I've been talking to people in my area for about a year about how to grow our area.
NA in our state has not grown in over ten years, and in fact seems to have diminished somewhat. Fewer people stand as GSRs and ASC members in the last five years than ever.
Before I ask for ideas on how to grow NA in my area, let me share what I've learnt already:
I get two classes of reply: from old-timers, and from new-comers.
Old-timers invariably share the time-tested formulae of twelve step groups - better sponsorship, better GSRs, better meetings, better H&I, better PI, better media and web presence, more support for newcomers, etc etc etc.
But if more of this could happen, more of this WOULD be happening. These aren't things we can change. So by and large any of the solutions that are WITHIN the traditional bounds of NA we can discount, because they would long ago have worked.
In other words, old timers repeat the same actions and expect different results. We have hundreds of thousands of addicts in my area who do not hear our message because of this un-implementable advice circulating.
Then I ask new-comers. Invariably they say "Look for help outside the fellowship". Some suggest a management consultant. Others suggest talking to AA, which is more acceptable in prisons in Australia because alcohol is legal.
Because I react with knee jerk prejudice to the idea of an external consultant analyzing NA and coming up with suggestions, I immediately recognised it as a good idea. But I am afraid. I'm not sure how to suggest it, and I'm not sure how to deal with the inevitable nay saying from old timers.
I want NA to grow in this area. What suggestions can you give, who can I talk to?
-- Edited by alara on Thursday 17th of June 2010 01:02:10 AM
Most of the work in NA is done by a handful of people. I would suggest that you and a few other dedicated members form a committee and do H&I service anywhere that will have you. It is the best way to reach the sick and suffering. Making sure the hotline is manned 24/7 and having a network of volunteers who will provide transportation to meetings is also pretty basic. Good luck with this, there are many who need to hear the message.
The answer to the lack of support in certain na positions concerning service is clear. follow the na traditions.this will never ever happen.the ones in charge want to keep screening na members,and the ones in charge now were taught to screen any and all na members,screen what they do think and say.in turn the next generation in charge will do the same.the clear na message is the way,if you do not have a clear na message you will not be allowed to do much of anything na service related.
Tradition 4 Pg 151 NA groups have a great deal of freedom. Weave already seen in Tradition Three that groups are free of any need to screen their members or set requirements for membership. Our NA groups are free to offer recovery to any addict. The Fourth Tradition enhances that freedom,allowing the rich diversity of our varied experience to help us serve.
the na service structure is built on screening na members.the traditions try to help us but the ones in charge do not want to here it.everything what na is to be comes from the top and works its way down.in turn it is the clear na message that rules.the cs is a good example,it goes against every na tradition just like the ones in charge at the top.h+i is a good example,ever wonder why h+i is always in dyer need of addict support?rules/restrictions/is why.our varied experience is denied us,our experience is screened,requirements are put on our membership.our freedom is denied us.that will never change,but na will survive for there are new comers coming in every day.they will all be screened,some will bend over and say,please use ky jelly but most will refuse to bend over.the na traditions hold very little weight in our fellowship.in turn what else can we expect than lack of support.
meetings (AA) originally started with 2 people - then there were many - then we branched out as NA and as Avid states - usually a handful of committed members are willing and able to carry NA - sometimes that just happens - The greater is in your area it is STILL going on - even though lack of participation - NA is still alive in your Area - My suggestion ask for committments and continue to do your part - As long as there are meetings all will be well
When I was a year clean, I had these same concerns, and I expressed these to an oldtimer. What he shared with me makes a lot of sense to me even today.
He told that the only way we can allow a NA fellowship to grow in any community with the help of a Higher Power is by focusing on supporting the NA Groups of the Area, and by making them stronger, through individual commitment to participation and working the personal program.
I've come to believe over the years that NA, or for that matter, AA as it was born when two addicts shared with each other, was born by a Divine will, and grew guided by this same Power. The Program works for me not actually because I work it, I just need to admit that I can't as the First Step suggests me to, and open my mind to a Power greater than me (us) who can, through ourselves and through others. All I need to admit is that I can't, by myself. Then the miracle unfolds, which is greater than my intellect, ideas and visions. I believe the miracle of any 12-Step program takes place under such a spiritual setting.
A good way to go about such a situation in your area could be to get together with like-minded members and together commit to make regular NA meetings of the various groups of the area, help start meetings, share at these meetings, spend time with members of each group you visit, give time to newcomers, pass on our experiences of NA service and what it did/continues to do for our personal recovery, and trust a Higher Power to do the rest. This depends on my own working program on a daily basis and the faith I have in a Higher Power to do for us what we cannot do by ourselves. Whenever I've tried and followed this simple way along with a few others, amazing miracles have happened.
As for PI/PR work, I believe that these service efforts are needed more when we as an Area have reached a considerable point of growth in terms of recovering addicts in NA, number of groups, availability of resources, and most of all, when we could stand out as a credible organization that could be relied upon for its consistency and commitment to the outside community. And this surely happens over a period of time, but not when the groups are weak, when the ASC itself is low on participation and activity. H&I services could be a great platform to start at, to reach out to the hundreds and thousands of addicts in the community. I've found that our NA literature also plays a major role here, making certain IPs and our Basic Text available to addicts on the outside could be a good effort. Meeting lists are quite handy. PI could be done on the basic level like handing out a dossier containing IPs like 'A Resource to Our Community', basic information about Narcotics Anonymous etc. Translating literature into the local language if any besides English is a powerful endeavor.
I shall have to add this, I believe Traditions and the suggested guidelines in our service manuals and handbooks do not hamper our growth, they pacify our growth, in not only a spiritual way but in a very rewarding way as a result of the spirituality contained therein. And they merely protect us from our disease as each of us is still recovering from our addiction, and thus preventing as much disasters and pitfalls as possible.
I'm not too sure about consultants and anything that resembles a corporate set-up. The power that the program carries comes from its spirituality, from the Spiritual principles contained in the Steps and Traditions, through which a Higher Power expresses and guides us all in NA. I wouldn't want to give up on the endless possibilities that such a Force could bring about and rely upon the human limitation instead through trying to manage it the corporate way.
The contradiction in my mind usually doesn't originate from the Traditions (spiritual principles are seldom contradictory), it comes from my logic, from my own mind (which is limited, ignorant, powerless and most of the times, under the control of my addiction as I'm affected mentally). The mind cannot make what the heart can only see. If I choose to dismiss the constant intelligent chatter that my mind supplies me with for a moment, and choose to come to believe in the principles of this program contained in its Steps and Traditions, I see the miracle happening, unfolding, taking place. When I'm not able to do this as is also typical of me, I see a lot of disarray, decay and demise, and this worries me a lot, filling me with fear. And I project it all outwards, operating from this state of fear and worry. The Outer becomes merely a reflection of the Inner.
This is something very personal, an understanding that I developed over a few years in recovery and NA service, an understanding that got molded within me through working the Steps and Traditions in my daily life. This might not necessarily be so for others, and at times, I've come to see that it's not supposed to be so either for another I'm merely sharing my experiences, strength and hope... Just take what makes sense to each of you and leave the rest. Thank you for sharing with me.
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"If we do an honest examination of exactly what we are giving, we are better able to evaluate the results we are getting."Chapter 10 - Emotional Pain - NA Way of Life.
I'm merely sharing my experiences, strength and hope... Just take what makes sense to each of you and leave the rest. Thank you for sharing with me.
