Purpose – The PI/CPC Committees provide information about AA to schools, businesses, law enforcement agencies and other organizations interested in the AA approach to recovery from alcoholism. They also cooperate with professionals in the community – educators, physicians, clergy, and others who are often in contact with active alcoholics.
P ublic I nformation / C ooperation with the P rofessional C ommunity
Did you know that this committee is really TWO committees? The Public Information part is to do the best we can to carry the message, and just get information out there. This is currently being accomplished by the signage on the Lee Tran buses, and the radio and TV ads that follow a major holiday for a few days. Listen to 96.9 on your way to and from work and you may hear one of our committee member’s voice. We also participate in Health Fairs and other public events. These are simply to provide pamphlets and information to the public.
The second part of our committee is the Cooperation with the Professional Community. This is where some of our members go and speak to Professional staff to inform them what AA does, and what AA does not do!!! An example is: We do not provide “sponsors” to doctor’s to escort alcoholics to meetings. That was the mindset of one of our local physicians. He thought you needed a sponsor to join. AA is by choice. Attendance is either “suggested” or “optional” (i.e. the option of AA or jail) We tell them the difference between an “open” and a “closed” meeting. There is an incredible amount of information we give about the program. These presentations are usually ended with question and answer session. The committee is starting to gain some momentum in this area. If you like public speaking to small groups, please let us know. We would like you to join us.
P.S. Help us help you expand your service work!! Come join us or call. If your group is having an Anniversary party and you would like a PI / CPC display with information, we can do that. We meet at 1:00 PM first Tuesday of the month at Intergroup. Interested in an evening meeting? Let me know. That could be considered.
email: picpc@district7area15aa.org
Public Information:
We have had success with the library system! Our Big Book is now available by audio through the library system. Hoopla (an online library service available to Lee County library users that requires a sign-in, but is free), the Big Book, Daily Reflections, and some A.A. speakers are in fact available to rent. It’s also available through Overdrive, another link on the Lee County library page – you don’t have to sign up for this one. We also have a connection that will help us get information into the lobbies, but not until the libraries are open without restrictions.
Cooperation with the Professional Community:
Letters are being mailed to several churches in the area stating that we can do a presentation to staff that may be dealing with Alcohol abuse during this period of isolation.
Service Work Availability:
I would like to express this thought for those of you, or your sponsees, that are considering service work. You might want to think about Chairing this committee. We have several things already in place that can continue if there is a chair person to tend to the maintenance of those commitments. We also have several projects in the works that have a jump start on a commitment. My 2 year term is up fall. We have lots of notes that can save a new person from having to retrace steps that lead to nowhere. This is an active committee of people that believe in the spiritual benefits of this work.
The First Tradition’s last sentence in the last paragraph (12 & 12) talking about our common welfare states “They live today in the Twelve Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous, which-God Willing-shall sustain us in unity or so long as He may need us”. I don’t think we have ever seen the need for AA so great as it is now.