When going to a recovery center, rehab, courts, etc: have you been asked to display literature along with a meeting list? If so, did you think how everything would be displayed? Recently with the new recovery center being opened in Medina, we were asked to have a bracket for our literature and to have someone from the group to check and update the literature and meeting list. What a great idea, just checked the cost of literature rack and the cost is$32, which of course I will take back to group conscious. I think it is important that when being asked to set out literature in an office setting, what is this going to look like. Will it be displayed in the counselors office or in the waiting room? Are you going to check on the literature or are you waiting for a phone call? Are they willing for a Naranon member to come in with the people working in the office, courts, rehabs, centers, etc to explain what Naranon is and ask if anyone has any questions regarding Naranon? We have a literature chair person at our meeting, she counts the literature and before group conscious brings to the group what is needed and the cost. She will also be the person that if we set up literature at the recovery center will keep track. I realize that not all meetings can have a literature chair person, it was years before our group did. When I talk about community outreach there are so many ways besides going to an event and setting up informational tables.
Judy

Through the summer as we have vacations, kids out of school, hot days going to the watering hole (pools), are we still doing outreach projects? Or do we take a break and look for events after Labor Day? We suddenly think I haven't been out and I know there have been events. When we remember that we came in broken, confused and not knowing which way to turn, there are family members out there struggling like we were. As we always know addiction and family members hurting does not take a holiday nor does it take summer vacations. Maybe outreach has been tabled or just not talked about at the meetings. It could be as simple to bring up at a meeting to see if anyone has heard about an event or if you know of one, see if there is anyone with new interest in doing outreach functions.
Judy

When we talk about educating the community, the legal system, schools, etc. How many of us deal with family members that believes that addiction is a choice? These same family members or friends who have heard recently that cities are looking at reviving someone three times and after that will not, believe that is okay. I had to remember the Naranon principles today because a family member said let them die. He knows how involved I am with Naranon and this broke my heart. I told him to check the CDC to see that addiction is a disease, that was a no. I offered to bring info for him to read to learn about addiction and that was met with that he knew everything he needed to know. There are times when you have to let it go, however today was not the day I could. When he said something negative, I could not let it go and came back with what addiction is and felt that I could bring him info for education. He is not interested and actually walked out on me. I have to remember education within the family is as important as the community.
Judy

I usually go online to our county, surrounding counties or state, drug, alcohol, and mental health department. When I open these up, most of them have a page that has events. Further looking at event page, I can see the sponsors go forward with that and see what other events the sponsors may have and get in touch with that person or group. I took the liberty, for Kentucky-the name has changed to Centerstone addiction recovery: for Tennessee- NAADAC for West Virginia-WVCBAPP. this was just doing a general Google search, which I am sure you can find more city, county or state alcohol, drug and mental health places. Sometimes you just have to play on the computer to locate.
I reached Columbus and found the person in the state capital who sends me a weekly email. I then let the group's closest to the event know.
Judy

Have not been on top of things lately, I do,apologize. If anyone has any great out reach info to share with the rest of us that would be great.
Judy

These are two sided advertising in diners, hotels, libraries, waiting rooms, etc. Each city has a section called what's happening and it is free to put a community event. What kind of papers do you see in the waiting rooms, diners, hotels, etc. you go do. Have you even noticed any papers anywhere you attend. I saw mine as I was at the laundromat watching my laundry and bored. You just never know what is in the waiting area you are.
Judy

The last couple of weeks, I wrote about having a number people can call to find out about Naranon that could be setup by groups and to also make rehab and other facilities have current meeting info. We have found the county board and even citizens are having helplines set up for all recovery information, including for family members. When reaching out ask if they have set up a hotline or know one in the city or county. If so, find out how you can provide World Naranon number. A reminder that giving out your personal number unless within the meeting is discouraged. Usually a hotline number is,24/7 and you are not. There are some meetings that have a general outreach number, which could also be given. When calling up local hotlines, find out where they are located and see if you can stop by to give info on what is Naranon. Not all cities and/or counties offer this. If you are up to it there are quite a bit listed on the internet.
Judy

I wanted to send my outreach tip early. The above can be effective in 12 Step work by letting those in need know that they are not alone. By providing meeting information and encouraging attendance at a Naranon meeting. The decision to have this service is within the groups to support. The line/answering service should respect your anonymity as a volunteer to this service. Members names and personal phone numbers should not be given out. There should be a number established that is not a personal number and volunteers will be willing to accept phone calls. If you are in an area where there are a lot of meetings, a suggestion is that maybe one group starts this and emails the secretaries of the other groups to see if there are any volunteers. It may be harder where there are less meetings and not a lot of Naranon members willing to do this. You might be in a state where there are only a handful of meetings, establishing an information line, might have to,work where the meeting who wants to establish this, contact the secretaries of the other meetings to see if there would be the volunteers needed. This type of outreach may need to be put on hold. Will there is a will there is a way.
Wishing everyone a safe and happy Holiday weekend.
Judy

So many places are recognizing the family members. 10 years ago, it was unheard of for our jail to have Naranon information along meeting Naranon members speaking there. We know that rehabs welcome us to bring info, has anyone thought about half way houses, 3 quarters housing and the recovery centers. Recovery centers are newer in our area, but with the opening of this center, this will bring opportunity for volunteers. Whether it is helping to clean out the building, introducing ourselves, literature or having meetings. The Recovery center will offer, GED's, resume help, teaching job skills picnics and help for family members. There are different places opening up in more and more areas as the need arises. Keeping our eyes open we do not know where we may be able to be there to help others. Just a quick reminder as the weather starts getting better, there will be more outdoor events occurring.
Judy

I found out this week that one of the rehabs we sent information to last year did not have a meeting on the list that was given. That is why it is important to have spreadsheet or have it written down, the facility, your contact person and when you gave info. As we see by Tim V. the new meetings and the disbanded meetings. Which brings me to another point, if the list is not updated in different facilities, people may go to disbanded meetings. Remember your first meeting, how would you have felt if there would not have been anyone there and find out it was disbanded, date change, and/or time change. Sharing my experience, strength and hope, when I went to my first meeting, it had taken all the courage I had to go through the doors. I was at the point of my life. I would have been lost if the meeting was not there.
I wish all Mothers a very Happy Mother's Day.
Judy