2025 LifeRing Meeting Reports — Delegates Assembly

The Delegates Assembly offers an opportunity for convenors and meeting participants to report on what’s relevant to their meeting and of interest to their group. Sharing and hearing Delegates Meeting Reports are a major agenda item for the Delegates Assembly. Below you will find meeting reports listed by meeting time and type.

There is no required format, but Delegates are encouraged to provide a copy of their meeting reports prior to the Annual Conference or 7 days prior to the Delegates’ Assembly. These reports should be submitted to the Service Center and are posted here for public review.

See also Eligibility Determination of Meeting Delegates and the Delegates Brief to be completed shortly.

Illinois | LifeRing Chicago | Local Meetings

Chicago Local Meetings | Times Vary | HWYW meeting open to all

Chicago Is On Fire!

Chicago! Chicago!

The number of LifeRing meetings in the Chicago area has grown to five. There are two online meetings, one on Tuesdays at 7 pm (CST) and one on Thursdays at 7 pm (CST). There is also an in-person meeting on Mondays at 7 pm at St. Francis Hospital in nearby Evanston, IL, and another on Wednesdays at 7 pm that meets at Kindred Hospital on the northside of the city.

There is also an unusual meeting on Mondays at noon that meets at the Chapman Center in nearby Evanston Hospital. This meeting is structured as an Introduction to LifeRing for folks passing through the Chapman Center's excellent recovery program. It meets during the program's lunch hour for only 45 minutes. Most people who attend the Chapman Center do so for approximately 6 weeks. This Intro to LifeRing meeting gives them a chance to sample something different from your typical 12 step meeting or SMART Recovery meeting. It's a win/win situation for the Chapman Center and for LifeRing because it gives people another recovery option.

If you have a recovery program near you, you might consider investigating whether you too can set up such a partnership.

NGUNS! honk

tup

Ohio | LifeRing Akron and LifeRing Cleveland | Local Meetings

Ohio Local Meetings | Akron and Cleveland | Times Vary | HWYW meeting open to all

LifeRing Ohio in the House!

We’re excited to announce a new addition to the LifeRing Ohio family — a brand-new How Was Your Week (HWYW) meeting has launched in Cleveland, Ohio. Welcome to LifeRing Cleveland!

Our long-standing Tuesday in-person and Thursday local online meetings continue to thrive. While attendance naturally fluctuates, we maintain a solid average of 6 to 7 participants, with some meetings reaching up to 20 attendees. We’re proud of the dedicated core group that consistently shows up to support one another.

The Cleveland meeting isn’t the only exciting development in Ohio. Our Saturday local online topic meeting has recently transitioned to a hybrid format. The in-person portion is now hosted by the Summit Recovery Hub, a local Recovery Community Organization (RCO) that embraces a variety of alternative recovery pathways — making it a natural home for LifeRing.

In addition, one of our longtime members has begun convening a private HWYW meeting at a community-based correctional facility, expanding access to peer support in a vital setting.

LifeRing Akron continues to foster connection through a daily text thread, helping members maintain meaningful recovery ties throughout the week. Our members have been especially generous with donations, allowing us to support our host facility, fund outreach efforts, and contribute to the broader LifeRing organization.

Last June, LifeRing Akron tabled at the OhioCAN Summit Fest, helping raise awareness of LifeRing’s secular recovery approach. We’re excited to be participating again this year and look forward to continuing to build connections across the recovery community.

LifeRing in Ohio is always growing, adapting, and evolving — and we’re excited for what’s ahead!

Doug D. on behalf of all of Ohio's LifeRing meetings

Utah | LifeRing Salt Lake City | In-Person Meetings

Salt Lake City In-Person Meetings | Times Vary | HWYW meeting open to all

Serving up secular sobriety in Salt Lake City since 2013!

LifeRing Salt Lake City!

LifeRing Utah has operated a “How Was Your Week?” meeting midday on Saturdays since 2013. The original convenor was Mahala C., who helped found a LifeRing chapter in Utah.

Since 2017, we have met from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM Saturdays at First Baptist Church of Salt Lake City, and it has been a welcoming venue for us. We are not charged for use of a room or for parking, and the church is also conveniently located near mass transit access. I became the regular convenor for the Saturday meeting in 2018. Our alternate convenors are Michelle F. and Kade H. Weekly attendance varies, but is usually somewhere between 4 and 8 people. The meeting format has remained consistent as a “How Was Your Week?” meeting.

We also have had a weekday night meeting, on Wednesdays from 7:00 to 8:00 PM, also at First Baptist Church of Salt Lake City. The convenor is Kade H. We recently decided to put this meeting on hiatus, primarily because of scheduling conflicts for the convenor and some regular attendees. It may resume on Wednesdays, or we may move it to a different day to better fit attendee schedules.

