New LifeRing Opens

In Guelph, Ontario

Denver LSR Adjusts Meeting Time,

Renews Meeting Room Contract

LifeRing Learn-In Workshop

In San Francisco Sat. 9/29/01

A public workshop for everyone interested in learning more about how and why LifeRing Secular Recovery works will be held Sat. Sept. 29 from 9:30 a.m. to noon in San Francisco, CA.  The location is 1201 Fillmore, corner of Turk, in the Kaiser Permanente Chemical Dependency Recovery Program facility.  Look for signs with the room assignment when you get there.  Marty N., author of Recovery by Choice, the LifeRing Press workbook, will give a presentation on the basics of LSR philosophy, and San Francisco LifeRing meeting convenors will be present to speak and answer questions.  For more information, contact the LSR Service Center at 510-763-0779.  

Message from LifeRing 

On the Sept. 11 Atrocities

At this time of awful tragedy in New York City and elsewhere, my heart goes out to all of you. At times of crisis more than any other, it is vital to keep uppermost in mind the Sobriety Priority. After we have done everything within our power to aid the survivors and to restore what is left of normalcy, it is time for sober reflection and meditation. 

The political schisms in the world will only deepen now and there is an unprecedented danger of worldwide conflict on the horizon. We of LifeRing are united by a common imperative to live our lives free of drugs and alcohol, and to reach out with open hearts to all of those who are afflicted by addictions. We will not permit political schisms to divide us. All who wish to become and remain clean and sober are our brothers and sisters and we embrace them in love and support. 

Nor will we allow these crises to sidetrack us from our individual practice of the Sobriety Priority. Neither our lives nor the lives of those with whom we are connected would be helped in the slightest by drinking or using. Disaster is never an excuse to relapse. To the contrary. At this time, more than at any other, only sobriety can permit us to play a meaningful role in the unfolding events if active participation is required of us; and if we are in the role of observers, only sobriety can permit us to see, to receive, to process, to heal, and eventually to grow in understanding from the images of these events. 

I also want to say as publicly and clearly as possible that in any LifeRing recovery meeting everyone who wants to get clean and sober is welcome, including Muslims, Arabs, Afghanis, Pakistanis, Palestinians, Saudis, Yemenis, Sudanese, Sikhs, and all the other targets of the current hatred. And if the local hatreds were to turn the other way, toward Israelis, Lebanese Christians, Russian Orthodox, Armenians, Serbs, Croats, or Whatever, the message would be exactly the same: Welcome, brothers and sisters, sit down with us and join in our ring of life. Here you are safe to say how was your week and here you will get support for going through your personal crises clean and sober.

In sobriety and with love,

-- Marty N., CEO, LifeRing Inc., 9/11-14/01

Portland OR Convenor

Plans Wednesday Meeting

Anyone in the Portland Oregon area interested:  we are trying to start a meeting downtown Portland on Wed nights if you would like to help get it off the ground or just participate in the meeting you can contact me at merphywasoptimist@yahoo.com or 503-289-5638
Thanks, Sam Elliott

  Wenatchee, Washington LifeRing meeting goes from "under construction" to first meeting in one week!

On Monday June 11, Paul J contacted the LifeRing Service Center to notify us that he was working to get a meeting going in Wenatchee.   He has succeeded and the first meeting was held Tuesday, June 19.  The meetings will be held every Tuesday at 7 pm, at BSA Building, 215 North Chelan, Wenatchee.  Contact him at  509- 668-1269 for further information.   -- 6/19/01

"Choice" Workbook Author

To Appear in Sat. Eve Chat

Marty N., author of the new Recovery by Choice workbook, will appear as chat guest Saturday evening May 12 in the Lifering chat room on yahoo.com.  The hour begins at 7 pm Pacific, 10 pm Eastern.  

Starting LifeRing

In Portland OR

I'm interested in starting a meeting in Portland, Oregon.  Anyone else in Portland interested in getting a meeting going, please contact me.  

Sam E., 503 289-5638 merphywasoptimist@yahoo.com   -- 5/6/01

Calling South Bend IN

For LifeRing Meeting

People in the South Bend IN area interesting in helping to start a LifeRing meeting, please contact Mona H.  -- 4/2/01

Author Marianne Gilliam 

To Appear in LifeRing Chat

Author Marianne Gilliam (How AA Failed Me -- see Review) will appear in the LifeRing Club chat room on Yahoo on Wednesday evening, April 4, from 9:00 to 10:00 p.m. EST.  Click to enter the LifeRing Secular Sobriety Club chat room.  (3/27/01)

Calling Warrensburg MO

To Start LifeRing Meeting

I would like to start a meeting in Warrensburg Missouri (about 50 miles from Kansas City) and I am hoping that there are others in my area who would be interested in attending and/or helping to found it. If you are, please contact John P. at bonodonna@hotmail.com . Let's help each other stay clean and sober, and please, let's leave mysticism out of it. Thank you, and hope to hear from you soon.  -- John P.  (3/20/01)

New LifeRing Meeting

Opens In Marble Falls, TX

A new LifeRing recovery meeting has begun in Marble Falls, TX, near Austin.  The time is Tuesdays   5 pm - 6:15 pm,  and the location is the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counseling center, 705 1st Street, Suite 206, Marble Falls 78654.  For more information contact Sue H.  (830) 798-2734, SHART3@mindspring.com (3/19/01)

Historian William L. White to Appear in Chat Room

On Topic of His "New Recovery Movement" Essay

Historian William L. White, author of the award-winning Slaying the Dragon: The History of Addiction Treatment and Recovery in America (see review), will participate in a chat room at the LifeRing Secular Sobriety Club on yahoo.com at 10 pm EST on Sunday March 25 to discuss his essay "Toward a New Recovery Movement."  Click for a copy of the essay in PDF format.  Click to enter the LifeRing Secular Sobriety Club chat room.  (3/15/01)

New York City LifeRing

Starts Saturday Meeting

The first meeting of LifeRing Secular Recovery in New York City will start Saturday April 7 2001 at 1:00 p.m. in the Cabrini Medical Center, 227 E. 19th Street (between 3rd and 2nd Avenues).  Please sign in at the front desk.  Contact jsnow@panix.com for details or visit the NYC-LSR web site.  (3/2/01)

LifeRing Constitutional Congress

Adopts Democratic Bylaws

"We the members of LifeRing Secular Recovery, in order to establish a free-standing, democratic recovery support network based on abstinence, secularity, and self-help, adopt the following Bylaws."

Thus begins the founding document that the Constitutional Congress of LifeRing Secular Recovery enthusiastically adopted at 7:29 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2001, at the UU in the Pines retreat center in Brooksville, Florida.

