditions
• ISO of SAA
• Prayers
• The Promises
• Sponsorship
• Portable Program
• Outer Circle Sexuality
• Feedback Groups
• Disclosure

Sponsorship

Sponsorship moves our recovery into action. A sponsor provides guidance and support through the process of stepwork and the experience of withdrawal. We encourage you to initiate the sponsorship relationship by asking someone with whom you feel you might work well. Don't be discouraged if you get a few "No's." in time you will receive the "Yes" that is meant for you. When choosing, look for someone who has qualities you admire, who has continuous sobriety from Inner-Circle behavior and has ideally completed their Fifth Step. Do not ask someone to whom you are sexually attracted, as this is a bad mix.

Sponsors are not professionals, but are merely sex addicts who have found a way to stay sober and want to help others. Establishing your "circles" (see the "Three Circles" pamphlet and the discussion in the next section of this booklet), discussing expectations and writing down clear agreements between you may be the first tasks of this relationship. As addicts, we have often led secret lives. A sponsor is someone we regularly check in with. Sponsors will make suggestions, but you are responsible for your program. Sponsors do have lives; don't be upset if they are not always available. This is the time to reach out to others in the fellowship.

Honesty, commitment, openness and a willingness to take suggestions are important attitudes for a sponsee. Finding a permanent sponsor may take time. Thus, it is suggested that when you enter the program you ask someone who has more sobriety time than you and has completed their First Step for temporary sponsorship.

Bay Area SAA Sponsorship Pamphlet

Download PDF or Microsoft Word Document

Considerations in Holding “Hybrid” SAA Group Meetings

SAA Group meetings expect a return next year to joining together at churches, hospitals and other meeting rooms. The availability of COVID-19 vaccines may transform this expectation to a reality. Accordingly, Bay Area Intergroup in line with one of its purposes is sharing the outline below on best practices for Groups currently meeting in a Hybrid format. As a reminder, each Group decides based on its “conscience” how to comply with restrictions imposed by city, county and state public health authorities.
Revised December 14, 2020

1. Definitions
a. Full “Hybrid”    i. Zoom/Skype access info (e.g., meeting ID and password) published on web    ii. More susceptible to bombers
b. Mini “Hybrid”    i. Meeting ID and password NOT published on web    ii. Access provided only by Group Secretary (ies)

2. Face to Face (F2f) protocols
a. Social Distancing
b. Face Coverings
c. Distance maintained even when standing
d. F2f Limits per current public health directives
e. Readings typically made by F2f attendees

3. Virtual protocols
a. Mini “Hybrid” intended for high risk (self-determined individually) addicts who have access to text chains (e.g., emails) within Group
b. Overtalking exists during recitation of prayers (possible solutions include posting prayers using Share Screen (Zoom feature) with moving laser)
c. Respect commensurate with solely F2f meetings
d. Virtual attendees may read if access provided ahead of time
e. Generally, F2f Secretary assisted by online facilitator who keeps online access machine (e.g., laptop, I-pad, I-phone depending on Group resourcefulness technology wise) current to meeting agenda (putting up readings, muting and unmuting, accepting addicts in waiting room)

Hybrid Meetings?

Are you holding a successful hybrid meeting (in person and virtual)? If so, Bay Area Intergroup is looking to hear about best practices for this through a panel on how to hold a successful hybrid meeting. Please contact info@bayareasaa.org.

Share your voice and energy on Inclusion and Diversity committee

o At the international level
o Fourth Saturday at 8am PDT
o Contact Bob L (boblisoboard@gmail.com) and/or Chris (chrisf@saa-iso.net)

o At the local level
o Wednesdays at 6pm
Contact Fiona F twelvestepsrule@gmail.com

SAA Podcasts!

The Sex Addicts Recovery Podcast has officially been launched on all major podcasting platforms. To listen to the podcast or find links to your favorite podcast platform, please visit our landing page at our host site https://sarpod.libsyn.com. For more information, please email: jason@sexaddictsrecoverypod.com

Publishing Announcements

Call (415) 456-1063 or send email to info@bayareasaa.org to publish fellowship news and announcements here.