Events
Stepping Stones has in-person, online, and hybrid programs plus play scripts and historic presentations for your online or in person events. Join our mailing list to be the first to get announcements.
VIRTUAL: “2nd Stepping Stones Women’s History Month Celebration: Pioneering Women of 12-Step Recovery” Presentation and Q&A. Thursday, March 30, 2023, 9 to 10:15 p.m. Eastern (N.Y. Time), Free. Capacity 1,000. In English with Spanish and American Sign Language interpretation. No pre-registration.
Join us on Zoom using the information below. For assistance before or during the event, call 914-232-4822 or email office@steppingstones.org with your contact information:
Meeting Link (click it)
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87180147488?pwd=VXIxd1BWdjZCYVpPMUxWTEhmWWtpZz09
Meeting ID: 871 8014 7488
Passcode: 1941
Dial by your location
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York) +1 646 931 3860 US
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kdybIfwEif
One tap mobile
+16465588656,,87180147488#,,,,*1941# US (New York)
+16469313860,,87180147488#,,,,*1941# US
For the Zoom meeting login information, simply click on the following flyer link and read the details: SSF 2nd Womens History Month Celebration 2023 flyer
Join us for three riveting illustrated presentations and trivia followed by a brief Q&A. We’ll start with “A Year in the Life of Al-Anon Cofounder Lois Wilson: 1941 – Finding A Forever Home” by Sharon Wolff, CA, Stepping Stones Archives & Collections Manager, which looks at the year the Wilsons went from staying in in more than 50 places on the goodness of others to their beloved home (later named “Stepping Stones”). The second presentation will be “Early A.A. Women in Stepping Stones Archive” by Stepping Stones Ambassador and Online Archive Volunteer Mily T. from San Francisco. Last but not least is Zoraida R. of Los Angeles with “Mujeres Hispanas: How Spanish-speaking Women are Finding Their Place in A.A.”
VIRTUAL: CELEBRATION OF THE LIFE OF BILL BORCHERT – REMEMBERING A BELOVED FRIEND, HUMANITARIAN, & ACCLAIMED WRITER – Presentations by Friends & Video (Open Sharing will follow the formal program): Sunday, April 2, 2023, 7 to 8:15 p.m. Eastern (N.Y. Time), in English. No pre-registration. Capacity 1,000. To join us on Zoom on Sunday, use the information below.
Meeting Link
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86708073394?pwd=Y0orR2cwMjM3cUoyVGExQUIzTXdUZz09
Meeting ID: 867 0807 3394
Passcode: 1962
Dial by your location
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York) +1 646 931 3860 US
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kbVF50vBMd
One tap mobile
+16465588656,,86708073394#,,,,*1962# US (New York)
+16469313860,,86708073394#,,,,*1962# US
To attend the event online, click open and read the following flyer for login details: SSF Bill Borchert Memorial Flyer
Everyone is invited to join us in gratitude for William G. Borchert, Sr. (September 9, 1933–October 1, 2022), whose writings, presentations, and service impacted worldwide 12-Step recovery. Bill was the devoted husband of Bernadette Borchert for 65 years and loving father of their nine children. He was a close friend to Lois in her last 16 years of life, and met Bill Wilson several times. The Borcherts spent time with Lois at Stepping Stones and welcomed her to their family gatherings. Lois’ beloved tabby cat was named “Borchie” after the family.
Bill Borchert wrote several books and films including acclaimed biographic works on the Wilsons: The Lois Wilson Story: When Love is Not Enough book and screenplay and My Name is Bill: The True Story of the Founders of Alcoholics Anonymous screenplay. His creative efforts helped build a stronger worldwide awareness of alcoholism and family recovery.
For nearly half a century, Bill Borchert volunteered for Stepping Stones. His Stepping Stones Foundation Board of Trustees service from 1997 to 2006 included serving as Vice President (1999-2002) and chair of community and public relations committees. From 2007 until his passing, Bill was a Stepping Stones Advisory Council member. He supported our mission and gave one-of-a-kind items to our Archive. Bill volunteered at dozens of Annual Stepping Stones Lois’ Family Groups Picnics. He shared his A.A. recovery story (sober since April 8, 1962) during the 70th Picnic just as he had done throughout the world.
Please celebrate a life well lived in gratitude for Bill Borchert’s friendship, creativity and passion for recovery, and service to Stepping Stones’ and countless fellows.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR – HYBRID – 72nd Annual Stepping Stones Lois’ Family Groups Picnic, Saturday, June 3, 2023. Ticketing and schedule details to be posted here in late April 2023. Nominate speakers by emailing office@steppingstones.org by April 1, 2023.
ONGOING EVENTS – PROGRAMS TO BRING TO YOUR ONLINE, IN-PERSON OR HYBRID EVENT
VIRTUAL: “Home with History: An Exploration of the Home, Archive, & Lives of Bill & Lois W.”
Ongoing – Schedule it for your event or occasion! Free for Your Group/Event – Available in English & Spanish (Provide an interpreter for more languages) 10 minutes to 90 minutes (Questions & Answers Optional)
A historian from Stepping Stones highlights the story of the Wilsons using images from the National Historic Landmark home and archive in New York where the Wilsons lived from 1941 until their deaths. Use your online platform or our Zoom account to bring this event to your friends, groups, convention, round up, anniversary, area, district, etc. We can tailor the event to your needs and specifications. Email visit@steppingstones.org to arrange an event.
IN-PERSON OR VIRTUAL EVENT: Dramatic Short Play Readings for Your Events
Ongoing – Schedule it for your event or occasion!
35-Minute, 60-TO-75 Minutes, & 111-Minute Scripts Based on the Wilsons’ Letters
Available for Amateur Volunteers or Experienced Actors, Script available in English
The historical letters and recordings in the Stepping Stones Foundation Archive are the basis for three presentations that bring the true story of Bill and Lois Wilsons’ journey to life using their own words. The original 110-minute play, In Their Own Words: Bill & Lois Wilson, sparked the making of two new short plays that are now available for readings of 30 and 60 minutes in length. These do not require complicated staging, props, or costumes. They are perfect for amateur or professional use at group anniversaries, events, picnics, conferences, round-ups, retreats, young peoples’ programs, or other online or in-person gatherings. To learn more about the process and licensing fees, email Play Consultant Laurie Heffner-Lewis at steppingstonesplay@gmail.com
IN-PERSON: Stepping Stones Comes to You: An Exploration of the Home, Archive, & Lives of Bill & Lois Wilson
Ongoing – Schedule it for your next in-person conference, round-up, or event!
Contact us to arrange a presenter for your next event. A representative of Stepping Stones will present the exciting journey through the Wilsons’ lives, archive and home. This presentation can be tailored to the length needed for your event. Just let us know your preferred length, date, and time and we will work with you to make the occasion special. This live narrated and illustrated presentation highlights the legacies of Bill and Lois Wilson, respective co-founders of Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon Family Groups. Donations are welcomed; fees for travel costs may apply. For more information, please email visit@steppingstones.org
IN-PERSON: Tour the Historic Site, Home & Studio – Advance Reservation Required
Ongoing by advance reservation only for 1 p.m. Mon.-Sat. Check availability by clicking here and submitting our plan a visit form. All visits inside the home and studio are by guided tour. No tours are available on Sundays and Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s days. See our Visitor Guide for tips and more information. To inquire about same-day availability, complete the form and call 914-232-4822.
Neighborhood Notifications– See the Neighborhood Notes Section on our News page for notifications of medium and large group event reservations at Stepping Stones.