The historic vote capped a full day of reports from the meetings and debate of specific issues within the proposed bylaws. The atmosphere was lively, direct, and mutually respectful. Participants worked hard to reconcile differences of opinion and to reach consensus. The final vote adopting the Bylaws was 23-1 with no abstentions. Directly after the vote, the participants embraced in a spontaneous group hug and broke out in cheering, laughing and dancing.

When calm returned, the Congress reconvened and elected three members to the new LifeRing Board of Directors. They are Jacquie J. of Alexandria VA, Shirley B. of Ocean City, MD, and Marty N. of Berkeley, CA. Jacquie and Shirley join the Board for the first time. Marty was a founding member of the Board, resigned at the Congress, and stood for re-election. All three were elected unanimously.

In addition to making the LifeRing Board of Directors subject to election by the Congress, rather than self-selected as in the past, major features of the new bylaws include:

• Parity for Online Meetings. The bylaws place online meetings (such as LifeRing email lists, forums, and chat rooms) on the same footing as face-to-face meetings.
  
• Annual Congress. Each meeting is entitled to send one delegate to the annual LifeRing Congress, which meets face-to-face. Each delegate has one vote.
  
• Meeting Charters. Each LifeRing meeting is considered bound by the Meeting Charter contained in Article 11 of the bylaws, and is entitled to a written charter document.
  
• Service Center. With the mission "To Serve the Meetings," the LSR Service Center is mandated to maintain a current meeting list, provide information and referral, and perform other services to help new meetings get started and support those that exist.
  
• Quality Assurance. To preserve the good name of the organization, the LifeRing Board of Directors is empowered to revoke the charter of any group that "persistently and substantially" violates a fundamental principle of LifeRing as to abstinence, secularity and self-help. The Board must justify any such action to the next Congress.
  
• Amendments. The Congress can amend the bylaws by a two-thirds majority, but cannot amend the basic principles of the organization (abstinence, secularity, self-help).
  
• Sobriety. LifeRing directors must have a minimum of two years clean and sober, and relapse automatically constitutes resignation.
  
• Money. All LifeRing directors and officers serve as unpaid volunteers. None obtains a salary or expense reimbursement. The meeting charter calls on meetings to contribute to the upkeep of the national organization to the extent each meeting sees fit. There are no dues.

The new bylaws were the product of months of discussion and debate on the LSR convenors’ email list (LSRcon@yahoogroups.com), and on the Bylaws Committee email list. Members of the Bylaws Committee included Ben G. of Missoula, MT (chair), Roger L. of Rochester MN, Larry D. of Vancouver BC Canada, Kathleen O. and Will P. of Sea Isle City NJ, Jacquie J. of Alexandria VA, Jill P. of Kalamazoo MI, Paula B. of St. Petersburg FL, Gloria M. of Montrose MN, John S. and Don R. of Gray’s Harbor WA, Betts of Half Moon Bay CA, Shirley B. of Ocean City MD, C.A. of Sapporo, Japan, Ed C. of Baltimore MD, and Marty N. of Berkeley CA. Roger L. presented the proposed draft to the Congress. Marty N. chaired the bylaws discussion. Tom S. presided over the final vote.

Following the formal session, participants lined up and each signed the new bylaws document as amended and posed for a group portrait. The evening closed with impromptu musical entertainment featuring C.A. (voice), Robert B. and Bill S. (guitars) and Patrick B. (bass). Bill S. contributed a poem written specially for the occasion.

The next morning, Sunday Feb. 18, the new LifeRing Board of Directors met for the first time. Among other actions, the Board re-elected its current slate of officers, namely Marjorie J. (Chief Financial Officer), Tom S. (Secretary) and Marty N. (CEO). The Board also set the San Francisco Bay Area as the site of the 2002 LifeRing Congress and tentatively set the date for March 16-17.

In addition to the three directors elected at the Constitutional Congress, current members of the LifeRing Board are Marjorie J. of Oakland CA, Tom S. of St. Petersburg FL, Robert B. of Morgantown WV, and Bill S. of Oakland CA. Two of the four holdover seats will become elective at the Congress in 2002 and the final two in 2003.

Participating in the Congress were LifeRing members from California, Florida, Kansas, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and from Hokkaido, Japan. The location was a rustic Unitarian-Universalist church retreat center about 60 miles north of Tampa.

-- Marty N. 2/19/01

Click for scanned image of new LifeRing Bylaws document with signatures (PDF)

New LSR Group

On Long Island, NY

The Stony Brook LSR group is holding their 6:30 P.M., Wednesday meeting in the classroom at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Stony Brook, 380 Nicolls Rd., E. Setauket, NY (near the SUNY campus). The first meeting will be on February 28, 2001. For directions and other information, please contact Kathy: (631) 689-1683, or email: cgkccc@aol.com.

Tuesday Noon Meeting Starts

In San Francisco Civic Center

A new noontime LifeRing meeting will start on Tuesday Feb. 20 in the Civic Center area of San Francisco.  The location for the new Civic Center Lunchtime LifeRing is 65 Ninth Street, between Market and Mission.  The meeting will start at noon and go to 1 p.m.  Phone Mark C. at 430-2160 xt. 7458 or email markrconnors@hotmail.com for details.  (2/10/01)

Toronto LifeRing

Starts Meetings

I'm happy to announce that LifeRing Secular Recovery meetings are starting in Toronto on Tuesday February 13th at 7:00pm. If you have a desire to quit using alcohol and drugs, please come to the meetings.

At Toronto's LifeRing meetings you will find a warm, supportive environment where those in recovery can talk freely and privately about their problems. One of the regular attendees will present a recovery-related topic each week, and we'll have an open discussion period afterwards. Water, coffee and tea should be available.

Please visit our web site for more detailed information about LifeRing Secular Recovery in Toronto.

We'll be meeting every Tuesday at 7:00pm at Cecil Community Centre, 58 Cecil Street near Spadina Ave. Cecil Street runs east-west and is one block south of College St., east of Spadina.

The best way to get there is to take the 510 streetcar to the College Street stop from Spadina subway station. Streetcar service is very frequent.

If you're driving, you can often find parking on the east side of Spadina north of Dundas. If you're coming from some distance, I would recommend that you drive to the Yorkdale subway station, take the Spadina subway south to Spadina station, and take the 510 streetcar to College Ave.

I hope I'll see all of you this coming Tuesday, February 13th.

