dalin
10-08-2008, 12:24 AM
October 2006 | PR Handbook | 91
Key topics
Core PR principles
PR & Internet technology
Planning & preparation for
areas & committees
Discussing & addressing
known challenges with
Internet technology
Putting your plan into action
Resources
Key icons
�� Practical experience
�� Preparation and training tips
�� PR principles for discussion
INTERNET TECHNOLOGY
his chapter addresses Internet technology as it relates to our public relations
efforts. Since a website is often one of the first points of contact for members of
the public and potential NA members, this topic deserves thoughtful attention and
planning. Whatever impression members of the public get from a website is likely
to have a lasting effect. The material here is designed to help areas use Internet technology
in a more useful and informative way.
This chapter is deliberately nonspecific since the rapid development of Internet
technology makes this material likely to become dated. As a result, specific technology or
products are not contained here. What is here—some of the fellowship’s current best
practices with how to effectively use Internet technology to further our primary purpose.
Core public relations principles
This section is excerpted from Chapter Two.
Anonymity on the Internet
The Internet can often give the illusion that it is not a public sphere. As a result, the issue of
personal anonymity on the World Wide Web can be a confusing one. Many members, in
enthusiastic efforts to carry NA’s message of
recovery, have set up personal websites or
weblogs. One way a personal site could respect
the principle of anonymity would be to state that
the site does not represent NA; it speaks only
for the individual. Personal sites can also provide
links to a local registered site or to na.org.
Personal websites can further protect
members’ anonymity by using words like
“recovery” instead of specifically stating that
they are members of Narcotics Anonymous.
Using “recovery” instead of “Narcotics
Anonymous” will help the site avoid being
recognized by a search engine if someone is
looking for an NA meeting or information about
Narcotics Anonymous. It can also help members
maintain their anonymity in this public medium.
�� How can members practice anonymity
when using the Internet?
�� How can an area use Internet technology
to help carry the NA message?
chapter
10
T
92 | Chapter 10 | Internet Technology
Public relations and Internet technology
The Internet has had an enormous impact on the growth of NA. It allows for more
regular communication and provides a vehicle for making information and service
resources more readily available. An area’s ability to use Internet technology depends on
the skills of members, their financial resources, and the information they have about how
to effectively use websites and the Internet. Remember, it may not be necessary for every
area to have a website; planning and prioritizing which services are most important in the
area can help trusted servants decide if a website is, in fact, the best use of their resources.
Areas may want to consider communicating with the local regional committee to be sure
there isn’t a duplication of services. If an area decides to create a local website, the
following information can help trusted servants use Internet technology more effectively.
P l a n n i n g a n d p r e p a r a t i o n f o r a r e a s a n d c ommi t t e e s
The key to providing useful information on a website is to allow for clear, simple navigation
to the relevant information. One way to achieve this, or to improve the effectiveness of an
already existing site, is by clarifying the purpose of the site. For example, an area may
determine that the most important functions of the website are to reach potential members
and the public and to support area service. Clarifying the purpose helps identify the audiences
the area is trying to reach. Identifying the audience and what the area is trying to communicate
to that audience becomes the foundation for making decisions about the content that should
be included on the site. Remember, a website will reach audiences beyond the local
community. It is important to keep this in mind when identifying the site’s potential audiences.
Some examples of audiences an area may want to communicate with are:
�� The public (including potential members and family and loved ones of addicts)
�� Professionals
�� Existing members
Another way to organize a website is to simply identify the audiences as members and
visitors. Either way, knowing the audiences the site is trying to reach will allow the area to
be clear about the content that would be most relevant for each audience. Some examples
of the content that might be relevant for each identified audience are:
�� For the public (including potential members and family and loved ones of addicts):
NA literature, meeting information, phoneline number, and possibly referral information.
�� For professionals:
Information about NA, NA literature, meeting information, local surveys, and a contact
person who is responsible for public interactions (such as a committee chairperson or
a public relations committee member).
�� For existing members:
Meeting information, service resources such as local guidelines, NA event information,
information about how to be of service, and password-protected materials like
committee minutes.