We solicit donations and utilize those funds to make annual donations to the church for use of the room, and for any materials or supplies for the meeting. Colin B. serves as our Treasurer. Our largest expenses are the fees for registration and webhosting of the LifeRing Utah website: We have found that the website is one of the most effective ways for prospective attendees to find out about LifeRing and our local meetings. Our website is maintained and updated by our volunteer webmaster, Rob W.

LifeRing has now had an active presence in Salt Lake City for a dozen years, and that reflects the work of our volunteers, and the community our meetings have fostered. LifeRing Utah also appreciates the national leadership of LifeRing, and all the volunteer work that makes its success possible.

Lawrence C.
Salt Lake City Saturday LifeRing Meeting Convenor

Mondays, 12:00pm Pacific | Sober Salon | Online

Anna Bedolla • Meeting Convenor • Mondays at 12:00pm Pacific Time • Online

Sober Salon | Zoom Meeting ID: 832 2689 1744, Passcode: lifering | HWYW meeting open to all

salon (n.): a gathering of people held by a host either to please or to educate; an important place for the exchange of ideas.

Hello LifeRing:

I am the delegate for the Sober Salon online Lifering meeting that is held each Monday at noon PST hosted by Anna B. I have been attending this HWYW meeting regularly for at least the past year and it’s become an essential part of my week and my continued sobriety (5 and a half years). Anna has informed me that this meeting has been in existence for approximately two years and she selected this particular time slot due to the void between meetings on Mondays, an issue that is thankfully being addressed by virtue of the number of people who have committed to becoming online convenors in the past year.

When I first discovered LifeRing two years ago following a three-year association with another recovery support platform, it was my desire to find a forum where I could freely offer and accept ideas with an open-minded group of fellow travelers on the path toward recovery. With a modest knowledge of the salons of Europe in the 17th and 18th centuries and our own in early 20th century America, most significantly that of Dorothy Parker and the Algonquin Roundtable, the concept of participating in an open discourse regarding the achievement and/or maintenance of our respective forms of sobriety held immense appeal for me.

This group of about 25-30 people who surface each week to attend this meeting, many of them regulars as I am, continue to impress with their varied methodologies dealing with our shared affliction. I look forward to seeing their faces each week and absorbing the knowledge they share with every attendee. Thanks to Anna and her steady, supportive and warm nature, this meeting has evolved into a bedrock of guidance for those of us fortunate enough to have stumbled onto this community.

Michael McCauley | mccauleym57@yahoo.com
Delegate: Sober Salon | LifeRing HWYW Online Meeting

Mondays, 12:30pm Pacific | LifeRing in Kaiser Walnut Creek | In-Person

Laura Mosley • Meeting Convenor • Mondays at 12:30pm Pacific Time • In-Person

Kaiser Walnut Creek | Meeting ID: 521 | HWYW meeting open to all

The When and Where:

Monday 12:30 PST

710 N Broadway

Walnut Creek CA 94596

The History:

There have been LifeRing Meetings at Walnut Creek Kaiser for over 15 years. The days and times have changed and during Covid we met in the parking lot, but we have been able to maintain a community meeting for all those years.

After Kaiser reopened its facility to outside groups, LifeRing was the first recovery meeting they invited back. This is due to the careful cultivation of professional relationships before, during and after the Covid pandemic.

A new HWYW meeting was established in the Fall of 2024.

Who We Are:

Our meeting is primarily attended primarily by those attending the Kaiser recovery program. (We do, however, have some with long term recovery from other meetings in the area that support this meeting)

Word has spread quickly that LifeRing is back. Both the staff and current attendees have been enthusiastically spreading the word and our group is listed on the weekly schedule Kaiser program attendees are given on their first day of treatment.

Most attendees have less than 4 months sobriety. We have an average of 20-30. The fluctuation in attendance largely depends on how many people are in treatment at any given time.

Those who attend this meeting often express appreciation for the support and recovery skills they are gaining.

What We Do:

Our meeting supports people in recovery from all over the San Francisco Bay Area. Some have just 1 day of sobriety and a few of us have a decade or more. We provide literature (featuring the workbook) and the silicone wristbands with the LifeRing website and logo are a big hit!

We reach out to the Kaiser professionals to make them aware of the variety of meetings that LifeRing has to offer. As the convener of the meeting I speak often with the different members of the staff.

Final Words:

It is a privilege for those of us in the Walnut Creek meeting to support all who come to join us for support and practical ideas to further our individual paths to long term recovery.

Laura M | laura.m@lifering.org
California

Mondays, 5:30pm Pacific | Women's Meeting | Online

Lorraine Hull • Meeting Convenor • Mondays at 5:30pm Pacific Time • Online

Women's Meeting | Meeting ID: 2173007 | Zoom Meeting ID: 816 4936 1505, Passcode: lifering | HWYW meeting open to all

The Monday evening Women's Meeting typically ranges between 12 and 24 woman-identifying individuals of all ages. It has been encouraging this year to have more young mothers attend, while still maintaining a group of middle-aged and older women. No offense to men, but comments are often shared that individuals feel much freer to express themselves here than in mixed-gender meetings.

