Vivian Marlowe
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a support group for men and women who are battling alcoholism. AA members can become circuit speakers who share their stories of recovery and hope at conventions and meetings. Circuit speakers are typically individuals with a significant amount of sobriety under their belt and the ability to convey their experiences in a captivating and often humorous manner. While some speakers become famous within AA culture, they are not paid for their talks. Becoming a circuit speaker can be a demanding commitment, requiring a lot of work, stress, time, and dedication.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Circuit speakers are individuals who have a fair amount of sobriety and are able to convey their messages of "experience, hope, and strength" to large crowds. | |
| Circuit speakers are not paid. | |
| Their transportation and boarding are generally paid for. | |
| Speakers are good when they honestly share their experience, strength, and hope, creating a connection with the group. | |
| Speakers can be found through YouTube channels and websites. | |
| Speakers may have a "circuit speaker sponsor" who provides coaching and help. | |
| Speakers may tape their talks to improve their performances and promote themselves. | |
| Speakers may need to balance their time between work, home life, meetings, and self-improvement. | |
| Speakers may become famous within AA culture. | Clancy, Bob Bisanz, Sandy Beach, Joe and Charlie |
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What You'll Learn
- Speakers should have a fair amount of sobriety and be able to convey messages of experience, hope, and strength
- Speakers are not paid, but their travel and accommodation are usually covered
- Speakers are often invited to speak at conventions and special events
- Speakers can promote themselves by recording and distributing talks
- Speakers should balance speaking with work, home life, meetings, and recovery
Speakers should have a fair amount of sobriety and be able to convey messages of experience, hope, and strength
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a support group for men and women who are battling alcoholism. AA meetings are based on a 12-step programme, and within this programme, there are individuals who become "circuit speakers".
Circuit speakers are individuals who have achieved a fair amount of sobriety and are able to share their experiences and messages of "hope and strength" with large crowds. They are often captivating and entertaining speakers who are frequently invited to speak at conventions and special events.
Becoming a circuit speaker requires a strong commitment to sobriety and a willingness to be vulnerable and share one's own experiences. It is important for speakers to have a significant amount of sobriety under their belt, as this provides credibility and depth to their message. The message of experience, hope, and strength is a powerful tool to help others on their journey to recovery.
Some circuit speakers have become well-known within AA culture, such as Clancy, Bob Bisanz, and Sandy Beach. These speakers have the ability to connect with their audience on a deep level, offering insight and inspiration through their own stories of recovery. They are often approached to speak at various events and their transportation and accommodation are usually covered.
While becoming a circuit speaker can be a rewarding way to help others, it is important to remember that it requires a significant amount of time and dedication. Speakers must be able to balance their speaking engagements with their own personal recovery, self-care, and other commitments. It is a role that carries a lot of responsibility and can be demanding, but it can also be a powerful way to give hope to those who are struggling.
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Speakers are not paid, but their travel and accommodation are usually covered
While Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) speakers are not paid for their talks, their transportation and accommodation are usually covered. This is because AA speakers are not considered gurus but rather individuals sharing their experiences and offering hope to others facing similar struggles. The role of an AA speaker is to provide a message of hope and encouragement to those seeking recovery from alcoholism or other addictions.
The commitment involved in being an AA speaker should not be underestimated. It requires a lot of work, stress, time, and dedication. Speakers may find themselves travelling to different locations frequently, which can impact their personal lives and careers if not carefully balanced.
AA meetings and conventions, often called "Round Ups," are usually held at hotels and can attract attendees from far away. These events are not only about the meetings but also provide a festive atmosphere with workshops, shows, and dances. The "Circuit Speaker" phrase refers more to the person than the event, and AA's tradition of anonymity helps prevent any sense of celebrity or "big shot-ism."
AA speakers are typically individuals with a significant amount of sobriety who can share their experiences in a captivating and often poignant and humorous manner. They are powerful messengers of hope, and some have even become famous within AA culture, such as Clancy, Bob Bisanz, and Sandy Beach.
Becoming an AA speaker often happens organically. It starts with sharing one's story at meetings, and as people connect with the message, invitations to speak at other locations may follow. While it is not a role to be actively sought, those interested in becoming speakers can focus on their recovery, staying sober, and sharing their experiences when opportunities arise.
