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Public Information Guidelines

Guidelines for CASCNA Public Relations Subcommittee

 

 

 

Article I

Definition

We are an operating subcommittee of the Chattanooga Area Service Committee of Narcotics Anonymous (CASCNA). We are supported by the CASC and are accountable to that committee.

 

Article II

Purpose

  1. To carry the message in accordance with the Twelve Traditions of Narcotics Anonymous.
  2. To open and maintain lines of communication between the public and Narcotics Anonymous so that the message of recovery is readily available to all addicts.
  3. To open and maintain lines of communication between the Volunteer Region Public Information Subcommittee, Narcotics Anonymous World Services (NAWS), PI Coordinators and World Service Conference (WSC).

 

Article III

Spiritual Guidance

In all of its endeavors, the Public Relations Subcommittee will comply with the following:

  1. The Twelve Traditions of Narcotics Anonymous.
  2. The Twelve Concepts of Service for Narcotics Anonymous.
  3. The current publication of A Guide to Local Service.
  4. The current Conference Approved Public Relations Literature.
  5. Chattanooga Area Service Committee (CASC) Guidelines.
  6. Any special rules of order adopted by this subcommittee.
  7. In the case of a conflict, the Public Relations Subcommittee will turn to the CASC for guidance.

 

Article IV

Responsibilities

  1. To become the resource and coordinating body for all Chattanooga Area Public Relations efforts, responding to any request for information within the area.
  2. To maintain a close working relationship with other Public Relations Subcommittees within the region.
  3. To maintain a close working relationship with other subcommittees within this area, being careful not to interfere with their responsibilities.

 

 

Article V

Function

To inform the public about Narcotics Anonymous through services, but not limited to the following:

  1. Coordinating all request from media.
  2. Providing all radio and television Public Service Announcements (PSA) with the approval of the CASC.
  3. Creating, distributing, and maintaining all Narcotics Anonymous Public Relations posters and flyers in the Chattanooga Area.
  4. Coordinating all non-Narcotics Anonymous request.
  5. Providing and maintaining monthly meeting schedules.
  6. Providing and maintaining an area website.
  7. Provide and Maintain the Phone line.

 

 

 

 

 

Article VI

Membership

Membership is open to any NA member. Any attending NA member may vote. More than three (3) voting members (including the chair) are required to pass a motion. Each subcommittee member will have a working knowledge of the Twelve Traditions, Twelve Concepts, and the current publication A Guide to Public Relations. Each member is encouraged to have their own copy of A Guide to Public Relations.

 

Article VII

Meeting/Membership

  1. This subcommittee should consist of a Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary, Meeting Schedule Coordinator, Website Coordinator, and Phone Line Coordinator, members and any task force coordinators or Ad-Hoc chairs deemed necessary by the subcommittee.
  2. The Chairperson with the approval of the subcommittee appoints task force coordinators or Ad-Hoc Chairs.
  3. All meetings are open to interested members of NA.
  4. The Chairperson will be nominated and elected according to CASC policy.
  5. All other PR officers will be nominated and elected by the subcommittee to serve a one (1) year term.
  6. All nominees for office must be present at the time of nomination.
  7. No officer shall hold more than two (2) consecutive terms of any one position.
  8. The committee will meet at least once a month, with a consistent time and place, determined by the subcommittee. The members of the subcommittee shall be notified of any changes in the meeting time and location at least one (1) week prior to the meeting.

 

 

 

 

Article VIII

Officer/Volunteer Qualifications and Duties

Chairperson

  1. Requirements
  1. At least three (3) years abstinence from all drugs.
  2. Previous service experience at a group level.
  3. A working knowledge of the Twelve Steps, Twelve Traditions, Twelve Concepts of  Narcotics Anonymous, and Public Relations Handbook.
  4. Willingness to serve, the time and initiative to commit for the length of time involved.
  1. Duties
  1. Arrange times and agendas for subcommittee meetings.
  2. Initiates all necessary correspondence, including communications between areas, regions and WSC-PI or delegates.
  3. Is ultimately responsible for all files, records, and overall functioning of the Subcommittee.
  4. Attends all Chattanooga Area of Narcotics Anonymous-Public Relations (CANA-PR) subcommittee meetings.
  5. Attends all monthly CASC meetings.
  6. Votes in the event of a tie.

