AA in Melbourne Phone Roster

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?

The 24 hour phone number is answered by an outside service provider at all times. When the service receives a call, they contact an AA volunteer rostered on for that time of day. The call will then be transferred to the volunteer. So when a member of the public calls, the call will be answered immediately and passed on to an AA member straight away. The answering service has a list of volunteers so that, if the rostered volunteer is not available when called, a different volunteer can be called instead.
If the caller wants to know more about AA, the volunteer asks for their first name, phone number and location. This information is then passed onto the local AA group for action.
How can my group get involved?

How can my group get involved?

Your group can participate by providing a group contact. The phone volunteers will then be able to 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.