Discussions about current struggles, as well as every recovery and self-empowerment topic, ensue. Good books and websites are suggested. Most importantly, every woman is supported and encouraged to achieve or maintain their sobriety.

Lorraine | lorraine@lifering.org
Denver

Mondays, 9:00pm Pacific | Coloring Outside the Lines | Online

Jody Elzey • Meeting Convenor • Mondays at 9:00pm Pacific Time • Online

Coloring Outside the Lines | Zoom Meeting ID: 292 959 805, Passcode: lifering | HWYW meeting open to all

Coloring Outside the Lines is a new meeting this year started by Joey and Taresa. After some other meetings shuffled around, Jody took over this meeting. It's the last meeting of the day on Mondays and averages about 20-30 people. Attendees join from all over the world and share about their week. Jody brings his no-nonsense approach to recovery, welcoming all, and the meeting often goes long. All are welcome in this meeting and newcomers are common.

Jody
California

Tuesdays, 1:00pm Pacific | LifeRing in San Francisco Kaiser AMRS | In-Person

Sue Betts • Meeting Convenor • Tuesdays at 1:00pm Pacific Time • In-Person

LifeRing in San Francisco Kaiser AMRS | Meeting ID: 502 | HWYW meeting open to all

We're proud to be represented by SF Delegate Justin! Justin has been participating in the LifeRing Kaiser meeting since April 2024 and brings his impeccable style and generous heart to every meeting.

LifeRing opened this HWYW meeting on February 13, 2024 at the invitation of the San Francisco Kaiser Permanente AMRS. It's held in Room 6B in the 939 Ellis Street Kaiser AMRS building every Tuesday at 1:00pm.

A bit of history: The very first and only in-person meetings I attended were in this exact room prior to the pandemic. The convenor, Jim V. was amazing and made it all look so easy. Jim remains a role model for me and I am grateful for all the positivity and empathy he brought to those LifeRing meetings.

Attendance in Room 6B is made up of an average of 13 people primarily from the Kaiser AMRS Program who are just starting out on their recovery journey. Participants rotate based on enrollment in the Day Program and the IRT, so community is trickier to build, but there are a number of folk who come back even after treatment. This is particularly impactful as those returning represent folk who have been through the Kaiser program and continue to maintain their sobriety. This is very encouraging for participants in the very early stages of recovery and the dynamic provides a nice balance of crosstalk. This is, by far, the most "serious" meeting I convene, but there are times when levity helps lighten the tone. The courage of these people is incredible.

San Francisco Kaiser Permanente AMRS | Tuesdays at 1:00pm
Room 6B | 939 Ellis Street at Franklin and Van Ness
Contact sue@lifering.org to learn more about this meeting
LifeRing Secular Recovery | 800.811.4142

While we are very sad to see the closure of the Kaiser AMRS building on historic Fillmore Street, we are thrilled to announce the resounding relocation to the new location on Ellis Street. Our inaugural meeting included 6 return participants, 1 return AMRS client and the introduction of a new AMRS client! We expect a greater turnout as the Kaiser facility settles into its new location.

Empower Your Sober Self right here in the Heart of San Francisco!

Sue | sue@lifering.org
San Francisco

Tuesdays, 4:00pm Pacific | Life Skills @ LifeRing | Online

Anne Dekun • Meeting Convenor • Tuesdays at 4:00pm Pacific Time • Online

Life Skills @ LifeRing | Zoom Meeting ID: 875 3720 5270, Passcode: lifering | HWYW meeting open to all

The Life Skills @ LifeRing meeting, held at 4 pm on Tuesdays, started in January 2025. It was a concept that the convenor, Anne Dekun, had wanted to explore and provide support for when she became a convenor, but which wasn't likely to reach as many people as it has in the late night time slot where she began hosting.

The meeting typically has 25-40 participants weekly with a good 40-50% on camera. It appears to be subject matter that people new to recovery or new to LifeRing are drawn to, as there are new people every week!

The format generally includes a topic question designed to provoke thought and discussion on some aspect of skills pertinent to responsible, sober life. When there is no Life Skills-specific topic question, a more general food-for-thought question is offered, and the discussion tends to deal with how to adjust to and handle life in recovery, as many things change such as communication, relationships, day to day struggles and just viewing life with a different perspective. The topic usually carries through the meeting with shares leading to more shares or cross-talk, and more often than not, carries over up to 30 minutes past the hour.

Additionally, there have been several meetings or meeting series over these six months that have taken on a very resourced approach to a subject, which include summary slides prepared by Anne or video shares featuring a speaker with some wisdom, e.g. Ted Talks, to introduce and focus the topic discussion. These have been well received, in particular leading to the one on goals growing into a three-week series. Some of these other deep dives have dealt with practical matters like open enrollment for healthcare (a participant request), as well as broader topics like resilience, sleep and other building blocks for biological stability, and non-violent communication.

