REVISED SEPTEMBER, 2006
In keeping with the spiritual
nature of Narcotics Anonymous, our structure should always be one of service, never of government. (12th Concept
for NA Service)
PURPOSE OF THE PUBLIC RELATIONS SERVICE COMMITTEE This section defines our purpose—the reason we exist. Our purpose is based on
NA’s 5th tradition, “Each group has but one primary purpose—to carry the message to the addict
who still suffers,” and the 12th step,
“ we tried to carry the message to the addict who still suffers”. Everything we do in NA Service must be motivated
by the desire to successfully carry the message of recovery— that an addict, any addict can stop using drugs, lose the
desire to use, and find a new way to live. The Northwest Washington Area Public Relation’s Committee is the working
body for our combined group service efforts, and it is directly accountable to the ASC and the groups it represents in its
actions, “The final responsibility and authority for NA Services rests with the NA Groups.” (2nd Concept) 1.1 Our public relations committee’s purpose is to effectively communicate and demonstrate
Narcotics Anonymous ability to help addicts stop using drugs, lose the desire to use, and find a new way to live. The committee
will accomplish this by coordinating the services we provide to maximize our ability to fulfill our primary purpose.
1.2 The name of this committee shall be the Elkhorn Valley Area Public Relations
Committee of Narcotics Anonymous, hereafter referred to as the PRC.
1.3 The PRC is a standing sub-committee of the Elkhorn Valley Area Service Committee.
1.4 The PRC shall perform all functions historically performed by the Hospitals and Institutions Committee,
Public Information Committee, and Phoneline Committee. It will utilize local, region, and world approved service handbooks
and materials that are written for those committees, including EVANA H&I guidelines. What has been
previously set forth in the H&I guidelines will remain in effect.
1.5 The PRC shall
comply in all its actions with the following documents in order of priority as listed below:
1. The Twelve Traditions, Concepts, and Steps of Narcotics Anonymous
2. The current guidelines of the Area Service Committee
3.
The current guidelines of the PRC
4. A Guide to Local Services
in NA, and NAWS approved service handbooks
PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMITTEE MEETINGS & MEMBERSHIPThe PRC meeting is a resource for groups and NA members interested in combining and coordinating efforts to reach
the addict who still suffers, and improve NA’s reputation as a viable program of recovery in our community. It is also
an opportunity for any committee member to receive information on public relations related issues they would like guidance
on, and for our committee members to report on the effectiveness as well as any needs they have to continue and improve the
services we currently provide. The PRC establishes a time and place to meet that accommodates the needs of the groups and
current or prospective committee members. 2.1 Business meetings shall be
held at least once monthly, at a time and place designated by the membership. No business meeting shall last for more than
one and one half hours, except when a decision to extend this time limit is made by the members present.
2.2 Any Narcotics Anonymous member or interested person may attend the PRC meeting.
2.3 Any Narcotics Anonymous member will become a committee member by attending at least one PR orientation
(normally held a half hour prior to every PRC meeting) in the previous two years and informing the Recording Secretary they
desire to be a committee member
DECISION MAKINGAs a spiritual
body, we try to reach all decisions by consensus; we believe that a loving God’s will is expressed through our group
conscience (2nd Tradition). In the event we cannot reach consensus, we utilize a simplified version of Roberts
Rules of Orders as printed in A Guide to Local Services in NA to reach our decision. One of the reasons we try
to achieve consensus is it insures that we follow our 9th Concept, “All elements of our service structure
have the responsibility to carefully consider all viewpoints in their decision-making process.” By carefully discussing
and respectfully listening to all points of view we try to make sure this happens at the PRC. The reason all committee members
are allowed to vote is the 7th concept, which states, “All members of a service body bear substantial responsibility
for that body’s decisions and should be allowed to fully participate in its decision-making processes.” 3.1 All PRC motions and decisions except elections will first be considered using consensus-based
decision-making. For the PRC’s purposes, the process for consensus-based decision-making allows for points of view to
be heard and fairly considered within the PRC. If at the end of discussion the PRC has not reached agreement, those dissenting
from the majority will be given the opportunity to state the reason for their dissent if they choose. If their rationale does
not persuade the majority to change their view, the dissenting member(s) may be asked if they can support the majority view,
even though they themselves do not agree with it. In matters were the dissenters cannot assent to the majority, a decision
will be reached using these guidelines and the short form of Roberts Rules of Order from A Guide to Local Services in NA.
3.2 Any member, except for the Chair, is eligible to vote at business meetings.
3.3 Any member can make or second a motion.
3.4 Any member
may propose an amendment to these guidelines, however all PRC guideline changes are made by the Area Service Committee.
3.5 All committee members have one vote regardless of number of positions held.
ELECTIONSIn our election process we use the 4th concept, “Effective leadership
is highly valued in Narcotics Anonymous. Leadership qualities should be carefully considered when selecting trusted servants.”
