Some Twelve Step groups have lists of members who have volunteered to act as
temporary or "interim" sponsors for newcomers to the Fellowship or area.   "Interim" means temporary.
A temporary sponsor can ease our transition in a numbers of ways.   He or she can answer our
questions, explain program concepts and terms, introduce us to people, get us started on the Steps,
and help us apply the new principles we are learning.  Temporary sponsors are like primary sponsors
except that we usually haven't spent a long time choosing them.  Some temporary sponsors become
primary sponsors, but many are replaced by someone else.

A temporary sponsor can help us with our recovery program while we look for a primary sponsor

Suggestion: To find a temporary sponsor, ask the secretary or chairperson of every meeting you attend if
the group maintains a list of temporary sponsors.  If they have such a list, call some of the people
on it.  If you like what you hear on the phone,  set up a meeting to discuss sponsorship. If
therer is a no group list, announce in the meeting that you are looking for a temporary sponsor and ask for
volunteers.  Either way, you will more than likely meet members who can sponsor you temporarily while
you look for a primary sponsor.  Even with a temporary sponsor, be sure this person has some quality
recovery behind him or her and is able and willing to give you the support you need.






                                                                The above text is from 12-Step Sponsorship, © Copyright 1996 by Hamilton B.