Yours in sobriety,

Geoff R., liferingtoronto@canada.com 

Cincinnati LifeRing

Opens Weekly Meeting

We have a permanent home for our Cincinnati LSR meeting now, Monday nights at 7:00 in the Old St. George Community Center near the University of Cincinnati.  Click for map.  And we have our own domain at lsr-cincinnati.org! Check out the revised website at:

http://lsr-cincinnati.org 

I'm also working on a flyer that we plan to post around the University, and I'm going to do a small mailing to treatment centers in the city to let them know that we exist. 

I've also joined the board of a startup organization, Recovery Resource Center http://recoveryresourcecenter.org, which includes alternative recovery approaches in its perspective.

-- Richard B. 1/28/01

New York City LSR

Starts Web Site

Joe S., founding convenor of New York City LifeRing, has launched a web site to help the local organization get started.  Click to go there.    1/28/01

Toronto LifeRing 

Starts Web Site

Geoff R., founding convenor of Toronto LifeRing, has launched a web site to help the local organization get started.  Click to go there.     1/24/01

Scottsdale AZ LifeRing

Finds Meeting Place

I have a confirmation to the meeting that I'm starting up here in Scottsdale AZ. The meetings will be held at 6:30 on Wednesdays in a house located at 7802 E. Shea Blvd in Scottsdale. It is located close to the cross streets of Hayden and Shea Blvd. But the location is tricky so it would be good if people would contact me for more precise directions.   Contact info email:gregorymg@bungo.com phone: day 480-332-6269,  evening 480-945-7255. -- Greg G. (1/21/01)

LSR in Pittsburgh PA

Gets Meeting Place

LSR-Pittsburgh now has a permanent meeting time & place in the outpatient building at Western Psychiatric Institute:

Friday, 5:30 p.m., Room 629-B, 3501 Forbes Avenue, in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh.

For directions call William McCloskey, 412-824-7650.

Half Moon Bay CA

Opens Sunday Meeting

A new LifeRing recovery meeting has opened in Half Moon Bay, CA, on Sunday evenings at 7:00 p.m., convenor Sally L. has announced.  The location is at the Half Moon Bay Airport, at The Three Zero, rear entrance.  For further information please call 650-726-6164.  (1/3/01)

San Francisco Tuesday Night Meeting

Moves to Wednesday Night at 7:00 p.m.

The Tuesday evening San Francisco LifeRing recovery meeting at Noe Valley Ministry has moved to Wednesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. at the same location, meeting secretary Gary E. has announced.  The change is effective the second week in January, 2001.  The meeting room is on the left side of the church, on Sanchez at 22nd Street in the Noe Valley district.  The meeting time was formerly 7:30 p.m.  (1/3/00)

LifeRing Press Publishes 

Recovery By Choice Workbook

The Recovery By Choice workbook that LifeRing Press announced several months ago is now on sale.    

The workbook is an open-ended manual for people who want to build individual recovery programs for abstinence from alcohol and drugs.  The concept behind the workbook arose out of the "small-p program" method outlined in the LifeRing Handbook.  That is, LifeRing does not require participants to adhere to any particular Big-P Program for remaining abstinent, such as the 12 Steps.  The LifeRing approach is, rather, to support each individual in putting together a personal recovery plan that works to keep them abstinent, taking into account each person's particular history, culture, personality, and preferences.  During its Focus Group development, the workbook bore the working title "My Personal Recovery Plan."   

The workbook contains dozens of checklists and worksheets, as well as open-ended questions, covering such areas as the body, exposure, activities, people, feelings, life style, personal history, culture, treatment and support groups, and relapse prevention.  The workbook's main method is to raise questions and present choices.  The material is drawn mainly from author Marty N.'s experience in nearly one thousand LifeRing meetings in a variety of settings.  The book also draws on evidence-based treatment approaches in the literature.  

The workbook underwent four months of testing in a Focus Group consisting mainly of people in early recovery at an outpatient treatment center in Oakland, CA.  Some sections were tested with patients in a residential inpatient center as well.  The current "beta" edition includes a feedback form, and continues to evolve as input is received.

The workbook is 300+ full-sized pages, spiral-bound to lay flat.  The book answers a persistent call from people in early recovery who have said that they want to create a secular, free-choice recovery plan in a more structured way than was previously possible -- they wanted a LifeRing workbook.  The book is suitable as bibliotherapy either solo or in a group setting.  

The book's full title is Recovery By Choice:  Living and Enjoying Life Without Alcohol and Drugs -- A Workbook.  It costs $20 plus $4.50 S&H from LifeRing Press, online at www.lifering.com.  

"Resources for Convenors"

Brochure is Updated

The LifeRing brochure "Resources for Convenors" -- subtitled "All you need is determination and a computer"  -- has been updated to reflect recent new LifeRing Press publications.  The updated version of the brochures is now available as a download in PDF format (you need the free Adobe Acrobat reader to read it).  Print copies of the brochures will be available from the LifeRing Secular Recovery Service Center shortly.  Click to download PDF brochure.  

LifeRing Convenors' Web Site

Gets New Public Front Page 

Starting Dec. 26, the LifeRing convenors' web site, lifering.org, has a new, public front page.  Up to now, all of lifering.org lay behind a dialog box requiring a user id and password.  Public information about the LSR organization was scattered between www.lifering.com and www.unhooked.com or unavailable.  

The new www.lifering.org front page comes up for the general public without a user id or password, and pulls together in one place the most frequently requested information about LSR as an organization, such as contact addresses, basic structure, history, and upcoming events.  

On the new front page is a hyperlink that gets the user who has the user id and password into The LifeRing, the internal newsletter for LSR convenors.  Thus The LifeRing continues to be confidential and protected, as before, so that convenors can share experiences and, if necessary, wash dirty laundry, in our own screened private space without feeling like we're operating in a fish bowl.  

Information on www.lifering.com and www.unhooked.com that described the LifeRing organization has been or is being moved and consolidated on the new www.lifering.org front page.  

If you are a LifeRing convenor, you can obtain a password to The LifeRing internal newsletter by sending a brief note to marjwmsjones@earthlink.net 

-- Marty N. 12/27/00

Meeting in Half Moon Bay CA

Invites Newcomers to "Tea Party"

I host a Half Moon Bay meeting at 10 a.m. on Thursdays in my living room. Formally, we are the self-named Coastside Secular Sobriety Society. We found each other through Tom Shelley's list and personal referrals. Informally, we call it The Elephant's Tea Party*. Our group is small, casual, often irreverent and always fun. We sip tea, munch goodies and talk real. I am ready to receive (and screen) calls at 650.726.6164 and emails at sallyL@slip.net.

I am also looking for a space to hold an evening or weekend meeting to accommodate working people, so contact me if you have an interest. I am committed to getting more LifeRing meetings going nearby because I personally want the group support and some new friends/kindred spirits who prefer a secular approach to sobriety.