 

Vice Chairperson

  1. Requirements
  1. At least two (2) years abstinence from all drugs.
  2. Previous service experience at a group level.
  3. A working knowledge of the Twelve Steps, Twelve Traditions, Twelve Concepts of Narcotics Anonymous and Public Relations Handbook.
  4. Willingness to serve, the time and initiative to commit for the length of time involved.

 

 

  1. Duties
  1. To assume responsibility for the subcommittee in the Chairperson’s absence.
  2. To work closely with and assist with all duties of the subcommittee.
  3. Carryout responsibilities delegated by the Chairperson and/or subcommittee.
  4. Attend all CANA-PR subcommittee meetings.
  5. Attend all monthly CASC meetings.

 

Secretary

  1. Requirements
  1. At least one (1) year abstinence from all drugs.
  2. Previous service experience at a group level.
  3. Willingness to serve, the time and initiative to commit for the length of the time involved.
  1. Duties
  1. Record minutes of each Subcommittee meeting.
  2. Present minutes of previous meeting to the subcommittee at the next scheduled meeting.
  3. Attend all CANA-PR meetings.

Meeting Schedules Coordinator

  1. Requirements
  1. At least two (2) years abstinence from all drugs.
  2. Previous service experience at a group level.
  3. A working knowledge of the Twelve Steps, Twelve Traditions, Twelve Concepts of Narcotics Anonymous.
  4. Knowledge of and access to a computer, printer, and word processing software.
  5. Willingness to serve, the time and initiative to commit for the length of time involved.
  1. Duties
  1. Producing a periodic meeting schedule for the NA group and coordinate with the PR chair for distribution at the monthly CASC meeting
  2. Keep schedule updated with current meeting information.
  3. Provide updated information regarding meetings and events to CASC Help Line Chairperson,  Website coordinator and Volunteer Regional Directories Chair.
  4. Provide and assist meetings and/or groups with registration and updating information to NAWS using the NAWS approved forms.
  5. Attending all CANA-PR meetings and provide a written report.

 

Website Coordinator

  1. Requirements
  1. At least two (2) years abstinence from all drugs.
  2. Previous service experience at a group level.
  3. A working knowledge of the Twelve Steps, Twelve Traditions, and Twelve Concepts of Narcotics Anonymous.
  4. Knowledge and access to a computer, access to the internet, and HTML/FTP software.
  5. Willingness to serve, the time and initiative to commit for length of time involved.
  1. Duties
  1. Keeping updated meeting information, help line numbers, and upcoming CANA events and functions.
  2. Maintaining the CASC website.
  3. Forward any correspondence received from the website to the proper channels.
  4. Attending all CANA-PR meetings and provide a written report.

Phone Line Coordinator

  1. Requirements
  1. At least three (3) years complete abstinence from all drugs.
  2. Previous service experience at a group level.
  3. A working knowledge of the Twelve Steps, Twelve Traditions, and Twelve Concepts of Narcotics Anonymous and Public Relations Handbook.
  4. Willingness to serve, the time and initiative to commit for the length of time involved.

 

  1. Duties
  1. Maintain updated list of volunteers.
  2. Coordinate with service provider to maintain updated information concerning phone line volunteers, meeting schedule, and website information.
  3. Coordinate Phone Line learning day/orientation, scheduled but not limited to, bi-annually (February and August).
  4. Attend every PR Subcommittee meeting and provide a written report.
  5. In coordination with the PR subcommittee create and /or maintain Phone Line Volunteer ordination packet.

