CameToBelieve.org Page 1

Mike AccavalloImelda ArgentDebbie Baranska*Dale Barker*Stephanie BarkerJohn P. Barr, JrJanice Bowditch*Regina Braithwaite*Robin Bright*Terri BrunsGlenda CharitosSharon ChristensenDee Cunniffe*Sean CurranCharlie DarlingJudy DarlingSteve DonneLinda Douglas*Paul and Eileen DoyleMichael Elliott*Steve Foreman*Sue Foreman*Darlyn Fried*Lyle Fried*Jim GanderupKevin & Patty Hall*Alice HeckertMary W HigginsSean Higgins*Ron Howe*Suzanne Howe*Jim & Julie HowesDavid HughesJohn HunterSarahJean Kolstad*Tim Kolstad*Alex and Carly LambCourtney Leisey*Dawne LevenskieMike Levenskie*Gordon LoweCharles McCullough*Forrest McCulloughShelby McCullough*Stephanie

McCullough*Cecilie Kolstad

Metcalf*

John Metcalf*Gene Morfitt*Carol Morfitt-Welch*Malcolm MycockThomas Page*Pete Petersen*Taren PriceBJ Rapp*Jack Rapp*Rosie RhodesGary RidgwayMillie RidgwayPam RiegerJohn Rivers*Sara Rivers*Diane RobinsonLiz Rogers*Noel ScullyApril Shaffner*Ned Shaffner*Becky SheppersonNathan Smith*Kim Spencer*Debbie StyleAlberta SwansonJim & Sandy TellmanJohn TowersRuthann Van Vark*Bill & Darla VanstryRick Voirol*Cathy WalkerVicki WeichertBob Werner*Tom WilliamsMandy YoungJohn & Carol Zamrok

PLEASE keep these names to yourself. We honor anonymity at the level of press while recognizing our need to find & know each other within our community.

CTB Matters FYIThe Path set by Summit 2015 needs more mapping!

“We don’t need to reinvent the wheel - just get it spinning a little better,” says Jim Tellman, Chautauqua Retreat leader. CTB Retreat Leaders came together last February to share insights and experiences at the first-ever CTB Leaders’ Event (Summit’15). We heard leaders share their experiences and other leaders respond with, “Wow, that’s a great idea.” That’s it in a nutshell.

Dee Cunniffe explained, “We’re making a conduit -- ideas come in and go out -- come in and go out...” We’re

collecting and sharing ideas to make retreats easier to lead and the most effective possible in carrying the message of recovery through the 12 Steps of AA.

In the months following this first visioning and brainstorming session, some retreats tried these successful techniques and ideas - little tweaks in some retreats and great leaps in others. In all cases we continue to discuss and test what will reach more people - save more lives!

Now what?

MEETING TAKES TO THE WEB FOR ECONOMIES:After surveying key people and hearing their needs and limitations, it became clear that we should use the web to finish up some tasks assigned at last year’s Summit before we gather again. We will connect and work as a group, collaboratively, using internet technology. While the face to face experience is most desired, we need to also conserve leaders’ resources to

assure that we get the best turnout when it’s time. In so many words: Finish the work on the table now, expand our list of willing and interested leaders, give plenty of notice, save up, and put our energy toward a focused and useful event in the near future. We continue to explore economic ways to meet and find a good date and place. We seek your input on this.

Current Stakeholders (Participants in Summit’15, Retreat Leaders, Advisors

and others on the mailing list):We’ll add (or remove) at your recommendation.

CAME TO BELIEVE RECOVERY, INC. JANUARY 18, 2016

Continued page 2

* Participants in Summit’15

CameToBelieve.org Page 2

. TIME LINE OF “CAME TO BELIEVE” GROWTH

1967 ~ 1981 1984 ~ 1992 ~~~~ new retreats added to reach over 25 by 2014 ~~~ 2015 Jan 2016

RECOVERED FROM ADDICTION THROUGH A LIFE-CHANGING 12 STEP EXPERIENCE

First the good news:1. A not-for-profit corporation, Came To

Believe Recovery, Inc. (CTBR) was formed in June by the careful work of B.J. Rapp. Our IRS tax exempt status was granted in November, so donors can receive tax deductions. This gives opportunity to raise funds for development and expansion of services as well as for scholarship donations to retreats. We are working on the “How” to do this for each separate retreat and will have a position published on this topic in the near future;

2. Our organizing CTBR Board of Directors was created to take advantage of the skills and talents of several individuals and to apply for a not-for-profit corporation. It consists of Nathan Smith, Jack and BJ Rapp, Steve and Sue Foreman, Dee Cunniffe (UK); Kim Spencer and John Metcalf -- all seasoned retreat veterans and administrative leaders. Other leaders head up Task Forces for specific projects;

3. Our website revamped: Check out the audios, videos, 12 Step Legacy Guide, YouTube links, CTB Retreat locations and dates, hand-out materials…all will be accessed from the website, and new material added monthly;

4. A “One Day Step Experience” is in formation for those who are willing to teach our 12 Step experience in one day’s time - using the AA Legacy Guide. This is extremely useful for those who are unable to attend or afford the full retreat weekend experience. We will be putting together a Leader’s Training Module to assist those willing to host these events;

5. For a follow-up system for those who attend the CTB retreats we are designing a community where we can turn for continued growth in our recovered state;

Much is still on the table and updates will be coming out soon. Your input is crucial to the success of these initiatives.

Please read closely our Vision and Mission Statements that many of you were a part of writing. Our purpose is to be “Of Maximum Service” so the Clarence Snyder retreat message can be offered in dozens of new locations.

Together our jobs get easier. We can provide resources of value to each other as well as help others start retreats in new areas. It is a community effort, and when you are called upon to join or participate in any way, please joyfully be a part of this opportunity to “Carry The Message.”

Webinar Jan’16: Testing our distance communication capacity via the Web - from Johnson City, TN - London, England - Mahtomedi, MN - Winter Park, FL - Tangerine, FL - Atlanta, GA - Casselberry, FL.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED COMMITMENT AS WE NAVIGATE THIS ROAD TOGETHER Your organizing board of directors: $Dee Cunniffe, Steve Foreman, Sue Foreman, John Metcalf, BJ Rapp,

Jack Rapp, Nathan Smith, and Kim Spencer

Brainstorming and Visioning Weekend, (Summit’15) Feb 5 - 7, in Winter Park and Leesburg, FL

Outcome of Summit’15: Strategies to insure continuation and growth. Increase connections, collect and share best practices for and from leaders.

Clarence Snyder dies hours after passing leadership of Leesburg Retreat to Steve and Sue Foreman

Clarence Snyder and Annette Nelson start first retreat in Florida

Paul Doyle starts 1st UK retreat at Buckfast Abbey. From US: Liz Rogers, Sue and Steve and Annette Nelson. Annette was Saturday Keynote speaker

Summit2015 Launches the network notion: Leesburg FL - a weekend of imagining and setting goals.

Carol and Dale Morfitt start Retreat #2 in Amery, WI

Retreat Leaders support each other through loose network of ‘cross pollination.’ ‘You speak at my retreat and I’ll speak at yours.’ Older retreats send ambassadors and sometimes downpayment monies to startup leaders, etc.

Numbers get too big for loose network. Conversations about ‘getting together’ to find new collaboration and growth strategies.

Incorporation of CTBR by State of Florida

IRS tax exemption letter granted

Explored timing and content for another Summit.

CTBR Board & Meeting Implementation Team meet together to assess status

Outcome: Take time to complete objectives of Summit’15, survey members, schedule next Summit based on results

CTB Website revamped