WESTSIDE AREA

NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS

NEWCOMER ORIENTATION

Introduction

  1. Introduction – READ:

Welcome to the Newcomer Orientation of Narcotics Anonymous. My name is ______. I’m an addict and your secretary for this orientation.

We understand that it can be confusing when you first come to NA. The purpose of the Newcomer Orientation is to welcome you to Narcotics Anonymous and familiarize you with some of the common practices in our fellowship. We do not do this to dictate your behavior. Rather, it is to assist in gaining an understanding of the program of Narcotics Anonymous.

This is not like a regular meeting. This is an interactive Orientation about NA. We encourage you to participate by asking questions. Unlike regular meetings, crosstalk is fine here.

(only read if committee members are present in the audience)

Sometimes other NA members attend this Orientation for the purpose of observing and critiquing the Orientation in hopes of helping us to always improve the Orientation. If you are attending this Orientation for that purpose, we request that you refrain from asking questions or enhancing our presentation during the Orientation. We value your opinions and invite you to share them with us at our monthly PR subcommittee meeting, which is held on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 6pm here at the Westside Hope Center.

  1. Brief History of Narcotics Anonymous:

Narcotics Anonymous, started in Los Angeles in 1953, has experienced phenomenal growth worldwide over the last 20 years. There are now over 58,000 NA meetings per week in over 130 countries, in 73 languages and 42 translations.

  1. Prayers – READ:

When participating in any of our spiritual prayers, we strongly encourage you to practice them in the exact wording as they appear in our NA literature.

Serenity Prayer (explain) (in the White Booklet)

  • Gets us focused in a consistent manner
  • Calms us down
  • Sets mood for recovery
  • Feel familiar with how meeting begins
  1. Meeting Attendance Verification Cards –READ:

Meeting Attendance Verification Cards will be signed and ready for you at the end of the Orientation. Please be aware that the signing of Meeting Attendance Verification Cards is a courtesy, provided by Narcotics Anonymous, NA is not required to sign them. We cooperate with, but never affiliate with entities such as courts, probation/parole, medical programs, treatment programs, recovery houses, or other recovery programs.

  1. NA Related Announcements – READ:

Does anyone know what an NA related announcement is?

  • Announcement about anything supported and backed the be NA fellowship (i.e. meetings, recreational events, conventions) (Ask for good example – convention, picnic, meeting needs help)
  • Not NA announcements (ask for bad example – party at my house Saturday, looking for clean and sober living arrangement, dance at the AA fellowship)

Meetings & NA Membership