Draft

Moderation guide for a

meeting of a group of NA

Moderation Guide
Service prayer
Second Tradition
Group Guide

Introduction
Objectives
Goals

Who chooses the moderator?

The Group Guide
Diversity
What can the group do if the moderator
What to do when
Improving our FORMAT

THE PROFILE OF THE IDEAL MODERATOR

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Moderation Guide

Service Prayer
God, grant us the wisdom to serve according to your divine precepts.
Help us understand your purpose. Make us servants of your will and grant us the
necessary self-denial for this to truly be your work and not ours, so that
no addict, wherever they are, should die as a consequence of the horrors of the
addiction.
Approved CSM 2018.

Second Tradition
For the purpose of our group, there is only one fundamental authority: a kind God.
as it may manifest in our group consciousness. Our leaders are nothing more than
trusted servers do not govern.
Twelve Traditions of Narcotics Anonymous

Group Guide
Narcotics Anonymous groups govern themselves (in the words of the Twelve)
Traditions: they are self-governing... they can be organized in the way they deem most appropriate for
its members, as long as their actions do not affect other groups or the entire
Brotherhood of NA ... what is written here is not a 'regulation' but the experience
shared by many groups about what has been positive for them... the best source of
guidance for the group is in the same group ... your group will develop its own identity,
their way of doing things and their special ability to convey the message. And that should be.
we encourage unity, not uniformity.
The group is the main vehicle for conveying our message. It provides a framework in the
that the newcomer can identify with other addicts and find an environment of
recovery.

INTRODUCTION

Objectives
Educating trustable colleagues responsible for moderating a meeting of
Narcotics Anonymous.
Strengthen the recovery atmosphere by providing knowledge and principles
spirituals necessary to moderate a meeting.

Goals
1. Define the profile of a 'key moderator' with emphasis on our literature.
2. Provide a consultation tool that serves as support when moderating and/or coordinating.
a meeting.
3. Keep the moderators informed of:
a. Types of open meetings and closed meetings.
b. Meeting formats (experiential, a specific topic, study, speaker, newcomer,
questions and answers, about work or service

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Who chooses the moderator?

This is a responsibility of the Group Secretary. If there is none or one has not been elected
server for this service, the rest of the trusted servers assume that service.
Among other things, they are responsible for keeping the record of the meetings, the agenda format and
schedule work or service meetings.
In other groups, the moderator is the secretary, who is responsible for moderating along with the ...
meeting coordinator colleagues; elected in a work meeting for a time
determined.

The leader (or coordinator) is the member of NA who guides the recovery meetings.
agreement with its format. The leader, who is usually a different person every week or every
Yes, it sets the tone for the rest of the meeting ...
The leader's tone helps to establish a positive recovery environment. This can include the
maintain order in the meeting. Kindness and calm greatly influence preserving the
recovery environment. A coordinator who knows how to be affectionate and firm at the same time can
keep the meeting focused on delivering the message of recovery ...

Trusted servers of the group:

Functions and responsibilities
Key Moderator Profile
(Group Guide, Page No. 8, IP No. 29, 4th service concept)

Benefits of the Moderator

The Group Guide

a. Types of open meetings and closed meetings. Bulletin No. 15
b. Formatos de reunión ( Vivencial, un tema especifico, estudio, orador, recien llegado,
questions and answers
c. Work meetings.
d. NA's position on "special interest" meetings. Bulletin No. 18
Moderation Guide

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Diversity.

It is important to understand that each group has different personalities and that the moderator
must bring out the best in each member attending meetings. Remember: 'YES Principles,
personalities NO" The moderator balances the meeting time to ensure participation
fair sea.

PEOPLE YOU CAN FIND IN A MEETING WHAT CAN THE MODERATOR DO

THE ONE WHO ASKS Suggest to the members to share their
He wants to make himself noticed and impose his opinion. own experiences. I diverted the
Seek support and general attention questions and avoid getting involved.

