Dear SMART Recovery Facilitators,
Currently, SMART Recovery shows nearly 1,100 local meetings for those in recovery on SMARTfinder. Surprisingly we still have states with little to no local meetings available. While we have expanded our reach into those communities by offering national SMART Recovery meetings that show up on every search, these meetings reach the capacity of 300 participants, often several minutes before the start time. Because of this, many who try to join the meeting are met with a message that they cannot join because the room is full. We believe we can do better to increase accessibility of SMART to underserved areas.
Using the strengths and lessons learned from our national meetings, SMART plans to introduce regional meetings in the coming months. To support this initiative, we would like to begin training volunteers now.
Regional meetings will be statewide and show on SMARTfinder regardless of the zip code entered within a state. They will be smaller than national meetings with a limit of 100 participants per meeting, creating more opportunity for recovery-related discussion and increased connectedness to one’s community.
We have identified ten target states for this initiative. You do not have to reside in those states to volunteer for these meetings. Like the national meetings, these meetings will also serve as a way to encourage participants to attend their smaller local meetings or start new ones when they are stable in their recovery.
In addition to our regional meeting initiative, we are also working to grow the number of our national meetings. To meet our goal of making SMART Recovery available to all, we need volunteers to serve in in the following roles. All roles require a minimum of six months experience facilitating a SMART Recovery meeting, proficient with using Zoom, and a 6-month commitment.
Primary facilitator
Leads the meeting discussion on mic and camera.
Follows the large meeting model we have developed.
Keeps the meeting recovery and solution focused.
Social Co-facilitator
The chat facilitator.
Uses Motivational Interviewing techniques such as OARS to make participants feel welcomed and heard in the meeting, even if they are not comfortable sharing on mic.
Greets people, especially new participants.
Answers general questions.
Answers direct messages from participants.
Redirects chats and reaches out to participants as necessary to ensure chat stays on topic.
Support Co-facilitator
The “behind the scenes” facilitator.
Monitors all aspects of the Zoom experience to ensure the safety and comfort of the meeting for all participants.
Monitors cameras, participant list, and profile pics.
Sends meeting management messages (smoking/eating, verifications, how to raise hand, remain muted, change name, etc.).
Answers direct messages from participants.
Posts relevant links.
Note: Regional meetings will require one primary facilitator and a minimum of one co-facilitator that will cover the tasks of both the social and support co-facilitator. National meetings require one primary facilitator, and a minimum of two social and two support co-facilitators.
If you are interested in joining our large meeting model team, or just want more information, please take a moment to fill out this form. We look forward to working with you to increase the accessibility of SMART Recovery meetings to empower people to live a Life Beyond Addiction.
