SUBCOMMITTEE GUIDELINES & POLICIES
ACTIVITIES
A. Purpose
The general mission of the area activities subcommittee is to provide a greater sense of community for the local NA fellowship and
produce additional area income. Activities are designed to enhance NA’s primary purpose.
B. Duties of Committee
The Fellowship For Freedom Area Activities committee shall hold dances, picnics, campouts, special speaker meeting’s and any other
event needed by the Area. Committee is also responsible for making and distributing flyers for said events.
C. Committee Meetings
All Activities Committee meetings should take place at a regularly scheduled time. The purpose of these meetings is to gather and
share information regarding the planning and carrying out of all activities. Effort should be made to encourage support and
participation from all members. Care should also be exercised during the planning process to involve as many groups and individuals
as possible. Election of officers should be based upon qualifications and experience. A description of officers and duties are
presented in these guidelines.
Voting privileges - Any member; who holds a position; may vote at each meeting after being elected. Non-position members must
participate on a regular basis; they need to attend two (2) consecutive meetings to be recognized for quorum and have voting rights.
D. Activities Committee Officers
1. General Qualifications
a. A minimum of one (1) year commitment.
b. A working knowledge of the Twelve Steps, the Twelve Traditions, and the Twelve Concepts of Narcotics Anonymous and
application of them.
c. The time and resources to do the job.
d. Must be an active member of NA
e. A willingness and desire to serve.
f. Ability to exercise patience and tolerance.
2. Positions - Duties and Specific Qualifications
a. Chair
1. Suggested clean time requirement of 2 (two) years.
2. Arranges agenda for, and presides over Activity meetings.
3. At the activity meetings they hold the tie-breaking vote.
4. Must be able to conduct business meetings with a firm, yet understanding hand.
5. To oversee all activities events.
6. Production and distribution of flyers.
7. The Chair shall be a co-signer on the activities bank account.
b. Co-Chair
1. Suggested clean time requirement of one (1) year.
2. A two (2) year commitment; one as Co-Chair and one as Chair.
3. In the absence of the Chair, the Co-Chair shall perform the duties of the Chair.
4. Help to maintain order in the activities meetings.
5. Keep track of the order in which hands are raised and call on them in that order.
6. Co-Chair will aid in the keeping track of the votes.
c. Secretary
1. Suggested minimums of one (1) year’s clean time.
2. The secretary keeps the minutes of each activity meeting.
3. Makes copies of the minutes and passes them out to the Chair and Co-Chair at the Activities meeting.
4. Maintains a list of names, addresses, and phone numbers of all committee members for committee use.
d. Treasurer
1. Suggested clean time requirement of 2 (two) years.
2. Have a written, itemized report for each committee meeting.
3. The Treasurer shall be a co-signer on the activities bank account.
4. Write all checks and is responsible for collecting receipts for money paid out.
5. Maintains the Area Activities checking account.
6. Shall deposit all monies received from each event in the Area Activities checking account.
F. Funds
1. Shall have a $375.00 working balance.
2. Shall have a mandatory balance of $25.00.
3. Anything over $400.00 will be turned over to the Area treasurer. (effective 12-28-08)
4. All checks require two (2) signatures. Signers on Activities bank account shall be the Activities Chair, Activities Treasurer,
Area Chair and Area Treasurer.
5. All expenses shall be paid by check.
6. All expenditures must have a receipt. Failure to obtain receipts or approval by committee may result in personal responsibility
for the debt.
HOSPITALS & INSTITUTIONS
REVISED MARCH 2006
A. Purpose
The general mission of the Hospitals and Institutions subcommittee is to coordinate N.A. service work in hospitals and
institutions in the area and to provide information on H & I work to Area, Region and World service committees.
B. Duties
1. Provide information and literature about N.A. to these facilities and / or to the addicts doing service work in
these institutions.
2. To provide contact point for addicts willing to do H&I service work.
3. Maintain contact with H&I subcommittee chairperson at regional level.
4. Coordinate inter-Area / Regional workshop.
5. Coordinate H&I subcommittee meeting.
C. Committee Meeting
All H&I committee meeting should take place at a regularly scheduled time and place. The purpose of these meetings is
to gather and share information regarding the planning and carrying out of service work relating to Hospitals and
Institutions in the area. Effort should be made to encourage support and participation from all members Care should also
be taken during the planning process to involve as many groups and individuals as possible. Election of officers should
be based on qualifications and experience. A description of officers and duties is presented in these guidelines. Voting
privileges are extended to each member. To be a member of the subcommittee, a person must be a member of N.A., and
currently be doing H&I service work or attend (3) consecutive subcommittee meetings. An agenda or format should be
prepared prior to meetings. The following is a suggested agenda.
