SA as an organization stays strong. We have face-to-face meetings in over 70 countries where newcomers can find recovery to change their lives. We also have hordes of online meetings, so that any of us can find a live meeting at any time of the day. We are indeed fulfilling our goal to “be there” whenever someone needs us.
Conventions. With COVID fears mostly behind us, we have face-to-face conventions again! Warsaw in July 2023 and Jerusalem in January 2024. The international conventions bring together SA friends from all over the world. There’s nothing like introducing yourself and having fifty voices echo your name!
SIM. The SA Internet Marathon for 2022 did not happen, to the disappointment of many—but it’s not dead! We are restructuring the SIM committee to create a way for SIM to sustain over the years, and it will be back in 2023.
Finances. The current inflationary economics are affecting us. For the first time in a few years. we have a deficit budget for 2024. The deficit is covered by our reserves, but we need the fellowship to step up contributions to cover the increased costs. You can increase your contributions at local levels, which will flow downward, or you can contribute directly to SA at sa.org/contribute. Remember: we accept no outside donations, so our finances depend completely on us.
Correction Facilities. This month wraps up the “Year of CFC Service,” in which our Correctional Facilities Committee has expanded its outreach to new countries and new facilities!
Web Essay. If you’ve gotten this far into Essay, you likely know that our bimonthly magazine is now available in a web version directly from sa.org. This is a great new initiative to reach our members, particularly the younger ones who are online all the time. Paper magazines are so “twentieth century.”
Census. We’re actively registering meetings into our ten-year census. This registration will soon replace the “Meeting Finder,” so that meetings can change their contact information directly. If your meeting isn’t registered, do so today!
Women in SA. We have several initiatives going on to make SA more welcoming to women, a problem that’s been evident for years. I’ve been part of a home group that had a dozen women in its fifty members meeting weekly. We’d like all of our meetings to be as open.
Service Work for You. Finally, I encourage each of you to consider service work to take your recovery to the next level. Local groups need service. We also need people to serve at Intergroups, Regions, committee work, and even General Assembly Delegates. Talk with your sponsor about what you can do.
Eric H., Florida, USA — Trustee Chair