The meeting has a solid foundation for the future and is viewed as a safe space for opening up and sharing, as well as for learning how to better operate a responsible and peaceful life.

Diana | LifeRing 2025 Congress Delegate

USA

Tuesdays, 5:30pm Pacific | Celebrate Life, Y'all! | Online

Sue Betts • Meeting Convenor • Tuesdays at 5:30pm Pacific Time • Online

Celebrate Life, Y'all! | Meeting ID: 2173007 | Zoom Meeting ID: 653 432 584, Passcode: lifering | HWYW meeting open to all

Celebrate Life, Y'all! is a long-standing HWYW meeting spinning off from the original Celebrate Life meeting passed down from convenor to convenor since September 2022.

This is an early evening How Was Your Week check in meeting that serves as a safe space to wind down after work or before bed depending on your time zone! Core members in this meeting are friendly and welcoming. They're not shy about sharing their own stories and providing positive crosstalk with others. This is a warm and inviting growing meeting community where you can explore and develop your personal recovery plan.

Sue | sue@lifering.org
San Francisco

Tuesdays, 7:00pm Pacific | Tool Time | Online

Jody Elzey • Meeting Convenor • Tuesdays at 7:00pm Pacific Time • Online

Tool Time | Zoom Meeting ID: 839 5306 4833, Passcode: lifering | Topic meeting open to all

Tool Time is a weekly Topic Meeting averaging 20 participants and supported by 2–3 co-hosts. This meeting is unique in its emphasis on practical tools and strategies for maintaining sobriety. The hosts of Tool Time demonstrate compassion by creating a welcoming and supportive space where growth is nurtured and sobriety is celebrated. Tool Time stands out as a dynamic, impactful experience in the Lifering community.

Each week, the host introduces a specific “topic tool” that serves as the meeting’s theme. Participants are invited to share how they’ve personally used that tool in their recovery journey or share any tool that they used in the previous week. This focus encourages consistent development of effective recovery habits.

Tool Time is guided by a compelling vision: to support individuals in becoming active participants in their own recovery. Participants are encouraged to practice using tools in moments of crisis and during periods of stability—ensuring readiness and resilience. The ultimate goal is for each member to evolve from being a "player on the team" to becoming their own head coach—empowered, self-directed, and in full ownership of their recovery journey.

Stephanie B | 2025 LifeRing Congress Delegate
USA

Wednesdays, 9:00am Pacific | The Nest | Online

Anna Bedolla • Meeting Convenor • Wednesdays at 5:30pm Pacific Time • Online

The Nest | Zoom Meeting ID: 851 9438 4510, Passcode: lifering | HWYW meeting open to all

The Nest is a LifeRing How Was Your Week? weekly online meeting.

I'm the delegate for and the host of the HWYW meeting that occurs on Wednesdays at 9:00am PST (The Nest). I took over as host of this meeting in September 2021 from Melissa. I had just a little over one year of sobriety, and it was my first time hosting. When we were encouraged to come up with names for our meeting, I chose "the Nest," which I thought was a lovely metaphor used by another convenor I admired.

Sylvia W has been my co-host for a long while; I can't even recall when

she assumed the role. And I cannot ask for a better co-host! Sometimes, especially if we've recently had issues with zoom bombers, I will ask others to help out co-hosting.

The Nest has between 30-40 people each week, the majority of which are regulars. About half of the participants are "just listening," which is fine by me. I understand they have their reasons for doing so. (I know I get a lot out of a meeting by just listening; it's a way of bearing witness.) The vast majority of participants are from across the US, although we do have participants from Europe and sometimes Asia.

I've been using the same opening statement, with small tweaks that keep it "fresh" and personal, for the past couple of years. Because we regularly have people who are new to LifeRing and/or the meeting, I think it is important to clarify LifeRing's philosophy (the Three S's) and the rules of the meeting. We use a "pass the baton" approach to sharing: if there are no hands up after a person is done sharing, they can call on someone to go next. I use the security feature that requires the host to ask a participant to unmute themselves. Several months ago, I decided to start closing the door of the meeting at 9:15am, although we let in anyone who was previously in the meeting and got dropped for some reason. Those two measures have significantly deterred zoom bombers.

We are usually able to hear from all participants who are not "just listening," and I regularly keep the meeting going after its official end time for those who we might have missed or anyone who would like to chat in a smaller group. People use chat to offer supportive comments, and many also use emojis and reactions while someone is sharing. Occasionally chat can get a bit off-topic, but overall people remain respectful, supportive, and encouraging.

Hosting is both a service to others and a gift to myself. I feel deep empathy for everyone who makes time out of their day to be with us. I feel pride and admiration for the stories of redemption and success, especially from those who have struggled and keep coming back.

