Public Information (PI) in AA means carrying the message of recovery to the still suffering alcoholic by informing the general public about the AA programme. We do this by getting in touch with the media managers, Welfare Officers in industry and the Trades’ Unions, Schools and indeed any organisation of a public nature whether it be organised or voluntary, which is in a position to pass on the knowledge of the existence of AA and what it can do for the still suffering alcoholic. The aim of this chapter is to guide you through the PI process, from formation of a committee through the functions such a committee can perform. What follows suggest ways individuals can do PI work as well as activities that have been planned by local PI committees. The amount of knowledge of PI work varies from place to place but over the years this has built up into a wealth of practical experience which this chapter is designed to share. Those undertaking PI work for the first time, whether it is at group, intergroup or at regional level, are encouraged to read this Handbook and take guidance from the information contained. There is no mystique about PI work. It is, however, acknowledged that particularly newcomers to service, when faced with the possibility of breaking their anonymity, may be wary of undertaking PI service. Again this chapter hopes to remove this fear by explaining simply what is involved and how service work of this nature can not only carry the message of AA to where it is needed but by doing so, help the member who undertakes the work. All PI work should be carried out with the sole objective of seeing that the still suffering alcoholic receives the AA message, and in so doing, it is important to remember that the Traditions of AA should be strictly observed. We should, for instance, remain strictly anonymous at the level of press, radio and TV on a personal basis, but that does not mean that we cannot identify ourselves fully when dealing with the staff of newspapers, radio or TV stations; it would not make sense to try to do business with people if anonymity was carried to this length. After all, anonymity, being the spiritual foundation of our Fellowship, is aimed at personal anonymity, i.e. public appearance and/or identification as an “AA spokesperson” in the media. We are however not secret – those doing PI service work must be accessible by name and address to those with whom we wish to conduct our business. Many people in the media have great respect for AA although some may not know much about it. Because we are not seeking publicity for ourselves as individuals, they are usually more willing to co-operate with us and observe our personal anonymity requirements once these are explained to them. PI work is for members who are willing to make the contacts we need to make. It is not necessary to be an expert in communications. What is required is a willingness to spread the message by making contact with the right people to pass that message on. All that is needed is to say who you are and what you hope to do. PUBLIC INFORMATION 25Our basic task is to tell the public through as many organisations as possible what AA is, how it works, and where contact can be made. First of all we should make clear that it has worked for us. Sponsorship into service and working with other PIs at committee level provide the experience for this type of service. This Handbook should be retained by the PI member of each intergroup and should be passed on when their term of service expires. Any group or intergroup member who shows interest in PI work should be encouraged to read it and PI members should from time to time draw attention to its existence thus keeping alive interest in the work.

Intergroups and regions are responsible for the appointment of an Armed Services Liaison Officer [ASLO] to work in conjunction with other intergroup and regional officers. The role of the ASLO is to establish and maintain communication between Alcoholics Anonymous and The Royal Navy, The Army and The Royal Air Force and to report back at all levels within intergroup or region. It is also important to cultivate similar contact and communication with Community Welfare Officers and organisations such as Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA) and Veterans-UK. Familiarity with the local area and a thorough working knowledge of the AA Service Handbook for Great Britain are vital before accepting the role of Armed Services Liaison Office.

The principal role of the ECLO is one of liaison, communication and co-ordination between groups, intergroup, region, and the Electronics Communications SubCommittee (ECSC) AA AND ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS 47- and to facilitate correlation and dissemination of relevant information between these principal service areas. Therefore a good understanding of the Traditions and Service and Structure Handbooks is more important to the role than technical knowledge. A minimum of three years’ sobriety is recommended, and a general competence with the use of computers. If desired, a committee of technically skilled members could be formed to assist the ECLO in setting up/maintaining/updating any local website, with the ECLO acting as Chair of this committee. Such a committee would provide an opportunity for less experienced but technically skilled members to engage in service.

The ECLO:

• Is the liaison point between the local Fellowship and the Electronic Communications Sub-Committee, advising the intergroup/region on the availability and use of the facilities available on the AAGB website.

• Is responsible for checking the accuracy of any local information posted on the website (i.e., meeting list addresses and postcodes, local web page content etc) to ensure that out of date or misleading local information is not published.