THE ONE WHO DOES NOT UNDERSTAND EASILY Lovingly invite to accept the
He/She does not understand reasons, does not want to listen, nor point of view of the majority and use a
Understanding others opportunity to share your reality

THE ONE WHO PREFERS TO BE IN SILENCE Invite the member to share

She doesn't want to share about the topic or reflection. Remembering how important it is the
He/she shows indifference, or does not identify with it. participation of everyone in the
the topic makes him nervous to share. group. Motivate him with simple ways
about topics that he knows or wishes
share it openly.

THE ONE WHO SHOWS SHYNESS Help with simple ways and gift it
He finds it hard to ask questions. trust with compliments and simplicity.

THE ONE WHO KNOWS EVERYTHING He previously suggests that his sharing
Talks all the time, going off-topic each time. be in the manner of NA. And that the time
moment. In meetings, it takes away the rhythm of sharing. it must be used in concrete.

THE ONE WHO IS DISTRACTED Help me not to digress on a topic

One moves away from a topic and shares another. different and do not enter into discussion.
It may break the thread of your sharing.

THE RETAILER Take it with joy, and invite him to that

It does not allow progress because it gets tangled in the same thing keep coming.
and the same.

THE DEEP Thank him for continuing to believe in him.

Willing to listen.
He goes straight to his experience, he doesn't waste time.

THE GOOD NOTE Let me contribute, express

Find the constructive side of things. Real experiences
Always ready to help and has new ideas.

THE POSITIVE Channel your energy in moments of

Motivates the group and is optimistic tension or friction at the right moment.

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WHAT CAN THE GROUP DO IF THE MODERATOR ...

He/She does not have enough clean time.

2. Improvise the meeting format.

3. From your personal opinion, when each member has just shared

4. He/she gets distracted while moderating the meeting.

It is rude or unpleasant.

6. Add other situations that affect your meetings. (for example, sharing time)

Arrives late and does not follow the normal format of the meeting.

8. It is promotion with language and actions outside of the ordinary.

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WHAT TO DO WHEN ...

It is time for the meeting and the person who opens the group's venue hasn't arrived or it is already time and there is no one.
who will moderate the meeting

2. The meeting is open / anniversary / study / speaker and there is a newcomer.

3. The meeting is closed and there is a non-addict person in the group.

A member interrupts the meeting and does not allow others to listen or enters greeting each one.
from the companions.

5. The meeting is over. And an addict arrives and urgently wants to share.

6. The meeting is not over yet and no one wants to share. Does the moderator share? Is it possible?
share again?

There is a person asking for information and wants to buy literature.

8. A person referred by the court arrives and requests a certificate from the group.

A member of passing time to share and does not respect the bell's toll.

A member shares about their personal beliefs regarding the Higher Power they conceive.
After a member shares about the experience of the previous partner.

An addict becomes violent or verbally attacks another member.

We need to make a decision in the work meeting and the majority disagrees or
is composed of shorter-term members.

13. Other situations (telephone)

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ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF TRUSTED SERVANTS

In Narcotics Anonymous, service is an essential part of recovery. Most of us do not...
we would have recovered if it were not for the work of other members who preceded us.
Free from active addiction, we can also serve the fellowship. Service in NA
it starts in the groups, which are the ones that directly convey the message to those addicted to
they still suffer. This pamphlet describes some of the basic service positions of the group.
Group guide is another useful resource for NA groups.

The main function of NA groups is to hold meetings where addicts

they can mutually share the message of recovery. The strength of each group
depends on its trusted servers and regular members. The servers of
trust lays the foundations for creating a recovery environment.
Members who attend regularly and share a strong recovery message are
forge on these foundations. The work necessary for our meetings to take place
varies from one group to another, but the positions of trusted servers are similar in
many places.

FUNCTION, NOT FORM.