We trust that our committee’s group conscience will select the coordinators and officers best suited to fulfill the
responsibilities of the positions. 4.1 Elections of all Officers and
Resource Coordinators other than Chairperson and Panel Coordinators shall be held annually in ?? The Chairperson is elected
by the ASC however the committee is encouraged to submit a recommendation for Chairperson to the ASC for their consideration.
4.2 Elections of all Panel Coordinators shall be held annually in June.
4.3 All terms of service are one year. In the event a member cannot complete his or her term of service,
the Chairperson shall appoint someone to fill the vacancy until the next regularly scheduled election. Terms begin at the
end of the meeting where the election was held.
4.4 The officers of the PRC are
the Chairpersons, Vice-Chairperson and Recording Secretary. They shall perform their duties as described in these guidelines
and in other approved service handbooks.
4.5 Panel Leaders: They
shall perform their duties as described in these guidelines and in other approved service handbooks.
4.6 No member of the committee can serve in more than one elected officer position simultaneously.
4.7 Any member or officer of the committee can serve as panel leader regardless of other positions
held.
4.8 During elections of PRC trusted servants the nominees shall leave
the room following all discussion and prior to voting.
4.9 All committee members have
one vote in elections for any position regardless of number of positions a committee member holds.
4.10 Elections will be decided by a simply majority. In the case of more than two candidates for a position
where no candidate receives a majority vote, the two candidates receiving the most votes will have a second election between
only those two candidates.
4.11 A PRC trusted servant may be removed from their
office for non-compliance only after the person has been notified by either letter or phone call from the PRC Chairperson
or designee stating that concerns about their fulfillment of service responsibilities have been raised. If a member who is
the subject of a motion to be removed from office is present, and can address the concerns of their fulfillment of their service
responsibilities raised by the maker of the motion, a letter or phone call will not be required. Non-compliance includes but
is not limited to:
a. Loss of abstinence from drugs
b. Failing to perform the duties of the position
c.
Three consecutively missed PRC meetings
PUBLIC RELATIONS PLANIn order to insure the best use of our limited resources, it is essential to use good planning in our public relations
efforts. All proposed projects will be submitted to the committee using the public relations plan submission form contained
in these guidelines. Using this form allows the committee to thoroughly analyze and prioritize each proposed project. The
plan submission form helps insure all our communications and interactions are professional, consistent and mutually beneficial. 5.1 All proposed PRC action plans will be submitted on the plan submission form included in
these guidelines.
5.2 Each plan will be reviewed and either approved, approved when
resources are available, referred to ASC with a recommendation to approve, or rejected by the PRC committee. In the event
the plan potentially significantly affects the groups and/or area as a whole, the plan will be referred to the ASC with recommendation
for approval.
5.3 All plan submission forms will be kept by the recording secretary.
SPECIAL RULESFrom time to time the PRC will make special rules to assist in carrying out its projects.
Those that are permanent are recorded in this section of the guidelines. 6.1 Ex-residents of a correctional/treatment institution or members who may have restrictions on what kind of facilities,
schools, or any other kind of professional services they may attend must notify the committee and receive approval from both
the committee and outside organization of facility prior to participation in any PRC events which could be affected by their
restrictions.
6.2 Only NA approved literature will by used in PRC projects,
meetings, presentations, etc.
6.3 Public Relations orientation will normally
be held thirty minutes prior to the regularly scheduled monthly PR Committee meeting. The orientation will follow the format
listed in Appendix B of these guidelines. At any regular PR Committee meeting the committee may choose to schedule a future
Public Relations orientation at a place and time convenient for those attending. At least two qualified PR trusted servants
(the orientation facilitator (PR Chair or appointee) and one of the following trusted servants: PR Vice-Chair, H&I Coordinator,
PI Coordinator, Phoneline Coordinator) presence is required to hold a PR orientation.
TRUSTED SERVANTS“For our group purpose there is but one
ultimate authority—a loving God as he may express Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants;
they do not govern.” (2nd tradition). Being of service to the fellowship of Narcotics Anonymous is recognized
as a valuable tool for the addict seeking recovery. This section lists many of the basic responsibilities for those members
who serve as a PRC trusted servant. Our groups have shown their trust in these individuals by, “delegating to the service
structure the authority necessary to fulfill the responsibilities assigned to it.” (3rd Concept). Once we
select them, we trust our trusted servants. 7.1 Chairpersons
a. Coordinates all public relations efforts.
b. Presides at all regular, and special subcommittee meetings.
c. Makes regular
reports to ASC on the status of all proposed, current or completed plans.
d. Represents PRC at the regular meeting of the ASC.
e. Attend the quarterly
regional all subcommittee meeting.
f. If elected officer or coordinator position is vacant, insures the duties of that position
are fulfilled.
g. Clean time requirement of two years.
h. Familiarity with all public relations related NAWS approved handbooks. (Includes Public
Relations Handbook when approved, H&I Handbook, PI Handbook, and Phoneline Handbook).
i. Facilitate or appoint someone to
facilitate PR Committee Orientations.
j. Previous PRC or other relevant service experience.
