Where: Main Ballroom

New to CSCYPAA? Curious what this Electric Atmosphere is all about? 

Join us for Lighting Up Connecticut, an illuminating introduction to the Connecticut State Convention of Young People in AA. Learn about our purpose, history, and spirit of service — and discover how you can get involved in keeping this current of recovery flowing year after year.

Whether it’s your first convention or your fortieth, this workshop will spark your connection to the people, principles, and passion that make CSCYPAA shine.

Marriott A/B

Early in recovery, many newcomers believe that giving up alcohol means giving up fun, social life, laughter, and joy. AA’s message isn’t about stopping drinking; it’s about starting to live fully and that life can be rich with humor, warmth and community.

Where: Mystic F

Welcome and settle in for a relaxed session as our speaker shares their insight as to how they actively participate in Al-Anon either from reading the welcome to participating in conventions, come learn how they have given back to the Program and how many different ways you can be of service in Al-Anon.

Where: Main Ballroom

AA & Al-Anon Main Speakers!

Where: Conference Room 5

Where: Main Ballroom

The Twelve Concepts provide the spiritual and structural framework for how AA operates at the service level- from the home group to the General Service Conference. This workshop will offer an introduction to AA’s structure, principles of leadership, trusted servant roles, group conscience and how decisions are made throughout the fellowship.

Where: Marriott C

This meeting is welcoming and an inclusive space for individuals across the gender and sexuality spectrum who are seeking recovery from alcoholism. Rooted in the principles of AA, this meeting offers a unique environment where members can share openly-without fear of judgement or misunderstanding-about both their journey with alcoholism and the complexities of identity.

Where: Mystic D

This meeting focuses on the unique challenges men may face in sobriety, offering fellowship and encouragement through honest discussion and mutual support.

Where: Mystic E

We recognize that women in recovery often face unique challenges- emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. This meeting provides a space to address those experiences with compassion, understanding and sisterhood.

Where: Mystic F

Enjoy a cozy morning meeting as our speakers share how Al-Anon has shaped their perspective on life. Learn which program tools helped them pulse through their journey and find strength, balance, and growth within the rooms.

Where: Main Ballroom

Bilingual meeting with spanish speaker and english translation – this is a general open meeting to those – how did you overcome the chaos, how did you find your new light.

Where: Marriott C

The AA Grapevine — often called “our meeting in print” — has been carrying the message since 1944, connecting members across the world through stories of recovery, spiritual growth, and service. Each issue reflects the heartbeat of our Fellowship, sharing voices from newcomers to old-timers and everyone in between.

Join the Area 11 Grapevine Committee for this interactive writing workshop and learn how to contribute your own experience to this living current of connection and hope.

Plug in, write from the heart, and help keep the message flowing.

Where: Mystic D

AA’s history is more than just old books and papers- it’s the living story of how one alcoholic shared with another and how a fellowship grew from desperate beginnings into a worldwide solution for recovery. This is an invitation to explore the rich history of AA, learn how our message has been carried through the decades and discover the vital role that archives play in preserving our shared legacy.

Where: Mystic E

How do we make space for all alcoholics? Respect for the dignity of others is the foundation for all our efforts to carry the message to alcoholics with diverse needs, with emphasis on identification rather than on how we are different. Please join us if you want to learn, share and take action to make AA more inclusive, so all alcoholics can access the AA message. This workshop explores the challenges that apply to all alcoholics who have difficulties participating in Alcoholics Anonymous, whether those are mental, physical, geographic, cultural, or other factors that vary among alcoholics.

Where: Mystic F

Have you ever been interested in learning more about what Al-Anon is? Maybe there’s some lingering questions, maybe your life has been affected by the disease of alcohol and you’re looking for another safe place? Come check out Al-Anon, it has saved many of our lives. Come see what light it sparks in your life.

Where: Main Ballroom

Sex, love, relationships and intimacy are important- and often difficult-areas of life for many of us in recovery. For alcoholics, these topics can be complicated by past trauma, shame, fear, or patterns of unhealthy dependency.

This AA workshop is a space for honest, respectful, and spiritual discussion about how we navigate relationships and sexuality while staying sober-emotionally, physically and spiritually.

Where: Marriott C

Offering a space where members share a common background, life experience, or area of focus, in alcoholism to a shared desire to stop drinking. While grounded in the traditions and principles of AA, this group provides a more tailored environment where members can explore recovery through the lens of their unique experiences.

Where: Mystic D

One of the most harmful misconceptions about alcoholism and recovery is the idea that you have to “hit rock bottom” to be ready for AA. Some people think they need to lose their job, destroy their relationships, get arrested, or end up homeless before they “qualify”. But in reality, AA isn’t about how far you fall- it’s about where alcohol is taking you.

Where: Mystic E

In AA, we learn that sobriety is more than just putting down the drink- it’s about building a new way of life. Emotional sobriety is the deeper work of recovery: learning to live with ourselves and others in peace, without needing alcohol-or other unhealthy behaviors-to escape, control, or numb our feelings.

