Welcome
This website has information about the AA in Melbourne 24 hour phone line roster which will commence at the end of June 2008.
For more information, contact Ben L on 0439 883 863.
See map of participating groups
Volunteer
If you are a member of AA in Melbourne and would like to volunteer to take calls on the roster, please fill out the Volunteers Form or download the printable form.
Group Participation
If your group would like to participate and receive 12th Step opportunities from callers in your vicinity, please fill out the Group Participation Form or download the printable form.
Information for Groups
The 24 hour AA phone line is a service set up to provide 12th step opportunities to AA Groups in Melbourne. AA experience shows that this type of service is best provided and managed on a local basis rather than on a national or state-wide level. All Melbourne metropolitan groups are invited to participate.
How does it work?
Calls made to the 24 Hour AA Phone Line will be redirected to an AA Phone Volunteer’s
phone number using the Telstra IN-Control system. So when a member of the public calls, the phone call is answered by an AA member. If, for some reason, the Phone Volunteer is unable to answer immediately, the system will automatically dial the number of another Phone
Volunteer. The system will keep diverting the call until it is answered. If the caller wishes to
know more about AA, the Phone Volunteer asks for the caller’s first name, phone number and
location. This information is then passed onto the AA group nearest the caller, for action.
The 24 Hour AA Phone Line has its own website – www.aamelbourne.org.au – which will
be used to publicise the phone number. Members of the public are able to make contact
through the website email address info@aamelbourne.org.au, so there will be opportunities
for groups to carry the message by answering emails as well. The website will have a
‘hidden’ section only accessible by AA members who have a login. Participating groups will
be given a password to access this part of the website.
How can my group get involved?
Your group can participate by providing a Group Contact for 12th Step calls. The phone volunteers will then pass on 12th step calls from your local vicinity to your group contact. Fill out Group Participation form on-line or print one and return it. When someone calls from your vicinity, the AA phone volunteer will contact your group through your nominated contact person.
What do we do when a call is passed on to our group?
It’s up to each group’s conscience to decide how 12th Step calls should be handled. Here are some suggestions:
- Call the person and have a chat with them about their problems with drinking.
- Tell them about your own experience with trying to stop drinking.
- Offer to visit the caller to tell them more about AA.
- Offer to deliver some AA pamphlets or other literature.
- Offer to take them to a local meeting.
- Offer your phone number so they have someone local to call.
- A good rule is ‘Men for men, women for women’. If the caller is a woman, have a female member call them back. Or a male member if the caller is a man.
- Another good rule is that visits to a caller’s home should be undertaken by two AA members and never by one member alone.
Does our group need to contribute financially?
Contributions are welcome, but there is absolutely no requirement for your group to contribute financially in order to participate in the 24 hour phone service and receive 12th step call referrals.
Can I join the roster of volunteers that take the initial calls?
Individual AA members can volunteer to be on the roster to take the initial phone calls. Complete the Phone Volunteers form or print one out and return it.