For a relationship to work, the engagement must be sincere. In Tradition Three, what is required is a desire to stop drinking. Not a willingness. A desire. The emotional condition is relevant. Perfunctory compliance with the conditions is no substitute for this, breeds cynicism, and produces a mockery, a charade. The real desire will ultimately burn through. It is the same with sponsorship. The sponsor has to desire the wellbeing of the sponsee. The sponsee has to desire the interaction with the sponsor. What is left without that is a mechanical shell. A meal should be a meal, not a nutritionally balanced shake that tastes of plastic and is downed like medicine, three times a day.
If the desire is not present, it is better to admit the fact and maybe admit the fact that no sponsorship at all is desired. Then the problem—if this be construed as a problem—can be addressed and solved. To go through the motions merely covers up this problem and perpetually defers its identification and resolution.