27^th Annual

Freedom In Sobriety 2008

Everything you ever wanted to know about Freedom in Sobriety but were afraid to ask

Freedom in Sobriety, or FIS, as it is often referred to by the fellowship, is currently a three-day conference held the last full weekend of July.  This year, 2008, marks our 27^th year. 

The whole thing was started in 1982 by a bunch of Pierce County AAs who wanted a local conference in their own back yard and it’s been quite an adventure.   This was initially conceived as a once-a-year, one-day get together, and of course Al-Anon was asked to participate, which they did with their own workshops and a Hospitality Room.  In 1984 the conference committee organized this as a twice-yearly event, holding meetings in January and September.  In 1987, two members of the committee, Denny H.  and Ron A. had a vision of a three-day conference.  With extensive research by these two, and with the approval of the FIS committee, the project was launched and quieted the ‘Fear of the Future.’  FIS was a roaring success in this three-day format.  That year, it was held at the Executive Inn Hotel in lovely downtown Fife, Washington. 

In 1990, the International Convention was held right next-door in Seattle the first weekend in July.  Almost 50,000 AA members attended from all corners of the world.  The FIS committee was concerned about the effect this would have on the attendance at our conference, but we were pleasantly surprised when some of the Australian AAs attending the International actually stayed over for a few weeks so that they could attend FIS.  

The success of the conference has continued over the years.  The 26^th annual conference was held in 2007 at the LaQuinta Inn in Tacoma, where we will be holding forth again this year. 

For 2008, we have done what we can to kick it up a notch.  We’ve tried to set the tone by adopting the theme of ‘IT WORKS – IT REALLY DOES.’  We know this has been done to death, but please indulge us.  The format has changed to add more fabulous speakers. There will be AA, Al-Anon and Alateen workshops and speakers.  There is a terrific live band (a dead band didn’t seem too appealing) for the big Saturday Night Dance.  Plus a Friday night warm-up DJ dance.