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Inside This Issue
Timely Announcements Helpful Content 25-in-25 Volunteer Recognition Program
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Thank you for your support as we work together during this challenging time. We would like to help you convert your local meeting to our online Zoom platform so you can continue to support your participants. Here is what you need to know: - After your online meeting is set up, we will post your Zoom information on your meeting listing (found on www.smartrecovery.org/local) so those who search for a meeting in your City, State will be able to locate you. Your meeting will not be listed on our Online Community calendar.
- We have a dedicated team of Online Facilitators and volunteers who are ready to help while you become comfortable with the technology. We are offering training and mentors for those who are uncomfortable with the Zoom technology.
- Participants do not need a Zoom account to access the meeting.
- The meeting can be accessed using a computer, a mobile device or phone.
- If using a mobile device, please download the Zoom app.
Thank you for your dedication to SMART and those who need our support. You, our amazing volunteers, are the backbone of our organization. Without you, we could not stand or move forward. Please take care of yourselves and stay safe.
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[NEW VIDEO] How to Find a SMART Recovery Online Meeting
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If you regularly attend a SMART Recovery Face-to-Face meeting, or are looking to start going but are unsure about the status of any meeting, please watch this helpful video. It will guide you on how to use the smartrecovery.org website to locate a current meeting, and check its current status. If the meeting has moved online, this video will help you find the link to access meeting online via Zoom Video Conferencing. The video also gives you easy step-by-step instructions for how to register for the SMART Recovery Online Community (or SROL) and find even more online meetings.
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Share This Message On Social Media!
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Expanding the SMART Volunteer Network in Your Area
Volunteer Month is a nationally recognized month for nonprofits to acknowledge and thank volunteers for their efforts, and to encourage further volunteerism.
During this year's Volunteer Month we'd like to ask you, our existing volunteers, to help us identify potential volunteers from your SMART community who can start new meetings in your area. Do you see a need for more SMART meetings in your area? Encourage your meeting participants to take the training and get involved! Growing your local SMART volunteer network is a win-win: more meetings per week for your meeting participants and more support for you in your role as a meeting facilitator.
A growing team of local SMART volunteers can back up each other when scheduling conflicts happen and can lessen the pressure you may feel to be available to run a meeting 52 weeks out of the year. Scholarships: In April, Volunteer Training Scholarships will be available for those who have taken the Host Training, for Advanced Hosts, and for your meeting participants. Start talking to your meeting participants now and keep an eye on your inbox for more information (coming soon).
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VolunteerHQ - Web Portal Coming Soon
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We are excited to announce that we have been working to create VolunteerHQ – a portal created specifically for SMART Recovery volunteers. We will be announcing its Phase 1 launch soon. Please watch your inbox for details! Some of the ways you will first use this portal will be to submit volunteer registration forms (VRFs) and meeting change request forms. In order to do so, you will need to create login credentials. We will include detailed instructions for doing so with its launch. We will be updating and adding helpful resources such as promotional materials, training materials, tools, and useful links and information meant to help you start and run your meetings better over time. VolunteerHQ will also be used to share announcements and important information relevant to your volunteer efforts, with a means to communicate your feedback to us at National Office. Please understand that this will be a continually updated portal with new elements and resources added over time. If you have any questions about or suggestions for us as we work on this project, please share them with Melina Gilbert, Volunteer Outreach Coordinator at mgilbert@smartrecovery.org.
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[NEW VIDEO] Tips and Tools for Recovery that Works! Unconditional Other Acceptance (UOA)
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One of the core principles in SMART Recovery is the idea of acceptance – of yourself, your life, and OTHERS in your life. In this Tips & Tools episode, we follow up on last month’s topic of Unconditional Self-Acceptance (USA) and break down Unconditional Other Acceptance (UOA) and its powerful impact on your recovery.
When you accept others unconditionally, they are no longer a reason for your addiction.
