What is Public Information
Public Information (PI) means carrying the message of recovery to the still-suffering alcoholic by informing the general public about the A.A. program. This is done via outreach to media, schools, industry, and other organizations, who can pass this information along to others. PI is handled at the national, international, or local level, and in conformance with A.A. guidelines: Public Information Guidelines Public Information Workbook Professional Community Guidelines Courts & Drunk Driving Guidelines Information on Anonymity The first PI committee was formed in 1956 by the A.A. General Service Board. At that time, the following statement of "A.A.'s movement-wide public information policy" was approved by the General Service Conference:
Purpose of Public Information The A.A. co-founder Bill W. wrote: Public Information takes many forms — the simple sign outside a meeting place that says "A.A. meeting tonight;" listing in local phone directories; distribution of A.A. literature; and radio and television shows using sophisticated media techniques. Whatever the form, it comes down to "one drunk carrying the message to another drunk," whether through personal contact or through the use of third parties and the media. For those A.A. members who decide to speak about A.A. at a non-A.A. meeting….you assume a serious responsibility. Even though you are careful to explain that you are not speaking for A.A. as a whole, many members of the audience will base their good or bad opinion of the Fellowship on what is said and how it is said. The reaction of nonalcoholic listeners and their consequent referring or failure to refer alcoholics to A.A. may someday mean the difference between life and death to still-suffering alcoholics. |