Retreat Safety Statement

Winter Awakening is an annual retreat for the purpose of bringing together LGBTQIA+ members of the greater recovery community, as well as friends in recovery, to support one another on our respective recovery journeys while exploring and deepening our spirituality.  To that end, our primary purpose, as reflected in Tradition Five of our various 12-Step programs,  is "...to carry the message to the [alcoholic/addict] who still suffers."  With that aim in mind, it is this group’s conscience that if any person in attendance endangers another individual, or in any way disrupts the group’s collective effort to carry the message, the group may ask said attendee to leave the retreat.  While Winter Awakening strives to safeguard the anonymity of its participants, we hold firm in our awareness that anonymity is not a cloak for unsafe and/or illegal behavior.  In an effort to ensure our retreat is a safe space for everyone taking part, we wish to make the following points clear to all in attendance: 1. Winter Awakening has a zero-tolerance policy for alcohol or drug use at the retreat; and 2. Predatory behaviors and/or unwanted sexual advances are strictly prohibited at the retreat.  Such behaviors are in conflict with this group's primary purpose, and will not be tolerated.  If safety concerns arise, we urge you to speak with a member of the Winter Awakening committee to have the issue promptly addressed.

 

Tradition One of our 12-Step programs states, “Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon A.A. unity.”  Recognizing the importance of group unity, we strive to create a safe environment in which we can focus on carrying the message of recovery, and humbly ask all of you to do your part in making that a reality.  All that said: We are not a glum lot!   So have fun!  Make new friends.  Be spontaneous.  Be silly. Be yourselves.  And please do so mindfully and responsibly.  Most of all, be patient, tolerant, kind and loving to one another, remembering that we hold each other's lives in our hands.  We thank you sincerely for doing your part in affording us all a safe space for learning and growing together in recovery.