1. Opening. Begin with a moment of silence asking for all members to reflect on their involvement,
who they serve and why. Follow with Serenity Prayer and Twelve Traditions.
2. Read and approve minutes of last meeting.
3. Chair’s report. Review progress to date and relay recent information.
4. Reports, including goals, needs, and progress of each H&I meeting.
5. Old business carried over from the last meeting.
6. New business to be undertaken before next meeting.
7. Closing prayer.
D. H & I Committee Officers
1. Chairperson
a. Qualifications:
1. A suggested minimum of two (2) years clean time.
2. Minimum of one (1) year commitment.
3. A working knowledge of the Twelve Steps, the Twelve Traditions and the Twelve Concepts of
Narcotics Anonymous and application of them.
4. The time and resources to do the job.
5. Active membership in N.A.
6. Willingness and desire to serve.
7. Ability to exercise patience and tolerance.
b. Duties:
1. Arranges agenda for, and presides over H&I meetings. Must be able to preside with a firm, yet
understanding hand.
2. Holds tie-breaking vote at H&I meetings.
3. Provide a contact point for hospitals and institutions willing to have the message brought to them.
a. Establish a day, time and place for meeting.
b. Establish a contact person in the facility with whom to coordinate the service work.
c. Establish requirements to be met by any addicts willing to go to the facility, e.g. clean
time, background checks, etc.
4. Oversee H&I service work, provide literature to those doing H&I service work, provide liason for
addicts willing to do H&I work.
5. Coordinate with Outreach committee to encourage groups and individuals to get involved in H&I
service work.
6. Attend Regional N.A. business meeting and present report to Regional H&I subcommittee.
2. Co-Chairperson
a. Qualifications:
1. A suggested minimum of two (2) years clean time.
2. Minimum of one (1) year commitment.
3. A working knowledge of the Twelve Steps, the Twelve Traditions and the Twelve Concepts of
Narcotics Anonymous and application of them.
4. The time and resources to do the job.
5. Active membership in N.A.
6. Willingness and desire to serve.
7. Ability to exercise patience and tolerance.
b. Duties:
1. Perform the duties of the Chairperson in their absence.
2. Help maintain order in the H&I subcommittee meeting.
3. Keep track of the order in which hands are raised and call on them in that order.
4. Aid in keeping track of vote (yes, no, abstain).
3. Secretary
a. Qualifications:
1. A suggested minimum of one (1) years clean time.
2. Minimum of one (1) year commitment.
3. A working knowledge of the Twelve Steps, the Twelve Traditions and the Twelve Concepts of
Narcotics Anonymous and application of them.
4. The time and resources to do the job.
5. Active membership in N.A.
6. Willingness and desire to serve.
7. Ability to exercise patience and tolerance.
b. Duties:
1. Keep minutes of H&I subcommittee meetings.
2. Make copies of minutes and distribute them to chairpersons.
3. Maintain a list of phone numbers of all subcommittee members for subcommittee use.
4. Keep track of H&I literature.
Note: The H&I subcommittee does not handle any money; all funds are kept by the Area Treasurer
and all literature requests are made to the Area Literature Subcommittee.
A. Removal of Officers
1. Voluntary: given in writing to the subcommittee chairperson prior to the subcommittee meeting.
2. Involuntary:
a. missing two (2) or more consecutive subcommittee meetings without prior arrangements
for alternate representation or reasonable cause.
b. Relapse during term of office.
c. Failure to perform duties.
3. A closed ballot vote of all members will be taken to remove an officer.
LITERATURE
A. Purpose
The purpose of the Literature Chair is to stock and maintain literature, to provide to groups and/or persons in the FFF
Area.
B. Duties of Literature Chair
1. To be accountable for all monies received and due for the purpose of NA literature, including providing
receipts and bookkeeping records.
2. To provide prompt payment to the source from which the Literature Chair receives literature.
3. To retrieve payment from any person and/or group receiving literature from the literature.
4. To create and maintain an organized tracking system of all funds and materials. This should include a
detailed log of incoming and outgoing funds and materials.
C. Duties of Literature Co-Chair
OUTREACH
MARCH 2006
A. Purpose
The primary purpose of this Subcommittee shall be to contact groups in the area, communicating with secretaries and
informing GSR’s of necessary items to come up in the ASC. The Subcommittee shall find meetings that need support
and offer support until they can stand on their own. This Subcommittee may also serve as a link between the area and
groups regarding any problems that may arise.
