“I am responsible, when anyone, anywhere, reaches out for help I want the hand of A.A. always to be there. And for that: I am responsible.”
Possibly, the most important job that Intergroup does is maintaining the 24 Hour Hotline. This phone line allows the hand of A.A. to always be there to anyone who needs Alcoholics Anonymous’ critical help, meeting information or to speak with another alcoholic. During working hours the phones are staffed by Temecula Valley Central Office Volunteers from 10am – 5:30pm Monday thru Friday and 9am – 12pm on Saturdays. When the Central Office is closed the phone is answered by volunteer A.A. Groups who divert the calls to their home phones. Most Groups that have volunteered find that, by sharing their experience, strength and hope, they not only get to help a fellow alcoholic, but they also empower their own sobriety.
Any A.A. Group within our service area can participate. It is asked that your group identify a single representative who then becomes the liaison and coordinator (Hotline Rep) between the hotline committee and the group. The group Hotline Rep would be responsible for informing the group of scheduled days, and ensuring the phone is being forwarded to a sober member who is prepared to answer the phone and provide assistance when needed. It is suggested that your group Hotline Rep have a year of sobriety and have taken the 12 Steps with a sponsor. It’s a great experience. It gives you a chance to be personally (though anonymously) helpful to others. It’s also fun to be a Hotline Volunteer, help answer the phones and welcome a visitor who called to ask about where local meetings are. Many calls are routine questions, but now and then, you get to try to allay the fears and awaken the hope of a suffering alcoholic, while telling him or her an AA member (12th step Volunteer) will contact him or her soon and pass the call.
If you have a home group and would like it to be of service then discuss it at your next business meeting, during the break or as an AA Announcement. We will gladly visit to discuss Hotline opportunities with your group. Please contact the Hotline Committee at:hotline@temeculacentraloffice.org and we will set up a 10 to 15 minute presentation.
“For us, if we neglect those who are still sick, there is unremitting danger to our own lives and sanity. Under these compulsions of self-preservation, duty and love, it is not strange that our society has concluded that it has but one high mission to carry the AA message to those who don’t know there is a way out.”, Pg 151 of the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions.