The Joys Of Service

The group activity at the Fall Assembly asked subgroups of 5-6 representatives to answer some questions about doing service. These are some of the groups’ answers:

What’s the most rewarding service you’ve seen or done?

• Parrainage. “Seeing the transformation and personality change.”
• Volunteering to drive a newcomer.
• Taking someone’s Fifth Step.
• Being a newcomer greeter.
• Being chair of Intergroup. “Getting ideas and applying them was so rewarding!"
• Staffing a health fair representing OA.
• “It was really fun to be on a small committee planning a retreat.”
• Inviting someone to the Assembly, as a guest or volunteer.

How has recovery inspired you to do service?

• “My sponsor did service and was a role model.”
• ”I volunteered to come to Assembly because of my sponsor’s influence.”
• ”I would hear a woman talking service all the time. She was happy and loved service.”
• I came to Assembly and have never left, once I experienced the service being done.”
• ”The Program changes me, seeing people serve. My skill in helping others.”

How does service help your recovery?

• ”It really helped my abstinence to maintain the requirements to hold the position.”
• ”You meet great people in service. I’ve met best friends despite being from different backgrounds.”
• “My people skills have grown in service and I’ve taken then into my career.”
• ”It helps keep me abstinent.”
• ”I have to be accountable and responsible.”