B. Function:
1) Promote awareness of adherence to the Twelve Traditions of Narcotics Anonymous and policies of the ASC and the NA
service structure by attending targeted meetings to share on the topic, and by providing meetings in need with
information on how to obtain copies of our ASC guidelines and the current NA Service Manual (Guide To Local
Service).
2) May conduct learning days and workshops and workshops on group related topics.
3) Make announcements and fliers, and providing information about new meetings and meetings needing support to more
established groups.
4) Promote attendance at new meetings by registering them with the WSO and ASC by seeing to it that meeting
information is published in the local newsletters, and regional and area meeting schedules.
5) Work with GSR’s to keep meeting information current at the area, regional and world service levels.
6) Help groups find meeting locations, keeping in mind members with additional needs.
7) Will provide new groups with a Group Starter Kit as established by the ASC.
8) Provide information to any member, group, or the ASC as needed.
C. Membership
Any member of Narcotics Anonymous may attend the Subcommittee meetings and become a member of this
subcommittee. The Group booklet states that “Alternate GSR’s, along with others, also serve on area subcommittees”.
The FFF Area Outreach Subcommittee encourages member support. An acting “Subcommittee Representative” shall
have six (6) months suggested clean time and it is suggested that subcommittee members never work alone.
D. Qualifications and Responsibilities of Officers:
1. Chairperson - Is elected by the group conscious of the ASC, as per ASC guidelines.
a. Requirements for this position are:
1. One (1) year continuous abstinence from all drugs.
2. Willingness to committee to the position for one year.
3. Must have a working knowledge of the Twelve Traditions through application.
4. Mediates all meetings of the Subcommittee with a general understanding of parliamentary
procedures.
5. Prepared a report for each ASC meeting and makes all motions on behalf of and is the voice
of the Outreach Subcommittee.
6. Coordinates and is responsible for all work done by the Subcommittee.
7. Is available to answer questions form the area’s groups.
8. Attends or sends a representative to the Regional Outreach Subcommittee meeting once a
month.
9. Prepares a budget with the Subcommittee to be submitted for the approval of the ASC for
each upcoming period as outlined in the ASC guidelines.
10. If necessary, may be removed by the ASC as outlined in ASC guidelines.
2. Vice-Chairperson - Is elected by the Outreach Subcommittee.
a. Requirements for this position are:
1. One year of continuous abstinence from all drugs.
2. Willingness to commit to the position for one year.
3. Must have a through working knowledge of the Twelve Traditions through application.
4. Must attend all meetings of the Subcommittee, as well as the ASC meetings.
5. Works with the Chairperson to ensure the smooth operation of the Outreach Subcommittee.
6. Performs the duties of the Chairperson in his/her absence.
7. If necessary may be removed by two-thirds vote of the Outreach Subcommittee.
3. Secretary - Is elected by the Outreach Subcommittee.
a. Requirement for this position are:
1. Sixty days of continuous abstinence from all drugs.
2. Willingness to commit to the position for one year.
3. Must have a certain amount of clerical skills.
4. Must keep an accurate set of minutes on all Outreach Subcommittee meetings and Learning
Sessions (topics discussed). The minutes should be ready for the approval of the Chairperson
within fourteen (14) days for distribution to all Subcommittee members.
5. Coordinate and keep records, files and archives of the Outreach Subcommittee.
6. Keep an updated list of all active members of the Outreach Subcommittee.
7. Work with the Chairperson to ensure the smooth operation of the Outreach Subcommittee.
8. If necessary may be removed by two-thirds vote of the Outreach Subcommittee.
E. Additional Guidelines
1) Have a working knowledge of the Twelve Traditions through application and carry the message of Narcotics
Anonymous.
2) As with any service in our Fellowship, never work alone. The ideal situation is to have another Subcommittee Member
with you.
3) Be positive and supportive of the Group. If there is a problem, take it back to the Outreach Subcommittee and ask for
suggestions.
F. Voting
Members must attend three (3) consecutive meetings of the area Outreach Committee to become a voting member.
Absence of three (3) consecutive meetings results in the loss of voting privileges.
PUBLIC INFORMATION
A.
B.
C.
line
D.
E.
Purpose
The general mission of the area public information subcommittee is to inform addicts in the community of the
availability of recovery in Narcotics Anonymous, and to coordinate Area PI efforts and provide information
about NA to the public. Must provide all information and material developed at the World level to the Area.