These descriptions are suggestions based on common practice and service materials.
existing. Often, groups do things in different ways.
Each group is free to create other positions to share the workload or to carry out.
tasks not covered by this brochure. Groups usually choose members
to take care of specific tasks: the person in charge of organization or cleaning, the one who coordinates
the interventions, the person in charge of publications, the one for coffee, or the one that gives the welcome.
It depends on the size and needs of the group.
Some positions are ideal for newcomers to get involved. Each group can
find creative ways to create a cozy and inviting atmosphere.
When we focus on our primary purpose, group service has deep
effects on the lives of many addicts.

THE SECRETARY OF THE GROUP

The secretary plays a key role in the functioning of meetings. He/She is usually the link.
between the group and the meeting venues. This means ensuring that the facilities are
open and close at their hour, before and after each meeting, and work with the treasurer of the
group to ensure that the rent is paid on time. Generally, it also checks
that the group has all the necessary publications and materials. This may involve
work with the group services representative (RSG) or with the treasurer to purchase
publications to the area service committee (ASC) or to a NA service office.
The recovery environment of a meeting often depends on its format and
the members elected to lead, coordinate, or speak. In some places, the secretary chooses
to the leaders, speakers or coordinators of group meetings. In addition, often works
together with the RSG to plan or direct the work meetings of the group.
In these cases, the secretary can take notes or moderate the debates of the group.

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TREASURER
The treasurer is responsible for the money that members contribute to the group. This involves handling the
accounting, pay the group's expenses (publications, rent, etc.), report on the
financial activities in work meetings and send or deliver the contributions of
group to other service levels. The treasurer can play an important role in raising awareness
to the group about the importance of self-financing. When a treasurer is chosen, the group
should look for members who are trustworthy, financially responsible, and who
they should have basic mathematical knowledge. The group could also consider a treasurer
who is willing to help members understand the shared responsibility of
finance our NA services and that it can be done.

The treasurer provides accurate information to the group during work meetings to help the
members to make good financial decisions. This trusted server ensures that
all the funds of the groups are used according to our traditions and concepts, and in accordance
with the awareness of the group. The group's treasurer's workbook can help with
simplify accounting.
Some groups have lost funding due to negligence and embezzlement.
and the theft. Something that can often be avoided by selecting members with good skills.
organizational and a solid recovery program.

LEADER / COORDINATOR
The leader (or coordinator) is the NA member who guides the recovery meetings.
agreement with your format.
The leader, who is often a different person each week or month, sets the tone for the rest.
from the meeting. Some groups invite members from other groups to lead their meetings.
The leader's tone helps to establish a positive recovery environment. This can include the
maintain order in the meeting. Kindness and calm greatly influence preserving the
recovery environment.
A coordinator who knows how to be affectionate and firm at the same time can keep the meeting focused.
in conveying the message of recovery.

Group Services Representative (GSR)

The RSG represents the group in the area service committee (CSA) meetings. This server
a trusted person must regularly attend the CSA to report on the situation of the group, both
the challenges that it faces, as well as the successes it experiences. This helps to
that the group develops a relationship of mutual support with other NA groups in the area.
The RSG is the group's link to the group's concerns with local service bodies.
and helps to keep the group informed about the work at the different levels: in the area,
regional and global.
The RSG represents the voice of the group as a whole in NA.

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MENTORSHIP AND CONTINUITY: ALTERNATE POSITIONS

To maintain freshness and enthusiasm, groups usually rotate positions regularly.
from trusted servers. Generally, servers go on to perform different
papers or to act at other service levels when their mandate ends. The alternation in
These service positions help members learn the functions before taking on responsibilities.
The responsibilities. The substitutes work with the starters to better understand the position.
They also replace them in case of absence.

This helps cultivate leadership skills in members of the group who might otherwise.
they would not have held service positions, and allows members to learn their
posts in advance.

IF THE MEMBERS GROW, THE GROUP GROWS

The NA group is responsible for being the first level of the service structure that
carry the message to the addict who still suffers. Being a member and serving a group are functions
important for the growth and stability of Narcotics Anonymous as a whole.
When we commit to our group, we take on a personal responsibility towards
the primary purpose of NA.
The newcomer we welcome today could help many addicts in the
future. We carry a message and help addicts find a home in NA;
Our service reaches further than we can imagine. When we serve and grow
together, we started to achieve that in our groups we feel at home. That feeling
It can be the appeal that brings back newcomers.

