IP #15, PI and the NA Member

IP #15, PI and the NA Member
A description of NA’s public relations program and the individual member’s role

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PI and the NA Member

Carrying the NA message has been an important part of many of our members’ recovery and has helped some of us to discover and develop our abilities. The NA message of recovery can reach a great many people with your support. Participating in the PI committee gives you a chance to make a positive difference in the lives of others.

What is public information?

The role of the PI committee is to ensure that clear and accurate information about NA is available to the public. The demand for information about our fellowship is greater than ever. Being part of a committee that brings suffering addicts to our fellowship is a reward that cannot be expressed, only experienced.

What is the NA member’s responsibility?

We need to accept responsibility for our behavior in public when we identify ourselves as NA members. This is a form of public information. Each one of us may be seen as a representative of NA to those not familiar with our program. The way in which we maintain the facilities we use for our meetings and functions also affects how the public views NA as a whole. Another form of public information service occurs when requests are made for information or presentations about Narcotics Anonymous. When a request is made, a PI committee member should be contacted. If a committee member is unavailable, the request should be relayed to a group service representative (GSR) or area chairperson. We handle requests in this manner because each request deserves immediate and appropriate attention. When you are approached with a request, remember that this is not a personal one, but a request for Narcotics Anonymous as a whole.

What is the importance of anonymity?

This is a “we” program, and in public information the concept that “I can’t, we can” is vital. Our spiritual foundation of anonymity can be seriously damaged by members acting independently. We do not give our last names nor appear in the media as members of Narcotics Anonymous. As part of our spiritual program of recovery, we avoid self-promotion in favor of a more humble style of service. In our experience, members who become “media stars” in relationship to their membership in NA run the risk of placing the spiritual foundation of their recovery in jeopardy as well as giving the public an inaccurate perspective of recovery in NA.

How do members get involved?

Every member has a place in the public information committee. PI does value and need your input, suggestions, feedback, and participation. We openly invite you to come to a PI committee meeting. Like most service committees, PI always needs willing hands and minds.

How does the work get done?

Groups often come together to form an area service committee (ASC). Public information services are provided by a subcommittee of the ASC. The PI committee receives requests for information from many different sources, such as individuals, agencies and the media. Some of the ways we provide information to the public include:

  1. Responding to requests for speakers from churches, civic organizations, schools, or the media.
  2. Developing and distributing posters, fliers, and other public service announcements to inform the public of how to reach us.
  3. Learning days and workshops.
  4. Mailing meeting directories, informational letters, and pamphlets to people who may come in contact with addicts.
  5. Cooperate with a hospitals and institutions committee in overlapping projects.
  6. Where separate phoneline or office committees do not exist, a PI committee may be responsible for operating a phoneline.

To get involved in any of these activities, talk to a GSR or someone from your local PI committee. We can’t keep what we have unless we give it away. Public information committee service allows us to do just that.

Copyright © 1991 by

Narcotics Anonymous World Services, Inc. 

All rights reserved 

 

World Service Office

PO Box 9999

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T +1/818.773.9999

F +1/818.700.0700

Website: www.na.org

 

World Service Office–CANADA

Mississauga, Ontario

 

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TEL +32/2/646-6012

 

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www.wsoiran.org

 

NA Fellowship Approved

This is NA Fellowship-approved literature.

Narcotics Anonymous, NA Fellowship Approved and The NA Way
are registered trademarks of
Narcotics Anonymous World Services, Incorporated.

ISBN 978-155776-131-6      English      3/07

WSO Catalog Item No. 3115 

Narcotics Anonymous World Services (“NAWS”) provides literature, service materials, bulletins and various other tools for NA members, NA groups, and NA service committees as resources in their NA service delivery efforts. Our production and distribution of these materials is not intended to imply that NAWS is in a position of authority over any of those who use these materials. NAWS does not have any centralized control over any NA members, NA groups, or other NA service committees.

All service materials produced by NAWS are offered as a reference resource, and their application is at the sole discretion of the user. They should not be considered directives or mandates from NAWS, and may be adapted or applied as the user sees fit. Additionally, NAWS takes no responsibility in any issues of liability that may result from the application of these materials.