Duties
1. Maintain contact with PI subcommittee Chairperson in each Area/Region who handles PI contingency plan, if asked.
2. Coordinate inter-Area/Regional workshop.
3. Lead PI Subcommittee meeting.
Committee Meeting
All Public Information committee meetings should take place at a regularly scheduled time. The purpose of these
meetings is to gather and share information regarding the planning and carrying our of Public Information and Phone
to addicts and others in the area. Effort should be made to encourage support and participation from all members. Care
should also be exercised during the planning process to involve as many groups and individuals as possible. Election of
officers should be based on qualifications and experience. A description of officers and duties are presented in these
guidelines.
Voting privileges are extended to each member. Any member, who holds an office or participates on a regular basis,
any one wishing to participate in the voting needs to attend three (3) consecutive meetings to be recognized for quorum
and have voting rights.
An agenda or format should be prepared prior to meetings. You may use the agenda shown below:
1. Opening: Begin with a moment of silence asking for all members to reflect on their involvement,
thinking about who they serve and why. Follow with the Serenity Prayer and the Twelve Traditions.
2. Read and approve the minutes of the last meeting.
3. Chairpersons’ report (review progress to date and relay recent information).
4. Subcommittees reports (reports include goals and progress each month of each committee).
5. Old business carried over from the last meeting.
6. New Business to be undertaken before the next meeting.
7. Closing prayer.
Public Information Committee Officers
1. Chairperson
2. Co Chairperson
3. Secretary
Qualifications and Duties
1. Chairperson
a. Duties:
F.
Arranges agenda for and presides over PI meetings.
At the PI meetings they hold the tie breaking vote.
Must be able to conduct a business meeting with a firm, yet understanding hand.
To oversee PI projects (production and distribution of flyers, conduct public meetings).
Primarily to encourage people to call the local phone line for more information on NA.
b. Qualifications:
A suggested minimum of two (2) years clean time.
A minimum of one (1) year commitment.
A working knowledge of the Twelve Steps, Twelve Traditions and the Twelve Concepts of Narcotics
Anonymous and application of them.
The time and resources to do the job.
Must be an active member of NA as a whole.
A willingness and desire to serve.
Ability to exercise patience and tolerance.
2. Co-Chairperson
a. Duties:
In the absence of the chairperson, the co-chairperson shall perform the duties of the chairperson.
Help to maintain order in the PI meeting.
Keep track of the order in which hands are raised and call on them in that order.
Co-chairperson will aid in the keeping track of votes (yes, no and abstain).
b. Qualifications:
A suggested minimum of one (1) year clean time.
A minimum of one (1) year commitment.
A working knowledge of the Twelve Steps, Twelve Traditions and the Twelve Concepts of Narcotics
Anonymous and application of them.
The time and resources to do the job.
Must be an active member of NA as a whole.
A willingness and desire to serve.
Ability to exercise patience and tolerance.
3. Secretary
a. Duties:
The secretary keep the minutes of each PI meeting.
They will make copies of the minutes and pass them out to the chairperson and co-chairperson at the
PI meetings.
Maintains a list of names, addresses and phone numbers of all committee members for committee use.
b. Qualifications:
A suggested minimum of one (1) year clean time.
A minimum of one (1) year commitment.
A working knowledge of the Twelve Steps, Twelve Traditions and the Twelve Concepts of Narcotics
Anonymous and application of them.
The time and resources to do the job.
Must be an active member of NA as a whole.
A willingness and desire to serve.
Ability to exercise patience and tolerance.
Phone Line Subcommittee
1. Purpose
The general mission of the area phone line information subcommittee is to maintain a telephone information
service for Narcotics Anonymous that helps inform addicts and others in the community of the availability of
recovery Narcotics Anonymous.
2. Chairperson
a. Duties:
Maintains contact with PI Chairperson.
Maintain and update phone line.
Help on training phone line volunteers.
b. Qualifications:
A suggested minimum of one (1) year clean time.
A minimum of one (1) year commitment.
A working knowledge of the Twelve Steps, Twelve Traditions and the Twelve Concepts of Narcotics
Anonymous and application of them.
The time and resources to do the job.
Must be an active member of NA as a whole.
A willingness and desire to serve.
G.
Ability to exercise patience and tolerance.
3. Maintaining Groups
When a group moves or changes information, they will need to fill out a change of information sheet. They can get them
from the ASC or the PI chairperson. Then they will give it to the ASV to approve then it will go the webmaster and then
the PI chairperson so they all can make the changes that need to be made.
Removal of Officers
a. Voluntary
1. Given in writing or verbally to the Chairperson prior to the next PI meeting.
b. Involuntary
1. Missing 2 consecutive meetings without prior arrangements or reasonable cause.
2. Relapse during term of office. Failure to perform duties and responsibilities.
A closed ballot vote will be taken.