Trusted servers of the group:

Functions and responsibilities

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Moderation Guide

QUALITIES OF EFFICIENT SERVERS / LEADERS

Efficient leadership can help ensure higher quality services in NA. Perhaps the
the most important role of an efficient leader is to serve as an example of our principles in
action. Our leaders demonstrate humility, for example, when they are guided by conscience.
of the group, as mentioned in the Second Tradition. When they keep us informed
from the tasks assigned to them, they embody integrity and accountability to the
which invoke the concepts Fifth and Eighth. They demonstrate the integrity and anonymity of the
Twelfth Tradition when they systematically apply our principles, no matter what.

Our leaders, in addition to being examples of our principles, must be capable of

properly carry out some very specific tasks: for example, facilitate
discussions and work meetings. When meetings are facilitated skillfully, our
service organs can have frank and open discussions that allow everyone to participate
the world and listen to all opinions, as our Seventh concept demands
Ninth. Our facilitators must be able to encourage all participants to express their
concerns, as well as keeping the service organism focused and allowing it to advance, of
so that decisions better reflect the authentic group consciousness that they mention
Second Tradition and the Sixth Concept.

Another essential quality of leadership is the ability to communicate effectively.

information among different audiences. As stated in our Eighth Concept, "our
The structure of service depends on the integrity and effectiveness of our communications." Everyone
the group service representatives, the members of the regional committee, and the delegates
regionals (RSG, MCR, and DR) play a very important role in the communications network of
our service system and the best way they have to demonstrate it is to provide
clear and precise reports of your work. Each of these positions involves interaction through
less in two different service levels. Knowledge and experience vary from one
level to another. For this reason, it is important that we choose servers that know how to explain things.
with clarity and listening. A good delegate, for example, will know how to extract the essential points.
from a prolonged discussion and transmit them to the region so that everyone understands. Another
a fundamental communication skill is the ability to weigh the level of awareness and
audience experience to convey the information according to that level.
Other leadership skills must also be taken into account: knowing how to be accountable,
honesty and the ability to educate and stimulate other members, make decisions and
to act. The qualities of an efficient leader are based both on the principles of our
program like in the tasks corresponding to the specific service positions. All of this
It must be kept very much in mind when we choose the members who will take on roles of
leadership in service to NA.

Leadership in NA is a service,
not a special class of members.
It works: how and why, "Second Tradition"

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CHOOSE TRUSTED SERVERS.

Sometimes, the task of choosing leaders for our service bodies is difficult. It could
it seems unpleasant to subject a member to a rigorous examination just because they have expressed
your availability to provide service. According to our Twelfth Tradition, our
Fourth Concept invites us to carefully examine the qualities of leadership, although
it feels uncomfortable to do so. We must bear in mind that we do not judge the value of our
addicted companions neither as members of NA nor as people, but simply
We assess your chances of being efficient in a specific position of trusted server.
Many members of our brotherhood are wonderful living examples of the
principles of our program and have various leadership qualities. If the abilities
and the specific experience does not match the requirements for the vacant position, we must
aspire to help them find other ways to serve. Put a member in a position to
He who is not qualified does not do any favors either to the member or to our initiatives.
service.

To prioritize principles over personalities, we attempt to ensure that capacity aligns with the
task and we leave feelings out. This could mean offering ourselves for certain
position even if we fear rejection or choose someone we dislike because we know
that can do a good job. Or even harder for most of us: to prioritize
the principles towards personalities could mean not choosing a friend because we know that
he is not the right person for a certain service position. We practice anonymity
when we focus exclusively on the task at hand and on the
preparation of each candidate and we choose the most suitable person for the position. These acts of
awareness, which at times constitute a challenge for each of us, are the
basic elements of authentic group consciousness.

THE PRINCIPLES AND LEADERSHIP IN NA.