Once the purpose of the site has been established, it can be designed in a way that works
toward achieving that purpose. This is where having experienced local people or sufficient
financial resources can make a difference. Areas are encouraged to seek help from
professionals in designing their websites—this may mean using services offered by a local
October 2006 | PR Handbook | 93
member who is also a web design professional or hiring a nonmember to design the site. The
area can always use the purpose and the audience to make any decisions about how the site
should be designed.
The following points can help an area in thinking about website design:
�� Be sure to state the purpose of the site on the front page in a simple and clear way.
The purpose of a local NA website may simply be to provide information to those
interested in Narcotics Anonymous and to facilitate communication and support for
local NA members. Remember, the website should capture the attention of the
audience in a very short period of time.
�� The front page of a site should also state what information can be found on the site
and what information is not contained on the site. (For example, if the site only
contains meeting information for the local area, be sure to indicate that the site does
not contain meeting information for neighboring areas or regions, and provide a link
to a regional site that does contain that information.) The area can also link to NA
World Services to provide any information that is not contained on their local site.
�� The area will want to avoid creating a website with great design but minimal content
or one with poor design and too much content. The site should be designed in a way
that allows for easy navigation to the relevant information.
�� Remembering the site’s audience can help the area design the site using the most
universally accepted technology available. The area most likely wants to reach as many
people as possible, and using common technology can ensure that.
�� Free web hosting is not considered a best practice. A decision to forgo free web
hosting helps to eliminate a number of problems, the most important being the
possibility of an NA website having to provide advertising or links to inappropriate
sites. Free web hosting also limits how much content can be contained on the site.
Using free web hosting is often the reason why local NA sites end up with
advertisements. Allowing advertisements to be placed on an NA site can lead to NA
being seen as associated with outside organizations. When areas have no control over
the kinds of ads that may be placed on a site, the problem of association is likely to
lead to controversy.
�� The area needs to consider that the website is a public forum, and certain information
should be kept private. Password-protected areas can serve as a private space on a
public website (privacy is not the same as security—secure websites can be useful but
can involve more management and greater costs). Meeting minutes containing the
names and contact information of members, for instance, may best be kept private
through password protection.
�� When trying to make a website more secure, trusted servants must be sure to keep track
of passwords. That way, if a trusted servant leaves a committee under unfavorable
circumstances, the area can change the website’s password. Security issues can also be
lessened by creating a simple website with less encryption, and by not using free web
hosting.
�� Areas can make decisions about whom to link to by considering if the intended link
furthers NA’s primary purpose. For example, sites that provide maps to meetings are
often used on NA websites with a disclaimer stating that NA is not affiliated with the
map site.
94 | Chapter 10 | Internet Technology
�� One way to provide links to other NA areas and regions is by linking to the NAWS
regional links page (http://www.na.org/links-toc.htm). By linking to the NAWS website, an
area doesn’t have to use its human resources to regularly check and verify links.
�� A service committee may want to investigate which organizations link to the local NA
site. Following up on sites that link to us by making sure that the information about
NA is up-to-date and accurate can be a great way to strengthen public relations.
Domain name/website ownership and accountability
�� To ensure continuity, website domains ought to be owned and paid for by the service
body. The area budget can plan for this so that there are enough ongoing resources
to sustain the site.
�� Since the area is ultimately accountable for the NA website, the body should establish
itself as the responsible entity for the website, rather than the website being tied to a
single trusted servant. An area can usually establish itself as the accountable entity by
providing a mailing address (this process is similar to obtaining a bank account in the
area’s name). Having the website tied to the service body allows for rotation of
trusted servants and eliminates any questions about ownership of the site.
�� The area’s email address also needs to be tied to a committee. Trusted servants
should have the responsibility to regularly check and respond to email. If an area
receives email, members can respond to the email by letting the sending person know
that a member is getting the information they requested and will get back to them as
soon as possible. Inquiries can be discussed by the ASC and, if needed, delegated to
the appropriate trusted servant or committee.
