Public Relations Handbook - Narcotics Anonymous

chapter3E FFECTIVE S ERVICESThis chapter outlines ways to provide effective public relations services.Included here are a variety of planning tools, ideas for how tostructure services more effectively, and communication strategies.These approaches are intended to help an area discover what they need inorder to build effective public relations service. The idea is for areas to take whatworks for their local services and leave the rest. The focus of this chapter is thearea service committee, since members of the area committee are more likely tobe the ones providing local services. The planning processes described in thischapter can be easily adapted for use by regions, zones, or any service body.Members are encouraged to modify andadapt these steps to fit their service body.Key topicsPR planningService structure andeffective servicesCommunication andeffective servicesResourcesKey icons Practical experience Preparation and training tipsWe offer this information to help areasprovide public relations services that are lessreactive and more proactive. Planning canhelp areas move away from thinking thatthere is only one “right” way to provideservices for Narcotics Anonymous. We canall agree on the goal of service in NA: toreach still-suffering addicts. With this as ourmotivation, we try to identify the best wayfor our service body to achieve that goal.If services are to be effective, then ourefforts and goals need to be clearly definedand focused. Effective services mean thatmembers understand their roles and responsibilities in meeting service goals. Itmeans that areas have created service goals by first considering the needs of thecommunity, current priorities of the area, and available resources. Effectiveservices apply to how the entire area service committee and its committeesorganize and plan services.Public relations planningPlanning means that we identify goals and clarify members’ roles in reachingthose goals. It is much easier to provide effective services if everyone involvedunderstands their tasks, their responsibilities, and the desired end result. An areamay or may not need all of the following planning methods—they are provided soareas can make choices about which processes will work best for them.October 2006 | PR Handbook | 19