New England Intergroup of SLAA

S.L.A.A. 12 Step Weekend Retreats - 2010

In Chester, Vermont (2 1/2-3 hours from Boston)

Retreat Center

2010 Dates: March 26-28, July 23-25, October 1-3, December 17-19

Step study is a key tool to recovery in the S.L.A.A. program.

At the retreat weekends we do an intensive study of the 12 Steps -- together.

If you have worked on the Steps in this type of format before, you already know its value. If you have not done any study of the Steps, intensive or otherwise, this is a great way to do it, especially the first time. Regardless of where we are in the Step study process, we are able to learn from sharing our experience, strength and hope with each other.

Location:

The retreat house is located in Chester, Vermont, approximately 3 hours from Boston. Retreats are hosted by a local family in recovery.

Price:

$175.00	YOUR COST
-$20.00	DISCOUNT IF REGISTRATION/PAYMENT IS RECEIVED BY THE DEADLINE OF THE WEEKEND YOU PLAN TO ATTEND (SEE BELOW!)
$155.00	Discount total

Includes: 2 nights lodging (see below for sleeping arrangements) and 2 breakfasts (all you can eat). There is a potluck dinner Saturday night (all you can eat)-weekend participants contribute.

(Additional nights lodging available $50.00 per person per night--meals not included.)

For Reservations:

To reserve a space at one of our retreats, select the registration form link at the bottom of this page, print and fill out the form, and mail it to NEI at the above address. A check for $155.00 MUST BE received NO LATER THAN 4 WEEKS BEFORE the weekend you wish to attend!! LATER REGISTRATIONS CHECKS ARE $175.00.

2010 Retreat Dates:	Discount Registration Deadline:
March 26-28	February 26
July 23-25	June 25
October 1-3	September 3
December 17-19	November 19

These weekends are only open to anyone who is an S.L.A.A. member or thinks they might benefit from the program. No non-participating guests are allowed.

Cancellation Policy:

To receive a FULL REFUND, NEI must know IN WRITING NO LATER THAN 4 weeks prior to the date for which you are registered to attend - that is the same date as the REGISTRATION DISCOUNT DATE.
Cancellations made less than 4 weeks prior to the date for which you are registered WILL BE REFUNDED IN FULL ONLY if your canceled space is filled.
NEI reserves the right to cancel any of these weekends is it does not receive at least 15 reservations by the respective registration dates. You will be refunded in full if this occurs.

Sleeping Arrangements:

We can accommodate up to 21 people. WE NEED A MINIMUM of 15 participants to make these weekends happen! Sleeping arrangements are as follows: 3 dorm-type rooms and 4 private rooms and 1 semiprivate room. There are no private bathrooms. PRIVATE ROOMS ARE GIVEN ON A FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVED BASIS BASED ON EARLIEST REGISTRATION DATE.

Schedule:

Friday	8:30pm SHARP!	Introduction--hellos, house rules, ground rules, temporary sponsor availability, chore sign-up, potluck update...
	9:15pm	Draw names of chairpersons and speakers for weekend meetings.
	9:30pm	Getting Current/Check-ins
Saturday	8:00-9:00am	Breakfast
	9:15-11:00am	Meeting on Steps 1, 2 & 3 (read/speakers/break into small discussion ["buzz"] grps)
	11:15-12:45pm	Meeting on Steps 4 & 5 (read/speakers/break into small discussion ["buzz"] grps)
	12:45pm	Lunch--you are on your own!
	3:30-5:00pm	Meeting on Steps 6 & 7 (read/speakers/break into small discussion ["buzz"] grps)
	5:45pm	Potluck Dinner (everyone helps serve and clean up!)
	7:00-7:30pm	Getting Current Meeting--check-in, how are we doing?
	7:30-9:00pm	Meeting on Steps 8 & 9 (read/speakers/discussion)
	9:00pm	Group activity--Fun!!! Any ideas?
Sunday	8:00-9:00am	Breakfast
	9:30-12:00pm	Meeting on Steps 10, 11 & 12 (read/speakers/discussion)
	12:15pm	Closing--11th Step Prayer, sing Amazing Grace.

Extra Support and Ground Rules:

We try to be aware of people's concerns, needs and issues. As a result, we have come up with a number of safeguards and ground rules to make the weekend safe and enjoyable to all who wish to participate. The ground rules list will be sent to all participants with their confirmation form (you may request confirmation by e-mail or regular mail).

Some of the extra support items we have implemented into the weekend are:

There is no sobriety requirement to attend, but participants MUST STAY SOBER DURING THE WEEKEND. This ensures that everyone can attend in safety and work together to expand our recovery. People will be asked to leave if they do not abide by this rule.
Getting current during the weekend. There are several opportunities to use this tool during the weekend: 1) opening evening everyone will have a chance to say who they are, where they are from, how they are feeling, where they are in the Step study process, and what they are expecting from the weekend; 2) Saturday evening after dinner and before the 8th & 9th Steps--1 full day into the process; 3) One-on-one with weekend participants and temporary sponsors.
Temporary sponsorship availability. This tool will help people to work through feelings and issues that may come up as a result of the work they are doing during the weekend. The process can be quite intense and exhausting, so the additional weekend sponsorship can be particularly helpful to those who are feeling in danger of acting out or just need to process feelings, etc.
Social activity--fun. Many of us feel tired and overwhelmed by the marathon meetings. The group activity helps with the process during the weekend. Being half way through the Step study, what better time than to relax and have a little sober fun. It helps to enhance the experience and nurture our need to take care of ourselves by lightening up a bit. SUGGESTIONS ARE WELCOME!!
Longer lunch on Saturday and more break time. The timing of the weekends lends to the wonderfulness of the area and time of year. There are great little shops in the area, Bill W.'s birthplace is nearby, and in the good weather there is a pool, tennis and basketball courts, and a roller blade "rink" out back, and a rushing river across the street out front. During the winter months there is sledding, cross-country and downhill skiing nearby. All can offer well-deserved distractions, if needed. Taking time out from the intensity of the weekend for relaxation, even a nap, can make us more refreshed and open to the miracles of the process.

If you have any questions, issues, or concerns, please or call NEI at (617) 625-7961 and leave a message for the Vermont Coordinator. We hope you will be able to join us for one of these very special weekends!

Registration Form for NEI Vermont Weekend

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