�� In emerging areas where there is no formal area service committee, a group of addicts
can be responsible for the local NA website. A group of addicts making decisions
about the local NA website is often a more prudent approach than having the
responsibility fall on one individual. These trusted servants can then establish
accountability through local NA groups in the emerging area.
Web servant responsibilities
�� The area can clearly define the responsibilities that will be delegated to the web
servant. In defining the web servant’s role, the area also needs to establish that the
web servant is accountable to the area.
�� Members of the area can make it a practice to review the area website on a regular
basis as a way to ensure that the web servant is responding to the area’s requests.
�� As stated earlier in this chapter, an area is best served by a website that can be easily
passed along to other trusted servants. If a website is difficult to maintain, it may be
hard to find trusted servants who are able to take on the commitment.
�� An area may want to divide web responsibilities among trusted servants. For
example, a chairperson, who may or may not have the technical skills needed for
web maintenance, could be in charge of verifying and updating information
submitted to the website. Other trusted servants or committee members, who
are delegated responsibilities through the committee, could manage the technical
aspects of the website.
October 2006 | PR Handbook | 95
D i s c u s s i n g a n d a d d r e s s i n g k n o w n c h a l l e n g e s
w i t h I n t e r n e t t e c h n o l o g y
NA members often self-publish through personal websites. A note of caution (as
outlined in Chapter Two) is to avoid stating that a person is an NA member. Using
language like “recovery” and “twelve-step program” can help a site avoid being mistaken as
an area or regional site of Narcotics Anonymous.
If a member has used NA’s name on a personal website, then it is especially important
not to use pictures of any members on that site, just as an area or region would avoid
posting members’ pictures on its website. The use of members’ pictures in association with
NA falls outside the principle of anonymity. If pictures are used on a personal site, the NA
name should not be used, for the reasons described above.
Someone’s voice being heard on the web doesn’t compromise our anonymity in the same
way that pictures can. Some NA websites post members’ sharing so that NA’s message can
be accessed around the world via the website. This approach seems to maintain members’
anonymity better than a picture or video would. If a member chooses to participate in
sharing that is made accessible via the web, it is
important to remember that the share may come into
public view. It also may be worth considering avoiding
graphic descriptions of active addiction in shares posted
on the web.
It is important to remember that there isn’t the same
kind of personal anonymity online as there is in an NA
meeting. In most cases, Internet communications can be
tracked back to the user or individual computer and can be made available to outside parties
or agencies (except when sophisticated encryption or other technologies are used). In an
effort to keep private information out of the public’s view, message boards or chat rooms
used for online meetings or service-related discussions should be made as private as possible.
That way, the public cannot view the history or post to these forums. Passwords and other
systems such as peer-to-peer instant messaging can provide a level of privacy. When
considering personal anonymity and NA’s public image, it is important to keep in mind that
having publicly available postings or messages means that whatever is posted online can be
viewed by any Internet user in the world for long periods of time.
P u t t i n g y o u r p l a n i n t o a c t i o n
Uses of Internet technology and NA websites
The following list contains examples of how areas and regions have used the web to
communicate with each other and with the public:
�� One of the most important uses of Internet technology is to provide information
about NA. Websites are often the first glimpse someone will have of what the NA
program is—whether the viewer is a professional, a family member, or an addict trying
to find a meeting. When thinking about how to manage a website’s information, it is
important to remember that misinformation can be worse than no information at all.
�� Another use of NA Internet technology is communication among service bodies.
Bulletin boards, chat rooms, and email lists are commonly used to hold service meetings,
especially in areas encompassing large geographic distances. An unmediated forum,
however, is like a service meeting with no chair or facilitator—if there is no set agenda,
“It is important to
remember that there isn’t
the same kind of personal
anonymity online as there
is in an NA meeting.”
96 | Chapter 10 | Internet Technology
the focus can easily be lost. Addresses for email lists can be created based on service titles
instead of an individual’s name—for example, vicechair@thebiggestheartofNAarea. This
allows for continuity when members rotate service positions. The anonymity of members
in these forums can be protected through the use of a sign-up process or passwords.
