Akron, Ohio—the birthplace of Twelve Step recovery—will host the July 2008 SA/S-Anon International Convention, entitled “Welcome Home.” We who live in Akron are reminded of our rich recovery history simply by driving down a neighborhood street and seeing one of many Twelve Step landmarks.
At SAICO, we often ask, “How are things? How is the meeting? What is your group doing?” At times, the news is good. What a great day when we hear of a new group starting or another meeting forming! Sometimes the news is not so good. We don’t like to report about meetings closing, but it is a fact of life. Some meetings struggle and do not make it. Good news is to hear that the members make it, even if the meetings fail.
After 20 years in AA, I joined SA in 1997. Because I was knowledgeable about the Twelve Step program, I thought this would be easy. I just needed to admit I was powerless over lust and that my life was unmanageable. All would be well. I was totally wrong.
At the Portland International Conference I found out there was another meeting in North Idaho, about 200 miles south of here. That was really exciting. I have been feeling a need for an intergroup for quite some time.
Through the help of the SA International Central Office, I am in contact with an SA member here in Tanzania. Your work in serving the fellowship is saving lives. The translator of the AA Big Book into Ki-Swahili lives in Tanzania. He took me to the Ki-Swahili AA meeting. On the shelf of the room was a book describing sexual addiction! Soon our SA White Book will be on that shelf.
The first SA and S-Anon meetings have now started in New Zealand by a member who attended the January Conference in Sacramento. There is also a lone member in Wellington.
Over 40 SAs and S-Anons from all over Europe gathered at Mill Hill, just north of London, for the first European SA/S-Anon Convention over the weekend of March 27-29. The theme was “Freedom,” progressing through the Steps with successive sessions entitled: “Freedom from Obsession”; “Were Entirely Ready”; “Pathway to Peace”; and “Of Myself I Am Nothing.” Saturday afternoon was devoted to sessions for couples, women and “recovering entrepreneurs,” which explored the lust-money-power connection. Saturday evening was devoted to the usual absurd quiz games, music, poetry and fun.
Over the weekend of April 24-26, the 4th Australian SA conference was held at Camp Cottermouth, Canberra, the national capital. 28 members from around Australia attended. The theme for this year’s conference was “The Real Connection.”
The listing of Sexaholics Anonymous in eight capital city phone books in Australia is now complete. This has led to an increase in inquiries — as well as hang-ups and set-ups. Distribution of inquiries to the various cities is being handled by e-mail wherever possible to minimize costs.
For years, SA outreach around the world depended to a large extent on occasional visits outside the US by sober members, and regular telephone outreach in response to inquiries, carried out almost entirely by Roy K. The first task of Indrei R. and Jose Maria R., as co-chairs of the International Committee, was to work out a modus operandi between ourselves as Roy’s successors and to set up a network of international contact members around the world.
