Public Information

Public Information (P.I.) in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) means carrying the message of recovery to the still suffering alcoholic by informing the general public about the AA program. If you are sober and have a desire to serve, you can help!

When they've had enough, we want AA to be there in the yellow pages, on the bus signs, etc. - and that's Public Information.

What We Do

AA's Public Information Committee carries the message by getting in touch with:

Media         Schools        Industry        Physicians        Police        Clergy   
Senior Centers         Libraries        Hotels        Hospitals        Bus Signs   
General Public        AA Fellowship

Like all of AA, the primary purpose of members involved with public information service is to carry the AA message to the alcoholic who still suffers. Working together, members of local Public Information Committees convey AA information to the general public, including the media.

Why We Do It

The first Public Information Committee in AA was formed by the General Service Board in 1956. At that time, the following statement of "AA's movement-wide public information policy" was written and approved at the General Service Conference:

In all public relations, AA's sole objective is to help the still suffering alcoholic. Always mindful of the importance of personal anonymity we believe this can be done by making known to him and to those who may be interested in his problems, our own experience as individuals and as a Fellowship in learning to live without alcohol. We believe that our experience should be made available freely to all

who express sincere interest. We believe further that all efforts in this field should always reflect our gratitude of the gift of sobriety and our awareness that many outside AA are equally concerned with the serious problems of alcoholism.

How We Do It

Favorite Public Information projects in Western Washington:

 1    Placing Conference approved books, e.g. the Big Book, Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, or Living Sober in public libraries.

 2   Placing literature racks in high schools and libraries and other public locations, and keeping the racks stocked with appropriate literature and meeting schedules.

 3    Sending letters to high schools, offering AA literature and/or a presentation on AA -what we do and we do not do.

 4    Responding to speaking requests at non-AA meetings in the district.

 5    Speaking at AA home groups to spread the word about  P.I. and how it helps us fulfill our primary purpose.

 6    Participating with booths and literature at local health, country and state fairs.

 7    Placing meeting schedules behind the front desks of hotels.

 8    Speaking at AA home groups about our tradition of anonymity.

How You Can Help

 The Public Information Committee needs all types of volunteers, from the shy to the bold:

 1    We need members to help plan events, to stuff envelopes, and to fill literature racks in libraries, schools and other public locations.

 2    We need members to contact police stations, hospitals, and senior centers about placing literature and schedules in their facilities.

 3    We need members who would like to learn to speak to groups or as part of a panel, and who are excited at the prospect of going to our high schools and colleges.

 4    We need members who would speak to other non-AA groups about Alcoholics Anonymous.

 3    We need members who would speak to the fellowship of A.A about Public Information.

Traditions Are our Guide

 Thoughtful reading of AA literature (Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions and the pamphlets "AA Tradition-How it Developed" and "The Twelve Traditions Illustrated") is essential for anyone who works with non-AAs.

 An understanding of all the Traditions and a firm grasp of the anonymity Traditions are especially vital. The pamphlet

 "Understanding Anonymity" and the Anonymity Wallet Card are useful in making these AA principles clear to the public.

For More Information

 Pick up a copy of the Public Information Workbook (M27) at your local Intergroup or District office.

 Send an email to the Chair of our Area Public Information Committee at pi@area72aa.org. He or she can help you get started -- and might even be able to introduce you to people in your district already doing this work.

 Click here for a PDF copy of the AA Guidelines on Public Information, published by the General Service Office.

© Copyright 2002-2006  Western Washington Area 72. All Rights Reserved  This site is not endorsed by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. It is provided in an effort to reach out to the alcoholic who still suffers.  Alcoholics Anonymous®, A.A.® and The Big Book® are registered trademarks of Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.