�� If the area wants to post NA literature online, it should do so by linking to NAWS’
website, www.na.org. An area should not reproduce and post any of the fellowship’s
copyrighted literature, including the steps or traditions, the readings, IPs, or lengthy quotes.
For more information regarding the Fellowship Intellectual Property Trust, visit www.na.org.
�� If an area is thinking about posting non-fellowship-approved information such as
flyers or local newsletters, trusted servants may want to consider how that type of
information might affect NA’s public image. Member-focused literature may not always
be the kind of information an area wants to publicly display. A group conscience is a
good way to make decisions about whether or not to post non-fellowship-approved
information on a local website.
�� Various language groups, like Spanish-speaking members who live in various
countries around the world, have used the web for communication, including service
workshops and translations efforts.
�� Some areas maintain archival information such as past service projects or trusted
servants’ contact information in databases. However, the area will want to request
that the person who is responsible for creating the database also be responsible for
making the information transferable and easily accessible by other trusted servants,
including future trusted servants. Any information in a database should be backed up
and stored in a common place, not on someone’s personal hard drive, and needs to be
easily accessible through the most common technology available. Archiving and
updating information contained in the database will help to keep a relevant record of
the committee’s practices. Remembering the purpose of the information and who the
audience is can help the area make decisions about how to manage a database.
�� Some online NA meetings are held in chat rooms and some are held through email
lists. Again, member anonymity needs to be preserved through a sign-up process or
some other protocol. It is important to remember that online NA meetings may come
into the view of the public and have the potential to affect the public’s perception of
NA. One of the pitfalls of an online meeting can be overly casual conversation that
doesn’t seem to be driven by NA’s primary purpose.
Internet technology is a valuable tool that has allowed NA members to communicate
with each other and with the public in ways that were previously impossible. Taking some
time to discuss and plan for how to best use this technology can help to ensure that the
information we share with each other and present to the public is reliable, meaningful, and
informative.
Resources
Sample front page design
Steps for creating a website
Key topics
Core PR principles
PR & Internet technology
Planning & preparation for
areas & committees
Discussing & addressing
known challenges with
Internet technology
Putting your plan into action
Resources
Key icons
�� Practical experience
�� Preparation and training tips
�� PR principles for discussion
INTERNET TECHNOLOGY
his chapter addresses Internet technology as it relates to our public relations
efforts. Since a website is often one of the first points of contact for members of
the public and potential NA members, this topic deserves thoughtful attention and
planning. Whatever impression members of the public get from a website is likely
to have a lasting effect. The material here is designed to help areas use Internet technology
in a more useful and informative way.
This chapter is deliberately nonspecific since the rapid development of Internet
technology makes this material likely to become dated. As a result, specific technology or
products are not contained here. What is here—some of the fellowship’s current best
practices with how to effectively use Internet technology to further our primary purpose.
Core public relations principles
This section is excerpted from Chapter Two.
Anonymity on the Internet
The Internet can often give the illusion that it is not a public sphere. As a result, the issue of
personal anonymity on the World Wide Web can be a confusing one. Many members, in
enthusiastic efforts to carry NA’s message of
recovery, have set up personal websites or
weblogs. One way a personal site could respect
the principle of anonymity would be to state that
the site does not represent NA; it speaks only
for the individual. Personal sites can also provide
links to a local registered site or to na.org.
Personal websites can further protect
members’ anonymity by using words like
“recovery” instead of specifically stating that
they are members of Narcotics Anonymous.
Using “recovery” instead of “Narcotics
Anonymous” will help the site avoid being
recognized by a search engine if someone is
looking for an NA meeting or information about
Narcotics Anonymous. It can also help members
maintain their anonymity in this public medium.
�� How can members practice anonymity
when using the Internet?