*I canceled a meeting once because I relapsed. At the next week's meeting, There Was An Elephant In The Room. The air was thick with the truth we avoided by being polite and making small talk; that old, familiar feeling of hiding "the secret," hiding from each other, hiding from ourselves.

We finally acknowledged The Elephant. We talked and talked and talked. It was good for me and good for the group; we went pretty deep and it brought us closer. We pretended not to notice when the elephant slipped out the door, but we couldn't help but smile as we heard the door close behind her. And then we had more tea.

-- Sally L.

LifeRing Secular Recovery

Congress Set for Feb. 16-18 

The first and constitutional congress of LifeRing Secular Recovery will take place on Feb. 16-18 2001 in Brookville, FL, near the Tampa-St. Petersburg metro area.  Among the orders of business will be discussion and adoption of a democratic internal structure for the LifeRing Secular Recovery organization.  For further program details, contact Tom Shelley, program director, tshelley@gte.net. 

Meeting To Start

In Scottsdale, AZ 

Greg G from Scottsdale:  I'd like to start a meeting here on Wednesday evenings at 6:30.  I'm looking at a location near the intersection of Shea and Scottsdale Rd. and hope to have it started in a couple of weeks.  My phone number is 480-945-7255; or contact me by email.  I have the literature from the site and am excited to get this thing started.  

Oakland CA Convenors' Round Table

Rescheduled from Oct. 22 to Nov. 4

The Convenors' Round Table in Oakland CA originally calendared for Oct. 22 has been rescheduled to Nov. 4.  For further information telephone the LSR Service Center at 510-763-0779 or email service@lifering.org. 

Pittsburgh PA LifeRing

To Hold Its First Meeting

The LifeRing Secular Recovery group in Pittsburgh PA will commence Wednesday evening meetings this week at 7:30 p.m. at the Holiday Inn in the East End, across the street from the Cathedral of Learning.   For further information contact Bill at 412-824-7650.   (10/8/00)

LSR (Un)covered in W

If hordes of elegantly dressed women begin to arrive in LifeRing meetings this month, credit W magazine, the slick 400-page showcase for the likes of Armani, Ralph Lauren, and Dior.  In a cover article in the Oct. 10 issue, titled "Are You a Social Alcoholic -- The Beautiful and the Wasted," contributing editor Karen Moline writes on p. 228:  

"If you or someone you know has a drinking problem, there are a few options for help:  support groups, treatment centers and addiction psychiatrists.  The best known group is Alcoholics Anonymous [...].  However, A.A.'s emphasis on religion is a deterrent to some; in that case, try LifeRing Secular Recovery (510.763.0779, www.unhooked.com), an international 12-step organization that is strictly non-religious."  

Well, we don't do the 12 steps but W got the rest right, and at least one new meeting is already taking shape because of the article.                                                                   -- Marty N. 10/5/00

New Book Introduces LifeRing

To Treatment Professionals

Oct. 2. -- LifeRing Press of Oakland CA today published a new paperback book aimed at introducing LifeRing Secular Recovery to chemical dependency treatment professionals.  Titled Presenting LifeRing Secular Recovery, a Selection of Readings for Treatment Professionals, the work contains letters of recommendation, answers to frequently asked questions, and a series of essays that show where LifeRing fits in the history and the contemporary spectrum of treatment and recovery modalities.  The 88 p. paperback can be ordered online via www.lifering.com.  More details about the book.  Table of Contents.  Order Form.

New Meeting Underway
In Houston, TX Area

 

A new meeting has begun in Houston and is at a halfway house on the northeast side of the city. The particulars are as follows.  
Place: Cheyenne Center, 9100 Dodson, Houston, Texas. Phone 713 691-4898
Day: Wednesday 
Time: 8 PM 
Convener: Jerry Patterson, goldbug@flash.net  
We are experiencing 12 to 20 participants at each meeting and have been in operation for three weeks now and future looks good. 
The Houston area is rife for other meetings but I do not have the time to get them started and am encouraging others to take that effort on. I am getting at least one e-mail a week asking about a meeting in the area and am passing this info on to others in the area. 
Jerry Patterson

9/29/00

Two Convenors' Workshops 

Scheduled in S.F. Bay Area

Two convenors' workshops have been scheduled in Oakland CA.  The first will be held Saturday Sept. 30 and the second on Oct. 22.  Nov. 4.  Both will be held at 969 Broadway, downtown Oakland (at the Kaiser Chemical Dependency Recovery Program).  

The Sept. 30 workshop will be the introductory format covering the philosophy of LifeRing Secular Recovery and the role of the convenor.  This workshop is aimed at people who are considering becoming convenors at some time in the future, and those who want to brush up on their convenor skills.  People who just want a more in-depth introduction to the LifeRing recovery approach also have found these events useful.  

The Oct. 22 Nov. 4 event will be a convenors' round table (intergroup meeting) with its topic the LSR Constitutional Congress coming up next Jan. 26-28 in Florida.  

Both workshops will take place from 9 a.m. to noon.  The location is upstairs from the Smart & Final store on Broadway between 9th and 10th Streets, a block from the Oakland City Center / 12th St. BART station.  

-- MWJ 9/23/00

New San Francisco Meeting 

In Haight-Ashbury District

 

A new LifeRing Secular Recovery meeting will start Thursday nights at 7:30 p.m. in the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood of San Francisco.  The address is 529 Clayton Street.  The founding convenor is Gillian E.  This is the third LifeRing meeting in San Francisco.  (9/20/00)

Help Wanted to Start Meeting

In Toronto ON Canada

I've established an e-mail address for LSR in Toronto, lsrtoronto@canada.com.  If anyone wants to help organize a new LSR meeting here or has any ideas that might help, please e-mail this address. -- Geoff R.  (9/16/00)

New Thursday Evening Meeting

At Kaiser CDRP in Oakland CA

A new LifeRing S.R. meeting will start this week on Thursday evenings at the Kaiser Permanente Chemical Dependency Recovery Program in Oakland CA, located at 969 Broadway (upstairs from Smart & Final).  The time is 7:30 - 8:30 p.m.  The founding convenor is Robbin L., convenor of the Saturday morning meeting at that facility and co-convenor of the Wednesday evening meeting at Merritt-Peralta Institute in Oakland.  (9/12/00)

Help Wanted to Start LSR Meeting

In Ottawa-Hull, Ontario, Canada

I am interested in starting a Life Ring group in the Ottawa-Hull region, Ontario, Canada.  Please contact Marc, stdenism@yahoo.com 

