Thank you for being a member of our family.
Addiction is a family disease. It affects the relationships of those close to the addict; parents, spouse, siblings, children, long time friends, and employers. We who care the most suffer from the addict’s erratic behavior. We try to control and are ashamed of the scenes caused. Soon, we begin to think we are to blame and assume the guilt, fears and responsibilities of the addict. Thus, we become sick too.
Why have a region?
The centerpiece of Nar-Anon philosophy is the individual Nar-Anon Family Group (NFG). Each NFG, by following the 12 Steps and 12 Traditions, serves the friends and families of addicts.
However, there are Nar-Anon tasks that require economies of scale that are beyond the means of an individual NFG. These include:
Delegates to World Service Conference
Events planning and implementation
Annual convention
Workshops
Picnics
Website setup and maintenance
Outreach
Narateen
The region supports Area Service Committees (ASC) and Nar-Anon Family Groups (NFG). The composition of the regional structure includes the Regional Service Committee (RSC) which is responsible to hold the Regional Assembly once a year.The RSC adheres to the 12 Traditions, 12 Concepts of Service, the NFG Guide to Local Service (GLS), and Robert’s Rules of Order. Officers of the RSC are: the Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer. Members of the RSC are: Officers, Area Service Representatives, and Regional Subcommittee Chairs, as well as the Delegate and Alternate Delegate. Our RSC meets 4 times a year. All members are welcome to attend.
The RSC highly recommends that each group have an updated copy of the GLS.
All members of the RSC are volunteers and receive no compensation for their work. The region's activities are funded by donations by NFG's and individual Nar-Anon members. Our region may also ask for a registration fee for our events.
Supporting your Region through RSC participation or donations provides a way to help others beyond those in your local NFG.
SERVICE
In Nar-Anon, we have found that doing service work has been helpful in our recovery. There are many ways a member may choose to help promote the growth of Nar-Anon. One way is within your own group as Group Service Representative (GSR), Secretary, Treasurer or perhaps your group has a welcome committee or outreach opportunities or simply to help set up the room or put things away after the meeting. Another way is to participate in the Region or Area committees.
Currently we have the following Region Sub-Committees in need of support.
Outreach: The Twelveth Step invites us to carry Nar-Anon’s message of hope to others. Outreach offers a way to carry the message by increasing awareness of Nar-Anon Family Groups (NFGs). The focus of outreach is to let families and friends of addicts and professionals who may come in contact with them know that help is available. We do this with use of Nar-Anon approved materials, flyers, directories, etc., distributed at libraries, grocery stores and Nar-Anon events.
Conventions/Events: These events are held for Nar-Anon members to celebrate their recovery and to share their experience, strength, and hope. We have different types of events throughout the year. An area or region may hold an all-day or weekend event, or a convention. Each takes time to plan and organize. Events may include speaker meetings, panel discussions, workshops and spiritual breakfasts. When an event is planned by an area or region, they should reach out to groups in their service structure requesting members to join the planning committee. This is done in the spirit of unity.
Website: The NFG service structure is in place to support the groups, the members, and ultimately the newcomer. Concept One: "To fulfill our fellowship's primary purpose, the NFGs have joined together to create a structure that develops, coordinates, and maintains services on behalf of Nar-Anon as a whole."
Please contact us if you wish to donate your time.
SPONSORSHIP
A sponsor is a member of Nar-Anon with whom you can share intimate thoughts and feelings about how you have been affected by a loved one’s drug addiction. A sponsor will guide you through the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions so that you can apply them to your daily life. A sponsor can guide you by making suggestions and by sharing their experiences. You do not have an obligation to follow a sponsor’s suggestions, but there is an old saying, “If you want what I have, do what I do.”
When someone agrees to be a sponsor, that person is making a commitment to spend time listening and talking with you outside of regular meetings.
If you are interested in becoming or finding a sponsor, visit the webstore for sponsorship literature here.
Newsletter
The Serenity Connection is a quarterly newsletter of the Nar-Anon Family Groups. The button below will direct you to the World Services website.