�� How can an area use Internet technology
to help carry the NA message?
chapter
10
T
92 | Chapter 10 | Internet Technology
Public relations and Internet technology
The Internet has had an enormous impact on the growth of NA. It allows for more
regular communication and provides a vehicle for making information and service
resources more readily available. An area’s ability to use Internet technology depends on
the skills of members, their financial resources, and the information they have about how
to effectively use websites and the Internet. Remember, it may not be necessary for every
area to have a website; planning and prioritizing which services are most important in the
area can help trusted servants decide if a website is, in fact, the best use of their resources.
Areas may want to consider communicating with the local regional committee to be sure
there isn’t a duplication of services. If an area decides to create a local website, the
following information can help trusted servants use Internet technology more effectively.
P l a n n i n g a n d p r e p a r a t i o n f o r a r e a s a n d c ommi t t e e s
The key to providing useful information on a website is to allow for clear, simple navigation
to the relevant information. One way to achieve this, or to improve the effectiveness of an
already existing site, is by clarifying the purpose of the site. For example, an area may
determine that the most important functions of the website are to reach potential members
and the public and to support area service. Clarifying the purpose helps identify the audiences
the area is trying to reach. Identifying the audience and what the area is trying to communicate
to that audience becomes the foundation for making decisions about the content that should
be included on the site. Remember, a website will reach audiences beyond the local
community. It is important to keep this in mind when identifying the site’s potential audiences.
Some examples of audiences an area may want to communicate with are:
�� The public (including potential members and family and loved ones of addicts)
�� Professionals
�� Existing members
Another way to organize a website is to simply identify the audiences as members and
visitors. Either way, knowing the audiences the site is trying to reach will allow the area to
be clear about the content that would be most relevant for each audience. Some examples
of the content that might be relevant for each identified audience are:
�� For the public (including potential members and family and loved ones of addicts):
NA literature, meeting information, phoneline number, and possibly referral information.
�� For professionals:
Information about NA, NA literature, meeting information, local surveys, and a contact
person who is responsible for public interactions (such as a committee chairperson or
a public relations committee member).
�� For existing members:
Meeting information, service resources such as local guidelines, NA event information,
information about how to be of service, and password-protected materials like
committee minutes.
Once the purpose of the site has been established, it can be designed in a way that works
toward achieving that purpose. This is where having experienced local people or sufficient
financial resources can make a difference. Areas are encouraged to seek help from
professionals in designing their websites—this may mean using services offered by a local
October 2006 | PR Handbook | 93
member who is also a web design professional or hiring a nonmember to design the site. The
area can always use the purpose and the audience to make any decisions about how the site
should be designed.
The following points can help an area in thinking about website design:
�� Be sure to state the purpose of the site on the front page in a simple and clear way.
The purpose of a local NA website may simply be to provide information to those
interested in Narcotics Anonymous and to facilitate communication and support for
local NA members. Remember, the website should capture the attention of the
audience in a very short period of time.
�� The front page of a site should also state what information can be found on the site
and what information is not contained on the site. (For example, if the site only
contains meeting information for the local area, be sure to indicate that the site does
not contain meeting information for neighboring areas or regions, and provide a link
to a regional site that does contain that information.) The area can also link to NA
World Services to provide any information that is not contained on their local site.
�� The area will want to avoid creating a website with great design but minimal content
or one with poor design and too much content. The site should be designed in a way
that allows for easy navigation to the relevant information.
�� Remembering the site’s audience can help the area design the site using the most
universally accepted technology available. The area most likely wants to reach as many
people as possible, and using common technology can ensure that.
�� Free web hosting is not considered a best practice. A decision to forgo free web
hosting helps to eliminate a number of problems, the most important being the
possibility of an NA website having to provide advertising or links to inappropriate
sites. Free web hosting also limits how much content can be contained on the site.
Using free web hosting is often the reason why local NA sites end up with
advertisements. Allowing advertisements to be placed on an NA site can lead to NA
being seen as associated with outside organizations. When areas have no control over
the kinds of ads that may be placed on a site, the problem of association is likely to
lead to controversy.