New Denver CO LifeRing Group

Meets Last Wednesday of Month

Meetings are now scheduled each month during the last Wednesday of the month at the Denver Public Library, 14th Street and Broadway, 6:30 to 8:00 pm, 2nd Floor Meeting Room.  Take the escalator up and turn left.  You can't miss it!  Contact Rod N. at arkark45@hotmail.com for more information.   (9/2/00)

Missoula Secular Sobriety Society

Joins LifeRing Secular Recovery

The Missoula Secular Sobriety Society (MSSS) has voted to become a charter member of LifeRing Secular Recovery, convenor Ben G. writes.  "We are all in agreement that our personal as well as group approach to recovery must remain active rather than passive.... We all feel a connectedness within our recovery by being part of a larger organization....  All attendees of MSSS meetings celebrate the empowerment concept of recovery. It has been quite satisfying for me to see individuals grow by combining their beliefs and values with a priority toward sobriety.... As a convenor, as in life, I intend to remain very active. Sobriety has provided me a motivation and drive.... I, personally, am excited by the thought of promoting recovery with the structure of LifeRing as an ally.... We at Missoula Secular Sobriety Society are quite taken by the LifeRing name and logo.... We will be changing our group name.  Missoula LifeRing Secular Recovery seems to be the most agreeable. Please utilize this name change with any meeting listings."  Click for the Missoula meeting schedule.  

LifeRing at U of Nevada

Starts Monday September 11  

 

The first LifeRing meeting in Las Vegas will start Monday Sept. 11, and every Monday thereafter, from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. in Room 254C of the Student Services Complex, Jean Nidetch Women's Center.  (Park at the Thomas & Mack parking lot).  For further information contact convenor Jason H., jbh@nevada.edu  Click for flyer with map and for small handout (both in MS Word format).

Second New Jersey Meeting

Starts in Sea Isle City School 

The second LifeRing recovery meeting in New Jersey will start on Thursday Aug. 24 at 7:30 p.m.,  Sea Isle City Public School, 46th and Park Road, Sea Isle City.  The group will meet in the library room, and the meeting will take place each Thursday thereafter.   For further information contact Kathleen O., lilly@avaloninternet.net or phone 609-263-2478.  (8/21/00)

LifeRing Planning Meeting

Set for 8/30 in Denver Library

LifeRing Press Set To Publish

Book for Treatment Professionals

In September, LifeRing Press will publish Presenting LifeRing Secular Recovery: A Selection of Readings for Treatment Professionals.  The new 88-p. paperback is a brief introduction to the LifeRing theory of recovery and contains readings about the history of the LifeRing recovery concept, its place in the array of modern treatment methods, and some of its implications for clinical practice.  It also contains recent letters of reference.  The main purpose of the book is to allow persons working professionally in the chemical dependency field to become better acquainted with the LifeRing approach and to encourage professionals to refer clients to LifeRing support groups.  Advance orders for the book can be placed on the web site of LifeRing Press, www.lifering.com.  (8/15/00)

Cincinnati LifeRing

Coming Nearer

Richard B. writes that three people met over lunch this week to lay plans for the Cincinnati LifeRing meeting, and hope to get a venue in a downtown hospital.  For more information, please contact richard@blumberg.org (8/14/00)

LifeRing Coming 

To Louisville KY

I am looking for someone in the Louisville, Kentucky area to help initiate a LifeRing meeting. Contact Cynthia at email address moonlight501@netzero.net.  (8/7/00)

To Start LifeRing Meeting

Near UNLV in Las Vegas 

I'm in Las Vegas and interested in starting a LifeRing Recovery group at or near UNLV.  Anyone want to help?  Contact jason420@yahoo.com.   (8/3/00)

First Minnesota Meeting

Draws Local Press Notice

The new Friday night Rochester MN meeting (see below) drew advance notice in the local press, as the Rochester Post-Bulletin published a story announcing the event, based on an interview with the meeting's founder, Roger Levering.  Click for text of story.  

LifeRing Coming 

to Pittsburgh PA

I would like to start up LifeRing meetings here in Pittsburgh. My colleague, Bill M., has agreed to be co-convenor with me, starting a meeting in the Northern portion of our area, then breaking off where he will convene an Eastern meeting.  I am a newly recovering alcoholic. I am a social worker by profession, and I'm very interested in starting these meetings. I felt, upon reading the information, I finally found the type of support I had been seeking for years. I lead many groups in my position, and very much enjoy it.... Please post our meeting as "under construction."  Contact Bill M., PITNews1@aol.com.    (7/16/00, updated 8/30)

Rochester, MN Group

Finds a Meeting Room

The room is available on Friday evenings only, and I just picked 8:00 P.M. The time could be changed a little later if we want to. The first meeting will be on July 21st.

Here we go!  

LifeRing in New Jersey

Holds Its First Meeting 

Kathleen from the Cape May area writes:  We had the first official Lifering meeting in New Jersey last night. It was held at a home but we are in the process of looking for a space to rent. We had 3 people last night but we already know of at least 9 others that will be interested. Our next meeting will be at a local restaurant to further discuss our group. Would you please add my phone number 609-263-2478 to my ad under meetings. I will let you know when we find our space.  (7/8/00)

LifeRing Board Sets Date, Place

of Constitutional Convention 

The Constitutional Convention of LifeRing Secular Recovery will take place the weekend of January 26-28, Feb. 16-18 2001, at the U.U. in the Pines retreat center near St. Petersburg, Florida.  The date and venue were set by the Board of Directors of LifeRing Inc. at its meeting June 25 (amended 11/2/00).  The Board also amended the bylaws of LifeRing Inc. to expand the Board of Directors from five to seven members.  Tom Shelley of St. Petersburg and Marjorie Jones of Oakland were elected to the newly created positions.   

Get Together

In Denver CO 

Rodney N. writes: Is there anyone in Denver who would like to discuss getting together? Future organized meetings might be a possibility later on. However, right now just getting a few people together would be a good start. Email me at arkark45@hotmail.com.  (6/27/00)

New LSR Meeting Soon 

In Rochester, Minnesota 

Roger L. writes:  I will be starting a meeting in Rochester, Minnesota as soon as possible.  The contact e-mail address is science5495@home.com.  (6/20/00)

Dr. Jean Kirkpatrick 

Founder of Women for Sobriety

Dies at 77 in Pennsylvania

From The Morning Call (Allentown, PA)

Dr. Jean Kirkpatrick, 77, of Quakertown, died Monday, June 19, in Grand View Hospital, West Rockhill Township.

A sociologist and author, her writing appeared in Vogue and Today's Woman, and in several scholarly journals such as Alcoholism and Health World, published by the National Institute of Alcoholism.

She appeared on numerous radio and television shows including The Today Show, Phil Donohue Show, Good Morning America and To Tell The Truth.

