Public Relations Handbook - Narcotics Anonymous

presentations. Trusted servants who got clean at a young age are trained to shareinformation about NA for these presentations. Ongoing contact is maintainedthrough a follow-up “thank you” letter and an evaluation form about theeffectiveness of the presentation. NA members regularly supply schools withmeeting directories, NA literature, and reliable contact information. Measure theprogress of the project: Review and discuss completed evaluations. Plan ways toimprove relationships and presentations in school settings. Goal: Give the public reliable, regularly updated Narcotics Anonymous contactinformation. Steps to reach the goal: Trusted servants are instructed to sendtheir updated contact information through the local website. The websitecoordinator is in charge of updating the service body with new member contactinformation. The coordinator is also charged with the responsibility ofproactively contacting members every three months to make sure the contactinformation is still accurate. Measure the progress of the project: Evaluatecontact information every three months to ensure that it is reliable and updated. Goal: To provide local NA members with an education and training program inpublic relations service. Steps to reach the goal: The area service bodycreates written material for a training program. Experienced members traintrusted servants. Short training sessions take place before service committeemeetings. Measure the progress of the project: Evaluate attendance attraining sessions on a quarterly basis, and review training program to ensurethat it meets the needs of the area.The above goals are meant to illustrate the process of identifying goals andcreating the approaches necessary to reach those goals. In the practical application oflocal PR service goals, an area will need to add more detailed and specific directionsfor each approach. These details usually include timelines, scheduled reviews ofprogress, and the time necessary to take corrective actions. Corrective actions aresteps that help bring the goal of the project back into focus. Adjusting a timeline,reviewing a project plan, and discussing unexpected challenges with the area are allconsidered corrective actions.Service structure and effective servicesThe structure of our services differs from one area to another. This differenceoften depends on how many NA members are involved, how geographically spreadout or close groups are, and what goals the service committee hopes to accomplish.Below are examples of how a variety of service structures can function in order toprovide effective services. These are simply examples. It may make sense to usesome combination of the examples below or none at all. The point is that localservice bodies should coordinate services in ways that work best for them.Each element of our service structure has its own role to play;all, however, serve together as a team, striving toward acommon goal, “that no addict seeking recovery need diewithout having the chance to find a new way of life.”Twelve Concepts for NA ServiceSubcommittee structureA committee structure is common in NA. In a committee structure, there isusually an administrative committee that handles the business of operating the areameeting, area finances, and area records. Various subcommittees provide specificservices for the area. Those employing this type of structure will want to make sureOctober 2006 | PR Handbook | 23