For facilitators

Facilitator resources

A central place for SMART Recovery facilitators in Canada to find guidance, tools, and support. We know facilitators give their time and bring diverse experience, and these resources are here to support you, not to add complexity. This page will keep growing as we complete our move to Canadian-led operations.

Meetings

Set up and manage your meeting

SMART Recovery Canada uses Pathminder to manage meeting listings, support facilitators, and provide attendance verification for online meetings. Everything you need to register, host, and update your meeting is here. For help, email volunteer@smartrecovery-canada.ca.

Register a new meeting

Both public and private meetings need to be registered. Use the form to add a new SMART Recovery meeting.

Starting a SMART meeting: checklist

A step-by-step checklist covering what to put in place before your first meeting, from registration through to your opening night.

View the checklist

Set up your account to host

Hosting happens through a Pathcheck login. No Zoom account is needed, and every facilitator who might start the meeting needs their own account.

Go to pathcheck.com and select Sign Up.
Choose Pathcheck Essentials and use the private facilitator email we have on file.
Verify your email, then sign in.
Set your host screen name so it does not default to "Meeting Host."

Already use Pathcheck with a different email? Create a new account with the facilitator email we have on file, and sign in to that account when you start your meeting.

Start and host your meeting

You can open your meeting up to 15 minutes before the scheduled start. Only assigned facilitators can open it.

Open your meeting's SMARTfinder listing.
In the facilitators box, select Manage your meeting.
Select Start Now to open the room in Pathcheck.

The first facilitator to open the room becomes the Host and can grant Co-host to others once they join. Co-facilitators must be registered with SMART Recovery Canada, assigned to the meeting, and signed in to their own Pathcheck account.

Update or change your meeting

You can update the day, start time, duration, schedule, attendance verification, and cancelled dates yourself. Changes take effect once you verify them.

Find your meeting on SMARTfinder and open it.
In the Facilitator section, select Manage your meeting.
Make your changes and submit.
Check your email and select the confirmation link. No change applies until you confirm.

To add or remove a facilitator, permanently cancel a meeting, or place one on hiatus, email volunteer@smartrecovery-canada.ca with your meeting ID.

Tools and guidance

Meeting tools

Openings, tools, and guides to use before, during, and after your meeting.

Open your meeting

4-Point Program® Meeting OpeningA suggested opening script that introduces the 4-Point Program and orients participants to the SMART approach.View PDF

Family & Friends Meeting OpeningA meeting opening designed for Family & Friends meetings, reflecting the needs of people supporting a loved one.View PDF

Support participants

SMART tools and worksheets

The SMART toolkit and worksheets support the work facilitators do in meetings and between them. Browse and download them from our tools page.

Open SMART tools

Mental health and suicide: best practices

Our Canadian guide for facilitators when mental health or suicide comes up in a meeting. It covers your role, boundaries, safety, and where to point people for qualified support. Reviewed by a registered psychologist.

Read the guide

Crisis situations in meetings. Facilitators do not provide crisis intervention or emergency services. When safety concerns arise, guide participants to appropriate help. See our crisis support resources.

Print and share

Print-ready templates you can produce locally for meetings, community events, and referral partners. Printing locally keeps costs down and gets materials into people's hands faster.

4-Point Program brochureAn introduction to SMART Recovery and the 4-Point Program, for people considering their first meeting.Download the template

Family & Friends brochureAn introduction to Family & Friends meetings, for people supporting someone with an addictive or other concerning behaviour.Download the template

French versions of the brochures are in development.

Expectations and support

Policies and guidelines

What we ask of facilitators and volunteers, and how we support you in return.

Meeting GuidelinesShared guidelines for respectful, inclusive, SMART-centred meetings, with help setting expectations and responding to common situations.View PDF

Volunteer Code of ConductExpectations for all SMART Recovery Canada volunteers, including facilitators, on respectful representation, boundaries, and alignment with SMART values.View PDF

Volunteer Support PolicyHow we support volunteers navigating personal or health challenges, with a focus on compassion, confidentiality, and continuity of service.View PDF

Privacy. Facilitator contact information is managed in line with our Privacy Policy, including information stored in third-party systems such as Pathminder. Please review our Privacy Policy for full details.

Admin

Forms and donations

Attendance verification

Use this form to verify a participant's attendance at a meeting when Pathcheck is not used. It can be completed on request for participants who need documentation for personal, legal, or professional purposes.

Download the form

Submit group donations

Group donations can be made through CanadaHelps, or by e-transfer to donations@smartrecovery-canada.ca. Please include your meeting name in the notes.

Donate through CanadaHelps