She wrote three books, 'Turnabout: Help for a New Life'; 'A Fresh Start', which recounts her recovery and how the organization of Women For Sobriety began; and 'Goodbye Hangovers, Hello Life' (Self Help for Women).

In 1975 she founded the national self-help program, Women For Sobriety Inc., (New Life) for recovering women alcoholics.

The organization received coverage in Woman's Day magazine and in articles in United Press International, Parents Without Partners and The Washington Post, which led the New life Program being broadcast behind the Iron Curtain by the Voice of America.

She was called to testify on several occasions as an expert witness on women and alcoholism before several Senate committees, and had speaking engagements across the country and overseas.

She was a graduate of Moravian College with a degree in sociology. She received her master's from Lehigh University and her doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania. She was awarded the Raymond Haupert Humanitarian Award from Moravian College.

She was named Woman of the Year by the Business and Professional Women, and is listed in Who's Who Among Women.

Born in Quakertown, she was a daughter of the late Peter C. and Helen (Spangler) Romig.

She was a member of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Quakertown.

Founder of Moderation Management

Accused of Drunk Driving in Fatal Crash

Audrey Kishline, author of the book Moderate Drinking and founder of  the organization based on it, Moderation Management, has been charged with vehicular homicide and drunk driving in a car crash that killed a father and his twelve-year old daughter near Seattle, WA.  Kishline had been a prominent critic of abstinence-based approaches to problem drinking.  Her attorney said that Kishline has repudiated her book and now says that "moderation management is nothing but alcoholics covering up their problem," according to a story in the June 17, 2000, Seattle Times.   Click for details.

New LifeRing S.R. Meeting

Opens Wednesdays in Detroit

Terry N. writes that he has found a location in Metro Detroit and invites all interested persons to join him at the new LifeRing Secular Recovery meeting Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. at the Garden City Hospital, Community Education Center, 6701 Harrison Ave., Garden City, MI 48135.  Look for Classroom No. 5.  Contact Terry N., rt5cents@yahoo.com, tel. 734-753-4020.   (6/9/00)

John E. writes:  I am proud to announce that the Georgian Bay Meeting of LifeRing Secular Recovery is available every Thursday evening at 7:30 P.M. at the Grey Bruce Withdrawal Management Services (commonly known as the Detox) at 495 9th Avenue East Owen Sound Ontario Canada. Tel: 519 376-5666 Fax: 519 376-7366. 

The Georgian Bay meeting has been made available since Oct 1999 and after eight months of Secular activity we have been going strong and have a average turn out of 12 Secular enthusiasts. We are now starting a new phase of growth where members are now comfortable with the meeting format and are taking the role of preparing for service positions within the group. Being a staff member @ W.M.S who believes in alternative choices for individuals it is good to see that some of the treatment community in our area are starting to be taken to task about allowing their clients and residents to have a secular approach available for a self help option. Being a professional and member myself I really enjoy advocating on behalf of the LSR approach and most importantly the people who opt for an alternative approach that works for them. It is very empowering to see individuals taking charge of their lives after having years of being told that they were powerless. Well, just some kudos to show our enthusiasm.  

You can contact me @ jdstone1@hotmail.com  for more info if needed.  (6/8/00)

Meeting Starting 

In Ocean City MD

Shirley B. of Ocean City MD writes:  My intent is to plaster the town (oops, been there, done that) with the brochures you have so kindly provided on the web site.   [http://www.unhooked.com/lsr/index.html]  Dr's offices, the shelters, the courthouse, libraries, etc., etc., etc.and see if I can shake out any interest. Don't know why I let this name/organizational change thing put me in limbo on this, but I feel recharged again so off I go.  Contact SBarber@prodigy.net 410-524-2358.  

LifeRing Inc. Board of Directors

Calls for Constitutional Convention

The Board of Directors of LifeRing Inc. met May 28, 2000, and announced plans to hold a nationwide constitutional convention for LifeRing Secular Recovery (LSR) this coming winter, probably in Florida.  The exact time and place will be announced shortly.    

The Board also elected Bill Somers of Oakland CA a member to fill the seat vacated by director Ron Crane of Los Angeles, who is withdrawing to private life.  The Board expressed its deep appreciation to Ron for his outstanding contributions and leadership and wished him well.  -- Marty N. 5/28/00

LifeRing Recovery Introductory Workshop

Set for Saturday, June 17 in Oakland

The third in a series of Introduction to LifeRing Recovery Workshops (also known as "Convenor 101") will be held in Oakland on Saturday morning, June 17, 2000.  The location is 969 Broadway (the Kaiser CDRP facility upstairs from Smart & Final).  The event begins at 9 sharp and ends no later than noon.  There is no charge.  This workshop is for anyone wanting a more in-depth discussion of the LifeRing Recovery process, especially for people interested in "giving something back" by becoming LSR convenors.  For further information please contact the LSR Service Center at 510-763-0779 or email service@lifering.org  

LifeRing Convenors' Round Table

and Intergroup Meeting 

Held in Oakland May 27

A three-hour LifeRing Secular Recovery Convenors' Round Table and local area Intergroup Meeting was held on Saturday morning May 27 in downtown Oakland.  The first part of the meeting featured open discussion of practical issues faced by meeting leaders, such as choice of meeting formats and topics, handling problem situations, and balancing convenor and group priorities.  In the second part of the meeting there was a report on and discussion of organizational issues and a financial report.  In the concluding portion, participants discussed starting new meetings.   -- Marty N. 5/28/00

Chris from OR writes:  "I'm interested in starting a meeting in the Eugene/Springfield Oregon area, and would like to know if anyone else in my region is interested as well.  Please email me at christopher_68@spinfinder.com "  (5/16/00)

LifeRing Secular Recovery has received a letter of recommendation from the Day Treatment Coordinator of the Kaiser Permanente Chemical Dependency Recovery Program in Oakland, CA.  This is a facility where LifeRing meetings have been running side by side with AA and NA meetings for over a year.  Program participants have to attend one of the three, their choice.  The letter says, among other things, that "I am happy to state that LifeRing has always been able to coexist harmoniously with other support meetings. Patients report being satisfied with the format and some say they attend LifeRing and 12-step support meetings. I am happy to recommend LifeRing to any drug treatment program."  Click for complete text.

Jim C. from Santa Fe NM writes:  There are now five people in our secular sobriety group which has been meeting weekly since October. I'm very happy to say that none of us has fallen off the wagon during this time. 

By agreement, our meetings are not limited to one hour and they often run an hour and a half and occasionally 2 hours after which we all go to dinner at one of the local restaurants for another hour or two. Needless to say, we enjoy our discussions and each others company immensely. We've even begun going on day trips together. 

