Fostering Diversity

& responding to the findings from environmental scans

Carlos H. & Pam T.rscpr@norcalna.org

Northern California Region of Narcotics Anonymousfor Western Service Learning Days XXVII in Los Angeles

Part of the very foundation of Narcotics Anonymous

Primary Purpose: To carry the message to the addict who still suffers

Regardless of age, race, sexual identity, creed, religion or lack of religion

Inclusiveness of language that’s not drug specific

Principle vs. reality Does our membership reflect the larger community? How can we help that still suffering addict find the

commonalties we all share?

Diversity

Here’s the ethnic makeup of members who responded to the 2011 Membership Survey:*

74% Caucasian 11% African-American 8% Hispanic 2% Asian 1% Indigenous 3% multiracial 1% other

NOTE: The Membership Survey tends to reflect the geographic location of the convention, not that of our entire fellowship

*Made available at WCNA in San Diego, in “The NA Way” and at na.orgSOURCE: http://na.org/admin/include/spaw2/uploads/pdf/PR/NA_Membership_Survey.pdf

Who’s missing in terms of ethnicity?

Environmental scanning ~ data collection

Observe and record at your home group Tally demographics at events Map out meetings

Our responsibility as members to notice the composition of local membership

Do NA’s demographics match those of the larger community?

Who’s Missing?

SF: No Meetings in Chinatown

Why should we do this? Didn’t I find my own way into NA? I found a chair, why can’t they do the same? Isn’t NA for everyone? Why should we concentrate on those few

special interest groups who are not here?

Some may say…

A. What gets in the way of some groups

of people finding us?B. What gets in the way of identification

when someone from an under-represented group does find us?

Brainstorm ~ Report

Barriers (real or perceived)

Very Important - 49%

Important - 14%

Neutral - 17%

Somewhat Important - 11%

Not at All Important - 9%

Importance of First NA Meeting

[We] all have an interest in maintaining the unity that underlies [NA’s] common welfare…The importance of unity encourages our groups to look beyond their own little worlds to the common needs of the worldwide NA Fellowship…With an attitude of open-mindedness, we seek to understand other perspectives…When we work to ensure the vitality of NA, we’re not working just for ourselves but for those yet to join us. . . Our ability to survive as a fellowship and to reach others depends on our unity. 

From It Works How and Why, Tradition 1

Actions & language that

can make people feel included

Actions & language that may

make people feel shut out

Toward a More Inclusive Environment, Fostering

Diversity, & Building Unity

Annual cycle of scanning and planning led to a

focus on the Vietnamese community Pre-publication version of translated material

distributed Pointed to under-representation of the Asian

community at large Engaged members of Asian-Pacific Islander descent

Established a common needs home group Beginning to take on outreach effort Reaching in, reaching out

Experience, Strength, & Hope

Individual and groups might consider the following: Consider how you can make your meetings more

welcoming Scan and welcome Include new/different people the meeting-after-the-

meeting Commit to learning about different cultures Approach addicts from that community who have

stayed put them to work on outreach encourage and support Common Needs Meetings

What can I do?

PR Committees might consider the following: Recruit members from diverse backgrounds Approach a local community-specific newspaper to

see if they would do an interview or put a public service announcement in their paper

Create culturally relevant posters and ads Approach local community resources to see if they

would like a presentation from your PR team Ask for help from people in the helping professions

who are from or work with the specific community you are trying to reach

What can I do?

“Diversity and Public Information” by Melissa W., Blue Bonnet

Region, USA and Monika C., BC Region, Canada, published in The NA Way Magazine, Summer 1998. Available at: http://na-pr.org/public-relations-resources/articles-on-narcotics-anonymous/diversity-and-public-information/

“Planning Basics: A Guide to Strategic Thinking, Preparing, and Achieving our Goals” NA World Services, Inc., 2011. Available at: http://www.na.org/admin/include/spaw2/uploads/pdf/handbooks/Planning_Basics.pdf

“Membership Survey” ” NA World Services, Inc., 2011. Available at: http://na.org/admin/include/spaw2/uploads/pdf/PR/NA_Membership_Survey.pdf

Sources Consulted & for further information