Updated: July 1, 2020

UPDATE: Please see Reopening our Meetings for your groups to consider and Managing Online Meetings On Zoom for minimum settings to protect anonymity, as well as other considerations for keeping your meeting safe.

Note: During this Coronavirus outbreak the news changes rapidly. See below for information on meetings and information on events and other activity. We will continually be updating this post as we get new relevant information. If you become aware of any closure or change, please notify us immediately by email at support@sussexaa.org.

If you are new to A.A. or think you have a problem with alcohol please contact us now by phone 302-856-6452 or send us email. We are available 24/7 should you need to make contact with another sober member of Alcoholics Anonymous outside of a meeting.

Public Health State of Emergency

On March 13, 2020, Governor Carney declared a State of Emergency. Since then, he has issued 23 modifications. Governor Carney reminds Delawareans to be respectful of others. Wear a face covering. Maintain 6 feet of distance from anyone not in your immediate household. That’s the least we can all do to keep each other safe, and protect our progress against COVID-19. See Delaware’s response to COVID-19 for up to date information.

In lieu of physical meetings, our membership quickly established remote (online) meetings. Many events have also moved online. At this time, we do not know which, if any, physical meetings are still taking place. Please see the links below for meeting suspensions, and remote meeting listings. We are updating our website as quickly as possible and request your patience as we do so.

If you become aware of any closure or change, please notify us immediately by email at support@sussexaa.org.

Events and Other Information

Please check our events page for any updates to scheduled meetings. If you become aware of any closure or change, please notify us immediately by email.

• Coming Soon — 2020 International Convention A Virtual Experience. Throughout the month of July, the 2020 International Convention will come alive online to provide a new experience that includes A.A. speakers; a digital “Carrying the Message Pavilion”; sharing from nonalcoholic friends of A.A. and special guests linked to our history; a presentation of the 40 millionth Big Book; a new Archives video on the history of A.A.; an AA Grapevine video created for the Convention, and more. For more information, please see this letter from AAWS.
• Southern Delaware Intergroup will hold its monthly meeting, next scheduled for July 2, online via Zoom. Intergroup Reps and Intergroup Committee Chairs: Please send an email to us so we can send you direct information about the July 2 meeting. Thank you.
• District 2 will hold its July 1 meeting online. You can view the event information here. For more information, please email dcm2@delawareaa.org.
• Complimentary Access to the A.A. Grapevine — To help members during this time, they are giving everyone free access to all of the 2020 Grapevine and La Viña issues. This also includes the audio stories so people can listen to the stories if they like.

Meetings

• Local Online Meetings — Go here for a list of local meetings that have temporarily moved online, or have been newly created.
• Local Outdoor Meetings — Go here for a list of local meetings that are meeting outside, weather permitting.
• Setting up your own online meeting? — NY Intergroup has an excellent how-to resource. If you do decide to start one, please let us know by email if you want it listed, and please include the meeting links, or copy and paste the invitation.
• Using Zoom? — Please see Managing Online Meetings On Zoom for minimum Zoom settings to protect anonymity, as well as other considerations for keeping your meeting safe from disruptive participants.
• Looking for other online meetings? — Try Online Intergroup of Alcoholics Anonymous, New York Intergroup online meetings, or Washington DC meetings.
• Local Suspended Meetings — Go here for a list of local meetings that have temporarily been suspended.

As we mentioned in this post, each group is autonomous, so it is up to each group how to address creating on-line meetings and other safeguards. However, as individual A.A. members, we are responsible for our own recovery — that responsibility extends to maintaining our own health, regardless of what our groups and meetings decide to do.

Most importantly, if you have a desire to drink, reach out for help to friends in the fellowship. You can also email us or call us at 302-856-6452. We are available 24/7 should you need to make contact with another sober member of Alcoholics Anonymous outside of a meeting.

Here are some other ideas and resources that you or your group might use to stay connected. (This is not an endorsement of any of these services, but a list of suggestions.)

• Have a phone tree ready for your group.
• Attend an online A.A. meeting.
• Set up conference calls at the day and time of your regular meeting. Here are several free technologies such as Free Conference Call, Zoom and Facetime for iOS.

For more accurate information about the coronavirus and the latest updates, see:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• Delaware Department of Health and Social Services.

Here’s wishing everyone good health and continued sobriety.