I think that most of us find the doctrine-free, open meeting format much more interesting and satisfying than the 12-step routine. I know I do. Our meetings begin with 10 or 15 minutes of informal conversation about things of interest we've encountered during the week and then one of us chooses a topic for discussion. The discussion often ranges far from the topic but none of us seems to mind. Three of us still attend 12-step meetings. I myself find that since I've become comfortable in our secular group, the rigidity of the 12-step format and doctrine has become intolerable to me so I no longer attend. 

One of our members has volunteered her larger house for meetings, and so we are presently looking for a few more members for our 6PM Thursday group. Also, we have decided to run an ad in the "meetings" section of our local paper to attract others who might be having trouble with the 12-step approach. It is my hope to eventually have several secular groups active in Santa Fe. My phone number is 505-474-4177 and my email is still kdgroup@hotmail.com 

Anyone interested in starting a LifeRing Recovery meeting in the Cincinnati/Dayton OH area, please contact zanthope@maingate.com.  Thanks.

Letter of Recommendation for LifeRing

From Hospital Dual Diagnosis Crisis Ward

LifeRing has received a letter of recommendation for its weekly meeting in the dual diagnosis crisis ward of Herrick/Alta Bates Hospital in Berkeley, CA.  Jane Haggstrum, R.N., Ph.D., Patient Care Manager in the 4N unit, wrote in an April 5, 2000, letter, in part:    

"The LifeRing group approach encourages patients to look within themselves and to each other for the strength to achieve abstinence and a healthier life style. Unlike the more traditional Alcoholics Anonymous approach, Life Ring does not use the concept "Higher Power" or the "12 Steps of Alcoholic's Anonymous." The philosophy and methods of LifeRing were developed as an alternative to AA for those people who need tools for recovery but have personal difficulty embracing the concept of "Higher Power." We have found that this approach encourages patients to begin to think positively about themselves and to find a reason to live productively. This approach resonates with the significant portion of our patients on 4 North who have received little or no benefit from past 12-Step involvement.      

"Although the Life Ring group's philosophy is different from the 12-Step model, we have not experienced any friction or strife as a result of adding the LifeRing meeting. We also offer AA to our patients . Our treatment team believes that there are many viable paths to recovery, LifeRing being one very positive adjunct to our traditional offerings. The LifeRing meeting is a bright spot in the patients' week, and staff find that participation in the meeting enhances patients' motivation to get well.   

"Based on our experiences at this facility over the past two years, on behalf of the treatment team on 4 North, we would recommend similar LifeRing meetings to other facilities interested in expanding the range of their patient services."  

For a scanned image of the letter, click here.  

Meeting Under Construction 

In Montreal, Quebec, in French  

Nancy G., the former convenor of the Tuesday night Oakland meeting,  died March 12 at her home in San Leandro, CA.  Nancy participated in the Kaiser CDRP program in Oakland and began to attend the LifeRing (then SOS)  meeting there early in her sobriety.  She was a regular participant and rarely missed a meeting, despite often having to take public transportation and not feeling well.  When she was more than one year clean and sober,  she became secretary of the meeting.  Meeting attendance was at a  temporary ebb during this period, and she kept the meeting alive during its most difficult days.  Her courage and her soft-spoken sharing were an  inspiration to all who knew her.  Thanks largely to Nancy's tenacity, the Tuesday night Oakland meeting revived and is one of the most active local LifeRing meetings today.    

Nancy got sober three years ago directly after she suffered a severe attack of liver disease due to heavy drinking.  She remained sober thereafter, but it was too late.  Her liver did not recover, and because of other complications she was not a transplant candidate.  In early March, physicians told her that her liver had stopped working and that she had less than six months.  She died a few days afterward.  She was sober at her death, surrounded by her husband Joe and her sister Sue and other friends and relatives, listening to her favorite music.    

There will be a memorial service for Nancy at the Central Methodist Church in Sacramento, where her family of origin lives, on Saturday April 22 at 2 pm.  Nancy will be missed and remembered by all of us who had the privilege to know her.     -- Marty N.  3/25/00

Help Wanted to Start Meeting

In Montclair, New Jersey

Renee from Montclair, N.J., writes that she wants to start a LifeRing meeting there.  Anyone interested please contact Renee sproston@excite.com or (973) 239-6054  (3/22/00 updated 4/23/00).

Rhode Island Is Back on Map

With Thursday Night Meeting 

Annette G. writes:  "Just a note to let you know the risobriety secular recovery support group will be meeting thursday the 23rd [of March 2000] at 6 p m, at the providence center 520 hope street, rm 230. contact: annette 724-7798."  (3/17/00)

First Meeting in San Jose CA Area

Opens March 22 at Medical Center

The first LifeRing meeting in the San Jose CA area will open Wednesday March 22, 2000, at the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center.  The meeting will convene from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the administration conference room of the Administration Building.  Frazer E., the meeting's founder, writes that the Medical Center is 751 South Bascom.  Enter at Renova Drive.  You will see a six story building on the left.  That is the Administration Building.  Go through the lobby and take the first left in the hallway.  Contact Frazer at lsrofsantaclara@onebox.com.  

Convenor's Round Table 
Set for Sunday April 23 
(New date, new location)

A Convenor's Round Table is calendared for Sunday, April 23, 2000, from 12:30 to 3:00 p.m. in Richmond CA, at the Kaiser Hospital complex on 901 Nevin.  The exact location is Medical Office Building 2, take Elevator C to Third Floor, Conference Room 1.  (Date and place changed from March 25, Oakland).  This will be an open discussion of current area-wide convenor issues, including the current status of meetings, issues arising from meetings, structure and internal process of LifeRing, support and expansion of meetings, and any other issues that a convenor brings to the table.  People in current service positions in ongoing meetings or who are planning to start  meetings in the near future are invited.  

The call for the Round Table came out of the convenor's training workshops.  The second workshop on Feb. 26 discussed the convenor's role and the basic recovery process that takes place in self-help meetings, much like the workshop held Nov. 6, click for report.  In attendance were Laurie, Samantha, Dan, Bill, Larry, Gary, and Marty.  

A new LifeRing meeting in San Francisco will start on Leap Day, Feb. 29, 2000.  The day is Tuesdays, the time is 7:30--8:30 p.m., and the place is the Noe Valley Ministry, 1021 Sanchez, in the Noe Valley / Mission District neighborhood.  The founder and first secretary is Gary E., who started his LifeRing recovery with the Monday night San Francisco meeting at Kaiser on Fillmore.  The Noe Valley Ministry is a Presbyterian church with a long history of community involvement and service.  Its facilities are host to numerous community groups as well as to jazz, folk, experimental and chamber music concerts.    