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Speakers are often invited to speak at conventions and special events
The phrase "circuit speaker" is common, but it usually refers to the person speaking rather than the event. AA's tradition of anonymity works to prevent "big shot-ism" in the recovering community. Circuit speakers are ideally individuals who have a fair amount of sobriety and can convey messages of "experience, hope, and strength" to large crowds in a captivating, humorous, and poignant manner.
Some circuit speakers have become extremely famous within AA culture, such as Clancy, Bob Bisanz, Sandy Beach, and the duo Joe and Charlie. These speakers are not paid, but their transportation and boarding are usually covered. Becoming a circuit speaker requires a lot of work, stress, time, and commitment. Speakers often have to balance their time between their work, home life, meetings, and self-care.
There are several ways to become a circuit speaker. One way is to actively network and promote oneself, and the other is to let it happen organically. Some speakers get coaching and help from a "circuit speaker sponsor", who is also a circuit speaker. Speakers may also record their talks and send them to state convention chairs to increase their chances of getting invited to speak at events.
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Speakers can promote themselves by recording and distributing talks
One way to do this is to record your talks and make them available online. There are several websites that host Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) speaker recordings, such as SoberRecovery, Rehab 4 Addiction, and YouTube channels dedicated to carrying the message of recovery from alcoholism. By submitting your talks to these websites, you can make them accessible to anyone looking for help or inspiration.
Another way to distribute your talks is through tapes or CDs. One example mentioned in a forum is an individual who would tape his talks in his basement and then mail them out to specific people, tapers, and state convention chairs. This more traditional method of distribution can still be effective in reaching those who may not have access to the internet or prefer a physical copy of the talk.
Additionally, social media can be a powerful tool for promoting your talks. Consider creating a website or blog to share your story and your speaking engagements, and use social media platforms to connect with other speakers, AA groups, and individuals seeking recovery. You can also join online forums specifically for AA speakers, such as SoberRecovery, where you can share your experiences and connect with others in the community.
It is important to note that while promoting yourself as a speaker can be beneficial, it should not become a source of "big shot-ism" within the recovering community. AA's tradition of anonymity is in place to prevent any sense of superiority or fame from taking precedence over the true purpose of the community, which is to support and help each other through shared experiences and struggles with alcoholism.
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Speakers should balance speaking with work, home life, meetings, and recovery
Speakers at Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings are typically individuals who have a fair amount of sobriety and are able to convey messages of "experience, hope, and strength" to large crowds in a captivating, humorous, and poignant manner. While some speakers have become famous within AA culture, it is important to note that speakers are not paid for their contributions. Their transportation and boarding are usually covered, but some speakers still end up paying out of pocket for their travel expenses.
Becoming an AA circuit speaker requires balancing speaking engagements with other aspects of life, including work, home life, meetings, and personal recovery. This balance can be challenging to maintain, as speaking at AA events can be time-consuming and stressful. Speakers may find themselves travelling frequently and committing a significant amount of time to preparing and delivering their talks.
It is crucial for speakers to prioritize self-care and ensure they are continuing their own recovery journey. This may involve actively working through the 12-step program and seeking support from sponsors or other members. Speakers should be mindful of not neglecting their personal lives and other responsibilities outside of their speaking engagements.
Additionally, speakers should be aware of the potential impact on their work and home life. In the case of "R", as mentioned in one source, the frequent travelling and time commitment led to issues in his marriage and nearly cost him his job. Thus, it is essential for speakers to set boundaries and maintain a healthy balance between their speaking engagements and their personal commitments.
Overall, while becoming an AA circuit speaker can be rewarding and impactful, it is important to approach it with a sense of balance and self-care, ensuring that speaking engagements do not overshadow other important aspects of one's life and recovery journey.
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Frequently asked questions
Circuit speakers are individuals who are invited to speak at Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) conventions and special events. They are usually people with a fair amount of sobriety who can convey messages of "experience, hope, and strength" to large crowds in a captivating manner.
There are several ways to become a circuit speaker. One way is to network and promote yourself to the right people, and the other is to let it happen organically. You can also get a "circuit speaker sponsor" who can coach and help you improve your speaking skills.
Being a circuit speaker allows you to share your story and inspire others on their journey to recovery. It can also be a way to give back to the AA community and pay it forward.
Being a circuit speaker can be demanding and time-consuming. It requires a significant amount of work, stress, time, and commitment. It's important to balance speaking engagements with your personal life, work, and self-care.