LifeRing was already the cornerstone of my sobriety, and taking the leap to become a convenor has allowed me to share this wonderful community and program with others.

Thank you for the opportunity!

Anna B | anna@lifering.org
Austin

Wednesdays, 5:00pm Pacific | Los Angeles LifeRing | Local Online

Chris Smith • Meeting Convenor • Wednesday at 5:00pm Pacific Time • Local Online

Los Angeles LifeRing | Meeting ID: 215| HWYW meeting open to all

Los Angeles LifeRing Local Online, meeting no. 215, is a Local Online meeting which began in July 2021 and is listed on the US In-Person & Local Online Meetings page. It is one of two local meetings in Southern California.

Local Online meetings have been a distinct meeting type since 2020. They are typically camera on meetings with a regular, largely local meeting group and full participation, and meeting sizes following the guidelines suggested in How Was Your Week. Local Online meetings offer much of the character of in-person meetings in situations where meeting in person is impractical, and are a valuable and underutilized option for convenors and members.

Average weekly attendance has slowly and steadily declined over the years, and is currently around 5. New inquiries have similarly declined, and are now quite seldom. No more than three new people have briefly attended in the past year. The long term trend is concerning, especially as it is the only local meeting serving a major metropolitan area.

Members are older (55+), about evenly split between men and women, and are all longtime regular members of the group. Participation rate is 100%.

It is a How Was Your Week meeting using the standard opening statement and the LifeRing suggested guidelines for crosstalk.

Chris S. | chris@lifering.org

Los Angeles

Wednesdays, 5:30pm Pacific | The Liver Spot | Online

Sue Betts • Meeting Convenor • Wednesdays at 5:30pm Pacific Time • Online

The Liver Spot | Meeting ID: 31801 | Zoom Meeting ID: 856 0614 8917, Passcode: lifering | Focus meeting open to all

We're proud to be represented by Delegate Jeff aka Sparky! Jeff has been an exceptional participate in The Liver Spot Kaiser meeting since April 2020 and brings his compassion and humor to every meeting.

The Liver Spot is a LifeRing Focus Meeting for people in recovery who are also managing SUD-related medical conditions. This meeting embraces the LifeRing’s 3-S philosophy of “sobriety, secularity, and self-direction” and offers a platform for patient-to-patient knowledge exchange.

The Liver Spot is an active and engaged community of folk who join to support their own recovery and the recovery of others. LifeRing's peer-to-peer support model has proven an incredibly powerful tool for core and newcomers. Crosstalk is huge and the camaraderie is unparalleled. It's peer-to-peer support and candid crosstalk that makes The Liver Spot such a unique resource for people in recovery and as a supporting resource for healthcare providers.

History

The Liver Spot was introduced on December 23, 2020. It originated from a Convenor Group email saying something like:

Will someone please start a liver transplant meeting? I can’t understand a word they're talking about.

In the beginning, this meeting ran form 6:00pm to 7:00pm Pacific. We started out with approximately 18 participants – a number that steadily rose as the meeting gained traction. When we reached a consistent group of 30, we voted to extend the meeting for a half-hour to better accommodate group shares and our intensity of crosstalk.

Current

This meeting now supports an average of 55 people per week with a core group of about 40. We've made it through 6 losses, 3 lapses, and 15 transplants, 20 UNOS listings, and countless paracenteses. The Liver Spot is made up of an interesting mix of very strong personalities from a variety of backgrounds. Attendance from hospital beds is a regular occurrence. We’re all very grateful to have the flexibility Zoom meetings provide.

LifeRing has been a lifesaver for SO many of my patients!
I am so grateful to this community for their incredible support!

Courtney Sherman, MD | UCSF Health
Director of the UCSF HALT (Healing Alcohol-associated Liver disease Together) Clinic

Surviving the wait to be listed and the aftershocks of a liver transplant is tough. Being able to talk with others who are at various stages of their own recovery journeys is cathartic and can build confidence and strength. People in recovery and patients undergo treatment gain a better understanding of the road ahead and the supportive power of a home group cheering for their success.

It’s not unusual for this meeting to run over three hours long. We close the meeting around 7:00pm and slip into what we affectionately call “Romper Room.” It’s a space where we can decompress after the intensity of this immersive, emotional meeting.

There’s a lot of graphic medical treatment talk, so The Liver Spot is not for everyone, but it is open to everyone. If nothing else, it offers a glimpse into SUD-related medical challenges for people who have never considered the long-term effects of drinking.

People find The Liver Spot through hospital recommendations, from friends, and from other recovery support groups, We are especially grateful to all the LifeRing convenors who suggest The Liver Spot to their meeting members.

One of the best things about The Liver Spot? They speak my language! Even if you can’t quite get the pronunciation right, everyone knows you mean paracentesis.

Everyone needs a meeting where people understand what you’re talking about.