 

Phone line Volunteers

  1. Requirements
  1. At least one (1) year abstinence from all drugs.
  2. Previous service experience at a group level.
  3. Attend learning day/ orientation before answering calls.
  4. A working knowledge of the Twelve Steps, Twelve Traditions, Twelve Concepts of Narcotics Anonymous.
  5. Willingness to serve, the time and initiative to commit for the length of time involved.
  1. Duties
  1. Adhere at all times to the CANA Phone Line Volunteer ordination packet. .
  2. Record accurate data of all calls using phone line log sheet.
  3. Provide Phone Line Coordinator with log sheet prior to the PR Subcommittee meeting each month.
  4. Attend all PR Subcommittee meetings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Article IX

Removal from Office

Subcommittee officers and coordinators may be removed from office for noncompliance, which includes but is not limited to:

  1. Loss of abstinence
  2. Non-fulfillment of the duties of their position.
  3. Non-attendance of two (2) or more subcommittee meetings without being excused by the Chairperson.
  4. If by two thirds (2/3) vote of the Subcommittee, the Chairperson is found in noncompliance, a written request to remove then may be submitted to the CASC Admin.
  5. Upon receipt of said written request, the CASC Admin. may remove or investigate the officer.

All other subcommittee officers and coordinators may be removed from office by two thirds (2/3) vote of the Subcommittee.

 

Article X

Special Guidelines for Meeting Schedules

The Schedule Coordinator will follow these special guidelines that pertain only to the meeting schedules.

  1. Schedules will be printed prior to the CASC meeting, according to CASC policy.
  2. Information received after printing will be included in the following period’s schedule if applicable.
  3. A new meeting will be added to the schedule when the meeting is represented at the CASC by an elected Group Service Representative (GSR) or a home group representative.
  4. If a listed meeting’s GSR or other group representative has not attended the CASC meeting to complete a group report, or has not been present for a roll call, or has not picked up the current meeting schedule, the Schedule Coordinator is responsible to investigate within two (2) weeks and give a written report to the PR Subcommittee of their findings.
  5. Only World Conference Approved literature and recovery oriented public domain phrasing that is common usage within the fellowship of Narcotics Anonymous will be placed within the schedule.
  6. Any printed material, which contains copyrighted items, must contain ownership information.
  7. No personal phone numbers shall be listed in the meeting schedule.

 

 

Article XI

Special Guidelines for Website

The Website Coordinator will follow these special guidelines that pertain only to the website.

  1. Since information made accessible on the Internet can be accessed all over the world, we will not include full names of any individual members.
  2. Information will be placed in accounts or web pages under the names of CASC and not under the name of individual member. E-mail directed to the Website will be received at an anonymous “mail to: CANA”, not any individual address.
  3. The Website will link directly to the Area Website within the Region and if available to the Volunteer Region Website and the NAWS Website.
  4. We will act in accordance with the Intellectual Property Trust concerning posting Narcotics Anonymous copyrighted material on the website.

Article XII

Special Guidelines for Phone Line

  1. Phone Line service will be placed under the name of CASC.
  2. Phone Line Coordinator is the single point of accountability between the service provider and CASC.

 

 

 

 

 

Article XIII

Amendments to Guidelines

Any voting member may propose an amendment to these guidelines at a regularly scheduled subcommittee meeting. The proposal must be seconded and only a simple majority vote needed. The proposed change must then be submitted and approved by the CANA.

 

 

Article XIV

Meeting Agenda

    1. Open with Serenity Prayer.
    2. Read Twelve Traditions.
    3. Read Twelve Concepts.
    4. Read Service Prayer.
    5. Read and discuss 1 tradition from Basic Text.  (15 min limit)
    6. Secretary Report.
    7. Coordinator Reports,

a.       Meeting Schedule

b.      Website

c.       Phone Line

    1. Old business.
    2. New business.
    3. Nominations and Elections. (when applicable)
    4. Set time and place for next meeting.
    5. Adjournment.