Yes, we did surpass the 1,000 meeting threshold just last month! Our goal is to get to 1,064 public meetings in the US by 6/30/2023 and 1,150 meetings by 12/31/2023. This level of meeting growth would not be possible without the support of our Regional and Local Coordinators, who are the first line of support for our facilitators in the field. We’ve had a lot of success filling open Regional Coordinator positions lately. Thank you to all who’ve stepped up! You can find the current list of Regional Coordinators HERE. Fundraising is an important part of our organization’s budget, representing over 10% of our total budgeted revenue and over 15% of our operating revenue, excluding grant income. We are simplifying our fundraising strategy to focus on these three annual events:
A Springtime Unite for Recovery global awareness and fundraising event in conjunction with SMART Recovery International, with all funds raised going toward volunteer scholarships and other volunteer support expenses of SMART Recovery USA An Adopt-a-Meeting fundraiser in the Fall to help us cover the infrastructure expenses associated with our online and in-person meetings (Zoom licenses, SMARTfinder, facility rentals in underserved areas, etc.) Our Annual Year-End Appeal to celebrate the stories and accomplishments of a year of SMART Recovery
Some of our volunteers will want to participate in all of these events. Some might pick one. And others may focus on the gift of their time. All of those choices are valid and appreciated. You should never feel obligated to participate in anything, though I hope you’ll join me in our efforts as you’re able. Watch for the launch of Unite for Recovery next week! In addition, I’m excited to announce that we have launched a US Training Committee to revise the handbooks and training for all of our programs, in collaboration with a similar Global Training Committee effort. I know that many of you are as eager as I am to see progress made on these efforts. Stay tuned for more updates soon. In closing, there has been a lot of change at SMART over the last few years. I think about this period of our growth as an adolescence of sorts. We can’t grow to serve more people like we’ve said we want to and continue to do things the way that they’ve always been done. We need to adapt and take risks, which inevitably will lead to some mistakes. However, I’m confident in the strength of our community to continue to transform itself into a community that is accessible and responsive to all, even while staying true to the fundamental principles that have gotten us this far. We are a kind and empowering community. We are a community that encourages self-acceptance and discourages stigmatizing language. We are a community that believes that change is possible. Thank you for being an important part of that change for so many. Peace, | 
