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Area 69- District Kit Presentation BRIDGING THE GAP a subcommittee of the Area 69 Utah Treatment and Corrections Standing Committees The primary purpose of the Bridging The Gap program in Area 69 Utah is to carry the message of Alcoholics Anonymous to the alcoholic who is confined and preparing for release. The activities of this program are based on, and governed by, the Twelve Steps and the Twelve Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous. A.A.® Guidelines Cooperation with the Professional Community from G.S.O., Box 459, Grand Central Station, New York, NY 10163 Correctional Facilities A.A. Guidelines are compiled from the shared experience of A.A. members in various service areas. They also reflect guidance Committees given through the Twelve Traditions and the General Service Conference (U.S. and Canada). In keeping with our Tradition of autonomy, except in matters affecting other groups or A.A. as a whole, most decisions are made by the group conscience of the members Box involved. TheGrand purpose Central of these Guidelines is to assistYork, in reaching informed group conscience. from G.S.O., 459, Station, New NY an 10163 A.A.® Guidelines Facilities A.A. Guidelines are compiled from the shared experience of A.A. members in various service areas. They alsoTreatment reflect guidance Committees givenCARRIES through the Twelve Traditions and the of HOW A.A. THE MESSAGE TOGeneral Service Conference (U.S. and Canada). In keeping with our Tradition ® autonomy, except in matters affecting other groups or A.A. as a In whole, most decisions from are made the group conscience the 1942, members SanbyFrancisco brought of the ALCOHOLICSmembers IN CORRECTIONAL TheGrand purpose of these Guidelines is toNew assistYork, in reaching an informed group conscience. from G.S.O., involved. Box 459, Central Station, NYinto 10163 first A.A. meeting San Quentin Prison at the FACILITIES A.A. Guidelines request of Warden Clinton T. Duffy. This example from San Francisco brought the first A.A. meeting led to A.A.'s cooperation with court systems, into San Quentin Prison at the request of Warden including direct communications with judges and with Court, Cooperating Clinton T. Duffy. This example led to A.A.'s A.A. Guidelines are compiled from the shared experienceparole of A.A. members in variousofficials. service areas. reflect guidance and probation The They solealso purpose cooperation with court systems, including direct D.W.I. and Similar Programs given through the Twelve Traditions and the General Service Conference (U.S. and Canada). In keeping with our Tradition of HOW A.A. CARRIES THE TO ®andMESSAGE of this Twelfth Step work, then and now, was to autonomy, in matters affecting other groups or A.A. as aIn whole, most decisions are made by the group conscience of the communications withexcept judges parole and 1942, message membersto from San Francisco brought the ALCOHOLICS members IN CORRECTIONAL carry A.A.'s the still-suffering involved. The purpose of these Guidelines is to assistYork, in reaching an informed group conscience. probation officials. The soleBox purpose of this Central from G.S.O., 459, Grand Station, New NYinto 10163 first A.A. meeting San Quentin Prison at the alcoholic. To fulfill that purpose, A.A.s have FACILITIES Twelfth Step work, then and now, was to carry request of Warden Clinton T. Duffy.within This example learned how to share A.A. information from San Francisco brought the first A.A. meeting A.A.'s message to the still-suffering alcoholic. To led to A.A.'s cooperation with court systems, court systems. into San Quentin Prison at the request of Warden fulfill that purpose, A.A.s have learned how to including communications judges and Probation anddirect parole officers, as areas. well with as judges, Clinton T. Duffy. This example led tofrom A.A.'s A.A. Guidelines are compiled the shared experience of A.A. members in various service reflect guidance share A.A. information within court systems. parole and probation officials. TheThey solealso purpose often require people involved in alcohol-related cooperation with court systems, including direct given through the Twelve Traditions and the General Service Conference (U.S. and Canada). In keeping with our Tradition of A.A.s officers, CARRYas THE ProbationHOW and parole wellMESSAGE as judges, TO of this Twelfth Stepmeetings. work, thenSome and now, was to to attend A.A. A.A. autonomy, except in matters affecting other groups oroffenses A.A. as a In whole, most decisions are made by the group conscience the communications with judges and parole and 1942,message memberstofrom San Francisco brought ofthe often require people involved in alcohol-related ALCOHOLICS IN TREATMENT FACILITIES carryis A.A.'s the still-suffering members involved. The purpose of these Guidelines to assist in reaching an informed group conscience. members find it difficult to accept this "outside" probation officials. The sole purpose of this first A.A. meeting into San Quentin Prison at the offenses from to attend A.A. meetings. Some San Francisco brought theA.A. first A.A. meeting alcoholic. Toour fulfill thatTradition, purpose, 'The A.A.sonly have policy in request light of Third Twelfth Step work, then and now, was to carry of Clinton T. Duffy. This example members find it difficult accept into San