Sue | sue@lifering.org
San Francisco

Charmaine, John, Kirk, Benji , Pat, and Anna
you are missed

Wednesdays, 6:00pm Pacific | Flourish, Thrive, Grow! | Online

James Kendrick • Meeting Convenor • Wednesdays at 6:00pm Pacific Time • Online

Flourish, Thrive, Grow! | Zoom Meeting ID: 816 8597 8274, Passcode: lifering | How Was Your Week? meeting open to all

We're proud to be represented by Delegate Cindy S.

Flourish, Thrive, Grow! is a LifeRing How Was Your Week? weekly online meeting.

This was the first lifering meeting I attended over 3 years ago and it is the same meeting that I don’t allow myself to miss every week OK thanks. It is a consistent group of people who are the equal mix of supper over, friendly, and holding you accountable. I’ve been fortunate enough to meet up with this group of friends numerous times in the past few years which is pretty fantastic since I’m in Michigan and they’re all over the place…but primarily San Diego. It’s a great group which encourages growth, community, and personal development.

Cindy | cindy@lifering.org
Michigan

Wednesdays, 10:00pm Pacific | Wednesday Zen Day | Online

Anne Dekun • Meeting Convenor • Wednesdays at 10:00pm Pacific Time • Online

Wednesday Zen Day | Zoom Meeting ID: 884 4322 2633, Passcode: lifering | HWYW meeting open to all

Wednesday Zen Day, in its current format, began on 12/25/24. Shane, the convenor who had hosted at that time, had shared with the regulars to that meeting in December that his schedule was becoming overloaded and he would like to hand it over. I felt it was the right time for me to step up as a convenor, and with Shane's support and guidance I began hosting.

Most of the people who regularly attended that meeting continued to do so, and I was also pleased to see that the time slot works for the usual proportion of newcomers who have that kind of schedule, and many new regulars now attend. I was able to support one of these new members in his wish to get more involved, and made him a dedicated co-host, working with the time difference across the Atlantic to the UK! There are typically 20-40 people joining any given meeting, although high 40s to 50 is not an isolated occurrence.

The meeting is a How Was Your Week meeting, and largely due to the time slot, intention is placed towards a slower pace and cozy feel. Many of the participants know each other well, and are quick to offer cross talk. I also spend my time very carefully with each person's share and attempt to give them individualized support. The "zen day" reference is intended to convey that this is a relaxing wind down at the end of the night. As a result, shares are rarely finished in one hour, and sometimes it takes about two hours before everyone who wants to has had their own share, although it feels very interactive all the way through.

This meeting time is probably destined to always attract traffic and I would not give it up without ensuring there will be a convenor to continue hosting then, but I think it has developed its own identity and value; all is well!

Anne | Convenor
South San Francisco

Thursdays, 4:00am Pacific | Recharging Port | Online

Henri Chevrier • Meeting Convenor • Thursdays at 4:00am Pacific Time • Online

Recharging Port | Zoom Meeting ID: 844 1178 0990, Passcode: lifering | HWYW meeting open to all

Charging Port is a LifeRing How Was Your Week? weekly online meeting.

When I started looking into LifeRing as a recovery option, the early morning meetings were the first that I attended. I was instantly captivated. I was fortunate at the time to have Robby as my first convenor. His style was so calming and inviting that I was only attending the Monday and Wednesday 4:00 am meetings that he hosted. He is one of the reasons that I became interested in becoming a convenor, with the intention of modeling my meeting with the same respect and consideration as Robby provided.

I have been convening my meeting for about two months now. Initially, I did not make the decision to become a convenor lightly. It was important for me to be able to commit to the time slot, plus provide a safe and comfortable space where people feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and feelings. In the short time I have been convening, I believe that I am succeeding in my goal.

The meeting format is relaxed and informal. It's a check in, how was your week type. The average attendance varies between 14 and 18, 90% of which have been there since I started a couple of months ago. Also, about 90% reside in the pacific time zone, but I do have a regular from Australia and of course I'm from Northern Ontario, Canada. I'm happy to say that we have been successful in keeping politics off our agenda and instead see each other as equals working towards a positive recovery journey. Not necessarily an easy thing to do in today's volatile political climate!

Every meeting is a little different with varying topics depending on the energy of the group on any given morning. However, we always manage to focus our attention on our recovery and maintaining confidentiality within the group. I learn something new every time and hope to continue participating as a convenor for many more months, possibly years to come.

Your truly,

Henri

Canada

Thursdays, 12:00pm Pacific | In the Wilderness | Online

Bruce Eriksen • Meeting Convenor • Thursdays at 12:00pm Pacific Time • Online

In the Wilderness | Meeting ID: 2173007 | Zoom Meeting ID: 814 377 449, Passcode: 680781 | HWYW meeting open to all

Delegate Report prepared by Diane Baren, Illinois, United States

The In the Wilderness meeting has a special charm, being led by Bruce E. This meeting was held in person prior to COVID-19. Since then it has been convened online. Bruce sometimes refers to himself as “old” and struggling with this (blank) technology, which is humorous and true.

