Secular Ontario Alcoholics Anonymous Roundup (SOAAR) 2025

By Michel D.
Chair, 2025

This year’s Secular Ontario Alcoholics Anonymous Roundup (SOAAR) in Ottawa was the fourth biennial event in a series that began in Toronto, followed by Hamilton and Kingston. The event was held on September 27 at the Lord Elgin Hotel, drawing AA members from across Ontario, Quebec and the USA for a day of panels, speakers, and community building under the theme “Breaking Barriers”.

The series began in Toronto in 2017, specifically designed for agnostics, atheists, freethinkers, and secular members within Alcoholics Anonymous. It then moved to Hamilton (2019) and Kingston (2023), before being held in Ottawa for its fourth edition. The event did not take place in 2021 due to the pandemic.

The event included speakers, engaging panels, and opportunities for networking among attendees who share an interest in a secular approach to recovery. Participants were encouraged to talk about their experiences and insights focusing on inclusivity and breaking down barriers within the AA community.

The roundup’s goal was twofold: to provide secular AA members a chance to connect in person and to inform traditional AA members on what secularism in AA looks like. In this regard, it was very successful, it attracted no less than 125 attendees, twice the number of members who attend the three weekly secular groups in Ottawa. The “Breaking Barriers” theme for 2025 highlighted the need to undo stigmas and open up recovery spaces to those of all belief or non-belief backgrounds, making the program particularly welcoming to those who may feel marginalized in traditional AA groups.

Stacy C., Vice-chair and MC, launched the day’s activities by introducing the first keynote speaker Joe C., who traced the evolution of special composition groups in AA and their vital role in widening the doors of AA to all members. It was followed by a panel led by Michel D., with Past Delegate (panel 73) for Area 83 James O’D. and Doris Mc., who described why secular groups do not break any of the AA traditions. The next session featured Ottawa AA members Nick D. and Susan M. who shared their journeys within secular AA.

The afternoon focused on defining what “secular” means in AA, with moderator Oliver S. and panelists Margarita A. (a member of the Board of Directors of International Conference of Secular AA (ICSAA) and Andy M. who emphasised the importance of secular meetings in their recovery. Rick B. then provided hands-on guidance for approaching AA’s first three steps from a non-theistic angle, making recovery accessible to all beliefs. Keynote speaker Beth H closed the event with a presentation on self-nurturing and reframing AA for those who struggle with self-esteem, offering practical advice for meeting personal needs and promoting growth, regardless of childhood experiences. Her presentation was largely based on her book We’re Not All Egomaniacs: Adapting the Twelve Steps for Alcoholics with Low Self-Esteem.

The Ottawa Organizing Committee is particularly grateful to all of the participants in this year’s program, especially those who came from far and wide to support our event: James O’D. (Newfoundland), Joe C. (Toronto), as well as Margarita A. and Beth H. (both from Phoenix). Our thanks go out to all those who attended our roundup from different parts of the province, Quebec and the USA. You helped make it the success that it was. Finally, I would be remiss if I forgot to mention the tremendous amount of work that the Organizing Committee accomplished in the year leading up to SOAAR 2025 – heartful thanks to Andy M., Chris K., Christine G., Doris Mc., Eric S., Jason M., Kim B., Nick D., Oliver S., Rick B., and Stacy C. What is more, most of the committee members have agreed to continue their work promoting secularism in AA in and around Ottawa as a working committee that will meet quarterly starting next month. They also agreed that our city will submit a bid to host the ICSAA in 2028. Our proposal will be presented at the International Conference of Secular AA in Phoenix in the fall of 2026.

SOAAR 2025 in Ottawa marked another successful chapter in Ontario’s history of secular AA gatherings, serving as an open forum that underscores the diversity and unity of the recovery community within AA. We are encouraged by the growth of secularism in AA and are very much looking forward to the next SOAAR in 2027.

Michel D.’s journey in Alcoholic Anonymous began on 16 January 1986, he has been sober ever since. His quest for a Higher Power has evolved over time. Praying to an imaginary God sitting in the sky was never an option for him nor was the “Fake it until you make it” mantra often heard around the rooms. After celebrating his 30th sober anniversary in 2016, Michel could no longer reconcile the idea of saying to the newcomer that AA was a spiritual program while his group closed every meeting with the Lord’s prayer. Hence, he started the Secular Sobriety Group that year and Beyond Belief Secular Group in 2019. Michel has renewed enthusiasm for the program that saved his life and has found his tribe in secular AA. There are now three secular meetings taking place in Ottawa every week.

For a PDF of this article, click here: SOAAR 2025.