Our Fourth Concept reminds us that we need effective leaders in our system.
of service to better support our groups. The fact of having been witnesses to the remarkable
growth of our brotherhood, sometimes can lead us to think that most of
the work of NA has already been completed. When the doors of our meetings are open,
It is not always clear what else could be done to further our primary purpose.
But the truth is that all our services require a constant contribution of talent,
creativity and goodwill of our members to continue contributing to our
groups carry the message of NA. Public relations campaigns, presentations in
institutions, the phone lines, the lists with the meeting schedules and the sites of
The internet is just a few of the many services that support our groups.
To carry out these tasks, we need leaders and systems that support the initiatives of
the others and guide them. The most efficient leaders in service to NA not only encourage others
members to participate but are looking for ways to improve existing services and to
to find new and innovative methods to help spread our message.
Working with others is just the beginning of service. Service to NA allows us to invest greatly
part of our time in directly helping the suffering addicts while at the same time
ensure the survival of Narcotics Anonymous. This is how we preserve what we have:
sharing it.
Basic Text, "What can I do?"

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ATTRACT AND ENCOURAGE THE SWERVERS / LEADERS

Our ability to reach the addict who still suffers depends entirely on the
members who step forward and get involved. They say that ten percent of the
people do ninety percent of NA's work, but we believe we can improve to
attract and get more members to participate. Our recovery program appeals to everyone.
we carry our message to the addicts who still suffer. Inspired by
a awakening of the spirit and by the gift of recovery that has been granted to us, we see in the
opportunity to serve is not only a privilege but also a responsibility. The members
they arrive at the NA service with diverse talents and abilities that may be useful for
our efforts. Keeping this in mind, when choosing leaders we must pay special attention
attention to leadership qualities based on our principles, such as integrity and
humility, as well as the ability to communicate or organize. Although there are many
leadership styles, the most useful in the service to NA is based on spiritual principles
contents in our steps, traditions, and concepts.

If we serve—and lead—considering these principles, we achieve that the

service is more attractive to all members. Sometimes our service organs
they may be disorganized and overwhelming. The members who take on certain positions or
that they only attend a committee meeting to see what it's about, they might leave frustrated or
discouraged. We have a collective responsibility to create a recovery environment in
our service organs in which people feel welcome and encouraged to
grow. With an environment like this, it is very likely that our servers will
Trust that they feel useful and productive and that our service organs are strengthened. If
we set aside our personality differences and worked together to develop
the best qualities of members willing to serve, our areas, regions and
subcommittees become fertile ground for cultivation.

Having qualified leaders who embody our principles will greatly contribute to
let's cultivate better leadership among other trusted servants. This type of behavior does not
it only benefits those who demonstrate natural leadership qualities, but also to those
members willing to serve. It is very common for members who, otherwise, would be
those willing to participate in the service become discouraged with all those policies and procedures
as extensive or with those debates and that exhausting parliamentary gymnastics. The solutions
simple, such as holding a study meeting on traditions and concepts before the
work meetings or conducting learning days can contribute to improving the
knowledge and awareness regarding our spiritual principles. If we discuss
Together these principles, our trusted servers can work better in order to achieve
a common understanding of how to apply them in service environments.
This will help us avoid many common difficulties in our service initiatives.
an attractive environment encourages members to contribute what they can, instead of
to feel overwhelmed or ill-prepared. When the trusted servers are very familiar
with our guiding principles in leadership positions, we often find ourselves
It is about moving from a culture of rigid rules and debates to one of dialogue.
open, greater scope, cooperation and consensus building

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SUPPORT THOSE WHO SERVE.

