This is a letter of concern. As I travel internationally to SA groups and have international sponsees, I am becoming more and more aware that we are an international organization. As Bill S. said recently, “We will soon have more members outside of North American than inside.” Since this is true, we must become more intentional in our efforts to include participation at all levels of all members. Here are some suggestions:

• Committee phone meetings could include VOIP and rotate meeting times so that sometimes the US members are the ones to attend during the night.

• Ability to speak English should not be a prerequisite to being a member of a committee, Delegate or Trustee. Perhaps we should be obligated to provide a translator if needed to any meeting.

• Speakers for retreats, marathons or conventions could include a non-English speaker with a translator.

• Conventions could provide translation of major talks, etc. if the need was presented in a timely matter for a non-English speaker attending.

• If we are holding “International” conventions then we must consider holding them in neutral countries sometimes so that anyone can get a visa and attend.

I am painfully aware that we are doing de-facto segregation by not thinking of the “other” language speakers. If the hand of SA is to be there for anyone who suffers from this disease, we must begin thinking inclusively.

 

Dear Editors and New Team,

Peace and all good to you. Many thanks for your service to us SAs and for a bumper job in your first issue of our “Meeting in Print.” In your new Editors’ Corner you asked the question, “What are your desires?” This gives me hope that maybe my voice as a loner SA may be heard.

Over the past 14 years I have written to Essay, SAICO, Delegates, and Delegate chairs and, with only two exceptions, never received a reply. What I desire as an SA member is a place at the table that I seem denied due to the fact that I do not have access to either the internet or a phone.

I feel SA has disenfranchised those of us without such technology by only providing email addresses for contact purposes, whether in the International Buddy List or offers of opportunities for service. I believe this unfortunate and even life-threatening situation of isolation has been behind my recent near relapse after more than 23 years of SA sobriety. I am denied contact with other sober members who may see “snail mail” correspondence as a possible tool for service and their own recovery.

I pray that one of you three editors may hear the cry behind this appeal. Please answer this matter, or at least address it. I feel not doing so damages SA’s effectiveness and integrity as a whole.

Yours in Service,

 

I just read part of the March Essay. I really enjoyed having the short shares in the front. Thanks to all of you for your service in keeping the Essay alive!

I have some updated information about the International SA Sisters list. There are now 125 women from 28 countries. Interested women are invited to contact SAICO at 1-866-424-8777 or saico@sa.org.

There is one thing I would appreciate your removing: it is the word ‘desire’ in “What Are Your Desires for Essay?”

Again, thanks to all for your service. I would really miss the Essay. Keep up the good work.