PORTLAND AREA NA

HOSPITALS & INSTITUTIONS SUBCOMMITTEE

 

BYLAWS

 

SECTION ONE: DEFINITION & PURPOSE

Article 1 – The Subcommittee

The Portland Area Hospitals & Institutions Subcommittee (H&I) is a volunteer group from the Fellowship of Narcotics Anonymous (NA). Its purpose is to carry the NA message to the residents of Correctional Institutions, Hospitals and Detox Centers. To be most helpful, we must comply with the rules of each institution we serve. H&I has been created in harmony with the Ninth Tradition of NA; further we impose certain standards on ourselves.

Article 2 – Hospitals and Institutions

These are defined as facilities having in residence or confinement persons for medical treatment, mental care and therapy, or corrective and rehabilitative purposes, with restricted or limited access to regular NA meetings.

 

H&I does not assume responsibility for any presentation conducted by individuals other than as members of this Subcommittee.

Article 3 – Cooperation

Since Narcotics Anonymous is a program of attraction rather than promotion, H&I provides services to an institution only after the written request of the institution’s administration, and acceptance by the H&I Subcommittee.

 

Members of H&I cannot speak for Narcotics Anonymous as a whole; rather they speak only for themselves and tell their story. However, each member must be cautioned to act responsibly relative to the requirements of the institutions and the Twelve Traditions of NA.

Article 4 – Literature

Only Narcotics Anonymous Conference-approved literature may be taken into an institution. Any literature left at the institution must bear the H&I Subcommittee approved stamp.

Article 5 – Business Meetings

Business meetings of this Subcommittee shall be held not less than once per month and prior to the Portland Area Service Committee ( PASC ) at a time and place designated by the Subcommittee membership. No Business meeting shall last longer than 1 hour, except by vote to extend this time limit by the members present at said meeting.

Article 6 – General Meetings

General meetings will be held after the monthly Business meetings and shall consist of commitment sign-ups and elections as needed.

Article 7 – Functions of the H&I Subcommittee

A.    To conduct presentations at Correctional Institutions, Hospitals and Detox centers within the Portland metropolitan area.

B.    To provide H&I service representatives for active participation at the Area and Regional service levels.

C.    To conduct business meetings as necessary to carry out these functions.

 

SECTION TWO: MEMBERSHIP

 

Any member of Narcotics Anonymous with 6 months clean time may become a member of H&I after attending an orientation meeting, filling out an application, attending 2 consecutive General meetings, and giving a verbal commitment to the Committee.

 

Any member of Narcotics Anonymous with 90 days clean time is invited to attend an H&I orientation and observe H&I presentations at designated facilities until membership requirements are met.

 

All members are bound to comply with the clean time requirements at each institution.

 

Clean time for the purpose of this Subcommittee shall be construed as freedom from the abuse of any mind or mood altering substance.

 

Relapse shall result in immediate loss of privileges and duties from the H&I Subcommittee until such time as clean time requirements are met.

 

SECTION THREE: VOTING

 

Any member of the H&I Subcommittee is eligible to vote at all Subcommittee meetings.

 

SECTION FOUR: ELECTIONS

 

Nominations of officers to be held once a year in February, with elections in March; ratification of the H&I Chair will take place at the following PASC meeting. Terms for all officers are for one year. Panel Chairs for non-clearance facilities will be elected in April and October with six-month terms starting the following month. Panel Chairs for clearance facilities will be elected in November with a one-year term starting the following month.

 

All candidates must be present at the time of nomination and election.

 

All candidates must meet the qualifications stipulated in these Guidelines, unless waived by the Subcommittee. Only in the absence of a qualified candidate may the Subcommittee waive established qualifications.

 

An Officer or Panel Chair may resign at any time. When an elected Officer or Panel Chair becomes unable to discharge the duties of that position, a successor shall be appointed by the Chairperson and approved by the H&I Subcommittee at the next General meeting. No position may be held by the same person for more than two consecutive terms. Any Officer or Panel Chair may be removed during his/her term by a majority vote of the H&I Subcommittee.

 

SECTION FIVE: OFFICERS

Article 1 – General Guidelines

A.    A service board of executive officers shall consist of a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson, a Secretary, and a Treasurer.

