VolunteerCONNECTION - January 2025

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Subject: VolunteerCONNECTION - January 2025

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As we step into 2025, we want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible progress we achieved together last year. Thanks to the hard work and dedication of our amazing volunteers and National Office team, SMART Recovery experienced remarkable growth and success in 2024. We saw a 12% increase in registered SMART Recovery Meetings and an 11% increase in Family & Friends Meetings. Participation in online meetings hosted on SMART Recovery’s Zoom account remained consistent, with specialized audience meetings seeing significant increases in attendance.

This month’s VolunteerCONNECTION brings you important updates to kick off the year:

Reminders: Confirm your address to receive new handbooks.
Announcements: Find details on the extended early bird deadline for conference scholarships, new resources now available in VolunteerHQ, insights on the positive feedback trend from SMARTfinder, and the updated process for accessing VolunteerHQ.
Opportunities: Discover how to strengthen your skills and connect with others through Facilitator Training and Support Meetings.

Thank you for making these successes possible. Together, we’re building a stronger, more connected community, and we can’t wait to see what we’ll accomplish in 2025!

With gratitude,

Director of Meetings and Volunteers

Reminders

Confirm your Address for New Handbooks

If you are registered as a facilitator for a SMART Recovery meeting and you haven’t already, be sure to confirm your shipping details for the updated 4-Point and Family & Friends Participant Handbooks! We’ve extended the deadline to January 31, 2025, to ensure everyone has a chance to receive their complimentary copy.

These updated handbooks reflect feedback from the SMART community and incorporate recent research to make SMART Recovery even more inclusive and accessible.

Don’t miss your opportunity to secure your advanced copy of the handbooks!

Confirm Shipping Details

Announcements

New Location for VolunteerHQ Access

Accessing VolunteerHQ has changed! Previously accessible via a button at the top of the main website, the link to VolunteerHQ is now located under the “Get Involved” section in the menu.

This change was made to ensure our website remains easy to navigate for individuals new to SMART Recovery or early in their recovery journey. The button previously used for VolunteerHQ has been replaced with “Handbooks & More” to help participants quickly access the resources they need.

To access VolunteerHQ:

Visit SMART Recovery's main website.
Open the “Get Involved” menu.
Click “VolunteerHQ” to access all the resources and tools available to you.

We hope this update improves navigation for SMART's newest participants. If you have questions or need help, feel free to reach out!

2025 Award Nominations

SMART Recovery USA is soliciting nominations for two awards that will be presented at the 2025 National Conference April 3-4 in Charlotte, NC.

Joseph Gerstein Award for Exemplary Service to SMART Recovery

This award, founded in 2012, recognizes an individual who has made significant, consistent, and durable contributions to the SMART Recovery community.

The award consists of recognition at the conference, a plaque, and a monetary award of $1,000 to support the recipient’s continued involvement in outreach, research, and/or travel related to their advancement of SMART Recovery.

To nominate someone for the Joseph Gerstein Award, please complete the form HERE by February 15, 2025.

SMART Empowerment for All Award

This is a new award being launched at the conference. In keeping with the conference theme, the SMART Empowerment for All Award will recognize an individual who has demonstrated a commitment to, and tangible progress toward, increasing the availability and accessibility of SMART Recovery in diverse and underserved communities.

The award consists of recognition at the conference, a plaque, and a monetary award of $1,000 to support the recipient’s continued work to support the growth of SMART Recovery in diverse and underserved communities.

To nominate someone for the SMART Empowerment for All Award, please complete the form HERE by February 15, 2025.

Thank you in advance for your nominations!

Conference Registration and Scholarships

Exciting news! Early Bird Registration for the 2025 SMART Recovery Annual Conference has been extended through January 31, 2025. Volunteers can register at the discounted Early Bird rate of $250, which includes:

All breaks and two lunches.
Awards dinner and session content.

Please note: CEUs are not included, and hotel lodging must be booked separately. Starting February 1, registration will increase to $300, so don’t miss this chance to save! Volunteers must include their meeting number at registration to verify eligibility.

Additionally, we’re offering need-based scholarships to active U.S. and Canadian volunteers, reducing the registration cost to just $100. If you’re interested in applying, please visit this link for more details and to submit your application.

We look forward to seeing you at the conference!

Conference Information

New Resources in VolunteerHQ

We’re pleased to announce that updated Meeting Guidelines and Opening Statements for both 4-Point and Family & Friends meetings are now available in VolunteerHQ! These updates aim to provide clearer, more inclusive guidance for facilitators and participants alike.

The updates include:

Revised language to reflect SMART Recovery’s values of empowerment, inclusivity, and accountability.

Streamlined instructions for facilitators to ensure a smooth and welcoming experience for all attendees.

We encourage all facilitators to review these resources and incorporate them into their meetings. You can find the updated guidelines and opening statements in the Volunteer Meeting Resources section under Volunteer Resources in VolunteerHQ.

Thank you for your commitment to supporting recovery and fostering an inclusive community!

Positive Feedback on SMARTfinder

A small change has made a big difference! By updating the wording from “Report a Problem” to “Provide Feedback” on SMARTfinder, we’ve seen a noticeable increase in positive feedback from participants about our meetings and volunteers.

Here are some examples of what participants are saying:

“I have not had a drink since the day I showed up at that first meeting years back!!!!!! The program is amazing, and I still reference the handbook when I need to.”

“Today was the first SMART Recovery session that I attended. It was interesting and thought-provoking, as it covered many other situations different than my own.”

“Excellent meeting. I really enjoyed the approach and deep engagement with each person who shared.”

“It was a good meeting; a lot of people shared their experiences. It has helped me to understand the value of helping each other out with daily struggles and setting personal goals to overcome addiction.”

Thank you to all our volunteers for creating these transformative spaces where participants feel supported and empowered. Your dedication makes a lasting impact!

Facilitator Training & Support

🗓️ Daily Sessions
We offer training sessions throughout the work week, accessible via Zoom and scheduled to fit your busy day. Dive into Motivational Interviewing practice, attend interactive Lunch & Learn discussions, and participate in our SMART Meeting Management (SMM) sessions. Get the latest insights and practical tips directly from SMART staff and experienced volunteers!

💬 Get Answers and Support
Have questions? This is your chance to ask SMART staff directly and get real-world advice from seasoned volunteers. Gain insights, refine your techniques, and build confidence in a supportive learning environment.

📅 Check Out the Schedule
Ready to join us? Visit VolunteerHQ to see the full schedule and add these events to your calendar. Don’t miss the chance to connect, learn, and grow with SMART Recovery!

Final Thoughts

Thank you for all that you do to support the SMART Recovery community. Your dedication and passion inspire us every day, and we hope this newsletter helps you feel connected and informed.

As we move forward in 2025, we’re continuing to refine and improve the VolunteerCONNECTION newsletter to better serve you. Your ideas and feedback are an important part of this process! If there’s a topic, resource, or idea you’d like to see in future issues, we’d love to hear from you.

📩 Share Your Ideas Here

Together, we can make this newsletter an even stronger resource for our amazing volunteer community. Thank you for being an essential part of SMART Recovery!

Share your Ideas

Submit Your Group Donations
to SMART Recovery

Your group donations to SMART Recovery help empower individuals nationwide with tools and communities to reduce or resolve any addictive behavior. After you've covered any local rent or supply expenses, please send the surplus to the National Office. These funds are important to our ongoing support of meetings and volunteers nationally.

Submit Your Group Donation

SMART Recovery is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

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Subject: VolunteerCONNECTION - January 2025