GUIDELINES FOR CORRECTIONAL FACILITY VOLUNTEERS

1. SOBRIETY:

· At least ONE year of continuous sobriety to share at meetings inside.

· At least TWO years of continuous sobriety to co-ordinate meetings at a correctional facility (CF).

· At least TWO years to hold coordinating positions on the correctional facility committee (CFC).

2. BE DEPENDABLE:

· A commitment of SIX MONTHS is requested for several reasons:

1. Both you and the facility will establish attainable goals and objectives for the program. This time frame will give you both a sense of accomplishment and direction.

2. It allows the inmates to see your commitment to them.

3. There is considerable overhead involved in clearing volunteers to attend meetings inside.

· Show up. Please remember, this is an AA commitment. If you are not there, the meeting will often be canceled.

· Keep appointments with facility employees.

· Follow the facility time schedule. Begin and end the meeting promptly.

3. SHOW STABILITY, BALANCE AND INTEGRITY:

· Be law abiding.

· Be responsible and mature.

· Cardinal Rule: Bring nothing IN and take nothing OUT.

Whether accepting a gift from an inmate or agreeing to return a sweater to an inmates friend outside the facility, you could unknowingly jeopardize the entire program and embarrass the AA fellowship. Being consistent will prove invaluable when faced with these situations.

· Don’t be too open about yourself. Have no contact with inmates outside of the meeting, i.e., they are not to call you from within the facility, and do not give your home address for any reason.

4. BECOME A GOOD LISTENER AND LEARNER:

· Avoid preaching.

· Try to be impartial. It is not our place to take sides with official or inmates.

· Avoid giving advice. We are sharing our experience, strength and hope. We are not there to “help” anyone. Encourage them to help themselves.

5. SETTING EXAMPLES: attraction vs. promotion

· Serve as an example, but be yourself.

· If in telling your story you can laugh at yourself, do so! Humor is an all important aspect of our fellowship, and invaluable to those whose lives still seem so hopeless. You are letting potential members know that things can get better.

· Please refrain from using street slang.

· Don’t tolerate language or behavior that makes you feel uncomfortable.

6. GUARD AGAINST MANIPULATION:

· Avoid being conned or “had”.

7. SHOW NO BIAS: principles above personality

· Regarding race, religion, or natural origin.

8. DRESS APPROPRIATELY:

· Personal hygiene.

· No tight shorts or torn jeans.

· No tank tops, sleeveless tops or halter tops.

9. SAFEGUARD POSSESSIONS:

· Leave valuables and jewelry at home.

REMEMBER

We are GUESTS of the state Department of Corrections and/or County Jails. Our attendance is NOT a right but rather a PRIVILEGE.

Please remember that you represent the fellowship of AA as a whole, and do not hesitate to call with questions or comments. We are here for one another.

correctionschair@aa-semi.org