Public Relations Handbook - Narcotics Anonymous

chapter9P HONELINESAcall to an NA phoneline may be someone’s first interaction with NarcoticsAnonymous. These calls are vital; a phoneline call can make a major differencein whether or not an addict makes it to an NA meeting. We need to respondto callers in a way that makes them feel like they matter. We can encouragevolunteers to bring all their experience and all their public relations awareness to thisimportant service opportunity.This chapter outlines ways an area can evaluate its own resources, choose aphoneline provider, train and prepare phoneline volunteers, andcoordinate services in a way that makes local phonelines more successful.Core public relations principlesThis section is excerpted from Chapter Two.Cooperation, not affiliationOne of our public relations goals is to build long-lasting relationships thatfurther our primary purpose through the pursuit of those mutual goals we mayshare with other organizations. Compromising any of our traditions in an effortto build these relationships is never beneficial to individual members or NA asa whole. We maintain a consistent focus on our primary purpose with thepublic. By creating positive relationships with those outside of NA and with ourown members, we foster unity andKey topicsCore PR principlesPR & phonelinesPlanning & preparation forareas & committeesDiscussing & addressingknown challenges inphonelines servicePutting your plan into actionResourcesKey icons Practical experience Preparation and training tips PR principles for discussionharmony with each other and thecommunity around us. We put thecommon welfare of NA first, andwe remember that we are onlyautonomous as long as our actionsdo not affect NA as a whole. How can our phonelines beused to cooperate withvarious outside organizations(such as thephoneline service provider,an organization we may useas a referral, other publicorganizations in thecommunity, etc.)? What cooperative actionscan committees and groupstake to ensure a smoothlyrunning phoneline?October 2006 | PR Handbook | 81