Thanks to everyone who attended the MARC in Morgantown on February 18-19. For me, though we didn't have a huge turnout, it was a huge success. Like the Berkeley convention, these get-togethers always leave me charged up and glad that there are such wonderful friends in our group, and it is even better when we can meet face to face and enjoy each others' company. 

In attendance were Marty N., Shirley B., Betts, Bill M., Ed C., and Craig M., along with John, Betts's husband, and Robert, Shirleys' husband. We were joined Saturday by Heidi L., from Clarksburg WV and Chuck T., an old friend who's in aa from Morgantown, WV. By the pictures you would think all we did was eat, but Chuck showed up just in time for lunch with the digital camera, so these are what we have [click for photos page]. 

The food was good, and quite a few indulged in our Appalachian delicacy, ramps. We had some very good discussions, and I truly hope everyone enjoyed themselves. Yes, I hope to do this again in the spring of 2001, probably April, unless someone out there beats me to the punch. For those who could not make it, I hope to see you next time. It may not be better, but it will be bigger. As our organization grows, so grow the celebrations. 

And, for those who couldn't make it but would like a little memento for your collection, I have Tee shirts available, as pictured on yours truly in the group photo. There are about 10 XL, 5 L, and 4 M sizes left. These were done by my old friend and wonderful graphic artist Butch Lee, who has left his mark on Morgantown not only on people's clothes but on murals, signs, and other places all around town. The price, $12.00 each, will cover shipping and will let me break even on the purchase. Butch donated his labor and skills, so the cost is only for the shirts, ink and screen. Checks can be made to Robert Bradley, and sent to my address, 163 Brewer Road, Morgantown, WV 26508. Let me know size and quantity, and I'll send them out as they come in.

New Sobriety Groups 

Beginning in Iceland 

A new secular sobriety meeting opened in Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland, with the new year.  The group will meet every Tuesday evening at 18:00 hours at Félagsheimili, MIR, Vatnsstig 10.  Petur T., one of the founders, writes that the group's provisional name is "SOS-Bindindisfelag".  He explains:  "Bindindisfelag is composed of two words: Bindindi means sobriety or not using alcohol, drugs etc. Felag is an old Icelandic word. The Vikings build felag and they were in felagi when they united their possessions, weapons etc. to sail out and rob the world. Soccer teams are usually known as felag instead of club. In a way we are using the word 'bindindi' to capture it again for positive content. To be a bindindismadur (madur = man, person) is to be a member or a follower of the old temperance movement. In AA it's bad to be just in bindindi -- because that means you only quit but don't do the other important things. So we are stressing the point of sobriety without the 'ideological quality control' as I'm beginning to call it."  Petur also adds that the honor of being the first meeting in Iceland belongs to friends in Akureyri, a town in northern  Iceland, who started meeting in private homes a few weeks earlier but do not yet have a public meeting place.  (1/5/00)

U.S. Supreme Court

Lets Stand AA Decision

 

The U.S. Supreme Court on Nov. 15 let stand N.Y. decision that prisoner cannot be compelled to attend AA because of program's religious nature.  AP News Story.  Read full text of decisions.  Discuss in public Forum.

LSR Convenor's Workshop Held

in Oakland Saturday Nov. 6

A three-hour Lifering Secular Recovery convenor's workshop was held Saturday morning Nov. 6 in downtown Oakland in a room of the Kaiser Chemical Dependency Recovery Program facility at 969 Broadway.  We spent about the first hour discussing what "convenor" means and what the convenor's role is.  The convenor is a peer, not an authority over the members.  The convenor's job is to develop the leadership abilities of the other members so that they can become convenors in their turn.   

During the second hour we discussed how the LSR process works.  We looked at where the desire to become sober comes from.  We looked at the conflict in the recovering person between the addicted and the sober poles.  We studied the dynamics that happen when recovering people get together in self-help groups.  We saw how the sober selves in a properly run support group strengthen one another and how this leads to empowerment of the sober self within each person.  At the same time, the addict self within the person becomes weakened through abstinence and deprivation of social support.  Eventually the sober self within the individual becomes dominant and the individual is transformed.  

In the third hour, we discussed the meeting process in detail.  We discussed opening statements.  We discussed the role of sharing and crosstalk, and the pros and cons of various meeting formats: short check-ins, long check-ins, and topics.  We talked about how to handle difficult people, such as religious proselytizers and chronic whiners.  We closed promptly at noon by talking about closings.   We only got through about half the agenda, and could have easily gone on for another three hours.   We laughed a lot and there was a good spirit to the discussion.  

Some people suggested that we ought to have this kind of workshop about every three months, like an inservice.  Other people suggested we ought to have a shortened version of this for the general public, not just for convenors.  In attendance were Dan D., Chet G., David B., Gillian E., Andre A., Robbin L., Marjorie J., Bill S., Larry S., Dianna S. and Marty N.  The event was organized by the LSR Service Center.  About half of us went for lunch together afterward. -- Marty N.  11/6/99

Convention Photos Published

Five pages of photographs of the Secular Recovery Convention, by Bill C., photographer, have been posted on this website.  Click to view.   Click for a message of thanks to convention participants.

Secular Recovery Convention OC

Publishes Full Convention Program

The '99 Secular Recovery Organizing Committee has posted the complete convention program for the event.  

The meeting begins with an informal reception Friday evening Sept. 10 at the Durant Hotel, Berkeley, CA.  

Saturday Sept. 11 is a full day of workshops, featuring author Charlotte Kasl, author and treatment director Doug Althauser, actress Veronica Redd, SOS founder James Christopher, and others.  The workshops will take place at the Sheldon Conference Center, Herrick Campus of Alta Bates Hospital, 2001 Dwight Way (at Shattuck), Berkeley.  

Saturday evening will feature a banquet in honor of SOS founder Christopher, commencing 7 pm, in the Terrace Room of the Durant Hotel.  

Sunday morning will feature a business meeting for members, and alternatively recovery meetings open to the public.  

A no-host farewell luncheon at the Mandarin Garden restaurant, 2025 Shattuck, will conclude the event.  LifeRing Press is the host organization.  For complete convention information, click here.  

LifeRing Press Publishes

Keepers Anthology

A collection of more than 100 posts from the sosmail email list, featured in the Keepers section of unhooked.com, will be published Sept. 10, 1999, by LifeRing Press.  The new 224-page paperback is titled Keepers: Voices of Secular Recovery.  For details, browse to www.lifering.com.  

Dozens of major brand stores will make a small donation to LifeRing at no cost to you when you click through to their websites from here