1972
Tom C. is the person that organized the first 12 Step Weekend in East Cleveland. The weekend took place at The CYO Center on Euclid Ave., on the East Side of Cleveland in the spring of 1972. Fr Jim O. served as the spiritual director of that first weekend. Although Tom was the leader of the group, several other members of Alcoholics Anonymous made up the original committee that planned the first 12 step weekend. Here are the names of the first committee members Pat S., Maggie D, Tom C., Fred N, Connie W., Frank M., Dan F. ,and Fran M., along with others. Fifty-three people attended that first weekend. Forty-five attendees and 8 committee members.
 
The first chairman was Fr. Dick S., a professor at John Carroll University and a sober member of Alcoholics Anonymous, who at the time, had 10 years of sobriety. Fr. Dick spoke on each step for about 10 minutes and then the larger group broke into 6 small discussion groups to discuss the step that had just been presented. The discussion group leaders, at that first weekend, were Tom C., Fred N, Frank M., Pat S., Maggie D., and Dan F.
 
1973
The 12-step weekend was moved to The St. Joseph Christian Life Center in Euclid, Ohio on Lake Shore Blvd., the following year. It was to remain there until 2008 when the facility was closed by The Diocese of Cleveland and eventually the facility was demolished and subsequently sold.
 
Pat S., Frank M., and Dan F. assumed the role of the trusted servants for the weekend at that time. At this point some concern arose in the AA community that the 12-step weekend was an unsanctioned event and might even do harm to AA. Two longtime members of AA, Charlie K. and Les S. came out to observe the weekend.
 
While there, the two AAs heard a man by the name of Joe C. deliver one of the steps. Joe was a professional comedian and in the words of Pat S., "He brought the house down." Charlie and Les were much impressed with the good time that the AA's were having at the 12-step weekend. They stated that they felt that it was "very good for the AAs to laugh." They reported back to The Central Committee and so, the weekend was approved and endorsed. Some of the people who made up The Central Committee at that time were Les S., Charley K., Frank M., and other AA members. Each person would represent a specific group. As the number of groups increased dramatically, the number of people on The Central Committee became too many. It was then that it became a part of The Central Office.
 
1973 to Present Day
The mixed weekend has continued since 1972. Frank M., Paul K., Phyllis C., along with many other AAs provided the direction for the mixed weekend throughout the 70's and into the 80's. Various other AA's have become trusted servants of the weekend since that time. In 2008, the weekends moved to Beulah Beach in Vermillion, Ohio. It was decided by The Diocese of Cleveland that the upkeep of the HVAC, plumbing, roof, and the structural viability of St. Joseph's, would prove to be prohibitive. Pat S. and others oversaw moving the mixed weekend to Beulah Beach in Vermillion. Larry M. and others oversaw the move of the men's weekend to that same facility at the same time.
 
July 1985
Bill F. suggested to Tom C. that a men's 12 step weekend could be started. Guided by Bill and Tom's sponsor, Marty R., Bill's idea began to take shape. Bill had launched numerous treatment facilities and programs here in The Northeastern Ohio AA community, so, Bill was able to provide guidance in the development of the men's weekend. Bill said to Tom, "The process of getting sober is an emotional process. Maybe it is better for men and women to be separate when going through such a process."
 
Tom C. then approached Fr. Wally Hyclak and Fr. Donald Snyder, who were the rectors of the St. Joseph Christian Life Center. The two priests were very supportive of the idea. The mixed weekend was filling up most of the time and so the people involved with the mixed weekend felt there existed a real need for an additional weekend.
 
The first 12 step weekend committee was formed. The committee was made up of Jim F., John L., and Tom C. It was decided that one member of the committee would drop off every year and a new member would take his place. Each member of the committee would serve for no more than 3 years. The biggest job of that first committee was to fill up the weekend, since one of the committee members had guaranteed the entire cost of the weekend. The committee was not sure how the idea of a men's weekend would be accepted. The fact that the men would need to pay a fee to attend was somewhat novel. The three men went to many meetings throughout the area presenting the men's 12 step weekend. It was widely accepted, and the first men's weekend took place January 24-26, 1986. The weekend had approximately 80 men in attendance, a few men beyond the required number of participants. The men's weekend became so popular that "filling up," the weekend soon became of little concern. The committee continues to assure payment for each weekend, but the popularity of the weekend, along with the building up of some reserve funds, has made it possible for anyone, regardless of their financial situation, to take on this responsibility without the concern of needing to personally assume any unforeseen costs.
 
The first men's weekend employed the same schedule that was used in 1973 and is still being used today. The weekend began to expand to other cities. Bill C. moved from Cleveland to Indianapolis and along with several other men from the Indianapolis AA community, started the exact same Men's 12 Step Weekend there in 1989. Jerry F. had moved from Cleveland to Indianapolis and subsequently to Pittsburgh. Jerry along with other men in the program started the same men's weekend there in 1999. Joe B. along with other men of the program in Orlando, Florida established the weekend in Orlando, Florida in 2022. Currently there exists an interest in beginning weekends in other cities. The fact that the men, planning a weekend in their city' could attend one of the existing weekends and be able to experience how the weekend worked, was most helpful in the planning.
 
The weekend had some difficulties as it grew. Some creative thinkers came up with the idea of having poker games for cash in the rooms. That practice was quickly and firmly abolished. Where and when the men could smoke has been an issue from the weekend's inception.
 
Today, the weekends continue to grow and help thousands of alcoholics. It is so rewarding to attend a meeting and hear an AA share his story saying, "My program was not doing well, and then I attended the Men's 12 step weekend..."
 
These weekends have provided an excellent opportunity to have AA's come together to learn and practice the 12 Steps. Many of the men take this opportunity to take the 5th step while at the weekend, with another member, who possibly had taken his 5th step in years prior at the weekend. Most of the participants in the weekend return home with a renewed attitude for their program.
 
Many of the men attend these weekends on scholarships. This practice has been in place continuously since the committee members, for that first weekend in 1972, came up with it. It has been and continues to be a vital part of the weekend. One of the most rewarding things to see happen, is when a man who originally was able to attend on a scholarship, funds a scholarship for another man in later years.