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Why is an H&I
Meeting/Presentation Needed
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The purpose of an
H&I meeting is to carry the NA message of recovery to addicts who do not have
full access to regular Narcotics Anonymous meetings. H&I
meetings/presentations, except for those in longer term facilities, are intended
to simply introduce those attending to some of the basics of the NA program. |
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H&I and Public
Information Cooperation
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Generally, a PI activity is geared to people outside
our fellowship and includes people who come in contact with addicts and can help
addicts to find NA.
If a PI subcommittee doesn't exist in an area or
region, H&I subcommittees may take on many of the responsibilities generally
taken on by PI subcommittees. |
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Meeting / Presentation
Format
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The format of any particular H&I meeting/presentation may
vary from meeting to meeting depending on the type of facility. In short term
facilities, the format will be more focused on the panel members carrying a
message in to the residents, while at a long term facility we may encourage more
participation from the residents.
Whatever format is
chosen, we normally get the residents involved with a question and answer
session at some point in the meeting/presentation. |
Who is Best Suited to Carry
the
NA Message in an H&I Meeting
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| In our experience, it is best for members to have three
months clean before attending an H&I meeting, and six months clean before
speaking at one. It is not important whether or not we have been in a similar
facility ourselves. Anyone with a clear and consistent Narcotics Anonymous
message who is willing to share is well suited for H&I work. |
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H&I
Meetings/Presentations where no Area Service Committee or H&I Subcommittee
Exists
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As Narcotics Anonymous grows, meetings are starting
up more and more frequently in smaller communities and rural areas. Often
because of their geographical location, or because of the limited development of
an NA service structure in an area or region, formation of and participation in
an ASC and its H&I subcommittee is not yet possible or practical. Yet once an
H&I meeting/presentation is started, the news seems to spread very quickly.
Facilities may seek out local members and request an NA meeting. Usually, these
original members in an area are very committed and try to say “yes” to all
requests, so H&I meetings are started.
These commitments are many times taken on by one or
a few dedicated members who mean well, but usually discover that the demands of
supporting one or more H&I meetings, week in and week out, can quickly lead to
burn-out. It is possible to do H&I work in such circumstances, but be sure to
use some common sense. Here are some tips:
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Never take on an H&I
commitment alone. In the absence of an area H&I subcommittee, any H&I work
has to be the effort of one or more groups. Remember, I can't--we can. the
H&I member working alone may end up doing more harm than good in the long
run.
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Make sure the group is
ready for the responsibility. Don't be afraid to say "no, we're just not
able to support a meeting in your facility at this time." Don't take on
additional commitments until you are ready.
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Get other groups
involved whenever possible, perhaps alternating weeks or months. Reach
out. There is the possibility that some member from neighboring areas or
the region would be able to come and help occasionally.
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Use these guidelines.
You will find much material in here that will be helpful in your efforts.
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If you find that you
have over-committed yourselves, go to the facility and let them know that
you need to discontinue the meeting for a while. They will respect you more
for letting them know face to face than if you just stop showing up.
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Always keep an awareness
that H&I work is best done by area H&I subcommittees using the panel
system. As soon as it is possible to form an ASC (Area Service Committee)
or join one, do so.
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