When we choose trusted servers, we share the responsibility of the task that
these are carried out. As a service body, we must be willing to evaluate
honestly to the members we choose for leadership positions and provide them with the
tools and support they need to satisfactorily perform their functions.
Proper guidance and counseling are an ideal way to start. As long as
if possible, we must try to guide the members to learning positions, such as
they are the 'vice' or 'deputy', to allow them to train on the job. Sometimes we go through
stop this opportunity and we simply ask the substitutes to be willing to
to present oneself in case of absence of the holders and we miss the chance to offer you valuable
knowledge and guidance. There are many ways to help substitutes use their time
in a more productive way. We can provide them with service manuals and guidelines and policies
relevant, as well as resources prepared at the local level and encourage them to study them.
The current trusted server can guide the substitute in the way a godfather would.
work with the godson. Perhaps they want to meet between two committee meetings to
share experience, strength, and hope. However it is done, the task of advising shapes
part of the service position like any other aspect of the job. It is important that
let's choose leaders who can commit to helping those who follow them and who
let's remember that the development of leadership is a holistic process that cannot be forced. With
the time, these efforts will turn into our system to encourage the spirit of
leadership in trusted servers, instead of relying exclusively on 'leaders'
"naturals" among us. Cultivating leadership in NA is not limited to doing it among those.
people who hold formal service positions. In some cases, the sponsors who do not
they can take on certain positions and strive to guide the godchildren towards the
service. In others, members with a lot of knowledge or experience get to
disposition of trusted servers as another resource. Even for those who
They have a position, leadership is not a role, but a way of action. We must choose leaders.
that they can see the bigger picture beyond the practical tasks.
Effective leaders who can help us not only provide our services efficiently,
but to make lasting improvements so that we can better convey our message of
hope for the addicts who still suffer.

The principles and leadership in the service of NA

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Moderation Guide

SHARING.
NA is based on the 'therapeutic value of one addict helping another.' It is often requested to
those who are not members should not share during the meetings.
Members are asked to share only once per meeting, keeping in mind the
time limitations of it. Many meetings ask members to
limit your intervention to five minutes or less.
Members are also encouraged to avoid 'cross conversations', that is,
share about your own experiences instead of replying to other members. The
Participants can converse before or after the meetings.
Members are asked to avoid sharing details and descriptions during meetings.
explicit about drugs and their consumption and instead focus on how they affect us
addiction and recovery.
Generally, newcomers are encouraged to focus their attention on listening, but
if you feel the need to share, you can do so during the participation part
open of the meeting.
Newcomers are also encouraged to listen carefully to identify the
members with experience who have affinity, as they could be good
godparents to offer further guidance and support

BREATHING AN ATMOSPHERE OF RECOVERY IN OUR MEETINGS

Some meetings take a short break for members to chat, have a drink,
Use the bathroom or smoke. In meetings without breaks, we usually wait for it to finish.
We do not allow drugs or materials related to them in any NA meeting.
We firmly reject any kind of harassment or threat. the behavior
problematic before, during or after our meetings. This includes progress of
unwanted sexual, romantic, financial, and religious experiences. Our meetings are for
share the recovery of NA. If you feel bullied or threatened, talk to the
group secretary or some other trusted servant.
We ask people who arrive late to sit silently and avoid distracting others.
others.
We try to ensure that members refrain from talking to each other during meetings.
Even if they speak softly, they distract others.
Phone calls and text messages also distract others. We ask that
our members to turn off or silence their mobile phones and other devices
electronics during meetings.
In many places, hugs are the common form of greeting in NA. If they don't make you feel
comfortable, do not hesitate to say it. Most members will understand.

Our meetings vary greatly in size and style. Some are small and intimate; others,
big and noisy. The practices and terms used in our meetings also vary
a lot from one place to another, but the most important thing is that these are the place where
we share our experience, strength, and hope. If you are an addict, keep coming to
our meetings and share our recovery