Where: Mystic F

Alateen is a 12-step program for preteens and teens to have a safe space to come and talk about how the disease affects them and how they can better their future. However in order for Alateen to be active we need group sponsors (adults), come and learn how you can be an Alateen sponsor or an AMIAS? What’s “AY-mee-us”?

Where: Main Ballroom

Grief touches every one of us in sobriety- whether through the death of a loved one, the end of a relationship, loss of health, or any major life transition. For alcoholics, loss can be especially difficult. Many of us drank to escape pain and without alcohol, were left to face life and death, on life’s terms.

Where: Marriott C

Often seen as a turning point in the recovery process. After admitting we were powerless over alcohol and making a decision to turn our will and our lives over to a Higher Power, Step Four invites us to begin the deep inner work of self-examination.

Where: Mystic D

Sponsorship is one of the most vital tools we have in AA. It’s how we pass on the message of recovery- one alcoholic helping another. Whether you’re a newcomer looking to sponsor, someone considering sponsoring others, or a longtime member wanting to refresh your understanding, this sponsorship workshop is for you.

Where: Mystic E

Step Eleven invites us to deepen our spiritual practice by seeking a closer, more conscious connection with a power greater than ourselves. But for many of us, prayer and meditation were unfamiliar- or even uncomfortable, when we first came into AA. This eleven step workshop offers an open and supportive space for AA members to explore what it means to see conscious contact, and how we can bring spiritual practices into our daily lives in ways that are personal, practical and meaningful.

Where: Mystic F

Hola, ¿cómo estás? Sometimes we have struggles when we live, know, or are
surrounded by those affected by the disease of alcoholism. Come to this bilingual meeting to learn how others too are affected by this family disease and the chaos it can bring, and hear how others have learned to find a new light in their life through the Steps and Traditions of Al-Anon.

Where: Main Ballroom

Alcoholism affects far more than just the person who drinks-it impacts families, friends, partners and children. Al-Anon and Alateen offer strength and hope for anyone who has been affected by someone else’s drinking. Here we’ll learn about both programs, personal stories and explore how spiritual principles can transform the way we live – whether the alcoholic is still drinking or not.
(Spanish Translation and Hybrid Available)

Where: Marriott C

Is AA a cult? It’s not a silly question. In fact, it’s an understandable one. From the outside, AA can seem mysterious, even unsettling. Meetings are held in church basements. People introduce themselves by first name and declare they’re alcoholics. There’s talk of a “high power”, references to “The Big Book”, slogans on the walls and members who seem unusually close. This is where we’ll explain why it isn’t.

Where: Mystic D

The Twelve Traditions of AA are the spiritual principles that guide how AA groups function and how we relate to one another as members. While the Twelve Steps help us recover as individuals, the Twelve Traditions help our fellowship stay united, humble, and effective in carrying the message to the still-suffering alcoholic. 

This traditions workshop is an opportunity for AA members- newcomers and longtimers alike- to explore these vital principles in a practical, accessible way. We’ll look at how the Traditions apply not just to our groups, but also to our lives, our relationships and our service.

Where: Mystic E

An opportunity to hear the early days of CSCYPAA to what is forty years later! Whether this is your first CSCYPAA or fortieth we thank you all for being there for the next sick and suffering alcoholic. 

Where: Main Ballroom

Spirituality is at the heart of recovery in AA- but for many of us, it’s also one of the most personal and misunderstood aspects of the program. This Spirituality workshop offers a welcoming space to explore what spirituality means in AA- whether you’re new to the idea, rethinking your beliefs, or deepening a long-held practice. You do not need to believe in any particular concept of god to participate.

Where: Marriott C

In AA, service is one of the three legacies that keep us sober, alongside unity and recovery. But even service can become overwhelming when we forget to maintain spiritual balance, humility, and selfcare. This workshop on avoiding getting burnout is designed for anyone in service. Whether you’re a coffee maker to a DCM. This is a chance to reflect, recharge, and reconnect with the spiritual purpose behind what we do.

Where: Mystic D

Simply put, being dry means we’ve stopped drinking, but we haven’t started changing. We’ve put the bottle down, but we’re still restless, irritable, discontent and often, untreated spiritually.

Where: Main Ballroom

AA & Al-Anon Main Speakers!

Where: Mystic F

In Al-Anon the main focus is for you to get better and how you will work your own strong program to heal and make it through the challenges that have been presented. Come to a peaceful candlelit meeting to hear about how our speakers have used programs to grow and heal.

Where: Conference Room 5

Where: Main Ballroom

AA & Al-Anon Main Speakers!

Where: Main Ballroom

As our Electric Atmosphere weekend comes to a close, join us for Passing the Current — a time to reflect, recharge, and look ahead. Together, we’ll share insights from this year’s convention, celebrate what sparked connection and growth, and discuss ways to make next year even brighter.

This session also includes the election of our next CSCYPAA Chair — continuing the flow of service, unity, and enthusiasm that keeps our fellowship alive and energized.

Come be part of the current that carries CSCYPAA forward! All are welcome!