QuentintoPrison atthis the"outside" request of Warden learned how to Warden share A.A. information within requirement forA.A.'s A.A. member-ship is a desire to A.A.'s message to the still-suffering alcoholic. To led to cooperation with court systems, policy in Clinton light of T. ourDuffy. Third Tradition, 'The only This example led to A.A.'s court systems. stop drinking.' Perhaps its helpful to remember fulfill thatfor purpose, A.A.s have is learned how to including direct communications with judges and requirement A.A. member-ship a desire to cooperation with court systems, including direct and parole officers, well affected as judges, that Probation our Traditions apply to us,officials. andas aren't A.A. Perhaps information within court systems. parole and probation The sole purpose stopshare drinking.' itswith helpful to remember communications judges and parole and often require people involved in alcohol-related WHEN AND WHY A.A. as BEGAN by the regulations established by outside and parole officers, well affected as judges, of this Stepmeetings. work, then and now, was to that Probation our Traditions apply to us, and aren't probation officials. The sole purpose of this offenses to Twelfth attend A.A. Some A.A. COOPERATING WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT WHEN AND WHY A.A. BEGAN institutions—we cooperate without affiliating. By often require people involved in alcohol-related carry A.A.'s message to the still-suffering by the regulations established byand outside Twelfth Step work, then now, was to carry members find it difficult to accept this "outside" COOPERATING WITH LAW groups ENFORCEMENT adheringalcoholic. to all Twelve Traditions, many offensesAGENCIES to attend A.A. without meetings. Some A.A. Toour fulfill that purpose, A.A.s have institutions—we cooperate affiliating. By A.A.'s message to the from still-suffering alcoholic. To thepolicy inAGENCIES light of Third Tradition, 'The only In 1942, members San Francisco welcomelearned each newcomer regardless of how they members it difficult to accept this "outside"brought how to share A.A. information within adhering to allfind Twelve Traditions, many groups fulfill that purpose, A.A.s have learned how to requirement for A.A. member-ship is a desire A.A. meeting into San Quentin Prison at the In systems. 1942, members from San Franciscotobrought the got to thecourt meeting. policyeach infirst light of our Third Tradition, 'Thethey only welcome newcomer regardless how share A.A. information withinofcourt systems. stop drinking.' Perhaps its into helpful remember request of Warden Clinton T.aDuffy. This example first Santo Quentin at the In recent years, a A.A. larger number of "safe driving" requirement for A.A. member-ship is desire to Probation andmeeting parole as well affected asPrison judges, got to theProbation meeting. and parole officers, as well as judges, that our Traditions apply toofficers, us, andin aren't led to A.A.'s cooperation with court systems, programs request of Warden Clinton T. Duffy. This example have been set up for drivers trouble stop drinking.' Perhaps its helpful to remember often require people involved in alcohol-related In recent often years,require a larger number of "safe driving" people involved in alcohol-related regulations by with outside including direct communications with judges with andby led toto A.A.'s cooperation court thethe law because ofestablished some episode related to systems, that our Traditions todrivers us, andinaren't affected offenses attend A.A. meetings. Some A.A. programs have been attend setapply up A.A. for trouble offenses meetings. Some A.A.purpose institutions—we cooperate without affiliating. By paroletoand probation officials. The sole including direct communications with judges and drinking. members These programs have many different regulations established by outside find it difficult to accept this "outside" withby thethe law because of some episode related to members find it difficult to accept this "outside" adhering to all Twelve Traditions, many groups of this Twelfth Step work, then and now, was to parole and probation officials. The sole purpose names—such as Alcohol Safety Action Project'The only institutions—we cooperate without affiliating. By policy in light of our Third Tradition, drinking. These programs have many different policy in light ofmessage our ThirdtoTradition, 'The only welcome newcomer regardless of how they was to carry A.A.'s the still-suffering ofeach thisWhile Twelfth Step work, then and now, (A.S.A.P.), Driving Intoxicated (D.W.I.), adhering to all Twelve Traditions, many groups requirement for A.A. member-ship is a desire to names—such as Alcohol Safety Action Project requirement for member-ship is A.A.s a desire to got Under to thecarry meeting. alcoholic. ToA.A. fulfill that purpose, have A.A.'sPerhaps message the the still-suffering Driving the Influence (D.U.I.), and like. welcome each While newcomer regardless of how they stop years, drinking.' itstohelpful to remember (A.S.A.P.), Driving Intoxicated (D.W.I.), stop drinking.' Perhaps its helpful to remember In recent a larger number of "safe driving" how to share A.A. information within Many A.A. alcoholic. To that purpose, A.A.saffected have committees thatfulfill cooperate with got Under to thelearned meeting. that our Traditions apply us, andthese aren't