�� The area needs to consider that the website is a public forum, and certain information
should be kept private. Password-protected areas can serve as a private space on a
public website (privacy is not the same as security—secure websites can be useful but
can involve more management and greater costs). Meeting minutes containing the
names and contact information of members, for instance, may best be kept private
through password protection.
�� When trying to make a website more secure, trusted servants must be sure to keep track
of passwords. That way, if a trusted servant leaves a committee under unfavorable
circumstances, the area can change the website’s password. Security issues can also be
lessened by creating a simple website with less encryption, and by not using free web
hosting.
�� Areas can make decisions about whom to link to by considering if the intended link
furthers NA’s primary purpose. For example, sites that provide maps to meetings are
often used on NA websites with a disclaimer stating that NA is not affiliated with the
map site.
94 | Chapter 10 | Internet Technology
�� One way to provide links to other NA areas and regions is by linking to the NAWS
regional links page (http://www.na.org/links-toc.htm). By linking to the NAWS website, an
area doesn’t have to use its human resources to regularly check and verify links.
�� A service committee may want to investigate which organizations link to the local NA
site. Following up on sites that link to us by making sure that the information about
NA is up-to-date and accurate can be a great way to strengthen public relations.
Domain name/website ownership and accountability
�� To ensure continuity, website domains ought to be owned and paid for by the service
body. The area budget can plan for this so that there are enough ongoing resources
to sustain the site.
�� Since the area is ultimately accountable for the NA website, the body should establish
itself as the responsible entity for the website, rather than the website being tied to a
single trusted servant. An area can usually establish itself as the accountable entity by
providing a mailing address (this process is similar to obtaining a bank account in the
area’s name). Having the website tied to the service body allows for rotation of
trusted servants and eliminates any questions about ownership of the site.
�� The area’s email address also needs to be tied to a committee. Trusted servants
should have the responsibility to regularly check and respond to email. If an area
receives email, members can respond to the email by letting the sending person know
that a member is getting the information they requested and will get back to them as
soon as possible. Inquiries can be discussed by the ASC and, if needed, delegated to
the appropriate trusted servant or committee.
�� In emerging areas where there is no formal area service committee, a group of addicts
can be responsible for the local NA website. A group of addicts making decisions
about the local NA website is often a more prudent approach than having the
responsibility fall on one individual. These trusted servants can then establish
accountability through local NA groups in the emerging area.
Web servant responsibilities
�� The area can clearly define the responsibilities that will be delegated to the web
servant. In defining the web servant’s role, the area also needs to establish that the
web servant is accountable to the area.
�� Members of the area can make it a practice to review the area website on a regular
basis as a way to ensure that the web servant is responding to the area’s requests.
�� As stated earlier in this chapter, an area is best served by a website that can be easily
passed along to other trusted servants. If a website is difficult to maintain, it may be
hard to find trusted servants who are able to take on the commitment.
�� An area may want to divide web responsibilities among trusted servants. For
example, a chairperson, who may or may not have the technical skills needed for
web maintenance, could be in charge of verifying and updating information
submitted to the website. Other trusted servants or committee members, who
are delegated responsibilities through the committee, could manage the technical
aspects of the website.
October 2006 | PR Handbook | 95
D i s c u s s i n g a n d a d d r e s s i n g k n o w n c h a l l e n g e s
w i t h I n t e r n e t t e c h n o l o g y
NA members often self-publish through personal websites. A note of caution (as
outlined in Chapter Two) is to avoid stating that a person is an NA member. Using
language like “recovery” and “twelve-step program” can help a site avoid being mistaken as
an area or regional site of Narcotics Anonymous.
If a member has used NA’s name on a personal website, then it is especially important
not to use pictures of any members on that site, just as an area or region would avoid
posting members’ pictures on its website. The use of members’ pictures in association with
NA falls outside the principle of anonymity. If pictures are used on a personal site, the NA
name should not be used, for the reasons described above.
Someone’s voice being heard on the web doesn’t compromise our anonymity in the same
way that pictures can. Some NA websites post members’ sharing so that NA’s message can
be accessed around the world via the website. This approach seems to maintain members’
anonymity better than a picture or video would. If a member chooses to participate in
sharing that is made accessible via the web, it is
important to remember that the share may come into
public view. It also may be worth considering avoiding
graphic descriptions of active addiction in shares posted
on the web.