B.    In the case of resignation of the Chairperson, the Vice-Chairperson shall automatically assume the position of the Chairperson until the Subcommittee elects a new Chairperson.

C.    If the Vice-Chairperson cannot or will not assume the position, the Vice-Chairperson of the PASC will act as Chairperson until the Subcommittee fills the position.

D.    In the event of resignation by the Secretary, a willing member shall fill that position until such time as the Subcommittee elects a new Secretary.

 

SECTION SIX: QUALIFICATIONS AND DUTIES OF ELECTED POSITIONS

 

 

Article 1 – Chairperson

Required to have three years clean time, a minimum of two years activity in H&I work and a suggested working knowledge of jail procedures (preferably with clearance privileges).

Responsibilities include:

A.    Coordinate all H&I activities

B.    Preside at all General, Business, and special H&I meetings

C.    Prepare a written agenda for all meetings

D.    Handle all public relations contacts involving policy matters and/or interpretations at the public level that pertain to H&I

E.    Meet with administrators of institutions in the interests of harmony, or to establish new commitments

F.     Fill appointed positions

G.    Be a co-signer of the H&I Subcommittee bank account

H.    Attend entire PASC meeting as a member of the PASC Board of Directors (BOD)

I.      Attend quarterly BOD meetings with detailed financial report prepared by Subcommittee Treasurer

J.     Prepare a written report for the PASC and file one copy with the H&I Secretary

K.    Request from the PASC the H&I monthly allotment and return it to the H&I Treasurer

L.     Report to this Subcommittee any PASC information that pertains to H&I

 

 

Article 2 - Vice-Chairperson

Required to have three years clean time, a minimum of two years activity in H&I work and a suggested working knowledge of jail procedures (preferably with clearance privileges).

Responsibilities include:

A.    In the absence of the Chairperson, or in the event of the inability of the Chairperson to perform or upon the resignation of the Chairperson, assume all those responsibilities carried out by the Chairperson

B.    Work closely with the Chairperson in any capacity or situation

C.    Help to coordinate the H&I meetings and work with Panel Chairs, and H&I Regional Conference Member (RCM).

D.    Receive and compile monthly reports from the Panel Chairs

E.    Maintain compliance of Panel Chairs and general members to these bylaws, including missed commitment sanctions (See Section Eight; letter J) Any member not conforming to these Bylaws, or who refuses to abide by the rules and regulations of the institution being served, shall automatically be relieved by the Vice-Chairperson of any H&I Subcommittee assignments previously granted.

F.     Keep a roster of all facilities and their contact people

G.    Be a co-signer of the H&I Subcommittee bank account

 

 

Article 3 – Secretary

Required to have one year clean time and six months activity in H&I work.

Responsibilities include:

A.    Record minutes of all Subcommittee meetings

B.    Copy and send said minutes to Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson not more than two weeks after each H&I meeting

C.    Maintain and update H&I member phone and facility information lists, and make copies available at all Subcommittee meetings

D.    Keep all archives ready and available

E.    Keep current applications for facilities on file at every meeting

F.     Report to H&I General meeting pertinent information from the H&I Business meeting

 

Article 4 – Treasurer

Required to have two years clean time and one year activity in H&I work

Responsibilities include:

A.    Keep an accurate record of all monies

B.    Keep a record of financial obligations and accounts, and make a written report at each monthly Business meeting

C.    Disburse monies at the authorization of the Subcommittee

D.    Maintain a reasonable supply of literature and disburse this literature to Panel Chairs at the monthly Business meeting

E.    Be a co-signer of the Subcommittee bank account

F.     Prepare a detailed financial report for each PASC Board of Directors quarterly audit

 

Article 5 - Regional Conference Member (RCM)

Required to have two years clean time and one year of activity in H&I work. In addition, he/she must be able to travel to the quarterly Regional H&I meetings, (Note: this requires out-of-town travel).

Responsibilities include:

A.    Prepare a written quarterly report for the Regional H&I committee, file one copy with the H&I Secretary. This report shall be prepared sufficiently in advance so that it can be read and approved by the PASC H&I members before submission to the Regional H&I Chairperson

B.    Attend quarterly Regional H&I Business meetings and Regional H&I workshops

C.    Report to this Subcommittee any information brought to the Region that pertains to the PASC H&I Subcommittee

D.    Obtain copies of Regional and World H&I minutes, to be filed with the Secretary of H&I

 

Article 6 - Alternate RCM

Required to have one year clean time and six months ­of activity in H&I work. In addition, he/she must be able to travel to the quarterly Regional H&I meetings, (Note: this requires out-of-town travel).

