Nar-Anon Midwest Region

Nar-Anon Family Groups in Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri and Wisconsin

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Mission and Vision Statement, Serenity Prayer

Mission Statement

The Nar-Anon Family Groups are a worldwide fellowship for those affected by someone else’s addiction. As a twelve step program, we offer our help by sharing our experience, strength, and hope.

Vision Statement

We will carry the message of hope throughout the world to those affected by the addiction of someone near to them. We will do this by:

Letting them know they are no longer alone;
Practicing the Twelve Steps of Nar-Anon;
Encouraging growth through service;
Making information available through Public Information, Hospitals and Institutions, and websites; and
Changing our own attitudes.

Serenity Prayer

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
courage to change the things I can,
and the wisdom to know the difference.

Members’ Divergent Backgrounds

As you work the Nar-Anon program, you will come to appreciate the widely divergent ideas expressed here. In Nar-Anon, as in life, we all come from different backgrounds, bringing with us our own thoughts, ideas, and instincts. We are striving to be the best individuals we can be. We learn we can work this program in our own way and in our own time.

There are no professionals or experts in our meetings, only other members who have struggled with the addiction problem of someone they love. No one will tell you what to do or how to do it. We can only share our experience, strength, and hope so we might learn from each other in order to make decisions that are right for us.

'

Information for the Newcomer, P-117

Working the 12 Steps is Essential to Our Recovery

The twelve steps are a wonderful gift. They have been skillfully worded to gently guide us through our recovery process. The steps can be accomplished in our own time and worked at our own pace. We have found that step study groups, workshops, and sponsorship are helpful tools to use when we work the steps.

If you want to have what we offer, and you are willing to make the effort to get it, then you are ready to begin your recovery. These twelve steps are based on principles that will make that recovery possible.

The Nar-Anon Twelve Tools of Recovery, P-115

Adhering to the 12 Traditions Protects the Health and Unity of Our Fellowship

Our traditions are the guidelines that promote harmony, growth, and unity in our groups and in the Nar-Anon fellowship. Our group experience suggests that the unity of the Nar-Anon Family Groups depends upon our adherence to these traditions. They are essential to the survival and proper functioning of the groups. They are based on spiritual principles and offer guidance and perspective for a healthy group attitude. Using the twelve traditions in our everyday lives can also have the same effect on our families as it does on our groups and the fellowship.

The Nar-Anon Twelve Tools of Recovery, P-115

The 12 Concepts Reflect Our Spiritual Nature of Service, Never Governance

Just as freedom for the individual comes from the Twelve Steps, and freedom for the group springs from the Twelve Traditions, so freedom for the service structure flourishes from the Twelve Concepts.

The Blue Booklet (2014), B-200

Addiction is a Family Disease

Narateen is a part of Nar-Anon specifically for teenagers who are affected by the addiction of a family member or friend. At specially arranged meetings, teens share their experiences and hope with other teenagers living in similar circumstances.

Nar-Anon Offers Hope, O-406

What is a GSR?

The family group’s elected GSR (Group Service Representative) is a vital link in the Nar-Anon service structure. In this position, the GSR serves as a liaison between the Nar-Anon Family Group and the Area and Regional Service Committees, relaying information to and from both directions

Information for the Newcomer, P-117

Tradition 7

The 7^th Tradition states: 'Every group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.' As all contributions are voluntary, members may give what they can afford when the basket is passed. Group funds are used to purchase literature, pay rent for their meeting place, and make periodic donations to their area, region, and World Service Office (WSO). A group may also decide to purchase refreshments and serving supplies.

Information for the Newcomer, P-117

TREASURER

The treasurer is the custodian of the RSC’s finances and bank account. The treasurer submits a written report of all financial transactions that have occurred since the previous GSR and RSC meetings.

NFG Guide to Local Services, S-300, p.6-2

Assemblies

An assembly is held once a year to conduct business of the region through Group Conscience. The GSRs are the only voting members of the assembly. Business may include the Chair’s state of the region address, the treasurer’s recommended annual budget approval, election of officers to fill vacancies, setting regional policies and hearing various reports. Time should be included for GSRs to discuss ideas, offer opinions and ask questions. Workshops, sharing opportunities and guest speakers may be included.

NFG Guide to Local Services, S-300, p.6-8

World Service Conference

The WSC is a biennial event for the expression of the group conscience of the Nar-Anon Fellowship. Its participants are elected regional delegates and alternate delegates, the World Service Board of Trustees, world service committee chairs, WSC Facilitator, and the executive director of World Service Office and staff.

NFG Guide to World Services, S-301,

What is the Regional Service Committee?

The RSC supports areas and groups by providing opportunities for them to communicate with each other, acting on behalf of their common interest, and encouraging growth of the fellowship. Members of the RSC are ASRs, officers, subcommittee chairs, the regional delegate, and alternate delegate. Officers of the RSC are the chair, vice chair, secretary and treasurer. The RSC conducts meetings and assemblies where its members address regional service matters and issues for the World Service Conference (WSC). Regions are encouraged to register with the World Service Office (WSO).

NFG Guide to World Services, S-301, p. 5

The 12 Steps

The Twelve Steps provide a catalyst for change that can be profound and lasting. Working these steps can transform the lives of individuals and families.

Having made a commitment to change by working the Twelve Steps of Nar-Anon, we recognize that recovery is a process and we will use these steps again and again. Like the slogan, progress not perfection, each time we work a step, we gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and the progress we have made. We can compare the Twelve Steps to a flight of stairs. We use them many times until they become a way of life, leading us to peace, joy and serenity.

Nar-Anon 36 (Steps 1-12), B-206,p.iv

The Sponsor/Sponsee Relationship

What is a Sponsor? A sponsor is a member of Nar-Anon with whom you can share intimate thoughts and feelings about how you have been affected by a loved one’s drug addiction. A sponsor will guide you through the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions so that you can apply them to your daily life. A sponsor can guide you by making suggestions and by sharing their experiences. You do not have to follow a sponsor’s suggestions, but there is an old saying, “If you want what I have, do what I do.”

Finding a Sponsor, P-101, p2

Speaker Meeting Considerations

The purpose of Nar-Anon is personal growth through applying the Twelve Steps and sharing our experience, strength and hope. It is from Nar-Anon and Narateen members that we hear the ideas and experiences that put us on the road to recovery. Outside speakers, other than invited NA speakers, at Nar-Anon and Narateen meetings may divert the focus from our recovery.

Guidelines for Healthy Meetings, S-303

Meeting Guidelines

Every group may be a little different from another. Groups can choose which pieces of CAL (Conference Approved Literature) they read at their meetings. Groups decide how many meetings they will have each week and how long the meetings will be. Each group is autonomous but still has an obligation to work within the guidelines of Nar-Anon. Imagine that all the Nar-Anon groups make up one world-wide meeting. Every member should be able to attend any meeting in the world and feel welcome and safe, knowing that they have the support of the entire Nar-Anon fellowship.

Guidelines for Healthy Meetings, S-303

Nar-Anon Spoken Here

You may notice Nar-Anon members have a language all their own. This is one reason we ask members to keep coming back. At first the new words and phrases you hear may seem foreign to you. This may be a little overwhelming to the newcomer. You will learn about the steps, traditions, and slogans, and find helpful information in our Nar-Anon literature. Sometimes you may wonder why the same readings need to be repeated at each meeting. As you continue to attend meetings, you will find that those readings and slogans will become a part of your everyday recovery.

Information for the Newcomer P-117

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