Since the group had so much collective wisdom and experience in the program, I would often reach out to them for service opportunities. In my work I often fielded requests from treatment centers, etc., for speakers. I would reach out to members of the group and ask if they would be interested in sharing their story. The responses differed, but the end result was always the same – “no”, they said. Some said that they were too busy. Others said they were retired and didn’t do that kind of thing anymore. Some agreed to it at first, but when I tried to confirm with them, I was ghosted.
The group coasted along and remained constant in their membership until COVID hit. Due to COVID restrictions they were unable to meet for multiple weeks. When the restrictions were lifted only about half of the group returned to their weekly meeting. Some stopped attending meetings entirely and others said they weren’t returning for health reasons. The group lasted for approximately one year post COVID and then disbanded.
Why did this group disband while others survived or even thrived during COVID?
I think the answer can be found in the three legacies of Unity, Recovery and Service. The group had the unity part down pat and they certainly had recovery as evidenced by the amount of sobriety they collectively enjoyed. However, when it came to service they weren’t involved. Without conducting service new members didn’t know about their group. This inactivity resulted in zero newcomers coming into their meeting. Sure, they would send the occasional check to the “service entities”, but when it came to “carrying the message” themselves, they left that for someone else to do.
I belong to a group that is coming up on its 50th Anniversary. I’ve been attending it for the last 46 years. Our group has had many bumps along the way. We’ve had group attendance as high as 40 and as low as three. We’ve had the kitty stolen more times than I can remember. We’ve had such passionate discussions about the meeting format that some group members walked away.
However, and through it all our group members have been involved in service. I credit this service work with the survival of our meeting. The service work has given group members purpose and meaning. The service work has also ensured a steady flow of newcomers into our meeting. As our group members have gone out and shared their story at treatment centers, jails, prisons and other places, they have encouraged the audience members to come and check-out our meeting. Often those audience members came to visit the group and as the saying goes, “they came to scoff and stayed to pray.”