Responsibilities include:

A.    Attend quarterly Regional H&I Business meetings and Regional H&I workshops

B.    Assume any responsibilities of the RCM that he/she cannot fulfill

 

Article 7 - Panel Chairs

Required to have one year clean time and six months of activity in H&I work

Responsibilities include:

A.    Attend monthly H&I Business and General meetings

B.    Sign up H&I members for monthly facility commitments

C.    Supply those who have signed up for commitments with NA literature appropriate to the facility

D.    Stock lockers or literature bins (where required) with appropriate literature

E.    Contact their facility at end of month prior to H&I Business meeting to find out status of facility

F.     Provide written and verbal Panel Chair report on facility at the monthly H&I Business meeting

G.    Make reminder calls to Subcommittee members not more than 3 days and not less than 1 day prior to their commitment date

H.    Immediately report any breach of bylaws to the Vice-Chairperson

 

SECTION SEVEN: QUALIFICATION AND DUTIES OF APPOINTED POSITIONS

 

All appointed positions shall serve no longer than a term of one year, without being reappointed. Appointed positions may or may not be filled, at the discretion of the Chairperson.

Article 1 – Subcommittee Member Development Coordinator

Required to have two years clean time and one year of activity in H&I work.

Responsibilities include:

A.    Contact members after 6 months on the Subcommittee to provide information about how to get clearance.

B.    Coordinate with members and Clearance Facility Coordinators to match those who are able to get clearance with the facilities that need them.

 

Article 2 – Clearance Facility Coordinators

Required to have two years clean time and one year of activity in H&I work. There will be one Coordinator each for Multnomah County, Clackamas County and Oregon State.

Responsibilities include:

A.    Make available clearance applications and information to all Subcommittee members

B.    Maintain contact with clearance facilities regarding any changes in requirements

C.    Make available address and phone numbers of clearance facility Volunteer Coordinators

 

 

Article 3 - Compliance Coordinator

Required to have two years clean time and one year of activity in H&I work

Responsibilities include:

A.    Make available a sign in list at all Business and General meetings

B.    Keep a record of attendance at Subcommittee meetings

C.    Maintain Panel Chair Reports, for the purpose of determining compliance with the requirements for active status

 

Article 4 - Orientation Teams

Required to have two years clean time and one year of activity in H&I work

Responsibilities include:

A.    Conduct an orientation meeting for those persons wishing to join H&I

 

SECTION EIGHT: GENERAL INFORMATION

 

A.   Any member of the H&I Subcommittee is automatically disqualified from further H&I activity upon the loss of his/her clean time, but may become eligible again when he/she conforms to the requirements herein set forth.

 

B.    Length of clean time required by each institution is to be rigidly upheld by all H&I members.

 

C.    H&I commitments will not be conducted with less than two Subcommittee members present. Failure to comply will result in a suspension from the Subcommittee for a period of 90 days.

 

D.    The approved format, (Appendix 1), is to be used at all presentations, and a copy is to be kept at each facility.

 

E.    Narcotics Anonymous principles or general information, or life stories focusing on recovery are to be the main topics of any H&I presentation conducted within all institutions served by this Subcommittee. All members must comply strictly with this regulation, confining their talks solely to NA (see Clarity Statement, Appendix 2).

 

F.     Excessive use of vile, profane or vulgar language is strictly prohibited.

 

G.    Nothing is to be given to, or taken from any inmate or patient, including messages.

 

H.    Clothing should be appropriate and in good repair. Also, in keeping with our 6th Tradition, clothing should be free of any endorsements other than those related to NA.

 

I.      Any NA member who is involved with a given facility on a professional or volunteer basis separate from H&I should not participate in H&I commitments at said facility. This is intended to avoid possible conflict and the resulting damage to (a) the inmate or patient inside, or (b) the working ability and privilege of the Subcommittee to carry the message inside the facility. For these same reasons, no H&I member will interfere with or use influence on any facility, court, or hospital, nor with any judge, doctor, probation or parole officer. Further, H&I members will not make any comments or promises regarding employment, parole, probation or medical problems. We carry only the message of Narcotics Anonymous.

