The SA Convention in July in Rochester, New York, was a beautiful experience for those of us able to attend. Feedback still being received indicates that nearly everyone who was there felt that we had achieved a spirit of unity and recovery that many of us had never seen before. What is so encouraging is that this does not seem to have been an isolated event. The same spirit of unity and growth in recovery is evident in SA around the country. It was evident in the Washington, D.C. Marathon, “A Whole New Way of Life,” and also in the Chicago area Marathon, “Miracles Happen,” during the first two Saturdays in October. Members are beginning to report on this as they find a new spirit of unity in their own local groups. Newcomers are perceiving it and responding to it, even though they may not always know how to name it at first. What they are perceiving and what’s drawing them to SA is not just freedom from pain, but a positive recovery. So what we seem to be seeing in SA today, is that just as we as individuals reach a point where we begin to experience a positive sobriety and growth in taking the actions of love and achieving victory over lust through finding what our lust was looking for, so we as a fellowship seem to be moving into a period of group recovery in which we are passing from limited early sobriety and supporting each other through difficult times into a positive sobriety of real growth in unity, fellowship, and genuine love.
Sobriety works. And it’s more than freedom from what drove us to the program in the first place. It’s the promise of fulfillment. Something very real is happening. Freedom and joy are in the air. And how grateful we are!
Comments on the Rochester Conference
“I felt the speaker at the S-Anon luncheon was one of the most powerful that I have heard in six years of attending meetings… The conference was tremendous—best ever.”
K.D., Portland, Oregon
“The rest of the conference was absolutely perfect, the topics, the speakers, the meals, the hospitality room—all was done very well! Thanks for making my first conference so inspiring.”
T.S.
“The format and topics of this Rochester Conference were excellent! Keep it going.”
O.W., Camarillo, California
“I sure would appreciate some sort of ‘dress code’ statement. I really have problems with shorts and tank tops.”
C.S., Palm Springs, California
“I like the spontaneity and freedom from ‘big time’ production-type conventions. I like the break-out meetings, especially with my ‘peer group,’ i.e., those under one-year sober.… Great spirit of fellowship!”
J.H.
