There is wonderful news of WAAFTs spreading the word about our growth far and wide! We want to encourage this bravery and hope it inspires others to know that our voice within A.A. is a needed voice.
Palm Springs, CA
Faith R., from Palm Springs, CA, brought WAAFT to the International Women’s (A.A.) Conference (IWC) which was held in Palm Springs, Feb 5–8, 2015. At IWC, Faith got an hour in the marathon meetings and a 90-minute panel at 8 am. They were both packed! Afterwards, nearly a dozen women approached her about how to find other secular meetings. The manager of the Vancouver Central Office attended and even spoke at the IWC Agnostics meeting—she feels there is definitely a place for us in A.A.
San Diego, CA
Sandra from Oceanside, CA, informed us that there will be two WAAFT slots in the marathon meetings at the San Diego, CA Round Up. You can learn more at San Diego Spring Roundup
Southern United States Road Trip to the Atlanta International A.A. Conference
Jesse S., who is a board member of the We Agnostics, Atheists, and Freethinkers International A.A. Convention (WAAFT IAAC) is currently working on fund raising for a Southern United States road trip to visit WAAFT groups en route to the International A.A. Convention in Atlanta, GA, this July 2015. In Jesse’s words:
We are going to let the general population know that we are a real, purposeful movement within A.A.; that we are adhering to the true conventions that were set forth when it was declared that we are not a religious organization, but one accepting people of any and all beliefs, including non-belief, for any man or woman who wishes to remain sober. All the remaining money from the trip will be given to help fund WAAFT-IAAC 2016.
Jesse is hoping to fill his car with other WAAFTs and build a caravan of A.A.s to travel with him and Dorothy H. to the international convention. If you are a Southern WAAFT, Jesse and his fellow road trippers are looking for couches/floors to crash on and meetings to attend. If you are able to donate you can use this email to donate via PayPal, WAAFTs at the International .
Europe
The 21st International A.A. Convention in Greece will be held in May 2015. It will include a 90-minute workshop for agnostics and atheists in A.A. chaired by Michael B., one of the fellowship speakers at our convention in Santa Monica. More information is here: New Light.
Texas Chili, WAAFT Style
We were thrilled to hear that the Dallas, Texas We Agnostics Group (WAG) won third place in their Intergroup’s chili cook off. Fred S. describes the event in his own words:
…the Dallas AA Intergroup 2015 Chili Cook-off, where our We Agnostics Group had entered chili and cornbread. My contribution was six habanero peppers, homegrown by Lisa and me, which significantly enhanced the spiciness of our batch. We called it “Atheists and Agnostics Hellacious Chili” and one of us made a poster to set behind it. Seven of us showed up: Cheryl and her wife (not a member), Michael and his wife (not a member), Cary, and Lisa and me. It was nice to meet the spouses of people I have come to think of as friends as much as fellow A.A. members. Michael made the chili and Cheryl made the cornbread. Intergroup provided drinks, snacks (Fritos and such), and dessert. They had put a lot of thought and effort into decorating; it was really nice. We fellowshipped with people from the various groups in attendance–I think there were about nine represented and, as it turned out, our group won third place for our chili! You can see us on the Intergroup’s website, Dallas Intergroup. And they spelled it out; they didn’t even call us WAG to hide the “Agnostics” part. How delightful!
Thank you Fred S. and Lisa for introducing the WAAFT WAG chili to traditional AAs. We look forward to having some at the convention in Austin, TX!
WAAFTs at the Pacific Region Alcoholics Anonymous Service Assembly (PRAASA).
Ashley M. from Idaho gave a presentation at the annual PRAASA in Layton, UT. The presentation was about how WAAFTs are treated within the rooms of A.A. You can read Ashley M.’s presentation here: Ashley’s presentation
The Rooms of A.A. Are Expanding to Welcome WAAFTs!
We are pleased to announce the most recent growth of face-to-face meetings.
Kansas City, MO
John S. is one of the founders of the new WAAFT Central and is one of the founders of the We Agnostics meeting in Kansas, City, MO. The We Agnostics group has added two additional meetings to their registry! Thanks, John and your fellow WAAFTs, for all of your hard work. Keep coming back!