k. EVANA voted to have 2 chair
positions: PI and H&I former chairs. Each will be responsible for giving reports
at the PRC. Only one report is needed for the ASC meeting. (Referred to below as the H&I Coordinator
and PI Coordinator)
7.2 Vice Chairperson
a. In absence of the chairpersons assumes all those responsibilities normally
carried out by the chairperson until the ASC has an election for that position.
b. Works closely with the chairperson.
c. Attends the regular
meetings of the PRC and ASC.
d. Works with panel leaders to assure that volunteers are placed as panel members.
e. Attend the quarterly regional
all subcommittee meeting.
f. In absence of an elected officer, chairperson or coordinator assists Chairperson in insuring the duties
of that position are fulfilled.
g. Clean time requirement of eighteen months.
h. Familiarity with all public relations related NAWS approved
handbooks. (Includes Public Relations Handbook when approved, H&I Handbook, PI Handbook, and Phoneline Handbook).
i. Can assist with
PR Committee Orientations.
j. Previous PRC or other relevant service experience.
7.3 Secretary
a. Keeps a complete record in the form of minutes of every PRC meeting.
b. Maintain records of attendance at PRC
meeting.
c.
Sends letters or makes calls to committee members about PRC business.
d. Prepares written committee correspondence.
e. Maintains files of all PRC plans,
minutes and correspondence.
f. Clean time requirement of one year.
g. Maintains record of name and contact information for committee members
and oriented members.
7.4 Hospitals and Institutions Coordinator
a. Attend monthly PRC subcommittee meeting.
b. Coordinates
all hospital and institution activities.
c. Makes monthly written report to the PRC on the status of all completed and ongoing hospital
and institution plans.
d. Encouraged to attend quarterly regional H&I subcommittee meeting.
e. Clean time requirement of eighteen months.
f. Previous hospital
and institution experience.
g. Can assist with PR Committee Orientations.
h. Familiarity with all H&I related NAWS handbooks.
7.5 Public Information Coordinator
a.
Attend monthly PRC subcommittee meeting.
b. Coordinates all public information
activities.
c. Makes monthly written report to the PRC on the status of all completed and ongoing public information plans.
d. Encouraged to
attend quarterly regional PI subcommittee meeting.
e. Clean time requirement of eighteen months.
f. Previous public information experience.
g. Can assist with
PR Committee Orientations.
h. Familiarity with
all public information related NAWS handbooks.
7.6 Literature Coordinator
a. Attend monthly PRC subcommittee meeting.
b. Coordinates
literature needs for all public information activities.
c.
Obtain funds from ASC treasurer and orders literature from NAWS.
d. Makes monthly written literature report to the PRC.
e. Clean time requirement
of one year.
f. Familiarity with committee literature policies.
7.8 Website Coordinator
a. Attend monthly PRC subcommittee meeting.
b. Coordinates
all website activities.
c. Makes monthly written report to the PRC on the status of the website.
d. Clean time requirement of one year.
e. Previous public information or other relevant service experience.
f. Technical ability
to update website.
g. Familiarity with all internet and website related NAWS handbooks.
7.8 Phoneline
Coordinator
a. Attend monthly PRC subcommittee meeting.
b. Coordinates all phoneline activities.
c. Makes monthly written report to the PRC on the status of all completed and ongoing phoneline
plans.
d.
Clean time requirement of one year.
e. Previous public information or other relevant service experience.
f. Can assist with PR Committee
Orientations.
g. Familiarity with all phoneline related
NAWS handbooks.
7.9 Panel Coordinator
a. Attend monthly PRC subcommittee meeting.
b. Keeps in contact and works with PRC officers, H&I coordinators
and panel leaders for the meeting/presentations for which he/she is coordinator.
c. Makes monthly written report to the PRC on the status
of meeting.
d.
Insures panel is filled for meetings for which he/she is coordinator.
e. Keep panel leaders informed of facility rules and policies.
f. Appoint panel
leaders for meeting and notify PRC.
g. Clean time requirement of one year.
h. Familiarity with all H&I related NAWS handbooks.
i. Pickup and distribute
literature for facility.
7.10 Panel Leader
a. Conducts panel meetings/presentations
in facility served according to NA handbooks and service guidelines.
b. Informs panel coordinator as soon as possible when unable to
conduct meeting.
c. Invite panel members to meeting and inform them of all applicable rules of the facilities and procedures for that
meeting.
d.
Go over “Do’s and Don’ts” with panel members.
e. Clean time requirement of one year.
f. Maintain communication with panel
coordinator about meeting.
7.11 Panel Member
a. Participates in an active role in meeting/presentations
in facility served according to NA handbooks and service guidelines.
b. Informs panel leader as soon as possible when unable to attend
meeting.
c.
Adheres to all applicable rules of the facilities and procedures for that meeting.
d. Go over “Do’s and Don’ts”
with panel leader.
e. Clean time requirement of six months, OR ninety days if attended three previous H&I meetings as an observer.
