Public Relations Handbook - Narcotics Anonymous

“Forever nonprofessional”During a public presentation, we remember that we are simply trusted servantshelping to carry the message of recovery. What does remaining nonprofessionalmean in NA’s public relations efforts? In NA it is defined as the equality we share. Asmembers, we have an equal place within the fellowship and are equally valued in ourefforts to carry the NA message. The principle of remaining nonprofessional alsosupports the groups’ integrity—we are working in service of the group.Most members may be able to provide information about NA to the public.However, we can also utilize the special skills and talents of certain members. Someof the members in our service community may have public-speaking skills orexperience that better fits a particular audience. For example, a member who is alsoa doctor might better understand the philosophies and vocabulary of the medicalcommunity. Forming a panel of members with particular skills and talents, along withother members from various backgrounds, illustrates the range of membership inNA. Using a member’s skills in our service efforts adds to how effectively we cancommunicate information about NA to the public.CommunicationOur service structure depends on the integrity and effectiveness ofour communications.Concept EightCommunication is a two-way street. We strive to be effective, honest, open,consistent, and straightforward in our communications. We keep channels ofcommunication open with those we are trying to reach in the public sphere.Communication is not just feedback. It is listening, accepting constructive criticism,and asking questions. Communication is verbal and nonverbal, written and oral, andit affects all of our public relationships. Good communication means listening to amember of the public after we have had an initial interaction. It is the quality of ourcorrespondences and our awareness of various cultural environments.Above all, our communications are strengthened when we demonstrate integrity,trustworthiness, consistency, and accountability. The principle of integrity applies toall of our service efforts. In our communications, integrity means we presentinformation in a clear and honest way, even in very challenging situations. Trustcreates unity in our service committees and confidence in the public. Trust is builtwhen we are accountable for what we say and do. It is our behaviors and actionsthat communicate most clearly to those around us. Our integrity is expressed whenwe strive to practice NA’s principles in all of our affairs; it is demonstrated in all thatwe do, and all that we don’t do. We need to remember that we communicate whenwe take no action. Communication is more than the words that come out of ourmouths. Communication is listening, following up, and responding; it is how we carryourselves through our service work and into the public.Communication can be considered the foundation of all the principles thatsupport our public relations efforts. As we begin dialogues with each other abouthow to bring the principles of our program into our services and daily affairs, ourpublic relations efforts have already begun. The image we present to the publicbegins long before we contact an organization to make a presentation aboutNarcotics Anonymous. Often, the first impression of NA is made when a member ofOctober 2006 | PR Handbook | 17