Treasure Valley Intergroup Answering Service /
Hotline Information
What is the Treasure Valley AA Hotline/Answering Service?
The Treasure Valley Intergroup Office operates an
answering service (hotline) for the Southwest Idaho
(Treasure Valley) area. The AA Hotline is a number that
people can call to find meetings, ask questions about
AA, or to speak to another alcoholic. In the Treasure
Valley, the hotline phone is the same as the AA Central
Office but is answered by volunteers when the Central
Office is closed. The phone is simply transferred to the
volunteers phone. The volunteer doesn’t have to go
anywhere special to answer the phone – just stay near
their own phone, have an up-to-date meeting schedule on
hand, and a list of “12 step” volunteers provided by the
Answering Service representative.
Who can Volunteer to answer the Hotline?
No experience is necessary; all that is required is a
telephone and a desire to help other alcoholics. Six
months of sobriety is recommended.
What is involved?
Answering the hot line typically involves answering
simple questions, such as where meetings are and simple
questions about sobriety. It is important to have an
up-to-date schedule on hand as most questions/calls can
be answered simply by referring to the schedule.
Volunteers should not do extensive 12-step work with
people asking for help, for this ties up the hot line.
The volunteer is asked to get the callers first name,
phone number, and city and tell the caller that someone
will call them back shortly. Then, by calling people on
the provided “12 step” list, the volunteer finds someone
listed in the caller’s city that will commit to calling
them back.
The answering service does not arrange rides although
the 12-step list includes some people willing to give
rides in an emergency situation.
Callers interested in information about AA are referred
to the central office during regular business hours. AA
meeting places often have fliers and information
concerning AA activities. It doesn’t hurt to be aware of
the time and place of any special events that are being
held around the time you volunteer. (Central Office
hours of operation: Monday through Friday from 10 AM
till 6 PM)
AA does not affiliate itself with any outside agency.
Therefore, answering service volunteers should not give
referrals to any specific agencies while representing
AA. When answering the AA Hotline, you are representing
AA. The local hospitals can give information regarding
emergency detox (see local phone book).
How Should I Answer the Phone?
It is important that a caller know right away that they
have reached the right number without having to ask if
they’ve called the AA Hotline. Always answer politely
and professionally, preferably with “AA Hotline, how may
I help you?” Many answerers drop the “AA” and/or answer
more informally with simply: “Hotline.”
How can I volunteer?
Many AA groups have volunteered to take responsibility
for answering the hotline on certain days of the week or
on weekends. Check to see if you home group or group you
often attend does this and contact the Answering Service
Representative of that group to see what times might be
available. Volunteers are always welcome. There are
always openings, either on a regular basis or as a
substitute for a regular volunteer.
If your group hasn’t volunteered to provide this
service, find out why and perhaps volunteer to become
your group’s answering service representative and
organize others in your group to help out. Sometimes all
that is needed is someone to take the lead.
If your group is interested in volunteering, you can volunteer by completing the online signup form,
or contacting an Intergroup Representative of another group, Central Office or the Intergroup Answering Service Representative.
What is the 12 Step Volunteer List?
The 12 step volunteer list is a list of names and phone
numbers maintained by the Central Office and Answering
Service to be used by persons answering the AA Hotline.
Volunteers who are willing to make 12 step calls are on
this list. To have your name added to this list, contact
the Central Office or Intergroup Answering Service
Representative.
HELP WANTED!!!
Volunteers for the TVICO AA Answering Service's 12-step
list. If you are interested in accepting 12 Step calls
from the AA Hotline, please complete one the signup form or contact Central Office
at 344-6611 to get your name added to the 12-step call
list OR to verify that your name is already on the list
with your correct phone number. Or email tvhotline@gmail.com
The Hotline/Answering Service is always looking for volunteers
to answer the AA Hotline during the evenings and
weekends. A number of groups volunteer to answer the
phone on a regular schedule.
If you are interested in assisting with this worthwhile
service, either by volunteering yourself or volunteering
to represent a group, contact your group's GSR, your
group's Intergroup representative, complete one the signup forms,
call the Central Office at 344-6611, Or email
tvhotline@gmail.com (The online signup form is the preferred method)
Treasure Valley Central Office is Located at:
1111 S. Orchard, Suite 180
Boise, Idaho 83705
(208) 344-6611
Office Hours
Monday - Friday 10am to 5pm
Saturday by Appointment Only*
*Appointment must be made prior to 2pm Friday
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