Hey Yu'all,

I am an alcoholic and a grateful member of Al-Anon, and my name is Charles. I am also blessed to be the Male Co-Chair for this year's conference.

By the time you read this, the Speaker Committee will have listened to the many varied speaker submissions, and are hard tabulating their evaluations so that they can submit the final list to General Planning. They say the wonderful women, men and trans-folk that sent in their tapes and CD shares', have a combined sobriety of more than a couple-hundred-years. WOW, that's a lot of experience, strength, and hope!!

The Program and Al-Anon Committees have also been hard at work, preparing the Workshop List. Take a look at it here. Seventeen hours of workshops will ensue over the weekend!!

The conference is less than three months away, and from our new 2008 conference space The Grand Hyatt at Union Square we kickoff on Friday morning, July 4th. Because day one is a national holiday, we will be opening the doors at 8am, and the workshops start at 9am. The scheduled of events can be accessed here.

Like the new and improved website? The Information Committee has been extra busy getting all the online technology working and what a fine job they've done!! The website has been invaluable this year, to help getting the word out!!

Did someone mention online? Registration Committee has "secure" online registration. Just maneuver through the pages, add items to your shopping cart --- maybe even stop off to check-out the new Commemoratives with pictures!! Very snazzy, huh!!??

Fundraising Committee has been quite active, getting us seed-money into our coffers, to put on a spectacular conference! They have had several incredibly successful events like our record capacity event "Spring Fling" last month. Thanks to everyone for their generosity!! Next month, we bring back our 2nd Annual Alcoholic Idol on May 10, at Mission Dolores Auditorium. [Fundraising footnote: The Women has been postponed until Fall.]

Speaking of "Spring Fling" did you see that number by the Musical Committee!!?? We're glad to have a wonderful new/original script, entitled "Sober Living" written by DJ MC2 – and Cookie is directing those dedicated musical folks, while MK choreographs. "Sober Living" looks like a lot of toe-tapping fun!! There will be two spectacular performances at Living Sober: Friday evening and Sunday afternoon!

Operations Committee is going through their binders, and making sure that everything is rolling along smoothly. They are looking forward to bringing you a fun conference in the new space.

Archives is cataloging all 33 years of Living Sober, and will have it proudly displayed, while Art Committee will be ready with their paint, glitter, rocks and God-Boxes!

I wanted to write my message this month, to help bring you up to date on our planning! The committees have been incredibly busy putting things together for a great conference year. Now is the time, for us to start gathering names of volunteers that will help with the work at the conference. If you wish to be of service, please email operations@livingsober.org.

Our conference theme, "desire to belong - be a part of." just like the founders of Western Roundup Living Sober we want to foster fellowship, unity and inclusion. Hope to see you there!!

Charles L.
Male Co-Chair,
Living Sober 2008
malecochair@livingsober.org

PS: "Take The Elevator Home" we have a block of rooms at The Grand Hyatt, with a well-negotiated rate of only $139/night (+tax). You can link directly to the reservation page here