Gamblers Anonymous

Involvement
Author : GA

There is so much work to be done in Gamblers Anonymous that anyone wanting to become involved can be guaranteed as much or as little work as they want for as long as they want.

"Get involved."

“Involvement is the answer.”

“Why don’t you get involved?”

These words are often heard in GA meetings and members who are not involved themselves nod in agreement without having a clue what “involvement” means. They think to themselves, “Where is this involvement? What is it? How do I get involved?” or sadly, “What’s the benefit to me of involvement?”

One member told us about his early days in the fellowship. He wanted to be involved but his life as a compulsive gambler had warped his way of thinking so much that he thought that those members who were involved on committees were hand picked by some unknown bunch of elders. He could not believe that they would let him become involved.

So he set out to get involved in smaller ways. He helped to get the room ready for meetings. He made coffee and helped clean up afterwards. He learned how to do public relations work by going with older members. He went on Twelve Step calls. He visited other groups. He made phone calls. He wrote a monthly newsletter. Eventually, he began to feel a part of the fellowship. As the years passed he went from becoming Group Secretary to Group Treasurer to PR Chairman to just about every job the Fellowship offered.

He is still gambling free and will tell you that this achievement is a direct result of his involvement with the Fellowship. He will tell you today that involvement is there for anyone who wants it. All you have to do is ask someone you see who is enjoying his or her involvement. They will welcome you with open arms.

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