Sponsors are good listeners. Sponsors give Al-Anon solutions. Sponsors emphasize gratitude and guides the newcomer in focusing on the good in their life. Sponsors teach newcomers that alcoholism is a family disease, and we are the only ones we can help. Sponsors help the newcomer to learn to let go of the other person and put the focus on themselves.
Sponsors encourage regular contact.
Sponsors teach that meetings are important. We need to hear many people. We can't get the program from listening to only one person. Sponsors teach the newcomer that we must deal with problems that prevent us from coming to meetings. Sponsors remember the silver rule and don't do for another what they need to do for themselves.