Driving theTraditions Influence apply (D.U.I.), the like. that court our toand us, and aren't affected programs have been up forto drivers in trouble learned how set to share A.A. information within programs offer attenders a chance to learn about InA.A. recent years,systems. a larger number ofwith "safe driving" by the regulations established by outside Many that established cooperate these bycommittees the regulations by outside with the law because of some episode related to Probation and parole as trouble well as judges, court A.A., andinstitutions—we many aresystems. now members of without A.A. as affiliating. a programs been set up forofficers, drivers cooperate By programs offerhave attenders a chance to learn in about institutions—we without affiliating. By drinking.Probation These programs haveofficers, many different often require cooperate people in alcohol-related and parole as well as judges, result. the laware because of someinvolved episode related to adhering to all Twelve Traditions, many groups A.A.,with andadhering many now members of A.A. as a groups to all Twelve Traditions, many as Alcohol Safety ActioninProject offenses to attendhave A.A. many meetings. Some A.A. Fromnames—such often require people involved alcohol-related Page 89 of the Big Book, Alcoholics drinking. These programs different welcome eachWhile newcomer regardless of how they result. welcome each newcomer regardless of how they (A.S.A.P.), Driving Intoxicated (D.W.I.), members find it difficult to accept this "outside" offenses toexperience attend A.A.shows meetings. Anonymous: "Practical that Some A.A. asBig Alcohol Action Project gotUnder to the the meeting. Fromnames—such Page of the Book,Safety Alcoholics got89 to the meeting. Driving Influence (D.U.I.), and the like."outside" policy in light of our Third Tradition, 'The only members find it difficult to accept this nothing will so much insure immunity from (A.S.A.P.),"Practical Driving While Intoxicated InA.A. recent years, a larger number ofwith "safe driving" Anonymous: shows(D.W.I.), In recent years,experience afor larger number ofthat "safe driving" committees that cooperate these requirement A.A.(D.U.I.), member-ship a desire ddnking to Manyas policy in work light of our Third Tradition, 'The only intensive with other Driving Under theinsure Influence and theislike. programs have been set up for drivers in trouble nothing will so much immunity from programs have been set up for drivers in trouble programs offer attenders a chance to learn about stop drinking.' that Perhaps its helpful to remember requirement for A.A. member-ship is a desire Many A.A. committees cooperate with these with the law because of some episode related to to ddnking as intensive work withofother with the our law Traditions because sometoepisode related to A.A., andstop many are nowPerhaps members A.A. astoaremember that apply andabout aren't affected itsofhelpful programs offer attenders a chance tous, learn drinking. drinking.' These programs have many different drinking. These programs have many different result. the regulations established byas outside that our Traditions apply to us, and Project aren't affected A.A., andby many are now members of A.A. a names—such asBig Alcohol Safety Action names—such as Alcohol Safety Action Project Page the Book, Alcoholics by 89 theofregulations established by(D.W.I.), outside result. institutions—we cooperate without affiliating. By From(A.S.A.P.), Driving While Intoxicated (A.S.A.P.), Driving While Intoxicated (D.W.I.), Anonymous: "Practical experience shows that adhering to all Traditions, many groups institutions—we cooperate without From Page 89 of the BigTwelve Book, Alcoholics Driving Under theinsure Influence (D.U.I.), andaffiliating. the like. By Driving Undereach the Influence (D.U.I.), and the like. will so much immunity from welcome adhering to all Twelve Traditions, many groups Anonymous: "Practical newcomer experienceregardless shows thatof how they nothing Many A.A. committees that cooperate with these Many A.A. committees that cooperate with these ddnking welcome as intensive work with other got so to the meeting. each newcomer regardless of about how they nothing will much insure immunity from programs offer attenders a chance to learn programs offer attenders a chance to learn about A.A. Guidelines This A.A.General General Conference-approved This isService A.A. General is A.A. GeneralThis Service Conference-approved literatureService Conference-approved This is A.A. General Service Conference-approved This is A.A. General This is A.A. General Service This Conference-approved is is A.A. This is A.A. General literature literature literature Service Service literature Service Conference-approved Conference-approved Conference-approved literature literature literature A.A. at a If YouAA in AA in AA as glance Alcoholics A briefat Speaking are a Bridging a Resource Correctional Treatment Anonymous guide to non-AA for the Professional… the Gap Alcoholics Facilities in meetings Health Care yourFacilities Between Treatment and A.A. Through Temporary Contact Programs What is A.A.? Anonymous Community Professional Alcoholics Anonymous is a voluntary, worldwide fellowship of men and women from all walks of life who meet together to attain and maintain sobriety. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees for A.A. membership. Current Membership It is estimated that there are about 96,000 groups and more than 2,000,000 members in 134 countries. Relations With Outside Agencies The Fellowship has adopted a policy of "cooperation but not affiliation" with other organizations concerned with the problem of alcoholism. We have no opinion on issues outside A.A. and neither endorse nor oppose any causes. How A.A. Is Supported Over the years, Alcoholics Anonymous has affirmed and strengthened a tradition of being fully self-supporting and of neither seeking nor accepting contributions from nonmembers. Within the Fellowship, the amount that may be contributed by any individual member is limited to $1,000 a year. How A.A. Members Maintain Sobriety A file of information for speakers, drawn from A.A. experience and compiled by the Public Information Committee at the General Service Office How the Fellowship of A.A. works in your community to help alcoholics Alcoholics Anonymous wants to work with you A.A. is a program of total abstinence. Members simply stay away from one drink, one day at a time. Sobriety is maintained through sharing experience, strength, and hope at group meetings and through the suggested Twelve Steps for recovery from alcoholism. Why Alcoholics Anonymous Is `Anonymous‘ Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of A.A. It disciplines the Fellowship to govern itself by principles rather than personalities. We are a society of peers. We strive to make known our program of recovery, not individuals who participate in the program. Anonymity in the public media is assurance to all A.A.s, especially to newcomers, that their A.A. membership will not be disclosed. F-1 600M 5/92 (BN) (OVER) Area 69 Utah items • Pamphlet “So You’ve Been Told To Go To AA And You Hate The Idea” • Area 69 Utah BTG Do’s and Don’t’s Suggestions • Area 69 Bridging The Gap Prerelease Contact Program: For A.A. Inmates • Area 69 Bridging The Gap Prerelease Contact Program: For A.A. Members Area 69 Utah Do’s and Don’t’s Suggestions for BTG Volunteers DO DO NOT • take the new member to a meeting within the first Twenty-four hours of release. • forget the importance of the new members first meeting within Twenty-four hours of release. • take an other member of the fellowship on this Twelfth Step Call. • become responsible for the members attitude or actions in or out of the meetings. • explain to the new member that this is a temporary commitment, usually limited to six visits. This is important so the BTG volunteers can help the next new member. • become a personal taxi service. • let the new member dictate where to go for the meetings. • make sure that the new members receive Meeting Schedules, Telephone Numbers, Literature, and their own Big Book. • allow any emotional or romantic relationship to develop. • encourage them to attend meetings as often as possible, emphasize the importance of the home group. • act in any reporting or communicating capacity regarding the new member and the justice system or treatment facilities. • explain the important of sponsorship, share how you got your sponsor. • intercede in behalf of any individual affected by decisions of the administration. • refrain from using profanity, unrelated and off-color jokes, prolonged monologues of drunk stories and other types of self indulgence. • forget you are not in control, you are not GOD. • respect full anonymity of new members at all times. • keep in touch with your sponsor and your High Power. What AA Does and Doesn’t Do AA and BTG DOESHelp people with a desire to stop drinking find a solution. What AA Doesn’t Do FOR A.A. INMATES BRIDGING THE GAP PRERELEASE CONTACT PROGRAM Dear Inmate, We have a program in this area called the A.A. Bridging The Gap Prerelease Contact Program. If you sign up, you can be matched upon release to an A.A. member in your home community. This A.A. Prerelease Contact volunteer will take you to up to six A.A. meetings, introduce you around, and help you get acquainted and comfortable in A.A. During this time, you will learn about sponsors, home groups, working A.A.'s Twelve Steps, and service. INMATE'S APPLICATION Program Procedures 1. Inside A.A. members are eligible for this program if they are within three to six months of their release date. 2. The inmate fills in the attached application and mails it to the Bridging The Gap Coordinators, who process all Prerelease Contacts. 3. The Prerelease Contact coordinator will notify the inside member that the application has been received and is being processed. I am within six months of my release date. I am requesting an A.A. Bridging The Gap Contact who will provide a link for me to the A.A. community through transportation to meetings and introductions to other A.A.s. Inmate Name: ______________________ Sex: Male: _______ Female: _______ I make a commitment to attend an A.A. meeting within 48 hours of my release. Your Prerelease Contact is temporary only. They are there to support you, answer questions, and explain the A.A. program of recovery. They will not provide housing, food, clothing, jobs, money, or other such services. You will undoubtedly hear the five basic suggestions for sobriety that the Fellowship shares with all members: Don't Drink, Go to Meetings, Read the Big Book, Call Your Sponsor, and Work the Steps. Past experience has shown that attending an A.A. meeting as soon