WHAT IS NIGHTWATCH?

The Nightwatch Program gives groups the opportunity to be of service in A.A. Nightwatch volunteers answer evening and weekend telephone calls from people who want to find an A.A. meeting or who might need Twelfth-Step help.

HOW CAN MY GROUP TAKE PART IN NIGHTWATCH?

There are two ways that a group may choose to participate in Nightwatch.

First is by taking a one week telephone commitment, where the members of the group take turns answering the phones (at home) after the office is closed and on weekends and holidays.

The second way a group may participate is by providing a list of Twelfth-Step contacts. The Twelfth-Step contact list is used by both the office staff and by the Nightwatch volunteers to contact A.A. members who are willing to take Twelfth-Step referrals. This may be to simply call a still suffering alcoholic or perhaps to take them to an A.A. meeting.

HOW LONG IS THE TWELFTH-STEP CONTACT LIST COMMITMENT FOR?

The lists are used for a six months period. At the end of six months we ask the groups for new lists. This allows us to have current lists available so that we are not trying to contact people who have moved, or who no longer wish to participate as a Twelfth-Step contact.

WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS TO TAKE PART IN NIGHTWATCH?

It is suggested that telephone volunteers and Twelfth-Step contacts have at least one year of continuous sobriety.

HOW MANY PEOPLE WOULD MY GROUP NEED TO COVER THE TELEPHONE ANSWERING COMMITMENT?

Usually the commitment is spread among twelve group members, but fewer or more people could participate.

OUR GROUP IS VERY SMALL, CAN WE STILL PARTICIPATE?

Yes, in some areas members of small groups have joined with members of nearby groups to form area coverage teams to take the commitment. Your Area Coordinator can assist you in contacting other groups.

WHERE ARE THE NIGHTWATCH CALLS ANSWERED?

The calls are answered in the comfort and privacy of the volunteer's home. The volunteer's telephone number is never given out. Callers dial the Intergroup office number, and calls are automatically forwarded to the volunteer's home.

WILL THE PHONE RING All NIGHT LONG?

No. Usually about thirty calls will come in during an average shift. On a normal weeknight, only one or two calls will come in between midnight and 6:00AM.

WHAT ARE THE HOURS OF THE TELEPHONE ANSWERING COMMITMENT?

The group members would each cover one or more of the eleven telephone answering "shifts", which are:

• Weeknights from 6:00P.M. until the next morning.*
   

• Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays from:

9:00A.M. to 3:00P.M.

3:00P.M. to 9:00P.M.

9:00P.M. until the next morning.

*Please Note: On weeknights it is very important for the volunteer to be home by 6:00PM

SHARP to start answering calls.

The end of the shift on weekday mornings is usually 8:00AM. However, calls can be taken by Intergroup's answering service if the telephone volunteer needs to leave or get ready for work before that time.

WHAT TYPES OF CALLS WILL I RECEIVE?

Most calls are from people trying to find meetings. About two calls per shift will need Twelfth-Step referrals. The referral is handled by taking the callers name, location and phone number. Then, the volunteer looks in the manual for a same sex Twelfth-Step contact near the callers location. Next, the volunteer calls the Twelfth-Step contact. The contact then calls the caller back. The Twelfth-Step contact's phone number is never given to the caller.

HOW WILL I KNOW WHAT TO SAY TO THE CALLER?

Intergroup provides volunteers with a Nightwatch Manual. The manual has Guidelines and Procedures for handling all types of calls along with a list of Twelfth-Step contacts by county and town.

WHO WILL BE IN CHARGE OF MY GROUP'S NIGHTWATCH TELEPHONE COMMITMENT?

One person serves as the group's Nightwatch leader. This is a very important job.

HOW OFTEN WILL THE GROUP BE ASKED TO DO NIGHTWATCH?

Nightwatch coverage is divided into six areas covering sixteen counties in northern NJ. Each month's coverage is covered by two areas. Normally the Nightwatch commitment will come to an area about every ten weeks. Depending on the number of participating groups in your area, your group may be asked once or twice a year.

IS TRAINING REQUIRED FOR MEMBERS TAKING THE COMMITMENT?

The only training that most members will need involves taking a half hour or so before their shift begins to read the "Guidelines and Procedures" section of the Nightwatch Manual, and ... your experience, strength and hope!

HOW DOES MY GROUP BEGIN?

Call the Intergroup office. The hours are Monday through Friday from 10:00a.m. to 6:00p.m.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF GROUP NIGHTWATCH LEADER

The leader's responsibilities are:

• Completing the Telephone Coverage Schedule and forwarding to Intergroup no later than Friday morning before the group's commitment.

• Learning how Nightwatch works and passing this knowledge on to other group members.

• Getting manuals from another group one week before the start of the group's commitment.

• Serving as "back-up" telephone volunteer during the week that the group has the telephone commitment.

• Bringing the manuals to another group immediately after the one week commitment.

• Notifying the Area Coordinator or Intergroup office of any problems requiring immediate attention.

• Assist in training other groups (not a requirement, but another opportunity to be of service).

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