Don’t miss out! We still have early registration
available at the reduced rate!
Register today for your spot at our conference!
Don’t miss early registration!
Author: Kristina Krump
WFS Conference Registration is now OPEN!
The 2023 WFS Conference, EnJOY! The Journey, will be a virtual event that you can enjoy from the comfort of your home!
The weekend will offer keynote speakers, twelve workshops, informal activities, and WFS meetings from Friday evening to Sunday afternoon.
All women seeking or in recovery from substance use disorders are encouraged to attend the conference, and all expressions of female identity are welcome.
This year’s conference fee is $150 which includes everything listed above. Your registration also includes access to recordings of most sessions for two weeks. You will be able to view the sessions you missed that are recorded.
The first 100 registrants can use the coupon code ‘ENJOY’ for an additional $20 off the fee.
Visit the conference website for more details.
WFS Conference Registration is now OPEN!
The 2023 WFS Conference will be a virtual event that you can enjoy from the comfort of your home! The weekend will offer keynote speakers, workshops, informal activities, and WFS meetings from Friday evening to mid-day Sunday. All women seeking or in recovery from substance use disorders are encouraged to attend the conference, and all expressions of female identity are welcome.
This year’s conference fee is $150 which includes three keynote speakers, twelve workshops, WFS meetings, and informal activities. Registration includes access to recordings of most sessions for two weeks. The first 100 registrants can use the coupon code ‘ENJOY’ for an additional $20 off the fee. In honor of the 100th birthday of Dr. Jean Kirkpatrick, all those who register on Thursday, March 2 get an additional $13 off automatically.
New Meeting – Chicago, IL (Thursdays)
WFS is proud to announce the start of a new virtual meeting!
Chicago, IL
Thursdays at 10:00 am
Start Date: 2/2/2022
Please email [email protected] with questions and to obtain the Zoom link.
Please join us in extending our gratitude to this Certified Facility Urban Trauma Healing Society NFP who has made the commitment to bring a meeting to their community!
If you are feeling inspired to bring WFS to your local community, please review the requirements for becoming a Certified Facilitator at https://womenforsobriety.org and apply here.
New Meeting – Hastings, MN (Mondays)
WFS is proud to announce the start of a new in-person meeting!
Hastings, MN
Mondays at 6:30 pm
Start Date: 2/6/2022
Please email [email protected] with questions and to obtain the exact location of the meeting.
Please join us in extending our gratitude to this Certified Facility Rise Up Recovery who has made the commitment to bring a meeting to the community!
If you are feeling inspired to bring WFS to your local community, please review the requirements for becoming a Certified Facilitator at https://womenforsobriety.org and apply here.
Women for Sobriety, Inc. selects new Executive Director
Release date: Immediate
Contact: Women for Sobriety, Inc, [email protected]
With significant consideration given to the skills, experiences and expertise needed to successfully guide Women for Sobriety in its next phase of growth, the Board of Directors has selected Dr. Michelle Shaivitz to serve as the new Executive Director. Michelle’s former position as Vice President of the United Way, and twenty year history of nonprofit leadership, make her an exceptional individual for the role of Executive Director.
She holds an Ed.D. in Educational and Organizational Leadership from Wilmington University, and in 2022 won the Distinguished Alumni Award. This coveted award is bestowed to those who lead with
compassion and positively impact their fields. Michelle has also worked with those in recovery for many years raising funds and awareness for non-profit organizations. She is an active member of her sober community for over a decade and is passionate about helping others recover.
Michelle lives in Maryland, is a wife, mother of two remarkable young ladies, grammy to one, and a dog mom of two senior rescue pups. She is a lover of all animals, good food, great coffee, traveling, and all things recovery!
We are confident that under her leadership, the organization’s success and impact in achieving its mission and vision will continue to flourish.
Please join us in welcoming Michelle as Executive Director by making a donation and showing
your support for Women for Sobriety’s new leadership!
Call for Presentations: WFS Virtual Conference 2023
EnJOY! the Journey
WFS Virtual Conference
June 9-11, 2023
Call for Workshop Proposals
Do you have a particular interest or expertise that you can share with the WFS
community during our 2023 Annual Conference?
WFS is seeking workshop presenters for our exciting virtual event. The conference
theme of “EnJOY! The Journey” opens up a very wide range of potential workshop
topics related to recovery and emotional and spiritual growth.
Please consider giving back to WFS by designing and presenting a workshop. We have
so many talented and knowledgeable women in our community that the possibilities are
endless for topic and content.
If you are interested in submitting a proposal please email:
[email protected] for more information.
Proposals are due February 1, 2023.
Monday Thoughts 1.9.23
“The grass is always greener where you water it.”
Unknown
“Happiness is a journey, not a destination.”