as possible after release is key to making a sober transition to life outside prison. Many of us have been where you are and know that the program of A.A. and its fellowship can do for you what it has done for us and countless others. Complete the attached Inmate's Application, then cut off and mail it to the address indicated. If possible, do this three to six months prior to your release. The A.A. Prerelease Contact coordinator will then match you up with a Prerelease Contact volunteer in the community where you will be living. That person will write to you with information on how to contact him or her once you are released. Some professionals refer to alcoholism and drug addiction as "substance abuse" or "chemical dependency." Nonalcoholics are, therefore, sometimes introduced to A.A. and encouraged to attend A.A. meetings. Anyone may attend open A.A. meetings, but only those with a drinking problem may attend closed meetings. 4. The coordinator finds a Prerelease Contact and then informs the inmate. 5. The Prerelease Contact then writes to the inside A.A. member within two weeks to confirm contact. If the Prerelease Contact fails to make contact, the inside A.A. member should inform the coordinator. 6.The inside A.A. member and the Prerelease Contact set up a meeting at the time of the inmate's release. The inside A.A. should provide such information as date of release, when they will arrive in the local area, an address and phone number. 7.The Prerelease Contact will meet the newly release A.A. at an agreed to time and place to help them adjust to attending their first few meetings in the local community. Doc Number: _______________________ Doc Mailing Address: _________________ City: ______________________________ State: ________ Zip Code: ____________ Releasing to: (Town or Area): ___________ ___________________________________ Date of Release: _____________________ Address after Release: ________________ ___________________________________ Phone Number: ______________________ I would like to make a commitment to attend an A.A. meeting within 48 hours of my release. I understand that the A.A. Bridging The Gap Contact is not an A.A. Sponsor. 8. The Prerelease Contact is asked to let the newly release A.A. know that after a maximum of six meetings, their work together will be done, and that the Prerelease Contact will rotating on to help someone new. ___________________________ 9. After a connection has been completed, the Prerelease Contact will inform the coordinator of the results. or if BTG District Coordinator fails to make contact Signature Date District The Bridging Gap Coordinator P.O. Box 455 Draper, UT 84020 Area Corrections Committee P.O. Box 4 Milford, UT 84751 LETTER TO THE TREATMENT PATIENT Dear AA Member, AA in this Area has a Program available for you when you are released. Upon your release, we offer the Bridging The Gap Program. The Bridging The Gap Program is offered to you to help you make the transition back into the outside. This means that you can sign up to be matched to an AA member on the outside in your home community upon release. This AA member will take you to meetings, and introduce you around to help you get acquainted and become comfortable among your new friends in A.A. During this time you learn about sponsors, home groups, working the steps, and service. Your BTG Volunteer is temporary (maximum of six meetings or visits is suggested), and will not follow up or try to control you. Nor will they provide housing, food, clothing, jobs, money or other such services. Past experience has shown that attending an A.A. meeting on the outside as soon after release as possible On the first 24 hours) is one of the most effective tools in making a sober transition into the free world. Many of us have been where you are and know what the program of A.A. and its fellowship can do for you and countless others. I am interested in having someone in the AA meet me inwhen released If you are within threeprogram weeks of release and wish to participate the Bridging I Theam Gap Program, please complete the attached "Patient Application." Mail it to the address below. When the committee receives it they will contact a BTG Volunteer who will in turn contact you to arrange to meet with you on the day of your release. If you do not receive a letter for this volunteer within two weeks, please contact us, and we will have someone get in contact with you. I am interested in having someone in the AA program meet me when I am released. I understand the importance of making contact with people in the A.A. program on the day of my release and getting to a meeting. Date: Gender: Male Female Release Date: Name: Facility: _________ Address: ______________________ City: ________________ State: ________ Zip Code: ____________ Release City: _______________ Phone No.: __________________ State: __________ Zip Code: _____________ Signature: ________________________________________________________ Mail to: Area Treatment Committee, P.O. Box 147, Moab, UT 84532 Bridging the Gap BTG Contacts Area 69 District First Name Last Name City xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxx Home Phone xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx Contact Type ID Language xxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx Contact ID xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx