First quarter results were promising. Fellowship contributions were back to budget levels. Literature sales were returning to normal. Then the Corona Virus struck in mid-March. There was no warning, no ramp up, no play book. Our meeting room lights were shut off, not dimmed, but just dark.

The Fellowship found the way. We turned to our phones and computers and were joined together in our virtual meetings. The SAICO office found the way to extend their work space to work at home, despite three members needing to self-isolate. The office stayed open, the mail, phone calls, emails were being answered, literature orders, and contributions were being posted.

Literature orders and contributions had dried up. How bad would it get? How long will it last? The situation was dire. You could hear it at the virtual meetings, “It’s now time for our 7th Tradition, we have no dues or fees, we are self-supporting through our own contributions.” But how do we contribute over the phone or on Zoom? The Toronto convention and other events were cancelled. It appeared we were burning through $4,000 per week keeping the office running. At that rate, we could survive 27 weeks, from April 1, on the prudent reserve.

Then the revenue arrived thanks to the generous donations of individual members, groups and regions. The Fellowship has found a way. We are so very grateful. After all, our lives depend on recovery.