Buddha
“We can’t fully appreciate a picturesque sunset if we’re wishing it would never rain again. We can’t fully enjoy a moment of true connection if we’re wishing we’d never feel alone again. We can’t fully savor a relaxing day if we’re wishing we’d never be busy again. The key to happiness is to focus less on making moments last and more on making moments count.”
Lori Deschene
#3 Happiness is a habit I am developing.
Happiness is created, not waited for.
Unaware of how to process feelings and emotions, happiness was something I was constantly chasing before sobriety and recovery. Jumping from one expectation of happiness to another left me feeling constantly letdown. I would envision a fairy tale outlook of an event, person, or situation. When reality hit, feelings of disappointment were overwhelming. Turning to alcohol for relief, easily took me away from happiness and contentment. It was exactly the opposite and life soon felt unfair, but it wasn’t.
Sobriety and Statement #3 in action offer a different and fulfilling path toward happiness. In our WFS Program booklet our founder, Jean Kirkpatrick, Ph.D. writes “For many years, I was convinced that some people were just naturally happy and others were not. And most of the time, I was not happy. I was too deep into feeling sorry for myself, waiting for the time when everything in my life would miraculously change, and then instant happiness would follow.” Jean learned that her happiness needed to come from within. Through her actions, Statement #3 came to life and so did her happiness.
The WFS Statements offer a new way of thinking, and Statement #3 in action can cement contentment and joy. Identifying my emotions and adjusting expectations were just a couple of ways to practice this Statement, and since we live in an ever-changing world, I remain open to learning and discovering the depths of joy. Sometimes feelings of happiness can ebb and flow, while at other times can feel more consistent. This week, acknowledge your joys and plan for future happiness. What can you do today to enlist contentment tomorrow?
Hugzzz
Karen
Hi 4C Women,
A new way of thinking is the key to practicing the WFS program. Each Statement is a guide to reflecting on our thoughts, behavior, and responses and creating awareness. Statement #3 in particular gave me such insight into how I viewed happiness. I neglected to acknowledge happy moments as though they never happened. Jean was wise in having Statement #2 (Negative thoughts) proceed Statement #3 (developing happiness). Once I understood how my negative thinking was hurting me, I began to realize that my thinking someone, anyone, everyone was responsible for my happiness, was not only a burden and hurtful to them, it was so unrealistic to think I had no role in creating it for myself.
At first, I thought this Statement meant I was to be happy all of the time which is just as unrealistic as expecting only others to make me happy. I understood as Jean expressed many times, that it is the awareness of those joyful, peaceful, contented moments that matter. I’ve previously shared that I focused too much on the painful past, not acknowledging there were joyful memories as well. Now I can reflect on the joyful past while learning how to create those happy, positive moments in the present. I also realize that people can add to my joy. I truly acknowledge and appreciate that. A burden has been lifted in knowing that I don’t have to drink to create false happiness. This Statement has given me authentic joy and beautiful moments to reflect on.
One of the things I love about the WFS program is not having to pretend. I will never forget when I was having a difficult day and someone told me to “smile” as that was what I always did. I hid my true feelings. It was as though my feelings were invalid and that led to going home and silencing my hurt. How wonderful that I can experience and express happiness along with the times I feel differently. Most importantly, I find that I am confident that my feelings will be handled with loving compassion from myself and other 4C sisters. What a gift. Now that makes me feel happy!
When was the last time you experienced authentic happiness, joy, or contentment?
In your self-care plans for 2023, have you included planning fun adventures and also being open to spontaneous ones?
Name 3 people that add to your happiness
Name 3 places that make you happy
Name 5 things that bring you joy, a smile to your face
Bonded in creating happiness and being aware of those treasured moments, Dee
Interested in volunteering with WFS? There are many ways to put your talents to use! Email [email protected]
#GivingTuesday
On the Tuesday following Thanksgiving, November 29th, you’ll have the chance to:
*join people around the world in giving
*support a cause close to your heart
*help WFS bestow the gift of a New Life to women across the United States and around the world.
In the upcoming year, we have a lot planned to help even more women connect with the WFS community and unlock their New Life!
Accepting #GivingTuesday donation NOW!
First WFS Conference Planning Session – SUNDAY!
The first conference team meeting will be held on Sunday, November 20th at 7:00 PM Eastern.
Sunday night we will decide on a chairwoman and leaders for the different workgroups along with which workgroup you want to help on. Please feel free to share the contact information with others: conference@womenforsobriety.
We can’t wait to see you all and start planning. This will be an awesome year I can tell just by the volunteers that have said YES.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/
Passcode: 189482
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/
Passcode: 189482
Please note- WFS requires attendance at a volunteer orientation within 3 months of joining a team.
The next one is December 6th at 8:30 pm Eastern: https://womenforsobriety.app.neoncrm.com/event.jsp?event=125&