Bruce is very good at running this meeting. He is approachable and easy to talk with. One of the things I appreciate about this meeting is that Bruce always includes in his introduction the question of asking us how we’re “feeling today”. He tells us that how we’re feeling is important and that he wants to hear about it.

This is a popular meeting with 30 to 40 attendees each week. People in this group appear to span a spectrum of demographics. We are varied in our physical appearance, our age, our life experiences, and our location around the world.

In the time I’ve attended this In the Wilderness meeting it has been co-hosted by Pete in Ireland and Joe in the United States . Bruce thanks his co-hosts and expresses appreciation for all of us being here with them. His introduction and his closing remarks are robust and heartfelt.

The How Was Your Week? format plays out in an informal, respectful manner. Bruce calls on people in the order we appear on his screen. We also raise our hands for cross-talk. Bruce often comments on what speakers have shared, and moves on to the next speaker in a reasonable
amount of time.

Attendees are assured by Bruce that they may take as much time as needed to share with the group. It’s clear Bruce in interested and attentive to participants when we speak.

I’ve been attending the In the Wilderness meeting since I joined Lifering in December of 2024. What keeps me coming back to this meeting is the time of day for me here in Illinois, and Bruce as a convenor. Bruce’s age, which he speaks of in group, his experience in sobriety, his longevity with Lifering, and having served in the US military make this meeting special in my view.

Sincerely,

Diane
Illinois, USA

Thursdays, 5:00pm Pacific | Hazy Dayz to Happy Days | Online

Jenny Tappero • Meeting Convenor • Thursdays at 5:00pm Pacific Time • Online

Hazy Daze To Happy Days | Zoom Meeting ID: 819 3143 2805, Passcode: lifering | HWYW meeting open to

Hazy Daze To Happy Days starts on Zoom at approximately 5pm Pacific time on Thursdays. The convenor is Jenny and the meeting was started by Taresa as a “How Was Your Week” check in meeting.

There are visitors from across the North American continent that come to the meeting. There are between 20-35 people in the meeting. There is diversity in the age groups of participants, the majority are “young at heart”.

The meeting is welcoming to all people in recovery. There are no requirements to participate, except that one not be intoxicated at the time of sharing.

The meeting pioneered the use of a flair to indicate that a participant has cross talked. This has often resulted in an increased appetite in participants to share their thoughts in relation to someone’s shares.

The meeting has often had a warm and light hearted tone, with many of the regular participants engaged in the serious work of healing from trauma and addiction. The compassionate and upbeat atmosphere that is encouraged here offers assuring comfort to participants in need of support.

Saad | 2025 LifeRing Congress Delegate

Calgary, Canada

Thursdays, 6:00pm Mountain | LifeRing in Denver Highlands United Methodist Church | In-Person

Jason Knezel • Meeting Convenor • Thursdays at 6:00pm Mountain Time • In-Person

Denver Highlands United Methodist Church | Meeting ID: 77 | HWYW meeting open to all

Established pre-2020. Returned to in-person 2021!

Centrally located in Denver, Colorado, parking available and open to all every Thursday at 6:00pm Mountain Time.

We are grateful for the space and generosity of Highlands United Methodist Church.

The meeting is well attended, with 6-12 regular participants. Our largest this last year was approximately 25 people.

About every other week, we have inquiries, and welcome drop-ins.

We celebrate successes, recognize milestones, as well as gently and openly share the sometimes vulnerable difficulties of our sobriety journeys.

Connection through LifeRing experiences have helped many develop caring, healthy, supportive friendships.

On a personal note, this meeting has always added an immensely important dimension to my sobriety journey.

Jason
Denver

Fridays, 12:00pm Pacific | LifeRing in San Francisco City Hall | In-Person

Sue Betts • Meeting Convenor • Fridays at 12:00pm Pacific Time • In-Person

LifeRing in San Francisco City Hall | Meeting ID: 480 | HWYW meeting open to all

We are honored to be represented by City Hall Delegate Geoffrey! Geoffrey has been a strong participant in our City Hall meeting for over 2 years. He brings his strong commitment and sense of humor to this committed recovery community.

LifeRing opened its HYWY meeting in San Francisco City Hall on February 3rd, 2023. This is the first in-person meeting to run in San Francisco since the pandemic shut down our SF onsite locations. This is a weekly “How Was Your Week” check-in meetings for people seeking support with substance use challenges.

We offer a recovery-forward meeting held on Fridays at 12:00pm noon in Room 278 in San Francisco City Hall. All people who want to be free from alcohol and drugs and stay free from alcohol and drugs are welcome.

We average 8 people per meeting with a core group of five very smart and very likable people who make recovery a focus in their lives.

