Military, Veterans & First Responders

Purpose

As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, SMART Recovery USA is committed to operating all of its programs in a fair and consistent manner. This document establishes guidelines governing Military, Veterans, and First Responders (MVFR) meetings hosted under the SMART Recovery name. These guidelines define the operational relationship between MVFR meeting facilitators and SMART Recovery’s National Office, ensuring that community-driven peer support is delivered within SMART Recovery’s established safeguards and standards.

Objective

MVFR meetings are affinity group meetings that provide accessible mutual support to military personnel, veterans, and first responders in a setting that is knowledgeable about the unique challenges these communities face. SMART Recovery is committed to supporting the MVFR community while ensuring that all meetings and volunteer facilitators operate in alignment with SMART Recovery’s policies and procedures.

Meeting Access & Link Management

SMART Recovery meetings are designed to provide accessible, low-barrier entry for participants. Wherever possible, participants are encouraged to self-identify and select the meeting that best fits their needs, without requiring prior approval or contact.

SMART Recovery recognizes that the scale and visibility of online National MVFR meetings warrants additional structure to ensure participant comfort and meeting integrity. For National MVFR meetings, the National Office will assume responsibility for approving participant access and distributing meeting links upon request.

To request access to a National MVFR meeting, participants may contact the National Office at support@smartrecovery.org. Meeting listings will be updated to reflect this process.

The National Office will engage MVFR group leadership in establishing shared criteria for participant eligibility and access approval. Final determinations remain with the National Office.

SMART Recovery recognizes that eligibility criteria for MVFR affinity meetings may evolve over time — for example, to accommodate specialized meetings serving specific populations within the broader MVFR community. The National Office will communicate any changes to MVFR facilitators in a timely manner.

Facilitator Eligibility

The MVFR community plays an active and valued role in identifying and cultivating prospective volunteer facilitators from within their group. SMART Recovery encourages this as an important way of sustaining a knowledgeable and connected facilitator community.

Facilitator eligibility is determined by the National Office in alignment with the standards applied to all SMART Recovery volunteer facilitators. Prospective facilitators identified by the MVFR community are welcomed and supported through this process.

Community Connections

SMART Recovery recognizes that a strong facilitator community is foundational to the success of MVFR meetings. MVFR volunteer facilitators are encouraged to build and maintain peer connections among themselves — sharing experiences, offering mutual support, and coordinating as a team. This facilitator community is a space for SMART Recovery volunteers separate from participant-facing activities.

Within meetings, facilitators are equally encouraged to foster a sense of community among and between participants. The relational quality of MVFR meetings — the sense of being understood by people with shared experiences — is central to what makes this affinity group meaningful. Cultivating that connection is not only welcomed, it is integral to the mission.

MVFR Volunteer Support Coordinator

SMART Recovery’s Volunteer Support Committee includes a dedicated Volunteer Support Coordinator (VSC) for Military, Veterans, and First Responders. The MVFR VSC serves as the primary liaison between the MVFR facilitator community and the National Office — supporting facilitators, fostering communication, and helping ensure that MVFR meetings are well-resourced and aligned with SMART Recovery’s mission and goals.

SMART Recovery actively welcomes an experienced MVFR volunteer facilitator to step into this role. Information about the VSC program and how to apply is available through the National Office.

Community of Practice Model

To formalize the collaborative relationship between the MVFR facilitator community and the National Office, SMART Recovery will convene quarterly Community of Practice meetings. These meetings facilitated by National Office are intended to provide a structured forum for sharing information, identifying needs, and ensuring ongoing alignment between the MVFR community and SMART Recovery’s mission and goals.

MVFR facilitators are encouraged to bring questions, insights, and community feedback to these sessions. The CoP meetings represent SMART Recovery’s commitment to an ongoing and meaningful relationship with the MVFR community and its leaders.

Intellectual Property

All intellectual property associated with SMART Recovery — including but not limited to the SMART Recovery name, branding, materials, and tools — remain the exclusive property of SMART Recovery. Use of SMART Recovery’s intellectual property by group members or facilitators is permitted solely in the context of authorized SMART Recovery meeting delivery. If you have questions about whether a particular material is ok to use in SMART Recovery meetings, please reach out to consult with the National Office.

Acknowledgment

By facilitating an MVFR meeting operating under the SMART Recovery name, individuals acknowledge that they have reviewed and agree to operate within the terms of these Community of Practice Guidelines.

SMART Recovery National Office • Questions regarding these guidelines may be directed to support@smartrecovery.org.