Grundbog Offentlig Information User Guide
- June 2, 2024
- Grundbog
Table of Contents
- Grundbog Offentlig Information User Guide
- Public Information and the individual NA member
- Public Information and the Hospitals and Institutions Committee
- Start-up of a Public Information committee
- Read More About This Manual & Download PDF:
- References
- Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
- Download This Manual (PDF format)
Grundbog Offentlig Information User Guide
Public Information and the individual NA member
Each and every member of NA has a role in the work of bringing the message to
the addict who is still suffering. Much of the goodwill that exists between
NA and society is based on our relationship as
NA members. We can improve these conditions for our community by being aware
of treating others politely and respectfully.
This is of particular importance when we represent the community in relation
to professionals or members of other organisations, who could pass on their
good, or bad, impression of us to others.
We must present a positive image of NA so that these people feel reassured to
refer addicts seeking recovery to our meetings. When we participate in a
public information campaign, we take responsibility for our behavior.
If we are rude, swear, or show a lack of respect for facilities or other
organizations, we cast doubt on the effectiveness of our recovery program.
We are also considered members of Narcotics Anonymous if we wear an NA T-shirt
on the street, stand outside a meeting, or attend
NA conventions or service conferences. As a community, we have no control over
the behavior of the individual member, but that does not prevent us from
sharing our concern about our face on the outside with other members.
We can make them aware that a bad impression of Narcotics Anonymous can easily
prevent the message of recovery from reaching the addict who is still
suffering.
Public Information and the NA group Members of NA groups can and often will
carry out basic OI work in both bringing the message to addicts as well as the
public.
The groups’ OI efforts are usually limited to disseminating news, printing and
distributing meeting lists, and informing addicts about meeting times.
The groups should always be aware not to make statements or make commitments
that exceed their capabilities.
It is important that there are sufficient resources to meet enquiries. Our
spiritual foundations can be seriously damaged by members acting alone or
independently of the group and community
We never participate in lectures, presentations and interviews alone.
As the number of meetings and groups increases, an area service committee
(OSK) will be set up to meet the need for additional service.
These service committees are created so as not to divert the groups from their
main purpose. The groups
Public Information and the Hospitals and Institutions Committee
Understanding the purpose and need for collaboration is an important part of
NA service. We may know our own area of responsibility, but how much do we
know about the way other committees work?
It is of great importance to understand the connection between the H&I
committee and the OI committee.
The purpose of the H&I committee is to bring the message to addicts in
hospitals or institutions who do not have the opportunity to participate
regularly in NA meetings.
The H&I committee will assemble a team of NA members, a panel, who will seek
out such institutions to introduce the basic elements of NA’s program to the
addicts housed there.
The fundamental difference between these two committees is that H&I primarily
addresses addicts, whereas the OI committee primarily addresses non-addicts.
To illustrate the difference between the two committees’ areas of
responsibility and to clarify the cooperation, the following example is given:
If a hospital contacts the local community with a request for a presentation
of the program for the employed doctors and nurses, it will be the OI
committee’s task to make a presentation.
However, the H&I committee should be informed about the meeting and invited to
participate. A member of the H&I committee will have the greatest knowledge of
the local H&I work and will be able to answer questions regarding the
possibility of being visited by a panel at the hospital. If, on the other
hand, a presentation of the program to the hospital’s patients had been
desired, the responsibility would rest with the H&I committee.
The OI committee must then be notified if this contact could give rise to a
presentation to the hospital’s staff.
Start-up of a Public Information committee
A public information subcommittee is an important part of most area service
committees.
. If there is an area service committee in the local area, you can, together
with other interested NA members, go to one of the committee’s meetings and
express your desire to serve or start an OI committee.
After this, all public information work should take place with support and
guidance from OSK. If an area service committee does not exist, schedule a
meeting with local NA members who are interested in OI work, with the goal of
establishing an OI committee.
You will probably start by defining the committee’s purpose, functions and
responsibilities, then decide how the committee will serve the area’s NA
members.
An OI committee must basically take care of the following: Production,
updating and distribution of meeting lists.
Respond to requests for information. Establish a stable mailing address. On
request, provide assistance to the H&I committee and handle other public
information projects in the area or region.