Concept Twelve

"In keeping with the spiritual nature of Narcotics Anonymous, our structure should be one of service, never of government."

As a guiding principle, the Twelfth Concept teaches us that Public Information services should be kept within the spiritual boundaries which nurture our personal growth, and the growth of the NA fellowship. When working with one another on a committee or task team, we should express attitudes of cooperation, not dictation.

As PI committees, we seek to cooperate and facilitate our public information efforts with other PI and other service committees whenever service boundaries are crossed. We never take action to “force” other PI committees to serve our will or accept our actions as justified. In fact, by following the will of the fellowship in doing PI work, we cover the range of most of the spiritual principles we’ve learned about in our personal recovery.

Two of these spiritual principles are especially important for PI workers. The first one is humility. Members of PI committees don't seek accolades for the work they do. PI workers carry the message anonymously, and most times, indirectly to those who still suffer. Much of the work done by PI committees is unnoticed by the average NA group member. However PI workers do see the gift of practicing humility when a Higher Power reveals the greatest gift of service; a newcomer who found NA through our PI efforts.

The principle of selfless service also rings true for PI workers. Those of us who succeed in putting what is best for NA as a whole over our personal interests, are acting in a truly selfless manner. The typical lessons experienced by most PI committee members, such as learning to let go of one’s personal problems before entering a committee meeting, listening to new PI committee members with patience and respect, giving personal time and resources to educate the fellowship about the value of PI,—all truly show selfless service.

By faithfully applying the two principles, selflessness and humility, PI workers serve their respective service committees, as well as the groups, the public and the addict who still suffers. For us to best serve those who have asked us to do so, we must keep these spiritual principles in mind at all times.