The Recovery Bill of Rights
is a statement of the principle that all Americans have a right to recover from addiction to alcohol and other drugs. Learn more…
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Association of Recovery Community Organizations?
The Association of Recovery Community Organizations at Faces & Voices of Recovery (ARCO) is a new initiative that brings established and new and emerging groups together to build the unified voice of the organized recovery community by leveraging the profile and unifying force of Faces & Voices for member organizations.
What role do Recovery Community Organizations play in the recovery movement?
There are over 200 established recovery community organizations in the US. They help bridge the gap between professional treatment and building healthy and successful lives in long-term recovery. Recovery community organizations increase the visibility and influence of the recovery community and engage in one or more of three core activities: public education about the reality of recovery, advocacy on behalf of the recovery community, and peer recovery support services.
How will ARCO better enable RCOs to achieve their purposes?
ARCO will unite and support this growing network of local, regional, and statewide recovery community organizations – linking recovery community organizations and their leaders with local and national allies, and provide training and technical assistance to members.
What benefits do members receive?
Members receive a number of benefits:
- Organizational capacity building and sustainability strategies
- Participation in ARCO’s Executive Directors Leadership Academy
- Technical assistance opportunities
- Increased organizational visibility
- Use of the ARCO and Faces & Voices names and logos
From October 21-23, 2011, ARCO held the first annual Executive Directors Leadership Academy at the Detroit Recovery Project in Detroit, Michigan. Future annual meetings will be open to executive directors of member organizations only (or their board chairs if they have no executive director), providing participants with top-level non-profit recovery leadership support and training.
What organizations may join?
Faces & Voices invites all groups to join – emerging or established – that are led and governed by the recovery community, engage in public education, advocacy, and/or provide peer recovery services. Organizations joining in 2011-2012 will receive Charter Member status.
Local, regional and state organizations led and governed by the recovery community (people in recovery, their families, friends, and allies) that focus on the following core purposes:
- Public education – putting a face and a voice on recovery
- Advocacy
- Peer recovery support services
All member organizations must be independently accountable to the recovery communities they serve. Faces & Voices staff, along with the Faces & Voices Executive Committee, will make membership decisions on a case-by-case basis.
Does my organization need to join ARCO if it’s already a member of Faces & Voices?
Yes – membership in the Association of Recovery Community Organizations is separate from Faces & Voices membership. However, if your organization is already contributing to Faces & Voices, you can designate some of your contribution to go towards ARCO membership dues.
How much does ARCO membership cost?
Membership dues are on a sliding scale based on an organization’s annual budget:
- $50,000 to $149,000 annual budget: $300 per year
- $150,000 to $499,000 annual budget: $500 per year
- $500,000 and above annual budget: $1,000 per year
- Under $50,000 annual budget: No dues
How can my organization apply for membership?
For further information and to join, contact Eric McDaniel at emcdaniel@facesandvoicesofrecovery.org or 202.737.0690, or download an application here.