City Hall may seem like an odd space to hold a check-in meeting, but a member of the Board of Supervisors offered space in the seat of San Francisco government and who could resist that? Our room is basically a small conference room which is nice. No accidental knee-knocks or encroachment on personal space (I'm a sprawler by nature).

We're on the second floor in Room 278 -- there'll be a sign outside of the door. If you know your north and south, we're about midway down the far north corridor — City Hall faces East. Or — if you come in the front door (metal detectors), we're one up flight due right. I recommend taking the elevators otherwise you'll be dodging all the wedding photographers!

I encourage you to spend a little time walking around after the meeting because it really is a beautiful building.

Look forward to seeing you this Friday or in the near future!

San Francisco City Hall | Fridays at 12:00pm Noon
Room 278 | 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place @ McAllister
Contact sue@lifering.org to learn more about LifeRing!
LifeRing Secular Recovery | 800.811.4142

City Hall is easily accessible by BART and MUNI, and bike parking is available on nearby sidewalks. Metered parking is accessible on Van Ness, McAllister, Grove, and Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place. There is also a Civic Center Garage located on McAllister, between Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place and Larkin. Public Transportation to San Francisco City Hall

Empower Your Sober Self in LifeRing face-to-face meetings with like-minded people in recovery here in the City by the Bay!

Sue | sue@lifering.org
San Francisco

go warriors!

Saturdays, 8:00pm Pacific | Choices | Online

Jody Elzey • Meeting Convenor • Saturdays at 8:00pm Pacific Time • Online

Choices | Zoom Meeting ID: 821 6089 5194, Passcode: lifering | HWYW meeting open to all

Choices is a new meeting in the Saturday evening meeting desert between the 5:30 and 10pm meetings. It easily averages over 50 participants and has reached up to 79! This is a very popular time and people always want the meeting to go long. We get a lot of newcomers in this meeting, more than average, and the vibe is open and welcoming. People are encouraged to crosstalk and share how their week went. The meeting kicks off with a punk song of the convenor's own creation, setting a lively and honest tone. The members love this intro and are comfortable and open with their shares and support of each other.

Jody
California

Sundays, 8:00am Pacific | Any Given Sunday | Online

Alexis de Leon • Meeting Convenor • Sundays at 8:00am Pacific Time • Online

Any Given Sunday | Zoom Meeting ID: 868 8428 7066, Passcode: lifering | Recovery By Choice Workbook meeting open to all

We're proud to be represented by Delegate Liz R.

Any Given Sunday! is a LifeRing Recovery By Choice Workbook weekly online meeting.

Hello All. I'm Liz and am here representing the Sunday Recovery by Choice workbook meeting Any Given Sunday hosted by Alexis de Leon at 8:00am Pacific Time.

I first started coming to a workbook meeting a number of years ago when it was hosted by Ric R. He had to give up the meeting and I was sad to see it go because I really liked it. And then along came, Alexis, who took over the meeting roughly two years ago with a new day/time.

I have been attending, with the exception of literally a handful of times, every week since Alexis took over the meeting. It is a 'staple' meeting of mine and a good way to start my Sunday. Alexis is a wonderful convenor — he has a very calm demeanor and is very encouraging and engaging with the group about the particular Recovery By Choice Workbook topic we are discussing. We can also talk about recovery related issues that are outside of the topic.

It is a diverse group and I learn something each meeting. There are a number of people coming and sharing regularly. We engage in serious discussions, but, there has also been laughter. The meeting has grown in size and I look forward to continuing to attend this meeting, engaging, and welcoming new people that join. Lastly, this is a very respectful meeting on video and in chat.

Thank you to Alexis and all the participants!

Liz | LifeRing Strong for 9 Months and Counting!

New Jersey

Now that I am counting my sobriety, I am charmed to hit 9 months. Never had kids, but what woman doesn't notice 9-month integrals? I'll laugh when my recovery becomes a toddler, then when it enters the terrible twos. And yes, I will be very proud when my recovery is old enough to start school. Odd? You betcha!

Sundays, 8:00pm Pacific | Vibe Check | Online

Taresa Nephew • Meeting Convenor • Sundays at 8:00pm Pacific Time • Online

Vibe Check | Zoom Meeting ID: 864 0188 7671 Passcode: lifering | HWYW meeting open to all

In 2024 the Back to the Grind 9pm meeting convenor stepped down. Joey and Taresa picked up the meeting, moved it to an hour earlier, and changed the name to Vibe Check. This is a heavily attended meeting, and the last offering of the night. There is generally a topic introduced by the members, and folks take turns sharing and offering positive and supportive crosstalk. The meeting regularly goes long as there are so many in attendance. As is the custom of the late night meetings, often we dive deep into shares and the community provides tremendous support.

Taresa N | taresa@lifering.org
Washington

2025 LifeRing Meeting Reports — Delegates Assembly

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