Introduction to NA meetings

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The service enriches our recovery process Page 16
The service enriches our recovery process. Page 17
 Bulletin No. 15 of the Board
Global Service Keepers

which non-addicts are present in

OPEN MEETINGS AND
regular NA meetings. The largest
NA CLOSED
part of these situations not
represent a continuous problem for
This article was generated by the Board our groups. However, with ci
of World Service Custodians in continuous growth and awareness
August 1987 in response to the growing over NA, we all must look
needs of brotherhood. forward, we believe that by obtaining
clarity about open meetings and
1- Our purpose, when addressing
closed from NA, our members
open and closed meetings of NA, it is they may be ready to carry out
to help members of NA, to recovery message of the
understand precisely, what can drug addiction to addicts, or in how
offer a NA meeting, both for share our message with others who
addicts as well as non-addicts. They exist they are interested.
different types of NA meetings, with 5- The Board of Custodians recommends the
purposes different. Our following guidelines and definitions:
fraternity has shown us the
a) A NA meeting, whether open or
need to understand what role it plays
closed, it is a refuge for addicts. It
each type of meeting when delivering the message.
intended to be a safe place and
2- The general population is coming beneficial, where an addict can
learning more and more about our listen about and participate in the
brotherhood, and has a growing interest recovery from the disease of the
in our meetings. The Board of drug addiction.
Custodians have received reports about the
b) A closed meeting of Narcotics
confusion that arises when non-addicts
Anonymous is for individuals who
interested or people who are not
identify as addicts or those who
sure to be addicts are present
they are not sure or think they can
in NA meetings. This confusion
to have a problem with drugs. A
it can still be greater when you are
closed meeting of NA provides the
people you participatein our
necessary freedom for the members
meetings.
can share personally and
3- Our recovery message in deep. It provides an atmosphere in
meetings can be discredited or in which addicts can feel safe
diluted when parents, spouses, that the present ones will be able to
therapists, members of others identify with them, and share their
fraternities, or other non-members experience, strength and hope.
from NA they share or had in meetings
c) An open NA meeting is one that
from NA.
in which any can be present
4- We always encourage respect, person (e.g.: judges, officials of
caution y diplomacy when conditional, professionals, relatives
confronted with circumstances in the interested in knowing how we got to
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we recover from the disease of our recovery and service while
addiction. However, having the word meets the needs of
it is limited only to NA members. Non-addicts who are interested in NA.
open meeting at Narcotics Anonymous,
allows people from outside the
brotherhood observe what NA is and
how it works. This can be very
valuable for those individuals who
they are struggling to make a decision
staff in relation to their position
staff as addicts. A meeting
open in Narcotics Anonymous is a
method used by our groups in
achieve its primary purpose, that of
to carry the message to the addict who still suffers.
Some groups they carry out
also
open meetings to allow for
non-addict friends and relatives of
NA members celebrate with them their
recovery anniversaries.
d) Our service structure
provides a path to participation
of non-addicts in Narcotics Anonymous.
Along with the recognition of the
the need for and the value of workers
specialized no-addicts (Eighth
Tradition), the brotherhood has
approved literature (Information Guide
Public), which provides for meetings
public information communities.
These meetings are the vehicle for the
efforts of Service Committees that
are aimed at informing the public in
general about our brotherhood.
These are not regular NA meetings,
and they are the preferred vehicle for informing
to the general public about Narcotics
Anonymous. This format prevents confusion.
does not pose threats to anonymity, no
affects the NA message in meetings
regulars, and allows us to continue

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 The Board of Custodians of World Services
Bulletin No. 18

Special Interest Meetings [Link] the role that the

special interest meetings in the
The following report was presented at the meeting
Narcotics Anonymous fellowship.
April 1989 annual conference of
World Service by the CSM ad hoc Committee [Link] brotherhood the opportunity to
about special interest meetings. Said comment on this topic by organizing forums
the committee, formed the previous year, was led by open asking suggestions
the vicecoordinator of the Board of Custodians of directly to the groups and members to
Global Services. This bulletin was through the Newsline, the Fellowship Report and
reviewed during the conference year 1995- the magazine The NA Way; and direct letters to
1996 the regions; and

The ad hoc committee of the CSM on meetings of [Link] give a report that the members of NA
special interest was formed by voting in the they could serve as a basis for discussing the topic
World Service Conference of 1988. The of special interest meetings.
purpose of this motion, as established in
the minutes of the CSM, was to help the Definition
brotherhood to understand and perhaps to reach Of meetings of special interest
a solution to the issue of meetings
special interest. In addition, it could provide At the beginning of its deliberations, the committee
any forum to receive ideas on this topic. he tried to define what a group is concretely
of special interest and how this definition fits
Purpose of the committee
in the existing NA guides on the subject.
The committee spent much of its initial meeting In this part of our task, we made use of both
discussing what the conference wanted Temporary Working Guide to Our Service
what we would do. As a result of this Structure (Provisional guide about our
discussion, the committee defined the following goals: service structure) and of the Basic Text.

