Annual Weekend Conference

The 2024 WFS Conference will be an in-person event at DeSales University in Pennsylvania.

More details to come!!

Last Chance to Get Your 2023 Conference Merchandise!

Interested in Presenting?

Stay tuned for information about how you can become a conference presenter in 2024.

Call for Presentations is released each year around October and application period closes on February 1.

What Gets Good Reviews from 4C Women:

• WFS-oriented – Clearly and easily linked to recovery, one or more of the Acceptance Statements, a Level of Recovery, etc.
• Engaging – presenter is able to keep group engaged, read the room, adapt content/presentation style if necessary, includes relevant self-disclosure
• Interactivity – ice-breakers, energizers, large- or small-group activities or discussions, written or tactile/creative exercises, etc.
• Fun activities and appropriate use of humor
• Connection/Discussion – presenter connects with participants, participants have a chance to connect to each other, participants have a chance to contribute knowledge
• Handouts – to reduce need for note-taking, to give something to refer back to later
• Homework – concrete or specific skills and tasks that participants can practice at home
• Knowledge and Preparation – presenter conveys high level of knowledge about the topic, acknowledges limitations of personal knowledge when appropriate, is well-organized and prepared
• Transferable – easy to share the information with peers that aren’t able to attend (especially desirable for our WFS meeting facilitators)

Common Critiques (What to Avoid):

• Triggers – follow WFS meeting guidelines of avoiding specific names/brands of alcohol, graphic details of alcohol and other drug use, or extensive use histories
• Negativity or confrontational techniques
• Not enough content – too much time spent on sharing and not enough on helpful content, lack of specific strategies/skills/educational content to apply to personal recovery
• Too much content – facilitator spending too much time on educational content to detriment of participation/engagement by attendees, putting too many things on the agenda so things feel rushed or like something important got left out
• Religious content – unless openly stated in title and description, avoid religious content (general spiritual content okay); do not assume that participants share similar belief systems; many women choose WFS specifically due to personal histories of religious trauma or non-theistic beliefs so please be particularly careful about this
• Facilitator answering her own questions– allow pauses for thought, time for participants to reflect and collect their thoughts
• Lack of interactivity/physical activity, especially after meals
• No clear connection to recovery, New Life Program, etc.
• Reading off handouts/slides

Ideas for Presentations:

• Workshops which focus on a particular Acceptance Statement or Level of Recovery, etc.
• Relapse Prevention – we always try to have at least one of these
• Early Sobriety – especially the first year; we always try to have at least one of these
• Long-term sobriety – issues in later sobriety, maintaining enthusiasm/motivation
• Affirming/Defining Self, Self-Imaging, Self-Acceptance, etc.
• Health And Wellness topics – nutrition, exercise, information about alternative healing techniques, etc.
• Physical effects of alcohol/drugs/addiction; physical recovery; PAWS (Post-Acute Withdrawal); smoking cessation
• Arts therapy or simple art/craft projects – exploring new sober hobbies, or projects that can be linked to the Statements/Levels/Program, writing/journaling
• Meditation – especially for very beginners or those with very active minds, morning meditation, quick/minute meditations to use throughout the day
• History of WFS, information about Jean Kirkpatrick
• How to spread the word about WFS
• Exercise/Movement – Zumba, hula-hooping, dancing, self-defense, etc.
• Natural Highs, “How to Party Sober,” finding joy in recovery
• Communication – Non-Violent Communication, conflict resolution, assertiveness
• Boundaries – managing interpersonal relationships, staying sober with a drinking partner or family member
• Emotion-specific topics – grief/loss, gratitude, overcoming guilt, depression, forgiveness
• Group skills – for facilitators and/or participants
• Spirituality – exploring/identifying personal spiritual/emotional development (Statement 8)
• Self-care/Taking time for self/Priorities
• Panel presentations – spirituality, different lengths of sobriety, etc.
• Outdoor sessions or activities
• Sex in Recovery