Important update on hybrid/online events

Another hard announcement, with no easy intro.

This year’s conference has been filled with much hope and many challenges. One challenge has been how to provide an online experience. 

After many months of planning, and numerous discussions regarding the feasibility of having a hybrid conference. The consensus is we cannot provide an online conference. Our General Planning committee made up of volunteers from the community, met yesterday and made the decision to not provide a hybrid or online conference option this year.

For those that have registered for the conference via online only, you will be offered a refund or the option to attend the conference in person at the rate you paid. 

Though it sounds lame to blame the pandemic. The truth is the pandemic has wreaked havoc on in-person events. While we had great hopes for a hybrid version primarily to honor those who have only experienced the conference as an online event: we fiscally and energetically cannot afford to do both well. 

At the end of the day we have been an in person conference since 1976 and our goal was always to return to being an in person conference.

While there are lots of online options for AA and Al Anon meetings and conferences:

 As a sober person, I understand that LGBTQIA+ recovery is still sought and greatly needed both in person and online. I apologize as the 2022 Chair for Western Round Up Living Sober for not being able to make a hybrid or online only event happen. 

I’d like to thank everyone in the community who continues to support Western Round Up Living Sober via reading these updates, monthly donations, service on the general planning level and attendance at any of the meetings and gatherings that go into planning the conference. 

For those who would like to talk about the details of why,  I am available to talk, please send an email to chair@livingsober.org  please include your phone number and I will call you back.

Sincerely in service,

Dee H
Conference Chair