OZARK AREA PUBLIC INFORMATION SUBCOMMITTEE GUIDELINES 2006

 

PURPOSE

 

The purpose of the Public Information Subcommittee is to inform the public that NA exists.  To inform the public that Narcotics Anonymous offers recovery from addiction and information about how and where to find it.  All activities directed to that end shall be carried out in accordance with the Twelve Traditions of Narcotics Anonymous

 

I.      FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES

 

  1. To open and maintain lines of communication
    1. Between NA and the public
    2. Between the Area and Regional Service Committees
    3. Between NA Groups within Ozark Area
  2. To respond to all requests for information in a timely and effective manner
  3. To be sure that those requests are handled at the appropriate level of service (Pages 3,4,5, and 6 in PI Handbook)  Remember our Ninth Tradition states subcommittees are “directly responsible to those they serve.”
  4. To establish, maintain, and coordinate the Ozark Area help line by:
    1. Maintaining consistent contact with support services hired to provide help line, such as, The phone company, the answering service etc.
    2. Providing phone line volunteer workshops and continue in-service information for VA phone line volunteers.
    3. Educate Area Groups and Regional subcommittees as to the use of Ozark Area Help line.
    4. Maintain current, updated list of Phone line Volunteers.
  5. To maintain a close working relationship with other Ozark Area subcommittees, especially Hospitals and Institutions Subcommittee
  6. To update, print and supply Ozark Meeting Schedules to the Area and Region at least once every three months.
  7. To report current activities of the PI Subcommittee to Ozark Area and the Regional PI Subcommittee
  8. To establish, maintain, and coordinate the Ozark Area Website by:
    1. Maintaining consistent contact with website coordinator
    2. Sending monthly updates of elected Area trusted servants and GSR's email addresses to the Area Website Coordinator
    3. Sending information monthly on local group functions and activities to the Area Website Coordinator
    4. Discussion with the ASC  prior to implementation of any change in function within the Website (i.e. chat rooms, bulletin boards).

 

 

 

 

II.      MEETINGS AND MEMBERSHIP

 

  1. Regular meetings shall be held before each regularly scheduled meeting of the Ozark Area Service Committee.
  2. Membership includes two categories:  Regular members and Voting members.

1.      Regular members. All meetings are open to interested members of NA with special Encouragement to group PI representatives, phone line volunteers and previous officers.

2.      Voting members. To be a voting member of this subcommittee, a member must first attend two consecutive meetings. Two consecutive absences constitutes removal from The voting roll.  Ozark Area groups are strongly encouraged to elect a PI representative so that this may truly be an Area subcommittee.

 

Membership in the PI Subcommittee includes the following:  Those assigned to head Specific projects as needed. Those willing to help on various projects as needed, and voting members.

 

III.      OFFICERS AND THEIR DUTIES

 

Chairperson – The chairperson is elected by the Ozark Area Service Committee in accordance with their guidelines. 

 

The Chair's duties include:

 

  1. To prepare agenda for and preside over subcommittee meetings
  2. To be the coordinator of the functions and responsibilities of the PI Subcommittee
  3. To initiate and maintain contact with other PI Sub-Committees neighboring Ozark Area
  4. To contact absent Groups to request representation and officer assistance
  5. To maintain the subcommittee’s files and records.

 

Requirements

 

  1. Suggested two years clean time.  Previous service at group and area level
  2. Ability to organize and give the committee direction and incentive
  3. Willingness to give the time and resources necessary to do the job
  4. A working knowledge of the 12 Traditions of NA and the Ozark Area Guidelines

 

Vice-Chair person – The vice chairperson is elected by a majority vote within the Ozark Area PI subcommittee, for a one-year term.

 

The Vice-Chair's duties include:

  1. To work closely with and assist in all other duties of the chair person. Although the Position of the chairperson is elected by the ASC, the vice chair is training to assume Duties of the chairperson.
  2. Carry out responsibilities delegated by the chair and/or the subcommittee
  3. The vice chair will take minutes of the committee in the absence of the secretary.

 

Requirements: suggested

 

  1. One year clean time.  Previous service experience at group level
  2. Ability to assume responsibilities in the chairperson’s absence
  3. Willingness to give the time and resources necessary to do the job
  4. A working knowledge of the 12 Tradition of NA and the Ozark Area Guidelines

 

Secretary – The secretary is elected by a majority vote within the Ozark Area PI Subcommittee to serve a one-year term.

 

The Secretary's duties include:

 

  1. Record minutes of each meeting and keep role call for voting purposes
  2. Handle all correspondence as directed by the chair and/or vice chair of the subcommittee
  3. Maintain records of communication, including list of activities and contacts to be pass on to subsequent committee members

 

Requirements: suggested

 

  1. 6 months clean time
  2. Willingness to give the time and resources necessary to do the job

 

Website Coordinator – The Web-Site Coordinator is elected by a majority vote within the Ozark Area PI Subcommittee to serve a two-year term. 

 

The Website Coordinator's duties include:

 

  1. Maintain the Area web-site (verify workable links, consistent backups, etc.)
  2. Make all updates to the online meeting schedule in a timely manner (monthly).
  3. Report area function information to the activities page. 
  4. Upload approved area minutes to archives in a timely manner (within two months)
  5. Check information of area minutes prior to uploading and remove all personal last names, addresses, and phone numbers. 
  6. Add or delete email addresses of trusted servants.
  7. Upon request, add and delete email addresses of area GSRs.
  8. Make only PI committee or ASC approved changes to the Web-site.
  9. Give written monthly reports to the PI Committee Chair.
  10. Attend Ozark Area business meetings as directed by the ASC.
  11. Upon request by the ASC as a whole, open the site for inspection to the chair and/or the chair designee(s).
  12. Update NA.org website to reflect Area meeting changes.

 

Requirements

 

  1. Two years clean time. 
  2. Access to or own a personal computer with Virus protection and a Firewall and internet connection. 
  3. Participant on the Area PI Committee, attending PI Committee meetings quarterly
  4. Knowledgeable about web-site maintenance. This should include basic skills in html coding, as well as WYSIWYG web creation, document creation and conversion management, coordination of email accounts with pre-existing personal email accounts, and administration of website

 

 

IV.      REMOVAL OF TRUSTED SERVANTS

 

  1. Relapse
  2. Voluntary resignation
  3. Motion to remove carries by 2/3 majority vote, closed ballot
  4. Chairperson can only be removed by Ozark ASC, but the subcommittee can make a written motion of dismissal to the area