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[NEW VIDEO]
SMART Recovery Meeting Facilitator Spotlight Don Nicewander
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During his 50-day rehab stay, Don Nicewander of Grand Rapids, Michigan, learned about several treatment options. The program he gravitated toward was SMART Recovery. Two months later, Don completed the online training and became a certified meeting facilitator. He says there is “nothing more satisfying than being a SMART Facilitator.”
If you are a meeting Facilitator and would like to be featured in our next Facilitator Spotlight Video, please email us at recruitment@smartrecovery.org.
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[SMART IN THE NEWS] Psychology Today Article
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SMART Recovery was recently mentioned in a Psychology Today article, Why Addiction Treatment Isn't One Size Fits All. The article says "the cycle of addiction remains untreated for a large group of Americans due to lack of awareness that recovery is possible and that there are multiple avenues to get there."
"The good news is that recovery is attainable, and research shows that over 22 million Americans have successfully resolved a significant drug or alcohol problem using a variety of traditional and non-traditional means."
Read about why it's important that people have choices, such as SMART Recovery, in determining what treatment is best for their recovery.
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25-in-25 Volunteer Recognition Program
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Honoring 25 volunteers who have served in a variety roles in SMART's history.
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Dr. Richard Bozian recently celebrated his 100th birthday. As he enters his second century of life, this SMART Recovery superhero has many successes to reflect on. He came to SMART Recovery in 1994 and quickly immersed himself in a variety of volunteer opportunities. In 2015, Dr. Bozian received the Joe Gerstein Special Award for Exemplary Service to SMART Recovery. Dr. Bozian’s insights have provided clarity and purpose for those in recovery and those helping them along the way.
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For over six years, Kathy Lang has facilitated weekly online meetings and has assisted in the development of training for Family & Friends volunteers. In addition, she has written extensively about the Family & Friends program for the SMART Recovery blog and newsletter and has given presentations in her community. In her talks, Kathy often focuses on the toxic atmosphere that can arise in a family struggling with addiction. She points to the tools that Family & Friends provides, tools that give loved ones hope and a guide for strength and empowerment.
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Submit Meeting Change Requests
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Submit Your Pass-the-Hat Donations
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Pass-the-Hat contributions from meetings help us provide resources to our facilitators, offer training at a reduced cost to those who qualify, and maintain and improve smartrecovery.org. Many meeting participants feel they are investing in their ongoing recovery. Include your meeting ID number and meeting city and state.
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If you've recently moved your face-to-face meeting online and are wondering how to pass-the-hat in your Zoom meeting, please read our recommendations here. |
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Continuing Education for Facilitators: Join Weekly SMM Calls for SMART Volunteers
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SMART Meeting Management (SMM) Meetings are open to all active SMART Recovery Facilitators, Hosts, and Trainees. We’ll discuss the tough and sensitive issues that arise during meetings and share successes and techniques such as following meeting guidelines, how to do SMART Recovery, and how to create an accepting, non-judgmental environment. Although facilitated, this is very much a group learning/support session. Call Details: - Dates and Times: SMM meetings take place weekly on Monday at 10:00 p.m. (ET) and Wednesday at 8:00 p.m. (ET)
- ZOOM: Please join us on Zoom for our next call.
- Call-In Number: To join us via cell, use this "one-tap" number: +19294362866,,154575482# US.
We encourage you to set recurring meetings in your calendar with the above link and/or number so that you are reminded to join us as often as possible. We hope to see you in a SMM meeting soon! |
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Recent videos posted to SMART Recovery's YouTube channel. |
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Contact Melina Gilbert, Volunteer Outreach Coordinator
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Melina Gilbert has moved into the role of Volunteer Outreach Coordinator in SMART Recovery's national office, and is the point of contact for our volunteers. Learn about Melina in this article.
If you have SMART questions, need, or feedback, please contact Melina at: |
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Submit Your Group Donations to SMART Recovery
with the tools to abstain from any substance or activity addiction.
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