Welcome to the Triangle AA Helpline resource center.

Meeting Guide App

aa meeting guide app iconA lot of volunteers find that there is no easier way to find a meeting than with the Meeting Guide app. It’s free and easy to use. It’s available from both the Google Play and Apple’s App Store.

Download on the App Store
Android app on Google Play

 

iPhone Users

If you use an iPhone and are covering a Helpline shift, please make sure the following settings are turned off to ensure calls get through to you.

Turn Off Do Not Disturb

1. Go to Settings settings icon > Do Not Disturb.

2. Turn off Do Not Disturb

Turn Off Silence Unknown Callers

(only applies to IOS 13 and above)

1. Go to Settings settings icon > Phone, scroll down.

2. Turn off Silence Unknown Callers. [screenshot]

 

Volunteer Tips

It’s easy to focus on just giving out meeting times and locations and missing the larger role that we can fulfill.

You will get calls requesting meeting info, but our main function is to be a friendly, welcoming voice.

In addition to finding a meeting, the Caller also wants to know what to expect at their first meeting.  Remember yours?  They are probably anxious about the unknown.

Here are some things that you might say to a caller to ease their mind about their first meeting:

“There is no registration or checking in, just show up and have a seat. Grab some coffee if you’d like.

There are no dues or fees.  In fact, we ask that you do not put money in the basket because we only take contributions from AA members. If and when you decide to be a part of the fellowship, then you are welcome to contribute.

Some groups go around the room and have everyone introduce themselves.  Introduce yourself if you’d like, but it helps that you do so that everyone can get to know you and offer help.

The most important thing is to find a seat and listen.”

The caller will often express real relief and then ask about specific meetings they saw online. There is no better way to make a connection with the caller than sharing your own experience as a newcomer.

Thanks for volunteering!

Helpline Guidelines

  • Respond to the reminder text the day before your shift begins so we know that you’ll be available for your shift.
  • Ensure your phone isn’t muted at least 30 minutes before your shift begins.
  • Be available and sober for your entire shift.
  • Never give out an AA member’s phone number.
  • Get the caller the help they need and keeps calls short.
  • Use the Helpline’s website for meeting schedule links and other info.

Wanna be a backup volunteer?

Looking for extra light-weight service? Then join our list of volunteers who we can go to when a shift can’t be covered.

Helpline's Mission Statement

To provide 12 step opportunities to members of participating AA groups.

What if I get a call about…

Caller needs a ride to a meeting.

hitchhiking

  • A good practice, when speaking to a caller about a ride, is to see if there are any meetings close to them. Ask if they are on a bus line or if they are able to use a ride hailing company.
  • As the helpline volunteer, you cannot commit another member to provide a ride. You can tell the caller that you’ll have another member call them back.

    When contacting a 12 Step Volunteer to return a call, you should tell them the caller inquired about a ride. The decision will be theirs, after they’ve called the caller back.

In any case, you should manage their expectations. Tell them we are all volunteers and it could take up to a day or two to arrange a ride.

Intervention

al-anonWe get a fair amount of calls from friends or family members who would like to have an intervention and are looking to AA for guidance.  We normally point them towards Al-Anon.

Al-Anon
24 hours
919-713-1516
800-243-4035
Spanish Al-Anon
24 hours
800-251-5738

Become a 12th Step Volunteer

Sometimes our phone volunteers need to have a longer conversation than the Helpline can accommodate.  The Helpline Volunteers turn these conversations over to people who have signed up to be a 12th Step Volunteer.

12th Step List Signup

Helpline Pamphlet

Helpline Brochure
(mobile friendly)

Helpline Brochure
(trifold)

Meeting Guide App

A lot of volunteers find that there is no easier way to find a meeting than with the Meeting Guide app. It’s free and easy to use. It’s available from both the Google Play and Apple’s App Store.

Download on the App Store
Android app on Google Play