1. To give a definition of interest meetings.

special.
Temporary Working Guide to Our Service Structure
service) says that 'a group of NA is any meeting that regularly meets in a place and a
specific moments, as long as it follows the Twelve Steps and the Twelve Traditions." And that "the purpose
the primary purpose of a NA group is to carry the message to the still suffering addict by providing a place for

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identification and a healthy recovery atmosphere.
Structure, edition 1988, pages 1 and 2.

The Basic Text further clarified our task in special interest groups from their regions. From
the discussion of the Fourth Tradition when establishing the fifty-eight regions of NA, twenty-four
clearly that there are two basic types of they responded to this request. These are the
meetings: open to the general public and results of our survey:
closed (for addicts only). The format varies from
group in group; some meetings are of Of the twenty-four regions that
participation, others have speakers, they are held they answered, twenty indicated what
questions and answers or problems are discussed special interest meetings were taking place
specific." (Basic Text, ed. in Spanish, in its regions.
page 77 The twenty regions have reported a
In some NA communities there are groups a total of 184 special interest meetings.
specials for men, women, gays, Some regions, however,
professionals, etc. These members have they stated that not all areas
they responded to your request for information and,
NA meetings that focus on
recovery from drug addiction in therefore, the data was incomplete.
Narcotics Anonymous. The regions reported a variety
Types of special interest meetings of types of meetings of special interest:
men, women, gays and lesbians, people
The ad hoc committee on meetings of interest young, a meeting of couples, a
special wrote to each CSR coordinator and meeting of agnostics, a meeting of
RSR requesting information related to the illness and recovery and a meeting
about

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"pills". The committee also learned through other sources that in some regions there are meetings
for Vietnam veterans, people with AIDS, people who are HIV-positive, and various types of professionals.

From the regions that reported on the antiquity of the special interest meetings in their
respective regions, some indicated that the meetings have existed for more than five years,
and a region indicated that a group would soon celebrate its tenth anniversary.

Although the committee was informed that in some areas they had a policy of excluding meetings
of special interest in its listings, no region indicated that there were area or regional policies
written about the matter.

Final observations

The ad hoc committee on special interest meetings understood almost from the beginning that resolving the
The subject of special interest meetings in Narcotics Anonymous could be impossible, that the
The variety of opinions on the topic seems irreconcilable and it is possible that we may not be able to offer a
a sufficiently novel and profound perspective for all members of NA
immediately accept our conclusions. However, it seemed to us that if we were capable of
make some objective observations on the topic—unbiased and without sentimentality
we could be of assistance. These are our conclusions:

Special interest meetings have existed in Narcotics Anonymous for a long time. There doesn't seem to be
In the Twelve Traditions, nothing prevents groups from holding special interest meetings, starting from
based on the fact that the group has no other requirement than the desire to stop consuming. The meetings of
special interest tends to survive and thrive in local communities of NA there is a need and
the desire of these is hers, and not in NA communities where there is no such need or desire.

In Narcotics Anonymous, the World Service Conference has no authority to dictate policies to the
groups, and the regional and area service committees do not have the authority to establish policies on
the decisions of their groups. The only authority present in the groups is a kind God who
expresses through group consciousness.

The ad hoc committee on special interest meetings concludes that these special interest groups
They can be appropriate in some NA communities, as they exist and thrive with little controversy.
in it. In the NA communities where there are no special interest groups and where it apparently does not
there is no need for them, there is no reason to create them. The groups, exercising their autonomy, are the ones that
they are better qualified to decide whether there is a need for special interest meetings or not.

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