It is important to remember that there isn’t the same
kind of personal anonymity online as there is in an NA
meeting. In most cases, Internet communications can be
tracked back to the user or individual computer and can be made available to outside parties
or agencies (except when sophisticated encryption or other technologies are used). In an
effort to keep private information out of the public’s view, message boards or chat rooms
used for online meetings or service-related discussions should be made as private as possible.
That way, the public cannot view the history or post to these forums. Passwords and other
systems such as peer-to-peer instant messaging can provide a level of privacy. When
considering personal anonymity and NA’s public image, it is important to keep in mind that
having publicly available postings or messages means that whatever is posted online can be
viewed by any Internet user in the world for long periods of time.
P u t t i n g y o u r p l a n i n t o a c t i o n
Uses of Internet technology and NA websites
The following list contains examples of how areas and regions have used the web to
communicate with each other and with the public:
�� One of the most important uses of Internet technology is to provide information
about NA. Websites are often the first glimpse someone will have of what the NA
program is—whether the viewer is a professional, a family member, or an addict trying
to find a meeting. When thinking about how to manage a website’s information, it is
important to remember that misinformation can be worse than no information at all.
�� Another use of NA Internet technology is communication among service bodies.
Bulletin boards, chat rooms, and email lists are commonly used to hold service meetings,
especially in areas encompassing large geographic distances. An unmediated forum,
however, is like a service meeting with no chair or facilitator—if there is no set agenda,
“It is important to
remember that there isn’t
the same kind of personal
anonymity online as there
is in an NA meeting.”
96 | Chapter 10 | Internet Technology
the focus can easily be lost. Addresses for email lists can be created based on service titles
instead of an individual’s name—for example, vicechair@thebiggestheartofNAarea. This
allows for continuity when members rotate service positions. The anonymity of members
in these forums can be protected through the use of a sign-up process or passwords.
�� If the area wants to post NA literature online, it should do so by linking to NAWS’
website, www.na.org. An area should not reproduce and post any of the fellowship’s
copyrighted literature, including the steps or traditions, the readings, IPs, or lengthy quotes.
For more information regarding the Fellowship Intellectual Property Trust, visit www.na.org.
�� If an area is thinking about posting non-fellowship-approved information such as
flyers or local newsletters, trusted servants may want to consider how that type of
information might affect NA’s public image. Member-focused literature may not always
be the kind of information an area wants to publicly display. A group conscience is a
good way to make decisions about whether or not to post non-fellowship-approved
information on a local website.
�� Various language groups, like Spanish-speaking members who live in various
countries around the world, have used the web for communication, including service
workshops and translations efforts.
�� Some areas maintain archival information such as past service projects or trusted
servants’ contact information in databases. However, the area will want to request
that the person who is responsible for creating the database also be responsible for
making the information transferable and easily accessible by other trusted servants,
including future trusted servants. Any information in a database should be backed up
and stored in a common place, not on someone’s personal hard drive, and needs to be
easily accessible through the most common technology available. Archiving and
updating information contained in the database will help to keep a relevant record of
the committee’s practices. Remembering the purpose of the information and who the
audience is can help the area make decisions about how to manage a database.
�� Some online NA meetings are held in chat rooms and some are held through email
lists. Again, member anonymity needs to be preserved through a sign-up process or
some other protocol. It is important to remember that online NA meetings may come
into the view of the public and have the potential to affect the public’s perception of
NA. One of the pitfalls of an online meeting can be overly casual conversation that
doesn’t seem to be driven by NA’s primary purpose.
Internet technology is a valuable tool that has allowed NA members to communicate
with each other and with the public in ways that were previously impossible. Taking some
time to discuss and plan for how to best use this technology can help to ensure that the
information we share with each other and present to the public is reliable, meaningful, and
informative.
Resources
Sample front page design
Steps for creating a website