Help Carry the Message
Service is one of the ways AA members carry hope to the still-suffering alcoholic and support one another in recovery. Whether answering a phone call, returning a 12-Step request, or helping make meetings more accessible, each act of service helps keep the hand of AA available when someone reaches out for help.
Volunteering does not require perfection — only willingness, compassion, and a desire to be helpful. These service opportunities allow members to share experience, strength, and hope in practical ways: by listening, offering meeting information, making personal contact, or helping remove barriers so others can participate in AA.
TeleServiceVolunteer
Answer hotline calls and offer support, meeting information, and hope to anyone reaching out for help.
12-Step Volunteer
Return calls from those seeking help with alcoholism and share experience, strength, and hope through a calm, supportive conversation.
Special Needs Volunteer
Help make AA more accessible by supporting members with special needs and connecting them to meetings and resources.
TeleService Volunteer
A TeleService Volunteer helps carry the message by answering incoming hotline calls and providing a welcoming first point of contact for someone seeking information or support. This may include listening, sharing basic AA information, helping callers find meetings, or connecting callers with appropriate AA resources. It is a practical and meaningful way to serve from home while helping ensure that when someone reaches out, AA is there to answer.
- Working knowledge of the 12 Steps
- At least 6 months of continuous sobriety
- Access to a smartphone
- Ability to download and use an app
- Ability to access the online AA Meeting Guide
- Willingness to help another alcoholic
- Hotline calls are routed through an app on your smartphone.
- Volunteers answer calls from people seeking help.
- You listen, provide support, and share meeting information or resources.
- When appropriate, you may connect callers with 12-Step Volunteers or other AA resources.
- This service is voluntary and flexible.
- Shifts are typically 4 hours.
- Shifts are available throughout the week, including daytime, evening, and weekend options.
- Choose days and times that fit your schedule.
TeleService Includes
12-Step Volunteer
12-Step Volunteers help carry AA’s message when someone reaches out for help. TeleService is often AA’s front line of hope — answering the call when someone may be in one of their darkest moments — and 12-Step Volunteers help continue that connection by sharing personal experience, strength, and hope. With your phone, your sobriety, and a willing heart, you can help turn a stranger’s first call into a first step toward recovery.
- At least 6 months continuous sobriety
- Completed the Twelve Steps with a sponsor
- Familiar with Big Book Chapter 7: Working With Others
- Willing to share your experience, strength, and hope
- You may set your available days/times; no term limits
- Willing to take call from an unknown number (hotline worker)
- Hotline/Central Office volunteers contact YOU first
- They ask if you are available
- If yes, YOU receive the caller’s number
- You return the call
- Volunteers are trained to never to give out your number
- You are NOT on call at all times; this is voluntary service
- It is okay to say no if you’re unavailable
- Volunteers continue down the list until someone is available
- We do not pick and choose who we help. Willingness is the spirit of service.
Any decision to continue contact beyond the initial call, meet another member in person, or provide transportation is a personal decision between members and is not arranged, directed, supervised, or considered within the scope of CCFAA/TeleService.
- 95822 Greenhaven / Pocket
- 95820 Fruitridge / Broadway corridor
- 95693 Wilton
- 95612 Clarksburg
- 95615 Sloughhouse area
- 95610 Citrus Heights
- 95621 Citrus Heights / Arcade
- 95662 Orangevale (limited)
- 95961 Olivehurst
- 95901 Marysville / Linda region
- 95953 Live Oak
- 95982 Sutter
- 95918 Browns Valley
- 95726 Pollock Pines
- 95613 Coloma
- 96150 South Lake Tahoe region
- 95627 Esparto
- 95932 Colusa
Special Needs Volunteer
A Special Needs Volunteer helps make AA more accessible to members who may face barriers to attending or participating in meetings. This service may include helping connect members with accessible meetings, assisting with information or communication needs, or supporting efforts that help members with mobility, hearing, vision, or other access needs feel included. It is a compassionate way to help ensure that AA remains available to all who seek recovery.
- At least 6 months of continuous sobriety
- Compassionate and patient
- Willing to maintain confidentiality
- Open to learning about accessibility and inclusion
- Special Needs requests are handled through the Special Needs Coordinator.
- Volunteers are contacted by the Coordinator when a member has a special need.
- Volunteers may help bring an AA meeting to a member who is unable to attend in person.
- This may include members who are homebound, hospitalized, in a care facility, or facing accessibility or language barriers.
- Service is as needed and flexible.
- Volunteers work with members and service committees to match availability.