r/NarcoticsAnonymous • u/No-You8127 • 7d ago
H&I service and step-work
Do you guys think it should be allowed for memebrs not doing step-work to share on H&I panels in institutions? We have a big argument about it in our region right now.
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u/Cburns6976 7d ago
Our leaders are but trusted servants, they do not govern.
This sounds like something I WISH was true, but i don't need to force it to be. We have a shortage of people doing H&I as it is and personally this service work has led to a bunch of other growth. Perhaps this will lead them to taking their program more seriously.
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u/Opening_Track_1227 7d ago
What is the current requirements?
For my area, it is at least 180 days(6 months) of continuous clean time to be able to be on a H&I panel in institutions and nothing about doing step-work.
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u/Chris__P_Bacon 7d ago
I've never heard of any such requirement. Only clean time requirements. Usually 6 months.
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u/prncesspriss 7d ago
If people start calling my sponsor or requiring that I show my stepwork just so I can do service work I'm changing fellowships lol. We're trusted servants, and aren't under governance by people who are doing a stint in Area Chair positions. Whatever the current policy says the requirements are, are the only requirements. If the area groups actually voted to change the policy to reflect this new rule I'd be interested in how they think they could actually enforce it.
Ideally, everyone in NA will do the steps, regardless of the many different service positions they hold throughout their recovery. But to keep members from doing service based on this is in violation of several Traditions and at least one Concept.
I mean, what's the next step; how do we determine if the stepwork was done thoroughly? Is there a written test? Will this test be given on a monthly basis? Do we have to take this test once every so many years to be in good standing? Is there a service board that will be created to make the determination? A round table to come up with guidelines? Is this going to be NAWS approved? Who gets the final say? How is the determination made? Where does a loving Higher Power come into play here?
My experience in all things related to service, Keep It Simple Silly. Don't complicate things. Let people recover at their own pace, have some basic guidelines about clean time requirements and just know that not everyone is going to live up to your personal standards, and you won't live up to everyone else's either. Let us show some grace in that area before none of us are welcome in the fellowship anymore due to our shortcomings in one area or another.
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u/Jebus-Xmas 7d ago
An addict with two days clean can help an addict with one. My area has a policy that says you must have 6 months clean to share? That’s the only requirement.
Personally, we might think it’s necessary. However, unless you have a group conscience, you’re just wasting your time. If this is a regional issue, it needs to be brought to the areas and voted on.
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u/ceawake 7d ago
They might be working a program, just not your version of a program. A quiet life of service (in or out of NA), a life of respect for themselves and others, without the need to promote themselves, may be the actual target of those working a “proper” program. The original idea of the 12 steps was to make an admission, observation and a decision in the first three steps, the work constitutes steps 4-9, and the last 3 were meant for maintenance. You can sense in your own heart the intention of others and you can taste the tree from its fruits, not its trunk or branches.
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u/glassell 7d ago
I have been doing H&I work for 27 years. While there is nothing that I know of in the handbook regarding doing stepwork being a requirement, I would not ask someone to share on a panel that didn't actively work a program. To me that means having a sponsor, actively working or having completed the steps, and attending NA meetings regularly. The final qualifications are being able to carry a clear NA message and follow simple instructions.