Oceanside, CA
Maureen (Mo) has made history!! Mo has founded the first ever women’s WAAFT meeting in Vista, CA, named “Free Thinking Women.” Mo is also the new GSR for the Free Thinking Women. You can find these lovely women on Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. at the Palomar Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 1600 Buena Vista Drive, Vista, CA 92081.
Mississauga, ON, Canada
Beyond Belief, Suburban West had its first meeting February 11, 2015. It’s meetings are held at Ivor Woodlands Meeting Room, South Common Community Centre, 2233 South Millway, Mississauga, 7pm, Wednesdays.
Newmarket, ON, Canada
Also starting on February 11 was the Freethinkers Group Newmarket, every Wednesday at 8pm. The address is 135 Main St. South, Newmarket, ON. Contact is Jeff M. Freethinkers of Newmarket and Grace P. is their new Treasurer! Welcome Grace to the service world of WAAFT A.A!
Cincinnati, OH
WAAFT of Greater Cincinnati Meeting Format: Closed Discussion nonsmoking Meeting Location: Oak Street Club House, 405 Oak Street, Cincinnati, Ohio Meeting Day/Time: Tuesdays 6:45-7:45 pm. (Doors open 6:30-8:00 pm). Contact person, Elle M. Elle M’s Email
Atlantic Beach, FL
Beaches Agnostics and Freethinkers
Saturday at 8:30 AM inside Gallery 725 located at: 725-5 Atlantic Beach, FL 32233
Lancaster, PA
Sarina B. who is 14 years sober has started a new meeting that meets on Friday at 5:30pm named, We Agnostics . Location: Lancaster General Hospital, 555 North Duke Street, cafeteria room 3, Lancaster, PA, 17602.
Sarina said that the reason she started the meeting was that she was, “constantly annoyed having to pray at meetings” which made her feel that she couldn’t be of service to A.A, until she got the idea to start a WAAFT meeting.
Cottonwood, AZ
Monday’s at 12pm, Freethinkers Living Sober Too, is at a different location: The Verde Valley Alano Club 1309 E Cherry Street, Cottonwood AZ.
As Reported in the Coffee Shop
The Coffee Shop is one of WAAFT.org’s secret Facebook groups along with the Women’s WAAFT group. If you are interested in the lively discussions about secular A.A. recovery, just email us at WAAFT Central and we will be happy to add you.
The secular movement has inspired many to return to the rooms of A.A. Vanessa K., who is a member of The Freethinkers’ Group in Denver wrote, “Since the convention, I went from 0 meetings a week to finding the one friendly to us in Denver and now I’m back in a meeting, thanks to you guys.” You can learn more about the Denver group at Freethinkers in AA.
Larry K. asked if any groups are using WAAFT friendly A.A. slogans. If anyone is using slogans or if anyone has ideas for slogans, let us know!
Preserving Our History
Joe C. from Toronto, ON, Canada is looking to collect recordings of past agnostic meetings at the International A.A. convention. He aspires to make mp3s of all of them. Below is a list of what he is looking for.
1995—We Agnostics Panel, Audio #80
Chaired by Jacques F. AAWS Director
Merl E., CA, Mel D., NY
2000—We Agnostics #248
Chair Bob F., NY
Gwen G., FL, Fred C., B.C., Richard B., OH
2005—We Agnostics A.A. 0S – 171
Chaired by Naomi D., NY,
Thomas M., OH, Caroline K., NY, Joe L., FL
2010—We Agnostics
Chaired by Gale P., AZ
James S., DE, Mike O., UT, Melissa D., OK
If you have any information, you can email Joe C. at Rebellion Dogs Publishing.
Happenings in the Secular Recovery World
There is a program where you can become a pen-pal with an atheist/agnostic prisoner. You can find out more about this at outreach
Sharing Our Experience, Strength and Hope (ESH) with the World
We need to share our ESH and our long-term, stable sobriety with the world, but many are fearful of public speaking. There is a dues-free organization, Toastmasters, that teaches people public speaking skills. They have a Freethinkers branch, in Hollywood, CA, Freethinkers Toastmasters Hollywood.
If you are not in the L.A. area, here is their international site, Toastmasters.
If you are more of an online learner then you can take a free, self-paced course at Learn Public Speaking .
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