 

J.     Any absence or late arrival to a commitment shall be considered an unexcused missed commitment unless deemed excused by the Subcommittee with a motion and passed with a 2/3-majority vote. One missed commitment will result in a verbal warning. Two unexcused missed commitments in a period of six months will result in a suspension from the committee for a period of 90 days. If you cannot make it to the commitment it is YOUR responsibility to find a replacement, and to notify the Panel Chair of the substitution. If a replacement is not found contact the Panel Chair AND your commitment partner. Any commitment covered by a qualified replacement is not a missed commitment.

 

K.    For the purpose of conducting business a quorum shall be established as a minimum of ½ of the executive officers and 3/4 of the Panel Chairs.

 

L.     Any member of the H&I Subcommittee is eligible to vote at all Subcommittee meetings.

 

M.    No member shall hold more than two H&I Subcommittee offices simultaneously. No executive officer of H&I shall hold any other executive position in the PASC or its Subcommittees.

 

N.    No member shall hold the same elected office for more than two consecutive terms.

 

O.    In the interest of diversity, no H&I member shall sign-up for a commitment at the same non-clearance facility more than once every three weeks.

 

P.    Certain facilities allow a third person. Any third person must meet the facility’s requirements, and should go as a learning opportunity only. If the third is asked to share, please keep it brief to allow time for participation by residents. If you don’t have six months clean, do not share at all.

 

Q.    No non-clearance sign-up prior to facility announcement at the monthly General meeting.

 

R.    All Subcommittee members must attend at least one General meeting every three months to remain active except members with ad hoc status. All members including ad hoc must fulfill at least one commitment every six months to remain active. It is the member’s responsibility to sign in for attendance credit.

 

S.    Any Subcommittee member with at least one year of H&I service can present a motion to H&I Business meeting with specific reasons for being unable to fulfill attendance requirements.

 

T.     Failure to comply with these regulations, an institution’s regulations, or both, shall be sufficient grounds for a review of the suitability of a Subcommittee member.

 

U.    Any changes, additions or deletions made to these guidelines must be approved by a 2/3-majority vote of this Subcommittee.

SECTION NINE: H&I AD HOC GUIDELINES

 

Article 1: Ad Hoc Status Requirements

A.    Have access to a clearance facility

B.    Three (3) years minimum service on H&I, or six (6) commitments at a clearance facility

C.    Present a motion to H & I Business Meeting

D.    Attend a at least one clearance facility presentation every six months

 

 

 

Appendix 1

APPROVED H&I PRESENTATION FORMAT

 

Welcome, my name is _______ I am an addict. With me is ________. We are members of a Subcommittee of Narcotics Anonymous called Hospitals & Institutions. We are a group of recovering addicts who bring a message of recovery to people who cannot get to an outside meeting.

 

What we share in this presentation is our own experience, strength and hope. This is a spiritual program not a religious one, so please don’t let the word GOD offend you.

 

We would like to open this presentation with a moment of silence followed by the serenity prayer for those who would like to join us.

 

As outside volunteers we are required to follow the rules and regulations of this facility. It is our responsibility to terminate the meeting if those rules and regulations are violated. If an attendance roster is required by this facility, please sign it.

 

There are readings done before all regular NA meetings. We would appreciate your participation in this. Could someone please read:

 

1.  Who is an addict?

2.  What is the NA program?

3.  Why are we here?

4.  How it works

 

Our format will be that we will share our experience, strength and hope. Please hold your comments until we have shared. We will allow plenty of time for your questions.

CLOSE WITH THE SERENITY PRAYER

 

 

 

 

Appendix 2

 

 

Clarity Statement

 

We are presented with a dilemma when Narcotics Anonymous members identify themselves as addicts and alcoholics or talk about “living clean and sober.” The clarity of the NA message is blurred. To speak in this manner suggests that there are two diseases, that one drug is somehow separate from the rest, requiring special recognition. Narcotics Anonymous makes no distinction between drugs. Our identification as ADDICTS is all inclusive, allowing us to concentrate on our similarities, not our differences.